The Little Church That Can! The last couple of days with the temps in the low twenties, I know that winter is close by. That also tells me we are close to Advent and the hol-idays celebrating our King’s birth. On November 22 the congregation was asked to approve that council remain in place for one more year. Those present voted to extend for one year all members of council. In January, there will be no voting for new peo-ple for council. Other news during November was not hiring an interim Pastor after interviewing Pastor Connor during the November council meeting. For coun-cil, the biggest problem was he wanted 2 days pay plus one over night at a motel. He would also do Sundays and attend Worship and Council meeting. Part of his job would have been working with the Transition Team; however, Pastor Kaitie Suggitt from Grace in Castalia is doing that work for us. It was felt that we did not have two days work each week. He was from the North East Synod which meant he needed for that Synod to let him serve us; we passed on hiring him. Pastor Jacobs will continue serving us after the first of the year. Christmas Eve, Pastor Cathy Schibler is going to do both services at 4 and 8. December 27, Pastor Jacobs is going to be on vacation and Lynn Schlessman is leading the service. On November 21, the Transition Team and part of the Call Commit-tee worked on the Ministry Site Profile with Pastor Kaitie. It should be ready for council to approve at the December meeting. Once it is approved, it will be sent to Synod to be used in finding candidates to interview. Please be part of this Holiday season by keeping St. John’s in your prayers as we look for a new minster. Remember: We Can Do This!

Blessings to all, Jim Moore Council President

News from our President!

Special points of interest:

Altar Flowers

Remember our Military

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Ministry Helpers

Care and Share

Our Homebound

150th Anniversary ornaments

Worship with us in December 2

Poet’s Corner 3

Giving Tree 3

Caroling Events 4

SALM Minutes 5

Home Bible Reading 6

Calendar 7

Inside this issue:

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Volume 30 Issue 12

December

VO L UME 30 IS SUE 1 2 Page 2

SERVICE MEN & WOMEN AWAY FROM

HOME

ANDY KICK SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES

DUSTIN MILLER

SERVING WITH U S ARMY Email-dustin.a.miller@us.army.mil

SCOTT JOHNSON

SERVING WITH THE NAVY IN THE U.S.

MAJOR NICOLE ZORN

FREDRICK U.S. Army serving in Alaska

CHAD SMITH

SERVING WITH THE NAVY

LTCMDR LESLIE O’HARA Serving in the U.S. Navy

CAPTAIN JOSHUA DEEHR Deployed to the Middle East

RYAN STELLHORN

Serving in the U.S. Air Force

T.J. EVEY Serving with the Marines

Deployed

RYAN STELLHORN Serving in the U. S. Air Force

RYAN WETZEL

U. S. Navy in the U.S.

CHAPLAIN WILLIAM HLAVIN

Serving as Navy Chaplain in San Diego CA

SGT SEAN MURPHY

U.S. Army deployed to Jordan.

WORSHIP WITH US AT CHRISTMAS

Dec. 8—Wesley Justi Myrna Schlessman 10—Lori Stacy 13—Ruth Deehr 14—Ray Vance 14—Rolland Schlessman 17—Andrew Baaske 26—Chad Smith 29—Ray Young 30—August Hohman 30—Kristi Justi Rita Zorn 31—Bobbie Deehr

Dec. 1 — David and Mary K. Schlessman

16 — Jon & Trudi Baaske 17 — Kevin and Allison

Young 27 — August and Beverly

Hohman Rollie and Myrna Schlessman

December Birthdays and Anniversaries

Choir and Youth Christmas Program: On Sunday, December 20th at 10:30 am our won-derful choir in partnership with the youngest members of this church family will share the good news of Christmas in word and song. Don’t miss this special worship opportunity! Worship will be followed by our traditional sandwich and cookie potluck lunch. Please bring something to share. Christmas Eve: Join us on December 24th as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with special evening worship ser-vices at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The two ser-vices will be essentially the same, featuring both Holy Communion and candlelight. Spread the word; invite family and friends to come for Christmas Eve worship! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE SPECIAL WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO PREPARE YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD!

From the Endowment Team With year end approaching this may be a good time to consider a gift to the St. John's Endowment Fund. Gift-ing appreciated securities can save on capital gains tax-es. Charitable gift annuities are available through the ELCA Foundation, naming the St. John's Endowment Fund as the beneficiary. These annuities provide an im-mediate tax deduction and a portion of each annual pay-ment is tax deductible depending on life expectan-cy. This is a good way to make a gift and have income from it at the same time. The earnings from the fund once the balance reaches $100,000 will be used to fund ministries of the congrega-tion that would not be funded through the regular budg-et. This would support our mission outreach. Thank you for considering a gift to the fund this year end. If you have questions, please contact me. Jerry Bauer, chair

Endowment Fund Opportunity

Thank you! Thank you to all who helped with the Hanging of the Greens! The event was truly a festive gathering of church family across gen-erations, creating a beautiful sanctuary for us to enjoy during the season of Advent and Christ-mas. Special thanks to the fourth quarter fel-lowship team for planning a delicious lunch and to Dawn Schlessman for decorating the fellow-ship hall. The efforts of all who participated are much appreciated!

