CHI RHO October 2014 A friend recently gave me a “Brotherhood of the American Lutheran Church Program Topics” from 1951. I am an historian at heart, and so I love learning about church history. I particularly enjoy learning about how the church was called by God to do mission and ministry in years past. Here’s my title, “How to Intentionally Invite and Make Strangers Feel Welcome at Worship.” Submissions are requested by the 19th of the month preceding publication. Inside this issue: A Word from the 1 Dates to remember 2-3 Birthdays & Calendar 4 5-6 &8-9 7 Stewardship, Contacts and Attendance Asst. Schedule/ Calendar-October Tan Asst. Schedule for Green November/December St. I came across a section in the booklet entitled “Increasing Attendance.” I was amazed by how relevant this section is for the church today. I’m going to share a few of its pointers with you, but I also intend to change the title and content a bit. You see when we go out to do mission only to increase our attendance we lose sight of who we are. We are God’s children and we have a vibrant gospel message to share with our community in service and worship. That’s motivation enough to do service projects and to invite strangers to come to worship with us. The Chi Rho is published monthly by St. John WELCA at WORK October Ushers, worshipers, and pastor alike have an essential part to play in creating a welcoming environment: They should welcome strangers by shaking their hands, asking their names, and engaging them in friendly conversations. This can be done before or after worship, and briefly during the sharing of the peace. Be enthusiastic about your church, and show your enthusiasm: There isn’t anything that invites and welcomes strangers more readily than members who talk enthusiastically during the week about their church, its worship, and what God is doing in and through its ministry. Invite your neighbors and friends to come with you to church. Go one step further and give them a ride: When asked about the deciding factor in coming to worship services, the majority of people today say they came because a friend or neighbor invited them to attend, and had also given them a ride to church. Most said, “Thank you, but no,” at first, but in being asked in a persistent and loving manner, they eventually came to worship. If you’re nervous and don’t know what to say, that’s okay. You might just say something like this, “Hello my name is _______ and I live across the street. I wanted to invite you to come to church this Sunday and hear about all the exciting things that God is doing in and through our community. Can I pick you up at 10am? Worship is at 10:30am.” Help visitors become familiar with the liturgy and hymns: Our worship style can be difficult for a stranger. They don’t know when to speak, stand, sing, or sit. That can be a terrifying experience. If you see a newcomer struggling in worship, go and sit next to them. Help them to learn the liturgy. There is no better way to make a stranger feel welcome, and this also creates a relationship which will make them feel like coming back next Sunday. Provide a clean and safe nursery: Children under age three are unable to worship like adults, and so they become restless and loud. New parents need a clean and safe place for their children to be during worship. We are all responsible for the mission, ministry, and outreach of our church. I want to challenge everyone who reads this article to intentionally practice these five points during the week and on Sundays. Together we can both proclaim and live the exciting gospel message that God has for our lives and communities. Pastor Joe Woodward Polka Fest Service -10:30 a.m. October 19th, 2014 Everyone is invited. No tickets are necessary for the service. The Liturgy and hymns will be accompanied by The Prada Polka Band. A home cooked sausage dinner will be served after the service. Tickets for the meal are $8.00. Advance tickets are available. Just look for someone carrying a brown envelope or simply ask a member and you will be directed to a ticket seller. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING Volunteers for committees are still needed to make this Worship and meal a pleasure to all who attend. Be a part of the planning, cooking, serving, and cleanup. You will miss a whole lot of fun if you don’t participate. Please sign the volunteer list at church or call Shirley Fischer 254 527-3906, Janice Atchison 254 527-3142, Cynthia Gersbach 254 527 -3850, or Linda Ferguson 254 527-4357. Remember it takes a “village” to make this happen. You are part of that village—trust me!! Your support is especially needed as a participant on October 19th at the service and meal. We want our congregation there to greet our guests. You will be surprised how inspirational and motivational the service is. And, guess what!! There are people who come for miles to share this experience! When you aren’t there they are very disappointed…and so are we!! Bell Choir practices will be held October 5th & 12th from 8:45a.m. to 9:15 a.m. I look forward to seeing you