(continued on page 2)

August 2010August 2010August 2010August 2010

St. John NewsSt. John NewsSt. John NewsSt. John News

The

Ministries

of

St. John Lutheran www.stjohnseward.org

Church 919 N. Columbia Avenue Seward, Nebraska 68434 402-643-2983

School 877 N. Columbia Avenue Seward, Nebraska 68434 402-643-4535

Child

Development

Center 20 Main Street Seward, Nebraska 68434 402-643-3122

St. John News is published monthly by St. John Lutheran Church (402-643-2983) Newsletter Staff Shirley Liesener Richard Zwick

Proclaiming and Practicing the Love of Christ

From the Pastor’s Desk . . .

While traveling this summer

with my family, we had the

opportunity to see amazing

parts of God’s creation in

Alaska both while on the

mission trip and then on

vacation. One of the sights that

we saw was the Toklat River in

Denali National Park. For us

visiting from the Midwest, the

river appeared to be very low

for the riverbanks were far

apart, separated by dry ribbons

of gravel bars. Then we had the

privilege to learn about the river

from a tour guide as he

explained what we were looking

at. We learned that the river was

not low but that in fact the river

flow changes continually as the

glacier melt comes down

through the valley, carrying with

it glacial or rock flour. The

water flow leaves these deposits

along the way and the channels

of water shift continually

throughout the riverbed. So,

from one day to the next, the

location of the water flow

changes in the river.

As I thought about this, many

other changes came to mind,

changes that are happening

around us right now:

ChangesChangesChangesChanges that come with the start of a new school year

ChangesChangesChangesChanges in the ministry staff at St. John and at Concordia University

ChangesChangesChangesChanges to the leadership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

ChangesChangesChangesChanges on the ministry campus with the installation of a security system (which also indicates a change in the times in which we live)

ChangesChangesChangesChanges to Nebraska’s private colleges with the closing of Dana

Personally, changeschangeschangeschanges to my family as my Dad was blessed with a new wife

And I am sure you could list

many more changes that you are

experiencing in your own life

too.

As our family stood by the Toklat River and watched the ever-changing flow of the water,

we were also blessed to lift up our eyes and see the magnificent beauty of the mountains of the Alaska Range, including the mountain called Denali rising 20,320 feet into the sky. Looking at those mountains and their magnitude, a person could sense the stability that they portrayed; however, we were reminded just 24 hours earlier that even those mountains shake as we experienced a 4.7 magnitude earthquake while visiting in Alaska.

With everything changing, what a comfort and joy it is to be

reminded of the solid assuredness of our God who does not change. The writer to the Hebrews states: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (13:8). Our Savior doesn’t change! Our Lord who

was there for you yesterday, is here for you today, and will be there for you tomorrow. And His promises that were paid for through His death at the cross and guaranteed to you with His rising from the dead are the

. . . everything appears . . . everything appears . . . everything appears . . . everything appears to change. In many cases, to change. In many cases, to change. In many cases, to change. In many cases, that is indeed the fact.that is indeed the fact.that is indeed the fact.that is indeed the fact.

Change . . .Change . . .Change . . .Change . . .

“Looking at those mountains and their magnitude, a person could sense the stability they portrayed; however, even those mountains shake as we experienced a 4.7 magnitude earthquake. . .What a comfort and joy it is that our God does not change.”

2 . . . more news

N ow is the time to plan for

7th and 8th grade students

to begin their instruction in the

Christian faith! Orientation for

Confirmation Instruction will

be held on Sunday, August 22

at 10 a.m. in the school gym. All

Confirmation students and

parents are to be in attendance

to learn about the great

opportunity for the

Confirmands to grow in their

faith as they study God’s Word

and prepare for their confession

of faith. St. John Lutheran

School students will attend

Confirmation Class on

Mondays, Tuesdays, and

Thursdays from 8:20-9:00 a.m.

