The Eagle

June 2018

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3220 Columbus St., Grove City, Ohio

614/875-2314 www.stjohnsgc.org

Dear friends in Christ,

As I write my last Eagle article it is with great gratitude first to God for the opportunity to serve this call for thirty-three years

and second to you, the faithful servants of this congregation. Ephesians calls you saints who are equipped for the work of

ministry. Together we have seen God do many wonderful ministries through St. John’s. I want to say thanks to every one of

you. I also desire to say some special thanks.

Thank you to my wife Glenda for being at my side through the ups and downs of ministry. Being a pastor’s spouse can be an

isolated and lonely place. I thank God for giving me Glenda to share in this journey for all these years. You have been my

anchor. Thanks to my three sons and their families for their involvement and continued support.

A special thanks to Gary Pecuch who has been on staff longer than me. Gary, Laurie, and Diana and the other youth minis-

ters who have served during these years, have laid a solid foundation of faith with our youth. I experienced it as my own

children grew up here and I know the importance of this ministry to the Church. This is true here and in other congregations

where our young people have moved.

Thank you to Elaine Bennett, our Director of Lay Ministry. I returned from my sabbatical in 2006 with a vision of a church

structured around ministry teams. Elaine is the one who made this happen. Through spiritual gift inventories and connecting

people to ministries, Elaine has helped us establish many very effective ministries. Thanks also to all our Connectors and

Team Leaders who have helped lead these ministries. This includes all of you that serve in one or more ministries.

Thanks to Dr. John Schuder who took on the role of Minister of Music and has done an excellent job of overseeing all our

music ministries. Thanks to Susan Locey and Janet Wittenberg for their diligence in directing their choirs, and the many oth-

er directors that I we have had over these years. Thank you to Nick Grossman, David Shrum, and Jenny Brockman for their

leadership of contemporary worship.

Thanks to Jan Miller for her roles of Recording Secretary and Office Secretary. She is the one who knows the most about

how this place runs and has trained others. Thanks to Mike Esposito our Business Manager. Mike took a huge amount of

work off the council and pastors and has helped us use our finances more effectively. Thanks to Doug Jones for all the work

he does as our custodian. We sometimes forget how big our building is and how much it is used. Thanks to Nickie Leonard

for his work in cleaning on Saturdays.

Thanks to the other pastors that I have served with: Pastor Hartman, Pastor Gahl, Pastor Ray, Pastor Karen, Pastor Tim, Pas-

tor Scott, and Pastor Patti. Each brought their special gift to this congregation.

Thank you to all the Church Council Presidents, VPs, Secretaries, Treasurers and members. Thanks for your leadership in

guiding the direction of the church.

During my years as Senior Pastor I have been blessed with staff and leaders who have worked together for the building up of

the body of Christ. Through studying God’s Word and praying together we have developed a closeness and unity not seen in

some organizations. The willingness of the congregation to follow and work together in ministry is a testimony to your faith-

fulness to Christ. There are so many more people that I could name with thanksgiving and I hope that you know who you are

and how much I appreciate you.

Finally I want to thank God for Pastor Seth and his willingness to step into this leadership role for St. John’s. God has pro-

vided abundantly over the past years so that we could do the ministry He has called us to do. I believe God is continuing to

provide through this call and I ask you to join me in giving God thanks and praise.

Many God bless each of you as you continue to serve in His name.

