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DECEMBER 2017

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Volume 2017 Issue 12

St. John's Ministry Focus of the Month:

jÉÜá{|Ñ 9 `âá|v I wanted to start by telling you how I see Worship & Music. One of my fondest memories is of my Uncle Ben selling Christmas Trees every year. The day after Thanksgiving they would usually arrive and I couldn’t wait to pick one out. Every year it was a struggle when I got home with my Christmas Tree to saw off the bottom of the tree trunk, fit in the tree stand, and trim it back so that it looks good as it is standing in my living room. I finally wised up and took my tree stand with me so that my sweet uncle could secure it in the stand. Several years ago I bought a tree stand that was the answer to all my problems. It swiveled so that no matter how I put the tree in the stand I could move it, turn it, or tilt it without much effort.

My point is every week through Worship & Music God sends us encouragement to keeps us straight and balanced through His word, at worship, through Christian songs and hymns, dining at his table of Communion or in fellowship with friends. God trims, saws and whittles us to form and restore us to his image. Just like the Ole Christmas tree it takes much effort and many volunteers to get a worship service to come together every week.

The following have given themselves in service for St John’s Worship & Music Ministry so that every week we can be transformed through our service of choice whether it is the Contemporary service at 9:00am or the Traditional service at 11:00am and all the special services throughout our church calendar.

• Linda Dohse is in charge of the Puppet Ministry. This year Linda has gone above and beyond the call of duty in sharing her ministry with us. She used her creative gift to give a message for both services every month this year and sometimes twice a month. She highlighted each ministry (Worship & Music, Evangelism, Social, Fellowship, Stewardship, Financial, Christian Education, Communication & Technology, Property, Health, and Youth Ministries) during the children’s message. What a blessing she has been to St John’s. I look forward to her sharing her puppet friends in the future.

• Frankie Deal, Traditional Music Director & Organist • Martin Aigner, Chancel Choir Director • Chris Sigmon, Contemporary Music Leader • Patty Culbreath, who coordinates the worship volunteers for the Contemporary service and trains and coordinates the Contemporary Altar Guild

• Martha Brown, faithful Traditional service Communion Bread Baker • Nan Dempsey, Flower Guild and Coordinator of the 2017 Christmas Celebration • Don Frank, Trainer and Coordinator of Lectors for the Traditional Service • Dana Homan, Trainer, Coordinator and Role Model for CAST: Traditional Crucifer and Acolyte Service Team

• Sue Kurz, Director of bringing a special message through Drama • Judy Lybrand, Trainer and Coordinator of the Traditional Altar Guild • Erica McCarthy, (along with her posse of talented people) Leader of the Children’s Christmas Pageant. She wrote the play and her posse sewed costumes.

• Cheryl Pettis, Coordinator of the Traditional pew pocket stuffers. • Don Turner, Trainer and coordinator for the Traditional Service Ushers • Don Scott, sings in Chancel Choir and performs with the St John’s Brass Ensemble • Barbara Thomas, sings in the Chancel Choir • Kathryn Lee, plays the flute in the Contemporary Band and sings in the Chancel Choir • Allen Mabry, worship space preparation • Rick Sprang, attendance counter for Contemporary Worship Service • ____(your name here)__using the gifts that God has given you as a new servant for 2018 church Calendar year.

This year as we prepare for our Lord and Savior let us be open to being shaped and molded to serve at St John’s Lutheran Church.

In His Service, Amie Shaver, Worship & Music

IN THIS ISSUE: Advent 5

Birthdays 11

Blast from the Past 7

Brewsky Meeting 3

Calendar 11

Capital Campaign 5

Christmas Celebration 6

Christmas Mr. Scrooge 6

Christmas Schedule 5

Christian Education 2

Church Information 12

Committee Meetings 3

Council Corner 3

Financial Report 9

Fitness Dance 3

Health Ministry 4

Lutheran Men 3

Memorial 3

Monthly Ministry Focus 1

Prayer Requests 9

Servers-December 10

Social Ministry 4

Soup Kitchen Teams 12

St. Nicholas Day 3

Trunk or Treat 7

Wednesday Lunch Menu 3

WELCA 2

Youth News 8

Young Families 6

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NEWS of the Women of the ELCANEWS of the Women of the ELCANEWS of the Women of the ELCANEWS of the Women of the ELCA Circle 1 December 05 - Mon - 12pm Christmas Luncheon - Fellowship Hall

