February 2016 St. John’s Lutheran Church 8808 Harford Road Parkville, MD 21234

Interim Pastor: Rev. David Asplin

Secretary: Carol Erpenstein

Director of Music: Martha Requard

Preschool Director/Teacher: Lisa Horst

Preschool Teacher’s Aide: Niki Thoericht

Sexton: Scott Becker

Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Richard Manning

From Interim Pastor David Asplin February, 2016

It has been two years since your pastors announced that they were moving on. And it has

been 17 months since I began to serve as your part time interim pastor. It appears that my

time with you will soon be coming to an end. And it is certainly time that you have your own

“called” full time pastor. Some of you will remember that I served here in 1997 to 1998 as

your Interim Pastor (after Pastor Manning retired). My wife, Linda, and I grew to love St.

John’s then; and I can certainly say that the same thing has happened again. We care a great

deal for all of you and for this congregation as a whole. We believe in you and we pray the

best for your future.

So what happens to our relationship when your new pastor arrives? As you have heard me

say a number of times, I look forward to going back to retirement. We will travel; we will

spend more time with our grandchildren; we will worship more often at our church, St. John’s

Lutheran Church of Sweet Air (in Phoenix, MD); we will visit other churches. And a part of the

ethical protocol for former pastors is that once the call or contract (even as an interim pastor)

is over that pastor should not worship at the church where he or she has served (usually for at

least a year). The idea is that St John’s and your new pastor should have an opportunity to

build a healthy and caring relationship especially in the first months and years of that new

partnership in ministry. And for that to happen we must let go of the old (temporary)

relationship that has existed between interim pastor and people this past year and a half. It is

difficult, but best for the ongoing health of the congregation. I won’t be taking any funerals or

doing baptisms. That is for your new pastor to do. But, please don’t ever think we don’t care

about St. John’s Lutheran church of Parkville. We love you dearly and we will be back – to

visit. Just not in the first year of your new pastor’s time here.

This is a great church. You serve in the name of Jesus in so many ways; you welcome new

people with warmth and sincerity. You are open to new ideas and challenges. We ask God’s

richest blessings upon you.

In Christ’s service,

Pastor David Asplin

Call Committee

At long last the Call Committee has wonderful news to share. After a year of

searching and interviewing nine different candidates we have selected a person to

present to the congregation for a call to St. John's. Her name is the Rev. Lesley M.

Radius and she is currently serving as an interim Pastor in Topeka, Kansas. A brief

biography for Pastor Lesley appears elsewhere in the Newsletter. In order for

members of the congregation to meet her. a "meet and greet" will be held on

Saturday, February 13th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Refreshments

will be served.

It is extremely important for our church members to attend the worship service on

Sunday, February 14th. There will be one service at 10 a.m. Pastor Lesley will

preside and preach and the congregational meeting to vote on her call will

immediately follow the service. Details for the weekend are included in the letter that

all of our members will hopefully have received.

The Call Committee is very grateful for your patience and most of all for your

prayers during this very long year. We are very excited that Pastor Lesley feels

called to St. John's and we are anxious to see what plans God has for our

congregation.

May God bless us all,

Shirley Snyder, chairman

Jennifer Brock

Shelby Haacke

Jim Morrow

Kurtis Sommer

John Stevens

Kathleen Wiles

Pastor Lesley Radius Bio

Pastor Radius has served as an ELCA pastor for over 14 years. Her calls include developer, redeveloper, settled

congregational pastor and interim pastor throughout Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. She has been ELCA

trained as a developer, redeveloper and interim pastor. She has also received training in Family Systems and

Community Organizing.

Prior to entering seminary, Pastor Lesley spent 20 years in newspaper advertising, marketing and public

relations. She worked for daily newspapers and for state press associations. Some of her advertising clients

included Kia Motors, Sprint, and Hardees.

Pastor Lesley’s undergraduate degree is in marketing from The University of Texas, San Antonio and her

Master of Divinity degree is from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She grew up on the south side of

Chicago, so you know she is a White Sox fan.