Pastor Don

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH STAFF

Donald R. Allman, Senior Pastor 614-871-0060

dallman@stjohnsgc.org

Patricia A. Morlock, Interim Assoc. Pastor 740-405-1548

pbjandh@sbcglobal.net

Elaine Bennett, Dir. of Lay Ministries 614-446-0148

elaine.bennett@stjohnsgc.org

Michael Esposito, Business Manager 614- 875-2256

mesposito@stjohnsgc.org

Diana Imbrock, Youth Director grades 7-12 614-271-5775

dimbrock@stjohnsgc.org

Doug Jones, Custodian 614-539-9839

Susan Abbott Locey, Bell Choir Director 614-208-8215

Janice Miller, Recorder 614-875-2314

jmiller@stjohnsgc.org

Parish Nurses: JoAnne Keller 614-875-8255

Kim Easterday

Gary Pecuch, Youth Ministry Coord./Confirmation614-875-4867

gpecuch@stjohnsgc.org

Laurie Pecuch, Youth Director grades K-12 614-620-2669

lpecuch@stjohnsgc.org

John Schuder, Minister of Music 614-254-3310

jfs4wd@sbcglobal.net

Karen Whyte, Librarian 614-878-9392

barnowl@iwaynet.net

Janet Wittenberg, Children’s Choir Director 614-277-0228

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS

EXTENDED TO: Deb Ernst on the passing of her brother,

Dwayne Sing-Ley, on April 11th.

Family and friends of Arthur “Bob” Brof-ford who died on Wednesday, April 25th family and friends of Joyce “Sue” Cul-berson Maynard who died on May 6. Sue is the mother of Rhonda Maynard.

All who mourn are in our prayers..

The deadline for the JULY Eagle is June10th. Email announcements & articles to

sj@stjohnsgc.org or leave a handwritten copy in the church office.

Congratulations to: David and Stephanie Allmon whose daughter, Marlee, was baptized on May 12th; and to Rick and Melissa Butsko whose son, Jeremiah, was baptized on May 20th.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!

Graduation Recognition and Bless-ing was held on May 6th. We rec-ognized our graduating high-school

seniors with a flower and hand-made prayer shawl during the service. During the Sunday School hour, we had a light breakfast reception in the Family Life Center, where every-one was able to meet and greet our seniors. It was a won-derful celebration!

Those graduating this year from high school are: Darby Bea-vers, Brittany Bennett, Alli Brace, Bryanna Brown, Kristopher Cermak, Madison Chamberlain, Lilli Daniels, Rachel Dougherty, Grant Duncan, Rachel Frasher, Jackson Koethke, Alli Kozman, Olivia Lambert, Colton McClure, Han-nah Miller, Missy Myers, Marissa Nighbert, Haley Overly, Carson Price, Dylan Price, Ryan Spoon, Olivia Thaxton, Ja-mie Turner, and Sarah Wittenberg. A shout out (from their parents) to recent college graduates: Rachel Henrickson, Ryan Uhrin, Alyssa Stenerson, and Alec Stenerson.

Blessings on your future endeavors!

CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL

Officers: Neva Warren, President; Teresa

Orahood, Vice President; Beth Katterhenrich, Secre-

tary; Dan Yeater, Treasurer.

Members-At-Large: Brad Wahl, Aaron Clark,

Cindy Henricksen, Jim Jones, Jody Shockley, Kevin

Stenerson.

A big thank you goes out to Bill and Linda Diehl, Wilma Phillips, Betty Lewis, Vi Davis, Barb Hill, and Sue Sutton for cleaning the Family Life Center Kitchen on Monday. Your time and ef-fort in this project is very much appreciated. Thanks from Keith and Jane Stenerson (Kitchen Team).

“Thanks to Sarah Mitchell, the Confirmation Class, and the 5th and 6

th grade Sunday School

class for the Easter basket filled with goodies. What a wonderful surprise! God bless you all!” - Ada Weygandt Jeannette Ostman would like to thank everyone for the cards she received when

she was sick a few weeks ago.

WOMEN OF THE NALC

Here’s a spiritual growth goal: join a Circle of friends. Elizabeth Circle meets the 1st Mon-day each month. Sarah Circle meets the 4th Monday each month. Joining our Circles is an easy way to make new friends and grow spiritually. Contact Vi Davis at 614-875-2605, or Debbie Abbitt at 614-326-9253, for more information.

Elizabeth (103-4) Resumes in the Fall

Sarah Room (103-4) June 25 at 7pm

FAITH MISSION - Our next dates to serve a meal at Faith Mis-sion are on June 14 and August 9. VOLUNTEERS are needed. If you are available either of these dates please contact Mike Esposito at 614-875-2314; and/or fill out the salmon sheet!

