St. John’s HELPERSt. John’s United Church of Christ

1513 West StreetRosenberg, Texas 77471

Church Office: 281-342-5159 Church Email: stjohns_ucc@sbcglobal.net Church Website: www.stjohnsunitedchurchofchrist.org

Rev. Daniel Haas, Minister Cell phone #801-368-1180 July 13, 2016 Rev. Donald Kolkmeier, Pastor Emeritus No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at St. John’s United Church of Christ

“Kalauman-Drawing Hope in the Philippines”

Howdy St. John’s!

On Thursday, July 21st, at 6 pm, I am excited to come to y’all to talk about my experiences in the Philippines. As a young adult I spent one year there as a missionary. As a young adult I worked in a center called “Kalauman” which means “from where you draw hope”. The center’s main focus was and still is to support children and their families from the slums. This center cares for their physical, emotional, spiritual and educational well-being that one day the kids are able to support themselves to find a way out of the slums and poverty. But they are not only working with the children. For best and long term results Kalauman learned that they need to work with the families as well. Educational Programs for parents, communal networking and health support guarantees the success of the program.Working and living with the kids and their families in the slums was one of the most life-changing experiences for me. It changed my path. Even after 20 years I am still drawing from this experience. You would think that people have a hard time believing in God while facing the challenges of poverty, mal-nourishment and violence. And yet I learned and experienced a vivid excited faith for God who loves and provides, who is a friend and supporter in their lives. Not only my life has changed as a young woman, my faith has changed as well.Kalauman became a center “from where I draw hope” as well. Their ability to integrate every person from all walks of life, to become a center

of hope, support and exchange is one big reason why their program is so successful. Many children I worked with 20 years ago I see on Facebook having children, having good jobs and have been able to overcome the spiral of poverty.This project faces its challenges right now. The ground their campus is on belongs to the University. After 35 years they now need to claim those grounds back due to their own expansions. Now Kalauman has to raise $129,000 for their new center. Global Ministries is involved in encouraging congregations to donate money for the good cause. I am joining them by coming to you, sharing some experiences and eating Philippino food together. Come, and enjoy a great evening. Let’s help to raise funds for Kalauman so that Kalauman can draw hope from us!

This is a project worth supporting! You will not only listen to funny and informative stories, you are also invited to enjoy good Philippino food!

BlessingsRev. Mirjam Haas-Melchior

Offering for July 10, 2016Operating Funds-Unrestricted GivingGeneral Fund ……………………. 1583.00

*annual budget of $162,738 needs $3,129.58 per week in unrestricted funds to sustain it.

Restricted Giving**Improvement Fund……………… 82.00Benevolence …………………….. 94.00

Total Offering 1,759.00

**these categories of Restricted Giving are not included in the daily operating funds of the church.

Attendance for July 10, 2016Church Attendance 58

THOSE IN OUR PRAYERS

Requesting Prayer for Themselves:Denver McFarlandRequesting Prayers for OthersGary Ashley by Melba AshleyNathan Gaskamp by Florence GaskampNelda Gutowsky by Florence GaskampGary Harbes by Melba AshleyDavid Kveton by Alice ProsiseFamily of Bernice PavlockLinda Urbanek by Ann MikeskaSarah Weimer by Petra Weimer

Preparing for Sunday, July 17, 2016 Genesis 18:1-10a Luke 10:38-42 Sermon: “Word and Work”

Mid-Year Congregational MeetingPlease mark your calendars for the Mid-Year Congregational Meeting which will be held on Sunday, July 24th.

Hamburger SupperA great big thank you is sent to all that attended and supported the

Hamburger Supper provided by the men of the Brotherhood. The men wish to thank all that brought the delicious desserts. As a congregation we thank the men for their time and cooking talents. It was an evening of great fellowship.

Adult Sunday SchoolPlease note that the adult Sunday school class which normally meets at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning will take a break for the month of July and resume on August 7th. Thank you Leo Niemeyer for leading this class through many thought provoking topics each week.

Choir Summer BreakThe choir will take time off for summer break and family time and resume practice on August 24.

These Days DevotionalsThe July/August/September These Days Daily Devotions for Living by Faith booklets have arrived and will be in the Narthex for you to pick one up. These are provided free of charge by the Women’s Guild.

