Parish Board of Education
Crossways Bible studies will resume
September 6th ~ the first Tuesday in September.
We will finish with the intertestamental period
(4 lessons) and then begin with the study of the
New Testament on October 4th ~ the first
Tuesday in October. This is a great opportunity
to join in at either point as we begin the new
series. The only prerequisite required is a
yearning for studying the Bible and a deeper
understanding of the Biblical narrative.
Crossways offers a unique approach to Biblical
studies utilizing illustrations along with the
workbooks.
A strong historical perspective adds to
the understanding of the times and practices of
the Jewish nation. The ultimate focus of the
studies is Jesus, the Servant-King. Dr Wendt,
the author, does a marvelous job of
demonstrating how the Bible consistently
throughout the ages directs us to Jesus who
invites us to follow him by loving and serving
others. The call to service is compelling and
you will hear it and feel it if you join
us and participate with fellow members in the
weekly Crossways studies.
If you would like to order the 2 workbooks
That cover the New Testament please contact
Wayne Kohn at (231) 798-1561
orwdjnd@comcast.net. The approximate cost
for the material would be $35.00. If you just
prefer to stop by and listen and give it a try
you are welcome as well. We will be
meeting Tuesday evenings in the Sanctuary
at 7:00 p.m. and we usually go for about 90
minutes. Please feel comfortable to join us
as we are very informal and have some
great and inspiring discussions around these
materials. God bless you as you contemplate
your studies for the coming
year.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Other Choirs
May - Women’s Choir: This month long choir will meet 7:00-8:00 Wednesday evenings. This is a great choir for you ladies who want to sing with friends and can’t commit to an entire year of choir.
Every Thursday 7:15-9:00 p.m. Praise Team. Would you like to be a part of this fun and dynamic group? Singers and musicians are always welcome. We are also actively looking for people to man the sound board and run video projection during worship services.
September – April: JuBELLation Bell Choir. This choir is open to anyone in 7th grade and up wanting to ring bells! This lively musical group is only improved with additional members – the more the better.
We meet from 6:00-7:00 on Wednesday evenings and ring throughout the church year.
JuBELLation Ringers. Our Fall Season starts on Wednesday, September 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the church balcony. Our first ringing for worship will be Sunday, September 18th at the beginning of both services. Interested in ringing with us or learning how to ring, call director Ruth Haupt (616) 846-7875 or email her at hauptruth@hotmail.com.
Every Thursday 7:15-9:00 p.m. Praise Team. Would you like to be a part of this fun and dynamic group? Singers and musicians are always welcome. We are also actively looking for people to man the sound board and run video projection during worship services.
September – April: JuBELLation Bell Choir. This choir is open to anyone in 7th grade and up wanting to ring bells! This lively musical group is only improved with additional members – the more the better.
We meet from 6:00-7:00 on Wednesday evenings and ring throughout the church year.
JuBELLation Ringers. Our Fall Season starts on Wednesday, September 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the church balcony. Our first ringing for worship will be Sunday, September 18th at the beginning of both services. Interested in ringing with us or learning how to ring, call director Ruth Haupt (616) 846-7875 or email her at hauptruth@hotmail.com.
Everyday Evangelism
In June a husband/wife team from Mission U of Lutheran Hour Ministries came to St. Matthew Lutheran Church and presented a program on “everyday evangelism.” In the next few newsletters I would like to share with you the key points of this seminar, based on the Power Point notes I received from Ronda Chapman. The goal of this presentation was to help the participants gain confidence in Christian witnessing. To “witness” means to speak from personal experience and to introduce others to
Jesus. Have you ever wondered how many
people surrounding you such as neighbors and coworkers really know Jesus and understand the meaning and importance of having a personal relationship with Him? If you want to change someone’s life, start them on a path of learning about Jesus. Plant the seed, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. We tend to think of witnessing as a prepared monologue on our part that we recite from someone’s doorway. With that thought in the back of our mind it’s no wonder we approach witnessing with timidity. Actually, the spotlight is not on us. It’s on Jesus. Witnessing is not about me! It’s about Jesus. It’s all about His mission, His message, and His power; and the person who needs to know Him. It’s our privilege to participate!
Next month I’ll talk about the hindrances to
witnessing. In the meantime think about how you came to the Christian faith and what it has meant for your life. We speak best about what we truly know!
Randy Cooper; Evangelism Committee
Renzie@aol.com
Jesus. Have you ever wondered how many
people surrounding you such as neighbors and coworkers really know Jesus and understand the meaning and importance of having a personal relationship with Him? If you want to change someone’s life, start them on a path of learning about Jesus. Plant the seed, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. We tend to think of witnessing as a prepared monologue on our part that we recite from someone’s doorway. With that thought in the back of our mind it’s no wonder we approach witnessing with timidity. Actually, the spotlight is not on us. It’s on Jesus. Witnessing is not about me! It’s about Jesus. It’s all about His mission, His message, and His power; and the person who needs to know Him. It’s our privilege to participate!
