September 2020 Church Bell

St. John’s Lutheran Church

From the Desk of Pastor Clark

Have you noticed how angry people are today? The vitriol on the news and on social media is maybe beyond anything I have seen in my lifetime. Why is that? Well, 2020 has been a perfect storm for anger, resentment, offense, etc. First of all, the worldwide pandemic has everyone scared and on-edge. Add to that the racial issues. Then, top it all off with a Presidential election, and you have the perfect storm! Beginning the weekend of September 13, we are starting a new sermon series entitled “The Defense against Offense.” Here we are going to be looking at wisdom from the Holy Scriptures about how to avoid getting sucked into the anger, hate, and resentment all around us. We hope you’ll join us for

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St. John’s Lutheran Church

302 NE 2nd Street Buffalo, MN 55313

Phone: 763-682-1883 Fax: 763-682-1936 Noah’s Ark Preschool: 763-682-1883

[email protected] Sharing a changeless Christ in a changing world. www.stjohnsbuffalo.org

Rev. Ryan Clark, Pastor Tim Vergin

[email protected] 845-549-0730

[email protected] Kelly Thole, DCE, Director of Kyle Bjork, Head Elder Family Ministry Tracey Anderson [email protected] Derek Annis

Chris Ryan, Vicar, Director of Gregg Beckman Youth Ministry Bill Elletson [email protected] Dave Haggerty

Gabe Licht Katherine Clark, Dir. of Special Ministries, Peter March Assimilation, Small Groups & Youth Ryan Rutten [email protected] Tony Sabraski

Beth Peterson-Hane, Office Administrator Mark Saunders [email protected] or Dave Teske [email protected]

Noah’s Ark Preschool [email protected] Altar Guild: Dorothy Bowman

Jim Chapa, Treasurer Education: Open Evangelism: Roger Strege Amy Klemz, Financial Secretary Fellowship: Marti & Lee Ryan [email protected] Library: Cheryl Olsen

Lori Mussell, Board Secretary Memorial Endowment/Investment:

Janice Marschel

Project Compassion: Sandi Baert Decorating: Nicole Hills Stewardship: Tim Vergin Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 am (Traditional) Trustees: Scott Spadgenske

KRWC 1360AM broadcast at 8:00 am Women in Mission: Mary Bremmer

Newsletter Deadline:

Deadline for the October newsletter is Monday, September 21st. Bulletin Deadline: Every Tuesday at midnight

(Continued from Pg. 1) these timely messages and get the word out to others who could use these messages. God not only doesn’t want us to be side-tracked by offense; as the world gets darker, He wants to make us shine all the brighter! And as we do, Jesus will receive all the glory in our lives!

God bless you, Pastor Clark

Avoid getting pulled into the anger, hate, and resentment that is all around us! Join us for a 6-week sermon series starting September 13th.

Coming This Fall!

Have you ever wanted to try playing in a handbell choir? Do you want to be in a musical group but don’t have a lot of musical experience? That’s OK! We will be putting together a Handbell Choir at St. John’s starting this fall, and it will be directed by Penny Steele. There will be opportunities to play in a choir and in small groups throughout the year. Come check it out at our Open House & Informational Meeting on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:30 PM!

More information at: stjohnsbuffalo.org

St. John’s FREE Family Fun Fest and Sunday School Kickoff — Sunday, September 13th!

Join us as we kick off the year with

these activities:

· Worship at 8 and 10:30 AM · Sunday School & Bible Study at 9:10 AM · Pre-Packed Picnic with Social Distancing at 11:30 AM in our back parking lot

More information on this event coming in our next newsletter.