POET’S CORNER by Jerry Bauer

God's Final Act "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we our-selves, ... , groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bod-ies." Romans 8:22-23 God's creation waits new birth. Pangs of birth fill the world. Global chaos in all creation. Nothing escapes, we endure pain. Fear and trembling crush breath out of life. Hope in Jesus, his promise trust. These the birth pangs of God's final act.

Giving Tree

Welcome Table at the back of the church. To purchase one, just put $10 either in cash or check in the envelope on the table and write your name on the envelope and then take the ornament. Questions? See Barbara Vance.

We still have a few 150th anniversary orna-ments available in case you missed the oppor-tunity to purchase one. They are on the

This year the Faith Life Team has selected to give to residents of the Lutheran Memorial Home. These residents and their "wish lists" do not have much family or visi-tors. Typically they spend the holiday alone. So let's reach out to them by choosing an angel tag, buying the items requested and returning it to church by Sunday, December 20, 2015. The items will be wrapped and delivered on Christmas Eve so the residents can receive the love of the Lord and the true meaning of giving this Christ-mas Day. Thank-you for your continued generos-ity.

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Gift giving is not the only thing you can do this holiday season. Show kindness, it doesn’t take much time or effort. Ways to spread kindness: take time to listen; give praise when earned; forgive someone who hurt you; apologize for something you have done wrong; do a favor for someone in need; give hugs; compromise instead of fighting; take time to listen and hear the other person’s situation; problem solve in a caring manner. Remember kids are watching and learning from you. May kindness abound this holiday season! “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18.

Homebound

St. John is on the web. Visit our website at www.stjohnlcsandusky.com

St. John has many dear brothers and sisters of this church family (and a few we've adopted into the family) who are homebound for health reasons and unable to join us regular-ly for worship. They receive a monthly communion visit from the pastor and recorded versions of worship services courtesy of Jim Moore, but would certainly benefit from more personal contact with their church family. Would you consider visiting our homebound brothers and sisters in their homes? They are: Joyce Baaske: At home, Huron Ruth Bruns: Lutheran Memorial Home, Sandusky June Gorga: At Providence Care, Sandusky Rm 60. (Mother of Nancy Osbun - Recently relocated to Sandusky) Jean Hlavin: Parkvue Place, Sandusky (Pastor Bill's moth-er) Rita Justi: Gaymont Nursing Home, Norwalk Rachel Kaliszewski: Gaymont Nursing Home, Norwalk (Renee Barkhimer's mother) Wayne and Ruth Knupke: At home, Huron Ann Neate: At Admiral’s Point, Huron Jean Nottke: At home, Huron Lois Oltman: Parkvue Place Rm 107, Sandusky Margaret Ommert: At home, Huron Jeanette Walz:Parkvue Health Care Center,Rm 211 Perry Ct. Joan Zorn: At Portland House, Sandusky Florene Swatek: At home in Norwalk. Ruth Deehr: At home, Berlin Heights Addresses and contact information may be found in the congregational directory unless they reside in a nursing home. Thanks for caring!

Join us for caroling! Two caroling events will take place at our local nurs-ing facilities. The first will be held at Admiral’s Point in Huron on Sunday, Dec. 6th at 2:00 pm. The second will be held at the

Lutheran Memorial Home on Sunday, Dec. 20th at 2:30 pm. Please meet in the front lobby of the nursing home.

Care and Share is in need of gloves - men's, women's and children's - all sizes and towels, blankets,

Bibles, Christmas trees and decorations! Please help us! Volunteers are needed for Care and Share. Just two hours a week to help sort or prepare items for distribution will give you the opportunity to help those in need. See

Linda for more infor-mation, or just stop by for a tour at 241 Jackson St.

Questions to contemplate! What does God want for St. John?

What resources has he given us?

How can I be apart?

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Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission St. Paul, Sandusky -- Trinity, Sandusky – Zion, Huron – Zion, Sandusky St. Peter, Norwalk—St. John’s, Bellevue

Highlights from the November 16, 2015 Board meeting of Our Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission

Welcome to Michelle Schaffer, Norwalk, St. Peter and Jan TerVeen, St. John’s, Bellevue; SALM’s newest representatives.