Circle 2 December 11 - Mon - 12pm Christmas Covered Dish Luncheon - home of Rachel Wall

Circle 3 December 10 - Sun - 6:30pm Couples Christmas Party - home of Nancy Anderson - please bring a

dish to share and a donation for 'Ruth's Gleanings'

Circle 4 December 09 - Mon - 6:30pm Christmas Party - home of Rosanne Bernstein

Circle 5 December 09 - Thu - 5:30pm Christmas Party - home of Sue Kurz

WELCA Board Christmas Luncheon: Tuesday, December 19th, 12-2pm, at Select on Pine

2017 Women of the ELCA Officers

President Donna Bolt

President-Elect Judy Lybrand

Secretary Alexandra McCormack

Treasurer Rachel Wall

Mission Committee Chairs

Action Kathie McKenzie

Growth Kitty Hagglund

Community Sue Kurz

If you have any questions about joining a circle and want to know more about WELCA, please call Kitty Hagglund at 574-0895

New Christian Education Opportunities through 12/17

Kids and Youth Classes

Classes for Pre-K through 5th grade are in the downstairs Children's Sunday School wing

below the Fellowship Hall. Our Lutheran based Spark program connects kids with the same

stories they’ll hear in worship each week, so that the lessons are more easily learned and

remembered Each class is tailored to its age-level with caring and fun teachers

and hands-on learning opportunities.

Confirmation Class for grades 6 through 8 are upstairs, above the staff offices. Pastor Mike is leading this year’s

study.

High School Students meet in the Youth Room of the Parish Life Center with Corey Carson and Kevin Lageman for

discussions about life topics and current videos.

Adult Classes Through 10/22:

What Can Christians Learn From Judaism? A study of Mudhouse Sabbath, a look at Jewish practices that can

transform the way Christians view the world and God, including attentive eating, mourning, candle-lighting, and

Sabbath-keeping. Leslie Connor leads this study in L11 (below the sanctuary).

Alpha and Omega: This thoughtful, thorough class is continuing to work their way through Psalms in a way that

honors the depth and richness of Scripture. This class meets in L06 (below the sanctuary).

The Story: This class is on hiatus through Advent and will resume on January 7th.

Contemporary Discussion: Dick and Lori Conn will host this welcoming discussion of current events, opinions,

and our place as Christians in a complex world. Join them for good coffee and good conversation. Meets in the

PLC Senior Room.

Martin's Table: Benji Mills will lead a study of David Lose's Making Sense of Scripture, a round-table

conversation about seven major questions of the Bible. All are welcome! Meets in the PLC conference room.

NOTE: There will be no regular Sunday school on December 24th or 31st. Instead, all ages are invited to gather on

Christmas Eve for hot beverages, fellowship, and Christmas-themed activities in the Fellowship Hall. On New

Year's Eve, we will enjoy a potluck holiday breakfast in the Fellowship Hall - bring your favorite morning nosh to

share!

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COUNCIL CORNER

HIGHLIGHTS

October Council Notes • Nov 26 - Dec 10 Angel tree with pick-up of gifts

on Dec 13 • Winter coat drive in progress • Dec 1 - Annual ministry reports due • Dec 10-15 - GA Southern students staying at the

church • Dec 24 services

at 9am, 11am, 4pm (German), 6:30pm (PLC), 10:30pm

• Welcome to the newly elected Council members

• December Council reps - Harrell Connelly and Tracey Bishop

• People from the community are noticing the changes to the front of the church!

*More information can be found on the Council Corner Bulletin Board.

St. John’s Committee Meetings: Worship/Music 12:15pm 2nd Sunday Dnstrs.Conf. Rm.

Social Ministry 3pm 2nd Sunday PLC Senior Rm.

Health Ministry 4pm 2nd Sunday PLC Conf. Rm.

