A message from The pastor
St. John Journey
October 2015
As I begin writing this article for the October Newsletter, we are coming off a
full weekend at St. John. Even though some of the events were not exactly church
events, this past weekend included:
The Dedication of Taylor’s Shelter in memory of Taylor Read on the Virginia
Creeper Trail in Alvarado. As we gathered at the shelter and I was honored to have
been asked to give the Blessing for the meal, I looked around at all gathered many
St. John faces. I could not help but think of what a wonderful, supporting congre-
gation we are a part of here at St. John.
As Sunday dawned and we were back to what I call regular schedule:
8:45 AM Contemporary/Blended/Casual Worship
11:00 AM Traditional Worship
It was so good to see a larger than normal group and as we sang and worshipped
together I looked out and could not help but think what a wonderful, supporting
congregation we are a part of here at St. John.
Robin and I attended the Installation of Pastor Austin Propst as Pastor of Re-
deemer Lutheran Church in Bristol. As I worshipped there with the Pastors from
the Highlands Conference and the folks gathered at Redeemer. I could not help but
think what a blessing it is to be in the Highlands Conference of the Virginia Synod.
Thank you for your Ministry in this place, as we all share the Good News of Jesus
Christ to the Mountain Empire Region of Southwest Virginia. We truly are all
Blessed!!!!!
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Page 2 St . John Journey
Worship and Music Tidbits!
Lots of things going on at St. John, and here are some more important
activities to sign up for and to put on your calendar:
- sign up to provide flowers on the chart on the board outside in the
entry hallway. Flowers do not have to come from a florist. Flowers could be purchased at the Farmer's
Market, grocery store, and even from your yard are wonderful sources. (Humphrey Florist has a key
to the church, should you decide to purchase a vase from the florist.)
- sign up to provide Eternal Candle ($5.00 a date)
- Training for the following Worship support positions will be on
Monday, October 19th at 7:00. ACOLYTE (ADULTS AND YOUTH), LAY READERS,
ASSISTING MINISTER, ALTAR GUILD, COMMUNION ASSISTANT, COUNTER (OFFERING),
GREETER, NURSERY ATTENDANT, USHER, CHILDREN'S CHURCH (NEW)
St. John needs your help and support. Please pray to where God wants you to
serve Him.
In Christ's name,
Robin Homesley, Council Liason
News from Julie Kroll
Hey everybody!
This summer, I spent June through August working at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp in Fort Val-
ley, VA and had an amazing time! I spent the summer working with kids from early elementary to high
school age, doing things such as horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, caving and backpacking. One week
we even came down to the retreat center at Hungry Mother State Park and led their camp! During a typical
week at Caroline Furnace we led daily Bible studies and faith based discussions, played lots of games, spent a
ton of time outdoors (even more so on out trips!), and shared quite a few laughs and smiles. Our theme this
summer was “Grow in Love” and our theme verse was Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with all
your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.”
During the second half of the summer I took over as the Out Trip Guide. This means that I got to lead
the way on some awesome backpacking and canoeing trips! I planned and led a two night backpacking trip
for middle schoolers, a three night trip the following week for high school, and then topped it all off with a 60
mile canoeing trip for high schoolers down the Potomac River. Overall it was an incredible summer and I
plan on going back next year to complete an internship for school as the official Out Trip Guide! I’m super
excited for this opportunity to gain more experience and help further develop the CFLC Out Trip program. In
taking on this exciting opportunity, one of my goals is to help the program expand to reach even more youth
and share the outdoors with them. If you or someone you know would like to make a donation or have any
spare tents or other outdoor gear in good condition that need a new home, please let me know at kroll-
[email protected] or (276)451-8539.
Peace and Blessings,
Julie Kroll
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Page 3 St . John Journey
St. John Choir Rehearsals
Wednesdays, 6:00PM —11:00AM Choir
7:00PM—8:45AM Choir
ST. JOHN OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 9—Jim Meacham
Oct. 9—Heather McKee
Oct. 29—Mike Shaver
If we missed your October birthday, please let the church office know.
The St. John Quilters meet at 9:30AM on Tuesdays. No sewing experience required—come join the
ladies as they make quilts to benefit Lutheran World Relief. .
Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study.
Bible Study 1:00PM on Tuesday has begun. We are studying the les-
sons for each Sunday in a little more depth. All are welcome to bring a
bag lunch at noon for a fellowship hour preceding Bible Study. There
will be no Bible Study on Tuesday October 13th.
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Getting Ready for Friends of Santa
It’s only October, but some of us are thinking about what we’ll need for the Friends of Santa! Friends of Santa is a community-wide Christmas ministry that is based right here in St. John. Families in Washington County who qualify are given gift cards to brighten their Christmas celebrations. Over 600 children were served last year. We try to give each child a bag of basic supplies as well.
