august 2015 the voice · last sunday, four adults and 16 of our young people returned from the 2015...

August 2015 THE VOICE

A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From Our Pastor Dear Friends in Christ,

The future of the church is in good hands.

Last Sunday, four adults and 16 of our young people returned from the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. This is a gathering that occurs every three years, and it is one of the things that we do best as a denomination. This year’s Youth Gathering was held in Detroit, Michigan. In 2018, we will be heading to Houston, Texas.

One of the frequent questions that I was asked prior to this year’s gathering was, “So, why Detroit?” The simple answer is that the city of Detroit invited us to come and, in many ways, needed us to come. To come and learn about the people and the culture of Detroit. To come and learn about the history of Detroit. To come and serve the people of Detroit.

On our Day of Justice (Servant Day), we were bussed out to the Osborn Neighborhood in north-east Detroit. If you know Detroit, the Osborn neighborhood is surrounded by 8 Mile Road, McNichols Road, Gratiot Avenue, and Van Dyke. In 2012, Jeff Siedel of the Detroit Free Press said "The neighborhood surrounding Osborn High School looks like a cracked, empty shell. Everywhere you look, there are broken windows, overgrown weeds, barbed wire fences and abandoned homes.” Three years later, it’s even worse.

Our task on Thursday, July 16, was to clear the yards of two vacant homes. We were teamed up with two Lutheran churches. One from Madison, Wisconsin, and the other from Clinton, Iowa. We cut down small trees, scythed tall weeds, raked mown grass, and hauled tons of trash out to the curb. It was hot, dirty work, but our kids knew the theme was “Rise Up Detroit”, and they rose to the challenge. They worked very hard, and the fruit of our labor was quite apparent. When you come to worship on August 16, we will show you the before and after photos of the 2 houses we transformed.

Our Thursday work crew was followed up by two additional work crews on Friday and Saturday. These crews finished the clean up and then boarded up the houses. The plan is for the homes to be entered into a Land Bank to eventually be torn down or renovated (if possible). The vacant land can be purchased for very little by a neighboring homeowner or turned into Green Space or a community garden. I was able to talk with one of the residents of the neighborhood, and he was so appreciative that we would come from all over America to make his neighborhood a better place.

“So, why Detroit?” In order that we may serve and love God, by serving and loving God’s people who live in Detroit.

So thank you to our Youth Gathering chaperones: Jamie Pustay, Diane Boelkens, and Kristen

Swihart for your leadership. And thank you Youth Gathering participants: Lindsay Boelkens, Megan & Emily Pustay, Megan & DJ Rolf, Kristen & Rachel Deal, Tessa & Anna Linke, Alex Reitz, Erik Withrow,

Noah Cygnor, Kaylyn Swihart, Sam Heinze, Jessica Orth, and Jessica Densic. The future of the church is in good hands.

Blessings,

Pastor Daniel G. Beaudoin



National

Youth

Gathering

2015



Our Vision: "Spiritual Practices for the Sake of the World"

1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from July bulletins):

Linda Polzin, Toledo Hospital

Bob Reitzel, health concerns

Bill Staib, recovering from ankle surgery

Jerry Reitzel, recovering from surgery

Jim Umbaugh, recovering from surgery

Baptism of Ethan Carl Brinker

Baptism of Tony, Heather, Isaac, Levi, and Deacon Orth

David & Kristy Williams, upon the birth of a son, Kade Benedikt, on June 26

Marriage of Henry and Mary (Eschedor) Buzza

Marriage of Joshua and Michelle Beaudoin in Athens, TX, on July 25

Pastor Jim Budke, 40th Anniversary of Ordination Prayer of thanksgiving for a wonderful VBS week & for the volunteers, teachers, students & parents

Youth Gathering Participants and Chaperones

Persecuted Christians in the Middle East

Lucille Larcom family, upon her death

Pauline Gaertner family, upon her death

Warren Hale family, upon the death of his mother, Doris

Marion Welling family, upon the death of her brother, Donald Dunn

Harold Titkemeier, upon the death of his brother, Jon

Judy Bamford family, upon the death of her brother, John Klepacz

Family and friends of the five servicemen killed in Chattanooga, TN - Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan - Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells - Staff Sgt. David Wyatt - Sgt. Carson Holmquist - Petty Officer Randall Smith

