a message from the pastor · our selection is a new book by a local author, barbara...

A message from The pastor

St. John Journey

January 2013

As we begin a new year, I want to first say THANK YOU to each of you. Thanks you for continuing to make

Robin, me and our family feel so welcomed and such a part of this community and congregation. Thank you

for all the generous gifts of cake, candy, cards and cash during the Christmas Season. Thank you all for all the

time and energy you put into the ministries of St. John Lutheran Church. There are many secret Angels who

never get seen but do so many wonderful things around the church. To begin to name each one, I know I

would leave someone out, but to all of you Thank You so much for all you do.

In December much ado was made over 12/21/12, the day the Mayan Calendar ended, was this going to be the

end of the world as we know it. It reminded me of all the excitement at the turn of the century, 1999-2000.

Well, needless to say here we are, I guess that the Mayan’s maybe just took a break from calendar making or

maybe calendars just became less important. During that time, I spent a little time thinking about how our

lives revolve around the calendar. At our house we have a family calendar that hangs on the wall. Robin and I

update that calendar often with things we have to do, places we will be going. I have a calendar that syncs

with my Phone and Computer so I am never far away from the calendar. I also keep a running diary calendar

in an actual paper calendar. I have been known to say at times that if I lost my calendar, I would be truly lost.

But between all these calendars is where my life revolves or is this calendar just a record of where I have been

and where I am, and where I am going.

It is the beginning of a new year. I don’t know about you but for me the years seem to be going by faster. But

even in this fast pace, there is something renewing about the new year. A time to reflect on the past, a time to

look into the future and a time to relish the present. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us “There is a time”. There is a time

for all things and this is the time that we live in. As we begin this new year it is a time to reflect on all the

ways that God has blessed us in the past year. It is a time to even remember the difficult times and know that

we did not have to walk alone, that God is here walking with us. It is a time to look at the priorities in our

lives and actually see if we truly keep Christ in the center of our lives.

I think occasionally we get our lives and our time a little out of sync and forget that the one who gives us life,

God, is the one who gives us everything we have. God has given us Jesus, God’s Son as the Savior of the

world. Jesus is the one who took on the sins of the world as He was baptized by John in the River Jordan. Je-

sus took our sins to the Cross and the grave, freeing us and forgiving us and loving us. As we go out into a

world that seems confusing, it is our call, our task to take that same love into the World.

Pastor Scott

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Page 2 St . John Journey

St. John Preschool Fundraiser

Come and support our preschool on Monday, January 21, 2013 from 5pm - 8pm at Pizza Inn

on 794 W. Main. Tickets are $10 each and will be on sale in the Narthex after each service.

Tickets must be purchased before the 21st, St. John will only receive credit for pre-purchased

tickets. The preschool will receive 50% of ticket sales and 100% of tips. The tickets are good

only on January 21. With a ticket you may dine inside from the all-you-can-eat buffet, includ-

ing salad, and drink or it can be used toward a purchase at the drive-thru. Our servers will be

our very own preschool committee members. This will be a fun time for everyone. The preschool thanks you for

your support.

Sanctuary Flowers and Eternal Candle

The 2013 Flower Chart and Eternal Candle chart have been posted on the bulle-tin board in the Narthex. Flowers may be given to the glory of God or in memory or in honor of loved ones, or on special occasions. Dates are available on a first come-first served basis. What a wonderful way to help beautify the Sanctuary. You will need to make arrangements for your flowers. Humphreys Flowers in Abingdon has a key, so they would be able to deliver your flowers if you wish to use them. The Eternal Candle may be sponsored for a donation of $5 to help defray the cost of the candles, and may be dedicated in the same manner as the Altar Flowers.

Please advise the Church Secretary what you wish to have written in the bulletin insert.

St. John Ladies’ Book Group

St. John Ladies’ Book Group will meet Sunday, January 13th, at 4:00PM, at the

home of Joan Shaver.

Our selection is a new book by a local author, Barbara Kingsolver—Flight Behavior.

All women are invited to come and enjoy food and fellowship while we discuss the book!

P. S. You do not have to read the book to come and enjoy the fellowship!

(but, I have not been able to put it down!!! Joan)

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The St. John Quilters will meet Tuesday January 7th at 9:30AM

The Christmas Quilt Auction recipient was Lisa Roberts.

Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study.

Tuesday afternoon Bible Study will resume on Tuesday January 8th at 1:00PM. We will be continuing a study of the Book of Acts.

.St. John Winter College Graduates

Congratulations to Ann Findley who graduated from East Tennessee State University, with a Master of Sci-

ence in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree Saturday, December 15, 2012.

Congratulations to Alex Depew, who graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, with a Bachelor of Sci-

ence in Biology, on Friday December 21, 2012.

