St. John’s Lutheran Church The VOICE Newsletter … · Kathy Emch, health concerns ... church office or you may email the information to Pam Brackney at [email protected] or 419-287-3509

St. John’s Lutheran Church

November 2017 The VOICE Newsletter Page 1

Our Mission Statement: Saved by the Grace of God to Witness and to Serve Others - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Greetings Saints! My Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ!

The Doxology

Praise God, From whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, Ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

As we prepare for the busy months to come, may we always know without a doubt our Lord is with us every step of the way in our lives. We praise Him! We give Him thanks and gratitude. On All Saints Day, our congregation comes together and spends some precious time remembering fondly those who have gone to heaven to be with our Lord. This is a Holy time and filled with sentimental moments. May we have hope as we hold onto the promises of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and trust that our loved ones are face to face with our loving Lord. The One who shares in scripture:

God himself will be with them; He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more; mourning and crying will be no more; for the first things, have passed away.

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”

Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

(Revelation 21)

Often people will wonder, “Who is a Saint?” A saint is every Christian. We are not saints because of what we do, or what our loved ones have done…we are a saint because of what Christ has done for us. Christian saints are identified by the fact that they belong to Jesus through their faith in Him and by God’s amazing grace.

I am the light of the world; He who follows me will not walk in darkness,

But will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and give you so much peace!

Trusting in His LOVE…In Christ, Pastor Cindy Ritter




For by grace you have been saved through faith,

and this is not of your own doing:

it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

November 5th= DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS!

Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

MAY DAY! MAY DAY!

We need your help! If you can tie a knot, you

can help us! The Comforting Crew meets the

first Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. We

tie comforters and have a great time visiting.

(We even tease each other!) Please come be

the hands of Jesus.

DECORATE THE CHURCH! Please help decorate our church for the Christmas season on Thursday, November 30th. Many hands make

light work! Decorating begins at 7:00 p.m.




1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from October bulletin):

Alana Gribble, health concerns

Annessa Rodemich, health concerns

The marriage of Kyle & Hannah Henry

The family of Kent Hagg, upon his death

Ella Freeman, health concerns

The family of Gretchen Ross, upon her death

The Las Vegas shooting victims and their

families

Kathy Emch, health concerns

The family of Buster Hunt, upon his death

Thanksgiving to Mike Sibbersen for his years of service in the Wood County

Auditor’s office

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church due to smoke damage to their church

Alethea Michel, health concerns

The family of Dorothy Trimmier, upon her death (Bobbi McConocha’s aunt)

Stephen Levorchick, health concerns

The birth of Harper and Hayden Hatfield, born October 16th, daughters of Brian and Kari Hatfield

If you or someone you know needs prayers, 25 volunteers on the Phone Prayer Chain are ready to pray for the needs of others. Contact Clyde at 419-874-8175 or the church office at 419-837-5115.

2. DAILY BIBLE READING November 1 James 1 November 16 2 Peter 2 November 2 James 2 November 17 2 Peter 3 November 3 James 3 November 18 Psalms 135-137 November 4 Psalms 129-131 November 19 Psalms 135-137 November 5 Psalms 129-131 November 20 1 John 1 November 6 James 4 November 21 1 John 2 November 7 James 5 November 22 1 John 3 November 8 1 Peter 1 November 23 1 John 4 November 9 1 Peter 2 November 24 1 John 5 November 10 1 Peter 3 November 25 Psalms 138-140 November 11 Psalms 132-134 November 26 Psalms 138-140 November 12 Psalms 132-134 November 27 2 John November 13 1 Peter 4 November 28 3 John November 14 1 Peter 5 November 29 Jude November 15 2 Peter 1 November 30 Revelation 1




3. WEEKLY WORSHIP

Regular Worship 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Fellowship and Refreshments 9:30 a.m. Sunday school 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Fellowship and Refreshments

October Worship Attendance Oct 1 ~ 180 Oct 8 ~ 162 Oct 15 ~ 211 Oct 22 ~ 189

Electronic Giving ~ throughout the year, many of you already support the congregation

with your time, talent, and financial contributions, but greater participation is always welcome. We encourage you to look into our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a giving plan. To set up a recurring or one-time giving schedule, visit us online at stjohnsstonyridge.net (or scan this square with your phone) and locate the Give Generously button. Or, if you wish, you can complete a paper authorization form and return it to Shirley Johnson, Financial Secretary.