Finance 4pm 2nd Sunday Dnstrs Conf. Rm.

Christian Ed. 12:30pm 3rd Sunday PLC Conf. Rm.

Youth Min. 3pm 3rd Sunday PLC Conf. Rm.

Evangelism - Com/Tech - Stewardship - Fellowship -

Property as called.

Our St. John’s Lutheran Men will celebrate the Christmas season on Wednesday, December 6th at 6:30pm at a lovely dinner held at the Spartanburg Country Club. All men and women are invited to attend this special holiday event are asked to sign up on the Lutheran Men Bulletin Board in the Fellowship Hall in order to make reservations. The meal will be $18 per person, payable at the door.

Fitness DanceFitness DanceFitness DanceFitness Dance - meets on Tuesday’s from 6 6 6 6 ----7777pmpmpmpm in the PLCPLCPLCPLC. Get moving!

On the first Tuesday of the month we do Latin Music Dance with Robin.

The other Tuesday’s are Line Dancing, Rhythmic walking inside and outside or

Yoga with different people taking the lead. Open to all ages and levels!

December Brewsky Schedule Join us for fun and fellowship Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm. December 6th: Bronco's on Union St. December 13th: Boston Pizzeria December 20th: Glühwein & Hot Chocolate December 27th: (5:30pm) Ice Skating in the Square (weather permitting)

St. Nicholas is coming! On Saturday, December 9th, at 10am, we will gather to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. This is open to all-ages for fellowship and to serve. It's also a wonderful opportunity to invite friends. Too often we forget that Nicholas of Myra was not Santa Claus-- he was a generous, compassionate, whimsical man who loved God and his neighbors, and this is our opportunity to put his example into practice!

• Our kids will learn about the real Saint Nicholas as they

hear a story, play games, decorate cookies, and create a story-telling kit to help them retell the life and legend of St. Nicholas year after year

• Deck the halls by helping to decorate the Chrismon trees, a beloved Advent tradition

• Show God’s love as we pack and deliver homemade

Christmas cookies to our homebound and care facility resident members. Please bring 2 dozen of your favorite cookies or non-sweet baked goods to share, and join us for hot chocolate and coffee in the Fellowship Hall. Happy St. Nicholas Day!

IN MEMORIAM 2017 Please pray for the family of these loved ones

who have passed into life eternal.

Joyce Xu

Sister-in-law of Ed & Jacquie Maidel

David Barnes

Father of Robert Barnes

Tim Bullard

Brother of Leigh Anne Bridges

NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY LUNCH at 1:00PM

Please sign up on the board in the Fellowship Hall

for the complete meal which is $6.00

12/06 Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans Dessert

12/13 Chicken Pot Pie Salad

Toast Dessert

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Health Ministry Wants You To Have a Healthy Holiday Season Brighten the holidays by making safety and health a priority. This is the time

for viruses to present and cause symptoms making the holidays difficult to

enjoy. So, let’s look at two of the most frequent winter illnesses, the flu and

Norovirus - how to prevent, recognize symptoms, treat and avoid. Flu is a

contagious respiratory illness. Colds are milder than the flu with a runny or

stuffy nose and generally do not result in serious health problems. However,

the flu causes more common and intense symptoms like fever, fever and

chills, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches,

headache, and fatigue and can have serious complications. Antiviral drugs can

lessen the symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1-2 days, but most

people do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. Stay home, avoid contact

with others, drink plenty of clear liquids to prevent dehydration and spend

the least amount of time in close proximity of others. Protect others by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue

when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue away, washing hands often and disinfecting objects and surfaces.

Vaccinations prevent millions of illnesses. However, remember that it takes at least 2 weeks after the vaccination for

antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection. Norovirus germs, commonly called ‘food poisoning or

stomach flu’, spread quickly with nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea that come on suddenly. Norovirus is not

related to the flu. Anyone can get infected and you can get it more than once by:

• Having direct physical contact with a person who is infected and then touching your hands to your mouth

• Eating or drinking contaminated food and liquids

• Touching surfaces or objects with Norovirus germs and then putting your hands near your mouth

People with the Norovirus are most contagious from the moment they feel ill to the first few days after recovery.