Pastor Lesley is excited about partnering with all of you to discover what God is up to at St. John’s and in the

community. Pastor Lesley likes to greet people with a hug. However, the first time she meets you, she will ask

your permission. She has an 11 year old rescued miniature poodle who also likes to greet people. Roxie loves

it when you pet her, especially when you scratch by her ears.

Pastor Lesley is excited about getting to know each of you better and looks forward to many years of walking

together as followers of our Lord and Savior in mission and ministry.

Please join us for a special service led by Pastor Lesley Radius followed by

a vote by a special congregational meeting to call her as St. John’s new

pastor. After the vote, we invite you for Pastries with the Pastor in the fellowship hall. There will be pastries and coffee, and other drinks,

served so that the congregation can welcome Pastor Lesley.

Secret Prayer Partners

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are again offering a program that is meaningful to you, beneficial to one other person,

and one that will increase the spirituality of the congregation.

St. John’s is continuing the Secret Prayer Partners relationship program for our

22nd year. We invite all adult members of our congregation to participate by filling out

the Secret Prayer Partnership form and returning it in the specially marked box by

February 14th, or to the Church office no later than Friday February 19th..

Flyers will be available beginning Sunday, January 24th in the bulletin and on the desk in

the 3rd level hallway. We will enjoy a fellowship luncheon in our social hall after the 11

a.m. service on Sunday, February 21st, to receive our new 2016-2017 partner’s name and

prayer concerns, as well as to discover the “Secret Partner” who prayed for us last

year. In order to properly plan for this event, all reservations for lunch must be noted on

that form and returned by February 14th via the box in the hallway, OR by February 19th

to the Church office.

“Why Do This?” Because God calls us to love one another and to care & support each

other. Naturally you pray for more than one person, but one will be your secret

partner.

We grow in faith & draw closer to God by praying. It is a generally accepted truth that

prayer makes a difference in the life of the person praying, as well as the person being

prayed for.

We look forward to seeing you on February 21st.

Vickie Jasinski

The New Ministry Coordinator

EASTER PLANTS

Hyacinths, Tulips, or Mums:

$10.00 per plant.

All orders must be put into an envelope marked ALTAR GUILD and placed in

the offering plate or mailed to the church office. Checks should be made

payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SUNDAY,

FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Plants on loan may be picked up at the end of the last service on Easter

Sunday, March 27, 2016.

If not claimed by that time, they will be considered donated. Please remember

to pick up only the flowers that you have ordered.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wish to lend _____Hyacinth _____Tulip _____Mum (Please indicate number of plants.)

I wish to donate ____Hyacinth ____Tulip _____Mum

(Please indicate number of plants.)

In memory of______________________________________________________

In honor of________________________________________________________

To the Glory of God________________________________________________

Name of donor_____________________________________________________

Telephone number__________________________________________________

Amount enclosed______________________________

VIBRANT! adjective

full of energy and enthusiasm, pulsing, thrilling, powerful

In December, Pastor David and three St.John’s Sunday School teachers attended a 2 day

seminar hosted by our Synod on Vibrant Faith and Intergenerational Faith Formation.

The seminar was presented by Leif Kehrwald, a training partner with Vibrant Faith.

Vibrant Faith is a ministry organization with a commitment to assist churches to move forward

into the 21st Century in ministry, education and members’ needs. We went with the original

goal of getting new ideas for our Sunday School programs. We left the seminar with a much

broader and more exciting vision of keeping the whole parish community engaged in lifelong,

intergenerational learning and faith formation.

What a simple but often overlooked concept – our children learn best when we ourselves

continue to learn right along with them. We strengthen our faith and our faith community when

we do it together. When we share, read, talk, pray and bless across ages and interact together,

we strengthen the bonds with one another as we grow in faith. We retain lessons when they are

presented in interesting, relevant methods. This means continuing beloved traditions as well as

new social media.

