from pastor’s desk informer.pdfi cannot promise you that the next year will be any better than the...
TRANSCRIPT
In this issue:
Pastor’s Letter 1
Vicar’s Letter/ 2
Serving the Lord This
Month
3
Church News 4-13
Financial Secretary Report 14
Treasurer Report 15
Voters’ Minutes 16
Calendar 17
Happy New Year! Who has more
reason to be happy than us? We have just
celebrated the birth of God's Son, Jesus,
who was sent to proclaim our entrance
into the year of the Lord's favor.
I could use this opportunity to chastise
some of you on the way you have wasted
the past year living apart from God and
failing to bring glory to His name. I could
occupy the space on this page to make
new year's resolutions to
be more faithful and to
live in ways that are more
consistent with God's
revealed will for you.
But, despite just having
done so, I will not do it.
I have chosen instead to invite you to
lay the burdens and failures on Christ,
your Savior. I have decided to call you to
focus on God's faithfulness and His
unbreakable resolve to bless you.
We are blessed to live each and every
day of this coming year with a blessing
that most of the people who have lived
before us never had. It is also a blessing
that many who live among us still do not
have. We have received the fulfillment of
God' s promise to send us a Savior. Like
Simeon and Anna in the temple, who
longed for his appearing and wept for joy
that they had been able to see Him, we
have seen our salvation and know that we
live in the year of the Lord's favor.
Christ has already come to save us as
the child of Bethlehem and Lamb of God
sacrificed on the cross. Raised from the
dead to reign Christ still comes to make
His home with us in the power of the
Holy Spirit. And best of all Christ will
come again to raise and glorify us for
eternal life in His kingdom.
I cannot promise you that the next
year will be any better than the last. I
cannot promise you that you will fulfill all
of your resolutions or attain
all your goals. I cannot
promise you great wealth or
good health in the coming
year. What I can promise
you is that no matter what the
year brings the Lord will be
with you and His grace will
be sufficient for you. His strength and
love will be perfected through all your
weaknesses and struggles.
As we enter 2015 let us remember,
and never forget, that we live in the year
of the Lord's undeserved favor. We live,
forgiven and renewed, under His grace.
Have a happy and blessed new year!
In Christ's love,
Pastor Umbarger
From Pastor’s Desk: Special points of interest:
Letters from the Pastor
and from the Vicar
The Voter’s Assembly
Minutes.
All the latest news from inside the church walls
about the groups of your
interest.
January Birthdays.
St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL January 2015 Volume 57, Issue 5
"He has sent me…
to proclaim the year
of the Lord's favor."
(Luke 4:18b,19)
Page 2 January 2015
From the Vicar
I begin writing this newsletter with no direction
on what I should write. I am hoping by the time I
get to the end of this article I will have accom-
plished my task which is at hand. My task is to
come up with something to inspire you this new
year, (why do I say this, I guess it is the mundane
thing to do, we do this stuff this time of year, we
write something that should get you “fired” up
about life). Well here I am, still putting my fin-
gers on the keys and putting words on the page to
fill my spot up in the monthly newsletter. Am I
starting to think like Job? In chapter 7 he rambles
on about how his life has no hope. “Has not
man a hard service on earth, and are not his days
like the days of a hired hand? Like a slave who
longs for the shadow, and like a hired hand who
looks for his wages, so I am allotted months
of emptiness, and nights of misery are appor-
tioned to me. When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I
arise?’ But the night is long, and I am full of toss-
ing till the dawn.” Hey, this guy, this Job charac-
ter tosses and turns in his sleep. I know his pain.
But do I know his pain really! Probably not, this
guy had the devil and God playing with his life.
You or I may feel his pain or at least we
can relate to a little of what he says in
scripture, but you nor I will probably
never go through his type of anguish.
Yes, we are in a New Year and yes, you
have to do your taxes once again. Winter may be
cold and dreary but we have the gifts of Christ
that shines through our darkness this time of year.
Christmas has passed and a new year has come
upon us once again. So we should look toward
this New Year not with the gloom and doom of
Job, but with the happiness and joy that we find in
Christ our Savior. For this is the message and
goal for us this year. This year we continue to
work and pay taxes to Caesar, and we also work
to spread and share the gospel of Christ. Well that
is my message for you, I hope everyone has a
great year, for this is the year of the Lord, let us
rejoice and be glad in it!
