I Love to tell the story
‘twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story,
of Jesus and His love.
“I Love to Tell the Story” refrain
Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911
The New Year is upon us! 2012 is here! We look forward with hope to a new time and a new day. Newness is not something that is unfamiliar to us as God’s people. We have heard in many and various ways that as God works in the world, he says, “I make all things new.” For many of us who like to make resolutions for the New Year, only to be disappointed by January 5 because we haven’t been able to keep them, I would like to offer the following: If we are to have any resolutions in this New Year, let them be about the story that we get to tell the world.
When my cousin Jay was nine years old and during a drive on Thanksgiving Day, Daniel and I were reminded of what we are called to each new day that God gives us. When Jay was a baby, he was one who had not yet heard the story, like those we sing about in the old hymn…I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. In this New Year, we are called to tell the story to those who will hear if for the first time.
Now Jay had grown and he knew a little something about Jesus. On our drive, he decided to see which pastor knew more about Jesus. Jay explained that we would be given ten points for each correct question. The first person reaching 100 points would be declared the winner.
Jay began: “Who was Jesus’ father?” Daniel answered, “Joseph.” I replied, “God.” We were both given points. Question 2: “Did Jesus ever go the Bethlehem?” Daniel quickly chimed in with a resounding “yes.” Jay asked, “How many people were at the Last Dinner?” We said, “Don’t you mean the Last Supper?” “Dinner,
Supper,” Jay responded, “They’re the same thing. How many people were there?” And so it continued some questions silly, others serious.
I was struck by how Jay’s quiz and his questions told the story. He was speaking of Jesus and his love to those who have been called to preach and to teach, like those we sing about in the old hymn… I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, ’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. In this New Year, we are called to tell the story to those who know it well and all the while hunger to hear again what God has done.
Let us tell the story to those who have never heard. Let us tell the story for those who know it best.…I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story of Jesus and his love.
--Pastor Kristin
Sunday School News
It’s AMAZING!, It’s CONFUSING, It’s AMAZING!,
It’s CONFUSING, It’s AMAZING!!
I think that was my favorite song from the Sunday School program that the kids shared with us for Christmas and I think it sums up real nicely what God has done for us when he sent his son to earth. I hope and pray that you all had a wonderful time celebrating our Savior’s birth!
As I look at the upcoming lessons that the children will be studying during Sunday School in January, we will continue to study the stories from the Old Testament. We will be learning about Solomon and the building of the temple, about Naaman, Queen Esther, and Daniel in the Lion’s Den. The kids will also be hitting the memorization work hard so that they can finish it before spring gets here.
I will leave you with a quote from King Darius, found in Daniel 6:26: “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” Here is a pagan king giving worship to our Holy God all because of one man who was willing to show his devotion to God in all that he did. May we all be encouraged to do the same!
Shannon Garduno
Sunday School Superintendant
H2H Update
January 4 Supper 6:00/Event 6:30 “The Holy Spirit”
January 11 Family Date Night
January 18 Supper 6:00/Event 6:30 “The Church and the Saints”
January 25 Small Group Event
Navigators
Grades 5-8
Wednesday
January 25
4:45-5:30
The Workout
Beat around the bush, Jump to conclusions, Climb the walls
Drag my heels, Push my luck, Make Mountains out of mole hills
Bend over backwards, Jump on the Band Wagon,
Run around in circles
Toot my own horn, Pull out all the stops, Add fuel to the fire
Open a can of worms, Put my foot in my mouth,
Start the ball rolling
Pick up the pieces. Kneel in prayer. Bow my head in thanksgiving.
Uplift my hands in praise. Hug someone and encourage them.
What a Workout! Rest At Last!
MEN’S MINISTRY UPDATES
Have you resolved to read the Bible more in 2012? Join one of our weekly Bible studies and open up God’s Word!
Sunday Night
Our 6:00pm group meets at St. John’s. Regulars include Nick Fosheim, Bob Michalscheck, John Spears, Doug Valsvig, and Pastor Daniel.