November BIRTHDAYS (Those over 74 years young!) November 3 John Kurfess, 820 Pine St., Perrysburg, 43551 November 6 Duane Karam, 441 N. River Rd., Waterville, 43566 November 13 Dave Knepper, 2431 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg, 43551 November 15 Carolyn Burns, 6124 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 November 15 Ron Holzman, 29217 Bates Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 November 18 John Baker, 24531 Stony Ridge Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 November 27 Phyllis Bookenberger, 30236 Lemoyne, Walbridge, 43465 November 29 Barb Lashaway, 9231 Bayer Rd., Perrysburg, 43551

FELLOWSHIP

Men's Breakfast Men's Breakfast will be on November 18th, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at

Panera Bread on Rt. 20 in Perrysburg. All Christian men or men seeking to know more about Christ are invited!

Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at Zion-Latcha on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:30 p.m. Operation Turkey Sandwich will follow immediately after the service. You are invited to join the choir – they will gather and practice at 6:00 p.m.

4. GENEROUS GIVING

Financial Giving as of Oct. 22, 2016

General Fund Income (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $226,121 $244,478

Benevolence Fund (Year-to-Date)

Budget Actual $25,306 $28,956

(Copies of current Financial Reports are in the information holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.)




The BIBLE STUDY for November will be Session 3, “I believe in the Holy Spirit,”

found in the November issue of Gather magazine.

The bible study will begin at 1:30 in the Lounge on Wednesday, November 8th. All are

welcome.

COMFORTERS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF will be tied on Thursday,

November 2nd, in the Parish House from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30. Come and be a part of

this worthwhile project.

As a result of this project, St. John’s was able to send 86 comforters (mission quilts) to

Lutheran World Relief for distribution to needy people around the world. In addition,

we sent 23 fleece blankets, 7 health kits, 41 school kits, and 26 baby care kits. A big

THANK-YOU goes to all who contributed items for these kits and comforters.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thursday, November 2 – Tie Comforters (Comforting Crew)

Wednesday, November 8– Bible Study (Rebekah Circle)

PRAY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS EVERY MONDAY AT NOON.

Count your many blessings and give thanks.

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PASTORAL ACTS

Funerals Kent Hagg on 9/29/17

Gretchen Ross on 10/2/17

Dorothy Trimmier on 10/14/17

Weddings Kyle & Hannah Henry on 9/23/17

New Members Brooke, Jeff and Raelyn Schulte

Brecken Schaller




MEMORIALS

In honor of Mike Sibbersen

Ted & Sharon Bitter

In memory of Linda Bradford

Clyde & Susie Bame

In memory of Rita Sakowski

Lowell & Arlene Baker

In memory of Gretchen Ross

Milton & Arlene Wilburn Pastor Cindy Ritter

In memory of Kent Hagg

Tonya Kessinger Jane & Ralph Edine Lowell & Arlene Baker Jeff & Laurie Ruch Rob & Michelle Strauss Mike & Lisa Ohm The Badenhop’s Sue Moenter Matt & Vicki Hoffman Denny & LouAnn Guyer Mr. & Mrs. Jack Farley Karen Poth Amy & Brian Eisenhower Michelle Roe Mary Alford Curtis & Barb Juergens Pastor Cindy Ritter Tim & Patti Bihn Mary Lou Welling Larry & Darlene Michel Dave & Linda Polzin Jerome & Connie Carpenter Brian, Kay & Sara Burrell Ed Brough Carol Volschow & family Gary Fahle & Terry Owen Larry & Becky Warns Sharon & Ted Bitter Shirley Johnson Rick & Lynda Lees St. John’s Dartball Team Jerry Bunge & Eva Warrick Betty Wolf Mark & Doris Schulte Howard & Phyllis Bookenberger Troy Township Zoning Commission Dave & Jenell Vicheaux

SOCIAL MINISTRIES Social Ministries is looking at the possibility of printing another cookbook. It has been 10 years since we printed the last one. We are looking at forming a committee to organize this with meetings to start after the first of the year for a fall printing and sale. Contact Jerri at 419-297-7300 if you would like to help!