Currently, there is no drug or vaccine to treat Norovirus. Prevention includes carefully rinsing fruits and vegetables,

thoroughly cooking oysters and other shellfish, cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces and washing soiled

laundry immediately. For contamination make a solution of 5 tablespoons to 1 1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon of water.

Do not shake soiled laundry to avoid spreading the virus and wear disposable gloves. People with the Norovirus should

not prepare food while symptomatic and for at least 2 days after recovery. In either case those at high risk include

young children, adults over 65 years, , pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer,

asthma, diabetes and heart disease. As ALWAYS the most important prevention is to wash hands often using soap and

warm water or at least an alcohol based sanitizer especially after using the bathroom and always before eating or

preparing food. Sanitizer helps decrease the number of germs, but is not a substitute for washing hands with soap and

water. Good hygiene prevents the spread of germs. Wash hands. Save lives.

SOCIAL MINISTRY SOCIAL MINISTRY SOCIAL MINISTRY SOCIAL MINISTRY Christmas is coming and cold weather is coming with it. Many outreach programs would welcome your participation this time of year. Backpack Buddies are in full swing. An extra Backpack Buddy Pack will be scheduled to get new backpacks and extra holiday food prepared for the children at Mary H, Wright Elementary. Packing times have changed to Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm. If you are interesting in helping with Backpack Buddies, contact Roberta Mileski at 864-398-7192.

The Angel Trees are up and name tags are in place. Please choose a tag to make Christmas special for children in School District 3. There is a $40 limit per child. The gifts must be returned by December 10th, so that the School District can pick up the gifts on December 13th. There will be tags for 75 children.

Our Annual Coat Drive has begun. Please prayerfully consider donating a coat to help keep someone warm this winter. Look for donation drop-offs on the coat rack outside the Fellowship Hall and also in the PLC. Coats will be donated to Spartanburg Ministries. Thank you for all you do to assist St. John's Social Ministry and our community. Happy Holidays!

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As Christians, we use symbols to express visually the basic tenets of our faith and as reminders of the pilgrimage of our life in Christ. Symbols can have heightened meaning for us when associated with particular seasons of that journey. One such symbol is the Advent wreath.

The Advent wreath has its roots in the pre-Christian practices of northern Europe. People sought the return of the sun in the dark time of the year (at the winter solstice) by lighting candles and fires. As early as the middle Ages, Christians used fire and light to represent Christ's coming into the world. Using this same symbolism, the Advent wreath developed a few centuries ago in Germany as a sign of the waiting and hopeful expectation of the return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The wreath, a circle, came to represent the eternal victory over death through Jesus Christ. The evergreens were a sign of the faithfulness of God to God’s people, even in death, and the lighted candles were a reminder of the light of Christ brought into the world.

During the children’s message each Sunday in Advent, beginning December 3rd, Pastor Mike will be sharing this symbol with the kids. Another symbol Pastor Mike will explore this year during Advent is the Jesse Tree, which traces Jesus’ lineage during the month of December.

Our Jesse tree has 24 ornaments, each with its own symbol and scripture reference, that build a visual record of events and people through the Old Testament leading to Jesus, from Adam through Solomon and on to Mary and Joseph. It will also explore some of the names of Jesus, like Emmanuel and Key of David. Each week, the children will learn about the week’s ornaments in Sunday school, and Pastor Mike will explore them further during the worship service.

As a special connection with our congregation, all the ornaments will be colored by our various Christian Education classes along with other contributions done by the ministries at St. John’s. If you would like to have your own set of Jesse tree ornaments and readings, please contact the church office -- we have some in a smaller size and would love to send them home with you!

Prepare for the birth of Christ with us during these special Advent Sundays (December 3, 10, 17 & 24). May God continue to bless us and encourage us to slow down and prepare.