JOY Time our ministry to adults with developmental disabilities is preparing advertising for 2016. Meetings are the second Thursday of every month at St. Paul’s Sandusky. The next meeting will be January 14th from 6-7:30. Please help spread the word of this ministry to families and care takers.

The movie “When God Left the Building” will be presented to the community on January 31, 2016 begin-ning at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s, Sandusky. Following the viewing there will be discussion concerning the future of our churches and a light meal. Please plan to attend.

Please get your copy of the 2015 SALM Advent Daily Devotions. It was written by your Lutheran friends and church family. Use it to help you focus on the birth of Jesus during this busy, hectic season.

Retired Pr. Monty Kaufman will serve as the 2016 pastoral advisor for SALM in 2016. SALM will also look at revising our name and mission statement to be more focused and inclusive of the area now represented.

Announcements and SALM Church news: Cardboard City was held the weekend of October 14th and early reports indicate over $3,000 was raised for the homeless.

St. John’s reported 153 people attended their 150 Years Celebration Dinner

Sunday, November 29th, Grace, Castalia will host a presentation and concert by Robert Rogers at 6 p.m. pre-ceded by the Women’s craft give-away at 5 p.m. A $5 donation will go to Project Share.

Sunday, December 13th, Farewell reception for Pr. John Mawhirter, 2-4 p.m. Zion, Sandusky

Monday November 23rd, Community Thanksgiving Service, 7 p.m. St. Peter, Norwalk

Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Service, 8 a.m. Zion, Sandusky

Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Meal, Holy Angels Church in Sandusky (Zion, Sandusky and area churches) Eat in or request delivery.

American churches are in Trouble!

Our churches are dying and shrinking away. The current church model doesn’t resonate with society today. In

America 4,000 churches a year are closing their doors. Most of our churches are stuck or facing declining at-

tendance. Are we becoming museums? Are our churches only for weddings and funerals? Are we brave

enough to ask why people are leaving? Dare we look at the future? The Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission

wants to work together to find some answers. Make plans now to attend the film, “When God Left the Build-

ing”, on January 31, 2016 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Sandusky. Page 5

New Testament Reading for December Mon. Nov. 30 Rev. 12:1-18 The Woman and the Dragon

Tues. Dec,1 Rev. 13:1-8 The Two Beasts

Wed. Dec. 2 Rev. 14:1-20 The Lamb and His People

Thurs. Dec. 3 Rev. 15:1-8 The Angels with the Last Plagues

Fri. Dec. 4 Rev. 16:1-21 The Bowls of God’s Anger

Sat. Dec. 5 Rev. 17:1-18 The Famous Prostitute

Sun. Dec. 6 Rev. 18:1-24 The Fall of Babylon

Mon. Dec. 7 Rev. 19:1-10 The Wedding Feast of the Lamb

Tues. Dec. 8 Rev. 19:11-21 The Rider on the White Horse

Wed. Dec. 9 Rev. 20:1-15 The Thousand Years & Defeat of Satan

Thurs. Dec. 10 Rev. 21:1-27 New Heaven & New Jerusalem

Fri. Dec. 11 Rev. 22:1-20 The Coming of Jesus

Malachi……..The Book of Malachi comes from some time in the fifth century B.C. after the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt. The prophet’s main concern is to call priests and people to renew their faithfulness to their cove-nant with God. It is clear that there is laxity and corruption in the life and worship of God’s people. Priests and people are cheating God by not giving him the offerings that are rightly due him, and by not living according to his teaching. But the Lord will come to judge and purify his people, sending ahead of him his messenger to prepare the way and to proclaim his covenant. This is the last book in the Old Testament following which we will turn to the Gospel of Luke to finish out the month of December reviewing the message of the birth of the Lord Jesus. Sat. Dec. 12 Malachi 1:1-14 The Lord’s love for Israel

Sun. Dec. 13 Malachi 2:1-17 The people’s unfaithfulness to God

Mon. Dec. 13 Malachi 3;1-12 The Day of Judgment is near…Payment of tithes

Tues. Dec. 15 Malachi 3:13—4:6 God’s Promise of Mercy & the Day of His Coming

LUKE……The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as both the promised Savior of Israel and as the Savior of the world. Luke records that Jesus was called by the Spirit of the Lord to ―preach the Good News the poor.‖, and this Gospel is filled with a concern for people with all kinds of need. The note of joy is also prominent in Luke, especially in the open-ing chapters that announce the coming of Jesus, and again at the conclusion, when Jesus ascends to heaven. Wed. Dec. 16 Luke 1:1-25 The Birth of John the Baptist

