LAMP LIGHTER

Visit our website at: www.sjtosa.org

A Monthly Newsletter March 2010 Edition St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church

ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT

I was born on August 13, 1972. That makes me thirty seven years old, and a few months older than the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in the United States. Practically speaking that means every person in this country my age and younger (and that includes well over half the members of St. John’s) can’t remember a time when abortion was not legal.

Almost four decades later the abortion battle continues. As I write this article Congress is considering healthcare legislation that would mandate abortion coverage and government funded abortions. If the bill passes, it would be yet another blow to the pro-life cause.

After so many years, after so many battles, after so many disappointments, it might be tempting for Christians to give up the fight. Some would say that the issue has been decided. Some believe that it is time for us to move on.

But that is not what God says. The Lord says: “Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Defend the rights of the poor and the needy and the unborn. Cherish God’s gift of life. Promote the sanctity of human life. Proclaim the good news of eternal life. That is why I put you here. That is what I have called you to do.”

I don’t think that any of us would argue with those words. Most of us have an understanding of what God wants us to do. The more difficult question is: How? The world is so big. The task is so overwhelming. How can one person make a difference? How can I make a difference? Here’s how…

Pray

I am a part of the WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee prayer list, and last week I received a request via email to pray for two clients who recently visited one of our pregnancy counseling centers. One girl was being pressured into having an abortion, and the other saw abortion as her only option.

You may not know these women, but you can still pray for them and others like them. Pray that they receive Christ-centered counseling. Pray that they make God-pleasing decisions. Pray for the counselors who work with them. Pray that the Holy Spirit blesses their discussions and ultimately works faith in their hearts.

Give

WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee operates four pregnancy counseling centers in the Milwaukee area. They do important work, work that would not be possible without the gifts of people like you. Last spring St. John’s participated in their Baby Bottle Blessing program, and we raised over $2600 for the organization.

We don’t have any baby bottles this year, but we still have an opportunity to contribute. The Church Council has chosen WELS Lutherans for Life as the Council Project of the Month for March. Please consider making a donation to fund this vital ministry.

Volunteer

For the past few weeks the weekly News & Notes has included information about a couple of different service opportunities to support the work of WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee. They are included here again for your consideration…

1. Come and learn about the work of WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee. A Volunteer Info Day will be held on Saturday, March 13^th from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at Associated Pregnancy Services, 8501 W. Lincoln Ave in West Allis. See how you might become part of this life changing ministry. Call 727-8176 for more information.

2. WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee needs women of any age for our Loving Moms program. We provide all training and materials for you to work with the expecting and new moms two hours (or more) each month. Please call 727-8176 for more information. You can make a difference in one life and the next generation!

Celebrate

On the weekend of March 13 & 14 we will observe our annual Life Sunday under the theme, Life Is A Gift From God. In the weeks leading up to Life Sunday, there will be an “All Are Precious In His Sight” poster board in the church narthex.

Add a photo of yourself (it could be a baby picture or current picture), your kids or grandkids to this pro-life display as a reminder that every soul is precious in the eyes of God. And then come to worship on Life Sunday and celebrate. Pray to God. Sing praises to God. Thank and praise God for his gift of life, and give thanks for the gift of eternal life.

Pastor Pagels

Spiritual Growth

Lenten worship services continue on Wednesdays beginning at 3:30 and 6:45 PM. This year’s theme is taken from the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:23: “We Preach Christ Crucified.”

· March 3 / Lent 3 Philippians 3:7-11 More Precious Than Life

Rev. Harold Hagedorn

· March 10 / Lent 4 Hebrews 12:1-3 The Reason to Endure

Rev. Steven Stern

· March 17 / Lent 5 John 16:32-33 Peace With God Through Our Lord Jesus Christ

Prof. Allen Sorum

· March 24 / Lent 6 Colossians 2:13-15 No Longer Dead, but Alive

Rev. Dr. Paul Lehninger

Lenten Meals

Lenten fellowship meals will be served between services. There will be two serving times. The first seating will follow the afternoon service, approximately 4:30 PM, and the second will precede the evening service at 5:45 PM. Serving ends at 6:30 PM.