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YÉâÜà{ fâÇwtç Éy TwäxÇà V{Ü|áàÅtá Xäx jÉÜá{|Ñ fâÇwtç? WxvxÅuxÜ EGà{ fâÇwtç? WxvxÅuxÜ EGà{ 9:00 Contemporary Worship - PLC 4:00 German Service - Nave 10:00 Christmas Coffee & Activities - FH 6:30 Contemporary Service - PLC 11:00 Traditional Worship - Nave 10:00 Pre-Service Music 10:30 Traditional Worship - Nave

Our Capital Campaign Growing Our Future

We have been blessed with our $100,000 Capital Campaign! The work is very near completion and on November 26th we gathered to dedicate this living project. Our new front campus has already gathered interest and approval from our community. The campaign will come to a close on December 31st. We are very grateful to all of those who have contributed. Your gifts have been above and beyond and we appreciate your generosity. For those who haven't yet participated and wish to be a part of this historic project, you are welcome to do so. Season after season we will watch these plants grow and change as we also Grow Our Future.

GROWING OUR FUTURE TOTAL TO DATE IS: $68, 617.19

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YOUNG FAMILIES - Friday, December 1st - 5:30pm Come and join Young Families to watch The Polar Express on the big screen in the Fellowship Hall and to eat a delicious Christmas dinner prepared by Tina Nichols. Bring comfy seating if you like and wear your pajamas ... the night will end with cookies and hot chocolate!

Christmas Musical featuring Noah Deal Wednesday, December 6th & Thursday, December 7th 7:00pm - Performances Free of Charge Gibbs Auditorium, Spartanburg Methodist College

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TRUNK OR TREAT!TRUNK OR TREAT!TRUNK OR TREAT!TRUNK OR TREAT! ...was a big success this year! Approximately 300 trick-or-treaters came to this event hosted by St. John’s Young Families Group and coordinated by Beth Cutshall! Thank you to ALL families who participated in making this a fun night for all! (Please see St. John’s Lutheran Church Facebook page for a

full gallery of photos taken by Pam and Rick Cox)

Pies, Mingling, and Matinee was a great time of Friendsgiving! 18 pies made by our families to give to the first responders in our community! The kids

were hands-on with so much and had a great time! Many folks also joined in the late

afternoon to watch “The Star” - The story of Jesus from the perspective of animals!

Lots of laughs, but the meaning of Christmas was there, too!

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YOUTH SUNDAY 2018YOUTH SUNDAY 2018YOUTH SUNDAY 2018YOUTH SUNDAY 2018 We will start planning our 2018 Youth

Sunday services in December. Watch

the calendar below and the bulletin for

all the details on dates and times. We

will kick everything off at our New Years

Lock-In on December 29th

at 6 pm in the

PLC. Our High School Youth will be doing

planning on December 3rd

to get us

started.

SHARE THE GOODIES

December 3rd, the Middle School Youth will be baking cookies for our St. Nicholas Festival for the Share the Goodies with our Homebound.

CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS

MOVIEMOVIEMOVIEMOVIE In our tradition of Christmas, we will be having our annual cheesy Christmas movies on December December December December 10101010thththth. Come enjoy a fun afternoon getting away from the stress of classes and exams. Enjoy the holiday classics: How the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas Merry Christmas Charlie BrownMerry Christmas Charlie BrownMerry Christmas Charlie BrownMerry Christmas Charlie Brown Santa Claus is Coming to TownSanta Claus is Coming to TownSanta Claus is Coming to TownSanta Claus is Coming to Town Frosty the Snowman.Frosty the Snowman.Frosty the Snowman.Frosty the Snowman. Bring your favorite popcorn, snacks or drinks to share with the group. We will be watching on the big screens in the PLC.

LCY CHRISTMAS PARTY Our 2017 LCY Christmas Party will be something completely different than we have ever done in the past. This year we are doing a progressive dinner. So here is what you need: Who:Who:Who:Who: LCY Youth When:When:When:When: Friday December 22nd, 6pm Where:Where:Where:Where: Pastor Mike’s House, 571 Moores Crossing, Roebuck Bring:Bring:Bring:Bring: A wrapped gift of $5 or less for gift exchange

Parents, if you would like to help with this party, please contact Rick at 864-590-5191. We will need drivers, helpers and some “Angels” to help with food.