Acknowledging Memorials & Gifts Recent memorials and gifts have been made toward the following: Item: In Memory/Honor of: St. John’s Organ Fund Jerry Bonstrom’s Birthday St. John’s Memorial Fund Robert Faue St. John’s Children’s Merle Weinkauf Ministry (3rd grade Bibles)

September

Ushers Come join us! 8:00 Jim Marty, Parker & Enjoy some relaxed Cody Ryan, Jim Schleif, fun with PEP Steve Schleif, Gunnar (People Enjoying People). PEP VanLith meets on the first and third Tuesdays of 10:30 Lance Moy & every month in Room 121

Youth Volunteers across from Noah’s Ark Preschool. We begin with a brief Bible study followed by a Technology variety of activities which may include joke telling, cards and The Spencer Anderson games. We may not be Sound Jakob Annis meeting in September, so & Nicole Beckman please stay tuned to our YouTube Tim Berteau website for announcements Team Trent Johnson Tom Kortisses about when we will resume our Jill Marketon normal schedule. Coffee is Ludovic Marquette served; come whenever you Bill Morris can; stay as long as you want. Melissa Morris There is no regular commit- Connor Spadgenske ment. The more the merrier.

Contemporary Worship Team * St. John’s Wish List The Deb Chapa Team Josiah Clark Tables & Table Cart Pastor Clark Needed: $3,000 Aaron Kubasch Julie Larson Ongoing Areas: LeAnn March Noah’s Ark Preschool Peter March Melissa Morris St. John’s Building Fund St. John’s Scholarship Fund St. John’s Family Ministry Organists KRWC Radio Ministry The Sandi Baert St. John’s Women in Mission Team Deb Chapa St. John’s Music/Choirs Josiah Clark Vicar Chris Ryan St. John’s Technology Fund Jordayn Spike St. John’s Youth Ministry Linda Taylor Organ Maintenance Fund

* If normal schedule is resumed 6

For those interested in the Holy Ministry:

St. John's Pre-Seminary

What is it? Advanced seminary-level study of the Bible during the first half of the class, then an open forum on the mechanics of the Holy Ministry. Each class will contain a stand-alone review on a book of Scripture, followed by practi- cal techniques for conducting worship, counseling, sermon composure, intergenerational ministry, topical concerns, church history and day-to-day operation of a congregation. All students will be expected to prepare one sermon during the year.

When do we meet? Classes will meet every Monday evening 6:30-8:00 PM. Classes begin September 14th.

Is there a cost? No. All materials and tuition are free. Every student should bring a Bible that can be marked up during our studies. A copy of "Halley's Bible Handbook" would be helpful, but not required. All class handouts should be kept in a binder for future reference.

Classes will be led by Pastor Dave Taylor, Emeritus, LCMS. For additional information please call (763) 370-2423

Grief Support Group meets Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00pm at Buffalo Covenant Church from September 15—December 15. Experience a caring, confidential group where you can begin to heal. The facility is COVID compliant. Cost is $15 (scholarships available) 2 More Events: Video seminars open to the public. September 1—Loss of Spouse November 17—Surviving the Holidays So sign up or if you have questions, please contact Byron & Lisa Gjerstad at 763-245-3462.

Scholarships Available

St. John’s Lutheran Church is committed to the Christian Education for all of our students. As part of a Mission Outreach, we continue to provide scholarships for those families choosing to send their children to Christian Day Schools, High Schools, Colleges and the Seminary. Guidelines and applications for each level of schooling are available on the Church website. Contact Janice Marschel at 763-486-0670 with any further questions. It is the responsibility of the family to make application Kindergarten Bible Class for the scholarship funds. “Teach Me to Pray” February 11th & 18th St. John’s is looking for some tech- minded people! Would you like to be a part of our YouTube team that streams our live services, Bible studies and meetings? If interested, please contact the church office, Ludovic Marquette or Tom Kortisses.