· March 3 / Lent 3 – Tacos

· March 10 / Lent 4 – Potato Bar

· March 17 / Lent 5 – Pasta

· March 24 / Lent 6 – Hot open faced turkey sandwiches

Membership

NEW MEMBERS

Transfer from Sister Congregation

Ms Caitlin Harrison from Epiphany, Racine, WI

Mrs Karen Hentz - Beautiful Savior, Cincinnati, OH

Mr Peter Kroening, Jr. from St John’s, Burlington, WI

Mrs Diane Mazurczak from Mt. Lebanon, Milw., WI

MEMBERS LEAVING

Transferred to Sister Congregation

Mr & Mrs Keith & Julie Baxter and Brooke & Troy to Grace, Mosinee, WI

Miss Jenna Kramer to St. Peter’s, Schofield, WI

Released

Mr Andrew Lange, by request

Baptisms

Liliana Therese Kujath, baptized February 14^th

Memorials

· In memory of Frank Saylor, additional gifts have been given by: St. John’s OWLS and other friends to Rooted & Growing

Leadership

Council Project of the Month

The Council project of the month for March is WELS Lutherans for Life – Metro Milwaukee. For more information, please see the “Council Project” section of the narthex bulletin board. If you’d like to contribute to this project, please use your green Above & Beyond envelope and check “Council Project.” Checks should be made payable to St. John's and marked “Lutherans for Life.”

School

School Open House

Our school Open House was held here at St. John’s on Sunday, February 7^th. Our preschool classes are filling up quickly. At this time we have a waiting list for the K4 program. The K3 programs still have a few openings. If you or someone you know is interested in enrolling in our preschool program please contact the school office at 414-258-4214 as soon as possible.

Our Kindergarten Round-Up was held on Friday, February 19^th and the parents of future kindergarteners met with the K5 teachers, Principal and Pastors on the evening of Monday, February 22^nd.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is a program that brings local congregational business people into our school to teach a variety of simple business concepts to the students of our school. This year, Mrs. Susan Eick organized this program for us.

This year nine St. John’s congregational members will coordinate a series of class activities, different for each grade, that will teach a business, plan a sales project or understanding how supply and demand affect prices. Through a project designed for a specific grade level and often involving small-group work, the students and volunteers, together, will have a great learning experience.

A big “thank you” to St. John’s members Jan Kreuser, Stephanie Conaway, Jill Howe, Christine Rindfleisch, Lyle Haferman, Kay Starkey, Tom Raasch, Lois Maurer and Sue Eick for volunteering their time and talents to this program!

Student Teacher

This year our third graders have a student teacher from our synod’s teacher training college, Martin Luther College of New Ulm, Minnesota. Miss Kerry Pamperin will be here through April 1^st. Thank you to St. John’s members Dan and Angela Ebeling for once again providing housing for our student teacher!

Grade School Band Solo Festival

On Saturday, February 13^th, the Grade School Band Solo Festival was held at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Four St. John’s students participated and were awarded medals as follows:

Connor Henne 1^st place – Gold medal

Dylan Lueck 1^st place – Gold medal

Hannah Johnston – 2^nd place – Silver medal

Abigail Thorgerson – 2^nd place – Silver medal

Congratulations on a job well done!!

Outreach Corner

Easter Canvass

On Saturday, March 27^th the Board of Outreach will be coordinating an Easter neighborhood canvass from 10:00 AM to Noon. Since a number of people have asked questions about this annual event, let me take just a moment to address them.

· Why do we do this every year? Because we want our neighborhoods to know that we are here, that we care about them, and that we want them to know their risen Savior.

· Who can canvass? Anyone from age 1 to 100. Handing out Easter invitations with your kids can be a fun and fulfilling family experience. This year our postcards will include an invitation to attend our Easter services on Sunday, April 4^th.

· What do you expect me to do? Let me begin by explaining what is not expected of you. You are not expected to get into any deep theological debates. You are not expected to convert people on their doorstep. All you do is ring the door bell, introduce yourself and deliver a personal invitation to worship. And if nobody’s home, you can just leave the invite at the door.

· What do I need to bring? All materials will be provided. Bring and smile and a warm heart and you will be well equipped to canvass.

· How do I get involved? Contact Dan Moffett (414-899-2242) or Pastor Pagels (414-258-7831) for more information. We hope to see you on March 27^th!

Thursday Noon Concert

The next Thursday Noon Time Concert will be on March 18^th. The theme is “Bach’s Contemporaries”

(music from the Baroque) and will feature Lynn Kozlowski on the organ.

