Pastor’s Message

The

Mustard

Seed

October 2016

The Monthly Newsletter of

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran

Church

47 McLachlin Street, Arnprior,

Ontario K7S 2Z1

Pastor:

Norine Gullons

Church Office: 623-4562

Pastor’s office hours:

Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-Noon

Chairperson:

Randy Zimmerling 623-9733

Ryan Zimmerling 622-5939

Jeff Kargus 623-0192

Beryl Richardson 623-4351

Lois Rosien 623-3010

Rhonda McTeer 623-0328

Melissa Watt 432-9305

Pastor Norine’s note;

There is a practice in some people’s lives these

days. At the end of each day they take some time

to write or journal at least 5 things they are

thankful for on that day.

Sunday September 25th both St. John’s and St.

James took time to be grateful for their

respective faith communities. St. John’s list is in

this newsletter. They are personal and wonderful

lists!

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and

sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is

greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and

lodge in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32

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October brings fall, Thanksgiving, Oktoberfests, Reformation Sunday, fall dinners and

Hallowe’en. I think the most important issue is taking the time to give thanks. A certain

grandchild in my life calls it “being gracious”. We extend our lives by giving our talents

and time and possessions to others. Our special emphasis this month will be to support

our local food banks in both Arnprior and Renfrew. In this way we hope to be “gracious”

by hopefully providing some quality to others’ lives.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in

Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3: verse 20

In Christ, Pastor Norine

You Don’t Want to Miss This!

Sunday, October 16th

Bishop Michael Pryse will be visiting! We will have a joint

service with St. James Renfrew at St. John’s Arnprior. There

is a sign-up sheet for an “organized potluck” at the church.

Plan to attend...mark your calendars!

Through CLWR’s We Care

program, all church groups

and individuals were invited to

be part of creating a quilt

together to display at future

events.

St. John’s is creating a 9” x 9”

quilt square to be sewn into

the 70th Anniversary quilt!

For more information speak

with Pastor Norine or Beryl.

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October Event Calendar Sunday 2nd Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Monday-Wednesday 3rd - 5th The Bishop’s Stewardship Practicum for Pastors in Orillia

Sunday 9th Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving Sunday - ** no social **

Tuesday - Friday 11th - 14th Pastor Norine on holidays

Wednesday 12th Pastor attends St. James council meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday 13th Area Lutheran Pastors Meeting

Schwartz, Quebec 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Saturday 15th Synod sponsored Visioning Workshop 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

St. James, Renfrew

Sunday 16th Worship service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Pryse will be our Guest Preacher

Welcome St. James Renfrew!

Monday 17th Church Council Meeting 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday 19th Pastor Norine working in Renfrew all day

Saturday 22nd Grace Lutheran Annual Harvest Dinner

Eganville from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday 23rd Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Joanne Jehu presents FaithLife Financial during social

Sunday 30th Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Reformation Sunday

Sunday - Tuesday 30th - 1st Lutheran Pastors Annual All Saints Retreat

Lutherlyn Camp and Conference Centre

Wednesday-Sunday Nov. 2-6 Pastor attending Synod Council Meeting in Kitchener-Waterloo

Bread and Wine on October 16th is sponsored by Estella Boese in memory of her husband Melvin. If you would like to sponsor communion or provide flowers for the altar in memory of a loved one or to honour a special event, please sign up in the Narthex.

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Church Council Report From September 2106

Pastor's report:

Pastor presented her detailed activity report for August and September. People in the community were

aware of Pastor and some members checking on seniors during the water outage in Arnprior.

Pastor informed council that there are some current issues at Camp Lutherlyn that will require

additional funding and support from congregations and synod.

Some important upcoming dates: o October 15th - Missions workshop at St. James in Renfrew o October 16th - Bishop Pryse here; joint service with Renfrew and potluck following o November 1-6 - Synod Council meets

Financial Report: Current offerings (excluding the portion contributed by St. James for Pastoral support) are up over 10% vs.

the previous year. This is the 4th consecutive year we have experienced a significant increase in current

giving. Our offerings in support of Synod are in line with last year’s giving.

We continue to see a decrease in some expenses vs. the previous year such as: reduction in gas costs($500) reduction in printing expenses(doing more of our own vs. contracting out)($400)

As we stated at the annual meeting we have invested this year in: purchase of a microphone for the pulpit($185) laptop computer for financial secretary($162)

Our deficit to date is $22,077. Our balance sheet shows we have $81,500 in our bank account.

World Hunger/Food Bank: To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Beryl will be submitting a quilting patch which will be attached to other congregation’s quilt patches.