Happy New Year,
Vicar Harriss
Page 3 The Informer
Ushers
Saturday, January 3:
Sunday January 4: Esther Cashion,
Tanner McAnally, Alyssa McAnally,
Tim Stone, Keith Verschoore, Alex
Verschoore,& Kevin Verschoore,
Adrienne Wittenauer
Saturday, January 10:
Sunday January 11: Esther
Cashion, Tanner McAnally, Alyssa
McAnally, Tim Stone, Keith Ver-
schoore, Alex Verschoore,& Kevin
Verschoore, Adrienne Wittenauer
Saturday, January 17:
Sunday, January 18:Esther
Cashion, Tanner McAnally, Alyssa
McAnally, Tim, Stone. Keith Ver-
schoore, Alex Verschoore,& Kevin
Verschoore
Saturday, January 24:
Sunday, January 25:Esther
Cashion, Tanner McAnally, Alyssa
McAnally, Tim Stone, Alex Ver-
schoore,& Kevin Verschoore
Saturday, January 31:
Fellowship Callers
Jan 4- Charlie & Joan Britton
Jan 11- Bill & Doris Park
Jan 18- Kevin Verschoore &
Bali Guerrero
Jan 25- John & Kay Iwen
Greeters
Jan 3- Bill & Doris Byles
Jan 4- Betty Withrow, Loretta Nielson &
Marsha Boarts
Jan10- Chris & Diana Caldwell
Jan 11- Jim Stonehouse, Brian Kern &
Kay Iwen
Jan17- Dennis & Lois Kelly
Jan 18- Don & Donna Hakeman & Lee
Copeland
Jan 24- LouAnn DeRammelaere & Ruby
Pancrazio
Jan 25- Nancy Davis, Darlene Dopson &
Barbara Honert
Jan 31 - George & Marlene Fellows
Acolytes
Jan 3- Marissa Keogh
Jan 4- Peyton Mattly
Jan10- Owen Hawkins
Jan 11- Hannah Rossmiller
Jan17- James Hinman
Jan 18- Sam Nelson
Jan 24-Allison Antolik
Jan 25-Noah Cobb
Jan 31- Rylee Sherwood
Serving the Lord This Month:
Altar Guild Flo Moore
Margie Schaefer Dawn Antolik
Eternal Candle Jan 4th: Joanne Wilson- memory of Ron Jan 11th: Gloria Burke & Family Jan 18th: Suess & Cobb - memory of Roy Jan 25th: Norma Johnson- Jennifer’s Birthday
Flower Chart Jan 4th: Jan 11th: Lorin & Suzanne Soyke- Anniversary Jan 18th: Hank & Rhonda VanDamme Daughter Elizabeth Birthday Jan 25th: Gloria Burke & Family
Openings on Eternal Candle
February 1
March 8
March 15
April 26
Openings on Flowers
February 1
May 17
May 25
May 31
Page 4 January 2015
Church News
Birthdays
CPR /FIRST AID CLASS
We will be hosting a CPR/FIRST AID
class once again. It will be January
5th from 9:00 – 2:00 bring your own
lunch. If you have questions as our Parish
Nurse Judy Dugan. Sign up is on the li-
brary counter.
A former CEL family is in need of some prayers and
pop tabs. Her Aunt has been diagnosed with Guillain
Barre Syndrome and she is receiving 24 your skilled
nursing care. As you can imagine, the medical bills
are extensive and a friend is making “pop tab purses”
to sell to benefit the family. Please drop off you pop
tabs to the table in the education hallway or Ann’s of-
fice. Thanks in advance! CEL Staff.
As many of you may know, Pastor Benke lost his son
this past fall in an automobile accident. As our former
Pastor we would like to support him and his son’s
family. Steve Benke was the Pastor of Jefferson Hills
Church and Faith Lutheran Church. There will be a
collection taken to give a gift as a congregation. Me-
morial contributions will be given to Steven's chil-
dren. You may use the white envelopes in the pews to
make this donation, it will go to our endowment dedi-
cated funds then sent in one lump to the family at the
end of February. Please keep Pastor Richard Benke
and Pastor Steven’s families in your prayers during
this difficult time.