all there and learning some new music as well as playing some of our favorites. We are starting a nursery for infants thru 3 years. Hours will be Sundays 9am to 12pm. If you are interested in applying for the position please contact the office. You must be over 18 yrs old and have met or willing to meet the job description set by the council. Job will pay $10/hr. Dotty Kneten 527Please save your receipt’s from Sirloin Stockade. Please place them in the pink box as you come in the TRC. They will in turn donate money to our playground fund. The Church Council Minutes were not ready at the time of the printing of the Chi Rho. When they are received they will be on the TRC bulletin board. The stewardship committee would like for everyone to fill out and turn in a new time and talent sheet. You can turn these in to the office or with the offering on Sundays. It is time to start ordering your cheese braids! The braids will remain $8.00 each. Please use the form below or call the Church office to Order. Orders will be taken until November 3rd. We will also be needing help for Mixing dough on Thursday, November 6th @ 2:30pm and Friday, November 7th @ 8am for rolling, rising, baking and selling. Join the Fun and Fellowship!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CUT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Name____________________________________ Phone#______________________ __________ Cheesebraids @ $8.00 each = $_______________Cash/Check #________ Cheesebraids will be made on Nov.7th ~ must be picked up from 3pm - 6pm on the 7th *If braid is not picked up on the 7th and not paid for they will be sold on the 9th and we will not hold any! * Sold By:_______________________ CHI RHO October 1st………………..Men’s Bible Study @ 7:30am Page 4 2nd………………..Piecemakers @ 1pm 2 James Robert Steglich 3rd………………..5th Quarter 4 Donna Dawson Huston Martin 5th………………..Bell Choir @ 8:45am 6 9 11 James Friedrich Alissa Hinz Lloyd Kurtz Austen Marwitz Kristi Dague Melissa Huber Janelle Janke Judy Gersbach Jason Marwitz Bill Unberhagen 12 Brenda Bielss 14 Darrell Smotek 17 Shelby Horak Sue Marsh Wayne Zieschang Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am Worship @ 10:30am 6th…………………Will-o-Bell Service with Communion @10am Dominoes @12:30am 8th………………...Men’s Bible Study (Lois & Jerry’s) @7:30am Crafting @ 9am 9th…………….…..Piecemakers @ 1pm 12th………………..Bell Choir @ 8:45am Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am Worship @ 10:30am 13th………………..Dominoes @12:30am 14th………………...Woman’s Bible Study @ 9:15am American Legion Meeting @7pm 15th………………...Men’s Bible Study (Lois & Jerry’s) @7:30am Bartlett ISD– Testing (8am-3pm) 18 Philip Huber 20 Lena Heitmeyer 21 Debra Caldwell Pat Stroud 23 Janie Barron 24 Cynthia Degner 25 Ryan Kallus Tyler Kallus Doug Thaler 23rd ………………..Piecemakers @ 1pm 26 Donna Cooper Campbell 22nd-26th………….KAIROS 27 James Persky 26th Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am Worship @ 10:30am 29 Jennifer Spiegelhauer 27th…………...……Dominoes @ 12:30pm 31 Robert Spiegelhauer 29th………………...Men’s Bible Study (Lois & Jerry’s) @7:30am 16th………………..Piecemakers @ 1pm 19th.………………..Newsletter Deadline Polka Worship 10:30am 20th………….…… Dominoes @12:30am Church Council Meeting @ 6:30pm 22nd………………...Men’s Bible Study (Lois & Jerry’s) @7:30am Crafting @ 9am 30th ………………..Piecemakers @ 1pm WELCA at Work First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. --Romans 1:8 W-ELCA Remarkable women! After twelve years as the executive director of the Women of the ELCA, Linda Post Bushkofsky published a one-page retrospective in the September 2014 issue of Gather, the magazine some of you subscribe to … and many more of you may want to check out online. Linda's reminiscences included accomplishments such as creating Café, the awardwinning electronic magazine; releasing "Daily Grace" a smartphone app enjoyed by thousands; and introducing a digital version of Gather. More broadly, she writes that together we, the Women of the ELCA, have contributed offerings that benefited ministries around the globe, including international trips as part of our global education work; awarded grants to global and domestic groups working to better the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of women and girls; and awarded scholarships to Lutheran women continuing their educations in various fields. All this at the same time that incredible ministries are occurring in every congregational unit and synodical women's organization. She points out that, were there a way to track meals served, quilts made, prisoners visited, letters written, cards sent, shawls knitted, kits assembled, prayers offered, Bible studies conducted … … … well, it would be a staggering account. Perhaps most remarkable to me in reading this Grace Notes article entitled "The Measure of Years" was Linda's concluding paragraph. She writes that she has accepted yet a fourth term as your executive director and thanks each of us, her sisters in Christ, for our affirmation of her call. AT Here at St. John's, I would like to thank you for