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ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

“God is with us and he

will help us find our

way..”

- Allison Leisring

In This Issue

The Call Process

Congregational Meet-

ing

Middle KY CAP

Homebound

Multiple interest items

THE CALL PROCESS

The long and arduous journey of calling a new Pastor is upon us.

The congregation has been asked to complete the SWOT form

which was being placed in the bulletin each week and can be locat-

ed in this newsletter as well. In addition, on October 1, 2017, at

the Congregational Meeting, we will be conducting cottage style

meetings, led by council members, to get as much input as possible

for our call committee to use in creating our Ministry Site Profile.

Share your thoughts about our congrega-tion Q: What would you tell someone about our church which you are proud of?

What makes us unique?

Q: What does our church need to work on that may give an unfavorable im-

pression?

Consider the demographics around us Q: What opportunities does our church have in our community?

Q: What about our area may hinder our future growth?

Please review the Discernment Process provided by the ELCA

Newsletter Sept/Oct 2017

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A congregational meeting is being called on October 1, 2017, immediately following service in the fellowship hall for several rea-

sons. The first part will be conducted to gather our SWOT information for

use by the call committee. Our vacancy pastor Rev. Barry Riehle, will be

present for the business section.

New Signage

In a prior council retreat, it was determined that a concern of many is the

lack of visual signage for St. John’s. It is being recommended that a two sid-

ed sign, as seen in the photo, be installed in the current location of our ex-

isting sign. The cost of this sign (not installed) is $6,877.38. It is lighted and

contains 4 rows of 4” letters. Council is recommending the sign be paid from

funds in the Memorial Fund, with a current balance of $7,384.44.

Additional Concrete Work

The rear walkway was previously raised to eliminate a trip hazard. This was

a partial budgeted item. It was anticipated that additional concrete work

would be necessary. The council is recommending concrete work on the

parsonage steps, wings on the parsonage driveway, and repair of cracked concrete near the lower entrance, with additional drain-

age. Two bids were received and the bid of $3,500 is recommended. Council is requesting approval of $4,000 for concrete work.

The additional $500 is a buffer to cover any additional costs for the drainage.

All bids were approved and recommended by the Property Committee prior to Council’s approval.

SWOT ANALYSIS

FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

INTERNAL (Within our Congregation) EXTERNAL (Outside our Congregation)

Please use the form above to gather your thoughts and ideas. Either bring them with you to the congregational meeting on

October 1, 2017, give them to a council member or put your responses into the offering plate on Sunday. Each idea is unique

and important.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

October 1, 2017, following worship service

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Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership

During the month of August, 2017, St. John Lutheran

Church members made the trek to Beattyville, Kentucky on

two different occasions.

On August 3, three members of Modern Lutheran Women

headed south to distribute school kits to 80 Headstart pu-

pils in Beattyville, KY. The kits had been purchased through

the generosity of St. John Lutheran members and the Mod-

ern Lutheran Women treasury. The contributions from the

congregation exceeded all expectations. And what a joy it

was to place the school kits in the children’s hands and

wish them well on a big step ahead! A big thanks to all who

supported this project.

The second trip of the Mission Support Trailer was made on August 25, 2017. Sue and Dennis Heiert took

the loaded trailer down on Friday. They also deliv-

ered coats donated by the Modern Lutheran Women

and the socks and underclothes which were collected.

From the congregation. The staff and volunteers who

help unload the trailer assured us that even if we feel

some of the items being sent may not be useful, they

indicated 99% of the items in the trailer will be used in

some way. As always, they thanked all who donate to

this worthy cause. The trailer is back in its parking

spot ready to be loaded up.

It is time to start thinking about the toy

drive!

Photo Caption

Nancy Enzweiler, Vera Stuck and Carolyn Dreyer, mem-

bers of Modern Lutheran Women

Distribution of school kits to Headstart pupils and parents in

Beattyville

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HERITAGE SUNDAY

On September 10, 2017, we celebrated our heritage by

using the liturgy from over 50 years ago. The hymns also

include favorites from our old red hymnal, Service Book

and Hymnal. It is important that we remember with rever-

ence the history of our congregation, which was estab-

lished in 1861. May we also look forward with excitement

the things that are in our future.

Rev. Dennis Zimmerman, supply pastor, lead the worship.

HOME BOUND MEMBERS

“Take the time to remember those who are unable

to attend … perhaps sending a card or a telephone

call to show they are in our thoughts.”

