“Listen, listen God is calling, through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort and joy.” We proclaimed these words together as we sang “Listen, God is Calling” in mid-July. On that Sunday we shared the story of Mary and

Martha (Luke 10:38-42) and I preached on truly listening to our God. I remarked on how easy it has become for us, like Martha, to become distracted by acts of discipleship we think are on target. The Good News in the story of Mary and Martha is what we see Jesus doing in the story. We witness Jesus as Emmanuel. We witness Jesus as our God humble enough to enter into our messy homes and invite the least deserving of us to sit at his feet and share in his redemption of the whole world (spoiler alert: we are all the least deserving). We encounter an incarnational God who hungers for us to sit and listen. As I remarked that day, I have to wonder what exactly it is that we are taking the time to listen to? Have we invited Jesus into our homes? Do we sit with the Word of God and let it mold us and shape us into God’s people? In conversations with many in our community I’ve often heard about our time constraints. I get it; we are a busy people. We have work, family commitments, sports practices and games, health concerns, volunteer hours with multiple organizations, financial stressors, travel plans, emails to answer, time for relaxation, and the list goes on. Taking time to invite Jesus into our home easily falls to the bottom of our priority list. And as we scroll on our smartphones and tablets or watch the nightly news before we go to bed, it isn’t hard to allow ourselves to be shaped by just about every other message the world has to offer except for the message of Christ. You don’t need me to tell you that we live in a precarious time. As your pastor, I can tell you this: we live in a world in desperate need of Christ’s Gospel message. We live in a world where the priesthood of all believers needs to be active not just at 10AM on a Sunday morning, but all the time. We live in a world where our children have access to all of the world’s messages in seconds, and if we can’t tell God’s story- our story as children of the living Christ- we will lose them to the millions of competing messages.

But our God doesn’t just tell a story. Our God creates us and invites us into the ongoing story that is still being written, the greatest story ever told. “For God so loved the world, that God gave God’s only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17). We hear multiple messages condemning our world, but as Christians we have one true message that ignites an inextinguishable flame of hope! We have been handed down that message from millions of saints before us and we are entrusted with telling our children and our children’s children this story for the sake of the saints after us. “…through the Word inviting…” Through the Word is where God calls us, invites us, and offers us beautiful gifts. When was the last time (outside of a Sunday morning) you spent time listening to God’s Word? I promise you, as a body of Christ, our attempts at discipleship will fall short when we are not centered on God’s Holy Word. As Lutherans we cling to sola scriptura “word alone.” If that is not our foundation, we will be a house built on shifting sands (Matthew 7:26). If we want to know how our

God is active in our world now, we must know how our God has acted in the past. If we want to know how to be agents of God’s Kingdom for the sake of the future, we must be rooted by what that Kingdom looks like in Holy Scripture. Just as Jesus entered the home of Mary and Martha to sit and be present with them, so does Jesus come to us through tangible gifts he has given us: Word and Sacrament. We need not seek despairingly; Christ promises to be present in the Holy Word, in the water at the font, and in the bread and wine of Eucharist. Come and worship with us and as you leave take home that weekly devotion and spend time in God’s word with family or other friends. You are invited to join me each Wednesday through August 24th at 7PM for Wednesdays in the Word where you are invited to hear God’s Word for you. We have constant access to these tremendous gifts. We are invited and welcome to sit at Christ’s feet and listen. Thanks be to God!