Sunday Specials for October

Shared Bounty is collecting shampoo

Food Pantry is collecting cans of green beans, cereal, jars of turkey gravy and boxes of stuffing mix

Please place in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks in advance for your support! ~ The Food Pantry is currently serving 146 families. ~

Military Care Package Project For several years, St. John’s has been mailing care packages twice a year to military personnel serving overseas and a care package at Easter and a gift card at Christmas to military personnel serving stateside. Do you have a friend, a relative, or even a neighbor currently serving in the military that we could add to our mailing list? The person does not need to be a member of St. John’s. If so, please turn their name, current address, and a local contact name including phone number in to the church office or you may email the information to Pam Brackney at [email protected] or 419-287-3509. Please also include a list of several of the soldier’s favorite snacks, favorite candy, hobbies, interests (and even dislikes) as well as any other small items that may be needed or appreciated. For example, a few years ago we included a dog brush in one of the boxes because the soldier is a bomb-sniffing dog handler. Once again this year, Christy Schramm is going to help Social Ministries with organizing the

Christmas help for the families that we adopt this Christmas. Be on the lookout for the Christmas

tree and tags in the Narthex soon!!!

It’s time again for Operation Christmas Child! Boxes are available in the Narthex. A flyer is attached

to each box with gift suggestions, along with items that should NOT be packed in boxes. Check out

the Samaritans Purse website at www.samaitanspurse.com for gift suggestions and items that are no

longer allowed in the boxes. New this year is NO toothpaste or hard candies. The food bank has

been able to get cases of colored pencils, some stuffed animals, pre-moistened face cloths and

Disney blocks. Feel free to include a few of these items in the boxes. St. John’s does have funds

budgeted for shipping, but a donation of $9.00 per box for shipping, a bible in their language and

other materials would be much appreciated! This can be added to your offering envelope by marking

the “Other” line and designating for Operation Christmas Child shipping. A check can also be left in

the office marked for OCC shipping. Please do not put your check in the box! Boxes should be

returned to the Narthex by November 12th. Please prayerfully consider participating in this very

worthwhile cause!

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.samaitanspurse.com/




Social Ministries has our reusable bags for sale. This would be a great Christmas gift for those that

are starting to shop early! Red non-insulated bags are $2.00 each and the blue insulated bags are

$3.50. Contact Jerri at 419-297-7300 to purchase them.

Mark your calendars for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on Friday,

November 24th from noon - 5:00 p.m. Visit St. John’s Facebook page or go

to www.redcrossblood.org and type in sponsor code: STJOHNSTONYRIDGE

to make an appointment. Please contact Glen & Doris Welling if you can

help set up, tear down, or bake cookies at 419-494-4578.

Shared Bounty has started planning for our Christmas shopping that we offer the kids of our shoppers

each year. We are in need of new or gently used gift bags. We especially need larger ones. Thank

you for your continuing support.

Thank you to Social Ministries for serving during October fellowship time.

Thank you to all who brought in cookies and snacks. Memorial & Outreach will be serving in November.

Thank you’s were received from the following: Lutheran Social Services for the gift of $53.25 Lutheran Social Services for the gift of $47.71 Luther Home of Mercy for the gift of $161.88 Genacross for the gift of $121.41 (9/28/17) and $108.78 (10/12/17) Redeemer for the gift of $1184.90 (7/31/17) and $833.34 (8/14/17)

Thank you to Pam & Rachel Brackney for taking over the Troop Project!! You will be great fit for this outreach project. We are grateful to you both. A big THANKS to Ashley & Kyle Culp for helping with the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! THANK YOU to Lisa Withrow and to her exchange student Yesmine for thinking about the food pantry for a donation from Lisa’s employer Savage & Associates! We received a generous gift from the Savage & Associates foundation. This gift will be used to purchase our turkeys & hams for our holiday food parcels for the families of our food pantry. In the past there has been a board in the Narthex asking for monetary donations to purchase these items. This year we will not need your help due to this wonderful donation!! God is good!

http://www.redcrossblood.org/




Thank you, Pastor Cindy, for your prayers and visits while I was in the hospital and for bringing me communion. And to all at St. John’s for your prayers, cards, and phone calls. Much appreciated! Ella Freeman I would like to thank Pastor Cindy for her visit and giving me communion; and also to Doris and Glen Welling for bringing the altar flowers. I appreciate their visits. Thanks so much! Mary Jane Reitzel Thank you for the card and gift in it. You are in our prayers every day. Patti & Tim Bihn We would like to thank everyone for all the cards and thoughtfulness and prayers and a thank you to Pastor Cindy for her visits and support. The family of Kent Hagg Thank you for your support. Thank you for your prayers. Linda Roach and family

Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services (times to be announced)

Documents

St. John’s Lutheran Church The VOICE Newsletter … · Kathy Emch, health concerns ... church office or you may email the information to Pam Brackney at [email protected] or 419-287-3509