reelecting me to serve as your co-chair for 2015 and, more importantly, to thank each of you for the ministries you serve here at St. John. Special thanks, of course, go to our outgoing officers, who all served two consecutive terms in 2013 and 2014 -- Pat Stroud, Co-chair; Sue Marsh & Dotty Kneten, Co-secretaries; and Sharon Koonsen, Treasurer. Please join me in congratulating and thanking your newly-elected officers for agreeing to take on the following leadership positions for the coming year: Sandra Jones & Nelwyn Persky, Co-chair Sharon Kurtin, Vice President Judy Gersbach, Treasurer Linda Ferguson, Secretary WORK! May we all continue to discern the will of God in the ministries we undertake together. And may our Lord bless our service in His precious name. ~Nelwyn Note: To subscribe to 10 issues/year for $15, call 800-328-4648, email subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org, or write: Gather Subscription Order Center - Box 1553 - Minneapolis, MN 55440-8730 * IT'S TIME! * IT'S TIME! * IT'S TIME! * IT'S TIME! * IT'S TIME * IT'S TIME! * If you haven't yet decided your role in helping make this year's Saturday, November 8, Advent Fair a success, please check the SIGNUP SHEETS* now to see where your help is needed. This is THE major fundraiser of our congregation, funding over $9,000 in annual benevolence giving donated on your behalf in service to Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, Who has blessed us so generously with so much richness, and more ability to share and help than we probably realize. * Sign-up sheets are posted in the back of the church on Sundays, and in the TRC the remainder of the week. A pizza lunch and Advent Fair workday has been scheduled after church on November 2 to set things up for the Advent Fair PLEASE STAY FOR LUNCH AND TO HELP US ALL. Many hands make light work! And don't forget to mark your calendar to attend this year's event - and, please, invite as many friends, neighbors, and families as you can. We need the personal touch of your invitation to help ensure the successful attendance required to meet our budget goals. Everyone who attends will be able to enjoy -- and take home -- great food (yum, home-cooked turkey with all the trimmings!) and great gifts, for themselves and for others. Spectacular quilts will vie with irresistible crafts our ladies have been working on ALL YEAR. Quilts this year will include: Donation - The wonderful blue and white queen-sized Bed & Breakfast quilt being drawn for during the Live Auction - buy tickets now & budget another purchase for next month! Live Auction A red & white king-sized Peppermint Quilt prepared by WELCA for the live auction. A tan, orange and green hand-quilted, full-sized heirloom quilt WELCA was grateful to receive to have machine-bound and finished. And this year's sentimental favorite, a multicolored quilt square donated by the family of Estelle Coker; WELCA is having this one backed in bright pink. The size is perfect to accent the end of your bed, or to keep handy on an easy chair or sofa for cuddling under during those nippy-cold days that are just ahead. Plus a spectacular full-sized hand-crocheted bed topper in go-with-everything beige. This one would really highlight any color displayed under it. Looking Ahead Thanks again, AdventFair CRAFTERS: now meeting the 2nd AND 4th Wednesday in October to finalize their work for the November 8 Advent Fair Please help: COOKIES NEEDED for Oct 23 Kairos Cookie Weekend! Every Thursday . . . . . . . . . 1:00-3:00 p.m. PieceMakers work on Lutheran World Relief Quilts Oct 19 Sunday . . . . . . . . 10:30 Polka Worship Oct 21 Tuesday . . . . . . . . 9:15 WELCA Women's Morning Bible Study, TRC Gathering Room Oct 22 Wednesday . . . . . 9:00-noon FINAL craft session for Nov 8 Advent Fair Oct 23-26 Thur-Sun . . . . . . KAIROS Cookie Ministry Weekend Nov 2 Sunday . . . . . . . . . Pizza lunch & Advent Fair workday after church Nov 6 Thursday. . . . . . . Cheesebraid– Mix dough at 2:30p.m. Nov 7 Friday. . . . . . . . . . Cheesebraid– Roll, Rise and Bake @8a.m. Nov 8 Saturday . . . . . . . . 2014 Advent Fair Nov 15 Sales start @ 3p.m. Saturday . . . . . . . . 3:00 Will-O-Bell Birthday Social: leaders Marilyn Shepherd & Nelwyn Persky Nov 16 Sunday . . . . . . . . Annual ThankOffering Service & final 2014 Quarterly ThankOffering Nov 18 Tuesday . . . . . . . . 