Connections

Typically for the month of

November, I enlist the help of

my family in writing my

Connections article. This

month though I am

writing this article

just after hearing

news of the death of

my Grandmother.

G r a n d m a w a s

grandma. She

baked your favorite

goodies when you

came to visit. She

made the best pot

roast ever. She was a model

for me as she lived out her

Christian faith steadfastly. In

this month of Thanksgiving, I

give thanks for the life of my

Grandmother. I give thanks

that I got to know her as much

as I did. I give thanks for the

cinnamon rolls that she would

make. But mostly I give

thanks because I know that her

struggle is now over. Her

battle is complete. I give

thanks that she is now resting

in the arms of Jesus.

We have all had loved ones

in our lives that have died.

We know how that feels.

Typically around holidays

their loss really

hits us hard,

b e c a u s e w e

remember sharing

those special

times together. It

just doesn’t seem

like Thanksgiving

without them

around. As hard

as these feelings

may be; as hard as it is to

get our bearings during this

time of year, St. Paul gives

u s a f o c u s , i n 1

Thessalonians chapter 4.

But we do not want you to be uninformed,

brothers, about those who are asleep, that

you may not grieve as others do who have no

hope. For since we believe that Jesus died

and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God

will bring with him (Continued on page 2)

Happy Thanksgiving to You! by Pastor Caleb

November2012 Volume 125, Issue 3

Friendship Club 2

Music 4

Food Bank

Purple Pouch

5

Celebrations 7

Progressive Dinner

Stewardship 8

Inside this issue:

God’s caring fellowship, sharing

His love!

On Tuesday, November 6, we will leave St. John’s at 10:45am and travel to Byron, IL,

have lunch at Three Sisters Café. After a scrumptious lunch we will visit Hailey’s

Winery in Byron and then Prairie State Winery in

Genoa. Cost for this trip is what you choose to spend for

lunch, the purchases that

you make and sharing transportation costs.

Hailey’s Winery specializes

in handcrafted wines from grape varieties native to Illinois, as well as other varietals,

and seasonal fruits. Hailey’s is a fully functioning winery, with all wines produced

and bottled on the premises. Wine tastings are available any time during our business

hours. In addition to wine, we have

homemade bread, specialty cheeses, chocolates, and gift items.

Prairie State Winery was started by

onne time school teachers, Rick and Maria Mamoser decided

to forgo the long commute into the

suburbs for a

“simpler life” as business owners.

P r a i r i e S t a t e Mercantile opened

at their current location in July, 1998. Selling finer goods,

including wine, made exclusively in Illinois (The Prairie State), they were on the

leading edge of the “keep it local” movement, winning multiple statewide

awards for their concept.

Friendship Club Wine Tour

Page 2 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

those who have fallen asleep... And

so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one

another with these words. (emphasis mine)

In this season of giving thanks, it can be difficult to always be thankful because of

(Continued from page 1) losses in our life. However, St. Paul

reminds us that as Christians we have the hope of Jesus and the hope of

life with him forever. I am grateful that my Grandmother is with the Lord. I

am grateful that I will get to see her again someday when I transition from

this life into the next. That is something to give thanks about!

Friendship Club Christkindlmarket and Chicago Lights

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, the

Friendship Club will leave St.

John’s at 9:30am and carpool

to Chicago to shop at the

Christkindlmarket.

We will have some lunch of

course and enjoy the festive

Christmas lighting. We will

return to St. John’s mid-

afternoon.

CONSTITUTION/BYLAWS OF ST JOHN’S

On October 11, 2012 the voters of St John’s church approved the new Constitution/By-

laws. This is the new governing process that has been talked about during the past

weeks and months. This is an awesome step and we thank God for leading us in this

direction. The voters liked the “Imagine ideas” presented during our information

sessions. The vision of our church reaching

out more and doing more of God’s work in

our church, community and nation seemed to

be a direction they wanted to go. We will

need the prayers, support and your

involvement to make this work for St John’s

Lutheran Church of Union.

Much work needs to be done between now and the next Voters meeting on December

13, 2012. At that time, we will approve a church Budget and vote on the new 7 person

Governing Board. Between now and then, the Nominating Committee (Wayne Gehring,

Don Huntington, and Steve Conro) will prepare a nominating list from which all

voters will be able to select the people they wish to have on the board. We will try to have this list available to the congregation by November 20, 2012. The proposed

budget is being worked on now and should be in proposal form by November 20 and available for congregational review.

After the meeting in December, the newly elected Governing Board will begin work

leading the congregation and staff to develop a Strategic Direction for St John’s church.

Many ministry teams will be established such as Elders, Trustees, and any others that the Pastor and Staff deem necessary to achieve the Strategic Direction of St John’s.

