Schubert - St. John's Lutheran...

THE MESSENGER NEWSLETTER DECEMBER, 2017

MESSENGER NEWSLETTER ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

“The small church with a BIG heart: Ordinary people With an extra ordinary message!

Pastor Gerald Scheperle (573) 395-4591 (church) (573) 395-9954 (home)

E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.stjohnslutheranjc.com

Schubert Babbtown (Near Meta) 4409 St. John’s Road 7075 Highway P Jefferson City, MO 65101 Westphalia, MO 65085

Volume 49, Issue 12 DECEMBER, 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Schubert and Babbtown News Usher & Communion Schedule

Acolyte Schedule Calendar for December, 2017

WORSHIP SCHEDULE BABBTOWN

8:00 A.M. Worship (Holy Communion 2nd & 4th Sunday)

9:10 A.M. Sunday school & Bible Study SCHUBERT

9:00 A.M. Sunday school 9:30 Adult Bible Study

10:00 A.M. Worship with (Holy Communion)

DECEMBER AT A GLANCE Dec 2 Sommerer Benefit, Honey Creek Dec 3 Christmas Practice 12-2 Dec 5 Pastors Conference 9 am Dec 6 Honey Creek Chapel, WkDay/Conf 6 pm, Choir 6 pm, Worship 7 pm, Elders

following. Dec 7 Ladies Aid, Oscar’s 6 pm Dec10 Christmas Practice 12-2 Dec13 WkDay/Conf 6 pm, Choir 6 pm, Worship 7 pm, Dec17 Christmas Practice 12-2 Decorate Church Dec20 Christmas Practice, Eat 5:30 pm, Practice 6:15 pm Dec22 Youth Group Caroling Dec24 Worship Babbtown, 8 am, Schubert 10 am, Christmas Eve, Babbtown, 5:30 pm, Schubert 7:30 pm Dec25 Christmas Day Worship Babbtown 8 am, Schubert 10 am

Dear Friends and Members of St. John’s Congregations, Brothers and Sisters in Christ Fellow Redeemed, December has everyone turning their eyes to the celebration of Christmas. It is a time for us in the church first—to celebrate God’s gift of His Son—born in Bethlehem and second—to bear witness to world the reason Jesus was born, to save mankind from sin! Think about it for a moment, during the next month we will have more worship services, more congregational activities and more opportunities to bring friends and family members with us to church. We also will have guests who worship with us who either have not been here for a long time or who are strangers to us, looking for a place to worship. So, let’s make the most of the opportunities that God places before us. We need to welcome our visitor and guests. This is our—out-reach and in-reach ministry. This past week I attended our Missouri District’s professional church workers conference. One of the things I picked up was some statements that pollsters have gathered concerning the reason people choose a church. We were told that 85% of people listed good preaching and 79% listed friendliness as the most important factors in choice of a place to worship. 20% of new comers will return if the pastor greets them, 80% will return if greeted by a laymen. Keep this in mind as you see people who have come to worship with us. And while you are at it, be excited about the great gospel message that we are celebrating. Martin Luther said: “The Gospel should not be written but screamed” “and that the church is not a ‘pen house’ but a ‘mouth house’.” This all applies to the way in which we witness to one another and to the world. The gospel is so exciting that we should be proclaiming it at the top of our voice. And we have the written Word of God; speaking it, telling it, sharing it, is the most effective way of communicating it! So with the most welcoming manner that we have let us proclaim God’s word of salvation to all who gather in His house to celebrate Christmas. In Christ’s Love Pastor

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.stjohnslutheranjc.com/


SPEAKING FOR LIFE: “God gave you what you couldn’t do for

yourself. What a great Christmas gift you

have in the unconditional

forgiveness of your sins through the

person and work of your Savior Jesus

Christ! Thank You, God!” Rev. Mark

Jeske, (www.timeofgrace.org) – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life •

www.lutheransforlife.org

It is time to begin signing

up for poinsettias for Christmas.

If you would like to place a poinsettia in church for

the celebration of our Savior’s birth, please sign

up on the sheets at the entry ways. Prices this year are Large-$15.00, Med-$8.75 and Small-

$5.00.

SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Words about the Word Every week in Sunday school, we open our Bibles and read the Word. Then, we often talk about some of the words the kids may not understand. Last week, we talked about “consecrate” and “sacrifice” to help us understand our verse in Zephaniah—that God prepares us to serve Him and makes us holy by giving us the ultimate sacrifice—His Son, Jesus. In Luke 4:32, we read that when Jesus taught the people, "They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority." Jesus, the Master Teacher, amazed people not only by the particular words He used but by His total message. We know that God created all things by uttering words (Genesis 1), and we know that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). This month, as we contemplate God’s great love for us and as we prepare our children to tell the Christmas story, let us listen to their words and focus on the Word—the Word of all words, the ultimate sacrifice, our Lord and Savior, the Christ Child. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). A blessed Christmas to all! Kevin Lohraff

http://www.lutheransforlife.org/


Wednesday Advent Worship

December 6th, 7:00 pm

December 13th, 7:00 pm

We have only 2 Wednesday Advent worship services

scheduled this year. The theme of these two services will pick up on the reformation connection of “Grace Alone” and “Faith Alone” fulfilled as “The Word Made Flesh” from

the Gospel of John. Come and bring family and friends to worship with you.

Christmas Eve December 24th (Don’t forget to come to church in the morning—it is Sunday!)

Babbtown 5:30 pm Schubert 7:30 pm

Christmas Day

Babbtown 8:00 am Schubert 10:00 am

We are planning on decorating church for Christmas—following practice (2:00) Sunday Dec. 17. We could use your help. Please join us. Also bring a dish and we will share supper.

LADIES AID HIGHLIGHTS The quarterly meeting of the Ladies Aid was held on November 2 with 5 members and Pastor in attendance. Pastor’s opening devotion was about the 500th anniversary of the Reformation as a result of the posting of the 95 theses Martin Luther nailed to the door of the Castle Church. The most important and truest treasure of the Reformation is the Gospel of Christ being made know to everyone. Pastor reported that Thanksgiving Worship would be on Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. A collection of non-perishable food items will be taken for the local food pantries. Christmas practices will be on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 20. Evening Advent services will be on Dec. 6 and 13. Mary Vida reported the Heisinger Christmas Homes Tour will be on December 10 with 6 homes and St. John’s Lutheran Church at Stringtown. The Ladies Christmas dinner will be held at Oscar’s Diner, 6:00 p.m., December 7. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend. The Ladies Aid will provide the meal for the Christmas Service practice on Dec. 3. The 25th Mo District L.W.M.L. Convention will be held on June 8–10 at Lodge of Four Seasons. Martha Kleindienst will go as our delegate. Linda Brenner will serve as alternate. Mary Vida was re-elected as Vice President and Kay Forbis was re-elected as Secretary The next regular meeting will be Feb. 1, 2018. Hostess is Lois Loduca. The SOLA Kit goes to Jeannette Essen in December.

HAVE A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Youth Group-Ages 6th grade and up

Thanks to all who helped with the Pancake Breakfast and Dessert Auction in October. The youth group raised $747 for Hurricane Relief. Special thanks the Luetkemeyers and Marions for running the events.

Batter Up party will be November 26th from 5:00-7:00 PM. Willsons and Larkins will be hosting at Wilson’s indoor baseball facility on Big Meadows. Bring baseball equipment if you have it. Food will be served, ask Sarah Willson if you would like to bring any additional food.

Save the date for Christmas Caroling and Devotion, December 22nd afternoon, more details TBA.