WALKERS/DONATIONS Join us for two Sundays of a fun, NEEDED interactive and creative class on Join others from St. John’s in a Walk to Defeat ALS in how to pray with and for your memory of Pastor Phil. Please consider walking or making child now and as they grow! a donation to the St. John’s team: “Romans 8:1.” Kids and parents alike will get a Our walk is scheduled for:: hands-on chance to try out Saturday, September 19th in Rochester at 10:00 am different ways to talk to God For more information, contact Theresa Sabraski at [email protected] or 763-242-5389. through music, crafts, games and many resources! ** Those who participate in the Rochester walk are invited to the home of Bob & Karen Meyer (Pastor Phil’s parents) for

refreshments following the walk. This is a COVID compliant event. Class meets at 9:30am after Sunday School opening! 8 Questions or need more info 763-682-1883 [email protected]

Children & Family

Back to School Blessing! We hope you will join us Sunday, September 6 at both services for a special blessing for kids of all ages as they begin a new year of learning and growing. Join our church family as we celebrate this milestone in your children’s life!

Sunday School Begins September 13th

Mark your calendar for Rally Sunday on September 13, 2020. Join us in person or online with music, Bible stories, activities, games and more. Each month students who choose to participate from home, can pick up a packet of materials they can do along with us in class. Register your children for whatever format you choose, at stjohnsbuffalo.org. (All Sunday School students need to be registered to receive materials.)

Operation Christmas Child Items for September: For September, we will be collecting small plastic reusable water bottles. Thank you for continuing to donate throughout the year so that we can fill our boxes for this wonderful mission outreach!

Alison Tokkesdal 9/1 John Wedel 9/16 Presley Field 9/2 Sheila Dixon 9/17 Elijah Etzel 9/3 Robert Fieldseth 9/17 Judy Hanson 9/3 Neal Glessing 9/17 Tom Otten 9/3 Kendal Lambert 9/17 Roger Strege 9/3 Brenda Miller 9/18 Piper Stodola 9/5 Thomas Munger 9/18 Maurisa Wojciak 9/5 Connor Commerford 9/19 Odin Karstens 9/6 Theresa Sabraski 9/19 Joseph Zeidler 9/6 Amber Sedbrook 9/19 Millicent Hommerding 9/7 Lois Torkelson 9/19 Jory Louisiana 9/7 Joan Uecker 9/19 Margo Bonham 9/8 Andrew Husom 9/20 Dic Danielson 9/8 Isaiah Karels 9/20 Erika Holland 9/8 Burke Lambert 9/20 Sue Wheeler 9/8 Jennifer Hill 9/22 Kelly Annis 9/9 Rowan Karstens 9/22 Beatrice Goerke 9/9 Curtis Smith 9/22 Steve Torgerson 9/9 Maria Wilson 9/22 Raina Strenge 9/10 Tammy Bertsch 9/23 Austin Bonk 9/11 Jeff Groshens 9/23 Arlette Rolfes 9/11 Meredith Huikko 9/23 Mitchell Hilk 9/12 Emmit Lommel 9/23 Scott Bergman 9/13 Wilton Ludwig 9/23 Ralph Faue 9/14 Connor Spadgenske 9/23 Hannah Gatz 9/14 Bonnie Elfmann 9/25 Dan Headley 9/14 Jennifer Green 9/25 Leah Yager 9/15 Andrew Lambert 9/25 Pat Bergman 9/16 Richard Marquette 9/25 Taylor Graf 9/16 Lindsey Johnson 9/26 Audrey Hilk 9/16 Janice Marschel 9/26 Jackson Lindquist 9/16 Stella Nieskens 9/26 Ken Pierce 9/16 Mary Olson 9/26

Joyce Uecker 9/26 Priscilla McKenzie 9/29 Derek Ellis 9/27 Mason Valley 9/29 Tia Larson 9/27 Christopher Ferdig 9/30 Mike Matzek 9/27 Doug Hanson 9/30 Kim Spadgenske 9/27 Jacob Beckman 9/28 Kaitlin Berg 9/28 Rick Schmitz 9/28 Audria Wald 9/28 LeeAnn Yager 9/28 Henry Zea 9/28 David Green 9/29 Mark Hulett 9/29