This is a big change for our congregation and we cannot do it without God’s leadership and your prayers and support as we move forward.

May God continue to lead us and Bless us in our journey.

Wayne Gehring, Chairman Constitution/Bylaws

Page 3 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

Connections is published monthly by

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 6821 Main St, Union, IL 60180

Phone (815) 923-2733 Fax (815) 923-2734

E-mail: stjohn6821@sbcglobal.net Website: www.stjohnsluth.org

Contributors include: Rev. Caleb Schauer; Rev. Tim Schutt, Deac. Lauren Olsen; Susan Ziller, Admin.

Assistant; and Steve Olsen, Editor. Contributions should be given or emailed to

Steve Olsen: steven.olsen@charter.net, by the 10th of each month.

mailto:stjohn6821@sbcglobal.netmailto:steven.olsen@charter.net

Second Annual Community Hymn Sing

Page 4 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

The Second Annual Community Hymn Sing will be

held on Sunday, November 18, 2012, beginning at

4:30pm at Marengo Community High School, 110

Franks Road, Marengo. Last year’s Hymn Sing was

held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, but due to it’s

popularity a larger auditorium has been chosen for

this year’s event.

Six music directors and several area pastors are involved in the planning of the service with the focus

of the readings and music being on the Thanksgiving

theme. The Bells of Peace will perform their signature piece “Prayer for Humanity” and any Cornerstone

Choir members or vocalists who would like to participate may join the Community Choir which will

be singing Come Ye Thankful People Come, a medley of favorite Thanksgiving hymns. The YouTube

performance of this piece can be found at

www.thelaniercompany.com/thanksgivingmedley.htm.

A free-will offering will be accepted with all donations being presented to

M.O.R.E. food pantry in Marengo. We sincerely hope that you will join us for an

afternoon of Scripture readings, music presented by area choirs, and a reception to follow the service. Please contact Linda Zumpf at 815-568-5548 for more

information or if you wish to participate.

The Story Tour will be a celebration of the Christmas season, featuring your favorite Christmas songs as well as presenting a theatrical journey from Genesis to Revelation!

Wanting to make Bible stories more accessible and encouraging others to engage in the Bible, they wrote The Story, which contains 31 chapters (stories) from the Bible told as one seamless story from beginning to end. Additionally, Frazee and Lucado penned new books built around these 31 key stories from the Bible providing further insight into the characters. With these resources as a foundation, Dove Award -winning ar t is t Nichole Nordeman and Dove Award-winning producer Bernie Herms teamed up to give those same timeless stories a modern musical voice. Guests

appearances in the live performances of The Story concert events will feature Nordeman, Herms and an all star lineup including Natalie Grant, Amy Perry and Todd Smith of Selah, Jeremy Camp, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, and Matthew West.

It’s more than a song; it’s more than a play. It’s presenting The Story through music, and discovering how our stories intertwine with God’s love story to us.

If we have ten people who are interested, the tickets will be $32 each. We will leave St. John’s on December 4th at 5:00pm and carpool to the Sear’s Centre, to share the cost of parking ($20 per vehicle and gas). Please sign-up and pay for your ticket in the lobby by November 11. Please indicate if you are willing to drive.

Page 5 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

before us and strengthens

our hope in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. How fitting it is

to remember the example,

i n s t r u c t i o n a n d encouragement of those

saints who have been special blessings to us. We

thank God for those who have been teachers and

e x a m p l e s o f g o o d stewardship. One day we

will join the saints in heaven but until then God

empowers us to be teachers, models and

e x a m p l e s o f g o o d stewardship for our children and other people who are

special to us.

Also on the last Thursday of November we celebrate

Thanksgiving Day which provides us with the

opportunity to pause and thank our God for his mercy

which endures forever and his providing of so many

spiritual and physical blessings day after day.

Many of us have learned from the saints what it is

like to live as God’s children and to receive his gifts with thanksgiving.

(Continued from page 8)

Stewardship

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Annual Holiday Meal Boxes

Each box contains:

· 12-14 lb frozen turkey

· Stuffing mix

· Instant potatoes

· Two vegetables

· Canned peaches

· Gravy mix

· Dessert mix

· Coffee

Order now for

Thanksgiving and

Christmas.

If you would like to help by sponsoring a Holiday meal &

box, please send a check or cash to:

MORE Center.

829 Greenlee St.

Marengo, IL. 60152

PURPLE POUCH

WHAT:

What is purple pouch giving you ask? We are trying to upgrade our organ through the donation of old or unused

gold, silver or platinum.

HOW:

Get a purple pouch from an elder or a Pastor. Insert donation slip with your gold, silver or platinum item.

(gemstones can be removed upon request) Pull drawstrings

and tie to secure. Place in offering plate.