January 1- Jacob Moore
January 2 - Don Veskauf
January 3 - Judy Dugan
January 4 - Donna Green
January 5 - Don Heller
January 6 - James Hinman & John
Iwen
January 11 - Annmarie McCollum
January 12 - Shane Parvin
January 13 - Donna Ratliff & Lisa
Schmidt
January 14 - Duane Little, Lynne
Suess, Stephanie VanRycke
January 15 - Chloe Hewitt & Larry
Newlon
January 16 - Brent Antolik, Courtney
Bailey & Don Davis
January 18 - David Cashion
January 20 - Lori Borkgren & Patricia
Goering
January 21 - Marissa Keogh & Gordon
Wulf
January 22- Rebecca Himan & Linda
Wittenauer
January 24 - Tyler Belan, Carl Blaser, Amber Mattly & Alivia
Voelkers
January 25 - Jennifer Johnson & Marci
Oltmann
January 26 - Liz Cockerill, Adam
Homann & Karen Newlon
January 27 - Pam Sims
January 28 - Mike Fleck
January 30 - Tom Stimes
STEVEN BENKE MEMORIAL
PRAYERS & POP TABS NEEDED
Stewardship Notes
Church News
Page 5 The Informer
Stewardship doesn’t have to be difficult. We often
make it more difficult than it need be. The
fundamentals of stewardship come from answering
these basic questions: Who are you? To whom do I
give? And how much? It’s that simple.
So who are you? Look at the Table of Duties in the
Small Catechism. Are you a hearer of God’s Word?
Are you a citizen of society? Are you a member of a
family? Stewardship covers these three estates:
church, society, family. We don’t particularly struggle
to give to society or family. Our struggles, our
difficulties and questions, arise in giving to the
church.
So what are our stewardship duties as members of the
church? The Table of Duties gives us a guide. If you
are a hearer, a member of the church who receives
instruction, St. Paul taught: “Anyone who receives
instruction in the word must share all good things with
his instructor” (Gal 6:6). This means that the local
congregation is primary.
The primary recipient of stewardship resides here..
Your pastor is the one called to preach the Gospel to
you and administer the Lord’s blessed sacraments to
you. Your congregation is the place where those
things are given out. Therefore, we give to the local
congregation to ensure that this continues. We don’t
vote with our giving. We don’t let the pastor or the
congregation know we are unhappy by how we give:
because we are supposed to see our giving as giving to
our Lord!
Thus, when God calls us to give to the church, He has
His work in mind – especially right where we live. For
“the Lord has commanded that those who preach the
gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1
Cor 9:14). “Do not be deceived: God cannot be
mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7).
How much do we give to the local congregation? Our
only instructions are these: to give regularly (1 Cor 6:1
–2), proportionally (1 Cor 16:1–2; 2 Cor 8:12), and
generously (2 Cor 8:20) of our first fruits (Gen 4:4;
Prov 3:9; Lev 27:30) with a spirit of eagerness (2 Cor
9:2), earnestness (2 Cor 8:7), cheerfulness (2 Cor 9:7),
and love (2 Cor 8:23).
In other words, giving to the church is not to be an
afterthought, given after everything else is spent. In
this way, it is deliberate. We set it aside beforehand,
before anything else is spent. From those first fruits,
we set aside a proportionate and generous amount.
Ten percent was the standard for the Israelites. This
was a command for them. We’re not bound to that
command in the same way as they were. Just like we
are not bound to all the regulations of the Sabbath day
(no physical labor, no hot meals, etc.). But the pattern
remains: Christians still gather for worship once a
week, for how could we do less than the Israelites did?
Likewise, does it seem right that we would support the
New Testament ministry at a rate less than the
Israelites supported the Old Testament ministry?
And how are we to give it? We give it with eagerness
and earnestness. We give it cheerfully and with love,
not out of compulsion. For through the preaching of
the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments,
God has made us His children, forgiven us all our sins,
given us grace upon grace, promised us life
everlasting with Him in His kingdom, and filled us
with His own Spirit, the Holy Spirit. This makes
giving a joy. For it is more blessed to give than to
receive (Acts 20:35).
It’s that easy. And it is joyful. For in stewardship, our
gracious and giving Lord invites us to take part in the
work that He accomplishes here on earth, providing
for the ongoing preaching of the Gospel as well as
those who are in need. Taking part in that, makes all
our work holy work, work that is done in service to
the Lord as priestly members of His kingdom.
