St. John Lutheran Church March 2019________________________________________________________________________

Church Office: 563-242-5588Pastor Daniel Pool: 321-6757, homee-mail: dpool@stjohn-clinton-ia.orgWeb Site: www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org

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Genesis Bible Study with Pastor

Our Tuesday Bible study is exploring Genesis verse by verse. We normally meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Our study is a 9:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. in classroom 1. New people are always welcome, so join us! Bring your Bible.

March 5: Genesis 18-20: Sodom and Gomarrah March 19: Genesis 21-22: Isaac and Moriah

Daylight Savings Time

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday, March 9. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10.

World Day of Prayer

The women of our Church and of Trinity Lutheran, Clinton are invited to a prayer meeting and luncheon on Friday, March 1 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John for our annual World Day of Prayer.

Pastor Pool’s Sunday Bible Study: Psalms

Our Sunday Morning Bible Study concludes our study of the Old Testament Psalms this month. In April, we will begin a new study on the Gospel of Mark. This class meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. No previous Bible study experience is necessary and it is always fine to sit and listen.

March 3: Psalm 90: Of MosesMarch 10: Psalm 118: Steadfast LoveMarch 17: Psalm 119: The TorahMarch 24: Psalm 121: AscentMarch 31: Psalm 150: Praise the Lord!

Formula of Concord: Free Will Over the next several months I am going to include excerpts from The Formula of Concord in my newsletter articles. We Lutherans make confessions, and this one comes from 1577 and is included in our full set of confessional writings, The Book of Concord.  

Article II addresses the human will in salvation. And it presents a pretty dire picture of the will since the fall and before conversion. Human beings have no ability to choose Christ, to make a decision for Him, or to seek God in any way. Our wills are bound by sin, spiritually dead, and only God can set them free.

“This is our teaching, faith and confession on this subject: in spiritual matters the understanding and reason of mankind are completely blind and by their own powers understand nothing as it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:14, ‘The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.’ Likewise we believe, teach, and confess that the unregenerate will of mankind is not only turned away from God, but also has become God’s enemy. So it only has an inclination and desire for that which is evil and contrary to God, as it is written in Genesis 8:21, ‘the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.’ Romans 8:7 says, ‘For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.’”

But the answer is found in the Word of God. Through Word and Sacrament, God regenerates and renews us, as the Spirit wills. He brings new spiritual life and we begin to have some freedom in spiritual things. This leaves the work of conversion entirely with God. Since it cannot come from human choice, it must come by God’s choice. The Formula says this,

It is God’s will that His Word should be heard and that a person’s ears should not be closed (Psalm 95:8). With this Word the Holy Spirit is present and opens hearts, so that people (like Lydia in Acts 16:14) pay attention to it and are converted only through the Holy Spirit’s grace and power, who alone does the work of

converting a person…With these brief words the Spirit denies free will its powers and ascribes everything to God’s grace, in order that no one may boas before God (1 Corinthians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:5; Jeremiah 9:23).”

This is pure good news. God coverts us. He gets all the credit. It is all in His hands. He works repentance and faith in our hearts. And He has simply called us to be in a place where He does His work. Conversion is always tied to Word and Sacrament, which is the work of the Church. So come and hear the good news, especially as we come into this important Lenten season, and by that hearing, believe.

Lenten Blessings, Pastor

Lenten Serving Schedule

Each year the congregation is divided into groups according to the church directory for Lent and Advent Services with one group serving after each service. Each family serving is asked to bring a plate or two of sandwiches, four dozen cookies, or a pan of bars. Otherwise a donation to purchase punch and coffee may be left in the marked container in the church kitchen.

