COTTAGE MEETINGS…

Sundays – February 5 and 12, 2012

1:00 p.m. – upstairs social room

         There are two meetings left to discuss our church’s history.  So far, the gatherings have been very informative and very interesting.  Some of the information shared is remembered by those who have participated, while some of the reflections have been down right surprising!

        The meetings themselves will be about an hour and a half long, and there will be refreshments afterwards.  All members are invited to attend to share your stories.

        The basic questions that are asked are:  1) What was the community like during that time period?  2) What was happening in Oak Harbor ?  3)  What was the congregation like – size, worship style, how decisions were made, events, significant people, etc.?  

        We are now in the time frame that many of the members of this church remember.  This Sunday, we will be looking at 1965-1994.  Next week, we will look at 1994-present.

        All meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. and will finish by 2:30 p.m.  We will meet in the upstairs social room.  ** Babysitting will be available. ** Even if you are new to the congregation, it might be fun to hear the past history of St. John’s . 

         On Sundays, February 19 and 26, we will be having “Tables of Eight” discussions, also beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the upstairs social room.  We will start planning for the future.  The 19^th we will look at who we are as a congregation now, and the following week, asking what kind of pastor we will be looking for.  

        So please join us for these casual gatherings and listen to the story of St. John’s .

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SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE & SAUSAGE SUPPER

Tuesday, February 21^st

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Upstairs Social Room

This is the annual fund raiser for the Lutheran Youth Organization to help with the expense of transportation and hotel fees for the National Youth Gathering to be held this summer in New Orleans from July 18-22. 

The menu includes:

All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, applesauce, and beverage

The cost of the meal is by free-will donation.  

 ** Shrove Tuesday is held the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is a season of the Christian Church year when Christians are encouraged to participate in a time of fasting and prayer.  “Shrove” (past tense is shrive) means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance.  Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the shriving that English Christians do prior to receiving absolution immediately before Lent begins.   

The festival of Shrove Tuesday is associated with the eating of rich foods, such as eggs, sugar, and butter.  These items are consumed on or before Shrove Tuesday so they would not spoil, or go bad, during the fasting time of Lent.  

Please mark February 21^st on your calendar to come, eat, and enjoy the fellowship we always have here at St. John’s .

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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING on Super Bowl Weekend, February 4 & 5:

An Annual Food Drive and Fund Raiser for the Oak Harbor Food Pantry.  All proceeds will directly and exclusively support the B-C-S Oak Harbor Food Pantry  -- led by the St. John Middle School Youth

 Three Ways to Participate

–          Bring in non-perishable food items for the B-C-S Oak Harbor Food Pantry between January 21 and February 5 (inclusive of these dates) and place these items in the large “Soup Pots” at the sanctuary entrances.  Look for the smiling middle school youth with these soup pots.

–          Bring in monetary gifts for the B-C-S Oak Harbor Food Pantry on the weekends of January 21-22, 28-29 and February 4-5.  Place these in the “Soup Pots” at the sanctuary entrances (or give using a designation on your offering envelope – note: Souper Bowl).  Cash or check accepted.  Make checks payable to:  St. John Ev. Lutheran Church ; memo line: Souper Bowl.  No amount is too small or too large.

–          Attend the Souper Bowl of Caring Soup Supper on Saturday, February 4, at 6 p.m. in the Social Room.  Food, fellowship and a “Best Soup” Contest.  Several individuals and families will bring soups to share.   

 Big Plans to help our neighbors in need:

–        Our goal is to collect over $1000 plus many items for the B-C-S Oak Harbor food pantry.  By God’s grace, and your generosity, $1,475.05, was raised last year.

–        This is a growing and generous part of ministry here at St. John .  This is our recent history:        

            In 2011 we collected $1,475.05 and 48 non-perishable food items

            In 2010 we collected $1,236 and 10 canned food items. 

            In 2009 we collected $825 and 4 canned food items.

–        This is a nationwide effort.  In 2011 a total of 15,236 groups generated $9,583,628 across the USA !  In nearly every case these donations were given to local hunger relief.

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"COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP HOUR"

Every Sunday -- 9:00 - 10:30a.m.

