Dear blessed people of St. John's,

Lent is our "time out" season to move away from things that take us away from God, and adopt "holy habits" (prayer, bible study, sacrament of the present moment, worship) that draw us closer to God. How's it going? If it is not going so well thus far, not to worry - there is still time, and God is patient and forgiving (although also He is longing for more of you). We do become easily discouraged when we set goals, and then things happen or life stressors overwhelm us, and we lose our resolve. We seem to forget that we have God's strength to draw from -- so if we pray each time we try a new "holy habit" we find that God helps us keep it, and picks us up so we can try again when we fail. God is not wagging a judgmental finger at you when you slip, but rather has open arms to welcome you back as you try again.

There are many wonderful opportunities to aid you in observing a Holy Lent at St. John's this year: take advantage of them! If you have never come to the Wednesday Bible Study at 11, change your schedule for just one week in Lent and come -- check it out! If you have not participated in the Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, come and see (see schedule below). If you are not used to going to any of the services during Holy Week, change that this year and come to one or more. You see, we are to walk through the Passion of Christ during Holy Week. It is a personal week to pilgrimage through, and well worth planning your schedule around. It is through these powerful liturgies that we can see, maybe for the first time, why Easter Sunday (March 31) is the biggest day of the Christian church. We are Resurrection people! Full appreciation of the Resurrection, this glorious day when we celebrate the living Christ, is only possible through participating in Holy Week.

May God richly bless you this Lent and Easter with a deeper faith in your Savior Jesus Christ.Pastor Mary+

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St. John's Episcopal Church Newsletter

Shawano, Wisconsin

March, 2013

UPCOMING at St. John's DURING MARCH:Wednesday, March 6,13,20: 11 AM Bible Study, 12 noon worship, 6:30 PM Stations of the CrossSunday, March 17: Confirmations and Receptions, Bishop Jacobus Visitation; Blessing of the St. John's Statue (carving); Potluck Lunch

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:Sunday, March 24: Palm Sunday (begin in Hall for Palm procession into church)

Wednesday, March 27: Holy Wednesday Eucharist at noon in chapel, 6:30 PM Stations of the crossThursday, March 28: Maundy Thursday service at 7 PM,

followed by prayer Vigil in the chapel (8-midnight)Friday, March 29: Good Friday services at 6:30 AM and noon

(with veneration of the cross at noon) and 6:30 PM Stations of the crossSunday, March 31: Easter Sunday: Resurrection Eucharist, 9:30 AM

(followed by refreshments and an Easter egg hunt for children)

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Diocesan Bishop Search Process -- Theological StatementThe Diocesan process for calling a new bishop is ongoing. Below is the recently published, Theological Statement for the Search

for the Eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac, from the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. See website for up-to-date information on the process, http://www.episcopalfonddulac.org/bishopsearch/index.htm.The choice and election of a bishop for the

Diocese of Fond du Lac is of critical importance to the faith of the people of the diocese as well as their relationship to the wider Anglican Communion. A bishop is given the charge to “guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church” by “proclaiming Christ’s resurrection” and the salvation that comes from our faith in Him, to teach and encourage the clergy and people of the diocese to

live out their faith with actions that reflect Christ’s love so that all can declare with St. Paul, “it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20) It is a given that whomever we elect will have a long term impact on what we become in the future. The Diocese of Fond du Lac no longer deserves the nickname “fond of lace.” We are diverse Episcopalians with different ideas about

the traditions of the church, their implications and the effect on the people in the pews. We still have a strong tradition of what some people would call “high” church, sometimes expressed as Anglo-Catholicism – a preference for well-designed ceremony in our

worship as well as a “high” view of the importance of the sacraments as a means for people to most appropriately and effectually connect with God through Christ. We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the word of God (because God inspired their human

authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible). And with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are able to understand how the teachings of the Scriptures apply to our lives (see 2nd Peter 1:20). The people gather regularly to acknowledge the holiness of God and to offer God praise and thanksgiving, recognizing the presence of God among their fellow worshipers, as they hear God’s word proclaimed from the Scriptures and in the receiving of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Our bishop must nurture the unity we have in Christ Jesus in the midst of our diverse perspectives. It is, therefore, more important for the people of

the diocese to respect differences, and to work together in an effort to live out our faith, than to be divided and ineffectual in the proclamation of God’s kingdom. So the person we elect as our bishop should be a faithful pastor to all, who seeks not to be served

but to serve, who will teach and guide the people into that closer relationship with God that is the desire of all.