Public School students will

attend Confirmation Class on

Wednesday evenings from 5:30-

7:00 p.m. For more information

about Junior Confirmation,

please contact the Church

Office.

D o you know someone who

would like to know more

about the Lutheran Christian

teachings?

A new class for the fall is being

organized for Adult Instruction.

This class offers a great

opportunity for individuals to

learn more about Lutheran

Christian teachings (doctrine),

either as a refresher from their

confirmation instruction or in

preparation to join the Lutheran

Church. If you or someone you

know is interested in taking this

class, please contact the Church

Office and give your name to the

secretary. The class will begin

later this fall and will be held on

Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.

Dear Pastor Bruick,

O n behalf of the Seward Fourth of July Committee

and the GFWC Seward Woman’s

Club, I want to thank you for the

use of the Fellowship Hall at St.

John Lutheran Church, It is a

wonderful facility to use for our

Fourth of July receptions.

We had about sixty people for

the Anniversary Celebration and

about 200 at the Governor’s

Reception. Governor Heineman

is always happy to come to the

church for the July 4th reception

and he always expresses to me

how fortunate we are to have

such a nice room to greet people

from other communities.

Please thank the congregation

for sharing its facilities with us

and helping with the set up and

everything that we need to make

the celebrations a success.

Sincerely,

Betty Jean Kolterman

Secretary

Fourth of July Committee and

GFWC Seward Woman’s Club

(continued from page 1)

same for you today and

tomorrow, just like they were

for you yesterday.

The fact is—change is constant.

Things don’t stay the same. Life

doesn’t stay the same.

Relationships don’t stay the

same. (I also have found out

that hairlines and waistlines

don’t stay the same!)

Nevertheless, the Good News

of Jesus Christ our Savior never

changes. He was there for you

yesterday. He is here for you

today. He will be there for you

tomorrow with His same love,

forgiveness, compassion, hope

and assurance of eternal life.

Thanks be to God!

Are things changing too much

for you in your life? Then it is

time to change your focus and

look more to the One who

doesn’t change and spend time

in His unchangeable Word!

Your brother in Christ,

Junior Confirmation Orientation—August 22

Adult Instruction

Thank You

Thank You

Thank You

Thank You

Instruction Classes

Instruction Classes

Instruction Classes

Instruction Classes

“Are things

changing too

much for you

in your life?

. . .spend time in

His unchange-

able Word!”

more news . . . 3

Long: Long: Long: Long: Christ’s love and peace are given abundantly to sinners

High: High: High: High: Christ’s love is far above our understanding, yet He comes to dwell with His people

(see the next stanza!)

Deep: Deep: Deep: Deep: Christ’s love for us caused Him to take on our human form

After recounting these marvelous

attributes of our Redeemer, we

praise Christ in stanza 5 for the

fullness of love shown in Him.

We will celebrate Christ’s love

using the text of this hymn at all

services the weekend of August

21 and 22.

Paul Soulek, Director of

Parish and School Music

How Wide the Love of ChristHow Wide the Love of ChristHow Wide the Love of ChristHow Wide the Love of Christ (LSB 535)

Fall is coming!

This is your

opportunity to

make music with

the saints of God at

St. John! Stop in the

church office (643-

2983), visit with

music director Paul

Soulek after a

worship service, or

e-mail paul.soulek@

stjohnseward.org to

find out how you

can get involved.

All ages and abilities

are welcome!

Text : © 1997 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012333. Music : Public domain

“

We will celebrate Christ’s love using

the text of this hymn at all services the weekend of August

21 and 22.

“

T his hymn text takes its cue

from Ephesians 3:17-19

“…that Christ may dwell in

your hearts through faith—that you,

being rooted and grounded in love,

may have strength to comprehend

with all the saints what is the

breadth and length and height and

depth, and to know the love of

Christ that surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled with all the

fullness of God.”