Molly Boeckmann


Greetings in the name of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this month, The adoption theme continues as we realize that we are all adopted into God’s family, thanks to Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. The following article by Rev. Michael W. Salemink, the executive director of Lutherans For Life, speaks of the blessings of adoption: “God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). “God adopts. The Gospel is about adoption. Salvation’s story can’t be told apart from adoption. Christianity can’t happen without it. The Old Testament features an adopted leading man. Pharaoh’s daughter adopting Moses leads to the Hebrews ending up liberated. The New Testament also stars an adopted hero. Joseph adopting Jesus sets in motion sinners getting forgiven. Father Almighty offers His Son and adopts human beings for us to have a faith relationship with the Lord God and the hope of resurrection to everlasting life in His heavenly kingdom. “No wonder early Christians opened the world’s first orphanages. Psalm 68:5-6 proclaims God “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows. God settles the solitary in a home.” James 1 27 NIV describes “looking after orphans and widows in their distress” as religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless.” The blessings of adopting are plentiful. 1. Adopting embodies God’s own self-sacrificial love and unconditional grace. He chooses for His own those who once did not belong. 2. Adopting rescues a child in need into a forever home and a better life (and sometimes also provides relief to the family or origin). 3. Adopting bestows the treasures and joys of a son/daughter (and sibling, grandchild, cousin, etc.) upon the receiving family: Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward….Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! (Psalm 127:3, 5). 4. Adopting enriches families even when not facing infertility and alongside their biological childbearing. 5. Adopting helps heal the hurts of a child feeling (often repeatedly) abandoned. 6. Adopting extends also to children older than infants (and not only as an alternative to abortion!) Many orphaned or fostered teenagers still want to become part of your household. 7. Adopting forges the deep and strong bonds of facing difficult challenges together. 8. Adopting connects hearts across cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities and forms unions from around the world. 9. Adopting enlists whole communities (especially congregations!) in support, cooperation, and fellowship. 10. Adopting speaks and shows the boundless preciousness of every human life---created, redeemed, and wanted forever by the LORD Himself! (Ten Blessings of Adopting, by Rev. Michael W. Salemink, Executive Director of Lutherans For Life, LifeDate, Fall 2017) God has called us to care for widows and orphans. Won’t you pray about how He can use you to bring hope to the orphans in our midst, or if you know of someone who is in the process of adoption or caring for foster children, consider how you might assist them on this journey? Another way to stand up for the sanctity of all human life is to participate in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 19th, 2018. A bus from Jefferson City will leave at 10:00 am on Wednesday, the 17th and return back to Jefferson City on the 20th. Won’t you join with thousands of others including many Lutherans in celebrating life in all its stages? For more information please contact Barb Stahlman at 573-636-2058. If Washington seems too far, how about the Midwest March For Life in Jefferson City at the Capitol on January 27, 2018? God calls us to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Won’t you do your part in sharing the Good News that every person has value because of what God has done? Christmas blessings to you, Sylvia Glenn Feel free to call me (573-592-7866) for information or concerns about life issues. For those who have had an abortion, there is a word of hope! "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). For confidential post-abortion referral, counsel, and reconciliation call WORD of HOPE, toll-free 888-217-8679 or 630-990-0909, email [email protected], or visit www.word-of-hope.org

http://www.word-of-hope.org/


You are Invited!!! All ladies of the congregation are invited to our 3rd annual Epiphany Tea. It will be in the church basement January 13th at 2pm. Calvary Students will entertain us! You may come as a guest or a hostess. Hostess: Please sign up by December 3rd, so we know if we have enough tables for guests. SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR: Hostesses only need to bring their table service and decorations and help serve the tea and coffee at their table. All of the sandwiches and cake, tea and coffee will be provided. If you’d like mints or nuts or something else at your table that will be up to you. We will also have table favors for everyone! You may decorate your table with a collection you have, a theme that represents yourself (hobbies), something you like or a special color or use the Christmas/Epiphany season as your theme. You don’t even need a theme; just set the table and if you need dishes let us know, we have members with extra. We even have table cloths at church that you are welcome to use. We want all of the ladies to feel welcome and also invite guests from other congregations, family and friends. Guest: If you would like to come to the tea, but just aren’t into fixing a table, please come. We would like to know by January 6th if you would like to come as a guest. We need guests, so we can fill all of our tables and have some Christian fellowship time together. This is an opportunity to reach out to one another here in our congregation and also to other friends and family who may not be members at St. Johns. (A free will offering will be taken for Calvary) Name______________________________________ will come to the Epiphany tea. (Check one) I will be a hostess for a table_____________________ I would like to come as a guest___________________