January 8 Acts 2:1-41 Pentecost
January 15 Acts 2:42-47 Fellowship
January 22 Acts 4:1-31 Before Sanhedrin
January 29 Acts 8:26-40 The Ethiopian
Tuesday Morning
Our 7:00am group meets at The Dakota Diner. Regulars include Marv Bury, Gene Gaikowski, Jim Gusenius, Mark Levsen, Will Olsen, Almond Peterson, Dwayne Rehfeld, Jim Rood and Pastor Daniel.
January 3 John 1:1-18 The Word Became Flesh
January 10 John 2:1-11 Water to Wine
January 17 John 3:1-21 Nicodemus
January 24 John 4:7-30 A Samaritan Woman
January 31 John 5:1-15 Healing at the Pool
FISH and FUN DAY
Sunday, January 29
at Glenn & Joy Hagen Farm
begin at 1:00pm
eat around 3:30pm
Ice Fishing, Snow Golf,
Broomball and more!
Meat provided - bring salad or dessert to share
Everyone is welcome
Invite your family & friends
to enjoy an afternoon beside the lake!
(Sponsored by The Men of St. John’s -
first meeting of 2012 will be January 8
during fellowship hour)
Lutefisk at American Lutheran
Just when you thought the long dry spell was very near… “The Lutefisk” is coming again on January 21, 6:00pm at American Lutheran Church, Webster. Mark your calendars for an evening of fish (or meatballs), fun and fellowship. Call 345-3714 for tickets.
A NOTE OF THANKS
Thank you to all who took part in the Advent Sing on December 11. This was a special service of ministry through music.
Thank you to all the members of each of the seven choirs for your participation and contribution of your time and talent.
Thank you to the special group who began the service - Amanda Archer, Nick Fosheim, and Margaret Trefz, drums; and Doug Hansen, Mark Levsen, Doug Olawsky, David Trefz, and Robert Michalscheck, vocalists.
Thank you to the speakers - Gibbs DeSpiegler, Lois Lux, Rev. William Olsen, and Dwayne Rehfeld.
Thank you to Mike Matthews, lights; Jason Snell, sound board; and LaVonne Prieb, organ.
Thank you to Pastor Daniel, Chris Gravley, John Levsen, and Jim Rood for the Processional Gospel.
Thank you to Teresa Mikkelsen for the programs and Tammy Block for the poster design.
Thank you to all who attended and joined in with hymns and worship.
Thank you to those who baked and served cookies and coffee following.
This was a wonderful evening of worship, music, fellowship, and celebration of our light in Jesus Christ!
CHOIRS
After a short Christmas break, the choirs at St. John’s will be meeting again in January. If you are someone or know of someone who would like to be involved in any of the choirs, please come.
Children’s Choir: Begins January 4, 3:30pm
Senior Choir: Begins January 4, 7:00pm
Junior Choir: Begins January 11, 4:10pm
Youth Choir: Begins January 11, 7:40pm
Bell Choirs: Begin on January 11 as follows
Junior Bell - 3:40pm
Youth Bell - 8:10pm
Senior Bell - 6:25pm
Women of the ELCA Notes:
God is good and grants us another year to celebrate His gifts of Love and Serving that we can do for others.
Thank you to all who did so much in Jesus Name in 2011. We have a new Year Book so make note of your responsibilities on those pages. Remember that all of the women of the church are welcome to attend our circle meetings and also the general meetings that are scheduled. This is not an elite group. All women are welcome.
We will make some changes for 2012 in areas of tasks for the elected women. Not major changes . . . just small things we see that need to be taken care of.
At the December council meeting of the W/ELCA the decision was made to send $300 of the money received at our October Fest to World Hunger. We will talk more about the sharing of the revenue at the February W/ELCA meeting. Also at our Feb. 9th meeting (2:00pm) we will have installation of officers for the year 2012. Our task before us is to share the gifts we have with those in need. We are so blessed and we are called to be a blessing to others.
Please note we do not have a January general meeting scheduled. However, the circles will meet as usual.
If anyone has questions or concerns, please contact the officers listed in the Program booklet. We want to wish Co-President Ramona Helgeson the best of health as she recovers from her health concerns.