2. DAILY BIBLE READING Daily Bible Reading: During the summer we will be reading through the Book of Acts. Take some time each day to read and reflect on God's Holy Word. August 1 Acts 19:21-41 August 2 Acts 20:1-6 August 3 Acts 20:7-12 August 4 Acts 20:13-16 August 5 Acts 20:17-38 August 6 Acts 21:1-16 August 7 Acts 21:17-26 August 8 Acts 21:27-36 August 9 Acts 21:37-22:5 August 10 Acts 22:6-16 August 11 Acts 22:17-21

August 12 Acts 22:22-29 August 13 Acts 22:30-23:11 August 14 Acts 23:12-22 August 15 Acts 23:23-35 August 16 Acts 24:1-23 August 17 Acts 24:24-27 August 18 Acts 25:1-12 August 19 Acts 25:13-22 August 20 Acts 25:23-27 August 21 Acts 26:1-11 August 22 Acts 26:12-18

August 23 Acts 26:19-23 August 24 Acts 26:24-32 August 25 Acts 27:1-12 August 26 Acts 27:13-38 August 27 Acts 27:39-44 August 28 Acts 28:1-10 August 29 Acts 28:11-16 August 30 Acts 28:17-22 August 31 Acts 28:23-31



3. WEEKLY WORSHIP

Summer Worship (through Sunday, Sept. 6) 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Fellowship time 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 3:00 p.m. Quiet Communion (1st Sunday of the month) Fellowship time between the two services at 9:30 a.m.

We will return to winter hours on September 12, 2015

June/July Worship Attendance June 7 ~ 230 July 5 ~ 179 June 14 ~ 243 July 12 ~ 209 June 21 ~ 231 July 19 ~ 183 June 28 ~ 237 July 26 ~ 168

St. John’s is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions or a one-time contribution and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply follow these easy steps:

Visit the church website: www.stjohnsstonyridge.net 1. Click on the Give Generously button. 2. Click on the Create Profile button, then 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring or one-

time contributions. If you are currently giving on a weekly or monthly basis, you will no longer need to write out checks or prepare envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. If you need additional information about the on-line giving please contact Rachel Abbey or Shirley Johnson.

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MEMORIALS In Loving Memory of Donald Koskie Joe and Nancy Nycz Margaret Sheldrick & family

Jennifer Honsberger

Lorraine Haricombe

Lucille Larcom

St. John's WELCA

Rick, Lynda & Michael Lees

Pauline Gaertner

St. John's WELCA

Sharon & Ted Bitter

Madonna Henderson

St. John's Rebekah Circle

4. GENEROUS GIVING

Financial Giving as of July 26, 2015

General Fund Income (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual Difference $198,747 $182,286 ($16,461)

Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual Difference $17,361 $15,391 ($1,970)

(Copies of current Financial Reports are in the information holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.)

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!)

Aug. 2 Edward Cochrane, P.O. Box 338, Lemoyne, 43441

Aug. 5 Claire Schober, 4760 Hanley Rd., Millbury, 43447

Aug. 8 Joanne Schulte, P.O. Box 274, Stony Ridge, 43463

Aug. 19 Richard Otte, P.O. Box 267, Luckey, 43443

Aug. 23 Kathleen Holzman, 29217 Bates Rd., Perrysburg, 43551

Aug. 26 Ruth Powell, 6891 William Dr., Perrysburg, 43551

Aug. 30 Ed Brough, 24473 Bradner Rd., Genoa, 43430

Aug. 31 Alethea Michel, 6467 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg, 43551

Aug. 31 Roger Ramsey, P.O. Box 812, Perrysburg, 43552



PASTORAL ACTS

Baptisms Funerals Ethan Carl Brinker (6/21/15) Lucille Larcom (6/16/15)

Tony and Heather, Isaac, Levi & Deacon Orth (7/12/15) Pauline Gaertner (6/22/15)

Weddings Henry and Mary (Eschedor) Buzza (7/4/15)

Joshua and Michelle (Lyon) Beaudoin (7/25/15)

SUMMER SERMON SERIES CONTINUES Aug. 2 ~ Cornelius (Acts 10:1-33) August 23 ~ Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) Aug. 9 ~ Timothy (Acts 16:1-5) August 30 ~ Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)

SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for August

Shared Bounty is collecting shampoo & conditioner

Food Pantry is collecting sweet potatoes and cereal

Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support!