SIGN UP CENTRAL - A bulletin board in the North Entrance has been set aside as central sign-up location. This means that if you are looking for vol-unteers to help with a program or event or people to attend an event such as a new Bible study, ACTS, or even to sign up in advance for Mother’s Day flowers, Altar Guild, etc., you can post your sign-up sheet on this board, no approval needed. Since it is a location now, people can just go there and sign up on the sign-up sheet that you provided for that purpose. No more chasing someone down, making telephone calls or even e-mailing to sign-up for something. Please remember to pull down your sign-up sheet when sign-ups are over to keep the board neat.

MEMORIAL GIFTS GIVEN AS OF MAY 6, 2018

Organ and Refurbishing Fund Given in memory of Judith Johnston by Dellno and Betty Lewis.

Memorial Fund Given in memory of Bob Brofford by Ike and Shelah Stage; and Alice Katterhenrich.

Bed Brigade Given in memory of Bob Brofford by Carl and Nancy Kinman. Given in honor of the 90

th birthday of Michael Schwiebert by Carl and Nancy Kinman.

Monday June 11th St. John's Lutheran Church

FUNDRAISING NIGHT

4pm-10pm PRESENT THIS FLYER AT THE RAISING CANE’S

CHICKEN FINGERS RESTAURANT IN GROVE CITY WITH THIS FLYER- 20% OF YOUR SALES WILL BE DONATED TO THE

Missions Teams Raising Cane’s located at: 1944 Stringtown Road

(Near the corner of Gantz)

June 11, 2018

Our Father is Always Near

In the morning light,

With the sun warm upon my cheek,

I remember God’s promise to those who seek,

See the redbird, bluebird and dove,

And look to our heavenly Father above.

At twilight the birds fill the sky,

Flocking to nest.

I, too, head for home and a night of rest.

Ada Weygandt

Like a Child

God my Father holds me in the

curve of his arm.

And keeps me safe from harm.

Although it’s in faith that I see,

Likke a child I climb upon His

knee

And tell him all my doubts and

fears.

I know He is near and hears.

Ada Weygandt

Part Two: the journey continues… As the summer began, I was living 2 hours away from St. John’s, working 50 hours a week, in a bland mental state, and trying to prepare my heart for Mexico. This all changed when, exhausted after a 23 hour work day, I drove the 2 hours to St. John’s for our first Mexico Mission Family meeting. The moment I walked in

the room, I was greeted with the love of my St. John’s family; the family with whom I had built many lasting relationships. The dry spiritual and emotional outlook that had previously consumed me imme-diately left and I felt the love of God and a taste of mental freedom that I had not experienced in a long time. After that, I wanted nothing more than to be back fighting for my spiritual life and my relationship with God. I then began to find myself anxiously awaiting my 2 hour drives after my 12 hour work days in order to be with my loving mission family. I slowly rediscovered where I had left off my spiritual and emotional life, and this was just the beginning of my renewal. With a newfound heart and desire for God and a heart full of love for the niños we were on our way to serve, I left on our trip with my incredible Mexico Mission Family. From here on out, I made massive steps in my relationship with the Lord and in my emotional state. As we discover every year, each new year brings a special and very unique experience and a new special family relationship with our team. However, this team and experience was my most special one yet; it has given me so much new life (although I’m sure I say this every year!). I have never found myself clinging on so dearly to every mo-ment and savoring it all so desperately… See next month’s Eagle to see what happens! Karl Eiginger

MEXICO MUSINGS

SUITCASE SUNDAY FOR MISSIONS – JUNE 17!

Sunday, June 17th is our annual Suitcase Sunday for Missions. As you know, prices continue to rise and sending the arms and feet of Jesus around the world has become more expensive! To aid us in this effort, we are asking that you prayerfully consider helping us in one or more of many ways. Such as:

Pray, pray, and pray some more!

Purchase Walmart Gift Cards (which can also benefit the Youth Program through Scrip!) that can be

used to buy VBS supplies and gifts for the children.

Drop some change, a dollar or more in the suitcase to offset the cost of the mission.

