What does Share the Harvest, Thanksgiving,

Alzheimer’s coffee break, Spaghetti suppers, and

Reformation all have in common?

It is very hard to think about October in 34⁰C

heat. However, there are important occasions on

our faith family October calendar that we do

hold dear to our hearts and faith.

The gospel text for Sept 24th was Matthew 20:1-

16. You may wish to read this. When people have

Pastor’s Message

The

Mustard

Seed October 2017

The Monthly Newsletter of

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran

Church

47 McLachlin Street, Arnprior,

Ontario K7S 2Z1

Pastor:

Norine Gullons

Church Office: 623-4562

Pastor’s office hours:

Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-Noon

Chairperson:

Ryan Zimmerling 622-5939

Council:

Randy Zimmerling 623-9733

Jeff Kargus 623-0192

Beryl Richardson 623-4351

Lois Rosien 623-3010

Melissa Watt 432-9305

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man

took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But

when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that

the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 2

work/income they can provide for their families. This story of Jesus talks about a

landowner who helps others. (the landowner paid all the workers the same wage no

matter when they started working) He was a little ahead of his time in philanthropy.

We have all received God’s gift of grace throughout our lives, whether we recognize it or

not. No matter what we do we cannot earn God’s grace. It is a gift. Therefore – because

we have been gifted – we share generously what we have with others to ensure that all

may live with their basic needs met and live with some sense of solidarity, dignity and

compassion. We see the damage in Huston, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Islands,

and Florida over the past month. It’ll take months – even years for these people to

recover, and we wonder how we can help!

We take the time to be thankful for what we have. Some people write a gratitude list at

the end of every day – listing at least 5 things they were thankful for that day. A very

good spiritual practise.

p.s. answer to the question: grace and generosity!

I love the Dennis the Menace cartoon where Dennis and his little friend Joey are leaving

Mrs. Wilson’s house with their hands full of cookies. Joeys says, “I wonder what we did

to deserve this?” Dennis answers, “Look, Joey, Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because

we are nice, - but because she is nice!”

God can be as nice and generous as he/she wants to be. God just wants us to be

thankful and share with others. How hard is that?

Pastor Norine

The total donations in support of camper sponsorship at Lutherlyn was $470.

Thank you to all who helped young people without financial resources enjoy Lutherlyn Camp!

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 3

October Event Calendar

Sunday 1st Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Sunday 8th Thanksgiving Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Thursday 12th Lutheran/Anglican Pastors Meeting10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Zion, Schwartz, Quebec

Saturday 14th Men’s Breakfast at Jim’s Restaurant 8:30 a.m.

Sunday 15th Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30a.m.

“Thank You”

Monday 16th Council Meeting 7:30 p.m.

Sunday 22nd Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Thursday 26th Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Hospice Renfrew

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (see ad on p. 4)

Saturday 28th Commemoration of the Reformation: Service of Common Prayer

St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke 3:00 p.m.

Dr. Michael Pryse – Bishop of the Eastern Synod and

Father Jim Beamish presiding

Refreshments – each church to bring squares

Sunday 29th Reformation Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Welcome members of Emmanuel Anglican Church and organist

Richard Hunt

If you would like to sponsor communion or provide flowers for the altar in memory of a loved one or to honour a special event, please sign up in the Narthex.

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 4

September Church Council Report

Pastor’s Report:

• Pastor provided an update on the various worship services and meetings she attended over the summer including: Lutheran September Cluster in Schutt, Arnprior Ministerial, Anglican Greeson, Quebec, CLWR fundraiser St. Luke’s as well as numerous pastoral care events.

Finance Report

• We have been able to achieve relatively significant cost-savings related to expenses such as insurance, and are doing better than what was budgeted despite income being lower than expected over the summer.

• Balance sheet shows $51,107.10 in cash. Given our deficit, we will deplete this in 2 years if nothing changes.

Other Reports Property

• Part of the roof, closest to the lounge, needs repair and those repairs will take place from September 28 to 30. A message will be sent to the congregation to assist with the repairs, where possible, either physically or financially.

• Members of the congregation have been volunteering to help with church cleaning while our custodial staff recovers from an injury. Those members of the congregation who can volunteer on a regular basis (i.e., a couple of hours each week) are encouraged to talk to a council member.

Other Business

• The search for an organist or pianist continues. For the short-term, recorded music will be used, until a replacement or alternative is found.

• An announcement will be made noting that St. John’s will be entering a float in the Arnprior Santa Claus parade in late November and anyone with ideas for the float, or who wishes to participate in the construction of the float or be on the float.

• Spaghetti supper in support of Hospice Renfrew is planned for Oct. 26th contingent on getting volunteer support from the congregation.

• Building off of the event this past spring, a Children’s Movie night is being proposed for this fall (likely November).

Respectfully submitted on behalf of church council, Ryan Zimmerling

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 5

Thursday October 26th

4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

47 McLachlin Street, Arnprior In support of

RENFREW HOSPICE

St. John’s Lutheran Church Annual Spaghetti Supper Entertainment – “Carrying a Tune” by Aline Daykin

Free will donation with all proceeds going to Hospice

Renfrew!