The serving schedule is divided by those in the church directory as follows:

March 6 – Pete Sirna to Lori SusieMarch 13 – Brianna Swanton to Millie WilkeMarch 20 – Dawn Adamiec to Sandy BovisMarch 27 – Mary Boyer to Ryan DellApril 3 – Bonnie Dethmann to Harlan GluessingApril 10– Barb Goddard to Sue Ingwersen

The Season of Lent Lent begins March 6 with Ash Wednesday. The pastors of our area LCMS congregations will be preaching on the Penitential Psalms in this year’s Wednesday night rotation. This series includes Psalms 22, 32, 51, 101, and 130, if you want to read ahead.    March 6: Pastor Pool

March 13: Pastor Bill Traphagan, Stanwood and BennettMarch 20: Pastor John Preus, Trinity ClintonMarch 27: Pastor Anthony Dodgers, CharlotteApril 3: Pastor Daniel Redhage, LowdenApril 10: Pastor Pool

Because Pastor is traveling on Wednesday nights for our Lenten Rotation, our Wednesday Confirmation Class will meet on the following dates:

    Wednesday, March 6, 8-9 pm    Saturday, March 16, 9-10 am    Saturday, March 23, 9-10 am    Saturday, March 30, 9-10 am    Saturday, April 6, 9-10 am    Wednesday, April 10, 8-9 pm    Wednesday, April 24, 7-8:30 pm

You can also see the Church calendar in the newsletter or on our website for these dates.

Food Pantry Collection March 3

Donations of nonperishable food items, paper, and soap products may be brought to the fellowship hall on Sunday, March 4, for the food pantry collection at the Victory Center. These items will be distributed to the unemployed of the community.

Board of Elders

The Board of Elders will meet on Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Stewardship

The Board of Stewardship will meet on Monday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Education

The Board of Education will meet on Monday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Board of Evangelism

The Board of Evangelism will meet on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Voters’ Assembly

Our Voters’ Assembly will meet on Monday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. All are invited to the Voters’ Assembly. Come and get involved in the work of the Church.

Board Meetings

LWML Spring Rally

Mark your April calendar and plan to attend the LWML Clinton zone Spring Rally on Saturday, April 27 with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. St. John Ladies societies are entertaining this Spring.

Mary Martha Soup Supper

All ladies are invited to attend the Mary Martha Soup Supper on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. St. John Mary Martha members and volunteers care for the church altar by preparing for communion and washing the silver after communion services, maintaining the altar candles and linens, and delivering the altar flowers to shut-

ins. Please join us March 12 for good food, fellowship, and a chance to learn about our group.

Quilting Bee

The Quilting Bee will meet on Thursday, March 21 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. All ladies interested in helping sew and tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief are invited to attend.

St. John Preschool Now Enrolling The preschool is now accepting students for the 2019/2020 school year. We will continue to have a multi-age classroom setting with 3 year olds attending 3 days per week and older children attending 5 days per week. Our hours of operation are 8:50 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. to be more accommodating to parents and to provide more for our students. Tuition will be $135.00 per month for 1st year 3-day students, $165.00 per month for 1st year 5-day students, and will be free for 2nd year returning students. Contact the church office, 242-5588, for more information or enrollment forms.

A New Boiler? The Board of Trustees is looking into the possibility of replacing the original boiler in the Education Building. Usually larger purchases like this come from our building fund. This fund is financed by your gifts. The Board would like to encourage you to consider giving something beyond your normal giving to this project. Ask any board member for more information.  

Camp Io-Dis-E-CaRegistration is now open for the 2019 Summer Program, By Faith. Take a look at the poster in the Fellowship hall and take home a brochure. You can also find more information and register online at www.campiodiseca.org

Movie Night with PizzaFor our next movie night, we will be viewing a dramatic retelling of The Gospel of Mark on Sunday, March 10 at 4:30 pm, serving pizza and drinks during intermission. The sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall. A voluntary offering will be taken to cover pizza costs. Come and experience Mark in a brand new way!

Check It Out In Our Church Library

Atlas Girl (Biography) By Emily Wierenga

Emily Wierenga left home at age eighteen with no intention of ever returning. Broken down by organized religion, a childhood battle with anorexia and her parent’s rigidity. She set out to find God somewhere else. Her travels took her across three continents in buses, cars and planes, what she hadn’t realized was that her faith was waiting the whole time, in the place she least expected it.