Consider helping to sponsor one of the missionaries through a check made out to St. John’s

Church with Mexico or General Missions in the memo line. These can be dropped in the suit-

case on Suitcase Sunday or in the offering plate anytime!

Oh, yes, and pray, pray, pray!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us to share God’s love with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

The Mexico Mission Family:

Christina Allman, Jill Althoff, Emily Briggeman, Joy Easterday, Rachel Frasher, Diana Imbrock, Caroline Koethke, Jacqueline Roccio, Michaela Stenerson, Chelsea Smith, and Eli Wanner

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2018

Sign-up for confirmation: It is time to start thinking about confirmation for your son or daughter. Confirmation typically begins in August of a student’s 7

th grade year. If you fit the bill and plan to be a part of

the catechism program next fall, please get your email address to Gary…he has some “save the date” type information to get to you. His email is gpecuch@stjohnsgc.org . Why summer church trips? The youth staff spends countless hours at camp or a summer service experience. Many of the others days are spent planning, preparing, putting things away, and getting ready for the next trip. Why do we do this? Because we believe summer experiences makes a difference in the lives of our youth. Faith webs are woven, faith is deepened, and hearts flourish while serving. Join us this summer by praying for the children, teens, adults, and families that go to camp this summer. Thanks! Adventure Camp/Upper Camp – emergency forms and camper forms were mailed home. Please return them to Laurie by Friday, June 8th. If you need to catch a ride or can give a ride to another camper to Lutheran Memorial Camp, please contact Laurie at 614-620-2669 or lpecuch@stjohnsgc.org. Please pray for these camps in June….the Academy at Heartland on June 4—7 and Adventure Camp/Upper Camp on June 22—24, 2018. Dear Lord, bless the children, youth, and adults who attend these camps. Grant them safe travels, touch their hearts for your name’s sake, strengthen their faith, grow their faith webs, grant them that which is needed as they attend, lead, share...may your will be done, to the glory of your name! Amen! Interning with us for the summer is Hannah Wittenberg. Hannah has a B.A. in global ministries with a minor in theology from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is currently completing her first year at Asbury Theological Seminary, where she is earning a M.A. in theological studies and a M.A. in ministry with a focus on family and children ministries. She will be working this summer approximately 15 hours a week with the youth staff. Welcome Hannah! Training for Teen Helpers for Vacation Bible School will be during the Sunday School hour on July 8th. Teens may sign up now with Gary or Laurie to help with VBS. VBS will be July 9th—13th. Scrip: Doing a major appliance purchase or some remodeling this summer? Using scrip cards to Lowes or Home Depot can send youth on a summer church trip. There are Scrip cards for every-thing from i-tunes, to gas cards, the major stores, and many favorite restaurants. Obtain an order form from the youth office door (top slot). Return scrip forms and payment to the church office or Laurie Pecuch. Orders are placed the first Tuesday of every month. Yes, we recycle! Cell phones: Drop off in box in the second floor hallway, across from library. Ink-Jet cartridges: Drop off in box in second floor hallway, near the youth office. Paper/Magazines: Drop off in the bin located on the parking lot. NOTE: We are NO LONGER recycling aluminum cans. Thanks for your past support. Did you forget to re-connect to the Kroger Rewards Program? No worries, you can still re-connect or join the program at https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards The number for St. John’s is 81452. If you need help, contact Laurie Pecuch. The Community Rewards Program is easy to join and it costs you nothing! Thanks to the Blue Ribbon 4-H group that volunteered their time to seed a section of yard by the garage. They worked hard and did a great job!

DO YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE BLESSED BY RECEIVING A PRAYER SHAWL? Please call Nancy Kinman at 875-8155. WRAPPED IN PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will hold its next monthly meeting on Saturday, June 9th in Rooms 103 & 104 from 9:00am-11:00am. Everyone is welcome. Bring your knitting/crochet materials and any completed shawls to be blessed with pray-er. We would be happy to teach anyone interested to knit or crochet. Please join us!

For more information call Glenda Allman at 614-871-0060 or Diana Imbrock at 614-871-3854.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

You might not realize how important certain letters are until they’re gone. A, B and O are our main blood groups, and when not enough people donate blood, hospital shelves may be empty when a critical patient arrives. A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal, but for a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life.

