st. john s evangelical lutheran hurch
TRANSCRIPT
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Serving the Lord for 116 Years May 2021
Sorrow turned to Joy: Is It Too Good to be True?
In the Gospel of John, the sixteenth chapter, our Lord Jesus promised to His disciples that the
sorrows we experience in this life will be turned to joy.
Such a promise can often sound too good to be true with all the grief we often bear throughout
our life. The causes of stress in our personal life can create a lot of doubt. Add the problems of
family, friend, community, church, work, national and global stressors and sin, we can easily fall
into the feelings of doom and gloom. Joy seems like a pipe dream that seems no way attainable.
Life can so often be so unbearable. In Psalm 130, we can hear a cry for help from King David in
the midst when his life was so full of sorrow, he pleas to our Heavenly Father in verses one to
two which says:
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” 3
How often do we find ourselves praying the same prayers? The words may not be the exact same
words we chose to use but the content is very similar. It is often a cry for the Lord to relieve us
from the pain we experience due to an illness, feelings of heartbreak from a troubled relation-
ship, sadness when we miss a loved one who has died, and times of worry due to the fear we
have for the world we are leaving for our grandchildren to be raised in.
When relief seems slow or matters appear to be getting worse, it can often feel like God may not
be listening, doesn’t care or even worse, the devil likes to make us believe that we are suffering
because we have committed an unforgiveable sin.
Shortly after praying for God to listen, David quickly remembers that God has never stopped lis-tening when he says:
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:3-6)
Page 2 - Pastor Article Continue May Voice 2021
Even though David is impatient and forgetful, David remembers that God is merciful and keeps every promise that is given out is Fatherly love. Remembering the promises the Heavenly Fa-ther has given him, David is able to be strengthened in faith and patience to endure even the deepest of sorrows he faced. Later in the book of Psalms, the Holy Spirit uses David to remind Israel and we who are filled with sorrow that the Lord has promised to us that He will heal all things when He says: “2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.”
The Prophet David reminds us that if God can create everything seen and unseen as we confess
in Nicene Creed, our Heavenly Father can handle your sorrow and He promises to you in your
baptism that they will be on the last day turned into eternal joy!
Thanks be to God that this is no pipe dream! Brothers and sister in Christ, in the resurrection, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, your sin, death and sorrow has been defeated. Yes, we must endure the cross just as Christ did, but the cross leads to glory as Saint Paul reminds of this when He says: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5) The sorrows of life are not pleasant and seem so unbearable, but with these trials and tribula-tions we face today, I believe will make the joy of eternal life with Christ Jesus so much sweet-er! Until then, trust the Words of Christ Jesus and cling to the promises He gives to us as members
of His Church that He made to you in your baptism; “0 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep
and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into
joy.” Amen!
In the name of our risen and ascended Lord!
Pastor Ben Hollingsead
Page 3 - Council Minutes May Voice 2021
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – LCMC
Church Council Minutes
Date: 3/15/2021
Present: Sue Lein, Linda Dilts, Derek Fitcher, Nicole Anderson, Pastor Ben, Linnea Kment, Barb
Peterson, Roxann Berg
Absent: Jim Johnson, Hal Satter
Meeting called to order at 7:04 PM by Derek Fitcher.
● Pastor Ben opened with devotion and prayer.
● New Council Secretary-Nicole Anderson
● Minutes Approved
○ Sue Lein motioned to approve the minutes from 2/15/21, Barb Peterson seconded. Motion
carried.
● Financial Report
○ February 2021 Financial report was reviewed and discussed.
● Pastor’s Report
○ Tony Olivolo’s funeral was 2/18/2021
Potentially brought in new family
Will have a baptism from someone who attended
● Will be doing a graveside service for Francis Bengston 5/15/2021
● Options for women would like to have a Tea Party Fundraiser at the church 5/14-5/15/2021
● First Communion Classes have 4 students (Danica Fitcher, Jeremiah Mudrick, John and Joseph Bier)
● Pastor discretionary fund has been helping about 15 people each month recently
● Audio visual equipment was purchased and has arrived, it has not been set up yet.
Committee Updates
Old Business
●Job descriptions for custodian and secretary will be reviewed for final approval in April.
● History of St. John’s update
○ Good response from members and they will be meeting the 1st Monday of the month at 10am for any-
one who wants to join
Page 4- Council Minutes Continued May Voice 2021
● Re-keying the outside of the church
○ The property committee has changed codes on doors and assigned out codes
○ The property committee is still working on contacting locksmith
● Furnaces-Aerotek will start on 3/16/2021
New Business
● Dog Training Class wanting to use area in Church for classes
○ Discussion was had about contracts, cleaning, room/space to use
○ Sue Lein motioned to allow dog training class to use the back room, Barb Peterson seconded.
Motion carried.
● Summer Events
○ May 22nd there will be a flea market from 9-3 in the parking lot
■ The charge is $25 a parking space for people to use to sell
○ Community Event date of 7/24 tentatively set
● Congregation semi-annual meeting will be 5/2/2021
○ Agenda discussion
■ Changes in Council Members discussed
● Missions-Roxann Berg has served for 6 years
● Worship & Music-Sue Lein has served for 6 years
● Stewardship-Nicole Anderson has served for 3 years
● Youth Education-Jim Johnson has served for 3 years
● Adult Education-open position
● Christian Education-open position
● School Board-Linnea Kment has been serving to finish a term and will be voted
to remain in position
■ Little Angel Preschool Budget
■ Pastor’s Report/Update
■ Committees goals for the next 6 months to a year
■ PPP Loan update
Sue Lein motioned to adjourn at 8:59 pm, Linda Dilts seconded, motion carried.
