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St. John’s Lutheran Church, Grinnell, IA
LOVE LETTER FEBRUARY 2014
COME UNTO ME
When the journey gets too hard,
when we feel depleted,
when our compassion
turns to complaining,
when our efforts toward
justice and mercy
seem to get us nowhere,
it’s time to remember
the humility part –
that it is God who has made us
and not we ourselves;
that the saving of the world
or even one part of it
is not on our shoulders.
It is then we can come unto him,
and he will give us rest.
With rest we’ll remember
what it is we are about.
Ann Weems
Kneeling in Jerusalem
St. John’s Lutheran Church
ELCA 1224 East Street Grinnell, IA 50112 (641) 236-4946 [email protected] www.stjohngrinnell.org
The Rev. Kathryn Roys, pastor [email protected]
Muriel Johannessen Associate in Ministry [email protected]
Sue Hovenga office assistant
WORSHIP Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday at 10:45 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Other groups during the week
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. At other times, leave a message at the office, 236-4946
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Luann Weigel, president
Gary Cook, vice president Nancy Beck, secretary Derek Jack, treasurer
Duane Dufoe, Stewardship Pat Gustafson, Education
Farrah Deppe, Evangelism/Shepherding Bob Ashing, Properties
Ryan Intlekofer, Worship Marilyn Deppe, Fellowship
Patti Selk, Service Karen Klug Frischmeyer, Youth
Blessed Are They! Our worship in February will include a sermon series on the
Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew. You will be
blessed more by reading Jesus’ short and meaningful Sermon on
the Mount found in Matthew 5-8 during the month.
2
LOVE LETTER
Me
ss
ag
e f
rom
Pa
sto
r K
ath
y
Our quick vacation over
New Year’s took us to
\ Biloxi and New
Orleans, two areas
devastated eight
years ago by hurri-
canes canes Katrina and
Rita. And I have a
story that you need to hear.
First, I want to share that I opened an appeal
letter this morning from Lutheran Disaster Re-
sponse. They are on the ground in the Philip-
pines where typhoon Haiyan killed
6,000 just this past November—
bringing Christ’s presence on our
behalf. Our partnership with the
wider Lutheran Church in efforts
such as that one is one thing we
don’t talk about enough.
Lutheran Disaster Relief (LDR) is
known for staying for the long haul. In its ap-
peal for funds, it made a point which I have
learned to take pride in: Long after most relief
organizations have packed up and gone back
home, Lutheran Disaster Response is still
there. They are still operating in Cedar Rapids
and on the Gulf, and they only recently left
Fargo. I’m proud of the work our church does.
But we don’t hear about its work very much.
And I had to go to New Orleans to be remind-
ed of it.
While we were there we took three organized
tourist tours. On each tour our tour guide made
a point to thank the group at the conclusion of
the tour simply for being there because each
tourist will tell the story of the people who are
still recovering on the Gulf. But that wasn’t
the most touching part.
Hope springs in the most unexpected of places.
Like it did 2,000 years ago, surprising hope
sprang up in a cemetery.
Bob and I had just finished a guided tour of
one of New Orleans unique cemeteries, and I
left him on a bench there while I went back to
take a photo. When I returned, Bob said, “You
have got to hear this!”
He had overheard another tour group’s leader
say, “Most people outside the Lutheran com-
munity and New Orleans don’t
know this, but the Lutherans have
done so much for us. They
brought 37,000 people here for a
week to help us in our clean up
and recovery. Then they came
back three years later with 33,000
for another week, and they are
coming again! Lutherans’ faith is
put into action.”
Did you know that? It’s true. Lutherans are so
humble that we often don’t tell anyone all that
our church –the ELCA—is doing. And we
don’t tell others what our congregation, St
John’s, is doing. We have to get better at this!
We left on vacation, but we didn’t leave the
church behind; we couldn’t. I learned from
someone in New Orleans who was singing our
praises that I had to go home to Grinnell, Iowa,
and get better at singing the praises of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and
what Christ is still doing through us today.
Your partner in the journey,
Pastor Kathy
We have to get better at this!
Long after most
relief organizations
have packed up
and gone back
home, Lutheran
Disaster Response
is still there.
3
LOVE LETTER
THANK YOU
Note: Members of the Senior
Choir gave Lisa and Roger
Henderson a restaurant gift
certificate for Christmas. Lisa
sent the following note of
thanks:
Thank you so much for the gift
certificate to Prairie Canary. …
Your dedicated service to Sun-
day worship is so appreciated,
especially during the Advent
and Christmas season when
everyone is extra busy and
somewhat stressed. Roger and I
are blessed by your friendship
and your service in choir. Many,
many thanks for all your service
and kindness. Blessings in 2014.
Lisa and Roger Henderson
THANKS to Irene Rohrrsen for
patiently and carefully cleaning
the individual candles and hold-
ers that we use at our Christmas
Eve worship services.