Churches on the whole are losing membership. Many people feel that church and faith are part

of the past, and part of their past. This causes them to feel a disconnect from the church. “Get

through Baptism and Confirmation, and you’re good to go,” they say. And go they do. Off to

college or career, leaving the church behind. Vibrant Faith is about keeping our hopes high,

our interactions rewarding and our faith growing as a group together.

The wonderful news here at St. John’s is we’ve begun this journey already! Parents are

attending Sunday School with their elementary students and elementary students have come to

Adult Forum! (Are you smarter than a 5th. Grader?)

We’d love to pass along what we learned so please, ask us!

Pastor David, Rosalie Coffman, Terri Meekins and Cathy Jacobs. Or go to: vibrantfaith.org

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy Jacobs

The topic of our Men-in-Mission meetings is currently Luther’s Small Catechism. Some of us

(who will not be named here) have not looked at it since our Confirmation classes and need a

refresher! Please join us for our meetings on Tuesdays at 7:00PM in the Youth Room.

Our closet of donations for the Baltimore Rescue Mission has been empty for a while, We

would appreciate your donations of clothes and large #10 cans of fruit or vegetables (no baked

beans please). If you have any questions, please talk to Jim Morrow, John Kraft, or any other of

the members of our group.

The Men-in-Mission breakfast for February will take place at 9:00AM on February 6th in the

Fellowship Hall. Chef Tony promises that we won’t leave hungry!

We will also be joining Larry Addison for a painting party in the Church sometime in February.

Peace be with you!

Keith Duerling

hank You, Thank You, Thank you

I would like to extend a big thank you to St. John’s Altar Guild for the T

Christmas gift. Your generosity is so greatly appreciated. It is a pleasure to

work with all of you. Health and happiness are wished for all of you in the New

Year.

Carol Erpenstein

Thanks to the many members of St. John’s who thought of me during the

Christmas season. I always feel so loved and appreciated this time of year with all

of the cards, gifts and treats. I am very blessed to be able to work with such a

wonderful and caring congregation.