MILTON CHALK

182 Dogwood Drive

Highland Heights, KY 41076

GERALD BENSON

Highland Springs

Room #2110

960 Highland Avenue

Ft. Thomas, KY 41075

RUBY EMMELHAINZ

2335 Darlington Road

Melbourne, KY 41059

BERNARD (SONNY) SMITH

226 Vater Road

Butler, KY 41006

Update your Personal Information:

Please inform the church office

(office@tugforklutheran.com) of any address

or phone number change. Your assistance is

appreciated. It is important to keep our rec-

ords updated.

Newsletter by Email:

There are 90 newsletters being printed and

sent out by U.S. Postal Service. Please consid-

er receiving your newsletter by Email. It will

be a shorter response time as well as elimi-

nating the cost of paper, printing and post-

age. If you are willing to make this change,

please email the church office

(office@tugforklutheran.com) with your infor-

mation and the change will be made immedi-

ately.

Pastoral Needs:

During our transition, if you need emergency

pastoral assistance, please call our vacancy

pastor Rev. Barry Riehle at 513-604-4885 or

our council president Lou Sauser, Jr. at 859-

206-1526.

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Furniture in Preparation of Renovation Project

ThyssenKrupp Elevator

has made a donation of

office furniture including

a conference room table

and chairs, several sets of

office desks, chairs and

filing cabinets. Most of

the furniture is in place.

Take the time to walk

through the educational

wing and the basement to

see the new items. There

is still some cleaning and

straightening which

needs completed to im-

prove the appearance of

our entire facility.

The remainder of the of-

fice furniture is located in

the basement with sign-

age listing what is availa-

ble. Please advise Karen

Castle on items you may

want. Donations are be-

ing accepted for the

building fund for the

surplus furniture. After

30 days, the surplus will

be disposed .

The clean-up is taking

place in anticipation of

construction of the wheel-

chair lift (elevator) and

upstairs restroom. Bids

for the renovation project

are being secured.

Letter of Thanks from Pastor Phil

WEEK CURRENT EXPENSES DESIGNATED GIVING

8/6/2017 $999.00 $217.79

8/13/2017 $513.00 $136.75

8/20/2017 $475.00 $464.15

8/27/2017 $809.00 $371.75

TOTAL $2,796.00 $1,190.44

GIVING FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 2017

Our monthly budget is $13,383.00. In addition to the donations

toward current expenses of $2,796.00, each month a $5,500 with-

drawal from our trust account as well as parsonage rental (for Au-

gust—$1,110.29) are applied toward budget expenses. The three

totals combined for August, 2017 equals $9,406.29.

“Be sure to review the insert in the newsletter which

helps in explaining how to mark your giving envelope

to assure proper designation of your gifts.”

To the great people of St. John,

Thank you for everything you did for my retire-ment celebration: The plaque, the book of memo-ries, the clock, the cake, and the meal and wor-ship service.

Thank you most though for these past 16 years and all the life events you’ve shared with me. You’ve helped shape me as a pastor and person as we’ve grown together.

I pray God’s richest blessing on you as you go forward into your future and please know you’ll always be in my heart and prayers.

Pastor Phil

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which may give you further insight.

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Newsletter Information If you have an article you would like to have in St. John Lutheran’s

newsletter, please prepare and forward it to the office email ad-

dress: office@tugforklutheran.com. Deadline for next publication is

October 10, 2017.

Cemetery Committee The Cemetery Committee has met recently and officers have been

elected consisting of:

President: Mike Castle Vice President: D J Heiert

Treasurer: Kimber Fender Secretary: Amy Lange

If you have any questions pertaining to the cemetery, please con-

tact one of the above. A cemetery meeting is scheduled for Octo-

ber 3, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

Larry “David” Fillhardt

St. Luke Lutheran

Luther Rose Bazaar

4800 Alexandria Pike

Cold Spring, KY 41076

859-441-2848

CRAFTS, RAFFLE BASKETS

LUNCH AVAILABLE FOR A SMALL PRICE AND EXCELLENT BAKE SALE TABLE

Free Admission

Saturday, October 14, 2017

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Spaces available, $30 inside and $15 outside. Call church for appli-cation.

It is with our deepest sympathy that we report Larry

“David” Fillhardt, age 62, of Melbourne, KY, passed away

Friday, September 1, 2017 at the VA Hospital Cincinnati, OH.

Dave proudly served in the United States Army, Special

Forces and worked 30 years as a conductor for CSX Railroad.

Dave has been a member of St. John for his entire life. Dave

is survived by his wife, Jeanie Fillhardt (nee Fielders); three

children, Davey (Amber) Fillhardt, Danny (Christie)

Fillhardt and Amy Lambdin; his mother, Dolores Fillhardt;

four siblings, Kathy (Daryl) Moore, Cherie (Ron) Black, Lau-

rie (Tim) Flaherty and Kirt Fillhardt; four grandchildren,

Daren, Sydney, Luke and Hunter.