THANKS to Irene Edgeton
who has responded to the LWR
Quilters’ call for someone to
help turn electric blankets into
quilt material.
THANKS to Larry Deppe who
has repaired the tube used to
collect quarters for Lutheran
World Hunger.
THANKS to Derek Jack and
Gary Cook for teaming up to
work on end-of-year financial
matters. Not an easy job!
THANK YOU to Ryan
Intlekofer for so ably preparing
and presenting three forums on
the practice of Holy Commun-
ion.
THANK YOU to the Church
Council for the idea of the pot-
luck following the semiannual
meeting—and to all those who
brought food and helped clean
up afterward.
In sympathy Sincere sympathy is extended to the
family and friends of Alice Beck, who
died December 30. Her funeral was
held January 4 at Smith Funeral
Home. Interment was in Hazelwood
Cemetery. In Christ is the resurrection
and the life.
Souper Bowl
THE Souper Bowl is coming! Help
provide a warm bowl of soup for your
neighbors in need. Bring canned soup
or mixes and fill our kettle in the nar-
thex with soup to be taken to MICA
following the Super Bowl on February
2.
MICA food pantry
Needed at the MICA food pantry in
February are paper products, sanitary
care items and diapers. A collection
cart is located in the elevator entryway
to the church.
For LSI
During Advent at St. John’s, we col-
lected a total of $1,166 for Lutheran
Services in Iowa to purchase warm
winter clothing for children at the
Beloit and Bremwood residential cen-
ters. The money includes $50 donated
by the Sunday School children.
Willing to help?
Bob Ashing, who ably and faithfully
operates the sound system at most
worship. is willing and eager to train
others who could help with job of
managing the sound board in the bal-
cony. Contact Bob if you can help.
Semiannual congregational meeting At the semiannual meeting, those present:
Elected new members of the Church Council: They are: Gary Cook, vice
president (rising to president in 2014-15); Farrah Deppe, Evangelism and
Shepherding; and Karen Klug Frischmeyer, Youth.
Approved the treasurer’s report for 2013 and the budget for 2014. In 2013,
expenses were $231,290 and offerings were $237,500. The budget for 2014
is $263,212—$11,610 higher than in 2013. The increases include a 3% pay
increase for staff and increases in the amounts for ELCA Mission, Good
Neighbor Fund, MICA milk fund (new), musicians, payroll outsourcing
and property insurance.
Heard Bob Ashing, property chair, explain the need for a new roof on the
education wing. Preliminary estimates show the cost would be approxi-
mately $35,000, A proposal will be presented to the council in February,
with a special congregational meeting scheduled after that in order to ap-
prove a special appeal to cover the cost of the work.
Elected Kathryn Bly and Bob Roys as delegates to the Synod Assembly.
4
LOVE LETTER
Kathryn Bly moved to Grinnell last summer to be near her daughter, Rachel Bly, and family, including 11-
year-old grandson Davis Hamilton. Born in western New York state, she lived most re-
cently in Cedar Rapids, where she was a very active member of Hope Lutheran Church.
She quickly plugged into activities at St. John’s, participating in the fall women’s retreat,
joining the Monday morning study group, and serving on the synod’s WELCA board. At
the semiannual congregational meeting in January, she was elected a delegate from St.
John’s to the Synod Assembly in Iowa City in May.
Kathryn started out her working life as a corrections officer, then did substitute teaching,
and ended as a librarian at Kirkwood Community College for 30 years. Widowed in 1995, she also has a
daughter and family (another grandson) in Ashland, Ore.
Home address: 531 East St. Telephone number: 319-366-1201
Max and Nancy Higgason moved to Grinnell four years ago – for the third time! Because of Max’s job as a
mechanic for industrial sewing machines, they lived here in the 1980s and
again in the 1990s. In retirement, they chose to return to Grinnell. “This is
home for us,” Nancy says. Both are natives of Eldora. They have a Pres-
byterian background but are liking to be Lutherans. They appreciate the
friendliness, worship style and pastoral care at St. John’s.
Their interests include model building with wood (Max) and quilting and
knitting (Nancy). Nancy has joined the LWR Quilters and recently turned in a stash of knitted hats she made
for children at LSI’s Bremwood and Beloit centers. The Higgasons have a son in Eldora, a daughter in West
Des Moines and a daughter in Columbia, S.C., and five grandchildren.
Home address: 810 Lincoln Drive. Telephone number: 236-0121
Dan Hagedorn was first introduced to St. John’s as Brenda Mikel’s new husband. In the almost three years
since their marriage in 2011, he is becoming acquainted with the congregation.
Dan was born in Omaha and lived in Tama and rural Malcom before moving to Grinnell.