Listen, God Is Calling

St. John’s Lutheran Church Spring Valley, Wisconsin

EPISTLE

August 2016

In Christ, Pastor Annie

EDUCATION NEWSTeachers NeededWe are currently looking for Sunday School teachers and teachers helpers. Please contact Kate Crogan at 715-778-4705 if you are interested.Teachers meeting There will be a Sunday School teachers meeting on August 21, following the worship service. It is encouraged/recommended that all teachers, substitutes and anyone else that is interested in helping, attend this meeting.“Fruit of the Spirit” Rally Day Sunday, will be Sept. 11. There is a Sunday School registration form in this newsletter that you can fill out and return on Rally Day Sunday between 9:30 am and 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

GLOW FUN/RUN WALK

Date: August 19, 2016Time: 8PM meet at St. John’s to get glow gear. Route: Will be marked. St. John's to the ball fields. There will be Cheering Stations along the way!Cost: $5 per individual participant, $20 per teamup to 5 people, 6 or more individuals - $2 per person. After fun run/walk, there will be water and healthy snacks at St. John's. Don’t miss the fun! All money raised will help support the Youth Ministry group of St. John's.

LIBRARY REVIEW “So Little Time” By All & Joanna Lacy

Rya Garrett and McClain Reardon were childhood friends. A decade later they are reunited while traveling to Sacramento by wagon train. Rya has a Teaching position and McClain has a job in construction. Rya has health problems that seem to get worse when a spurned suitor, Jason Lynch, shows up and stalks her. Only Rya and McClain’s faith in God will carry them through the trials they will face.Lynda Johnson,Librarian

The deadline for submissions to the monthly Epistle is the

20th of each month.

LAYETTE NEWSWe are looking for new or gently used garments for our layette mission project. We are in need of the following items:Sleepers or gowns without feet, dark colored hand towels, socks, bath size bars of soap still in wrapper (gentle soap, i.e. ivory, dove) lightweight cotton t-shirts, receiving blankets, jackets, sweaters or sweat shirts with hoods, diaper pins or large safety pins, cloth diapers. We are looking for sizes 6 to 24 months. If you are a knitter or can crochet, you might enjoy helping by making baby sweaters in any of the sizes listed above. We pray that you can help in this important project to keep God’s babies snug & warm. You may leave items at the church or contact the Layette Coordinator Serena Roen at 778-5788 if you have any questions.

THE SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

The food pantry is available to help anyone in need of food in our area & is open the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month from 10 – 11:30 am & 4:30 – 6 pm. Please call the food pantry at 715-778-5988 for more information. For immediate need, please call the Pierce County Food Pantry in Ellsworth at 715-273-2070. The food pantry is in need of volunteer drivers, stockers, cleaners & client help. If you are willing/able to help, please contact Pastor Annie! THANK YOU to all who have helped by contributing to this cause!

STATISTICAL INFORMATION Attendance 2016 Event 2015 July 3 73 58 July 10 60 113 July 17 78 62 July 24 112 Baptism

80

Giving General Open Plate Simply Giving July 3 $2,360 $13 $420 July 10 $1,103 $15 $165 July 17 $1,985 $18 $75 July 24 $,1216 $45 $120 Needed/week: $2,874.14 (2016) Total needed to date this month: $86,224.20 Total received to date this month: $69,102.78 Total budget: (2016) $149,454.92

Confirmation CornerSeeking Confirmation Adult Mentors!!Pastor Annie and Pastor Pete are looking for 6-8 “Triple A” adults to serve as consistent mentors for our confirmation ministry for 2016-2017! These adults are:Authentic- trustworthy, genuine, real, and reliable- being authentic as God is authentic to us!Available- to value our youth enough to make space and time for genuine relationshipsAffirming- to engage with our youth positively and supportively, even when correcting or guiding our young people, to help affirm their gifts, insights, and learning! We often wonder as church, “Where are all of our young people after Confirmation Sunday?” We all desire a church body full of each generation, but we’ve noticed some are missing among us! The research is pretty clear, that if we want our young people to stay engaged we must help them build genuine relationships to Christ and to the body of faith (us!). Where there is lack of genuine relationship, there is lack of engagement. Walking alongside our confirmation youth, I noticed that this crucial element is missing from our ministry. In baptism, parents and sponsors bring forward their child. They make specific promises and the gathered body of Christ does as well. We promise to join parents and sponsors in forming the faith of the baptized. As our children grow in age and knowledge, the church notices a unique opportunity to help them engage their curiosity, explore the tenants of our faith, and gain skills to articulate that faith to the world. Church, now it is time to actively live into those promises. We need you to walk alongside our youth and parents in nurturing their faith formation. If you feel you are a Triple A adult, willing to devote your Wednesday evenings from