ST NICHOLAS FESTIVALST NICHOLAS FESTIVALST NICHOLAS FESTIVALST NICHOLAS FESTIVAL Saturday December 9th @ 10am we will celebrate the St . Nicholas festival. All LCY are invited to come be part of the celebration and help out with the activities.

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Prayer Requests Members who are ill:

Luann Bryant Jane Watson Tom Ballard Gloria Massey

Family and Friends of Members:

Tom Herndon, friend of Judy Drake

Pat Pannier, friend of Doug & Sue Kurz

Pat McKinney, mother of Stephen McKinney Dorothy Husty, cousin of Ed & Jacquie Maidel

Thomas Ragan, friend of George & Judy Psillas Adam Rogers & his family, friends of Carol Lipscomb

Jeff Harkins, nephew-in-law of Jeff & Andrea Rousey

Eleanor Flowers, sister of Everette Lineberger

Paula Brown, friend of Doug & Sue Kurz Heather K. Cassidy, friend of Andrea Rousey Rebecca Carson, aunt of Patrick Boyd

Carl & Lana Chichester, parents of Tricia Boyd Janice Bullard, mother of Leigh Anne Bridges

Ted Hillmer, father of Jackie Jacobson Chris Hindman, friend of Tanya Hindman Todd Keith, cousin of John & Joanne Kopchik Angela Howard, daughter of John & Joanne Kopchik Mason Fain, grandson of Libby Fain, friend of Kevin

Bolin Linda Compton, friend of Betty Bishop Gene Young, father of Linda Dohse Micajah Owens, granddaughter of Jeff & Andrea Rousey Maxine Towe, mother of Michael & Julia Towe Marjorie Kellogg, sister of Dick Sprang Dan Rungo, brother of John Rungo McKinnon Galloway, niece of Jack & June Miley

Members and Friends confined to home or health care:

Ruby Horton, Jo Tiner, Paul Foerster, Betty Walker, Martin Zschocher, Marty Lovett, David Frick, and Everette & Ann Lineberger.

Members and Friends serving in the military: Matthew Thomas, Ryan Dohse, John Newman, Daniel Linder, Jacob Fischer, Chris Brown, Anthony Dylan McCormack, Cynthia Johnson, Dustin Vest, John Jacobson, Jr.

Prayers for our neighbors, council, & staff.

Dear St. John's Family, I would like to thank you for all of the cards, gifts, hugs, kind words, and attendance at my 100th birthday drop-in. Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will always treasure. With gratitude, Ethel Metz.

November Attendance Record Worship Average:

9:00 Contemporary – 75 10:00 Christian Education Classes – 49

11:00 Traditional – 151

Wednesday Worship 11:00 Pastor's Bible Study 12:15 Worship Service 1:00 Fellowship Lunch

General Fund YTD as of October 31, 2017

Budgeted Actual Giving

Expenditures Expenditures to Date

$505,656 $477,384 $429,545

General Fund Budgeted and Actual Expenditures includes $20,000 transferred to reserve accounts.

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COUNCIL GREETERS/COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Harrell Connelly & Tracey Bishop

CD DELIVERY 03 Dick & Lori Conn 10 Cheryl Pettis 17 John & Anne Burger 24 Rubye Dellinger & Linda Ebert 31 Harrell Connelly

Nursery Attendants 10am 11am

03 Barbara Scherberger Stephanie Lageman 10 Mary Helen Wessinger Luann Bryant 17 Stephanie Hujik Ineka Pitt 24 TBA Leslie Connor 31 ONE 11am service-Nave Page Lawrence

TRADITIONAL SERVICE - NAVE ALTAR GUILD GREETERS LECTORS 03 Andrea Rousey & Jill Hendley Myrna White & Edwina Otto Harrell Connelly 10 Judy Lybrand & Rebecca Koon Jack & Janice Pfeiffer Carolyn Shackelford 17 Doug & Sue Kurz Michael & Julia Towe Harrell Connelly 24 Judy Lybrand, David Lybrand, Judy Drake Patty Culbreath & Deb Lineberger Doug Kurz 31 Ron & Barbara Thomas George & Vicki Johnson Peg Milligan