Please remember that there will not be an August meeting for Social Ministries. Rest up, it will be a busy fall!

CHRISTIAN LEARNING National Youth Gathering Recap

Two weeks ago (July 15-19), we had the opportunity to be in Detroit with 30,000 Lutheran youth and chaperones. Twenty of us (16 youth and 4 adults) traveled to Detroit from St. John's and Zion Latcha. On Thursday, we Proclaimed Our Justice (Service) in the Osborn Community by clearing out two vacant lots. Friday, the theme was Proclaim Story. We gathered with people from within our own Synod to explore God's story and our own. We worshiped together and proclaimed the story that Jesus is good news! Friday we were at Cobo Center for our Proclaim Community Day. We engaged in a variety of mediums to respond to the good news of Jesus. Every evening we were challenged and inspired by a number of great speakers and musicians. Thank you to our awesome chaperones, great group of young people, and YOU the congregation for supporting us and praying for us as we "Rose Up" with the people of Detroit. It was truly an inspiring week and we are now looking forward to the next ELCA National Youth Gathering in Houston in 2018.

A big thank you to Lindsay Boelkens and Sami & Ian Sibbersen for filling our summer

snack bags for our July distribution. It was such a big help and very much appreciated.

Once again, Social Ministries is grateful for the youth of our congregation!

Sept. 13 is Rally Day!

We will return to regular worship times at 8:30 and 10:45.

Sunday School Classes will resume at 9:45

Catechism/Parent Meeting in the Parish Hall at 9:45.



FELLOWSHIP

Pairs and Spares Pairs and Spares will be meeting at the Budke homestead on Saturday the 8th of August. Come for lunch and join the fun at 11:30 a.m. You do not need to bring anything. Call Pastor Jim at 419.241.0397 or the church office 419.837.5115 if you will be attending. Address: 5351 Sugar Ridge Road

Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast will be on August 15 & 22, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at Panera Bread on

Rt. 20 in Perrysburg. All men are invited!

Are you interested in learning how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before? Financial Peace University is a biblically-based curriculum that teaches people how to handle money God’s way. The classes are appropriate for any adult, regardless of your current financial situation. St. John’s will host a nine-week session of Financial Peace University this fall. A free preview will be held on

Sunday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 pm. Classes will begin on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Child care will be provided. Class cost is $93 plus shipping of materials is $9.30 = $103.30 total. The materials included with your class fee are: Membership for you and your spouse Access to the online resources and tools A copy of Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money book FPU Class workbook FPU Envelope System FPU Progress Chart And more...

For more information or to register, contact the church office or visit: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locations/class/1001245/atid/l_ln

ALTAR FLOWERS The Flower Chart is located on the bulletin board across from Pastor Daniel's office. You may sponsor altar flowers in honor of, in memory of, or to the glory of God. We use two bouquets each Sunday; the cost is $20 per vase. There are a few spots left through the end of the year. If no one signs up, we use our church silk flowers.



FOR AUGUST, The Rebekah Circle will host a movie matinee on Wednesday, August 12, at 1:30 in the Lounge. Watch the Weekly Voice for details. COMFORTERS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF will be tied on Thursday, August 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 in the Parish House. Join in this worthwhile project that reaches vulnerable people around the world. DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursday, August 6 – Tie Comforters Wednesday, August 12 – Movie Matinee (Rebekah Circle) PRAY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS EVERY MONDAY AT NOON. Give thanks for picnics, family gatherings, vacations, and quiet times for meditation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF has issued an urgent plea for School Kits. They have received more requests than they can fill. Shared Bounty has provided school supplies for needy children in our area. Now we are being asked to provide school supplies for needy children around the world. One teacher in Nicaragua said that some of her students cannot even afford a pencil and yet they are eager to come to class every day.