Next month I’ll talk about the hindrances to
witnessing. In the meantime think about how you came to the Christian faith and what it has meant for your life. We speak best about what we truly know!
Randy Cooper; Evangelism Committee
Renzie@aol.com
Music Notes
There are plenty of places to sing for every
person here at St. John’s! Find a place where you fit in and join us! Any
Questions? Call Tracy Wood (616) 402-5099 or email at twood@sjlcs.org.
September: Men’s Choir. This special group will only meet for a month. If you love to sing, but can’t commit to an entire year of choir, this is the place for you. We will practice 7:00-8:00 Wednesday evenings and sing in late September/early October. First practice is September 7th.
person here at St. John’s! Find a place where you fit in and join us! Any
Questions? Call Tracy Wood (616) 402-5099 or email at twood@sjlcs.org.
September: Men’s Choir. This special group will only meet for a month. If you love to sing, but can’t commit to an entire year of choir, this is the place for you. We will practice 7:00-8:00 Wednesday evenings and sing in late September/early October. First practice is September 7th.
Hello ?? Where Are You ??
Your Board of Elders is beginning an ongoing effort to contact and connect with members of our congregation who have not been active in worship or participating in the activities at St John’s. Our purpose is to bring our lost sheep back to St John’s or to help them connect with a sister congregation if they have moved out of our service area. This effort is being made out of love and concern for the spiritual well being of our missing family members and is intended to be an opportunity to renew the spiritual life of these brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have family members, friends or neighbors that you have not seen in worship, please ask them to join you in worship. In today’s society there are many activities and diversions which may distract some people of God from keeping their confirmed commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayer is to reconnect these folks with worship and the Word of God through personal contact.
Please join the Elders in prayer and action as we ask the Holy Spirit to touch the minds and hearts of those who have been absent from St John’s. If you are aware of special circumstances or situations, please advise Pastor Haupt or an Elder with information regarding our inactive members of the family of God. Thank you for your prayers and support as we begin this important area of ministry. Regular updates will follow in the church newsletter and weekly bulletin.
Charles Edwards, Director Board of Elders
Please join the Elders in prayer and action as we ask the Holy Spirit to touch the minds and hearts of those who have been absent from St John’s. If you are aware of special circumstances or situations, please advise Pastor Haupt or an Elder with information regarding our inactive members of the family of God. Thank you for your prayers and support as we begin this important area of ministry. Regular updates will follow in the church newsletter and weekly bulletin.
Charles Edwards, Director Board of Elders
Friday, July 29, 2011
Pastoral Musings
Pastoral Musings
This month I’d like to give this space over to Rev. Ken Klaus, speaker emeritus of the Lutheran Hour, who is still active, writing most of the Lutheran Hour Ministry’s daily on-line devotions (and preaching once in a while on the Lutheran Hour). He wrote the following devotion back on July 10, 2011.
"Unnoticed"(The LORD said) "... When I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not listen; but they did what was evil in My eyes and chose that in which I did not delight." Isaiah 66:4b
It was a fair number of years ago that a huge
crowd gathered in the street outside a hotel in
Glasgow, Scotland.
The folks, who hailed from every economic and
educational strata, had come together for a very
important purpose: they wished to welcome home their victorious soccer team.
During the midst of the celebration a quiet, little man entered the hotel unnoticed. He wasn't a soccer player and since he wasn't he didn't amount to anything in the eyes of that great group of enthusiastic humanity.
That shouldn't have been. For while the soccer
team had brought home a trophy and a certain
amount of civic pride, the unrecognized man had been responsible for many of them being there. Indeed, he was the reason many of them were still alive.
You see, the forgotten fellow was Alexander
Fleming, the man most responsible for putting
penicillin on the shelves of the world's pharmacists.
This is just this devotion's way of saying that
sometimes the important can be pushed aside by
the inconsequential. If I asked the Daily Devotion readers if the Savior is important to them, they would look shocked at such a foolish question. I pray all of us have been brought to that place where we recognize the incomparable value of the Christ whose life was offered up in payment for our salvation.
We would say, "Jesus is the most important Person in our lives," and we would mean it.
Sadly, things of this world often get in the way of our worshipping Him. Cabins, vacations, grass cutting, family visits, toothaches and a whole host of minor events and insignificant situations get in our way and draw our attention away from Jesus who is the "one thing needful" (see Luke 10:42).
If that is so, accept this devotion as a little
reminder that when the Lord calls, we need to
answer; when He speaks, we ought to listen and
when the opportunity to worship Him presents
itself, nothing ought to woo our eyes away from
the cross and empty tomb.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive the times the trivial pushes aside the important things in my life. Help me remember the wonders of Your love and respond with worship and praise. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
This month I’d like to give this space over to Rev. Ken Klaus, speaker emeritus of the Lutheran Hour, who is still active, writing most of the Lutheran Hour Ministry’s daily on-line devotions (and preaching once in a while on the Lutheran Hour). He wrote the following devotion back on July 10, 2011.
