Shepherd’s Staff H o l y S h e p h e r d L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

Mission Statement

To fulfill our mission as

Holy Shepherd Lutheran

Church, we…

Trust in God for guidance and support, Thank God in word and deed, Teach the good news of Jesus, and Tend those inside and outside the flock, Because the Holy Spirit... Ties us closer to God and to one another, and Transforms us into devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

Inside this issue:

Shoeboxes for Seniors

Back & Balance Workshop

2

Council News

Food Bank Service Project

3

Church Sign Florals

Financials

4

VBS

Rummage / Garage Sale

5

2019 Confirmation

Students

6

Church Camp

Sunday School

Graduate Info Needed

Youth Leadership Summit

10

Pentecost Flowers

Bob’s Article

Birthdays

11

Insert

Calendar

Worship Assistants

Dear friends,

A year ago, I wrote about the way we as a community were beginning a new chapter. A new

chapter is different than a new beginning, because a new chapter builds on where the story has

gone so far. A new chapter includes many of the same people, and adds some new ones. A

new chapter is the chance for those people, those who have been a part of the story for a long

time and those who are new, to grow and develop as their now shared story moves along.

The new chapter we’re in the middle of writing together has had all kinds of highlights for

me. Personally, it has included a graduation, a new house, and, of course, a new baby. Rela-

tionally, it has included coming to know so many new people who share a deep commitment to

this congregation, its mission and its people. Professionally, it has included participating in the

Youth Gathering, joining in Rally Day fun, leading our weekly bible studies, providing pastoral

care, and beginning the process of getting to know other leaders in the community.

But one part of this new chapter I want to lift up and celebrate in particular might not make

most people’s list of items to find joy in - committee meetings. Two days in particular come to

my mind. One was a Tuesday night, when three different groups within the congregation were

all meeting at the same time. First and foremost, it was fantastic to see two dozen Holy Shep-

herd members here tending to the mission and ministry of the congregation on a Tuesday

night. One of these groups was a long-standing ministry, another was a team I had called to-

gether, and the third was entirely lay-led - from the idea for the group to gathering the people

to conducting the meetings to work towards their goals. Leaders in each of these groups were

faithfully tending to their ministry with my input and in consultation with me, but fully under

their own leadership.

Another day that stands out for me in terms of meetings going on was a Sunday when two dif-

ferent committees were meeting at the same time. Like a ping pong ball, I bounced from room

to room, listening to progress, offering my input, and asking a few clarifying questions. In each

meeting, people showed up prepared to lead, with the information they had promised, and with

a clear idea of what they needed to accomplish. Moving between these meetings let me see

that teams can carry out their ministry without my having to be there every moment of every

meeting. I am confident in saying each of these groups knows that even if I am not sitting in

every single one of their meetings, leaders know they have my full support and can call on me

for help at any time.

continued on pg. 4

The Next Chapter...so far

9770 Keilman St.

St. John, IN 46373

Phone: (219) 365-3803

Fax: (219) 365-9482

H o l y S h e p h e r d L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

We’re on the Web!

www.holy-shepherd.org E m p o w e r e d b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t ,

w e s h a r e G o d ’ s l o v e w i t h a l l c r e a t i o n .

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PAID St. John, IN

Permit No. 12

Deadline for Newsletter Articles

Please have articles for June’s newsletter submitted

by May 14 using the church email address: hslc@sbcglobal.net.

To the family of...

PrimeTimers Assemble Caring Baskets

Caring baskets have been an Easter

tradition of the PrimeTimers since

2013. The idea stemmed from our

mission statement that calls us to tend

to those inside our flock.

A variety of member-donated items fill

each basket that are useful, delicious

and fun. Baskets are then delivered to

members who may be recovering from

surgery or an illness, or no longer drive,

bringing Easter blessings from their

brothers and sisters in Christ at Holy

Shepherd.