Mark & Michaela Bremmer 9/1 Robin & Susan Kohn 9/13 Dan & Christine Husom 9/2 Frank & Marvel Korbel 9/14 Kyle & Tonia Swanson 9/2 Jeff & Sue Wheeler 9/15 Lee & Michelle Dalchow 9/3 Ron & Sharon Bruhn 9/16 Carl & Dorothy Bowman 9/5 Andrew & Bryn Lambert 9/16 Doug & Wendy Etzel 9/5 Nick & Becky Roskowiak 9/17 Brent & Kristine Laine 9/5 Steve & Carol Schleif 9/17 Ron & Bonnie Enter 9/6 Byron & Mavis Bonk 9/19 Greg & Connie Kramber 9/6 Eldon & Mary Peterson 9/20 Jason & Missy Schoen 9/6 Steve & Dawn Roster 9/20 Thad & Diana Ashwill 9/7 Don & Judy Lardy 9/21 Dwayne & Dolores Puffer 9/8 Dale & Karen Jans 9/23 Aaron & Elaine Reese 9/8 Brian & Judy Loberg 9/23 Seth & Nicole Elmquist 9/9 Lance & Brenda Moy 9/24 Gerry & Karie Giebenhain 9/9 Nick & Melissa Ungaro 9/24 Matt & Melanie Zach & Nicole Potter 9/25 Dokkebakken 9/10 Scott & Kim Spadgenske 9/25 Wally & Linda Krienke 9/10 Ken & LeeAnn Yager 9/25 Alan & Teresa Berg 9/11 Alvin & Bonnie Elfmann 9/26 Travis & Annie Ryan & Lorelei Whitney 9/27 Loebertmann 9/12 Dave & Nancy Zumbusch 9/27 Chris & Julie Pearsall 9/12 Scott & Leslie Gearey 9/30

Noah’s Ark

Welcome to the Noah’s Ark Team!

We are so excited to have Anne Harvey join our team as Lead Preschool teacher and Hope Katherine Clark join us as our Preschool Aide. Want to know more about these wonderful ladies? Check our website at: stjohnsbuffalo.org God has blessed us in many ways and continues to provide us with great staff. Please be sure to keep our preschool and staff in your prayers during this coming school year.

September 2020

Classes begin September 9th & 10th Our Bible theme this month is all about how “God Blesses Me & My World!” We will learn about the Bible and God’s House and hear how God made ME!

What is happening this month? Chapel is every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15am in the sanctuary – we look forward to meeting new friends (Ms. Kelly, Mr. Chris, Pastor Clark, and Katherine Clark) and enjoying special moments with Jesus.

Special Ministries & Life Groups

Spur one another on. Encourage one another. One another. The best way to do the 40-50ish “one anothers” of the Bible is together! And that is what LIFE GROUPS are all about. Doing life, as a group, together. Groups meet once a week to dive deeper into the sermon series for six weeks. Register on the St. John’s website (stjohnsbuffalo.org) or call the church office. Mark your calendar for the week of September 13th when most of our LIFE Groups will begin.

Day/Time Location Group Leaders Topic/

Mondays Church Dave & Dayna Tes- Marriage 6:30pm ke Sermon Series

Tuesdays Church Penny Steele Sermon Series 10am

Wednesdays TBD Janice Marschel You’ll Get 9:30am Through This by (begins Oct. Max Lucado 7th) Wednesdays Buffalo Josh & Erika Hol- Sermon Series 6:30pm land

Wednesdays Larson Jed & Del Larson Sermon Series 6:30pm Home

Thursdays Church Vicar Chris Ryan Sermon Series 6:30pm

stjohnsbuffalo.org/ministries/life-groups/

Youth

Calling all 9-12th Graders! Youth Group is back in session! Starting Wednesday, September 16th youth group is back in full swing. We will be meeting from 6:30pm to 8:00pm every Wednesday this school year! Come and have some food and fun while applying God’s truths to your life. This is an exciting new year with lots of events planned for you to attend. So join us and find out more!