Property:

We will be attempting to complete 2 minor repairs: applying cement patches to the front steps complete the painting and caulking of the large window in the balcony

Sound System:

We have received the entire sound system from St. John’s Deep River which includes microphones, stands, amplifier/control system and speaker We will be setting this system up and testing it and then installing it over the next couple of months. The finished product will give us the ability to have a microphone on the altar, pulpit and lectern. This will eliminate the need to use the wireless microphone and hopefully improve the sound quality especially for those with some hearing impairment.

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Other Business:

We have submitted an application to form a chapter for “Faith Life Financial”. The advantage is that

Faith Life will match up to $500 any money we raise for charitable purposes….

St. James Renfrew is proposing to contract another ½ day of Pastor Norine’s time (on Wednesdays) and

increase their Pastoral funding accordingly for 2017.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of church council,

Randy Zimmerling

St. John’s Celebrates 127 Years!

I am grateful that St. John’s

is here because:

Historical:

I was married here 61 years ago.

We were married here and kids baptized here.

I came here in 1959 and have been on council

and in choir.

I have been here since 1938 . . .can I say

anymore . . .

This is where we were married over 10 years ago.

I came to Arnprior in 1953 and joined the young people. It was a good way to meet people.

Thanks to the Lutheran Church to back in my teens (1960’s) when attending youth group in the hall. ps it is close

by & handy when it rains. Ppss am an occasional visitor.

My grandmother taught me about Jesus when I was a small boy. Being in the Lutheran tradition came to St.

John’s.

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Faith family:

It is my time of quiet to worship God and see all the

people.

They are here when you need them without

question.

Of the family as together we have grown up and

loved each other.

It became our Lutheran family and a place for our

children to grow in faith.

I have met wonderful people and enjoy the service

of the word.

There is a sense of family and belonging here.

They welcomed me (I am shy) but with welcome arms made me feel comfortable – thanks again.

It connects me with a joyful spirit, strength and many people I would not otherwise know to listen, sing, and

work with.

I have found my faith again. It has helped me get involved in service and made me feel part of their loving

community.

The church was waiting for and welcoming to my family when we were ready to resume our spiritual journey

together.

They have always been a source of strength, even when I’m absent. It’s a part of my heart.

And of course, there is always room for cake!

Photos courtesy of

Lorne Rueckwald

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Upcoming Events

“Thank You” Many thanks to the 16 women who came out to prepare fall decorations for our church. Special thanks to Lois Rosien, hostess: and "instructors" Lynn Rosien - Maxzene Watts-Melissa Watts. Please join us at 2pm on Sat.Oct.8th to finish

decorating. Pastor Norine

The Apple Tree Saturday, October 15th 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. James Evangelical Church Renfrew, ON

We invite all the congregational leaders and other

members who are interested in learning about

mission to our one day workshop. Lunch,

refreshments and program cost covered by Synod.

Please, register by October 7. Registrar: Liz Zehr

ezehr@elcic.ca or 519-743-1461.

PURPOSE: 1. To raise mission consciousness 2. To help congregational leaders to develop

mission-focused congregations where members are engaged with the world around them

3. To help congregations to implement new mission activities

See poster in Narthex for more information

Coming soon....

Watch for the new Animate Faith Discussion Group hopefully to start in November.

A quote from a participant of the spring group: "Our study session was very inspiring and down to earth to understand. The maze (Labyrinth) was a surprise, to walk through it while meditating in the outdoors was beyond words. I enjoyed the group very much.”

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Children around the world thank you!

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 2016

SUNDAY USHERS READING COFFEE/SOCIAL COUNTERS

Oct. 2nd

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Vicki Weichenthal

Maureen Reuckwald

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Oct. 9th

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Joy Statham

**No social**

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Oct. 16th

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Andy Kalnins

Potluck Lunch Welcome

Bishop Pryse!

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Oct. 23rd

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Debbie Kargus

Barb and Gerald Formuziewich

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Oct. 30th

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Cathy/Randy Zimmerling

Joanne and Lorne

Bretzlaff

Marion and Elmer

Leeck

Thank you volunteers! If you would like to help out, please sign-up in the Narthex!

Note: Volunteers are always needed for weekly Communion set-up and clean-up. Free training is available! If interested, talk to a council member.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Lutheran-

Church-Arnprior/302930049856065

Website: http://stjohnsarnprior.com

Postings in the Narthex

Eastern Synod Lutheran Monthly Newsletter (or access online at: http://www.easternsynod.org/)

Upcoming events at Galilee Centre – website at http://www.galileecentre.com/programs/

Missions workshop at St. James, Renfrew October 15th - register by October 7th

FaithLife Financial presentation at St. John’s Arnprior October 23rd

Shoeboxes are now available!

Due: Sunday, November 16th

Need more information? Contact Jeff.