Page 6 January 2015
Rhonda Van Damme
La Vera Bull Memory of my family
Vernon Sletten In memory of son Darnell
Barbara Honert In memory of husband
Flo Moore In memory of loved ones
Dennis Moore In memory of Mother “Sid”
Betty Streeter In memory of husband and
grandson
Judy DeGraeve
Mr. & Mrs. Norm Antolik In memory of loved ones
Ron and Peg Heitzman In memory of loved ones
Jerry Hill, Brandi Erickson,
Cori Rossmiller In memory of Father Jerry Hill
Brian & Christine Engebrecht
LouAnn DeRammelare In celebration of Christ Birth
Larry, Ramona & Marci Oltmann In celebration of Jesus’ birth
Gloria Burke In memory of husband John
Jim & Donna Moews In memory of Mother and Sister
Dennis & Marsha Boarts In memory of loved ones
Lynne Suess In memory of grandson Chase
Weeks & in loving memory of
husband Roy
Barb Buck In memory of Ruth, Merlyn
& Ken Erickson
Poinsettia Orders
Church News
THANK YOU to the following members for giving poinsettias to decorate our Sanctuary this holy Christmas season:
A note from the CEL Director
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We had fun celebrating Jesus’ birthday with a birthday party and
Christmas program. ! A new year brings new activities and more
fun for St. John’s Preschool!
Lutheran Schools Week will take place at the end of January
bringing fun dress-up days and the opportunity to sing God’s
praises in church.
A special thank you to Carol Hodshire for the Christmas mittens
we were able to give to all of our students.
We welcome visitors and guest book-readers. If you would like
to stop by and see what CEL is all about, just talk to Ann!
Sunday School
We hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas
Program on December
14th. We sure enjoyed
being part of the worship
service. Regular Sunday
School will begin on
January 5th.
Don & Donna Hakeman In memory of loves
Ruby & John Pancrazio To the Glory of God
The Vicar Harriss family In celebration of the
Savior’s birth
Bill & Doris Park In memory of parents
The Hanerhoff Family In memory of Dorothy Hilst
The Cobb Family In memory of Roy Suess
and Chase Weeks
Lucile Perley In celebration of our
Savior’s birth
The Belan Family In memory of Dorothy &
Joe Smet
The Belan Family In memory of Ed Belan
Duane and Kathy Herron In memory of Christine
Haseby
Don and Nancy Davis
Terry and Judy Dugan In memory of loved ones
Terry and Judy Dugan In memory of Harold
Roggendorf
Sharon Kays
Altar Guild The Altar Guild meeting will be January 12th, 2015 at
6:30pm.
Date This Year Last Year Sunday School Received
11/23/14 225 220 27 $6,332
11/30/14 224 238 - 16 $4,278
12/07/14 244 225 practice $9,240
12/14/14 244 124 program $5,786
12/22/14 224 all Sunday School $5,708
Simply giving $1,860 Average monthly attendance for St. John’s 31%
Page 7 The Informer
Weekly Attendance & Offerings
The 2015 offering envelopes are available in the concourse. Please pick up your envelopes, but DO NOT use them until January 1, 2015. On January 1, discard any 2014 envelopes (pink) that you have left over and start to use the new 2015 envelopes.
Note that your envelope number may not be the same next year as it was this year. Therefore, it is important to use the proper envelopes in order to get credit for your offering. Those who did not pick up their envelopes for 2014 will not be assigned envelopes for 2015 unless you request them. A sheet will be on the table for you to request envelopes if you do not find yours in the boxes. We encourage youth and teens to tithe also and will gladly give them envelopes upon request. *Note to all Snowbirds—if you would like your year-end offering statements mailed to you at your winter residence, please contact the Financial Secretary or church office with the address you want the statement sent.
2015 Offering Envelopes
Church News
Membership Report
St. John’s Ladies Aid
St. John’s Ladies Aid met November 6, 2014 with 8 members and 2 guests present. The leader was
Ramona Oltmann. Hostesses were LouAnn DeRammelaere and Ruby Pancrazio.
Devotions, “Still Producing Fruit” were given by Ramona Oltmann. A program on the History of
Thanksgiving and Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation was given by Norma Grotelueschen. A word
game was also played using the letters of Thankful.
The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $965.99. Christmas gifts will be given to Pastor Umbarger
and Vicar Harriss. The money in the World fund will be divided between the St. Louis and Ft Wayne
Seminaries and Bethesda.
There were 2 funeral luncheons served since the last meeting, and Ladies Aid will join with LWML to
serve the first Advent supper.
The Birthday song was sung for all members having birthdays in Oct., Nov. and Dec. The meeting
closed with the Ladies Aid Pledge and The Lord’s Prayer.