5:45-7:30 with us, willing to learn alongside our young people as Pastor Pete and I teach, and willing to facilitate small group discussion with your mentees, we need you! We need BOTH men and women, across the generations, to lead our girls and boys small groups! The reality is that this is indeed a commitment. We want to help our youth build relationships with Christ, with one another, and with you as their mentor- that means we really need mentors willing to commit to them most weeks. We are also looking for a group of subs to offer their support when our mentors can’t make it. Mentors will be provided with everything they need to be successful (pre-confirmation training event, weekly discussion guides, and our support). Mentors might also enjoy attending additional events with our youth as they arise. This is a building year where our mentors will help shape the program for the future!

Our youth need you. They need to hear your questions. They need to see that our faith is always something that is growing, challenged, and in action. They need your love and your guidance. They need your prayers. As your Pastor, I need you to partner in this with me. We do not raise our children in faith, in silos. This is a community effort, and you all have TREMENDOUS gifts of faith to offer our young people! Please prayerfully consider if God might be calling you to share your gifts of faith with our young people. Consider if you can be authentic, available, and affirming to our youth. Please contact me (Pastor Annie) with any questions or if you are interested in serving as a mentor or substitute mentor. “…put these words of mine in your heart and soul…teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise…so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land the Lord swore to your ancestors.” Deut. 11:18-21

Wednesday September 7 at 6PM Confirmation Orientation Meeting. Wednesday September 14 from 6-7:30PM

regular Confirmation classes begin.

Thank you so much for hosting our group in June! We appreciate all that you did for us and love the opportunity to share our service. What a blessing! Stephanie Weber on behalf of the Agape Singers

FOOD PANTRY SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDEDThe Spring Valley Community Food Pantry is collecting school supplies for patrons with school-age children. Items needed include new or gently used backpacks, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, folders, glue, rulers, safety scissors, markers (regular and/or Sharpies), Crayola crayons (other brands are not accepted by the schools), protractors and calculators. If you are able to help, please drop off any of these supplies to church marked Food Pantry School Supplies.Thank you for your helping our kiddos return to school with the items that they need!

NEED A PRAYER?

Call Beulah Thompson at 715-778-5542and our Prayer Chain will go into action!

MONDAY BIBLE STUDY BREAKFAST

August 15 – 10AMJoin us for a summer check-in for fellowship, prayer, and breakfast together at Denny’s off I-94. Our time together in July served as a wonderful time to reconnect over the summer months!Regular Monday Bible Study resumes Monday, September 12, at SVHRC 10AM

A special thank you to Stacy Burr and Dana Benson who chaired this year’s Chicken Feed and to everyone who helped to make it such a success! The proceeds from this event will help us build our

youth ministry program which allows us to continue to send kids to Luther Point Bible Camp, begin dreaming about future mission trip opportunities, equip youth leadership, and plan and vision for the St. John’s youth group!Pastor Annie

WOMEN OF ST. JOHN’SAll women of St. John’s are welcome

and encouraged to attend.Quilting resumes September 1Bingo resumes September 6 SVHRC 2PMWELCA General Meeting Sept. 8 at 2PM

CREATIVE WORSHIP ARTS MEETINGOur 2nd Creative Worship Arts meeting will be held Thursday, August 25, at 6:30PM. If you would love to see new music, art, or creative expressions in worship, or if you have gifts of creativity, music, or artistic expression, YOU are invited to join in this brainstorming and prayerful conversation and planning for our fall worship services! ALL are welcome! Help to make our worship even more inspiring!Contact Pastor Annie if you have any questions.