He has worked as a welder at Donaldson’s for 20 years. Their blended family includes
Brenda’s three children (two in college and one in high school) and Dan’s two sons – one
married and living in Kirksville, Mo., the other living in Ames – and one grandson.
Dan’s interests include drag racing with his sons as well as Iowa State sports.
Home address: 2012 Prairie St. Telephone number: 236-4343.
Received into membership January 12, 2014
WELCOME to our new members
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
5
LOVE LETTER
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Welcome Team: Kathy Barger, Sandy Falck
Reader: Kathy Barger
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Acolyte: Alisha Ford
Greeters: Vic and Jean Frana
Reader: Mike Schaeffer
Communion Assistants: Jim and Sara Hegg Dunne
Fellowship: Roger and Lisa Henderson, Becky Wilson
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Welcome Team: Jessica and Kathy Kriegel
Reader: Elizabeth Ashing
Communion Assistant: Gary Cook
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Acolyte: Jarrett Rose
Greeters: John and Dorothy Martinek
Reader: Abbi Furness
Fellowship: Bob and Pam Ashing, Marilyn Deppe
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Welcome Team: Gladys Booth and Bev Cook
Reader: Lamoyne Gaard
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Acolyte: Sydney Anderson Greeters: Luann and Rick Weigel
Reader: Paul Kolpin
Communion Assistants: Gladys Booth and Terri Nath
Fellowship: Youth
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Welcome Team: Larry and Marilyn Deppe
Reader: Verna Gerrish
Communion Assistant: Bev Cook
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Acolyte: Abbi Furness
Greeters: Russ and Brenda Crawford
Reader: Kathryn Bly
Fellowship: Brian and Nancy Heineman, Mitzi Dufoe
USHERS (Sunday) Ted Urfer, Paul Nowasell (head
ushers) Nancy Urfer, Russ and Nicole Behrens
ALTAR GUILD
January 15-February 11—Marilyn Deppe
Month of February—Nancy Urfer
February 12-March 11—Tiffany and Erica Olson
In the Church Library
FOR KIDS
The Potluck Supper
By Barbara Davoll
This title in the Christopher Church-
mouse Classics series caught my eye,
for I love potlucks! So does Christopher,
a young mouse who lives with his family in a church. Christopher’s
father reminds him to only take leftovers after a potluck dinner, but
Christopher ignores the rules, breaks an entire round of cheese into bits,
and hauls several wagonloads of it to a secret storeroom. The little
mouse thinks he won’t have to work all winter, but when the cheese be-
gins to smell, his greed is discovered and he has to haul it all out to the
garbage. Christopher learns just how true Proverbs 15:27 is: “He that is
greedy of gain troubleth his own house.”
Read one, two, or all twelve books in this series that not only teach a
Biblical lesson, but have delightful characters which are just plain fun.
Reviewed by Jan Arends
FOR ADULTS
A World According to God:
Practices for Putting Faith at the Center of Your Life
By Martha Ellen Stortz
The author discusses various snapshots of faith in action and puts them
into words. This book is for all those disciples who long for a glimpse
of God’s world. The author helps us rediscover the power of the core
practices of practicing Christians. Through her words, we learn the dis-
cipline of discipleship through faith practices to build on and sustain
intimacy with Jesus. Disciples reencounter Jesus in the practices He left
behind such as baptism, the Lord’s Supper, prayer for forgiveness, lov-
ing and fidelity. And through this we meet Jesus again and again, which
allows us to discern His presence in all things. I found the book to be
well worth reading and easy to understand and follow.
We have a wonderful church library! If you haven’t been in the library
lately, you may wish to check it out. There are many new and well read
books and other publications that may be of interest to you.
Reviewed by Ryan Intlekofer
STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE
Our Church Library, located across from Pastor
Kathy’s office in the Education Wing, is going through a reorganization to
make it more user-friendly. Books have been grouped according to type, with
identifying labels on the shelves. Categories include fiction, devotions, grief,
marriage, caregivers, people of the Bible, etc. In another change, the library
will no longer offer videocassettes, so those on the rack can be yours!
CHECK THESE OUT!
NOTE
Expired grocery coupons for military
families are no longer being collected at
St. John’s.
6
LOVE LETTER
February Birthdays February 1
Helen Clausen
Nancy Heineman
February 2
Amanda Osland
February 4 Mike Baker
Scott Bosse
February 6 Lisa Boyes
David Buren
February 8
Irene Edgeton
Erika Olson
February 10
Howard McDonough
February 12
Elizabeth Ashing
February 14
Mitzi Dufoe
February 15
Sarah Ashing
Lynn Cline
February 16
Delores Kinseth
February 18
Jim Dunn
February 19
Addy Hanson
Christopher Weir
February 20
Chance Winburn
February 23
Rebecca Dufoe
Craig Weir
February 24
Vicki Dillon
Natalie Pavey
February 26
Carol Pearce
February 27
Doug Selk
MEET THE COUNCIL
Good Neighbor Fund
The Good Neighbor Fund at St. John’s is a quiet ministry that
provides emergency financial help to those in need in our con-
gregation and our community. In 2013, the fund disbursed a
total of $1,733. There were 12 disbursements, with two dis-
bursements given as loans that were repaid. (Hence, because
some of the money was able to be used
more than once, the disbursement total
exceeded the $1,500 budgeted.)