Thurs. Dec. 17 Luke 1;26-38 The Birth of Jesus is Announced

Fri. Dec. 18 Luke 1:39-56 Mary visits Elizabeth…Mary’s Song of Praise

Sat. Dec. 19 Luke 1:57-80 Birth of John the Baptist

Sun. Dec. 20 Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus

Mon. Dec. 21 Luke 2:21-40 Jesus is named…..Presented in the Temple

Tues. Dec. 22 Luke 2:41-52 The Boy Jesus In the Temple

Wed. Dec. 23 Luke 3:1-20 The Preaching of John the Baptist

Thurs. Dec. 24 Luke 3:21-38 The Baptism of Jesus

Fri. Dec. 25 Luke 4:1-30 The Temptation of Jesus…He begins His work

Sat. Dec. 26 Luke 4:31-44 Jesus’ Ministry…healing and Preaching

Sun. Dec. 27 Luke 5:1-26 Jesus Calls his first Disciples

Mon. Dec. 28 Luke 5:27-39 Jesus Calls Levi…..questions on fasting

Tues. Dec. 29 Luke 6:1-26 Questions about the Sabbath….Calls the Twelve

Wed. Dec. 30 Luke 627-49 Love for Others….Judging others

Thurs. Dec. 31 Luke 7:1-18 Various Healings

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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Ushers: Jim Semon Ray Witt

1 Church Council 7:00 pm

2 Choir Practice 7:00 pm

3 Transition/Call Team 4:30 pm

4 5

6 Flowers: Birthday of Lori Stacy Christmas caroling 2:00 pm Admiral’s Point

7 8 9 Choir Practice 7:00 pm

10 Crossroads 3:30-6:00 pm Food to church by noon

11 12

13 Flowers: Trudi, Jon Baaske

14 Quilting Session 9:00 am

15 16 Worship Team-6:00 Choir Practice 7:00

17 Faith Life 6:30 pm

18 19 Choir Practice 9:00 am

20 Youth Program 10:30 Sandwich Potluck Fellowship Caroling 2:30 pm Lutheran Home

21 22 23 24 Christmas Eve Candle-light-Holy Communion

Worship 4:00 pm 8:00 pm

25 26

27 Flowers: Scheid Fami-ly Rev. Lynn Schlessman leads worship Baptism of Archer Dunavant

28 29 30 31

December 2015 A FAMILY OF DISCIPLES, FAITHFUL-

LY MAKING CHRIST KNOWN

St. John’s Lutheran Church 106 Scheid Rd Sandusky, Ohio 44870 Phone: 419-625-2192 E-mail: stjohncal@gmail.com Website: www.stjohnlcsandusky.com

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106 Scheid Road

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

S T . JO HN’S EVANGEL ICA L LUT HER AN CHURCH

Sue Lucht, Peg Kingsley Jerrie Krawetzki, Doreen Ross December 6 Communion glasses/Fellowship December 20 Sandwich/Cookie Fellowship after Christmas program December 24 Communion glasses

Thank You!! Fourth Quarter Team Worship Leaders

ADDRESS CHANGE REQUESTED

419-625-2192 www.stjohnlcsandusky.com

Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM

USHERS

6— Jim Semon/Ray Witt 13— Jim Semon/Ray Witt 20— Jim Semon/Ray Witt 24—4:00—Ann & Dave Voight 8:00—Mary K & Dave

Schlessman 27—Jim Semon/Ray Witt

COMMUNION ASSISTANT

Dec. 6—Jim Semon 24—4:00—Linda Moore 8:00—Jim Semon

LAY READERS

Dec. 6—Linda Miller-Moore 13—Kevin Young 20—Jan Fulton 24—4:00—Kevin Young 8:00—Jim Semon 27—Linda Miller-Moore

A FAMILY OF DISCIPLES, FAITHFULLY MAKING CHRIST

KNOWN

The St. John Council requests church leaders to complete your annual report as soon as possi-ble. These will then be processed and printed by Sandy Thompson for distribution to the con-gregation. Reports can be placed in the ―Annual Report " envelope at the back of the church or e-mailed to sandy8110@gmail.com or send via US Mail to 2009 Jeffries Rd. Huron OH 44839. Thanks so much for your assistance.

December 6-Lori Stacy’s birthday

13-Trudi and Jon Baaske wedding anniversary

20-Poinsettias

27– Scheid Family

"Thank you St. John's congre-gation for having the diaper party for baby AJ. I really appreciate your generosity. We are very blessed to have you as our church family." Adrienne Ayars

Annual Reports

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