Find us and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stjohnslutheranspringvalleywi

PETERSON FAMILY BENEFITSaturday, August 20, 4-7PMSt. John's Lutheran Church

Evan was diagnosed with a rare disease, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) at age 3. His journey began after a double ear infection during the summer of 2007. In early 2008, a tumor mass was discovered, biopsied and determined to be LCH. Evan was treated with chemotherapy to stop the disease. In late 2009, he was diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidous (DI) and Hypothyroidism after a sudden onset of unexpected symptoms. Since 2008, Evan has had 3 more tumor reactivations--each in the same location as the first tumor, the left ear mastoid process. He is currently involved in physical therapy to battle the tightening effect chemo has had on his leg muscles and tendons. For more information about Histiocytosis and related diseases please visit: www.Histio.org. Check out this event on Facebook: Lighting the Way for a Brighter Day. Funds can be donated through WESTconsin Credit Union to: "Evan Peterson-Peterson Family Benefit.If you would like to volunteer or donate silent auction items, please call 715-778-4287. Any help is greatly appreciated! Come and join us. There will be food, entertainment, kids activities and a silent auction.

STEWARDSHIP NEWSStewardship has been revamping the Time and

Talent Sheets for our fall Stewardship Drive. Starting in September we will move to a "new" way of creating a worship volunteer schedule. The schedule as it is now, was created by Donna last fall, for the entire year. Starting this September, we will ask each individual/family to sign up for these roles. Please be on the look-out for the new signup sheets in August, to assist with the various worship tasks.Respectfully,The Stewardship Committee

Thank you to everyone who helps to support our church through your contributions!

WEDNESDAYS IN THE WORD!Adult Faith Formation!

This summer faith formation opportunity continues on Wednesday evenings at 7PM through August 24! Using Sparkhouse’s “Animate Faith” curriculum we will explore Salvation, the Cross, the Bible, and the Church this month! Conversations have been extremely fruitful and our numbers are growing every week! Participants range in age from middle school to later adulthood! Don’t worry if you can’t make it each time, come when you can! Our time together will help you grow deeper in understanding the Christian faith. It will be rich, prayerful, and a wonderful opportunity to grow in your relationships with others here at St. John’s. It’s also the PERFECT opportunity to invite a friend! We hope to see you there! Contact Pastor Annie with questions!

CHICKEN FEED UPDATE

St. John's Youth Ministry would like to thank the congregation for your support with this year's Annual Chicken Feed Fundraiser! It was a great success!  Along with the help of Thrivent's $250 in seed money and all of your generous donations, we raised a little over $1,700. The raffle and silent auction brought in $400.  Winners of the raffle (drawn by Pastor Annie) were Pam Hanson and Keith Larson ($10 Kwik Trip cards), Elliot Tanberg ($25 Sneakers card), Jamie Burr (Kindle Fire). We appreciate all the great compliments we received on how good the chicken and other food was and how helpful the youth were in serving and helping in the kitchen. A special thanks to Richard Johnson, Jason Matthys, Jamie Burr and their sons for grilling the chicken.  It was FANTASTIC!  Thanks to everyone who donated food, silent auction items and their time to work before and during the chicken feed. Without your help, this event would not be possible. Your generosity is truly appreciated! When we choose to give our time, energy and talents to serve others, we are taking part in God's work to share the love of Christ and give God glory.  With God working in us and through us, we can make a difference!

Dear St. John’s Members,Thank you so much for all of your thoughts & prayers during my recent illness. I am thankful to be a member of this body of Christ.