9:15 final 2014 WELCA Women's Morning Bible Study, TRC Gathering Room Dec 6 Saturday . . . . . . . .10:00 Annual WELCA Christmas Brunch & Ornament Exchange 30650 State Hwy 95 P.O. Box 70 Bartlett, TX 76511 1 mile north of Bartlett on State Highway 95 Phone 254-527-3341 Fax 254-527-4522 Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. M-Th Email stjohn-elca@sbcglobal.net Web www.stjohnbartlett.net STAFF Pastor Organist Secretary Joe Woodward Garland Kneten Sherry Kell 254-289-4454 (cell) 527-4235 Hm 512-913-5900 (cell) COUNCIL OFFICERS President Vice President/Stewardship Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretary HOME Weldon Kurtz Darrell Marek Rick Fleming Janice Atchison Sharon Koonsen ACTION TEAM LEADERS Property Youth Property Evangelism Worship Public Relations Parish Ed Membership/Fellowship W-ELCA Cemetery CELL 657-2588 527-4521 983-2050 527-3142 657-2568 HOME joewoodward7@gmail.com gkneten@sbcglobal.net stjohn-elca@sbcglobal.net 231-1082 Cedalia.kurtz@live.com 760-8329 jmarek@vvm.com 217-3462 rpjfleming@yahoo.com 721-8477 janice2054@att.net sharonkoonsen@earthlink.net CELL Steven Wentrcek 718-3106 stevenw1572@msn.com Kristi Dague 642-0318 913-1072 UT1990@hotmail.com Lynn Stroud 541-4390 jlstroud56@yahoo.com Jay Don Gommert 982-4915 721-0050 jaygommert@yahoo.com Joann Zieschang 527-3948 512-563-3591 jazz1281@gmail.com Gayle Bielss 527-4424 718-5390 newslady01@sbcglobal.net Sharon Randig 527-3287 512-585-9481 srandig@bartlett.tx.ed.net Jennifer Starke 718-6215 starke.jennifer@yahoo.com Pat Stroud 541-4389 pfstroud@yahoo.com Nelwyn Persky 527-4344 231-5296 nel1s@aol.com Walt Saverse 770-8381 waltsaverse@gmail.com OFFERINGS FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMBER Date Attendance Offering September 7, 2014 178 $6453.00 September 14, 2014 95 $2418.00 September 21, 2014 104 September 28, 2014 105 $2616.00 482 $13,828.00 September Totals $2341.00 00 2014 Advent Fair Signup Sheets SET UP TABLES ____________________________ Sunday Nov 2- immediately following church ________________________________________ PICK UP BREAD____________________________ GAMES SET UP – Snack Walk and Ring Toss ____________________________________ Quilt Donations Sales_______________________ __________________________________ CRAFTS PRICING and COUNTRY STORE DECORATIONS Indoor – _____________________________ Outdoor - ____________________________ MEAL PREPARATION – Saturday Jill Marwitz and family – Chair__________ _____________________________ ______________________________ MEAL TELLERS – Chair- . 4:00 ________________________________ 5:30 ________________________________ 6:30 ________________________________ Pricing Crafts Upon delivery of the craft, the donor will price the items. If the item doesn’t sell for the price, the donor TEA/COFFEE BAR takes it home Saturday night. 3:30 ________________________________ **Baked Goods and Canned Goods will be priced 5:00 ________________________________ by the Chairpersons in order to be consistent. 6:00 ________________________________ SILENT AUCTION PLEASE fill out silent auction forms when item is brought in. (Forms available in the gym.) SILENT AUCTION MEAL SERVING- INSIDE –TAKE OUT and Chair Sharon Kurtin This job will mainly be to fill tables and prepare Silent Auction End – Pickup/Organize Forms (Time take-out drive thru plates. to be announced) 3:30Jason Marwitz – Take-Out/Drive Thru Chair DRIVE THRU _______________________________ Jill Marwitz- Inside Chair & Meat Server _______________________________ 4:30 __________________________________ __________________________________ CRAFTS/AUCTION TELLERS AND Helpers 3:30 Teller _____________________________ Helper_____________________________ 5:00 Teller_____________________________ Helper ____________________________ 6:00 Teller _____________________________ Helper ____________________________ 7:00 Teller ______________________________ Helper _____________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ 5:30 __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ 6:30 __________________________________ 7:30 WRAP-UP __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ DESSERT TABLE Prep (for inside and out- FINAL TRC CLEANUP- Adults and Youth ______________________________ side) 3:00 __________________________ CORNBREAD DONATIONS- Needs to fill a __________________________ 9” X 13” pan 3” deep, then crumbled in a 4:00 __________________________ gallon zip-lock bag before you turn it into __________________________ TRC kitchen ON FRIDAY,NOV. 7. 5:00 __________________________ __________________________ 6:00 __________________________ __________________________ DESSERT TABLE SALES/TELLERS 4:15 ___________________________ ___________________________ 5:30 ___________________________ ___________________________ 6:30 ___________________________ KITCHEN HELPERS (where needed) 4:00 ___________________________ 5:00 __________________________ __________________________ 6:00 ___________________________ 7:00 ___________________________ DRIVE THRUE MEALS 3:45 Chair:________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ 5:15 ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ 6:30 ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ DESSERT DONATIONS OUR MISSION To Gather as God’s People To Grow Spiritually  To Go Empowered by the Holy Spirit To Share the Gospel as We Serve You’re Always Welcome at St. John Lutheran Church… Sunday Mornings Sunday School 9:15am Worship 10:30am October 2014 Join Us and Bring a Friend! www.stjohnbartlett.net check us out at Were on the Web! Bartlett, TX 76511 P. O. Box 70 Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit #7 Bartlett TX 76511 30650 State Hwy 95 St. John Lutheran Church Address Service Requested
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