You can help children continue learning despite the hardships they face by donating any of the following:

70-sheet notebooks (280-300 sheets total) of wide or college-ruled paper approximately 8”x10 1/2”

30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other

Pencil sharpener

Blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)

Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)

Box of 16 or 24 crayons

2 ½” eraser

There is a box in the coatroom for these items. The ladies have made 20 drawstring backpack-style cloth bags which they hope to fill with your help.

We are also still collecting baby items for Lutheran World Relief.



LIBRARY NEWS Hope everyone is having a nice summer in spite of the rain. If you need something to read or watch on those rainy days, check what is new in the church library.

We have the final Bible Experience CD Revelations 10-22

We have 6 new adult books A Common Life by Jan Karon Weird Ohio - Your Travel Guide to Ohio's Local Legend's and Best Kept Secrets by James A Willis, Andrew Henderson & Loren Coleman Life After Loss by Bob Deits Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina by Tamela Hancock Murray More Prime Time Activities With Kids by Donna Erickson

We have added eleven new books in the Children's section Yoko Learns to Read by Rosemary Wells Connie Come Home by Ruth Lerner Perle And One ore Makes Ten by Ruth Lerner Perle I Love You More Than... by Heidi R. Weimer What? by Charles Reasoner When? by Charles Reasoner God Never Leaves Me The Clown Factory Friends Play Together V. Gilbert Beers The Boxcar Children - The Mystery on the Train by Gertrude Chandler Warner Sounding Forth the Trumpet by Peter Marshall and David Manuel Sojurner Truth, American Abolitionist by Terry Whalin

Kid's Book and CD Oh Say! Can You See - 10 Patriotic Songs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ATTENTION

Church will be closed on Monday, Aug. 17 & Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The entire parking lot will be CLOSED for these two days, as the first day the blacktop will be sealed and the second

day they will stripe it. No cars will be allowed on the property August 17 and 18. Please plan accordingly.



VBS THANKS YOUS!

We have such a powerful God and had a wonderful Everest VBS this year. At Everest VBS we learned God’s mighty power helps us conquer the challenges in our lives. We had a great week where we discovered that God has the power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive, and love us forever. We had 130 kids and 50 volunteers join us this year as we climbed Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. St. John’s Hilltop did a wonderful job decorating! They are so talented! Thank you also to all of you who donated food and supplies. Without you this wouldn’t be possible. Thank you to our awesome musicians! What fun to sing and dance with such talented people! I hope you enjoyed hearing the songs we sang on Sunday! Thank you to our climbing crew who went above and beyond to create the family feel that I was hoping for and share with each child that with God by our sides we can conquer so many challenges! Thank you to everyone who helped... these kids learned that no matter what happens in life they can always count on the fact that God loves them SO much! You are all a gift!

Each day at Everest VBS, the children discovered one important truth about God. We called this the Bible Point. These Bible Points reminded us that we are never alone! God is always here to help us, and that Jesus loves us! Each day we also met a Bible buddy and learned a Bible Point and a Bible Verse!

We worked all week on finding “God sightings.” God is active in our daily life. We just have to learn to look. We have to make it a habit to keep an eye out for the daily overwhelming evidence that God is doing great things all around us! This is something that I pray has continued even after VBS ended. We have an Amazing God at work in our lives in many ways. I challenge each of you to look for God sightings each day in your life. They are all around us. I was amazed at the footprints that God made in our lives during the week! We have an Amazing God at work in our lives in many ways every day!

I challenged the kids to be God’s hands to children in two different ways this year. Operation Kid-to-Kid was one of our two service projects this year. We collected money to provide colorful, kid friendly, Thai-language New Testaments to children in the country of Thailand. For every $4 collected, our partner at Biblica (one of the largest Bible and Christian literature ministries around the world), delivered the special New Testament to a child in Thailand.