Did you know that many seniors living in assisted living or nursing homes never receive any visitors, and many

never receive gifts? Holy Shepherd is in the month of May collecting items for a new project called Shoeboxes

for Seniors. Shoeboxes, once filled, will have around a $10 value and will be handed out as Mother’s Day, Fa-

ther’s Day or birthday gifts. Dorothy Esch will be heading up this project so any questions can be addressed to

her at djesch1@prodigy.net or you can call the church office.

Here is how this works:

1. Start saving shoeboxes

2. Purchase items at the dollar store or on sale for a man or a woman.

3. Bring your donations to church and place in the donation box for shoebox for seniors.

4. At the end of May, sign up to assemble the boxes.

Here is a short list of some things seniors like to receive: (all new items please)

Socks Perfumed shampoo, conditioner and body lotion

Puzzles or games

Large print crossword or Sudoku puzzles

Baseball style hats

Slippers

Gloves, warm scarf for cooler months

Fashion scarves

Hair brushes and hair bands

Costume jewelry

Small knick knacks for their room

Notepads, pens, magnifying glass, colored pencils, coloring books

No food can be packed, no bubble bath, anything containing alcohol and candles that need to be lit are prohibit-

ed, anything that has been opened or used or razors are also prohibited.

The ideas given are just ideas. The options are endless. Be creative and fun with this project.

2

Geraniums will be placed around Holy

Shepherd’s altar for Pentecost week-

end, June 8 & 9, to remind us of the

tongues of fire that glowed over the

heads of Jesus’ disciples on the first

Pentecost. The flowers will then be

planted around the church sign at the

corner of Keilman Street and 97th

Lane. Plants may be designated as in memory or in honor

of someone. Those wishing to donate geraniums should

sign up on the Opportunity Center table by June 1. Please

use a geranium envelope for payment ($3 each) and then

place it in the labeled metal box.

Help is also needed with planting the flowers. Let the

pastor or church office know if you’re able to help with

this.

Pentecost Flowers

11

May Birthdays

1—Jan Benda

1—Connie Roerdink

1—Brady Shone

2—Molly Hannan

5—Nick D’Onorio

5—Jonathan Dietrich

5—Emma Kaye

5—Sandy Lundin

7—Aubrey Flood

7—Abagael VanGuilder

8—Cynthia Bernotus

8—Carrie Brownewell

8—Jackie Harris

9—Kurt Graves

9—Danny Rodda

10—Laura Aharrah

10—Adam Esch

10—Brandy Gabe

10—Ryan Hanson

11—Michael Palomo

11—Jen Pritchard

12—Troy Russell

13—Marc Donsbach

14—Sarah Combis

14—Todd Luers

14—Suzanne Martinez

14—Avery Pettit

14—William Zoch

14—Wyatt Zoch

15—Kraig Wiley

15—Karen Wilmot

16—Brandie Benda

16—Greg Johnson

16—Dawn Kubilius

17—Jillian Beaderstadt

17—Tammy Nussbaum

17—Nancy Winiecki

18—Matt Collison

18—Gavin Flood

19—Megan Gabe

20—Vivienne Loomis

20—Jade Mann

21—Sarah Carlson

21—Robert Roerdink

21—Eric Schlichting

22—Heather Hanson

22—Barbara Koufos

23—Michael Lisac

23—Mark Minskey

23—Joel Schneider

24—Abigail Behm

24—Abigail LaBelle

24—Eric Stark

24—Jim Weber

25—Zach Marlett

25—Nick Prabhu

25—Patty Rodda

26—Carlene Benne

26—Megan Durochik

26—Charlene McCormick

26—Michelle O’Nail

26—Tony Palomo

26—Matt Varner

27—Nancy Boyles

27—Matthew Flood

27—Elise Hassink

27—Elise Ryan

29—Marie Weber

30—Molly Kracht

31—Jessica Bathurst

31—Logan Breed

Shoeboxes for Seniors - A Shoebox Says, “You are Never Alone”