FINANCIAL REPORT for December 2011
Income
3 & 4 $7,130.75
10 & 11 4,838.50
17 & 18 5,214.97
24 3,396.00
25 1,383.00
Weekly budget for 2011 $5,094.23
CHURCH COUNCIL - Dec. 12, 2011
Present: T. Anderson, N. Fosheim, E. Gravley, M. Matthews,
B. Stulken, Rev. D. Ostercamp, Rev. K. Ostercamp,
T. Mikkelsen, L. Parker
Absent: M. Gusenius, B. Lux, C. Nelson, D. Rehfeld, J. Snell
COUNCIL NOTES: discussed organists, choir directors, and accompanists payments; discussed fuse boxes and wiring; discussed gifts for Sunday school teachers; reviewed council terms and size; discussed summary of priorities for 2011-2015; discussed 2012 budget; discussed the need for a new chalice and new computers; approved 2 use of facilities; next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7:00pm.
ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL MEETING
January 22, 2012
11:00am
Adult Bible Study
On January 23rd we will be starting a new series of Ray Vander Laan's videos. This series is entitled "With All My Heart". The first session is called 'Build Me A Sanctuary". Please come and join us and enhance your faith walk as we gain a greater understanding of the lessons God wants us to know. We will meet at the home of Claudette and Dwayne Rehfeld, 1214 East 7th Street from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. If you have any questions or need a ride, call 345-2507.
Ministerial Acts
Funerals
December 10 Duane Howard Podoll
December 22 Virginia Belle Grosch
THANK YOU
We would like to thank the people of St. John’s for the cards, good wishes, gifts and attendance at our 50th anniversary celebration. God bless all of you.
Gibbs & Marilyn DeSpiegler
Gifts and Memorials NOVEMBER 2011
In Memory of Alton Anderson
Jeanette, Lonnie, Janet, and families
In Memory of Fritz Gollnick
Fritz & Donna Kwasniewski
In Memory of Anna Grimsrud
Viola Liedtke
In Memory of Ed Holland
Betty Lou Rohde
In Memory of Marshall & Evelyn Likness’ 62nd anniversary
Their Family
In Memory of Doug Millim
Chuck & Virginia Chilson Geff DeSpiegler
Gibbs & Marilyn DeSpiegler
In Memory of Esther Naessig
Doug & Suzanne Olawsky LaVonne Prieb
In Memory of Stan Peterson
Chuck & Virginia Chilson
In Memory of David Prieb
Doug & Suzanne Olawsky and family LaVonne Prieb
Laurel & Wendy Prieb and family
In Memory of LaRome Raeder
Monty & Mary Bloom Robert & Gloria Morehouse
Diana Ward
In Memory of Lauretta Shoenbeck
Sharon Michlitsch LeVern & Hazel Syhre
In Memory of Ardelle Spindler
David & Mary Sandve
In Memory of Barb Swift
Doug & Suzanne Olawsky LaVonne Prieb
MISSION OF THE MONTH
Thank you to everyone who contributed to God’s Global Barnyard during December. Our Sunday School students will have the chance in January to choose whether they want to send cows, pigs, goats, alpacas, fish or other animals to overseas families. These gifts will be sustainable solutions to the problems of world hunger.
Our Mission of the Month for January will be the St. John’s Campership Fund. We are excited that many students are choosing to go to camp each summer through Lutherans Outdoors. Our congregation supports campers so that their cost is reduced to $100 per week. It’s a great investment in our kids! Some of their comments are as follows:
“Some of my best memories were Bible study, singing around the campfire, riding horse and playing night games. I thank our church so much for giving me an amazing opportunity to connect with God through camp. The church is a safe and loving place to be!” -- Courtney S., grade 10, Klein Ranch
“I loved free time, games and canteen. I learned that Jesus is always with us and never leaves our side. The church is a place to worship God, to receive forgiveness of our sins and to be a sanctuary for prayer. Camp is a lot of fun and I think you should go!” – Jake S., grade 8, NeSoDak
“Bible study and meeting new friends were my favorite things to do at camp. We learned about the steps of Jesus’ life on the walk of faith. I used my time at camp to learn about Jesus and to be a good friend. I had a blast at camp and I cried when I had to go home because I loved camp!” – Janessa S., grade 4
On January 15, we will have Lutherans Outdoors Sunday. Staff from NeSoDak will be present to share about programs across the whole state of South Dakota. Come and hear about what is new in camping and share in the larger vision of sending our students to a wonderful summer experience!