Herman Stuempfle, prolific

Lutheran hymn writer, penned

these words in the later part of

the 20th century. Stuempfle lived

from 1923 to 2007 and wrote

over 550 hymn texts. Fifteen of

his hymns or translations are

included in Lutheran Service Book,

including familiar hymns such

as Voices Raised to You We Offer

and For All the Faithful Women. Our hymn of the month explores

various aspects of Christ’s love

through the first four stanzas of

the hymn:

Wide: Wide: Wide: Wide: Christ’s love embraces all people, no matter their social standing or race

Hymn of the Month

Hymn of the Month

Hymn of the Month

Hymn of the Month

4 . . . more news

T eam Alaska has returned

from a venture that started

with diverted and delayed

flights into Denver and

continued with a night spent on

the floor or seats in the

Anchorage airport as members

tried to get some sleep. On

Saturday we boarded a nineteen

seat plane that took us to Bethel

and then on two nine passenger

planes that landed on the gravel

landing strip in Akiachak,

Alaska. The mile and a half

walk (some of us got to ride in

the pickup with our luggage)

brought us to the four year old

K-12 school, our home for the

next seven days.

We used two classrooms as our

sleeping quarters. The ladies

classroom had a bathroom

attached while the guys across

the hall had to walk to the

showers in the gym locker

room. We spent the day settling

in and locating and unpacking

the boxes we had shipped

earlier. All were accounted for

but three, two with food and

Pastor Matthias’ sleeping bag.

Our food committee of Connie

and Alan Van Velson, and Mike

and Lou Anne Mueri prepared

mac n’ cheese for supper. They

did a great job all week includ-

ing pancakes and baked salmon.

Sunday morning Pastor

Matthias led us in “house

church.” We used the book of

Philippians as the basis of our

daily devotions. The rest of the

day the team spent in

preparation for each day’s Bible

lesson and crafts. We also went

over our songs. That night we

attended the song fest service at

the Moravian church. It was a

unique experience with a mix of

English and Yupik language.

The service was a once-a-month

service of song. Volunteers

from the congregation came

forward to sing their favorite

hymn. They were most sincere

in their singing with their faith

shining through. They were

mostly songs of hope in Jesus

Christ. Finally we were invited

to sing and we sang, “Oh Sing

to the Lord.” One of the

members said he felt like

dancing when he heard the

music.

Our daily routine for the week

consisted of a devotion period

following breakfast. The

devotions were led by Pastors

Matthias and Bruick, and Tim

Rippstein. We assisted in the

classrooms of the summer

school students until lunch

time. Cece Nose, the Yupik

cook, also prepared lunch for

us. After lunch we took a brief

rest period. Then we walked a

half mile plus down the dirt

road to the church carrying our

craft materials and snacks for

the kids.

We did need to make

adjustments to our VBS plans.

The church was small with only

pews so the kids had to kneel as

they worked on crafts. Pastor

Matthias got them hyped up

with lots of fun action-filled

songs. The lessons were taught

by Judy Ripke and Dorothea

Huebschman. Everyone helped

the kids with the crafts. Class

was conducted from 3 to 5 pm

right after their summer school

classes. Jenna Ripke and Alexa

Bruick helped with songs and

applied the lesson theme using

puppets.

After supper, the basketball

team of Ryan Shrum, Pastor

Matthias, Zack Bruick, Mike

Mueri, Tim Rippstein and Nick

Rippstein worked with grade

school kids from 6:00 to 7:30.

From 7:30 to 9:00 pm high

school students and adults

came. They loved to play

basketball and were very good

at it. A brief devotion time was

included in each session.

The ladies helped kids with

jump rope, bean bag toss, face

and hand painting. Jan Bruick

conducted a Bible class with a

few of the mothers who came.

Our time went quickly and we

enjoyed the opportunity to

interact with some of the local

people. They have a deep

spirituality and they are not

embarrassed to express it. It

reminds us of what Pastor

Bruick shared before we left.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ

as Lord. Always be prepared to give

an answer to everyone who asks you

to give the reason for the hope that

you have. But do it with gentleness

and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). It was

a great experience for our team.

