THE VOICE Page 1 a Newsletter for the Members and Friends of St
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August 2015 THE VOICE Page 1 A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From Our Pastor Dear Friends in Christ, The future of the church is in good hands. Last Sunday, four adults and 16 of our young people returned from the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering. This is a gathering that occurs every three years, and it is one of the things that we do best as a denomination. This year’s Youth Gathering was held in Detroit, Michigan. In 2018, we will be heading to Houston, Texas. One of the frequent questions that I was asked prior to this year’s gathering was, “So, why Detroit?” The simple answer is that the city of Detroit invited us to come and, in many ways, needed us to come. To come and learn about the people and the culture of Detroit. To come and learn about the history of Detroit. To come and serve the people of Detroit. On our Day of Justice (Servant Day), we were bussed out to the Osborn Neighborhood in north- east Detroit. If you know Detroit, the Osborn neighborhood is surrounded by 8 Mile Road, McNichols Road, Gratiot Avenue, and Van Dyke. In 2012, Jeff Siedel of the Detroit Free Press said "The neighborhood surrounding Osborn High School looks like a cracked, empty shell. Everywhere you look, there are broken windows, overgrown weeds, barbed wire fences and abandoned homes.” Three years later, it’s even worse. Our task on Thursday, July 16, was to clear the yards of two vacant homes. We were teamed up with two Lutheran churches. One from Madison, Wisconsin, and the other from Clinton, Iowa. We cut down small trees, scythed tall weeds, raked mown grass, and hauled tons of trash out to the curb. It was hot, dirty work, but our kids knew the theme was “Rise Up Detroit”, and they rose to the challenge. They worked very hard, and the fruit of our labor was quite apparent. When you come to worship on August 16, we will show you the before and after photos of the 2 houses we transformed. Our Thursday work crew was followed up by two additional work crews on Friday and Saturday. These crews finished the clean up and then boarded up the houses. The plan is for the homes to be entered into a Land Bank to eventually be torn down or renovated (if possible). The vacant land can be purchased for very little by a neighboring homeowner or turned into Green Space or a community garden. I was able to talk with one of the residents of the neighborhood, and he was so appreciative that we would come from all over America to make his neighborhood a better place. “So, why Detroit?” In order that we may serve and love God, by serving and loving God’s people who live in Detroit. So thank you to our Youth Gathering chaperones: Jamie Pustay, Diane Boelkens, and Kristen Swihart for your leadership. And thank you Youth Gathering participants: Lindsay Boelkens, Megan & Emily Pustay, Megan & DJ Rolf, Kristen & Rachel Deal, Tessa & Anna Linke, Alex Reitz, Erik Withrow, Noah Cygnor, Kaylyn Swihart, Sam Heinze, Jessica Orth, and Jessica Densic. The future of the church is in good hands. Blessings, Pastor Daniel G. Beaudoin August 2015 THE VOICE Page 2 A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - National Youth Gathering 2015 August 2015 THE VOICE Page 3 A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Our Vision: "Spiritual Practices for the Sake of the World" 1. DAILY PRAYER In our prayers (from July bulletins): Linda Polzin, Toledo Hospital Bob Reitzel, health concerns Bill Staib, recovering from ankle surgery Jerry Reitzel, recovering from surgery Jim Umbaugh, recovering from surgery Baptism of Ethan Carl Brinker Baptism of Tony, Heather, Isaac, Levi, and Deacon Orth David & Kristy Williams, upon the birth of a son, Kade Benedikt, on June 26 Marriage of Henry and Mary (Eschedor) Buzza Marriage of Joshua and Michelle Beaudoin in Athens, TX, on July 25 Pastor Jim Budke, 40th Anniversary of Ordination Prayer of thanksgiving for a wonderful VBS week & for the volunteers, teachers, students & parents Youth Gathering Participants and Chaperones Persecuted Christians in the Middle East Lucille Larcom family, upon her death Pauline Gaertner family, upon her death Warren Hale family, upon the death of his mother, Doris Marion Welling family, upon the death of her brother, Donald Dunn Harold Titkemeier, upon the death of his brother, Jon Judy Bamford family, upon the death of her brother, John Klepacz Family