Carol Erpenstein

February Anniversaries

02/14/1987 Scott, Sandy & Robert 9515 Gunhill Circle Nottingham, MD 21236

02/22/1975 Suznick, Anne & Robert 3024 Third Avenue Baltimore, MD 21234

02/22/1992 Meyers, Arlene & Jack Jr. 3719 Green Oak Ct. Parkville, MD 21234

02/22/2008 Lentz, Jennifer & Gary 3728 Timahoe Ct. Nottingham, MD 21236

02/24/1967 Pickett, Sr., Dale & Joyce 8514 Woodfall Road Baltimore, MD 21236

February Baptismal Birthdays

Weger Beverly Watts Linda 02/18

Spellaman Bonnie Schwartz-Mitchell

Wiley Linda Katherine 02/19

Gray Robert Rash Michael 02/20

Gray Mandy Kirby Shelby 02/23

Merrey Jessica Hills Joshua 02/23

Skarda Ruth 02/02 Buddenbohn Ava 02/24

Gamber Noah 02/02 Gray Gabrielle 02/24

Smith Allison 02/10 Sommer Ethan 02/25

Flagle Austin 02/17

Mead Jerome 02/18

Watts Linda 02/18

Happy February Birthday

02/01 Weeks Cynthia

02/02 Brock Corinne

02/02 Dougherty Brooke

02/02 Gray Beth

02/02 Shull Sophia

02/03 Evans Marissa

02/03 McLaughlin John

02/03 Seidel Joshua

02/04 Franz Christopher

02/05 Kreh Shirley

02/06 Addison Scott

02/07 Crites Cathy

02/07 Dembeck Gatha

02/07 Hohne Leroy

02/08 Alkire Michelle

02/09 Jasinski, Jr. Anthony

02/10 Gehrig Lynda

02/10 Kamp Maija

02/11 Wisniewski Michael

02/13 Nicholson Emma

02/13 O'Connell Patrick

02/15 Alkire Jeffrey

02/15 Murphy Bob

02/15 Neal Katie

02/15 Votta, Sr. Chad

02/15 Winterling Autumn |

02/16 Ring Jeffrey

02/16 Smith Kerri

02/17 Baker Raquel

02/17 Blazakis Oliver

02/17 Carroll Catherine

02/20 Rash Michael

02/20 Retkowski Brooke

02/21 Kempske Mildred 102

02/21 Lipka Emily

02/21 Marshall Margaret

02/21 Neal Judy

02/21 Wager Natalie

02/24 Dawson Steven

02/25 Cummings Ryan

02/25 Gross Nancy

02/25 Saby Archie

02/26 Merrey Patrick

02/26 Toner Danny

02/27 Hohne Mary

02/27 Kellner Michele

02/28 Baker Richard

02/28 Johnson Nicole

02/28 Kirby Isabella

02/28 Ortloff,Jr. William

02/28 Snyder-Mitchell Brynn

February Ushers

8:15 Keith & Lisa Duerling

11:15 Tony & Judy Jasinsky, Sue Addison, Laurie Krieger, and BonnieSpellman

Thanks for Your Service

Assisting Ministers

8:15 Lee Smith 11:00 Bob Hastings

If anyone is interested in serving as an Assisting Minister please contact Donna McDonough or

the church office. We would love to have more volunteers, especially at 8:15, so think about it!

Acolyte Schedule

8:15 am 11:00 am

2/7 John Meyers (C) Nate Grisez (C)

Andrea Nufea Michael Rash

Megan Morrissey

2/10 Ash Wednesday- 7 pm Matthew Miller

2/14 One Service Sunday at 10 AM Joshua Hills (C)

Hannah Houston

2/21 Ryan Cummings (C) Noah Jones (C)

Molly Cummings Ava Mueller

2/28 Autumn Winterling (C) Corinne Brock (C)

Kayla Tilton Hayden Evans

** If you are unable to keep your scheduled time, please use the Acolyte List to find a replacement.

Contact Rachel Hills at 410-592-3587 with any schedule changes as soon as possible. Thank you!

Sunday School News

During the month of February, the Sunday School will be collecting canned soups,

which will be donated to the food pantries that the church supports. Please bring

these to your child’s classroom.

Notes from the Organ Bench

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Blessed Epiphany! Now that I have covered the special days, I can begin to prepare

for the season of lent. As you are reading this article we are a few days from Ash Wednesday. We are always asking

where the time has gone and I am convinced that as we get older some days just disappear and it takes us a while to

notice. But this year there really are fewer days between Christmas and Easter.

Before I focus on lent, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a few lines and thank the musicians who shared their talents to

enrich worship for Christmas and after. The choirs, from the youngest on up, did a great job with their programs and

anthems. A big thank you to Autumn Winterling for playing at the 4:00 Christmas Eve service; to Jessica Merrey for

playing for the Lessons and Carols service and accompanying the Adult Choir on January 3; and to Yoon Mee Chung and

Andrew Schaud for playing on January 10. A special thank you to Keith Derrickson for coming to the rescue at the last

minute and playing for services on January 3. This was the first time in 28 years of playing that I missed services because

of sickness. His help is greatly appreciated. St. John’s is blessed to have so many talented members. I would also like to

thank John Kraft for the years he has given to the Adult Choir. After 20-plus years (since the time of John Marks), John

has decided that the time has come to retire from the choir. He will be missed. I hope that you will take some time to

thank these people for sharing their gifts.

During lent there will be a number of opportunities to share your talents during worship. You might consider

Being a reader during the midweek Holden services being held at 7:00 on Wednesdays beginning February 17.

Attending the Wednesday noon Taize services during lent.

Singing with the Adult Choir at 7:30 on Good Friday as they present “We Remember Calvary,” a very moving

tenebrae service.

Assisting in worship and being more involved really does make worship more meaningful. If you are interested in helping

in any way, please let me know.