CRUCIFER ACOLYTE

03 Matthew Jones Emma Hospodar 10 Andrew Hospodar Lukas Mezger 17 Harrison Homan Tyler Shelley 24 Carson Homan Lauren Cutshall Christmas Eve BIBLE TORCH I TORCH II 24 Matthew Jones Andrew Hospodar Nathan Shackelford Emma Hospodar Matthew Mills 31 Harrison Homan Grace Geddes

ATTENDANCE RECORDING PEW POCKET STUFFER Martha Brown & Edwina Otto Hervie Thomas & Myrna White

ALTAR FLOWERS COFFEE USHERS 03 Beth Terrell Circle 3 Stephen McKinney, Andy Pitt, 10 Harrell & Shirley Connelly Circle 5 Kevin Lageman, Conny Linder, 17 Doug & Sue Kurz Circle 4 Bill Hunsinger & Dave Dempsey 24 Mark & Amy Mezger Christmas Eve Coffee & Activities - FH 31 TBA New Years Eve Breakfast - FH

CONTEMPORARY SERVICE - PARISH LIFE CENTER CONTEMPORARY SERVICE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR - PATTY CULBREATH

ALTAR GUILD REFRESHMENT SET-UP & CLEAN-UP Patty Culbreath, Amie Shaver, Janine Wagner, Joanne Kopchik, 03 Mileski Family Roberta Mileski, & Joann Hoffmeyer. 10 Please sign up on the kitchen door 17 Please sign up on the kitchen door Audio/Visual 24 Christmas Eve Coffee & Activities - FH Steve Grimm, Matt Cutshall, Chris Towe, Logan Connor 31 New Years Eve - ONE 11am service - Nave

Worship Space Preparation Attendance Recording Patty Culbreath & Allen Mabry Patty Culbreath & Rick Sprang

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DECDECDECDECEMEMEMEMBERBERBERBER 201 201 201 2017777 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 5:30pm Young Families Polar Express & Dinner Come in jammies!

2

3 Advent 1 9am Contemporary 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional 12:15pm Worship/Music-DCR NO Health Ministry - PLC CR 2:00pm Stephen McKinney Baby Shower

4 7pm Executive Committee

7pm Circle 3

5 8:30am Men-A-Plenty 10:30am Staff Meeting 12pm Cir 1 Christmas Buffet - FH

6pm Fitness Dance 6:30pm Cir 3 @ Samuels

6:30pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts

6 11am Bible Study 12:15pm Worship 1pm Lunch 5:30pm Handbells 6:30 Lutheran Men Christmas Party @ SCC 7pm Chancel Choir

7 5:30pm Circle 5-FH

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9 9am St. Nicholas Day Celebration

5:30pmCircle 5 Home of Sue Kurz 6:30pmCircle 4 Home of Rosanne Bernstein

10 Advent 2 9am Contemporary 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional 4pm Finance - Dwn CR Angel Tree Gift Return

11 2pm Circle 2-FH 7pm Council Meeting

12 8:30am Men-A-Plenty 10:30am Staff Meeting 6pm Fitness Dance 6:30pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts Angel Tree Gift Pick-up

13 11am Bible Study 12:15pm Worship 1pm Lunch Angel Tree Pick-up 5:30pm Handbells 6pm Backpack Buddies 7pm Chancel Choir

14 2pm Marathon Bridge

7pm NAMI

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16 9am Christmas Celebration Rehearsal

17 Advent 3 9am Contemporary 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional 3-5pm Christmas Celebration

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19 8:30am Men-A-Plenty 10:30am Staff Meeting 2pm WELCA Board Christmas Luncheon - Select on Pine

6pm Fitness Dance 6:30pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts

20 11am Bible Study 12:15pm Worship 1pm Lunch 5:30pm Handbells 7pm Chancel Choir

21 5:30pm ADK Teachers

22 JANUARY VISITOR DEADLINE

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24 Advent 4 9am Contemporary Service 10am Coffee & Activities - FH 11am Traditional Service CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

