THE MESSENGER
THE MESSENGER
April 2020
St. John’s Lutheran Church at Stone Bank
W334 N6990 Stone Bank Rd.
Stone Bank, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 966-2034
Website:
FROM THE PASTOR:
Called to Serve
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult…Come, behold the works of the Lord…He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’
The Lord of creation is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46.
Now is the time for courage. Now is the time for faith. We have all been shaken by the events of the last week—our routines have been upended, our favorite restaurants and coffee shops closed or closing, our book clubs, card parties, stamping groups, and exercise classes, shut down. We worry about our money and our jobs, about our children suddenly home from school and our older ones in care centers that are suddenly locked down. We worry about getting sick and getting our loved ones and neighbors sick. On top of all that, there’s no more church.
But we are Christians and so we are not called to give into fears, or depression or the darkness of despair. Through the sacrifice of Christ and by the power of the Spirit we are children of God. We believe in the Resurrection and in life everlasting. We know that the name of the rock we stand on is not money, perfect health, job security, or even St. John’s Lutheran Church. The name of the rock we stand on is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God.
So we are called not to fear but to faith. We are called to serve. Especially in times of trouble we are called to serve our neighbors—all those who do not walk in faith, who are very young or very old, alone or burdened with many problems. We are called to serve others in Christ’s name.
So let’s pick up the telephone and check in with the ones we know who are scared or worried. Let us be a calm presence to them. Let us talk the talk of hope, and of the resilience of people, and of confidence in the doctors, scientists, and health care workers who will in the end carry the day. Let us reassure the young ones that our country has weathered hard times in the past; let us reassure the older ones that they will be safe; let us remind our Christians friends that God will always be our refuge and strength. Let us be the ones of whom the world will say, we knew they were Christians by their love.
We are called to serve, to be Christ in the world, so let us also be kind to ourselves. Let us care for our bodies by getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food, and walking often in the sunshine. Let us care for our spirits too in the ways we know best—with prayers or Bible reading or good books or music we listen to or music that we sing or play.
“There may have been more beautiful times,” wrote the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, “but this one is ours.”
This is the time for courage. Let all of God’s people rise up and say, AMEN.
Pastor Karen
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Missing Church?
We all miss different parts of our worship service and some parts—hugs and handshakes of peace, Holy Communion, Emily’s piano preludes, the dear faces of our friends in Christ—these will have to wait until our joyous reunion when it is once again safe to gather.
But other parts of worship, we can still enjoy, though once removed. Try these practices:
Missing Hymn Singing? Borrow a hymnal!
Stop by the church during office hours (MTRF 10-2) and borrow a cranberry or older green hymnal. The cranberry ELW hymnals and the green LBW hymnals are stacked up on the counter around the corner from Pastor Karen’s office, opposite the church office. Just let Denise our Office Manager know you are borrowing one. Then you can sing at home at the start or close of the day. The alphabetical index of “First Lines of Hymns” is on the very last pages of both books. If you don’t know the tunes but you have a computer you can even search for familiar hymns on and hear performances you can sing along to.
Missing Pastor Karen’s Sermons? Check out our website:
Jim Edgar has been downloading videos of Pastor Karen’s recent sermons to add to the four that were already available. Just go to the website, click on the “Sermon” tab at the top right, and then on the title of the sermon you want to see and hear. The arrow on the bottom left of the sermon box will start it, and the circle with arrows in it on the bottom right of the box, will make the sermon video fill your screen. If you don’t have a computer, tell your children or grandchildren to bring their laptops the next time they visit, and set you up!
Missing the Fun of Dropping Your Offering into the Collection Plate? Mail your offering check or drop it off at church during office hours.
If you have money worries, don’t even think about your offering, but if you are able, help St. John’s congregation pay our bills and our staff salaries by sending or dropping off your offering.
Missing the Bible? Follow along with the weekly Bible readings printed at the end of this newsletter. If you don’t have a Bible, you can borrow that from St. John’s too!