Baptism Adult confirm
Alexander Van Patrick Shryack Michael Shane Parvin
11/9/14 11/2/14
Death Transfer
Arlene VanRycke Robin Passman
11/22/14 11/26/14 to St. Paul Lutheran, Addison, IL
Page 8 January 2015
Cristo Rey News
Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Cristo Rey
Christ the King Lutheran Church 1301-19th Street, East Moline, IL 61244
E-mail: [email protected] (309) 755-4757 Rev. Pablo Domínguez
December 2014
Beating the Bushes.
In the November 14, 2014 issue of LUTHERANS ENGAGE, a Feature under MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT entitled
Beating the Bushes appears. The feature was written by Adriane Heins and is about the Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez,
Director of LCMS Church and Community Engagement, and the CID Latino Outreach in Beardstown, Illinois. The
following is the Feature article: “We’re willing and ready to go out and beat the bushes.” The Rev. Dr. Carlos Her-
nandez’s voice proves he means business. “We go into their homes and ask them how we can care for human be-
ings with human needs, waiting for the Holy Spirit to move them,” he explains. “And often He does. Whenever we
share the Gospel, people say, ‘Really? Salvation by grace? It’s a free gift?’ Some people cry.” Beating the bushes is
easy, because Hernandez, director of Church and Community Engagement, isn’t doing it alone. Partnerships be-
tween congregations, districts and the Synod are making in-roads across the country. “By invitation, we assist dis-
tricts or congregations that are interested. Usually, it’s a double partnership, because the district is often already
helping the congregation,” he explains. St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beardstown, Ill., is one such example of a lay-
led joint venture. “Let’s partner. Let’s reach out with the Gospel. We have an enormous mission field. Why should-
n’t we?” — Rev. Carlos Hernandez. “The congregation is in a community that has, over the last 20 years, become
increasingly Hispanic,” says Hernandez. “The members of the congregation said to the pastor, ‘We really need to
reach out to the growing Hispanic population in this town.’ The pastor agreed, but he also knew the church didn’t
have much money.” When the Rev. Doug Evenson mentioned this obstacle, one lay member took it as a challenge.
He simply asked, “How much does it cost?” recalls Hernandez. That’s when the congregation “brought up the idea
of a partnership — both in terms of finances and as a mission development — between the congregation and the
district and the Synod.” The ball was already rolling. Using the Synod’s Gospel Seeds model — where congrega-
tions focus on mercy, finding out from their neighbors what human care needs the church can help them meet,
which leads them to opportunities to bear witness to Christ — Hernandez and congregation members got to work.
“You can’t just put up a sign and say, ‘Y’all come,’” Hernandez says. “When I met with the congregation in
Beardstown, I asked them, ‘What Hispanics do you know? Do you know Spanish?’” The congregation made a
lengthy list of names and then started knocking on doors. “We asked them, ‘We’re from St. John’s. We’re reaching
out to the Latino population. What are some of the needs you see in our community?’” Hernandez recalls. Starting
conversations through acts of mercy sets Lutherans apart from others groups who knock on doors, he notes. “We
start with mercy and then bear witness according to the Holy Spirit and then move to life together as He draws
them into the Church.”
What Do Lutherans Believe?
The congregation offered the Latino community the use of their gym, which was no longer in use since the church’s
school closed. Then the church started English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes. “People were drawn in
quickly,” Hernandez recalls. Then a woman from the community named Maria Guijosa offered her help, both in
translation and in locating local and county services families could use. Before long, “St. John’s became a Hispanic
center for people to inquire about human needs,” Hernandez says. “And then they started asking the same question
they always ask: What do Lutherans believe?” The Rev. Pablo Dominguez, pastor of a Hispanic mission in the
LCMS Central Illinois District, was quickly on the scene, visiting every couple of weeks while simultaneously
leading a Bible class. Soon, though, the congregation members pushed for even more: “Can we get a vicar?” Her-
nandez recalls them asking. “We need someone here for them every day!” And they did. Jason Gullidge, a vicar
Page 9 The Informer
from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., who is still learning Spanish, now assists with a variety
of Hispanic ministry opportunities, like hosting “Sunday School to our community and our members, and every
other Saturday, a gathering similar to a church service (religious movies, songs, a message and a prayer), led by
Pastor Dominguez,” Gullidge says, noting plans for more are in the works.
