St. John’s Newsletter

April 2020

A MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH-

If you watch the news – an activity which I only recommend in moderation, by the way – it can sure seem like the end

of the world lately, can’t it? Bare store shelves, hourly bulletins on numbers of infected people, new restrictions on

movement and gatherings; rumors, opinions, baseless medical advice from random strangers on the Internet…it

seems that a virus isn’t the only thing that’s catching! So much nonsense, misinformation, and just general bunk are

flying around. It’s enough to make your head spin!

It may feel like the end of the world, but it’s not. I can assure you of this from the Scripture. Try this one out on your

mind and heart: “Look, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. And all

the nations of the earth will mourn because of him. Yes. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) Or this one, from Luke 21: “There

will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth nations will be in anguish, in perplexity at the roaring of the

sea and the surging waves, people fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the pow-

ers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glo-

ry.” (vv.25-27) Or He also tells us through the prophet Isaiah: “All the stars in the sky will dissolve. The sky will roll up

like a scroll, and its stars will all wither as leaves wither on the vine, and foliage on the fig tree.” (34:4)

Yes, Jesus is coming soon – He told us so (Rev.22:20). Yes, the Last Day will be awe-inspiring, even terrifying, to be-

hold. But the One who tells us of these things also assures us, “When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift

up your heads, because your redemption is near.” (Luke 21:28). Child of God, you have nothing to be afraid of in that

day! Your sins are paid for by the blood of Christ, shed on the cross and received, along with His most holy Body, at

the Lord’s table. He is returning, not to punish you, but rather to rescue you and take you home – where it’s safest.

Isn’t that what everyone is telling us now? Dear Christian, this world is not your home. Heaven is. He promises that

you will be there, for His own most wise, gracious sake.

It’s easy to worry and fret when you think about what you don’t have, and what you can’t do. Instead, may I suggest

you focus on your blessings – what you still have. You still have God’s favor, for the sake of Christ. You still have the

ability to talk to the Creator of the universe about anything, at any time, in any place – and be guaranteed of an an-

swer! You still have forgiveness and peace through Jesus. You still have the help of the holy angels, as He commands

them to serve and protect you.

So don’t neglect the means God has given to protect your health, but don’t lose your trust in God either. Wash your

hands, avoid gatherings of people, stay home if you don’t feel well – yes, yes, and yes. But don’t assume your fate is

solely in your hands, nor make the opposite mistake and cast caution to the winds. Trust in God, wash your hands,

and wait on His time for everything you need. To God be the glory, in the easy times and in the perilous! Amen.

Submitted by Pastor Hagen

A few announcements during this time where we are deprived of our usual fellowship at St. John’s:

As you know, services have been cancelled for at least another week (to the start of April). At that time, St. John’s

leadership will reassess the situation and decide when to resume services. We will rely on the MN State Department

of Health for guidance in this.

Video devotions are being published each morning and evening on our “St. John’s Church & School – Goodhue” Face-

book page, and on Pastor Hagen’s personal Facebook page. We are also readying content on our new website,

stjohnsgoodhue.com. At the moment, this mainly consists of articles to read. Many have asked about having video

sermons or devotions, or livestreamed services, on our website or YouTube. We are working on resolving technical

difficulties and learning how to make best use of our equipment in order to provide this. Thank you for your patience!

For those who lack Internet access or know-how, Pastor and the elders will be attempting to contact each member or

household of the congregation by telephone. This will allow for concerns to be answered, and Christian encourage-

ment to be given. Also, we will be assembling and mailing printed sermons for home-bound congregation members to

read on their own for spiritual nourishment at this time. Those should go out before the month of April begins. For

those who wish to borrow hymnals, LAPPY songbooks, or to pick up extra Meditations booklets from church, you are

certainly welcome to do so. Sunday School materials will be laid out in the parish hall for parents to come and take, so

they have something Christ-focused to do with bored children during long hours at home.

Office hours will be held at the church building, Sundays 9-10:30 and Wednesdays 9-11:30. In addition, Pastor will be

available by appointment, and for personal visits to individual members’ homes. Private absolution, devotions from

God’s Word, and the Lord’s Supper are still available for those who wish them.

Regular face-to-face shut-in visits have been discontinued for the time being. Pastor will check in with shut-in mem-

bers via telephone wherever possible. In the case of a shut-in member’s imminent departure to their heavenly home,

Pastor will come and minister to the dying – so be sure to call him! Nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions

still allow end-of-life care by clergy.

In-person classes for our St. John’s elementary school and preschool will remain on hiatus until the public school dis-

trict resumes normal classes. During this time, our teachers and principal are working closely with students and fami-

lies to ensure that distance learning continues over the Internet, and that students do not fall behind. We are grateful

to our faculty for their hard work, dedication, and patience in a trying time.

Don’t forget about giving offerings! St. John’s requires approximately $10,000 per week in order to sustain our ele-

mentary school and congregation at the level of ministry to which we’ve committed. Offerings can be mailed to St.

John’s mailing address (36620 County 4 Blvd., Goodhue, MN 55027) or given electronically through our e-giving pro-

gram. Go to easytithe.com/stjohnswels and follow the easy instructions to set up, or text GIVE and an amount to 1-

218-304-7066 (ex: GIVE 250.00) and follow the easy directions. It only takes a few minutes, and you can help ensure

that St. John’s comes through this outbreak strong and ready to resume our normal ministry.