St. John’s Lutheran January 21, 2017

1:30 pm View Tables and socialize 1:50 pm Hostesses begin serving tea/coffee to those at your table 2:00 pm Please find your table and Hostesses serve refreshments Welcome and opening prayer 2:15 pm Calvary Choir under the direction of Melisa Ahlers

Shepherd’s Echo Carol Select Choir

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Solo: Beth Flute: Lydia

We Three Kings Men’s Choir

The First Noel Duet: Micayla & Bailey Accompaniment: Sam

Star of Wonder

Select Choir

Holy Child Duet: Sam & Silas

2:45 pm Devotion and singing: “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning” 3:00 pm Calvary Choir and conclusion

Silent Night Select Choir

Doxology

Select Choir

An offering envelope will be passed at each table, with proceeds going toward the music program at Calvary Lutheran High School.

We thank each of you for coming, especially Melisa Ahlers and the music students from Calvary and their parents! May God Bless each of you in this New Year, 2017.


LADIES AID The ladies had their November meeting on the 27th. There will be plans for Christmas Caroling at St. Elizabeth Care Center. Time and date will announced. Our next meeting will be in March.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Christmas Eve Service will be December 24th at 5:30 pm. The title is “The Word Made Flesh.” We will be practicing on Saturdays with times to be announced. Encourage children and adults to participate.

CALENDER OF EVENTS FOR DECEMBER, 2017 Nov. 29, Advent service Dec. 6, Advent service Dec.13, Advent service Dec. 20, Advent service Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Dec. 25, Christmas Day

Babbtown news

CLEANING FOR PARISH HOUSE

DECEMBER, 2017 Ron and Dianna Schubert

BAPTISM BIRTHDAY

DECEMBER, 2017 Dec. 7, Breay Buschjost Dec. 7, Gabriel Schubert

Dec. 21, Nancy Clark


Usher Schedule Dec 3 Jim Forbis Andy Beach Silas Luetkemeyer Gary Lofton Dec10 Jim Forbis Darren Willson Eric Lofton Dale Schmutzler Dec17 Jim Forbis Mike Forbis Dave Mueller Dale Ludwig Dec24 Christmas Eve. Dec25 Christmas Day Dec31 Jim Forbis Kevin Lohraff Berry Wiggins Sherri Russell

Dec 1 Colin Larkins Amy Powell Dec11 Brantly Carver Gary Lofton Dec25 Kathy Bauer Dec27 Henry Householder Dec28 William Bisbee Kevin Green Cory Mueller Dec29 Emily Smasal

Communion Assistant Dec 3 Russ Titus Gene Walkenhorst Dec10 Allan Forbis Mark Russell Dec17 Gary Stroup Russ Titus Dec31 Allan Forbis Mark Russell

Acolyte & Offering Dec 3 Finn Lohraff Mason Mistler Dec10 Lathe Willson Ava Willson Dec17 Lars Marion Claire Prohaska Dec24 Cale Willson Haley Titus Dec25 Samuel Luetkemeyer Dec31 Isaiah Barg Eric Gibson

GREETERS LIST DECEMBER 3 Allan Forbis Linda Brenner DECEMBER 10 Bob Nienhueser Dorece Colter DECEMBER 17 Mary Vida Linda Brenner DECEMBER 24 Bob Nienhueser Mary Vida DECEMBER 31 Allan Forbis Dorece Colter

DECEMBER, 2017 CLEANING CHURCH

Dec 3, Sarah Willson and Linda Brenner Dec 10, Dale Schmutzler and Ronda Williams Dec 17, Debbie Rademan and Carol Pleus Dec 31, Kevin Lohraff

ALTAR GUILD Martha Kleindienst

Shelley Meyer

JANUARY 2018 Newsletter Items

are Due DECEMBER

24, 2017 Newsletter items may be

placed in either Pastor’s or Jan’s mailbox.

OR they may be e-mailed

to Pastor Scheperle— [email protected]

Any announcement: weddings, birthdays,

anniversaries, personal notes, pictures or church

related business are welcome.

mailto:[email protected]

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