and friends of the five servicemen killed in Chattanooga, TN - Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan - Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells - Staff Sgt. David Wyatt - Sgt. Carson Holmquist - Petty Officer Randall Smith 2. DAILY BIBLE READING Daily Bible Reading: During the summer we will be reading through the Book of Acts. Take some time each day to read and reflect on God's Holy Word. August 1 Acts 19:21-41 August 12 Acts 22:22-29 August 23 Acts 26:19-23 August 2 Acts 20:1-6 August 13 Acts 22:30-23:11 August 24 Acts 26:24-32 August 3 Acts 20:7-12 August 14 Acts 23:12-22 August 25 Acts 27:1-12 August 4 Acts 20:13-16 August 15 Acts 23:23-35 August 26 Acts 27:13-38 August 5 Acts 20:17-38 August 16 Acts 24:1-23 August 27 Acts 27:39-44 August 6 Acts 21:1-16 August 17 Acts 24:24-27 August 28 Acts 28:1-10 August 7 Acts 21:17-26 August 18 Acts 25:1-12 August 29 Acts 28:11-16 August 8 Acts 21:27-36 August 19 Acts 25:13-22 August 30 Acts 28:17-22 August 9 Acts 21:37-22:5 August 20 Acts 25:23-27 August 31 Acts 28:23-31 August 10 Acts 22:6-16 August 21 Acts 26:1-11 August 11 Acts 22:17-21 August 22 Acts 26:12-18 August 2015 THE VOICE Page 4 A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. WEEKLY WORSHIP 4. GENEROUS GIVING Summer Worship (through Sunday, Sept. 6) Financial Giving as of July 26, 2015 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service General Fund Income (Year-to-Date) 9:30 a.m. Fellowship time 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service Budget Actual Difference 3:00 p.m. Quiet Communion (1st Sunday of the month) $198,747 $182,286 ($16,461) Fellowship time between the two services at 9:30 a.m. (Year-to-Date) We will return to winter hours on September 12, 2015 Benevolence Fund June/July Worship Attendance Budget Actual Difference $17,361 $15,391 ($1,970) June 7 ~ 230 July 5 ~ 179 June 14 ~ 243 July 12 ~ 209 (Copies of current Financial Reports are in the information June 21 ~ 231 July 19 ~ 183 holders located to the right of the Prayer Desk in Narthex.) June 28 ~ 237 July 26 ~ 168 St. John’s is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions or a one-time contribution and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply follow these easy steps: Visit the church website: www.stjohnsstonyridge.net 1. Click on the Give Generously button. 2. Click on the Create Profile button, then 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring or one- time contributions. If you are currently giving on a weekly or monthly basis, you will no longer need to write out checks or prepare envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. If you need additional information about the on-line giving please contact Rachel Abbey or Shirley Johnson. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEMORIALS AUGUST BIRTHDAYS In Loving Memory of (Those over 74 years young!) Donald Koskie Aug. 2 Edward Cochrane , P.O. Box 338, Lemoyne, 43441 Joe and Nancy Nycz Margaret Sheldrick & family Aug. 5 Claire Schober, 4760 Hanley Rd., Millbury, 43447 Jennifer Honsberger Aug. 8 Joanne Schulte , P.O. Box 274, Stony Ridge, 43463 Lorraine Haricombe Aug. 19 Richard Otte, P.O. Box 267, Luckey, 43443 Lucille Larcom St. John's WELCA Aug. 23 Kathleen Holzman, 29217 Bates Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Rick, Lynda & Michael Lees Aug. 26 Ruth Powell, 6891 William Dr., Perrysburg, 43551 Pauline Gaertner St. John's WELCA Aug. 30 Ed Brough, 24473 Bradner Rd., Genoa, 43430 Sharon & Ted Bitter Aug. 31 Alethea Michel, 6467 Five Point Rd., Perrysburg, 43551 Madonna Henderson St. John's Rebekah Circle Aug. 31 Roger Ramsey, P.O. Box 812, Perrysburg, 43552 August 2015 THE VOICE Page 5 A newsletter for the members and friends of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stony Ridge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PASTORAL ACTS Baptisms Funerals Ethan Carl Brinker (6/21/15) Lucille Larcom (6/16/15) Tony and Heather, Isaac, Levi & Deacon Orth (7/12/15) Pauline Gaertner (6/22/15) Weddings Henry and Mary (Eschedor) Buzza (7/4/15) Joshua and Michelle (Lyon) Beaudoin (7/25/15) SUMMER SERMON SERIES CONTINUES Aug. 2 ~ Cornelius (Acts 10:1-33) August 23 ~ Lydia (Acts 16:11-15) Aug. 9 ~ Timothy (Acts 16:1-5) August 30 ~ Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) SOCIAL MINISTRIES Sunday Specials for August Shared Bounty is collecting shampoo & conditioner Food Pantry is collecting sweet potatoes and cereal Please place in the bin in the coatroom.