Missing Easter? You don’t have to! St. John’s will celebrate Easter when it comes, or if we’re not back by then, on whichever Sunday we are able to return to worship—even in July!
Missing Community Prayer and Song? Join the St. John’s United While Separate Prayer and Hymn Time on Sunday, April 5th at 10 am. Then in our separate places we will all pray together the prayer printed here and sing the hymn that follows: “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” (ELW #632) We will continue this practice on the first Sunday of every month until we return.
ST JOHN’S UNITED WHILE SEPARATE PRAYER AND HYMN TIME, APRIL 5, 10 AM
Good morning, St. John’s people of Christ! Please pray the following with me—the second part from a translation of Psalm 43 by Leslie F. Brandt. If you don’t know the tune of “O God My Help in Ages Past” just type the title in the “search” box on and click on one of the song versions there.
Let us pray together:
Gracious God, We thank you that we are able to gather together today in our separate places. We thank you for your presence among us during these hard times, and for the moments of grace that brighten our days. We each confess our fears to you:
O God, my life is cluttered with conflicts. And there are times when You seem oblivious to it all. The pitfalls before me, the weaknesses within me—all this is most depressing. I feel as if I am groping in utter darkness.
Break into my darkness O God. May the daily pressures that threaten to strangle me, drive me to the fountainhead of Your grace. Then night will give way to dawn, depression shall resolve into joy, and I shall sing Your praises once more.
I shall rejoice! No matter how dark the night, God is my ever-present and eternal hope. Amen.
Let’s sing together O God My Help in Ages Past!
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From the Holman’s
March 19, 2020
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below, praise him above ye heavenly hosts, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” This familiar doxology lasts 20 seconds, and it lifts our spirits while Tom and I sanitize our hands!
Tom and I postponed our visit to Washington and Oregon, and we’re currently “sheltering in place” at home. In some ways our lives haven’t changed – we continue to work on translation as usual. We’re grateful for the means to connect with our church through live streaming of worship, with our work colleagues through daily morning zoom meetings for prayer, and with family and friends by phone, email, text, and Facebook. We pray that you’re also staying connected with one another and staying well.
I (Mary) will continue to check with the Waja team in Nigeria by Skype, so pray for the internet and phone network connections to be good.
Thank you, St. John’s, for your faithful prayers and your gift from the Mission Sunday and Circle of Hope. We’re praying for you, too.
“The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Yours in Christ,
Mary
Mary and Tom Holman
Mailing Address: 7611 36th Ave. North #215, New Hope, MN 55427
Phones: Mary: 262-497-4085 Tom: 651-726-4581
E-mail addresses: Tom_Holman@ Mary_Holman@
*Members of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 Website:
Associate Members of Lutheran Bible Translators, PO Box 789, Concordia, MO 64020, 1-800-532-4253, Website:
Wycliffe accepts tax-deductible contributions by mail or at . If by mail, please include a separate note indicating, “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Tom and Mary Holman, Account # 213988".
Lutheran Bible Translators accepts tax-deductible contributions by mail or at . If by mail, please include a separate note indicating, “Preference for the Ministry of Tom and Mary Holman”.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION NEWS
The spring cemetery cleanup date will be Saturday, April 18 starting at 8:30 am. The rain date will be April 25. We appreciate anyone who can bring rakes and help in the cleanup for all or part of the time. The plan is to finish up by noon. Coffee and donuts will be available around 10 am. Julie and Craig Kuhtz have offered to let us set up the refreshments at the store which will make it closer for the workers to stop in and take a break. Thanks to Craig and Julie for doing this.
Thank you to everyone who can come and help us on April 18.