Youth Sunday at St. John's and Bowling Outing exciting!

Children and youth of St. John's were involved in most of the aspects of the service during Youth Sunday on February 10. It was a wonderful event, prompted by the visit by Diocesan Lay Canon Tony Walter. Tony gave the children's sermon (see photo at left), and spoke during coffee hour regarding upcoming Diocesan events for youth grades 6-12: Happening, New Beginnings, and Summer Camp. Tony also spoke with our new Youth Leader, Meghan Keberlein, about how she would receive training to lead our youth in the coming year(s). During worship, children and youth helped by serving as Lay Readers (see photo at left; Art Freiberg, Jr. Warden, coordinated their reading) and by reading the Prayers of the People (Ted Myers), and serving as Greeter/Ushers. Wendy Hafner provided a yummy cake during coffee hour in celebration of this day. Thanks to everyone who made this so special!

Then, on the afternoon of Sunday, February 17, the youth of St. John's, with adult chaperones, were treated to a fun time bowling by the Church (see photo at left). Everyone had a great time! Thanks to Wendy for organizing this fun time, and to all the adults who came along too -- looks like everyone had a fantastic time!

Sunday School continues each Sunday, with a fun lesson that relates to Bible verses of the day - then we talk about them at the Children's Sermon too.

Wendy Hafner

Explorer's Classes --Continues through March 10All invited - bring your faith questions 10:45-11:45 A.M.Date TopicMarch 3 Different denominations; Sacraments: Great sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion,

the other five sacramentsMarch 10 Living as a Christian, Moral Decision Making, Engaging the World Preparing for Confirmation

or reception on March 17

Copies of sermons are available in the halland on the website.

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Maundy Thursday Vigil:Sign up for an hour to pray in the Chapel between 8 PM and midnight on March 28

(sign up sheet in the Hall). Resources to enhance your

prayer time provided. Mark 14: 37 Jesus said,

"Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and

pray."

UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS: March 15-17: "Happening" weekend, fun for youth grades 9-12.March 26, 11 am: Chrism Mass on Tuesday of Holy Week, St. Paul's Cathedral in Fond du Lac, all invited.April 27-28: "New Beginnings" overnight for grades 6-8.April 26(7pm)-April 28: Cursillo – are you interested in participating in a fun spiritual renewal weekend and meeting some new friends? Cursillo is for you. Please consider going to the upcoming Cursillo weekend. For more information, see Mary or Art Freiberg and the website: www.monarchcursillo.org

see website for details http://diofdl.org/

Don't miss the Easter egg hunt to be held during coffee hour

on Easter Sunday morning, March 31.

Come one, come all -- children!

And adults, please donate baskets, plastic eggs and small candies and gifts to be put into

the eggs for the children to find. You may leave your

donations in the Hall.

The St. John wood carving at the side door of the church will be blessed by Bishop Jacobus on March 17 after mass. In this recent photo (by Marlene Brown) with the snow pattern at the base of the carving, some have seen the images of Mary and Joseph. Can you see them?

PLANS FOR PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 24, REFLECT THE MEANING OF THE DAY:This year, we will begin our Palm Sunday worship in the Hall -- with the traditional liturgy of the Palms, and process into the Church waving palms and singing "All Glory Laud and Honor" accompanied by trumpet (thank

you, Ted). This is a joyous time where we reenact the "Triumphant Entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem, when the people cried out with joy "Hosanna." We know the story does not end there, however. Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, is a week when we journey with Jesus through the dramatic events that occurred leading to his crucifixion. After the waving of the Palms, things take a serious turn -- and the journey to the cross begins. Palm Sunday is the Sunday when we dramatically read the Passion Gospel. After the procession into the Church, we will have a dramatic transition into the journey with Jesus to the cross. There will be a dramatic pause

between the procession and the beginning of the service, to help us prepare our hearts and minds for this journey of Jesus where He gave His life for us.

Newcomers 4

St. John’s Altar Guild will be busy preparing for the increased services during the Lenten season which includes Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. All this in preparation for the glorious celebration of Easter.

Marlene own

PANCAKE SUPPER A GREAT SUCCESS The 15th Annual pancake lunch/supper on February 12 was a great success. The pancakes were served from

11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and by noon we had served almost 100 people, in spite of icy sidewalks and some bad roads. The total served was 212, and counting the help that snitched as they worked, we used 120 pounds of potatoes and 50 pounds of sausage links.