Free Workshop on Back & Balance

Another year of the music

program at Holy Shepherd has

come and gone. I would like

to personally thank each and

everyone who participated in

the music of this year. The

Children’s Choir, the Children and Youth Handbell

and Chimes, the Praise Team, the Adult Choir, the

Ladies’ Choir, the Men’s Choir, and the Adult

Handbell Choir. I would also like to thank Kriss

Byquist-Miller and Paul Nowicki for singing the

Psalms during each month. You have all made this

year very memorable for me. Instead of Make a

Joyful Noise; I can say “you” make a joyful sound.

With all my heart I thank you. Bob

Musical Notes

Do you suffer from back pain or sciatic pain? Are you not able to do certain things due to

your pain level? Do you feel unsteady on your feet at times? Do you suffer from dizziness

or vertigo?

Come join us on June 5th from 10am until 12noon when Orthopedic and Balance Therapy

Specialists come to give a free seminar/workshop on both Back pain and Balance issues.

During the first seminar, learn about the 3 common causes of lower back pain and sciatica, a sure-fire way to pick

the right treatment for the cause of your pain, how a problem in your back can cause pain, numbness or tingling in

your leg, and what successful treatment and permanent relief look like without the side effects of medications, injec-

tions or surgery.

The second seminar will cover the most common causes of dizziness, unsteadiness, and balance issues, what suc-

cessful treatment looks like, and one simply amazing techniques that gets you steadier on your feet in no time. Dur-

ing this seminar we will do some balance testing and exercises together.

Healthy refreshments and drinks will be served between classes. Please come on by to have some fun!!!

Due to the sensitive nature of this article, members are asked to view May’s Newsletter via email

or the hardcopy available through the U.S. Mail or in the lobby.

Due to the sensitive nature of this article, members are asked to view May’s Newsletter via email

or the hardcopy available through the U.S. Mail or in the lobby.

3

Service Project - MOBILE MARKETPLACE at Food Bank of Northwest IN

10

Mobile Marketplace, formerly known as Pantry on the

Go, is a free food distribution program that directly

serves individuals and families in areas where additional

food assistance is needed. Mobile Marketplace travels to

a different community each week, distributing healthy

food to individuals and families across the Region.

To assist Mobile Marketplace, Holy Shepherd will be

asking our members to tend those outside our flock by

helping with food set up and distribution for the Mobile

Marketplace food pantry.

Here’s what you need to know about this service project:

When is it? Saturday, May 25, from 7-11am (Participants are asked to meet at the Mobile Marketplace at Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, located at 6490 Broadway, Merrillville.)

Who can participate? (maximum 25 participants) Children 8 yrs. through adult (Children ages 8-13 must be accompanied by one, or more, parents.)

What will participants do? Help with set up and food distribution and then tour the Food Bank’s new facility.

What else do participants need to do? Participants need to signup in the lobby and place a com-pleted waiver-release form in the office mailbox by May 19th. Questions? Contact Nancy Walter @ 322-8999 or deacnancy@gmail.com.

Youth Leadership Summit

It’s time to plan to attend camp at one of the three in our synod. Information on the programs

at Lake Luther, Lutherwald (in northern Indiana) and Lutheran Hills (in Brown County) are

available online at www.lomik.org and on the camp display table. Check them out!

Summer’s Nearly Here - Time to Register for CHURCH CAMP!

Indiana - Kentucky Synod is hosting a Youth leadership

Summit in conjunction with the Synod Assembly in

West Lafayette, Indiana, Friday, May 31, through

Sunday, June 2, 2019. Students who have completed

grades 8 through 12 are invited to come. This summit

will focus on leadership development, faith formation,

and building connections for high school youth across

the synod. There will be engaging speakers, hands on service projects, and time for recreation and fun. The cost for

the entire weekend is just $100.00 per person which includes lodging, food, programming, and a t-shirt. The summit

will be held at Purdue University. Contact Carlene with any questions or if you plan to attend.