St. John's Cemetery Association
ST. JOHN’S COMMUNITY PICNIC
St. John’s Community Picnic - for a number of years we have hosted a community picnic on the 3rd Friday in August. In the past we have had a band, games for kids, bingo, a raffle and /or a silent auction and a chicken dinner with homemade desserts. The council is looking for people interested in volunteering for this event and most importantly we are in need of someone who is willing to be the point person for the event. On the bulletin board in the fellowship hall is a listing of the tasks of putting on this event. An organizational meeting will be held on April 26th during coffee hour for interested volunteers.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Formation of a Property Committee - the council is looking to form a property committee that would oversee the property aspects of the church. Items that would be discussed and actioned would be development of a maintenance schedule for the church, planning for future property needs and finding contractors / suppliers of the services needed. Please talk to Susan if you are interested in helping out.
QUILTERS & SEWERS
We have material that can be made into quilt tops. We need your help. Sew at home or contact Cynthia Tobolt or Marlene Lucht for help. Quilts do not need to be fancy, just serviceable. Hopefully we can get some tops sewn together and then get together for a fun day of quilting. We are currently meeting on Thursdays at church. Many hands make less work. The size needed is 60 x 80. Thank You. Marlene L.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
St. John’s Sunday School has the best KIDS ever!!! We have just finished 3 of 4 sets of Sunday School Sessions. We didn’t just sit and read. We had a service project planting Hyacinth bulbs in the fall; an awesome Christmas Pageant; and fun holiday celebrations. The next set of Sessions for this school year are:
April 19 & 26 and May 3 & 10. I hope EVERYONE of our children can join in for the fun. . .because learning about God and faith are the best, most important life lessons a person can have in this world. . .and Sunday School-Church friends are the best kind of friend to have. It sure does help during unhappy times a child may be going through. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN US!
Be assured that all surfaces, toys, etc. in the Sunday School room have been thoroughly disinfected, so that when Sunday School classes resume, the children can come back to a clean, safe environment.
God’s blessings to all of you!
Gail Jacobsen, Sunday School Teacher
ST. JOHN’S FAMILY NEWS
Thank you to Nancy Barr and our Treasurer, Barb O’Connor for donating the funding for a new office computer. Your generosity will help keep St. John’s ministry on-going!
Congratulations to Marlene Lucht on the birth of her new great grandson, Lucas, born on March 21. God’s blessings on her family.
HOME DEVOTION
(If there is more than one reader, assign the others to the regular or bold print. Otherwise, just read the following out loud. Three more Bible passages are listed at the end, if you wish to continue Home Devotions weekly.)
GREETING
In the name of the Lord who calls us to renewal, in the name of the God we seek, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May the life that flows from the cross of Christ fill our hearts and homes this holy season.
May it be for us and for all of God’s people.
Behold, now is the acceptable time;
now is the day of salvation.
Turn us again, O God of our salvation,
that the light of your face may shine on us.
Hear O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
Come, my heart says, seek his face!
Your face, Lord do I seek.
Hide not your face from me.
Today we open our hearts and lives to God.
Let’s join in reading the following passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 8.
“If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?...It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Let’s sing “Amazing Grace.” It’s hymn # 779 if you have a cranberry hymnal. Or, if you have a computer, type the title in the “search” box at and click on a song version you can sing along with.
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
Let us pray:
Lord of all life, when we cannot see the beauty of your creation,
open our eyes, that all living things thrive and grow.
When we neglect the poor, the sick, and the grieving,
open our hands to do your work in the world.
When we ignore the cries of injustice in our midst,
open our ears, that all will know your love.
When we are hardened against our neighbor,
open our hearts and heal our resentment.
When we are closed to the grace you long to give us,
open our lives and turn us to follow in the way of the cross.
Lord of life, we pray for your mercy and compassion on our neighbors and loved ones, near and far.
short silence.
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you all. Let’s share Christ’s peace. (Bump elbows in peace!)
Closing Litany (from Psalm 27)
Teach me your way, O Lord.
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
For false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and let your hear take courage!
Wait for the Lord!
Wait for the Lord!
Let’s pray together:
Open our lives, Lord, to reflect your glory. Lead us to the cross, to the grave, to the empty tomb, and into the world to be Christ in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
We will continue with the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Let us bless each other:
May the Lord, the Holy One, rescue us, give us new hearts, and bless us with the sign of the life-giving cross, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.