Acts of Mercy
Ultimately, Gullidge and Evenson believe, this partnership enables them to “share the Gospel of Christ through acts
of mercy while helping with daily needs.” The Central Illinois District is now putting funds on the table in addition
to what the congregation gives, while the Synod’s Hispanic Ministry staff members continue to offer time, counsel
and expertise. This tri-fold partnership “allows new ideas to be shared, resources to be increased and our work to be
synchronized around the world,” explains the Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the LCMS Office of National
Mission. “All of this means the Gospel is proclaimed to the ends of the earth, and Lutheran churches grow as the
Word is taught and the Sacraments are administered. Walking together in our life together is a tremendous witness
to the world of our shared mission.” And as for that witness? “I’ve never seen this much love and excitement in
reaching out to Hispanics in all my years,” acknowledges Hernandez. “It’s an amazing
thing.” Learn more: www.lcms.org/gospelseeds
What Is Las Posadas?
Las Posadas are well known throughout Mexico and the Southwest United States.
Las Posadas literally means lodging or inn. It is held each day between December 16
and 24. Las Posadas is a celebration full of joy and emotion. Las Posadas was begun
in 1587 by a Roman Catholic friar and by Missionary Diego de Soria in Mexico. Their
original purpose in establishing this tradition was to teach the indigenous Aztecs about
Christianity and the birth of Christ. During the traditional time of the celebration of
Christmas the Aztecs carried out ritual celebrations honoring their god of war,
Huitzilopochtli. Soria used these indigenous celebrations as an opportunity to intro-
duce the Christian Christmas story via the celebration of Las Posadas. Eventually, in
the 17th century, Las Posadas began to include a procession. It appears that this
change came out of resistance from the people to celebrate in the atriums of the
church, preferring instead the indigenous custom of celebrating in the homes of indi-
viduals. As the celebration of Las Posadas became more commonly celebrated in homes rather than in the church,
the celebration quickly became part of family tradition, and other elements were added. As the processions visited
homes throughout the community, it became customary to offer refreshments to the guests. Dances and parties took
place, and candy and piñatas became staples of the festivities for the young. The tradition that continues to be
passed down from generation to generation is a combination of religious elements along with a type of festival
celebration that includes several typical elements as described throughout this resource. Las Posadas can be hosted
by individual families, churches, neighborhoods, and entire towns. Truly, Las Posadas is a traditional Hispanic
celebration depicting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. It is most commonly celebrated in Mex-
ico although it is practiced in other countries as well. While originally a Roman Catholic celebration, this tradition
is now also widely practiced as a one day event among other denominations and in secular venues. The word
posada means “inn” or “place of lodging,” literally a place where one can posar (rest). In this celebration figures
representing Mary and Joseph take part in a procession that goes from door to door guided by the angel seeking
posada, or lodging. The traditional song of Las Posadas is a series of responsive verses sung between a group of
pilgrims asking for lodging and innkeepers turning them away. Finally, after several stops, the innkeepers realize
who is asking for lodging and welcome them in with open arms. All those in the procession enter the “inn” and a
celebration, often including refreshments and a piñata, follows. Las Posadas, in addition to being a reenactment of
Mary and Joseph looking for lodging in the inn, has a variety of applications and lessons for the Christian life.
While the practice of this tradition has become very secularized, it remains a wonderful tool for use in the church. It
is one way of preparing for Jesus our Savior’s coming and is a reminder that this should be awaited with great joy.
When the time for Jesus’ birth drew near, Mary and Joseph were unable to find lodging. Likewise, the world into
Page 10 January 2015
which Jesus entered did not recognize Him as the Messiah. Even today the world often does not recognize Jesus,
who comes knocking, desiring a place in each of our hearts. Las Posadas provides an excellent opportunity to
reinforce the Gospel message of Jesus, born as a baby, come to Earth as our Redeemer. Las Posadas also pro-
vides opportunity to explore the themes of welcoming the stranger and serving your neighbor in need. In addi-
tion to serving as a celebration for the faithful Christian, Las Posadas can be an excellent tool for Christian out-
reach into the community. The pilgrimage and the accompanying party provide opportunities for churches and
individuals to invite their community and neighbors in and share a time of celebration and joy. Las Posadas pro-
vides churches and individuals an amazing opportunity to connect with Hispanics in their communities in a cul-
turally relevant, non-threatening way. Hosting Las Posadas provides an opportunity to teach the Gospel message
of Jesus’ birth as our Savior, connect with those in the community, and enjoy a time of celebration with family,
friends, and neighbors. If you ever get the chance to participate, don't pass it up. CR will celebrates Las Posadas. Cristo Rey will hold two Christmas Posada celebrations. 1) December 6th at
St.