Sunday school

Sunday school will conclude May 19, 2019. Our first year using Whirl has been a delightful one,

exciting for the kids and easy prep for the teachers. I would like to thank Linda Trobaugh, Nancy

Walters, Lyndsay Werner, Janet Breed, Kris Miller, several of the high school and junior high

youth for teaching the majority of the year.

Fifth through high school will also end on May 19. I would like to thank Arlene Tomsovic for teaching 5 & 6 the

entire year. A big thank you to Angie Strotman, Jen Smith, Kathy Rawson for teaching the 7th & 8th , and Dave

Depa and Jack Walter for teaching the high school class.

Graduation is an important and exciting time in the lives of our graduates and the church

would like to help celebrate with those graduating by placing information about our grads in

the June newsletter. Please provide the following information requested below to the pastor

or church email (hslc@sbcglobal.net) no later than May 14.

Congratulations on your achievement!

Please include this information with your email: Name ~ School graduating from ~ Major or favorite subject ~ One or two extracurricular involvements ~ Future plans.

Are You Graduating This Spring?

Spring is here, and with it comes the excitement of warmer weather, longer days, fresh

flowers and new beginnings! We are witnessing many such beginnings here at Holy Shep-

herd as our ministries expand; it is especially evident in the growth of our HSLC Commit-

tees. During our April meeting, Council received an 11-page agenda packet. The packet

contains standard ‘business’ items, but also features updates on exciting new initiatives at

HSLC, including the Off-Site Service Team’s exploration of community partnership op-

portunities, and the unique ideas the Evangelism Team has for getting us out of our

‘comfort zone’. The Welcome Committee and Safety and Security Team are collaborating regularly and have many

new ideas for the expansion of their ministries. The creation of these new committees helps to disseminate Holy Shep-

herd’s mission among our members and has allowed council to explore additional tasks that are vital to optimizing the

lives and future of our staff and congregation. Each of us has a unique role to play here at HSLC, and we are blessed

by the many ways our members share in expanding the mission and ministries of Holy Shepherd.

4

At a seminar I attended a couple years back, the presenter noted that volunteers are often equally as capable as staff

members for tackling many areas of ministry. The difference in effectiveness usually comes down to leadership; staff

typically have clearer directives and leadership, while volunteers are sometimes given a task and then left to figure it

out. Seeing the way leaders are taking charge tells me that our ministries - which depend so much on the gift of vol-

unteer time, energy and ability - are growing stronger because there is more leadership available to offer greater focus,

clearer direction and quicker decision-making. There are more gifts of time, energy and ability in the growing group

of leaders at Holy Shepherd than there ever could be in the pastor alone.

I see the chapter we are writing together now as one in which we are planting, watering and tending to seeds of partic-

ipation, leadership, and deeper ownership of ministry. With the help of the Holy Spirit, these seeds will sprout and

grow, and offer a greater quantity and richer variety of fruit that will nourish us spiritually, and nourish the community

around us as we continue to be the vibrant witness to God’s grace Holy Shepherd has always been. It’s been a great

chapter so far...and God is still at work writing it! In Christ, Pastor Eric

continued from pg. 1 continued from pg. 8

9

Ben loves to hang out with his friends

when he is not in school. He loves to

play sports and video games. Ben at-

tends Grimmer and next year will attend

Lake Central High School. His favorite

subject is math. Ben loved all the activi-

ties and discussions that we had in Con-

firmation and was delighted to learn all

the wonderful things Jesus has done for

us.

Ben Spang

Isabel loves to play sports. She plays

lacrosse, softball, basketball, and runs

track and cross country. Isabel attends

Kahler Middle School and next year will

attend Lake Central High School. Social

studies is her favorite subject.

Confirmation gave her more insight into

who God is and she says she really learned

a lot about God.