We also had a diaper drive. The high school youth group was able to take all of the diapers and wipes with them to National Youth gathering in Detroit. Can you imagine sending your baby or toddler to preschool or daycare wearing a plastic grocery bag instead of a diaper? That is happening in Detroit. In fact diapers are a hot commodity. Stores sometimes even have them behind glass. It was wonderful watching the kids at Everest VBS being God’s hands at work in both Detroit and Thailand. God has the power to provide, comfort, heal, forgive, and love us forever! Wow! Isn’t that a message we all need to be reminded of. God is right there and with His mighty power He is there helping each one of us conquer our challenges! I challenge each one of you to HOLD ON. HOLD On God’s Mighty power! God Truly is Mighty, Great, and at work in our lives in so many ways!! Thank you for making this week so meaningful for so many people!

Mark your calendar and join in a CAVE Quest. Next year’s VBS June 20-24, 2016! If you are interested in volunteering next year please e-mail me, Rachelle Chaffee, at [email protected] so that I can add you to my e-mail list.

Thank you again and God bless each one of you!

Rachelle Chaffee, VBS Director

mailto:[email protected]



COMMUNITY EVENTS

Helping Hands for Haiti Family Festival

Sunday, August 9, from 2-8 p.m. - Rain or Shine in the Family Life Center Grace United Methodist Church, 601 E. Boundary, Perrysburg, OH

All proceeds support Brad Reddick School in Savanette, Haiti (Missions International of America)

Bake Sale, Air Extreme Inflatables, Doonie the Clown, Entertainment, Slide Presentations, Children's Games and Activities, Silent Auction, Ice Cream, Snow Cones, Cotton Candy, Sandwiches, Chips, Pop,

Haitian Circle of Life Products Our own St. John's music groups will be playing from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

For more info, please call 419-872-0180 or email [email protected]

Living History Day Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. Living History Day Event at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green. Located inside the campus of Bowling Green State University. Come and learn about the life of Pastor John Born, who served as the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stony Ridge, Ohio, from 1887 to 1933 (46 years). Pastor Born was born in Prussia in 1863. He immigrated to America with his family in 1865. In 1888, he married Elizabeth and they had a daughter, Margaret. In 1887, Pastor Born graduated from seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained on July 24, 1887, and served as the pastor of St. John’s until his death in 1933. He is buried in Ft. Meigs Cemetery in Perrysburg, Ohio. Pastor John Born will be portrayed by our own Pastor Daniel G. Beaudoin. *Due to National Tractor Pull traffic, we recommend entering the cemetery from Poe Road, turn south on Willard, right on Merry, then left to enter the cemetery

Thank You Dinner As part of the Northwestern Ohio Synod's 4G stewardship emphasis

(Grace + Growth + Gratitude + Generosity), we want to say thank you for your support of the work of Christ's

church through the Synod. Therefore, we invite you to the:

4G Thank You Dinner for Eastern and North Central Conferences Sunday, Aug. 23, 5-7 p.m. - Catering by Old Zim's

White Star Park (1 mile south of Gibsonburg on Ohio Route 300) Cost to you: It's FREE like God's Grace - Who's Invited: You are!

5:00 Gathering, fellowship, snacking, music 5:30 Welcome and introductions, Greetings from Bishop Marcus Lohrmann Stories of God's good work done among and through us 6:15 Meal, more music, more fellowship 7:00 On our way in the joy of Christ

If you are able to join us, please RSVP to [email protected] or call 419.332.7341 by August 14.

https://www.pulltown.com/



Thank you to the Cherub & Festival Choirs for serving during July fellowship time.

Thank you to all who brought in cookies and snacks.

Our Lutheran Youth Organization will be serving in August.

To the Congregation of St. Johns, The card you sent was beautiful it truly reflected the love you shared for our mom. She found a home in your church and a closeness with God. As she joined her Father in heaven she smiled. One day we will meet again and I feel blessed that she had the love of all of you in her heart. God bless all of you. Lucy Larcom is now an angel watching over us all. John & Cyndi Murany, Jim & Lisa Larcom

St. John's Lutheran Church, Thank you for allowing me to use your tables for my birthday party. I am blessed to be a part of a wonderful church. Thank you. Roland, Andrea & Mackenzie Forrester

Thank you Pastor Dan for your phone call and prayers and the card from the congregation when my brother Donald Dunn died and the sympathy card that I received. Marian Welling and family