4pm German 6:30pm Contemporary 10:30pm Traditional

25 CHRISTMAS DAY OFFICES CLOSED

26 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

OFFICES CLOSED

27 No Church Activities

28

29

30 Isaac Sweet 16 Party - FH

Hannah Cranford 864-706-3615

31 NEW YEARS EVE 10am New Years Eve Breakfast - FH

11am One Service - NAVE

01 NEW YEARS DAY OFFICES CLOSED

12/03 Becky Koon Jessi Rodway Megan Shackelford 12/05 Holly Deal Myrta Holt Sabine Klaus Andrew Sigmon

12/06 Harry Coggins John Dennis Julie Frick John Jacobson Doug McKenzie 12/07 Al Stresing Carla Wall

12/11 Daryl Jones 12/12 Megan Loquist 12/14 Casey Brown Emma Dingler Andy Weber 12/15 Myron Donna Karen Grimm

12/17 Dennis Harton Vicki Johnson 12/20 Liam Mezger Lauren Pitt 12/21 Trevor Bertha Doug Kurz Kayla Lipscomb

12/22 Brittany Gossett 12/23 Charlie Dickson Beth Terrell 12/25 Glenn Riser, Jr. 12/26 Christin Medley 12/27 Wyatt Nestlen

12/29 Chandler Cohen Lauren Cutshall Stephen McKinney Millie Wyse 12/30 Lori Conn

LCY New Year's Lock-in

Housing for Christmas In Action Georgia Southern Students - PLC

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DECEMBER 2017

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415 S. Pine St. Spartanburg SC 29302 Phone-(864)583-8167/Fax-(864)583-4025 Website: www.stjohns-spartanburg.org

SOUP KITCHEN SERVANT TEAMS St. John’s has teams of persons serving at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen on Forest Avenue, Fridays from 10:00am until 12:30pm assisting with food preparation and serving, straightening up food storage, stocking shelves, helping in the “children’s room,” cleaning up, etc. We are in need of more volunteers. If you want to spend a rewarding 2 hours helping prepare food to serve some hungry folks, please contact any of the soup kitchen servants listed below. The Servant Teams serving for June are:

DECEMBER 01 DECEMBER 08 DECEMBER 15 Bob & Cheryl Pettis Linda Turner Brenda Ellison

Lori Conn Robin Hunsinger John Dennis Kathie McKenzie Gisela Mezger Ed Maidel Kitty Hagglund Jacquie Maidel Joann Hoffmeyer

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

9:00AM

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

10:00AM

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES

11:00AM

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

MID-WEEK WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

11:00AM PASTOR'S BIBLE STUDY

12:15PM WORSHIP

1:00PM LUNCH Join us on Wednesdays!

Congregation Council

Serving Through 2017

HARRELL CONNELLY - EVANGELISM MINISTRY LESLIE CONNOR - CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY JOANNE KOPCHIK - SECRETARY, HEALTH MINISTRY

ROBERTA MILESKI - YOUTH MINISTRY LOGAN CONNOR, Youth Representative

Serving Through 2018 TRACEY BISHOP - SOCIAL MINISTRY/VICE PRESIDENT

DOUG KURZ - PROPERTY MINISTRY JANINE WAGNER - PRESIDENT MATT CUTSHALL - COM/TECH

Serving Through 2019 GIL BULMAN, TREASURER/STEWARDSHIP

RANDALL COHEN, FINANCIAL SECRETARY/FINANCE CONNY LINDER - FELLOWSHIP

AMIE SHAVER - WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION: PASTOR MIKE SHACKELFORD C - 864-612-3255 Email: mtshack@gmail.com 571 Moores Crossing Roebuck SC 29376

FRANKIE DEAL, Trad. Music Director/Organist C - 864-978-7815 Email: frankiewdeal@gmail.com

MARTIN AIGNER, Chancel Choir Director C - 864-415-0225 Email: martin.aigner@att.net

CHRIS SIGMON, Contemporary Music Leader C - 864-706-0317 Email: chrissigmon@charter.net

CHIP HICKS, Sexton C - 864-978-0849 Email: chipmanager@bellsouth.net

CAREY GILLESPIE, Parish Secretary Church-583-8167 Email: sjlcsec@gmail.com