The Good Neighbor Fund was estab-
lished at St. John’s in 2007, with updat-
ed guidelines put in place in 2010. The
inspiration for the fund is Jesus’ com-
mandment to “love your neighbor as
yourself.” The purpose is to have a local fund available to re-
spond quickly to financial needs that are brought to the atten-
tion of our pastoral staff. Use of the fund is not limited to
members of St. John’s.
How the fund works: A person in need confidentially contacts
the pastoral staff, who evaluate the need and decide whether
money from the fund should be used. A check is then issued.
The fund is a separate line item in the church budget. For
2014, the budgeted amount has been increased from $1,500 to
$2,500. Individuals may also contribute directly to the fund.
Donations should be made to the St. John’s Good Neighbor
Fund.
“And the second
[commandment] is
like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as
yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:40
No wonder Karen Klug Frischmeyer is a Corn-
huskers football fan: She was born in Colum-
bus, Neb., and lived in Norfolk, Lincoln and
Grand Island (in addition to Sioux Falls, S.D.,
and Des Moines) before coming to Grinnell in
1992.
Karen was elected to the Church Council at the
semiannual meeting in January. She serves as
liaison to the youth programs.
With an educational background at Platte Col-
lege and the University of Nebraska, she has
worked for Merial Ltd.,
(companion animal pharma-
ceuticals) for 24-plus years.
She is currently territory man-
ager. She and her husband Al
have two children—Mitchell
in college and Sarah in high
school.
Her No. 1 interest is her chil-
dren and their activities, and
her favorite pastime is spend-
ing time with family and friends.
On her list of hobbies are gardening, cooking
and reading. (In the summer she quietly contrib-
utes beautiful bouquets from her garden to the
church worship space.)
The practice of showing up at the church with
flowers is part of Karen’s way.
“I believe strongly in random acts of kindness,”
she says.
Church Council highlights The 2014 budget was approved for presentation
to the congregation at the semiannual meeting
January 26.
Harlan Honsbruch and Mitzi Dufoe will audit
the 2013 financial records.
Painting of the west entrance to the sanctuary
has been completed. Information is being gath-
ered for instant hot water heaters in the meeting
room and the sacristy. Work continues on as-
sembling data and bids for the education-
wing roof project.
Karen Klug Frischmeyer
8
LOVE LETTER
St. John’s Lutheran Church 1224 East Street Grinnell, Iowa 50112 (641) 236-4946
FEBRUARY 2014
The LOVE LETTER is published monthly by St. John’s Lutheran Church. Deadline for each issue is the 15th of the previous month. Contact: Mary Schuchmann, [email protected]
Return Service Requested
Non-profit Org.
U.S Postage
PAID
Grinnell, Iowa
Permit #134
BASKET OF PROMISE
WELCA is leading a project in February and March to
collect items for Baby Care Kits for Lutheran
World Relief. A different item will be col-
lected each week to assemble the kits. Place
your donations in a basket at the rear of the
sanctuary. The weekly schedule is:
February 1 and 2
Lightweight t-shirts
February 8 and 9
Long– or short-sleeved gowns
(without feet)
February 15 and 16
Cloth diapers (flat fold preferred)
February 22 and 23
Receiving blankets, (medium-
weight cotton or flannel, or cro-
cheted or knitted with lightweight
yarn, up to 52” square)
March 1 and 2
Baby socks
March 8 and 9
Hand towels (dark color preferred)
March 15 and 16
Bath size bars of gentle soap (4 or
5 oz. ) in original wrapper
March 22 and 23
Jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with
hood (or include a baby cap)
March 29 and 30
Diaper pins
Everyday evangelists—that’s us!
Each of us is an everyday evangelist called by
God to boldly live out our faith and share the
love of Jesus.
Learn more about discipleship at this year’s
Congregations Together
in Mission (CTIM)
Conference on Satur-
day, March 8, at First
Lutheran Church in Ce-
dar Rapids. The key-
note speaker will be Peggy Hahn, executive
director of LEAD: Living Every Day As Dis-
ciples, Gulf Coast Synod, who will inspire,
share ideas and provide resources that will
expand your thinking and deepen your spiritu-
al life. An array of workshops will be offered.
More information is available in the church
office. Deadline for registration is February
28. The $20 fee will be covered by the church.
Congregations Together in Mission Saturday, March 8 First Lutheran, Cedar Rapids