Ladies of St. John's, Thank you for the beautiful quilt & thinking of me during this special time. Adam Kolasinski

St. John's Quilters, Thank you for taking the time to make me a quilt for my high school graduation. I will cherish this quilt as a reminder of my accomplishment. It means a lot that you would think of me during this time in my life. Sincerely, Erik Withrow

St. John's, I am so grateful for having a church family like you! Thank you Pastor Budke for visiting me at the hospital before my surgery and praying for me on your birthday! Thank you, Pastor Daniel and everyone who prayed for me, and who sent cards. A special thank you to Lynda Lees for the comfy prayer shawl and to Maggie Reed for delivering the beautiful altar flowers at my home. Thanks again, Sheri Bretz

Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your generous gifts 4/30/15 of $245.46 and 5/31/15 of $185.44. You have been such faithful friends and such a blessing. You are true mission partners and we thank God for you daily. Right now we are preparing for the summer youth program and, as usual, counting on our friends & partners like you. Please remember us in your prayers and thanks again for all your help. Love in Christ, Marge Reas for the Redeemer Family

We would like to thank everyone for all your prayers and concerns with Jerry's recent fall and surgery. To Pastor Dan, you were such a comfort on the phone with me and to both of us before surgery... what a blessing you are! Also thanks to Barb Hersch for the beautiful flowers and nice visit. Jerry and Jerri Reitzel

I would like to thank you for the comforter I received for my graduation. It is very nice, and I will use it on my dorm bed at college when I go this fall. I'm sure a lot of work went into making it and I appreciate you giving it to me. Also I would like to thank the Memorial & Outreach Committee for my Scholarship that I received from them. The money will help cover some of my school expenses come this fall. Once again thank you very much, Aaron Titkemeier

Members of St. John's, Thank you for the many cards, gifts, prayers and well wishes in celebrating 40th ordination anniversary. Those years have went remarkably fast and have been a joy to our family. Thank you for the last 8 years and the opportunity to share in the ministry of Our Lord. I feel really blessed to have this chance to work with and know so many fine servants of His church and community. Pastor Jim P.S. A special thank you to Sandra Diefenthaler for finding my granddaughter's two lost animals (Rhino and Tiger), which were left at church on the 28th.



Dear Pastor Beaudoin, I wanted to thank you again for the thoughtfulness and spiritual/emotional support you provided my family after the death of our mother, Pauline Gaertner. It meant a lot to us. I also wanted to commend you on the wonderful eulogy you gave, you managed to sum up the essence of who my mother was. Sincerely, John Gaertner and the Gaertner family

It is with much appreciation that I am writing to you. I want to thank everyone in my church family for the scholarship that you have honored me with. I am grateful for the St. John's Scholarship and the Don and Velma Swartz Scholarship. I would like to thank the Memorial & Outreach Committee for selecting me for these. I will work hard to make the most of this kind gift. I am enrolled in The University of Toledo this fall in the Exercise Science/Pre-Physician Assistant Program. I am looking forward to furthering my education and wanted to let everyone know how truly appreciative I am and that it will help me get started with my education. I have been blessed with a wonderful church family that has taken me in and given me much support as I have grown. I am so thankful to Pastor Dan, my teachers and leaders, parents and all of the loving faces that I see on Sundays. I feel that a career in serving my community and interacting with them as a health care provider will be a good fit for me. I am looking forward to this next adventure and thankful that I have St. John's as my home base. Blessings to all, Kyle Andrew Edwards

Thank yous were received from the following: Lutheran Homes Society for the gifts of $77.27 and $72.28 Lutheran Home of Mercy for the gifts of $103.02 and $128.03 Lutheran Social Services for the gifts of $33.44, $41.57, and $31.70

Mark Your Calendars

Monday, Sept. 7 Labor Day, Church Office Closed

Sunday, Sept. 13 "Rally Day" return to regular worship / education times 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship 9:45 a.m. Christian Education 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship

Wednesday, Sept. 23 Pastor's Bible Study begins

Sunday, Sept. 27 Gideon Sunday

august 2015 the voice · last sunday, four adults and 16 of our young people returned from the 2015...

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