Isabel Urbanski OPERATING FUND SPECIAL GIFTS RECEIPTS

January 1 - March 31, 2019 March 1 - 31, 2019

Receipts National Youth Gathering 30

Offerings & Other Income 115,023$ Shepherd's Suppers 91

Interest Earned 4 PrimeTimers 28

Total 115,026$ Total Received 149$

Disbursements

Local Ministries 100,908$ DESIGNATED BENEVOLENCES

Outreach & Benevolences 7,059 March 1 - 31, 2019

Total 107,967$

Sunday School 48

YTD Change 7,059$ Mission of the Month 3,337

Major Mission Project 283

Other Missions 20

BUILDING FUND Total Received 3,688$

January 1 - March 31, 2019

Receipts FUND BALANCES

Offerings 22,563$ March 31, 2019

Interest Earned -

Total 22,563$ Operating Fund 55,507

Building Fund 18,000

Disbursements Undesignated Special Gifts 182

Regular Mortgage Payments 22,563$ Building Maintenance 17,114

Expenses - Continuing Education 2,540

Total 22,563$ Kids Hope USA 671

Kitchen Operations 129

Library 46

YTD Change -$ Offsite Service Team 1,000

Outreach 1,301

Preschool 8,032

MORTGAGE BALANCE PrimeTimers 324

March 31, 2019 575,650$ Professional Scholarship 587

Puppets 1,910

Shepherd's Suppers 6,276

AVERAGE WEEKLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Silver Steppers 16

2019: March 191 Jan 1 - Mar 31 192 Sunday School 163

2018: March 193 Jan 1 - Mar 31 202 Welcome Ministry 75

Women's Service Group 581

Youth 18

Youth Gathering 4,282

Total $118,754

Confirmation

Confirmation will be held on Sunday, May 5 in the 9:50 a.m. service. Rehearsal will be

held on Thursday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. Students need to bring their faith stories with

them that evening. A reception will follow the rehearsal. This will be a cake and punch

reception for parents, grandparents, godparents, council members, youth team mem-

bers, mentors, and any congregation member who would like to get to know these fine

young people a little better.

Due to the sensitive nature of this article, members are asked to view May’s Newsletter via email

or the hardcopy available through the U.S. Mail or in the lobby.

8

continued from page 7 VBS - Miraculous Mission is on its Way 5

Joey attends Grimmer Middle School

and after graduation will attend Lake

Central High School. Joey’s favorite

past time outside of school is boating.

In school he loves Social Studies. When

Joey finishes high school he wants to

join the Navy. Learning in groups was

his favorite thing about Confirmation,

and he was also surprised how nice

everyone was.

Joey Peters

Maddy attends Grimmer Middle School

and next year will attend Illiana High

School where she has already picked out

her classes for next year. Math is her

favorite subject. Playing tennis is her

passion and she hopes to play on the

Illiana team next year. Maddy loved

small group nights in Confirmation be-

cause that is when the kids really re-

spond with great questions and answers.

What surprised her this year was doing a

portfolio.

Maddy Smith

Megan attends Kahler Middle School and will be at-

tending Lake Central next year. In her free time, Megan

likes to swim and hang out with her friends. Her favor-

ite school subject is Social Studies. One of the best

things about Confirmation was meeting new people

and learning a lot of new things. The one thing that

surprised her was there is so much to learn about the

Bible and God.

Megan Soeka

This year Vacation Bible School’s theme is about God’s mission for us. VBS will begin Sunday, June 16 and end

Thursday, June 20. While we are hearing the accounts of God’s mission for us, we will also be in the midst of God’s

beautiful creation of space, the Earth and beyond.

VBS will begin at 5:00PM with a meal for the children, followed by the opening in the sanctuary, learning sites, and

then closing at about 8:15PM. To tie in with this theme, the final day of VBS, we will have a planetarium for the kids

and adults to explore along with a 50 minute presentation. (Please look below to see the Advertisement.)