It is our hope that next year

another team from St. John will

return to Akiachak to continue

the work begun.

Ray Huebschman,

Team Alaska

From the Alaska Mission TeamFrom the Alaska Mission TeamFrom the Alaska Mission TeamFrom the Alaska Mission Team

”

“ Our time went quickly and we enjoyed the

opportunity to interact with some

of the local people. They have a deep spirituality and they are not embarrassed to express it.

�

Missions

Missions

Missions

Missions

more news . . . 5

Swahili Language SchoolSwahili Language SchoolSwahili Language SchoolSwahili Language School————TanzaniaTanzaniaTanzaniaTanzania G

iraffes amble and trot along

the smooth trade road as

we patiently wait in the

afternoon sun. Far away from

any park or reserve, these are

real in-the-wild giraffes,

wandering the land as they have

for centuries, meandering

toward Mount Kilimanjaro on

the nearby horizon. The road

stretching ahead of us winds

between large and old baobab

trees that were certainly here

when Dr. Livingstone first

explored the interior of the

continent, and may even have

been here when Christ Jesus

walked in the Holy Lands. We

have indeed entered another

world—both in what we see

around us and in what we’ll be

doing for the next three months.

Along with Kenya, Tanzania is

in Shauen’s purview as Mission

Facilitator and already we are

encouraged by the influence of

the Evangelical Lutheran

Church of Tanzania (ELCT).

For miles we follow a minibus

from the “Martin Luther” bus

company before stopping

Meanwhile, we enjoy the full

attention of our Swahili tutor and

our little group of three quickly

devours the first lessons, setting

an aggressive pace for the next

three months. Classes occupy five

hours of every weekday, and we

have homework every night along

with a new vocabulary list.

Comprehensive exams every five

lessons unexpectedly bring out

our competitive natures.

As the warm Tanzanian sun sets

on another day, our little dwelling

rustles into the night with pen

and paper and the slap-slap of

flashcards flashing. Tomorrow

we’ll continue our journey in this

new world, up early reviewing the

previous day’s work as the sun

reaches for the top leaves of the

baobab trees outside our door.

Shauen, Krista and Josiah Trump

”

Classes occupy five hours of every weekday, and we have homework every

night along with a new vocabulary list. While we struggle with textbooks, Josiah plays at daycare where the attendants speak and sing to him exclusively in Swahili. He’ll likely learn more than we will these months!

“

overnight at the Uhuru

(Independence) Lutheran Guest

House about half-way to

Morogoro. The ELCT’s

membership is roughly double

that of The Lutheran Church—

Missouri Synod. We happily

point out signs of their presence

as we drive.

Co-located on the ELCT Junior

Seminary campus, we share

space with the energetic young

men and women sent to this

prestigious boarding high-school

from Lutheran churches across

Tanzania. The language program

provides for our own room and

board with several blocks of

small apartments and a

dedicated cafeteria. Krista and I

happily explore our spacious

accommodations, with a small

room for Josiah, a sitting room,

a bedroom for us, and a

bathroom.

Classes begin immediately.

While we struggle with

textbooks, Josiah plays at

daycare where the attendants

speak and sing to him

exclusively in Swahili. He’ll

likely learn more than we will

these months!

Prayer Request

That we will continue to have

good health and good spirits to

allow us to learn and absorb

Swahili rapidly

In Praise

For affirmative responses from

nearly everyone we’ve contacted

about home-service engagements

Missions

Missions

Missions

Missions

6 . . . more news

From the Nebraska DistrictFrom the Nebraska DistrictFrom the Nebraska DistrictFrom the Nebraska District E

very spring new pastors are

placed and vicars are

assigned to congregations in the

Nebraska District and through-

out the LCMS.

The class of 2010 offered many

new faces to the Nebraska

District. Four men from around

the world were placed or assigned

to serve in mission congregations

or ministries of the Nebraska

District.

While some of these men are not

new to the District, they are

taking on new roles in ministry.