The season of Lent is a good time to tap into the reference section of our library.

Why do Gospel accounts differ? Why did Jesus use parables? Find the answers to these questions and others like them in The Big Book of New Testament Questions and Answers.

The Lutheran Bible Companion has more than 600 color photographs, illustrations and landscapes along with Biblical reflections from Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard. It includes events, people and places found in detailed outlines and maps.

The Apocrypha – This book has so much to offer and has a wealth of information. The introduction and the appendix are so interesting it will be hard to put down.

The Lutheran Difference – As Lutherans interact with other Christians they often find themselves struggling to explain their beliefs and practices. This book is written especially for the lay person and will help Lutherans learn about denominational differences.

Lutheranism 101 – Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran looking to dig deeper or a new Lutheran and want answers, this reference guide will help you easily get to know the theology basics in a way that won’t make your brain hurt.

Parents with Young KidsHave you tried out our new Bible class for Parents with Young Kids? We are currently talking through Praying Luther’s Small Catechism. This group meets Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and is designed for parents with infants, preschoolers, and kids on the way.  Young couples are welcome too! Bring your kids to class, or if they are preschool age or older, drop them off in Sunday School.

Scrip FundraiserThrough Scrip, we raise money for our everyday preschool expenses in places we already shop. Scrip permits us to buy prepaid cards for places like Walmart, Jewel, Amazon, gas stations, and restaurants. These

organizations then make donations to us. The typical donation can vary from 2-16%. This means no extra money out of pocket and yet we can still raise funds. Order forms are available in the Fellowship Hall or Church office. Ask your Board of Education members if you have any questions. Our next Scrip order is due March 3. Cards will be available for pick-up by March 10. We will put your cards in your box in the narthex.

March Birthdays & Anniversaries

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Happy Birthday to: Lucille Dodd, who will be 102 on March 4. Darlene Schroeder, who will be 90 on March 13.Geri Kophamer, who will be 86 on March 17.Barbara Kroymann, who will be 81 on March 22.

Happy Anniversary to: Kevin & Ruth Marsh, 40th wedding anniversary on March 3.

Gordon & Sandy Stuart, 35th wedding anniversary on March 3.

Rich & Debby Gosnell, 45th wedding anniversary on March 9.

Gary & Karen Lueders, 40th wedding anniversary on March 31

We list birthdays 80 and above and anniversaries for year one and every five years thereafter unless we receive a request not to do so.

Private Communion Calls

Pastor Pool makes his visits to those in nursing homes throughout the month. Those at home who would like to receive a communion visit are asked to call Pastor at the Church Office, 242-5588, to schedule a time.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN MARCH

Early

Elders: Dave Reynolds Bill Ross

Ushers: Jay Mueller Brian Wall Calvin Lange Wesley Melchin

Nursery Attendants (Late)

3 – Kristi LaShelle

10 – Tara Sirna

17 – Heather Becker

24 – Barb Bialas

31 – Sandy BovisRecording

4 – Darlene Paysen11 – Paul Wenzel18 – Darlene Paysen25 – Paul Wenzel

Late

Elders: David Becker Jim S/Rick Eizenga

Ushers: Bryce Petersen Randy Housenga Ryan Dell Kevin Dell

Acolyte Schedule

3-Early – Nolan Lange3-Late – Hunter Holesinger

6-Lent – Elder

10-Early – Elder10-Late – Elijah Mueller

13-Lent – Elder

17-Early – Carver Lange17-Late – Aaron Becker

20-Lent – Elder

24-Early – Sam Reynolds24-Late – Elder

27-Lent - Elder31-Early - Elder31-Late - Elder

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: MARCH 20If you would like to put any information in the newsletter, contact Camil Dell, and get her the information by March 20.