These mini-concerts are informal and open to everyone in the congregation and in the community. We hope people can attend these half hour concerts from 12:15 to 12:45 PM on their lunch hour, seniors after Bible class and neighbors in the Village. All ages and musical interests will enjoy a wide variety of music.

Organizations

OWLS

Bring your sandwich and come for our OWLS meeting at 5:00 PM on March 2^nd. Dessert and beverage will be provided. Our program will include time for voting, collecting annual dues, a bit of business, a bit of entertainment and lots of time to visit with friends. Come on along and join us.

5K Klub

Want to get healthier? Need some exercise? Why not join other members of St. John’s and walk, jog, or run, have some fun, fellowship and meet some new people.

Two events are planned so far:

· April 17 – GARY’S GALLOP Run/walk in support of WLC Athletics

· May 8 – LIFE-a-THON in support of WELS Lutherans for Life.

· June 5 – LAURA’S Smile Mile at Veteran’s Park

No previous 5K experience necessary. Contact Mike Swenson at 414-259-9508 or the church office at 414-258-7831.

Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible

St. John’s Christian Education Society (C.E.S.) would like to invite you to attend the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum with your church family. Fifty tickets have been reserved for this once in a lifetime event on the afternoon of March 21^st. Please pick up a registration form in the church narthex. The event will begin at 11:30 AM with a light luncheon in the church fellowship hall and a “kid friendly” presentation by Matt Chasco, a St. John’s parent. Matt has done extensive graduate work in Old Testament period biblical archaeology. He has worked on two excavations in Israel. We will then go to the Museum for a 2:00 PM tour of the exhibit. Deadline for registering is March 1^st. Questions? Please contact Mary Gaub (262) 641-8173 or mgaub@earthlink.net

Women’s Butterfly Brunch

The Christian Women's Leadership Circle will host its Butterfly Brunch on Saturday, March 6th. Registration will begin at 8:30 AM with the brunch and speaker to follow from 9:00-10:30 AM. This year’s keynote speaker will be Lori Watt, owner of Investors Advisory Group. Proceeds from the Butterfly Brunch will benefit the Sharon A. Schoeneck Christian Women's Leadership Scholarship. Cost for the event is $30. Call 443-8823 or visit www.wlc.edu/cwlc for more information.

Special Needs Network

Do you have a child who has special needs? Does this bring a different set of joys and challenges to your family’s life? If so, then please join us for a time of fellowship with other parents.

We meet the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 AM, have a light brunch, devotion and time for fellowship. Contact Wendy Heyn for more information at 414-527-1757 or wgouvion@hotmail.com. The next meeting will be March 20, 2010 in the St. Matthew’s Room.

Sports Show Concessions

St. John’s has been asked to run a concession stand at State Fair Park during the Sports Show March 12-14. Many volunteers will be needed to make this a success! If you are available to help (previous training is NOT required) please contact JoAnn Schmidt as soon as possible at school@sjtosa.org, 258-4214 (school) or 217-7170 (cell). All money earned benefits St. John’s School.

News & Notes

Wisconsin Lutheran Choir

The Wisconsin Lutheran Choir and Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. James Nowack, will perform their complete tour program at Wisconsin Lutheran College's Schwan Concert Hall on Friday, March 19^th at 8:00 PM. Call 443.8802 or visit www.wlc.edu/arts for more information.

WLHS Auction & Dinner

“Escape to the Tropics” at the WLHS 14^th annual auction & dinner! Join WLHS alumni and friends on Friday, March 26^th at Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha for a silent auction, tropical dinner, live auction, and lots of fun – all to benefit WLHS and its tuition assistance program. Register at www.wlhs.org by clicking on the Auction icon, or contact Nancy Raabe at 414-453-4567, ext. 2016 for information and an invitation.

Dead Sea Scroll Materials

NPH Christian Books & Gifts has information to prepare yourself for your visit to the Milwaukee Public Museum or to fill in the blanks afterwards. Featured publications include: Holman QuickSource Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls by Craig A. Evans, (the quickest way to examine the impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls), or The Discovery Heard Around the World: The Dead Sea Scrolls, a handy pamphlet by Rose Publishing that tells how the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and how they provide evidence that supports the authenticity of the Bible and offer new insights into life and culture at the time of Jesus.