We thank God for giving these

men, and all those placed in

Nebraska, with hearts to serve

Him and His people through

these ministries.

James Riang

R ev. James Riang was

ordained and installed as

assistant pastor at Christ

Lutheran Church in Lincoln on

Sunday, June 6. Rev. Riang served

as a vicar at Christ during his time

of study in the Ethnic Immigrant

Institute of Theology (EIIT) at

the Concordia Seminary in St.

Louis.

James was born in Sudan, and he

made his way to Iowa in 1993

after living nearly 13 years in

refugee camps in Kenya and

Ethiopia. He became a U.S.

citizen in 2000, and moved to

Omaha four years later.

Now as pastor, he continues to

serve at Christ Lutheran in the

area of African Immigrant

ministry.

Obdulio Felix

V icar Obdulio Felix recently

graduated from the

Concordia Seminary in St. Louis,

and will be ordained and installed

as pastor at Jesus Es el Senor

Lutheran Church in Omaha on

August 1.

Vicar Felix and his family

immigrated to the United States

in January 2007. Shortly after,

Obdulio began his pastoral

course work through the Center

for Hispanic Studies at the

Concordia Seminary.

The Hispanic mission start, Jesus

Es el Senor, became a

congregation and member of the

LCMS in 2009, and now they

have called Vicar Felix to

continue to serve them as their

pastor.

Juan Aguilar

V icar Aguilar was assigned as

vicar to Cristo Cordero de

Dios Lutheran Church in Grand

Island during the 2010 Spring

Placement process.

Originally from Argentina, Vicar

Aguilar immigrated from Chile to

the United States with his wife

and daughter. They moved to

Grand Island at the end of

Riek Marwang

V icar Riek Marwing has

completed his pastoral

studies through the Ethnic

Immigrant Institute of

Theology (EIIT) at the

Concordia Seminary in St.

Louis and will be ordained and

installed as assistant pastor at

King of Kings Lutheran

Church in Omaha on August 8.

Rick was born in the upper

Nile region of Sudan. In 1992,

he started work as an evangelist

in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

Juan Aguilar (continued)

2008, and the family has been

involved with the Cristo

Cordero congregation since

that time.

Juan Aguilar entered the Center

for Hispanic Studies at the

Concordia Seminary in St.

Louis in 2009. He is currently

taking classes to prepare him to

serve as a pastor in the LCMS.

Juan was installed as vicar at

Cristo Cordero de Dios in

April of 2010. He faithfully

serves the members of Cristo

Cordero de Dios under the

supervision of emeritus pastor

Rev. James Witt.

Riek Marwang (continued)

Two years later, he went to

Kenya to work with another

evangelist team. In 1995, he

moved to the United States,

ending up in Omaha that fall.

Starting classes at the seminary in

2006, he served his vicarage at

King of Kings, where he has

been called to continue his

ministry.

Missions

Missions

Missions

Missions

(excerpted from the Nebraska District Mission Newsletter)

more news . . . 7

S tephen Ministers listen, accept, care, and walk with

a person who is going through a difficult time. They provide support—prayer, Scripture, forgiveness, unconditional acceptance—in appropriate ways to meet the needs of the care receiver.

It is also important to understand what Stephen Ministers DO NOT do. They are not counselors or therapists. They do not give advice or tell people how to solve their

problems. A motto of Stephen Ministry is: The Stephen Minister Is the Caregiver; God Is the Curegiver. Likewise, Stephen Ministers are not social workers. While they are concerned that the care receiver’s physical needs be met and will help connect them with ministries, organizations, or agencies that can meet those needs, Stephen Ministers are not there to run errands, do shopping, cook, or clean. The Stephen Minister’s role is to

care and to listen, stand-ing by the person and ministering to his or her spiritual needs as God works through the relationship to bring hope and healing to the care receiver.

For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact Esther Pfabe (643-3278), Iva Mae Roettjer (643-4720), or Deanna Dowding (643-3148).