***Please bring a mask! We will be meeting in the Family Life Center this fall rather than the Youth room.***

College Care Packages! We want to keep in touch with our church family after they graduate high school and transition to other places! If your child has started college in the last year or two or has recently moved away from home to pursue a new opportunity, we would like to send them a care package from their church family! Please contact the church office via email or a phone call with their address. These packages will be sent out by early October. 763-682-1883 or [email protected]

Confirmation Sunday 2020

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 25 at 10:30 AM for our annual Confirmation Service.

Due to COVID-19, we were unable to have our normal Confirmation Sunday in May. Please watch for more information regarding our Confirmation Retreat, which is being planned for fall.

Youth

Junior Youth Group! If you are in 6th-8th grade make sure to join us on Sunday, September 22nd for the start of Junior Youth Group! This will be from 5:00- 6:30PM and will include dinner. There will be food provided along with games, devotions, and a whole lot of fun! Friends are welcome!! For your future convenience, the dates for junior youth group during the fall semester are listed below. If you have any questions please contact Chris Ryan at (612) 704-5255.

Fall Dates: September 27th (@ Huikko’s 2:00-5:00PM), October 11th and 25th, November 1st, 15th, and 29th, December 13th (Christmas Party)

6th-8th Grade Confirmation Orientation

Wednesday, September 16th at 6:30pm

« 7th-8th grade families, please bring your insurance card or copy of it.

Family Bowling & Mini Golf Event @ Huikko’s— September 27th Come anytime from 2:00-5:00 PM $10.00 per person gets you... · Unlimited bowling · Unlimited Mini Golf · Free shoe rental and $5.00 goes back to St. Johns Youth Mission Trip! Play a game of mini golf or go bowling or do both! For more information contact Chris or Kelly @ 763-682-1883 ** Masks needed for bowling

LWML/WIM/St. John’s Women

WIM (Women In Mission) is slowing working our way back to “normal”. We are supporting our Mites by returning to advertising the Mission grants that they support on the second to the last Sunday of each month. The Board has met in person (with social distancing and masked) for the July and August meetings. We plan to resume our “Sunday Funday” on September 20th. We have the opportunity to have Kerry Friedman, a young woman from Becker, MN who had the joy of traveling with Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to the country of Georgia to distribute the OCC boxes, come and share that experience with us. It will begin at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We also have 78 pillowcase dresses cut out and ready to be finished. They then will be included in the Operation Christmas Child boxes. If this project is something that interests you, please contact Priscilla McKenzie or the church office. You are invited to our next meeting which is on Thursday, September 3rd, at church at 5:30 p.m. Our biggest concern right now is to decide IF. . . and then how to conduct our Country Fair. It is scheduled for Saturday, November 14th, 2020. Should we postpone till next March, should we attempt to have it online, or is there a safer way? If you have ideas, concerns, or any input on the Country Fair or anything else for our group, please attend this meeting or email me at: [email protected]. Finally, I ask that you include the WIM board in your prayers for the Lord to guide us on our decision. If we decide to cancel for this year, we would be looking for an alternate way to raise funds for missions.

Remember the motto: Serve the Lord with Gladness

Mary Bremmer

Women in Mission 53rd Annual Country Fair for Missions

Our 53rd Country Fair for Missions is tentatively set for Saturday, November 14, from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fair committee met on August 6th and discussed whether we’ll be able to hold it this year. If we do, we’ll follow the CDC and MN Dept of Health safety guidelines so our event will be different from past years, unless restrictions are lifted by then. We may not be able to serve food, as one example. The Women in Mission Board and Country Fair Committee will make a final decision about it at the September 3rd meeting. We welcome any input you have prior to that date. Our Heavenly Father has richly blessed the mission project for decades, and we’ve supported many organizations with the proceeds. Please pray that God will guide us and lead us to the right decision. Contact us with questions, suggestions, or comments: Clarine Meyer: 320-274-2421, Connie Boonstra: 763-682-6668, Chris Husom: 763-682-3997, Mary Bremmer: 763-682-5581, or Priscilla McKenzie: 763-567-0893. Thank you!