St. John’s will be hosting the Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 12th

from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center. You can register online at www.redcrossblood.org, using sponsor code StJohnsGC or call 1-800-RedCross (733-27677). All presenting donors will receive a Buy One Get One Coupon to the Columbus Zoo. Hope you consider signing up today!! Call Bonnie Swanson at 614-562-8002 if you have any questions.

CHICK FLICKS Throw a movie night with the girls! You’ll share in a tasty meal (which everyone helps to provide), a great movie, and then relate the movie to your faith.

When: June 17, 2018 at 4:30pm Where: Classroom 103-4 at St. John’s Movie: All About Eve starring Bette Davis—an aging actress faces be-trayal, love, career uncertainty, and the challenge of growing old gracefully.

If you are interested, please see Sign-up Central for the sign-up sheet or contact Denise Reynard at den-ise.reynard@rocketmail.com.

Our family and friends of St. John’s are invited to an open house on Saturday, June 9th, from 2-6pm at our home in celebration of Sarah’s high school graduation . Our address is 5761 Platinum Drive, Grove City, Ohio. Please come and help Sarah celebrate this wonderful accomplishment! Paul, Pam, Hannah, and Sarah Wittenberg.

BEACONS and QUILTERS NEWS

The chief objective of the LSS Auxiliaries, known as the Beacons, is Christian action

through love and concern. We try to help the less fortunate by showing God’s love and

our understanding of their situations. We aid in helping to feed the hungry, clothe the

needy and provide safe shelter for the homeless and victims of domestic violence.

Choices, the shelter for victims of domestic violence, has many top needs. Usually, the

victims of domestic violence and their children and sometimes pets, leave their homes

with few of their necessities. They leave quickly and cannot manage boxes, bags or luggage. Sometimes, they leave

in the middle of the night. Some of top needs of Choices are the following: disposable toddler diapers (pull-up large

sizes), towels, women’s deodorant, women’s new underwear (all sizes), feminine hygiene products, and bedding

(twin sheets, blankets and new pillows). Gift cards from grocery stores, gas stations, Lowes/Home Depot, COTA

daily bus passes, fast food restaurants, Wal-Mart, Meijer, Kohl’s, and Target are always appreciated. Many food

products are on their top needs list. They need: canned fruit and vegetable, canned meats, chunky soups, snacks

(especially kid-friendly snacks), juices, canned pasta sauce and sauce mixes, pasta of various shapes and sizes, sugar,

coffee, coffee creamer and condiments. Please check the expiration dates. Expired food cannot be used. Choices

cannot accept car seats, furniture, mattresses, used clothing or used toiletries. Please place your donations in the Bea-

cons cabinet in the Link. Please write “Choices” on your donations. Thank you for caring.

The Beacons collect and recycle just about anything except decorative pieces and large, heavy items. We sort and

donate used clothing. The card fronts are given to the Cancer Thrift Store on Stringtown. The cancelled stamps go to

the Wounded Soldier project at two military hospitals in Virginia. Some of the towels, wrapped soap, cat litter buck-

ets, used Bibles and other hygiene products go to LSS Disaster Services. Place your donation in the Beacons cabinet

in the Link. Please write “Disaster Services” on your donations. Thank you for your donations.

If you have decorative or heavy furniture and you do not have the means to transport it to a collection site, consider

the non-profit charity, Furniture Bank. They will come and pick up your donation. The Furniture Bank gives furni-

ture to the needy. Their number is 614-272-9544. Their address is 118 South Yale Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43222.

Furniture needs to free of pet hair.

The Beacons and Quilters welcome visitors. The Quilters meet every Tuesday from 9am to 2pm in rooms 103-

104. The Beacons meet with the Quilters on the third Tuesday to sort and bag clothes, trim cancelled stamps, and

help with projects. You may cut squares, arrange the squares, tie knots or pin a hem. We always need someone to

sort the donated material and items. All materials are provided. We bring a packed lunch. At the Beacons’ meeting,

we take offerings to help support the food pantries and our general fund.