Come join us for coffee on the 1st floor hallway and all-purpose room. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a breakfast item will be served every Sunday. Stay and visit, or grab a cup to go. The coffee, tea, and hot chocolate is purchased from Equal Exchange which supports the ELCA World Hunger program.  All are welcome to enjoy.

EMAIL ADDRESSES If anyone would like to receive church information via e-mail, please contact the church office with your e-mail address (419)898-6474  

IN OUR PRAYERS (recent health concerns):  Melissa Cunningham

 THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS in our congregation and community who are in long term need of prayer. They may be chronically ill, in rehabilitation, or experiencing some special need.  Please continue to keep in your prayers: Jackie Macko, Luane Tipton, Stan Beck, Cathy Jackson, Vernon Harder, Tim Shanteau, Roger Burmeister, Frances Weirich, Katrina Millinger, Mary Windisch, Carol Benner, Florence Brown, Marv Grau, Dan Wendt, Vera Schultz, Louie Young, Jill Mincheff, Pastor Harold Rust, Jim Barnes, Marge Zunk, Paul & Mary Martha Provonsha, Mae Hepner, Carl Hepner, Ken & Jean Harvey, Richard Immel, Betty Schmidt, Fredrick Peters, Jillie Snyder, Audra Headley, Jake Laughlin, Katelyn Apple, Pastor David Voll and family, Mike Bussons, Andrew Stitzlein, Don Christie, Diane Epling, John Harder, Jim Beard.

MILITARY PERSONNEL...

Greg Arent, son of Carol Arent, serving in the Army.

Kathleen Arent, daughter of Carol Arent, US Army, stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

Bill Berry, son of Keith & Jennifer Thorbahn and grandson of Rich & Joyce Thorbahn, serving with the U.S. Navy in Africa .

Curt Borjas, husband of Lindsey Borjas (Brooks) serving with the Marines in Chicago .

Major Perry Carper, grandson of Betty Schmidt, serving with Army Natl’ Guard in Iraq .

Art Ceraldi, son of Doug & Joy Ceraldi, serving with the US Navy in Bahrain .

Jeremy Chio, son of Ben & Eileen Chio, serving with Marines stationed in San Diego, CA .

Steve Cox, husband of Holly (Garza) Cox, currently at Edwards Air Force Base in CA.

Chris Grau, son of John & Kathy Grau, serving with the Navy in Japan .

Michael J. Hager, son of Bob & Merry Morse and grandson of Ben & Edna Morse, serving in Iraq .  

Andrew Hopkins, husband of Morgan (Price) Hopkins , stationed at Andrews AFB, Maryland

William Kohring, grandson of Dick & Laura Kohring, currently stationed in Norfolk , VA , on USS Wasp, Air Craft Carrier.

Tyler Krieger, son of Jeff Krieger and Cyndy Krieger and grandson of Ron & Marge Krieger, stationed at Omaha , Nebraska  

Melissa Nixon, granddaughter of Bob & Joyce Nixon, serving with Army Reserve in Iraq.

Brady Peters, grandson of Lauretta Peters, serving with the Navy in Hawaii .

Niki Reau, niece of Randy & Jackie Kohlman, stationed at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi , Texas .

Jamie Sandrock, son of Jim & Cheryl Sandrock, serving in Army at Fort Campbell .

Douglas Seeger, grandson of Elaine Young, serving with the Air Force in Virginia .

Tim Schnitker serving with the 180^th Air National Guard.

Nathaniel Seibel, son of Pastor Wally & Christinia Seibel, serving with army at Good Fellow AFB, Texas .

Jason Sims, nephew of Carlos & Jill Mincheff serving with the Army in Germany .

Dan Tack, Jr., great-nephew of Ruel & Lucille Lieske, serving w/Air National Guard.

Steve Tack, great-nephew of Ruel & Lucille Lieske, serving with Army National Guard.

Curt Urani, serving with the Coast Guard in Chattanooga , Tennessee .

Paul Wargowsky, nephew of Rose Mary & Kenny Weirich, serving in Air Force in Norfolk, VA .

Travis Weirich, son of Phil & Kelly Weirich, serving with Marines, stationed in Japan .  