"Unnoticed"(The LORD said) "... When I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not listen; but they did what was evil in My eyes and chose that in which I did not delight." Isaiah 66:4b
It was a fair number of years ago that a huge
crowd gathered in the street outside a hotel in
Glasgow, Scotland.
The folks, who hailed from every economic and
educational strata, had come together for a very
important purpose: they wished to welcome home their victorious soccer team.
During the midst of the celebration a quiet, little man entered the hotel unnoticed. He wasn't a soccer player and since he wasn't he didn't amount to anything in the eyes of that great group of enthusiastic humanity.
That shouldn't have been. For while the soccer
team had brought home a trophy and a certain
amount of civic pride, the unrecognized man had been responsible for many of them being there. Indeed, he was the reason many of them were still alive.
You see, the forgotten fellow was Alexander
Fleming, the man most responsible for putting
penicillin on the shelves of the world's pharmacists.
This is just this devotion's way of saying that
sometimes the important can be pushed aside by
the inconsequential. If I asked the Daily Devotion readers if the Savior is important to them, they would look shocked at such a foolish question. I pray all of us have been brought to that place where we recognize the incomparable value of the Christ whose life was offered up in payment for our salvation.
We would say, "Jesus is the most important Person in our lives," and we would mean it.
Sadly, things of this world often get in the way of our worshipping Him. Cabins, vacations, grass cutting, family visits, toothaches and a whole host of minor events and insignificant situations get in our way and draw our attention away from Jesus who is the "one thing needful" (see Luke 10:42).
If that is so, accept this devotion as a little
reminder that when the Lord calls, we need to
answer; when He speaks, we ought to listen and
when the opportunity to worship Him presents
itself, nothing ought to woo our eyes away from
the cross and empty tomb.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive the times the trivial pushes aside the important things in my life. Help me remember the wonders of Your love and respond with worship and praise. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Short-Term Mission Team Scholarships
Short-Term Mission Team Scholarships Offered to College Students: Being part of a MOSTMinistries short term mission trip can be expensive. Often, a student's only hope for going and sharing the love of Jesus in less developed countries is through financial assistance. The Renken Scholarship Fund is now extending $500 scholarships to students, age 18-25, who are currently enrolled or attending any university or college. There are several summer team openings and teams are scheduled over the Thanksgiving holiday. For more info, contact Debby at (734) 994-7909 or www.mostministries.org
Friday, July 15, 2011
Video Contest
The "I Love Lutheran Schools Video Contest" is an opportunity to use
social media to promote Lutheran schools. Students and their families are invited to make a brief video and upload it to YouTube and post the
link on www.facebook.com/lutheranschools. The video that receives the most "likes" will win a cash prize and 50 random participants will win a free t-shirt.
For complete contest instructions, visit www.michigandistrict.org/schools/services/iheartlutheranschools.
The contest runs until July 30, 2011.
social media to promote Lutheran schools. Students and their families are invited to make a brief video and upload it to YouTube and post the
link on www.facebook.com/lutheranschools. The video that receives the most "likes" will win a cash prize and 50 random participants will win a free t-shirt.
For complete contest instructions, visit www.michigandistrict.org/schools/services/iheartlutheranschools.
The contest runs until July 30, 2011.
Marriage Ministry
Marriage Ministry
Date Night is coming! Join the Marriage MinistryTeam for a BBQ Potluck Picnic on Friday, July 22, at beautiful Pottawattomie Park in Grand Haven Township. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and supperwill be served at 6:00 p.m. We’ll supply hamburgers, hotdogs, and beverages; you bring aside dish or dessert.
Come casually dressed and ready to enjoy somefun, games and fellowship. This event is forengaged or married couples. Please let us knowyou are attending by emailing Heather at heather.aspinall@gmail.com or Becky at eminger@chartermi.net. Feel free to invite other couples!
The park is located on Comstock, east of MercuryDrive. We will have a pavilion and modern restrooms are nearby. The Pottawattomie Bayoufeatures a floating dock for fishing, horseshoe pits,and room for yard games.
Next event will be on Friday, September 9, at St.John’s Lutheran.
Date Night is coming! Join the Marriage MinistryTeam for a BBQ Potluck Picnic on Friday, July 22, at beautiful Pottawattomie Park in Grand Haven Township. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and supperwill be served at 6:00 p.m. We’ll supply hamburgers, hotdogs, and beverages; you bring aside dish or dessert.
Come casually dressed and ready to enjoy somefun, games and fellowship. This event is forengaged or married couples. Please let us knowyou are attending by emailing Heather at heather.aspinall@gmail.com or Becky at eminger@chartermi.net. Feel free to invite other couples!
The park is located on Comstock, east of MercuryDrive. We will have a pavilion and modern restrooms are nearby. The Pottawattomie Bayoufeatures a floating dock for fishing, horseshoe pits,and room for yard games.
Next event will be on Friday, September 9, at St.John’s Lutheran.
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