John’s gym in Beardstown, IL. 2) December 21th at St. John’s gym in East Moline. CR members and prospects
will help us with Christmas songs, games for the children, piñatas and gifts for all. The Las Posadas is a holiday
celebration that has strong cultural significance and a colorful history behind it. It is also a wonderful opportu-
nity to present to the audience the real meaning of Christmas which is: Our Savior and King, Christ Jesus is
born!
Everyone is invited to join with us at Cristo Rey as we celebrate Las Posadas at St. John’s Lutheran Church,
East Moline on Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 1pm to 5pm. We also say thank you to St. John’s for allow-
ing us to use their excellent facility for this event once again this year!
All
of us
here at Cristo
Rey want to wish
all of you a Blessed
Christmas and a Joyous
New Year And THANK YOU
most sincerely for your prayers,
your donations of food items, clothing
and furniture and your financial gifts.
We consider ourselves partners with you
as we take the Gospel to the Hispanic people.
F
E
L
I
Z
NAVIDAD
LWML
St. John's LWML will meet on January 22, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Janssen rooms. Hostesses will be
Margie Schaefer and Diana Lackey. Devotions will be given by Ramona Oltmann, and the program will be
Vicar Mark Harriss sharing some of his life story with us. All women of the congregation are invited.
Page 11 The Informer
St. John's LWML meeting was held on November 20, 2014. The meeting was called to order by President Marsha Boarts in the name of the Triune God. There were 15 members present. A devotion "The Heavenly Banquet" was given by Marsha. Vicar Mark Harriss did a bible study, called "The Greatest Banquet of Thanksgiving". Following the bible study hostesses Ramona Oltmann and Carole Hodshire served desert. The Secretary's report, the Treasurer's report and committee reports were given. Marsha reported she has forms to be filled out and sent in if you are interested in taking the bus to the National Convention in June of 2015. LaVera Bull volunteered to be Secretary starting in January. Marsha reported that a request has been made that LWML and Ladies Aid serve at the first Advent supper. Ladies Aid will bring deserts and LWML will bring salads. We will also serve brats and hot dogs. It was decided that our part of the offering from the dinner will be given to James Sharp. The dinner will begin at 5:30 and salads and deserts should be at the church by 4:00. A discussion followed regarding Christmas gifts to organizations we have supported in the past. Margie Schaefer made a motion that we remove Lutheran Bible Translators. Diana Lackey seconded that motion. Motion passed. Betty Streeter made a motion that we give $25.00 to each of the following Bethesda, Concordia Seminary Food Bank, St. Louis, Concordia Seminary Food Bank, Fort Wayne, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Lutheran Braille Workers and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Relief. It was decided that we will have a offering basket at each meeting for James Sharp's mission work. There will be no meeting in December. The meeting was adjourned by saying the League Pledge and the Lord's Prayer.
LWML MEETING MINUTES
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Brian Rossmiller ..President
Terry Dugan...V.President Valerie McDonald.Secretary Norm Antolik...Treasurer David Sountris..Asst. Treasurer John Iwen...Fin. Secretary Orene Antolik.....Asst. Fin. Secretary
BOARD OF ELDERS BOARD OF YOUTH
Dennis Boarts Bill Byles Gene Dreier Ralph Grotelueschen Kevin McAnally Bill Park Ed Wachs
Stacey Antolik Holly Belan Jeff Belan Rebecca Hinman Kayleigh Little Kristian Umbarger
BOARD OF EDUCATION BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP
Evan Antolik Stevee Antolik Christina Braddy Ann Cobb Christine Engebrecht Donna Thurman
Joan Britton Donna Hakeman Kris McAnally
BOARD OF EVANGELISM
Charlie Britton
Tim Chellew Larry Dodge Kay Iwen Diane Ransom Kevin Verschoore Chaplain Paul Weber
BOARD OF PARISH MIN. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Marsha Boarts Ashley Buck Lavera Bull Gloria Burke Greg Burke Lee Copeland Ann Engebrecht Katherine Engebrecht Joyce Hoffman Barbara Honert Becky Johnson Carole Krouth Alyssa McAnally Ramona Oltmann
Brent Antolik Mark Brault Greg Hart Larry Hipple Dennis Hurley Devon Hurley Brian Kern Glenn McMillin Lori McMillin Flo Moore Tim Stone Jason Thurman Hank Van Damme Ron Wilson
Page 12 January 2015
2015 Elected Officers
Page 13 The Informer
Congregational Mission Trip
Summer 2015 Sign up by February 15th
Sign up by February 15th in order to reserve your spot on the
bus!! We will be chartering a 47 passenger bus for our trip this summer and we already are half full. After
February 15th we will open the trip up to other churches in the Rock Island Circuit. The sign-up sheet it on
the library counter, or see Carrie Homann for more information 496-3330, [email protected]
Where: St Louis area. Our host congregation is Hope Lutheran in Granite city, IL where Al Buester will be
ordained sometime this summer.