Thomas Witt, son of Jim & Sharon Witt, with Air Force training at San Antonio, TX.

Ariel (Sauvey) Zimmerman, niece of Marcia & Don Jess, serving with the Air Force at  Yokota Air Force Base in Japan .

 Please contact the church office if you would like to add anyone to this list.

             WE HAVE RECEIVED news from our missionary family in Hong Kong , Dr, John and Barbara LeMond, that they have a new website which reports on their ministry: lemondworld.shutterfly.com.  We invite you to track their work in China .

            CARDS & COMPANY Game Day will be held on Sunday, February 19th, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy card games - pinochle, euchre, etc.   Bring along a favorite snack to share.  We always enjoy new faces, so bring along a card playing friend (or friends) and join in the fun.  

            FOOD DONATIONS for the B-C-S/Oak Harbor Food Pantry during the month of February are:  ketchup, mustard, 4 pack toilet paper, pop tart type breakfast bars.  Your contributions can be placed in the baskets under the table in the elevator lobby.

            COMMUNITY CASH is back at Community Market.  The L.Y.O. is participating to do more fund raising.  Every time you purchase groceries, save your slips, put them in the box that will be located in the narthex, and the youth will receive 1% of the total sales (from qualified purchases).  

            THE FINANCIAL OFFERING ENVELOPES for 2012 are completed and are located on the table in the narthex of the church.  Please pick them up at your earliest convenience.   

            THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for 2011 have been sent out in the mail.  Please be looking for them.  If you do not receive yours, please contact the church office.

            THE PUPPET MINISTRY of St. John’s has been on hiatus and we are looking for persons who would be willing to start it up again.  Puppets, stage, skits, music, and microphone are all ready to bring these characters back to life once more.  If you are interested, please contact Laura Kohring.  

           ST. JOHN YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAM:  The St. John Youth music program is growing and we need you! All rehearsals are on Wednesday’s:  Children’s Choir (kindergarten – 5^th grades) from 5:00-6:00 p.m., Guitar from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Middle School (6^th – 8^th grades) from 6:15-7:10 p.m., and High School (9^th – 12^th grades) from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  We hope you will join us in making a “joyful noise” to our Lord.  We are taking a holiday break from rehearsal, but will resume on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

            THE BLANKET SEWING GROUP for Lutheran World Relief has begun meeting again on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the upstairs social room. Anyone who is interested in helping with this project (cutting blocks of material, sewing blocks together, tying knots, etc.) are welcome to join us.  We meet for two hours every Thursday morning during January, February, and March.

            THE RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE will be held here at St. John’s on Monday, February 6^th, from 12 noon – 6:00 p.m.  To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-828-1975.

            THE OAK HARBOR Traveling Group has more tickets for the bus trip to Bear Creek Farms in Bryant , Indiana , on June 7^th, 2012, to see “Branson on the Road.”  It is a country western music show.  The trip includes a family style dinner, show, and transportation.  The cost is $56.00.  If interested, please contact Arlene Wilburn.

** “Roll Call” – Sunday School is asking for Valentine treats (valentine candy, cookies, etc.) to give to members who aren’t able to leave their place of residence.  A list of names is located in a bag hanging from a decorated mailbox in the narthex.  Please take a sheet of names (with the instructions included).  Please have a “heart” and donate.  

            VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help with collection of the offering on Sunday mornings.  The abbreviated duty of an usher is to pass the offering plate from pew to pew and count the people in that pew.  On rail communion Sundays, you will need to excuse people from the pews.  It’s really pretty simple.  A sign up sheet is located in the back of the church on the table with the offering envelopes.  If you need more information, please contact Larry Jensen.

            A VOLUNTEER is also needed to copy CD disks for the CD ministry.  Each Sunday, our worship service is recorded for some of our homebound members.  The recording is copied onto CD disks.  We have teams who then deliver the CD’s with a large print bulletin.  If you would be interested or would like more information, please contact the church office. 

            THE LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION dinner meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16^th, at 6:00 p.m. in the upstairs social room.  The program will be announced.  Please call the church office by February 14^th to make your dinner reservations.