St. John Choirs

St. John’s 11:00Choir will resume rehearsals on Tuesday

January 8th at 7:00PM. The 9:00AM Choir will resume

rehearsals on Wednesday January 9th at 7:00PM—Musicians

are asked to arrive at 6:30PM

All interested singers are welcome—no experience (or ability to read music) is required—just come and

make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!

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Stewardship Volunteers Needed

I am in need of more volunteers in order to not “burn out” the ones I have by scheduling them almost every

Sunday. The most pressing need is for offering counters and coffee hour hosts after the 11:00 worship. New

offering counters can be paired with experienced ones in order to learn the system. For both services I can al-

ways use more lectors and ushers. Anyone who has Friday mornings free is welcome to join the bulletin folders

on Fridays at 11:00AM—it is an easy job and only takes about 20 minutes. Please contact Joan in the church

office if you are willing to volunteer for some of these opportunities to serve at St. John. Thanks for all of your

help!


St. John’s Financial Summary

Due to building maintenance expenses caused by Hurricane Sandy, roof repairs, etc. St. John’s surplus shrunk to $14,700 as of November 30. In addition, Council decided to appropriate $4600 to help St. John’s Preschool with payroll expenses in the Jan-May 2013 time period. St. John is now expected to finish 2012 with about a $10,000 surplus.

Council and the Congregation have approved a $225K balanced budget for 2013. Please continue to give generously!

St. John's Financial Summary

November 2012

0

25,000

50,000

75,000

100,000

125,000

150,000

175,000

200,000

225,000

250,000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

$

Income to Date Expenses to DateProjected Income Projected Expenses

Budgeted Income = $207,000

Budgeted Expenses = $227,600

Carry-over from 2011 = $16,300

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JANUARY Stewardship

Lectionary Readings for the Month

Jan. 6

Isaiah 60:1-6

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

Jan. 20 Isaiah 62:1-5

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11

Jan. 27 Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-

6,8-10

1 Corinthians 12:12-

31a

Luke 4:14-21

If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another

person and call the office to let the secretary know.

St. John Journey

Jan. 13

Isaiah 43:1-7

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Page 5

Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27

Assistant Ray Whitner Charles Sansing Ray Whitner Charles Sansing

Lector Dave Morris Linda Garnett Debbie Kluttz Joel Rosen

Usher Jay Skeen Christine Fields Bob Wolfe Cheryl Carrico

Altar Guild Louise

Sansing

Carole Ann

Rosen Jean Harley Dianne Suhrbier

9:00AM service

11:00AM service

Jan. 6 Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27

Assistant

Minister Beth Hiltebeitel Ed Davis Ken Croghan Joan Shaver

Lector Bill Spencer Linda Brumleve Helen French David Bonham

Acolyte William Gifford Henry Davis Chris Dixon Reagan Honaker

Reception The Bonhams The Spencers Joan Shaver Edie Hiltebeitel

Counters Jim Kroll

David Bonham

David Bonham

Helen French

Helen French

Jim Kroll

Jim Kroll

David Bonham

Ushers The Meachams The Spencers The Giffords

The Krolls

Altar Guild Rana Daston Betsy Bonham Edie Hiltebeitel Helen Findley

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St. John Journey

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

2

3 4

5

6 Epiphany

9:00 AM Worship

10:00AM SS.

11:00AM Worship

7 9 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir

10 11

12

13 Baptism of Jesus

9:00AM Worship

10:00AM SS

11:00AM Worship

4:00 Women’s Book

Group @Shaver’s

147:00PM

Evangel-

ism

15 9:30AM Quilters 1:00 Bible Study 7:00PM 11:00 Choir

16 6:30PM Musicians 7:00PM 9:00 Choir

17 7:00PM Council

18

19

20

9:00AM Worship

10:00AM SS

11:00AM Worship

21



24 25 Youth

Winter

Celebra-

tion

26

Youth

Winter Cele-

bration

27

9:00AM Worship

10:00AM SS

11:00AM Worship

28



31

January2013


Page 6

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St. John Lutheran Church

807 E. Main St.

Abingdon, VA 24210

Phone: 276-628-6215

E-mail:

[email protected]

http://www.stjohnabingdon.org

We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.

St. John Lutheran Church

807 E. Main St.

Abingdon, VA 24210

Address Service Requested

Staff

G. Scott Homesley

[email protected]

Home Phone: 276-739-7740

Cell Phone: 276-525-5801

Joan Shaver, Parish Secretary

[email protected]

Office hours 9-12 Tuesday-Friday

Council

Bill Spencer Dave Morris Marshall Hatfield

Christine Fields Carol Halverson Kelly Read

Joel Rosen Tammie Kroll Charlie Garnett

Linda Brumleve, Financial Secretary

Steve Kluttz, Treasurer

St. John Lutheran is a congregation of the Virginia Synod

of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Rev. Mark S. Hansen, Presiding Bishop, ELCA

The Rev. James Mauney, Bishop, Virginia Synod

January

2013

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