When: Potential dates are Sunday, June 21- Thursday, June 25
Who can attend: Anyone, any age, any ability, single, married, families, youth, special guests of St. John’s
members…we are all God’s hands!
What:
Field trip day to the Seminary, LCMS Headquarters, and/or CPH
Side trip day: many opportunities for you to choose from (some which are free)…zoo, art museum,
Perry County (see the original homestead of LCMS), Six Flags, etc
Service day: to be determined
Human Care: Packing hygiene kits for the homeless, making and delivering sandwiches
(4,288 delivered one day this fall) and kits to the homeless in St. Louis, and more
Family Events: Hosting a neighborhood family picnic or other intergenerational event for the
Hope Lutheran community
Outreach: Provide outreach & evangelism for Hope Lutheran.
Construction/Maintenance: Painting, cleaning, light construction for the congregations or
individual members.
Estimated costs $130-290 (plus a few meals)
Financial assistance is available and fundraising has begun. With fundraising, some servants in 2012 had
no out-of-pocket expenses. Costs listed are approximate.
Bus = $50-100 per person
Lodging @ $70/night/4 nights
4 per room = $70 ea, 3 per room = $93 ea, 2 per room = $140 ea
Food = on own except breakfast in hotel, Hope has offered some meals
Side trip – many options are free. Six Flags is approximately $40
T-shirt = $8-10
Financial Secretary’s Report
Page 14 January 201
Treasure’s Report
Page 15 The Informer
Voter’s Assembly Minutes
Page 16 January 2015
14 December 2014- Voters Meeting
Call to order: Brian Rossmiller
Opening Prayer: Vicar
1st order of business was to have minutes of last voters meeting approved.
Motion- Terry Dugan
2nd – Larry Dodge
No request for new voting members
The floor was opened for volunteers for boards and/or nominations for boards
Motion to accept nominations for boards
Motion- Rhonda Vandamme
2nd – Jim Homann
2015 Budget should be 0 as long as there is no bad weather for the rest of the year. There was a
comment made by Ralph Groutelushen?? Stating that there should be a growing # in
memberships. A younger crowd is desirable and it was mentioned that the majority of the
younger crowd is not financially able to give what the older members can.
It was discussed that there are no huge expenses anticipated in the next year. There are some
cracks in the driveway that may be repaired in the spring. Possibly in the next couple years, a
new roof will be needed over the gym and/or sanctuary.
Motion was made to approve the budget for FY 2015.
Motion- Larry Hipple
2nd – Terry Dugan
Missionary $ available to spend $26,400
$1550 per month to Central Illinois District
$4000 to James Sharp
$1500 to Service Mission Project (St. Johns)
$2300 left to be split 3 ways between Beckendorf’s Bible Translate support mission, Bethesda
Lutheran and Evergreen Lutheran Church in Detroit, Mi for “Mission Detroit Michigan”.
Evergreen Lutheran Church is an inner city outreach mission- Missouri Synod.
Jim Homan motioned for the $2300 to be split evenly between the 3 with a 2nd for Ralph
Groutelshen.
2nd reading of the changes to the “bi-laws”.
Exucutive Board with amendment changes and Youth Board Changes were accepted.
Motion by Dennis Hurley
2nd by Larry Dodge
There was a request made by Jim Homann that the balance of dedicated funds be published. Norm
will publish in December issue. There was the issue of a church van brought up and the funds
that have been set aside for that.
WORSHIP SERVICES: Saturday — 6:30 p.m.
Sunday— 9:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS: Sunday — 10:15 a.m.
Worship Times
St. John’s in Winter Snow
1450-30th Avenue
East Moline, IL 61244
Tel: 309-792-0755
Fax: 309-792-0776
E-mail: [email protected]
St. John’s
Lutheran Church
of East Moline, IL
Walking in the Light of Christ!
We’re On the Web!! www.stjohnsem.org