Alternate readings:
Week 2: Philippians 4:4-8
Week 3: Psalm 145:8-21
Week 4: John 16: 19-24
Grocery Rebates:
Did you know. . .
Grocery slips from Piggly Wiggly will be turned in to them around June 30th for the first half of the year. We will receive a % rebate on the total amount submitted. Please bring your slips and place them in the shoebox on the bottom shelf of the stand at the lower entryway.
* * * * *
WORSHIP, MUSIC, & HOSPITALITY
Please note: all services listed have been suspended due to the Covid19 virus. Please check the church website for when services will resume. Thank You.
Mark Your Calendars:.
Maundy Thursday Worship Service – Thursday, April 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday Worship Service – Friday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Worship service – Sunday, April 12th at 9:00 a.m.
Easter Continental Pot Luck Brunch following Easter Worship
EASTER LILIES
Help us decorate the sanctuary for Easter Sunday with Easter lilies. The cost is $8 per plant. The plants can be designated in memory or honor of a special person in your life. Following the service on Easter Sunday the plants may be taken or donated to a shut in or health care facility. Order forms are available in the narthex. The deadline for ordering is Palm Sunday, April 5TH.
PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday is April 14th and will be celebrated at St. John’s with the distribution of palms to wave in honor of Jesus entering Jerusalem during the worship service.
MAUNDY THURSDAY & GOOD FRIDAY
A special service will be held on Maundy Thursday, April 9th at 7 pm. The service will include Holy Communion and stripping of the altar at the end of the service. Attendees will be asked to leave the sanctuary in silence in reverence to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus Christ.
The Good Friday service will also begin at 7 pm on April 10th.
EASTER SUNDAY April 12, 2020
We will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave with a worship service with special music, favorite and uplifting hymns, and, of course, celebratory liturgy. The service will begin at the regular Sunday morning worship service time of 9 am.
POT LUCK CONTINENTAL EASTER BREAKFAST
A continental pot luck breakfast will be held following the Easter morning worship service. Join us as we continue our Easter celebration with coffee, pastry, fruit and fellowship. A sign up sheet for the pot luck is posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
PULL TABS FOR CHARITY . . .
St. John’s is collecting pull tabs to be given to the Ronald McDonald House in Milwaukee. This facility provides a place to stay for any family whose family member is in treatment or to be treated as an inpatient or outpatient at a Milwaukee area hospital.
Besides a place to stay, the Ronald McDonald House provides free van service to and from hospitals and scheduled daily trips for groceries. The House also provides an atmosphere in which families of patients can be of support to one another.
You can help support the Ronald McDonald House by collecting your pull tabs off of aluminum cans. It only takes 1,371 tabs to equal a pound. 730 pounds translates into $255 to $291 for operations and supplies for the Milwaukee Ronald McDonald House. The box to collect the tabs is on the stand at the lower entryway.
ASSISTING MINISTERS
April 5, 2020 April 26, 2020
Ushers: John Baumann Ushers: Gene Seitz
Derrick Novobielski Alan Abeld
Lector: Judy Swanton Lector: Marlene Lucht
Comm. Servers: Judy Swanton Comm. Servers Marlene Lucht
Susan Boeding Judy Swanton
April 12, 2020
Ushers: Brigitte Katz
Jerry Katz
Lector: Jerry Katz
Comm. Servers: Brigitte Katz
Anita Olson
April 19, 2020
Ushers: Grant Schuldt
Alan Abeld
Lector: Cynthia Tobolt
Comm. Servers: Cynthia Tobolt
Nancy Kuhtz
APRIL ALTAR CARE:
Anita Olson
Nancy Kuhtz
WEEKLY LESSON
Apr. 5, 2020
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Apr. 12, 2020
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10
Apr. 19, 2020
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
I Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
Apr. 26, 2020
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
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