Women in Mission “Mites Sunday” Our Women in Mission will have a “Mites Sunday” once per month to provide monies for the mission grants voted on at the LWML Minnesota South District Convention. For September: Minnesota South District Student Aid Scholarships: The MN South District offers scholarships to LCMS students studying at one of the Concordia University system school to become professional church workers. The training and equipping of men and women for full-time professional ministry in the Church is imperative. This grant provides aid to current and future mission workers. Please consider giving an offering in our Mites Offering box as you leave worship today or take home a box of your own and turn back in!

Quarterly Voter’s Meeting 7/19/2020

Call to Order: Tim Vergin Trustees and a generous donation for Open with Prayer: Pastor Clark our Little Library. This is a great REPORTS: outreach for all ages. Pastor’s Report: Pastor referred to his Noah’s Ark: Kelly expressed her thanks report as printed. Since March 2nd he and gratitude to Ms. Emily and Ms. Jodi has been praying regularly for the Holy for all their time and dedication to our Spirit to lead and guide us through all preschool. With their departure, we of this. The Lord went before us and are on God’s mission as our first God placed on our hearts to have a priority. We have hired Ann Harvey as Technology Committee. A big thank our new Preschool Teacher. Our plan you to that Committee! We have been is to operate as normal and move averaging 125 total in attendance for forward in faith. Please continue to our in-person services since we keep Noah’s Ark Preschool in your reopened on June 7th. Pastor stated prayers. The potential is great and God he has been in this role for 18 years is good. and have served with great staff, but Special Ministries: Katherine Clark he is having more fun than ever with referred to her report as printed. our staff and is praising God for all of Katherine encourages all to think them. Please continue to pray for the about joining a LIFE Group. Choir—this 800+ churches needing Pastors. is on hold and to be determined in this Pastor is planning on the fall being next phase of COVID. Prayers for all to normal with all the events—Family Fun remain connected. Fest, Sunday School, and Confirmation. Financial Secretary & Treasurer Services will be live streamed for the Reports: Reports were presented by foreseeable future. Jim Chapa. Jim called out how amazing Youth Ministry: Vicar was amazed by it has been to watch our church at our VBS, calling it incredible! Vicar work. Even though we are down 15% referred to his report as printed. He is from last year, we are remaining under excited about meeting once again in our cost of expenses! Praise God! person with the Youth. Thank you all General Fund Contributions and for your continued support. SMP is Expenses: going well and he is enjoying his Contributions YTD $374,936 classes. Vicar is looking forward to Expenses $349,292 assisting with the shut-ins. Net Increase (Decrease) $25,645 Children & Family Ministry: Kelly Missions $12,641 referred to her report as printed. Kelly A motion to accept the financial reports stated she has been at this church 13 as printed was made by Janice years and it has been so nice to live in Marschel and seconded by Chris the potential of this congregation in Husom – motion carried. this great cloud of witnesses. Drive-in Jim then referenced a Noah’s Ark VBS worked well. 60 to-go kits were Budget Handout of the funding history. made and 50 went out. God worked Due to COVID, there is a need to obtain through it! Being outside allowed us to temporary approval for added funds show a taste of what is going on in this from this year’s budget until we church. Thank you to our wonderful complete next year’s budget. Kyle