O ur general meeting of 25 members and guests

opened with a presentation by Josias and Angela Marin, accompanied by Pastor Curt Coddington of Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church. They spoke of the great physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people.

Josias’s father ministers to 400-plus students under his care, taught by 17 teachers with 40 to 50 children in a class separated

by curtains! Over half cannot pay towards their education. This Christian school is unique in the midst of a voodoo culture.

The greatest need is water, all of which is carried some distance for the 400-plus children. A well dug at 300 feet would cost $11,000, plus the power to run it, since there is no electricity.

In providing any help, it is best to deal directly with a known

person. Also needed is a dental clinic, tuition for students, and possible sponsorship of a teacher.

$241.97 was collected in Mites for Missions. Donations were allocated to our LWL District, to the National LWL, also to Lutheran Family Services, and to our church’s security system.

All women are invited to our circles at 7:30 on September 7.

Thank You to the Mathias’s

and Homps!

W e thank and praise God

for touching the hearts of

Ryan and Sarah Mathias who

have volunteered to lead a Fresh-

man Godparent Group begin-

ning this September. Gerald and

Michelle Homp volunteered to

be the other Freshman God-

Parent leader couple. Welcome

on board and we are thrilled you

will be part of our Godparent

Leader Team! The Pesters,

Volzkes, Piskorskis, Pinkalls,

Kohlmeiers, and Andersons!

What Do Stephen Ministers Do (and Not Do)?

Lutheran Women’s League

Gearing Up for

Godparents . . .

Beginning in

September!

Any Other Freshmen Want to

Sign Up for Godparents?

S eventeen Freshmen have

said “YES” to be part of a

Godparent group and there’s still

time for YOU to be part of

something special. If you would

like to sign up or would like more

informa-tion, please call Lana

Urban very soon at H 643-3964

or C 641-3099! Godparent

Groups will have their first get

together the first Wednesday

following Labor Day weekend in

September.

Service OrganizationsService OrganizationsService OrganizationsService Organizations

GodparentsGodparentsGodparentsGodparents

8 . . . more news

August School Mailing Coming

T his theme will be

developed around one of

God’s wonders each quarter of

the new school year. For the

first quarter, the theme will

emphasize the Wonders of

God’s Word; the second quarter

will highlight the Wonders of

God’s Love; God’s Grace will

be the theme of the third

quarter; and the Wonders of

God’s World will complete the

theme in the fourth quarter.

Both students and faculty

members will be sharing in the

development and use of the

theme throughout the school

year.

Dave Koopman, Principal

St. John Lutheran School

T he new school year is just

over two weeks away (first

day is Tuesday, August 17), and

preparations for new and

returning students and new

programs are in place for the

year. Are you ready to join us?

St. John is always open for visits

to the school, and inquiries are

welcome at any time.

Remember to share the good

news about St. John, as we

share the Good News about the

Lord Jesus Christ each and

every day! Contact the school

office at 402-643-4535 to speak

with the principal or to set up a

time to visit.

T he second of two school

mailings for the summer

will be sent via e-mail and

through the postal service to all

school families. Look for your

packet to arrive. Plan to read,

and complete the forms. Bring

the necessary items to

Registration Night on Tuesday,

August 10.

Sunday, August 15 (8:30 am) Commissioning and Installation of Mr. Derek Bult (7th Grade teacher)

Installation of CDC Director Mrs. Rebecca Bimler

Dedication of St. John Ministry Staff.

News from St. John Lutheran School

News from St. John Lutheran School

News from St. John Lutheran School

News from St. John Lutheran School

Educational MinistriesEducational MinistriesEducational MinistriesEducational Ministries Celebrating the Wonders of God in 2010-2011

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of

all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will

sing praise to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1).