Christ’s Blessings – Nancy Kinsman

AUGUST

ANNIVERSARIES

1 Rob & Lori Peterson2 Rick & Patti Gould7 Ron & Gretchen Cipriano7 Leroy & Shirley Nelson14 Scott & Angie Hunter21 Brent & Tiffany Gregg22 Duane & Joyce Schutz23 Bill & Jill Klanderman24 Cliff & Tammy Meyers30 Larry & Laurie Kreibich

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 2016/2017PARENT’S INFORMATION

Last Name First Name Address Home Phone Cell Phone For the convenience of notifying families regarding any Sunday School information/upcoming events, please provide your email address below. Email By signing below, I give St. John’s permission to use photos, if any, of my child/children, to be posted on the church website, facebook page or any other church related publications.Signature

___________________________________________________________________________STUDENT INFORMATION

Child 1Last Name First Name

Date of Birth Grade Baptized: Y N Date (month/yr)Place of Baptism Child 2

1 Samantha Brown1 Megan Wentlandt3 Robert Hanson5 Janelle Debold5 Judy Larrieu6 Byron Anderson6 Renae Peterson8 Catherine Quist9 Terry Blaedorn9 Nicholas Jensen10 Trent Kado10 David Walker11 Matthew Aamodt11 Dana Crandall13 Jean Blegen13 Drew Gavic14 Grace Danielson14 Cory Kreibich15 Patti Gould15 Kalie Howe15 Helen Lorentson15 Mattea Roen16 Peter Esanbock16 Garry Finstuen

16 Jenny Stoiber18 Elliot Tanberg/Larson19 Tim Boardman20 Baily Johnson20 Gene Roland21 Alyssa Gould21 Mary Hampton21 Bjorn Larson21 Tana O’Keefe21 Tyler O’Keefe22 Tessa Cipriano24 Kevin Anderson24 Sharon Roatch26 Joshua Eitrem26 Masen Powell27 Afton Weber27 Greg Trealoff29 Mike Jacobson29 Lori Peterson30 Chelsea Larson31 Brooklyn Benson31 Pat Malean31 Melissa WalthallPLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE MISSED YOUR NAME

Last Name First Name Date of Birth Grade Baptized: Y N Date (month/yr)

Place of Baptism

Child 3Last Name First Name Date of Birth Grade Baptized: Y N Date (month/yr)Place of Baptism Child 4Last Name First Name Date of Birth Grade Baptized: Y N Date (month/yr)

Place of Baptism Please Note: We invite and welcome ALL children to our Sunday School! If your child has special needs we ask you to meet with us before your child attends class so we can discuss how we can best meet the needs of your child and his/her classmates in the classroom setting. Please contact Dana Benson at 715-772-4977, Stacy Burr at 715-778-4547 or Lisa Smith at 715-772-4655 (leave a detailed message).Student name(s) Please complete the following questions, where appropriate. Thank You!

1. Please share information about any allergies your student has or any medication they are taking of which we need to be aware:

_____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Please share any educational, emotional or physical needs your student has that you would like to

share with us so we can better meet his or her needs:____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Please share any Custodial Rights concerning your student about which we should be aware:____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Please return completed form to the church office or on Rally Day, September 11, 2016

VOLUNTEERSIF YOU ARE UNABLE TO VOLUNTEER ON THE DAY YOU ARE SCHEDULED, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO FIND A REPLACEMENT BEFORE CONTACTING THE CHURCH OFFICE. If YOU ARE ABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PLEASE LET US KNOW SO WE CAN MAKE THE CORRECTION ON THE SCHEDULE. THANK YOU!

MONTH OF AUGUST

Bread Baker – Amy Nystrom

AUGUST 7 WORSHIP SERVICEUSHERS: Phil & Laura HennemannGREETERS: Althea Wood & Shelby CrowREADERS: Esther GlandACOLYTES: Sina Nystrom & Lyndsey RambergCOFFEE HOSTS: Larry & Laurie KreibichCOMMUNION ASSISTANTS:

Missy Mathiesen & Judy LarrieuALTER GUILD: Kristin Larson & Nancy Cleveland

AUGUST 14 WORSHIP SERVICEUSHERS: Jeanne Niccum & Kathy MillerGREETERS: Ed Raehsler & Henneman Family