Bjork made the motion to approve BOARD & COMMITTEE REPORTS: this addition. Dave Haggerty Printed reports for the following seconded the motion. Motion were included in the meeting carried. packet: Additionally, there was a Trustees- Scott Spadgenske stated recommendation to review the Office they are awaiting a quote on the Administrator position regarding door locks. time and pay. Previously, we had Stewardship two working in the office—one full- Evangelism time and one part-time. Our current Missions Office Administrator has been Memorials/Gifts spending more time on her duties Gift/Estate due to the needs of our church. Jim Building Finance explained the financials in the report Fellowship and the recommendations. After Women in Mission –Priscilla added further discussion, a motion was that the Women in Mission made 76 made by Scott Spadgenske to dresses for the Operation Christmas approve the recommendations. Child. Country Fair –planning August Mussell seconded the meeting will be in August to consider motion. Motion carried. safety of this event. MITE Sunday Elders: Kyle Bjork presented the brought in $4400 to be contributed. membership changes from the Project Compassion/Health Cabinet fourth quarter. A motion was made MOSES Ministry by Lauri Hayes and seconded by Library Dave Haggerty to accept the Decorating-Suzy has resigned from membership changes as printed in this role the quarterly meeting documenta- Technology- Thank you for all your tion. Motion carried. Kyle reported help during challenging times. that the Elder Board’s focus is the Other Business: None at this time. spiritual needs and reconnecting of the congregation. Additionally, Kyle All closed with Prayer. encouraged all to bring the board Meeting adjourned by Tim Vergin their ideas and needs on what we There were 27 in attendance in can do for them. Kyle reported that person and 13 online at this voter’s the Annual reviews for the staff were meeting. completed. Respectfully submitted by New Business: Nominations of Lori Mussell Officers-Head Elder, Head Trustee, Secretary. Please bring your suggestions to the Council, or a board member. These will be voted on at the next Quarterly Voter’s Meeting in October. Old Business: Nothing to report