The waitresses, cooks, clean-up people were great. Things went smoothly and people were served quickly with good, hot food.

The 50/50 raffle left us with $59.00, until the kind person that won the raffle gave us back $50.00.The basket raffle, engineered by Kristi Onesti, with lots of good help, brought in $655.00.My sincere thanks to everyone who donated food, and helped in any way. It was a very successful, fun

filled day, and a pleasant trip to the bank to deposit $2184.00 --Sue Sazama

Don't miss the Easter egg hunt to be held during coffee hour

on Easter Sunday morning, March 31.

Come one, come all -- children!

And adults, please donate baskets, plastic eggs and small candies and gifts to be put into

the eggs for the children to find. You may leave your

donations in the Hall.

The cupboard is again well stocked with Welcome Jars containing ingredients for making a hearty pot of Calico Bean Soup. Donations for this ministry are always welcome. Quart jars, dried beans, bouillon cubes, 12” squares of appropriate fabric and raffia and/or ribbon. This is an important and enjoyable ministry, if you wish to help, contact Marlene Brown.

Prayer Circle MinistryThis powerful ministry has been busy this past month. Thank to the many who

pray for all those in need. If you or someone you know needs prayers please call Pastor Mary, or Marlene Brown.

OUTREACH UPDATE: Help with the Shawano Community Meal -- stay tuned for more information! Please bring your donations of food, toiletries, kitchen

cleaning items when you come to Church each Sunday for our ongoing reaching out to those in need through the local food pantry (SafeParc) and the local domestic abuse shelter (SafeHaven). Please place

donations in baskets in back of church or Hall. Kristi Onesti, Outreach Coordinator

United Thank OfferingUTO is also one of our outreach opportunities. UTO blue boxes/envelopes for each of us to offer coins in

gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Every dollar gathered is spent on the church’s mission and ministry, both here and abroad. St. John’s outreach ministry has received extremely generous grants from UTO in the past. Most recently a grant for the hearing loop installed at St. John’s this year. In 2012 our UTO drive realized $334.42. Our challenge in 2013 is to exceed last year’s total. Plunk $ into your blue boxes at home! Marlene

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Important Upcoming DatesMarch 3 : Bishop's Committee meetingMarch 15-17: Happening weekend for grades 9-12March 17: Bishop Jacobus here for ConfirmationsMarch 24: Palm SundayMarch 26, 11 am: Chrism Mass, St. Paul's Cathedral in Fond du Lac, all invitedMarch 27: 12 noon, Holy EucharistMarch 28: 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday mass, followed by the Vigil in the ChapelMarch 29: 6:30 AM and Noon, Good Friday services in the churchMarch 31: Easter Sunday, with Easter egg hunt for children

This Month at the Church: March Calendar~ March 2013 ~ April ►

SunM

on Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat1 2

3 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday School, Followed by soup/bread and Explorer's Class; Bishop's Committee meeting at 11:45

4 5 6 11:00 AM Bible Study12:00 – 12:30 Noonday prayer6:30 PM Stations of the Cross

7 8 9

10 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday School, Followed by soup/bread and Explorer's Class

11 12 13 11:00 AM Bible Study12:00 – 12:30 Holy Eucharist in chapelPastor Mary available for appointments6:30 PM Stations of the Cross

14 15 16

17 BISHOP JACOBUS,CONFIRMATION9:30 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday School, Followed by potluck lunch

18 19 20 11:00 AM Bible Study12:00 – 12:30 Noonday prayer6:30 PM Stations of the Cross

21 22 23

24 PALM SUNDAYBegin Procession in the Hall9:30 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday School, Followed by soup/bread and fellowship

25 26 27 Holy Wednesday11:00 AM Bible Study12:00 – 12:30 Holy Eucharist in chapelPastor Mary available for appointments6:30 PM Stations of the Cross

28 Maundy Thursday

7 PM: Holy Eucharist Maundy Thursday service followed by

29 Good Friday6:30 AM Good Friday service

12:00 noon: Good Friday service, veneration of the cross6:30 PM Stations of the Cross

30 Holy Saturday

31 Easter Sunday: Christ's Resurrection9:30 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, Sunday School, Followed by refreshments and Easter egg hunt

Notes:Bishop Jacobus is here for Confirmation on March 17; potluck lunchPalm Sunday on March 24Holy Week services on March 27, 28, 29Easter Sunday on March 31; Easter egg hunt for children following mass

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