The testing is done here at the church with a representative of our church present. Then a detailed donation receipt will

be provided. Any questions, see Pastor Caleb.

Page 6 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

Come join in the fun and

fellowship with St. John’s

WinGS (Women in God’s

Service). ???, prizes and Autumn

treats!

Invite your friends!

Cost: $5.00 per person.

Please sign up by November 4.

YOU AUTUMN BE HERE!

St. John’s Lutheran Church Gym

Do You Have A Clue?

Mys

tery

Gal

s N

igh

t

Out

Date: November 8, 2012

Time: 7:00pm

I understand that several St John’s members are asking the question “Where is John

Klyop?” The short answer is: the tug of our two grandkids proved to be too strong at the

end of last year. As some of you know, for nearly four years now, we have had a second

home in Derry, NH (10 miles from the grandkids). Knowing that, the Leadership

Team of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in that area asked me over the last few years

to transfer to the Northeast.

My answer – until last year was always “no.” However, at the end of last year, I said yes,

with the following condition. I would spend 2/3s of my time in NH and 1/3 of my time in

IL. This November, I will begin my seventh

year with Thrivent Financial. My formal relationship with Thrivent began while I

was serving as Elder at St John’s and an Elder’s wife, Kay Hubert, thought that I

would be ”good at” being a Thrivent Financial Representative. It turned out,

my 10 years as an educator and 26 years as a senior health care administrator

helped prove Kay to be right.

I soon realized everything that I did in the past was just preparing me for my current

role. My Mother used to say, “Johnny, you were called by Him to serve as a Thrivent

Financial Representative.” My contact information is john.klyop@thrivent.com

and 815.355.0138.

“Where is John Klyop?”

mailto:john.klyop@thrivent.com

Page 7 Connect ions Volume 125, Issue 3

November Wedding Anniversaries

Scott* & Kay* Meyer November 2, 1985

Dan* & Karen* Schneider November 2, 1968

Bill* & Jennifer* Hoeske November 4, 1989

Steve* & Carol* Jancovic November 4, 1978

Donald* & Irene* Bauman November 5, 1949

Steve* & Tina* Kropke November 6, 1982

Scott* & Heidi* Raether November 6, 2004

Jeffrey & Alissa * Block November 7, 2009

Stefan* & Joy Ganvik November 7, 1987

Marcus* & Talia* Koronkiewicz November 10, 2007

Ed* & Ginny* Sytsma November 10, 1973

Jeff* & Mary* Van Valkenburg November 10, 1990

Robert & Denise* Blahnik November 11, 2011

Rusty & Katherine* Fowler November 11, 2011

Fred* & Karen* Babashka November 12, 1966

Ryan* & Kaley Johnson November 13, 2010

Arden* & Karen* Miller November 16, 1968

Adeetya & Kate* Deshmukh November 18, 2006

James & Kelsey* Thompson November 19, 2005

Ron* & Carol* Thomfohrda November 20, 1955

Paul* & Dawn* Psilos November 21, 1981

John* & Deb* Silker November 21, 1976

Ron* & Dawn* Dollman November 23, 1996

Doug* & Lori* Homeyer November 24, 1984

Joel & Janet* Sjurseth November 27, 1999

John* & Jane* Knoll November 29, 1958

When: Saturday, December 1 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: St. John‘s Lutheran Church, 6821 Main St, Union, IL

Vendors: include, but are not limited to Mary Kay, Partylite,

Pampered Chef, Katy Bass (handmade wreaths, hairbows, deco

glass block accessories), Colies (Disciple Crosses), Tastefully

Simple, Lia Sophia, Gourmet Coffee and more…

A warm lunch will be served throughout the

day!

If you have a product you would like to sell,

please call Janet Sjurseth at 847-322-2123.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

On November First Christians around the

world join in celebrating All Saints Day. Among the saints in heaven are our loved ones who have died

in the faith and now share in the joys of heaven. The

recommended Epistle reading for All Saints day comes from Revelation 7 and includes these

words: “These are they who have come out of the great

tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his

temple; and he who sits on the throne

will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun

will not beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat. For

the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of

living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their

eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17 NIV) This beautiful picture of the saints before the throne brings us comfort as we

remember our loved ones who have passed

(Continued on page 5)

About Stewardship by Lanny Brasile

Progressive Dinner

Sunday, December 9, 2012

4:30 pm to 9:00 pm

4:30 pm Appetizers

5:30 pm Main Course

7:30 pm Dessert

This activity is for adults and is always a fun social

activity. Hosts provide their home, beverages, and a

couple of dishes for the course that they are hosting.

Participants sign-up to bring one or more dishes to

share. Maps will be provided the weekend of the

progressive dinner. Please sign-up in the lobby to host

and participate.

Celebrate the Christmas Season With St. John’s