Board Meeting Minutes 7/21/2020

Call to Order (online meeting) 6:30 Clearing out and cleaning up our p.m.: Tim Vergin classrooms; Brainstorm and prepare Open with Prayer: Pastor Clark for possible COVID adjustments to our Secretary’s Report: Motion made by Children and Family Ministries. We will Roger Strege and seconded by Jim be trying a new curriculum that gives us Chapa to accept the June Board the ability to share with families who meeting minutes. Motion carried. choose to stay home or in-person. We Pastor’s Report: Pastor Clark reported are still working out the details on that the summer sermon series on volunteers, classrooms or class Heaven has concluded. He stated that structure. We hope begin our year on in over his four years here, he has not September 13th. had as much positive feedback on a Noah’s Ark: Kelly additionally reported sermon series. Visitations are going the below updates for Noah’s Ark. well with Vicar’s support. Sunday in – 2020-2021 School year: Currently our person services are getting very close 3&4 year old class is full with 14 to capacity. Pastor stated that our staff students, a waiting list, and our 4&5 is so great to work with and it is really a year old class is half way full at 13. joy to work here. Pastor Hanon is While we typically continue to do tours retiring from visitations. and get registrations, many people are Youth Ministry updates: Vicar Ryan holding off, to see how things develop shared that they had a bonfire at and what a new year will look like. We Spadgenske’s which was well attended. continue to pray that our preschool can They are looking to plan a kick-off event continue to move forward. On for this year. Additionally, they are 7/26/20: We will be celebrating Ms. looking at potential options for the Jodi in service. We want to thank her 2021 Mission trip. Confirmation for the time she gave to our preschool Sunday will be October 25th, with the and congratulate her on her new Confirmation Lock-in potentially adventure. If you would like to send a planned for October 2nd or the 9th. SMP word of thanks please do so. is going well. The Tuesday night Men’s Upcoming in our preschool: LIFE group is going well. We are excited to welcome our new Child & Family Ministry: Kelly Thole lead teacher- Anne Harvey. Anne and reported that VBS was well received her family have been a part of our and it was great to see our God at preschool with their three daughters. work! Each morning during the week, Anne herself has a degree in early Kelly lead a music opening and short childhood and served this age group for themed lesson outside by the main many years before taking a break to entrance. Families could watch from raise her girls. We are excited to home or join from the upper church welcome Anne onto our St. Johns staff. parking lot. Each child received a box of She will officially begin the end of take-home supplies and projects they August. We are still seeking a could use to extend the lesson at Preschool aide but have many great home. Huge thank you to all the candidates. We are looking to begin volunteers and also to Thrivent for their interviews at the beginning of August. financial support. As of now we plan to move forward Little Library: We had a special camera without current enrollment and times. blessing to celebrate the opening of our We will adhere to CDC requirements Little church library. We encourage kids and make some adjustments to our and adult to check it out! classroom, limit the number people in Upcoming events include: Working to the building and pick up and drop off. create a children and family Board; With the ever-changing information 22 from Covid-19, we are date. trying to plan for the future. While any New Business: None at this time scenario will involve a new policy. While Old Business: Nominations for the there are many things about this year position of Secretary are still needed. that are uncommon and bizarre, we feel Nominations for Head Elder and Head confident that God has a plan and a Trustee were accepted by Kyle Bjork, hand in our preschool. We believe in and Scott Spadgenske respectively. the vision of Christian education for our Kyle Bjork will bring the open secretary community and the mission field here position to the Elder Board for ideas. in our own building that reaches far BOARD & COMMITTEE REPORTS: beyond our walls. We ask for continued Elders: Kyle Bjork reported that the earnest prayer to guide us through elders have their focus on navigating these many decisions. We plan to COVID and reaching out for readers initiate online payments for families for and help with Communion. They the 2020-2021 school year through continue to pray for members and staff. Breeze. We are also in the process of Trustees: Scott Spadgenske reported creating Preschool scholarship forms that we are still working on obtaining for families seeking assistance. an individual quote for each door for Special Ministries: Katherine Clark has the improvement of the locks. been working on the website updates Stewardship: Tim Vergin stated they are keeping the information current—with looking to have a fundraiser for the weekly registration banners, VBS debenture program and potentially the banner/content, etc. She has con- organ repairs. tinued her work on the Connect Card to Evangelism: Roger Strege reported that connect with people who are viewing the Family Fun Fest is being planned services, and submitting prayer for Sunday, September 13th. This will requests. She assisted with VBS by be a scaled down event with limited connecting attenders and neighbor- games and food, in the parking lot out- hood guests. She has worked with the side of the Family Life Center entrance. Elders connecting with their groups. More details to follow. With the Youth, she has been helping Fellowship: No formal report with the Summer Wednesday morning Women In Mission (LWML): No formal Bible study. Most LIFE Groups have report concluded for the summer. Katherine Library: No formal report will be conducting a refresher/training Project Compassion/Health Cabinet: course for those interested in leading a Sandi Baert requested that we please group. Please pray about leading a reach out to others, as there are many LIFE group. The goal is to move beyond dealing with anxiety. This group will be the 20% of those that help with this. having a card making event on 8/19, Financial Secretary & Treasurer anyone may help. Reports: Jim Chapa presented the Missions: No formal report Monthly Financial Overview as well as Technology: Lu Marquette reported that the Monthly Summary Statement of they are awaiting a date to install the Income & Expenses for June. Motion to new system from Farber. Next items on accept reports as written was made by the agenda, they will be reviewing the Scott Spadgenske, seconded by Roger Staff computers. Technology group is Strege. Motion carried. General Fund looking for assistance with YouTube, Contributions and Expenses for June: please step up if willing. Contributions $57,253 Decorating: No formal report Expenses 51,910 There were 12 in attendance. Net Increase (Decrease) 5,343 Vicar Ryan closed with prayer. Missions 584 Meeting adjourned by Tim Vergin on a Jim noted the PPE loan funds are in the motion from Roger Strege. savings and have not been utilized to Respectfully submitted by Lori Mussell 23

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