So for the next few months we’ll be gathering toiletries and school supplies to include in Friends of Santa “baggies for kids.” Suggested items include personal care items such as toothbrushes, tooth-paste, shampoo, soap and lotions, as well as pencils, pens, crayons, markers, school notebooks and paper. Consider buying the needed items as you find them on sale; school supplies are deeply discounted in some stores right now. Drop your items in the marked collection boxes in the fellowship hall. Later in the year we’ll come together to prepare the gift bags.
Sunday School
Pastor Scott is teaching a Sunday School Class: Luther’s Small Catechism for Adults. The
first Sunday in October was just some back ground so please there is time for you to still get
in and not have missed anything. We meet at 10:00 AM on Sunday Mornings in the Fellow-
ship Hall.
St. John’s Financial Summary
St. John’s income improved a little in August, but unfortunately, expenses increased more. St. John had to have two heat pumps replaced at an expense of about $9000. We are now projecting a shortfall of nearly $30,000 for the year
Please come out, give generously, and help get St. John back on track!
The Finance Team
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Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
Oct. 4
Genesis 2:18-24
Hebrews 1:1-4,2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
Oct. 18 Isaiah 53:4-12
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
Oct. 25 Jeremiah 31:31-34
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
person and call the office to let the secretary know.
St. John Journey
Oct. 11
Amos 5:6-7.10-15
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31
Page 5
Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Assistant
Minister Ray Whitner Steve Kluttz Ray Whitner no
Lector 8:45
Usher Worship
Altar Guild Louise Sansing Dianne
Suhrbier Kelly Read today
8:45AM service
11:00AM service
Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18
Oct. 25
combined
Assistant
Minister Joan Shaver Ed Davis Edie Hiltebeitel Joan Shaver
Lector David Bonham Bill Spencer Helen French John Gifford
Acolyte Sharon Meacham Chris Dixon Sharon Meacham Chris Dixon
Reception The Spencers Joan Shaver The Churches The Keens
Counters David Bonham
Helen French
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Gary Halverson
Parker Keen
David Bonham
Jim Kroll
Ushers The Honakers The Giffords The Spencers The Keens
Altar Guild Helen Findley Edie Hiltebeitel Carol Halverson Helen Findley
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St. John Journey
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2
9:30AM-
1:00PM
Food
Pantry
3 Creeper Trail Shel-ter Dedica-tion/Bike Ride
4 Pentecost 19
8:45AM Worship
10:00 SS
11:00 AM Worship
4:00PM
Installation of Pastor
Propst @Redeemer
5
6:00PM Brewing
Theology
7:00PM
Evangelism
7 6PM 11:00 choir 7:PM 5:00 choir
8
9
10 Noon-
3PM
Annual
Child Safe-
ty/Family
Health
Event
11 Pentecost 20
8:45AM Worship
9:45AM Cong. Meet-
ing
11:00 AM Worship
12
13 9:30AM Quilters
14 6PM 11:00 choir 7:PM 8:45 choir
15
16
17
18 Pentecost 21
8:45AM Worship
10:00 SS
11:00 AM Worship
4:00PM Lutherans at
the Lincoln
19 6:00PM
W&M
7:00PM
Worship
Volunteer
Training
20 9:30AM Quilters 1:00PM Bible Study
21 6PM 11:00 choir 7:PM 5:00 choir
22 7:00PM Council
23
24
25 Reformation
11:00 AM Combined-
Worship
4:00PM Highlands
Conf. Reformation
Worship @Redeemer
26
27 9:30AM Quilters 1PM Bible Study
28 6PM 11:00 choir 7:PM 5:00 choir
29 Preschool Fall Festival Fund Raiser Dinner
30
31
October2015
6 9:30AM Quilters 1:00PM Bible Study
Page 6
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St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
St. John Lutheran Church
807 E. Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24210
Address Service Requested
Staff
G. Scott Homesley, Pastor
Home Phone: 276-739-7740
Cell Phone: 276-525-5801
Joan Shaver, Parish Secretary
Office hours 9-12 Tuesday-Friday
Wrenda Fuller, Music Director
Council
Jim Lovett Helen French
Cheryl Carrico Ed Honaker Robin Homesley
Jill Morris Josh Wellenhoffer Parker Keen
Linda Brumleve, Financial Secretary
Steve Kluttz, Treasurer
St. John Lutheran is a congregation of the Virginia Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop, ELCA
The Rev. James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod
Phone: 276-628-6215
E-mail:
net
http://www.stjohnabingdon.org