Directory Information SheetThe Women’s Guild will be creating a new updated church directory. Blank information sheets can be found on our website and are available in the Narthex and the

church office. For your convenience a return box has been placed in the Narthex. You may also complete and email this information sheet back to the church office. Deadline for turning in your information sheet is Sunday, July 31.

Monday Morning MenThe Monday Morning Men’s Group meets at the church at 8:30 a.m. each week for any church repairs that need doing as well as a morning of

fellowship. All are invited to attend at any time as your schedule allows.

Women’s Retreat: Recipes for LifeThe Houston Association/South Central Conference Women’s Retreat will be held September 9-11 at Slumber Falls Camp in New Braunfels. The cost for this retreat is $100 which covers housing and meals. Please register online at the Slumber Falls Camp website by September 1. Arrival is on Friday, September 9, between

3:00-9:00 p.m. with the program beginning at 8:00 p.m. Departure is Sunday morning after the worship service. This year’s theme is: Recipes for Life.

Ladies Program in AugustThe ladies of St. John’s UCC are invited to special program, salad luncheon, and silent auction by the ladies of St. Paul Lutheran in Rosenberg that will benefit The Krause Children’s Center in Katy on Saturday, August 20 at 11:00 a.m. The guest speaker will be Melanie Wessels and this event will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 1208 Fifth Street in Rosenberg. Please call Joyce at their church, 281-341-7500 to RSVP and “bee” sure to bring a friend.

Houston Food Bank Needs AssistanceThe Houston Food Bank also has a need for

folks to help prepare the meals for their school program. The work is done at the Keegan Kitchen which is located at 2445 North Fwy,

Houston, TX 77009. The Houston Association has been scheduled to work from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM on June 16th, July 21st and August 18th. Two or three volunteers make a huge difference for the Keegan Kitchen. Join us if you are able! Remember You MUST wear long pants, a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops or sleeveless shirts) and shoes with closed toes. Please do NOT wear

jewelry.  Even small stud earrings can get loose and fall into food.  While you're in the kitchen, you'll be wearing aprons, gloves, and hairnets (you can bring your own cap.) Limited lot and street parking is available. Carpooling is recommended whenever possible. Here are the registration links for the corresponding dates: 

July 21, 2016http://houstonfoodbank.civicore.com/index.php?section=indGpRegistrations&action=conditional&fwID=19686 August 18, 2016http://houstonfoodbank.civicore.com/index.php?section=indGpRegistrations&action=conditional&fwID=19687 

August Food Drive MonthAugust is Helping Hands Food Drive month here at St. John’s UCC so start gathering non-perishable

food items and we will have the collection cart in the Narthex on the first Sunday. All items donated will be greatly appreciated.

Calendar For Sunday, July 17, 2016 Lay Reader: Michelle Gutowsky Flowers for Altar: Robbie & Jean Allen Hartfiel Greeters & Ushers for July: Shirley & Leo Niemeyer, Gloria & Walter Himly, Karen Aldridge Lay Readers for July: Janet Enax, Sandra Croft, Michelle Gutowsky, Nina Cooper,

Nathan Gaskamp Altar Flowers for July: Bob Rinn, 7/3 Margie Krenek, 7/10 Robbie & Jean Allen Hartfiel, 7/17 Shirley & Leo Niemeyer Gloria & Walter Himly, 7/24 Melba and Jimmie Ashley, 7/31 July 17, 2016 Rev. Daniel Haas will deliver the morning message entitled, “Word and Work”

Looking Ahead Church Council, 7/18Mature Adults, 7/19Fillipino Night, 7/21Mid-Year Congregational Meeting, 7/24Endowment Board, 7/25Helping Hands Food Drive during August

Thought for the week:

“Be kind to one another…” Ephesians 4:32

“Even if you disagree on stuff.” By unknown

“Enroll” your Kroger’s card with the Brotherhoods Community Rewards Program. Go online and use #84302 as the organization number.Link to Kroger’s Community Rewards website: https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards(On your computer push Control and click your mouse at the same time while hovering the mouse over the above link and it will take you directly to the Kroger registration page.)