Lord, give me the Christian love and understanding to not judge others. Amen.

A CALL TO PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS!

I recently read an article on Generation Z, those born between 1999 and 2015. They are people between the ages of 3

to 19. The article said while 59% of the teenagers consider themselves Christian, only one out of eleven are defined

as an “engaged” Christian, someone whose faith shapes what they believe and how they act. The article pointed out

that this age group is still in formation and can be influenced towards deeper faith. I call on

parents and grandparents to be that influence.

Last month we had our “grad” blessing. Over twenty graduates came to be blessed with the

prayers of our church. Gary, Laurie, and Diana and 100 plus volunteers have helped this Gen Z

youth connect to Faith. Our Sunday school and confirmation program have challenged them to

walk in faith. Blessing on this congregation for supporting this essential ministry.

“Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” Proverbs 22:6

Pastor Don

OWLS UPCOMING EVENT – JUNE 15, 2018

The Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors (OWLS) are very excited to invite you to our June 15th meeting!! If you

haven’t heard about The Flag Lady’s Flag Store or met The Flag Lady herself, you are in for a treat. If you have heard of her and her store you’re in for a double treat!!

Our speaker is Mary Leavitt and she is “The Flag Lady”. The store was founded on a profound sense of patriotism, love and faith. She began selling flags out of her car while living in Libertyville, Illinois, during the Iranian crisis, in February 1980. A few years later she, her husband Tom and children moved back home to Columbus where she went back to work as a legal secretary. But she missed selling The Flag so much that she began selling it on her lunch hour. The store is now one of the top five Flag Dealers in the United States. At age 83 Mary is a whirlwind of energy and full of life. She is very proud of her company and never hesitates to share that the American Flag sold in her shop is always made in the USA as well as the majority of the other flags in her store. She has such an interesting story and if you are interested in reading more, check out her website at www.flagladyusa.com.

We will be enjoying lunch at Plum Run Winery just down the street from church at 11:30 am. Please ar-rive at 11:15. After lunch we will cross the street to the library and enjoy Mary’s program in the meeting room. If you would like to skip our lunch you can join us at the library at 12:30 pm. It is difficult to estimate exact time the program will start – depends when lunch is over. Reservations are required for either or both events. Please use the salmon insert to make your reservation or call the church office. If you make a reservation and your plans change (even the morning of the event) please call either Bonnie Swanson (614-562-8002) or the church office (614-875-2314).

CALLING ALL OWLS! INVITATION TO JOIN THE OWLS

Have you retired recently? Are you looking for a club, group, etc. to get in-

volved in to share your love of God? The Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors

at St. John’s would like to invite all members to join the fun and share the

Christian fellowship at our monthly meetings. An OWL might be a little older in age but we

are very young at heart. There isn’t an age requirement but you must be old enough to en-

joy the friendship and fellowship of others from St. John’s. We are a very active group that

meets the third Friday of every month for either a potluck lunch at the church or an outing to

visit different interests around the area.

OWLS SPECIAL EVENT—JUNE 6, 2017

THE OLDER WISER LUTHERANS (OWLS) have been invited to The Academy once again this year to visit the high school youth as they are developing their faith skills at Heartland Confer-ence and Retreat Center on Wednesday, June 6th. It’s only a 45 minute drive up Route 71. Come and enjoy lunch, courtesy of St. John’s youth who are excited to faith web with us. Enjoy a deli-cious meal, good conversation and share stories. Over the years this has been a highlight for adults and youth alike. We will meet at church at 10:30am to carpool. We will finish up our visit by 2:00pm and be home by 3:00pm. Please use the salmon insert to sign up or call Bonnie Swanson (614-875-1392) for details.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

3220 Columbus Street

Grove City, Ohio 43123-3297

614/875-2314

DATED MATERIALS

June 2018

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 10 Grove City, Ohio 43123-3297

JOIN US FOR WEEKLY WORSHIP

Traditional Service: Saturdays at 6:00pm, Sundays at 8:15am & 11am

Contemporary Service: Sundays at 10:45am

Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30am

June 2018