All children three and up and all youth are invited to VBS. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family for this wonder-

ful event. The cost to register for VBS Miraculous Mission is $10 per child, which includes the Dome Planetarium.

“Rummage”, Garage Sale Coming

The Women’s Service Group and the Minneapolis Gathering Youth will be hosting a rum-

mage garage sale and outdoor eatery on June 8, 2019 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. Not only

will we have bargains galore, but also the youth will be setting up a tent for your breakfast

or lunch pleasure. All proceeds from the rummage sale will help the Women’s Service

Group serve the needs of people in our neighborhood and around the world. All proceeds

from the food tent will help our youth get to the “Gathering” in Minneapolis.

How can you help? Donate items for the rummage sale. We are accepting any donations from May 1 to June 7. Please do

not send any electronics-we cannot accept them. Clothes, knick-knacks, wall art, shoes, handbags, books, suitcases, bikes,

seasonal items, dishes-you name it, we take it except for electronics.

How can you help? Come shop our sale on June 8. You never can tell what treasures you will find. Tell your friends, rela-

tives, and neighbors. The more the merrier and all for a good cause.

How can you help? Plan to have breakfast or lunch or both with the youth. Pastor, parents and the youth will happily serve

you. Remember it is all for a great cause.

The youth and the women of Holy Shepherd hope you will join in on the fun and support our efforts in this amazing event!

7

Meet the Confirmands continued from page 6

6

Corinne attends Clark Middle School

and next year will attend Lake Central

High School. She loves math and hopes

to be in the medical field someday.

Ice skating, track, and lacrosse keep her

busy outside of school. Corinne loves to

be with friends and thought that was

one of the best things about Confirma-

tion. She learned a lot about our faith

but the most important thing she

learned was God cares about me.

Corinne Gillette

Outside of school, Jacob loves to be in Michigan at the

cottage and to be boating on the lake. His favorite sub-

jects at Kahler Middle School, where he attends, are

English and Social Studies. Next year he will attend Lake

Central High School. His favorite part of Confirmation

was getting acquainted with service projects especially

the Crossroad firewood project. He would encourage

next year students to get involved.

Jacob Keleher

Kevin attends Grimmer Middle School

and will attend Lake Central High

School next year. Kevin loves math and

hopes to become a computer program-

mer someday. Outside of school, he

likes to travel and see things that he has

not witnessed before. Confirmation was

fun for Kevin especially spending time

with fellow classmates and doing all the

different activities. His favorite sections

were the book of Ruth and the four

Gospels.

Kevin Aharrah

Brody attends Wheeler Middle School in Crown Point and will go to Crown Point High School next year. At school his favorite class is math and out of school, he loves to run. Brody feels like he was very prepared for Confirmation class because his older brother Mikey and his sister Molly told him and showed him how to navigate the class. He wisely suggests for next year’s stu-dents to “do your stuff” and don’t wait until the last minute. According to Bro-dy, the best thing about Confirmation was getting to know more about God and therefore getting closer to Him.

Brody Kracht

Addison is a student at Hanover Middle

School and next year will attend Hano-

ver High School. Language Arts is her

favorite subject in school, and outside

school she loves tumbling and being on

the cheer team. Her favorite thing about

Confirmation was taking notes and fill-

ing in the worksheets. The thing that

surprised her the most about learning

about God was He is just and fair-bad

things do occur but He does not cause

them but often turns them for good.

Addison McKinney

Ruby attends Taft Middle School in Crown Point and

next year will attend Crown Point High School. Ruby

loves to swim, and she hopes to be on the swim team

in high school. Her specialty is the backstroke. Ruby

loved learning things she did not know about God and

thought Confirmation was interesting and fun. She un-

derstands the faith that her mom and grandparents

have embraced and now feels like it is her own too.

Ruby Monroe

This year eleven youth will be confirmed on May 5, 2019 at the 9:50 service.

Here is a little about each of these young men and women.