Register Now for 2010-2011 at St. John

August Schedule of School Events

Monday, August 2 Teachers Begin Workshop Days and Home Visits

Tuesday, August 10 K-8 Registration Night (5:30-7pm) and Grade 6-8 Orientation (7 pm)

Tuesday, August 17 First Day of 2010-2011

(more school news, page 9)

more news . . . 9

“W elcome!” What a

wonderful word! The

many gracious greetings of staff,

parents and church members

have made our family’s move

here such a blessing. For those

hands who prepared such

delicious meals, our appetites

wish to thank you! Our family is

unpacked and settled into our

new home. Our daughter,

Abbey, is adjusting wonderfully

to the CDC summer camp

program and the staff of the

CDC has shown me an extra

measure of patience as I adjust

to “life behind the director’s

desk!” My husband, Bob, is still

in search of a job. Thank you to

those who have offered

assistance in this search. Your

prayers and support during our

transition time have been a

blessing.

The children here at the CDC

have enjoyed swimming and

water play, field trips,

hometown tours and Christmas

in July! The happy voices down

the hall confirm that statement.

Our hearts are saddened,

however, to say goodbye to

both Dee Mitchell and Darlene

Rockenbach. Darlene will be

starting a new preschool this fall

for the Centennial Schools in

Utica. We want to thank both

women for their dedicated

service and ask God’s blessing

on their new endeavors. We

wish them only the best.

We look forward to home visits

and the start of the new school

year on August 17.

May God continue to bless us in

our ministry to young children.

In His Service,

Rebecca Bimler, Director

St. John Child Development Center

• Doors open at 8:00 am

• Classes begin at 8:15 am

• Opening Chapel begins at 8:45 am in the church

• All parents and guests are invited to attend chapel and stay for

refreshments in the Fellowship Hall following the service

• A full lunch program will be available

• Early Dismissal will be at 1:30 pm

A fter almost two years of

planning and completing

the celebration of 125 years of

Christian education at St. John,

we are nearing the end of the

events which have highlighted

current and former students,

faculty members and those who

have had a significant role in the

history of the congregation and

the school. Two final events will

take place in the coming days.

First of all, an anniversary

yearbook is being produced to

celebrate the 2009-2010 year for

the current students at St. John

and to recognize the many 125th

Anniversary events held in

2009-2010. The book will

include the names of graduates

from the past 25 years and many

pictures of the events held

during the year. Second, work is

being done to refill the box for

the cornerstone of the 1929

building so that the stone may

be replaced for those of future

generations. More information

will be available soon!

of St. John . . . . .of St. John . . . . .of St. John . . . . .of St. John . . . . .

For an updated look at the latest school

information, visit the Ministries of St. John

Website at www.stjohnseward.org

First Day of 2010-2011 - Tuesday, August 17

Two More Words About the 125th

ChildChildChildChild

Development CenterDevelopment CenterDevelopment CenterDevelopment Center

10 . . . more news

B ack problems are one of the

most common difficulties

for humanity. Nine out of ten

people will deal with them at

one time or another during their

life. As summer ends with all its

special activities, I hope none of

the members of St. John

Lutheran will have “Back

Problems.” Consider a few that

you might face in the next

couple months.

� � �

BackBackBackBack to Regular Worship Attendance Summer activities such as

graduations, vacations, family

visits, camping, outside

recreation, etc. may have

conflicted with your attendance

at the worship services. Will it

be easier on your back as

summer ends to stay at home on

Saturday evening and/or Sunday

morning? “Therefore let us be

grateful for receiving a kingdom that

cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer

to God acceptable worship, with

reverence and awe, for our God is a

consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28).

� � �

BackBackBackBack to Sunday School and Bible Study In many instances, the study of

God’s Word may have taken a

back seat to summer activities.

Is your back strong enough to

sit through an hour or more of

Bible study each week? “Now

these Jews were more noble than those

in Thessalonica; they received the word

with all eagerness, examining the

Scriptures daily to see if these things

were so” (Acts 17:11).

� � �

BackBackBackBack to Fellowship in the Organizations Many of the church groups take

a recess during the summer

because of poor participation.