A note to families with children and tweens- On Wednesdays during lent, families are invited to join us for soup and

salad at 6:00. I will take both groups at 6:40 for a short rehearsal before the 7:00 service.

As we prepare for lent and our journey towards Easter, I hope that you continue

Making a Joyful Noise

Martha Requard

Director of Music

Holidays carry so many memories and emotions. This year after Doug passed away I

wondered what they would be like and braced myself for the worst of times. I won’t

sugarcoat and say it was OK, it wasn’t. But the love, hope, joy and peace that Christmas is

all about shone through in your love and support and understanding. Thank-you for

sharing the Spirit of Christmas. A special thank-you to our children for their beautiful

and uplifting program! I thank God for all of you in my life.

Cathy Jacobs

LECTOR/COMMUNION ASSISTANT SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY 2016

DATE 8:15 AM 11:00 AM

2/7/16 L Milt Dutcher L Bob Hastings

CA Milt D. & Karen Merrey CA Bob H. & Rachel Hills

2/10/16 Ash Wednesday

12:00 L Jim Morrow

CA Jim M. & Charles Bender

7:00 L Tony Jasinski

CA Tony J. & Judy Jasinski

2/14/16 One Service Sunday at 10 AM L Ed Ford

CA Ed F. & Nancy Ford

2/21/16 L Charles Bender L Amanda Portera

CA Charles B. & Sheila Bender CA Amanda P. & Shirley Snyder

2/28/16 L JoAnn Weiland L Claire Miller

CA JoAnn W. & Jim Morrow CA Claire M. & Kathleen Wiles

COFFEE & DOUGHNUT SCHEDULE

2016

If you cannot make your scheduled day,

please arrange for a substitute or let me know.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Linda Burkhardt 410-668-2465

January 3, 10, 17 Barbara Mueller

Maureen Vogtman

Barb Gray

Mary Gude

January 24, 31, February 7 Candi & Chad Votta

Linda & Randi Burkhardt

February 14, 21, 28 Charles Bender

Karen Ermer

Dave Ermer

March 6, 13, 20 Ann Oakes

Jim & Leona Morrow

Bonnie Rogers

March 27 - Easter

April 3, 10, 17 Suzanne Wennason

Amanda Rush

Terri Meekins

April 24, May 1, 8 Phyllis Deurling

Lisa & Keith Deurling

Bob & Barbara Berner

May 15, 22, 29 Cheryl & John Linberg

Lee & Renee Smith

June 5, 12 Laura & Lee Krieger

Judy Jasinski

Sue Addison

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE

SUPPER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9th

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

St. John’s Fellowship Hall

Hope you can come !

Sponsored by the Youth Group

Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Sponsored by: St. John’s Youth Ministry

MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game,

help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.”

Since that day, more than $90 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring.

It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest

celebration of giving and serving. Through this mission, young people make a positive difference in the world – as they

collect food, raise money, and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and

compassion to those in need.

Please help us share God’s love with those in need . . .

Bring a can of food to church on February 7th to help stock our local food pantries at

Victor’s Vittles and St. Peter’s.

We will also be collecting a free will offering after both services on Super Bowl Sunday for donation

to Victor’s Vittles and St. Peter’s food pantries and ELCA World Hunger.

Soup pots will be placed outside the Sanctuary for donations.

VOTE FOR YOUR TEAM & FEED THE HUNGRY!!

Thank you for your generosity and support,

St. John’s Youth Ministry.

St. John’s Lenten & Holy Week Schedule

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper A Meal in Preparation for Lent . . . sponsored by St. John’s Youth

Tuesday, February, 9th, from 6 – 8 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Service of Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes

February 10th Services at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Mid-Week Lenten Worship ** Wednesdays during Lent: February 17th, 24th; March 2nd, 9th, and 16th **

Noontime Taizé Prayer Service

Soup, Salad & Service 6:00 p.m. Soup & Salad (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service

(Please note: Adult Choir practice will begin following the prayer service.)