For more information call St. John’s Tuesday or Thursday mornings

9:00 a.m. - noon 613-623-4562

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 6

Farewell to our organist Alexandra, After several years of dedication and consistent professionalism as our organist, Alexandra has decided to

prioritize attending worship with her young family. Her resignation was effective Sept. 17th. From the very

beginning, Alexandra put everything she had into making our worship service come alive with inspired music on

both the piano and organ. We know that she will continue to use her God given talent in praise and worship.

Thank you for making a huge and positive impact to our worship service Alexandra! We will miss you.

From John at St. James Renfrew…

Please join us for lunch

following service

on

Sunday, October 15th

To thank Alexandra for her

years of dedication and

service and wish her and

her family well.

Good morning! What an enjoyable worship & fellowship experience Sept 24. Thanks, Norine for your casual manner and leadership in this. Lots of good inter-parish fellowship, lots of choice “Share the Harvest” donations and purchases, and lots of great “finger” food. John Stiefelmeyer (St. James reached their goal of $300+$300 matching Faith Life Grant =$600 for the

Renfrew Food Bank.)

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 7

Thank You! A number of people deserve to be recognized and thanked for their outstanding service on our

behalf;

-Jeff Kargus and Rex Zimmerling put a full day’s work on a recent Saturday to install shiny new

eavestroughs at the back entrance and the corner adjacent to the old entrance to the vestibule.

Their attention to detail and efforts to help prevent water from running down the foundation

walls are much appreciated.

-Ryan Zimmerling for the donation and project management related to getting new storm

windows for our basement completed and installed.

-Deb Kargus and Pastor Norine for their efforts for the kids on “Rally Sunday”. Decorating the

basement in balloons, colour tablecloths and a hot dog lunch made it a festive atmosphere for

kids of all ages.

-Alison and Dave Burkett who made an unbelievable puppet theatre. The design and construction

of this reflects their creative skills and support for youth.

-Rick Frivalt for keeping our grass mowed throughout the summer. Cory W. for stepping up to

volunteer to replace Rick while he is off hunting for the next while.

-Gerald F. and Joy who have volunteered to keep our church clean while our regular custodian

Judy Hartwick recovers from an accident.

-Beryl and Keith for their continued efforts on the flower beds and other items inside the church

that needed attention (washing the curtains in the lounge).

-our ushers, counter, communion helpers, readers, altar guild. Your weekly contributions is greatly

appreciated.

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 8

Two upcoming events at Emmanuel Anglican Church…

Tis the season (well, soon enough) for the Arnprior Santa Claus Parade

and this year St. John’s will once again be defending its top place finish.

Do you have an idea that would ensure St. John’s retains its title? If you

have an amazing idea, or if you would like to help out constructing the

float, or be on the float during the parade in late November, please let

one of your council members know.

St. John's is in desperate need of a central vac. carpet sweeper. Our model/manufacturer is Sunbeam which is compatible with most common sweepers. If you have one that you no longer intend to use, please contact Randy Zimmerling for more details.

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 9

To celebrate the start of Sunday School we had… The Story Presented by…

Of Noah’s Arc…

A party after service with hot dogs and cake!!

Thank you to everyone that helped make this such an enjoyable celebration for all!

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 10

Galilee Centre presents…

Don’t Forget!

October 14th

8:30 a.m. Jim’s Restaurant

In Arnprior

Please consider joining us for good food

and good conversation!

Local Syrian mom needs a babysitter

one morning a week over the next 1-2

months so she can attend English

second language class on Mondays.

Anyone who can help care for a 3 year

old and 9 month old for one or more

Monday mornings is welcome to

contact Enid at 613 623-7017 or by

email at eblackwell.ca@gmail.com for

more information.

Bringing Faith into Your Financial Future

Karen Bjerland is the CEO of FaithLife Financial.

She sits down with Greg Musselman on 100 Huntley

Street to talk about blending our unique financial

needs with our faith. Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3WLziT3rd0

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 11

Helpers for Ushering and Counting are needed! If you can help for a Sunday, please sign up in the Narthex.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 2017

SUNDAY USHERS READING COFFEE/SOCIAL COUNTERS

Oct. 1st

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Joy Statham

Barb and Gerald

Formeulwitz

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Oct. 8th

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Cathy or Randy

Zimmerling

Thanksgiving

(no social)

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Oct. 15th

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Andy Kalnins

Debbie/Jeff Joanne/Lorne

Lunch for Alexandra

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Oct. 22nd

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Maureen

Rueckwald

*Volunteer Needed*

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Oct. 29th

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Joy Statham

2 Volunteers Needed – we host our

Anglican visitors

Elmer and Marion

Leeck

Thank you, volunteers! If you would like to help out, please sign-up in the Narthex!

Note: Volunteers are always needed weekly. Free training is available! If interested, talk to a council member.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Lutheran-

Church-Arnprior/302930049856065

Website: http://stjohnsarnprior.com

Postings in the Narthex

• Eastern Synod Lutheran Monthly Newsletter (or access online at: http://www.easternsynod.org/)

• Upcoming events at Galilee Centre – website at http://www.galileecentre.com/programs/

Peace Book Club (offspring of local chapter of

Canadian Peace Initiative)

Wed., Oct. 4th 6:30 p.m. Gaumond Room

Arnprior Public Library Book – “The Book of Forgiving”

The Mustard Seed October 2017 Page 12

Dear Lord, we give you thanks…