Thank you all for your messages of support on Facebook, your phone calls and conversations in person, and your care

and concern for our congregation. We will pull through this together, with the Spirit’s help. If anyone has any ques-

tions or needs anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Serving Christ with you – Pastor Hagen

SERVING AT ST. JOHNS IN APRIL

ST. JOHN’S ELDERS:

Kenneth Schrimpf, Tim Hinrichs & Jesse Luhman

ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL BOARD:

Trevor Ryan, Derek Weckerling & Jake Diercks

DVD Recorders:

4/5 Brett Schrimpf 4/10 John Augustine

4/12 Madisen Betcher 4/19 Molly Matthees

4/26 Justin Hinrichs

Ushers for April

Shane Matthees, Kory Bolin, Josh Bolin, Todd Brinkman, Justin Hinrichs, Rob Ringeisen, Dan Agenten, Brandon Lexvold, Justin Thomforde, Jerod Thomforde

Acolyte:

4/12 & 4/26 Abigail Jablonski

Greeters:

4/5 Roy & Dorothy Buck 4/12 Mearl & Shirley Voth

4/19 Ed & Meg Stumpf 4/26 Ron & Liz Peters

St. John's Church Council

Church Council Meeting March 10, 2020

Note no council meeting in February

Pastor received a call, please keep him in your prayers as he considers this call Important dates: March 17th Joint evangelism committee meeting at Grace 7pm

April 9 @7pm Maundy Service

April 10 @ 7pm Good Friday Service

April 11, Easter for Kids at Grace

April 12 @9am Easter Sunday Service

April 18 9am-12 Examination practice @ ST. Johns

April 22, @7pm Examination Service

April 26 @9am Confirmation Sunday Service

Website is working, now adding videos and digital content. Thrivent customers can request a gift card to do-nate for current needs, please contact school board with questions We are down $7,889.27 in giving for the year, and still owe for last years synods pledge.

E-GIVING NOW AT ST. JOHN'S -- Our congregation now

offers electronic giving!

Go to easytithe.com/stjohnswels and follow the easy in-

structions to set up, or text GIVE and an amount to 1-218-

304-7066 (ex: GIVE 250.00) and follow the easy direc-

tions.

Address to mail: 36620 Co 4 Blvd Goodhue, MN 55027

St. John’s Sunday School:

Canceled until further notice.

For a limited time, Northwestern Pub-

lishing is offering access to free Christ-

Light lesson PDFs to teach your chil-

dren at home. These Sunday school

lessons are available for grades pre-K

through 6th. Downloads for each age

level include student lessons, a teach-

er's guide, and a copy master that

contains activities like songs, coloring

pages, skits, and more for each les-

son—everything you need for simple

and familiar Sunday school lessons at

home.

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Prayer and Care Society

Christie Hagen has created a month of prayers for April so we can all

pray for the same thing or person on the same day, together, but

separately! Contact Christie if you have questions 651-764-3902

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RRMwzH7ja6qMfSFhsa-

mW4ajMtmn8i8HInFi78qkqyw/edit?usp=sharing

St. John’s ladies hosted Lent by Candlelight on Sunday afternoon March 15th as we all

contemplate Christ’s journey to the cross. We listened as our narrators, Jill Ryan, Meg

Stumpf and Abby Brinkman, told us what the “Women of Lent” had to share with us. Eve,

the first woman; Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus; Pontius Pilate’s wife; Mary, the

mother of Jesus; and all the women who watched Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. We

enjoyed singing our Lord’s praises with Kaelynn Ryan accompanying. The 25 ladies

attending enjoyed dessert and socializing after the program.

FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK….

April 2020 Newsletter Jesus Lives! In His Name! (Matthew 18:20) “In fact where two or three have gathered together in my name, there I am among them.” (EHV) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:5, EHV). The fruit of the Spirit for the month of April is gentleness. I am not good at being gentle. I always get egg shells in my scrambled eggs. I am many times like a bull in a china shop (my class - notice the idiom). My actions, my words, my personality needs gentleness practice. My pride and worry gets the best of me. I need to look at the last four words of this passage - “The Lord is near”. Since we are facing a highly-contagious illness these upcoming days and months, the Lord is near. When we are frustrated with our health, the Lord is near. When we must stay isolated, the Lord is near. Be gentle with every-one. And when someone is not so gentle, forgive them, love them. The Lord is near. Being gentle shows your faith in God. Fear and anxiety shows just the opposite. Remind yourself the Lord is near when you have your family devotions, when you personally read the Word of God, when you show your strength in your gentleness. Now is the time to share what you have with the world - Jesus Lives!!! In His service, Albert Karnopp

PJ Storytime

Preschool - 1st Grade

Bible Story, Craft and Snack

CANCELED for April 14

Tentative May 12, 6:30-7:15

SCRIP Order Due

April 14, 2020

Call, Text, or Email Abigail Brinkman

at abbyrapp@gmail.com

or 507-302-9093

We are encouraging online purchases through ShopWithScrip and PrestoPay.

www.shopwithscrip.com Enrollment code: F9188BDF28187

Please contact us if you have questions or

need help logging in.

School Calendar

All school activities canceled for the

month of April

Online learning the whole month

New Website

www.stjohnsgoodhue.com