St. John’s Lutheran Church Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 22, 2012, 11:00am
2011 Financial Reports are due in the church office by Jan. 9.
Positions in Transition:
Council:
Three - Three Year Terms. Currently held by Elizabeth
Gravley, Brian Lux, and Jason Snell
Endowment Committee: Two - Three Year Terms. Currently held
by Marla Althoff and Jodi Storley
Delegates to Bethesda Annual Meeting: Six - One Year Terms.
Currently held by Irene Cavanaugh, Gail Fischer, Orinne
Hagen, Winnie Tvinnereim, Joyce Wiemann, Don Wolter
Voting members to SD Synod Assembly June 8-9 in Sioux Falls.
3 lay members and 1 youth member
Nominating Committee: Three One Year Terms.
If you are interested in serving in a leadership position at St. John’s, please contact one of the members of the 2012 nominating Committee: Jim Gusenius, Joyce Proctor, Yvonne Stahl, and Donna Vander Linden.
Books of the Bible – Part One
In Genesis the world was made; in Exodus the march is told;
Leviticus contains the Law; in Numbers are the tribes
enrolled.
In Deuteronomy again, we’re urged to keep God’s Law alone:
And these five books of Moses make the oldest writings that
are known.
Brave Joshua to Canaan leads; in Judges oft the Jews rebel;
We read of David’s name in Ruth and First and Second
Samuel.
In First and Second Kings we read how bad the Hebrew state
became,
In First and Second Chronicles another history of the same.
In Ezra captive Jews return, and Nehemiah builds the wall;
Queen Esther saves her race from death, these books
‘historical’ we call.
In Job we read of patient faith; the Psalms are David’s songs of
praise;
The Proverbs are to make us wise; Ecclesiastes next portrays
How fleeting earthly pleasures are; the Song of Solomon is all
About the love of Christ; and these five books ‘devotional’
we call.
Isaiah tells of Christ to come, while Jeremiah tells of woe,
And his Lamentations mourns the Holy City’s overthrow,
Ezekiel speaks of mysteries, and Daniel foretells kings of old;
Hosea calls men to repent; in Joel blessings are foretold.
Amos tells of wrath; and Edom Obadiah’s sent to warn;
While Jonah shows that Christ should die, and Micah where
he should be born.
In Nahum Nineveh is seen; in Habbakuk Chaldea’s guilt.
In Zephaniah Judah’s sins; in Haggai the temple built;
Zachariah speaks of Christ, and Malachi of John, His sign.
The prophets number seventeen, and all the books are
thirty-nine.
ALTAR COMMITTEE IN JANUARY
Connie Bacon
Carrie Helgeson
Sue Menking
Gene Gaikowski
USHERS IN JANUARY
Glenn Hagen - head usher
Leon Fosheim
Brent Fosheim
John Jeske
Bob Knight
Rob Knight
Scott Langager
Bob Page
Nick Rumpca
Rick Volesky
JANUARY GREETERS
1: Jan Bergan & Betty Lou Rohde
8: Mark & Joyce Levsen
15: David & Mary Sandve
22: Jerry & Kari Somsen, Brittany, Kelsie, Courtney, Kaelyn, Baylie
29: Harvey & Joyce Wiemann
JANUARY ACOLYTES
1:
8: Blake Jacobson
Dawson Anderson
15: Taylor Eberline
Sami Chastain
22:
29:
FELLOWSHIP SERVERS IN JANUARY
1: Elaine Herr Family
8: Selma & Jay Evenson
Eleanor Koepp
Cindy & Doug Nelson
15: Carol McFarland
Volunteers Needed
22: Volunteers Needed
29: Volunteers Needed
A NOTE OF THANKS
A NOTE OF THANKS