May his family find consolation in Christ’s words of encouragement recorded in John 11, “I

am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me will have everlasting life.”

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ELCA

DISASTER

RELIEF

Donations may be made

by writing Disaster Relief

on your giving envelope

in the third box .

The funds will be forward-

ed to the ELCA along

with our monthly desig-

nated gifts.

Photo Caption

This season has seen some of the worst hurricanes on record, and there may be more to come. From Texas to the Dominican Republic, Lutheran Disas-ter Response is there. As a church, we’re standing by our neighbors who have already been affected, and we are ready to assist in additional locations as disaster strikes. The road to recovery is long, and Lutheran Disaster Re-sponse will be there to accompany those affected in eve-ry phase.

Your gifts will be used entirely (100 percent) for direct re-sponse. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support for those whose homes have been devastated or who have been otherwise affected by hurri-canes. Give now to support survivors of disasters.

Article from: Lutheran Disaster Response <Lutheran.DisasterResponse@elca.org>

"Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God."

– Isaiah 41:10

HURRICANES:

HARVEY AND IRMA

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SCHMIDT FAMILY

On August 30, 2017, it became official. The Schmidt

family is excited to announce the adoption of Nevea

Elizabeth Schmidt. Hollie, Brian, Evan and Nevea are

seen here in the courtroom on adoption day. The adop-

tion process was very lengthy but the rewards far ex-

ceed any difficulties that they faced.

“May God richly bless and keep you forever more “

Halloween Party

It is that time of year when the children of all ages enjoy the time honored tradition of Halloween. On Octo-

ber 21, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. we will begin our party with the annual chili cook off in the Fellowship Hall. It will

be followed by the costume judging as well as the Haunted Trail Walk. We will again try Trunk or Treating in

the parking lot behind the church as the children are lead to the Haunted Trail Walk and the firepit for

smores. Of course, this is dependent upon the weather. If the weather fails to cooperate, the candy distribu-

tion will be moved downstairs. Please see Kelly Leisring, Hollie Schmidt or Sarah Perkins if you would like to

assist. Dress in your best costume and enjoy the evening.

From left, Hollie, Nevea, Evan and Brian

BREAD OF LIFE

FOOD PANTRY

The Food Pantry of St. John Lutheran Church is open on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. USDA commod-ities are provided to those meeting the government criteria.

Donation needs vary, but they are always in need of laundry detergent, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes) as well as paper products (toilet paper and paper towels).

We are very fortunate to have the support of the entire community with donations and volunteers. All help is appreciated and welcome!

MODERN LUTHERAN

WOMEN

Have you ever thought about joining the women’s group at St. John Lutheran? Meetings are open to all women who would like to join.

Meetings are held on the first Sunday of the month, after worship, at 11:15 a.m. in the Church Fellow-ship Hall.

The meetings consist of devotions, lessons and opportunities to serve, help other people and enjoy the fellowship of those with similar interests.

Come to a meeting and see what it is all about!

The Food

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This information is being provided in order that those opening the envelopes on Sunday morning can be

sure they understand your desired designations. If there are any other funds you wish to donate to, like

disaster relief, write that information in the third box on the right. The abbreviation for DISASTER RE-

LIEF is D.R. Thanks for your assistance.

Contact Us

Give us a call for more infor-

mation about our services.

St. John Lutheran Church

5977 Lower Tug Fork Rd.

Melbourne, KY 41059

859-635-5013

office@tugforklutheran.com

Visit us on the web at

www.tugforklutheran.com

Member of ELCA, Indiana-

Kentucky Synod

Interim Pastor The council has been in contact with the ELCA Synod office requesting an interim

pastor. This will give stability to our congregation until a permanent pastor is

found. We have been provided with a name and we will be meeting with him on

September 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Discussions will include our needs and wants

and the availability of the pastor. We will keep you informed as this progresses.

Support Each Other As we proceed forward, you may want to consider volunteering for readers, greet-

ers, leaders or communion assistants. If you are able to help in any of these are-

as, there is a sign up sheet on a clipboard located on the administrative office

desk. We have been short on volunteers and your service would be appreciated.

ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

5977 Lower Tug Fork Road

Melbourne, KY 41059

859-635-5013

Website: tugforklutheran.com

PLACE STAMP HERE

Mission Statement: Empowered by the Spirit, we gather, grow and serve.