Palm/Passion Sunday, March 20th

8:15 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

Maundy Thursday, March 24th

The Stripping of the Altar will follow each service. 12:00 noon Traditional Service of Holy Communion 6:00 p.m. Agapé Maundy Thursday Meal (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m. Service of Taizé with Prayer Stations

Good Friday, March 25th

12:00 noon Procession & Ecumenical Stations of the Cross (Please note: The Ecumenical Procession begins at St. Ursula Catholic Church.)

7:30 p.m. Good Friday Service at St. John’s with Cantata

Easter Sunday, March 27th

Services of Holy Communion:

8:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Meet Your New Congregational Council

At the Congregational Meeting in December, new council members were voted on, and at the

Council meeting on January 21st, new officers were elected. They will be installed during

Worship on Sunday January 31, 2016.

Meet your new Council:

Lee Smith President

Scott Miller Vice President

Kathleen Wiles Secretary

Sue Addison

Erick Brock

David Evans

Stewart Graf

Donna McDonough

Bonnie Spellman

Maureen Vogtman

Cindy Weeks

Chris Hills Treasurer (not a voting member of the Council)

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PARKVILLE

December Congregational Council Meeting

December 17, 2015

The meeting was called to order by the President, Tony Jasinski, at 7:04 p.m.

Attendance:

Present: Sue Addison, Charles Bender, David Evans, Jr., Chris Hills, Tony Jasinski,

Donna McDonough, Lee Smith, Bonnie Spellman, Cindy Weeks, Kathleen Wiles & Pastor Asplin as well as

Newly Elected Councilmen Erick Brock & Maureen Vogtman.

Excused: Lee Krieger and Scott Miller

Evening Devotions were led by Pastor Asplin

Minutes:

Motion: That the November, 2015 Congregational Council Minutes be approved as printed.

Approved

Motion: That the December 6, 2015 Fall Congregational Meeting Minutes be approved as printed.

Approved

Correspondence:

1. A thank you letter was received from The Rev. Laura Sinche on behalf of the Baltimore Lutheran Campus Ministry for our gift of $1,000.00.

2. A letter and $5,000.00 gift was received from the family of Jane E. Pfarr. This donation to Saint John’s will be incorporated into our Building Fund.

Tony Jasinski has sent a letter of appreciation to her family. Pastor’s Report:

Pastor Asplin’s report was distributed and filed.

Executive Committee Report:

The report of the Executive Committee was received and filed.

Treasurer’s Report:

The report of the Treasurer was received and filed.

A brief page by page explanation of the report was offered to our newly elected members. Lee Smith distributed copies of The 2016 Final Budget to those present.

Ministry Team Reports:

Reports from the Memorial, Property and Worship & Music committees were received and filed.

1. A recommendation was made by Worship & Music to purchase 8 new worship service robes totaling $846.00. Approved

Unfinished Business:

1. It was reported that because of the positive response to the E-Mail Vote, pertaining to the much needed repairs to the organ in the front of the church, the work will be completed before Christmas.

2. After discussion and a recommendation to purchase 3 AEDs ( Defibrillators ), it was decided to revisit this at the January meeting.

Motion: For Chris Hills to approach the Christmas Bazaar Leadership to fund the purchase of 3 AEDs at the

cost of $5,331.50.

Approved

3. A report from the Technology Committee noted that the sanctuary has been rewired for sound.

New Business:

1. Year End Reports are due from all committees by Sunday, January 31, 2016.

2. A motion was made by the Hospitality & Fellowship committee

Motion: That approval be made to allow for the use of wine for all Paint Night Dates planned quarterly in

the year 2016.

Approved

There being no further business to come before the Church Council, a motion was made and seconded that

the meeting be adjourned.

Approved

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. with all present praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie M. Spellman ( Substitute Secretary )

** Note: Upon written request, the Council Secretary will

provide a copy of reports as noted in the minutes. **

Our Church’s one foundation is Jesus

Christ our Lord, but we are the

building blocks that allow it to rise

up and spread the message in the

community!