READERS: Serena RoenACOLYTES: Connor & Kayla LynumCOFFEE HOSTS: Judy Larrieu & Stacy BurrCOMMUNION ASSISTANTS:

Marsha Brunkhorst & Nancy ClevelandALTER GUILD: Nancy Cleveland & VOLUNTEER NEEDED

AUGUST 21 WORSHIP SERVICEUSHERS: Kevin & Val AndersonGREETERS: Larry & Laurie KreibichREADERS: Jennifer BilleACOLYTES: Tristan Boardman & Wylie BrookeCOFFEE HOSTS: Jay & Wendy ArnesonCOMMUNION ASSISTANTS:Kelly Schreiber & Shelby CrowALTER GUILD: Kristin Larson & Nancy Cleveland

AUGUST 28 WORSHIP SERVICEUSHERS: Mike & Heidi JacobsonGREETERS: John & Leanna LarsonREADERS: Sydney BoyerACOLYTES: Maddie & Max MatthysCOFFEE HOSTS: Jason & Jenny Stoiber FamilyCOMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Nancy Cleveland & VOLUNTEER NEEDEDALTER GUILD: Nancy Cleveland & VOLUNTEER NEEDED

MONTH OF SEPTEMBERBread Baker – Susan Gregg

SEPTEMBER 4 WORSHIP SERVICEACOLYTES: Michael Bauer & Claire Pommier

SEPTEMBER 11 WORSHIP SERVICEACOLYTES: Renata Sandve & Jessica Wildner

SEPTEMBER 18 WORSHIP SERVICEACOLYTES: Pierce & Brody Burr

SEPTEMBER 25 WORSHIP SERVICEACOLYTES: Boen Stoiber & Max Schmitt

Beginning in August, there will be a sign-up sheet available for all other weekly worship volunteers: bread bakers, ushers, greeters, readers, coffee hosts, communion assistants and alter guild (includes communion set-up/clean-up and swapping of paraments) for September – Decemeber 2016. We hope to make this sign-up available in the Narthex AND online. If you cannot make it to worship regularly but would still like to serve in this capacity, please contact the church office to make sure that you get signed up! We definitely want to include everyone in the opportunity to serve.

AUGUST 2016St. John’s Lutheran Church

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayPlease let the church office know if your home address, email address, phone number or any other pertinent information has changed, to better help us keep your families records up to date. Thank you!

1 2 3

Wednesdays in the Word 7-8:30 PM

4

Pastor Annie on vacation

5

Pastor Annie on vacation

6

Pastor Annie on vacation

7Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Coffee/Fellowship Hour 9 AMWorship Service/Holy Communion 10 AM. Supply Pastor Doug Brandt will be with us.

8

Pastor Annie vacation ends

9

Worship Service @ SVHRC 10 AM

Council Mtg. 7PM

10

Wednesdays in the Word 7-8:30 PM

11

Pierce County Fair Aug 11-Aug 14

12

Pastor Annie’s Day off

13

14Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Coffee/Fellowship Hour 9 AMWorship Service W/Holy Communion 10 AM

15 16 17

Wednesdays in the Word 7-8:30 PM

18

Mutual MinistryComm Mtg. 6:30 PM

19

Pastor Annie’s Day Off

Glow Fun/Run Walk 8 PM @ St. John’s

20Evan Peterson Benefit @St. John’s4-7 PMEpistle submissions due

21Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Coffee/Fellowship Hour 9 AMWorship Service W/Holy Communion 10 amSunday School Teachers Mtg. following worship service.

22

Worship Committee Mtg. 6 PM

23 24Wednesday in the Word7-8:30 PM

25Creative Worship Arts Mtg.6:30 PM

26 Pastor Annie’sDay Off

27

28Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Coffee/Fellowship Hour 9 AMWorship Service W/Holy Communion 10 AM

29 30 31 Confirmation Orientation Sept 7.Regular Confirmation classes to begin Sept 14.