When the regular meetings of

the choirs, LLL and other

groups resume, will your back

be ready to continue your

involvement? “That which we have

seen and heard we proclaim also to

you so that you too may have

fellowship with us, and indeed our

fellowship is with the Father and with

his Son Jesus Christ” (I John 1:3).

� � �

BackBackBackBack to Sharing Your Time and Talents Indeed, the Lord’s work at St.

John will never end until He

returns. However, fewer saints

step up to do the tasks of

“Proclaiming and Practicing the

Love of Christ” during the

summer. Will you take some of

the load off of the backs of

those who have faithfully served

during the summer? “And he gave

the apostles, the prophets, the

evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

to equip the saints for the work of

ministry for building up the body of

Christ” (Ephesians 4:11 & 12).

� � �

BackBackBackBack to Giving This year, we have committed to

give $76,768.00 above our

projected income to balance a

deficit in the 2010 church

budget. For the next five

months, with the help of the

Holy Spirit, we will put our

backs into meeting this goal. As

a faithful steward of Gods gifts

to you, prayerfully consider

what part of your treasure

should be invested in funding

the ministry at St. John. “Give,

and it will be given to you. Good

measure pressed down, shaken

together, running over, will be put into

your lap. For with the measure you

use it will be measured back to

you” (Luke 6:38).

� � �

BackBackBackBack to the Lord We know the Lord is the only

one who can help us with our

“Back Problems.” We are

fortunate to have Ibuprofen,

and Aleve for the physical aches

and pains, but we need God’s

help for the spiritual issues. You

know the only way to build back

muscles is to exercise. If you

want to avoid the above “Back

Problems” exercise your prayer

time. Then let the Holy Spirit

build your faith through regular

worship, Bible study, fellowship,

sharing and giving.

Jack Swanson,

Chairman of the Congregation

Back ProblemsBack ProblemsBack ProblemsBack Problems From the Congregational Chairman

From the Congregational Chairman

From the Congregational Chairman

From the Congregational Chairman

more news . . . 11

A re you thinking of a great weekend getaway for Fall?

The Concordia Alumni Office is

developing a tour to St. Louis to

include:

Concordia Seminary, the new

Concordia Historical Institute

and the Wolfram Art Gallery in

the LCMS International Center ,

a joint Habitat for Humanity

project and more. Tour dates are

Wednesday, September 15

through Sunday, September 19.

Call the Alumni office at 402-

643-7408 or email

alumni@cune.edu if you are

interested. The full itinerary and

tour costs will be available by

mid-July based on the number of

participants. A minimum of 30

travelers is needed to keep costs

reasonable.

Janice E. Koopman

Director of Alumni, University &

Church Relations

Concordia Alumni & Friends Tour to St. Louis and Lutheran Heritage Sites

Concordia TourConcordia TourConcordia TourConcordia Tour

12 . . . more news

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Seward, NE 68434

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St John Lutheran Church

919 North Columbia

Seward, Nebraska 68434

St. John Staff . . . Scott Bruick, Senior Pastor scott.bruick@stjohnseward.org David Koopman, Principal St. John School david.koopman@stjohnseward.org Bob Paulson, Pastor for Visitation and Pastoral Care bob.paulson@stjohnseward.org Paul Soulek, Director of Parish and School Music paul.soulek@stjohnseward.org Rebecca Bimler, Director of Child Development Center rebecca.bimler@stjohnseward.org Jonathan Lobmeyer, Part-time Youth Director jonathan.lobmeyer@stjohnseward.org

Inside this issue . . . • Message from the Pastor

• Adult and Junior Instruction Classes

• Hymn of the Month

• Alaska Mission

• Africa Mission

• Nebraska District Missions

• Stephen Ministry and LLL

• Godparent News

• St. John School and CDC

• Message from the Chairman

• Concordia Tour to St. Louis

Deadline for September newsletter is August 15, 5:00pm

E-mail: stjohnseward@yahoo.com