The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted by,
Nicole Anderson, Council Secretary
Page 5- Financial Report May Voice 2021
St John's Lutheran Church Financial Report March 2021
Budget Offerings ( 4 Sundays) $11,538.48
Actual Offerings Received $13,832.06
Offering Budget Shortage/Overage $2,293.58
Postage $0.00 Phone $80.52
Advertising/Evangelism $80.70 Worship Supplies $269.65
Confirmation $0.00 Building Liability Insurance $0.00
Pastor's Discretion Exp. Acct. $531.11 Computer Operations $118.00
Office Expense $317.22 Vanco Payment $30.62
Payroll Service Fees $64.10 Worship and Music Flowers $0.00
Worship & Music $0.00 Sunday School $0.00
Administrative Expenses $1,491.92
Excel Electric $384.46 Gas $529.31
City Water & Trash $185.72 Custodial Supplies-Misc. $211.99 Building Repair & Maint. $1,116.83
Building Expenses $2,428.31
Employee Salaries $9,059.12 LAP Salaries & Tax $1,111.62 School Paid will be Zero
Payroll Tax $183.03 Visiting Pastors $0.00
Work Comp. Ins. $0.00 Total Salaries $10,353.77
Christian Outreach $0.00
Total Expenses $14,274.00
End of Month Total ($441.94)
(offerings minus expenses)
Check Book Balance $67,468.00 Liabilities $0.00
Actual Cash Balance $67,468.00
Dedicated accounts balance: $81,376.69
Church Account Balance: ($13,908.69)
Offering Balance: Year to Date: $17,508.45
If you have any question regarding this report please see the church council.
Page 6 - Announcements May Voice 2021
MAY MEETINGS/EVENTS:
• History Committee
May 3rd, 10:00 AM
• Bell Choir
Meets Every Thursday at 7PM
• Christian Outreach
May 10th, 2:00 PM
• Little Angel Preschool Board
May 11th, 6:30 PM
• Church Council
May 17th, 7:00 PM
• Worship & Music
May 24th, 10:00 AM
• Property/Work Crew
May 4th, 8:30AM
• Confirmation Class
Meets every
Wednesday at 7:00 PM
May Greeters
May 2nd— Jim and Karan Murphy May 9th— Kim Schmidt & Lisa Loso May 16th— Johnson Family May 23rd—Anna Christians Teddy Abress May 30th—OPEN
Would you like to be a greeter? We are looking for volunteers to greet at the 9:00 AM service, greeters will need to be at church by 8:30 AM. Please call the church office or sign up at the “What’s Happening” table if you are interested. 651-462-5115
Prayer Chain Christ calls us His Church to bear each others burdens. One way to do this is by praying for each other in good times and bad. If you would like to submit a prayer of concern or praise to be prayed for by our prayer chain daily and/or Pastor in weekly Services, feel free to submit them to the Church office via phone
(651) 462-5115 or email ([email protected]), Pastor by phone call/text (651) 323-3293, or in person before service. You can also submit them to our Lay Shepherd, Linnea Kment by phone (651) 464-7490.
Page 7- Announcements May Voice 2021
Easter Food Certificates
In place of the Easter Holiday Food Baskets, Chris-
tian Outreach sent out food gift certificates from
Bruce’s Foods in Wyoming. We want to thank
those who donated money to Christian Outreach
through your offerings. Christian Outreach was
able to send 16 food gift certificates to families in
need in our congregation and community.
Thank you and God Bless!!!
Flea Market St. John’s will be hosting a Flea Market on May22nd, starting at 9:00 AM until
3:00 PM. The cost to rent a spot is $25.00. We ask that you bring your own table and chairs. You are responsible for your own items, meaning selling them, collecting
money, and clean up. Please contact Lisa Loso or Kim Schmidt to register.
Confirmation Day Wednesday, May 5
th we will have Confirmation
rehearsal and pictures.
Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 9th at
9:00 AM service for Evan Locke, Jillian Horsfall, Nikki Robbins, Bella Johnson, and Grace Johnson.
Page 8- Announcements May Voice 2021
LITTLE ANGEL PRESCHOOL
Little Angel Preschool is excited to announce that we are extend-ing our school hours starting September 2021 school year. Our new hours will be from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. With the extended hours we will also be hiring an Assistant Teacher. If you or any-one that you might know have any interest in applying for the po-sition please contact the school director or the church office. [email protected]
We will also be kicking off our school age summer program starting in June. Watch for more information coming soon.
We appreciate you never ending support. LAP School Board.
Property Committee—Tuesday Building Maintenance Crew
We are looking for help. What kind of help? Help with maintaining our church building. Who are we
looking for? You do not need to be an electrician, a plumber, a painter, or a gardener. Those things
would be helpful but we need people who would like to share their time and find their hidden tal-
ents.
We do basic maintenance. Can you change a light bulb, paint a wall, help clean out the garage, or pull
some weeds? Basically, what you do to maintain your home, we come together to do the same for
the church. We get together Tuesday mornings at 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM and usually end around noon.
We are hoping to start a Saturday morning crew doing the same maintenance.
On May 22nd , we will be having a Flea Market and some of our Crew will be there if you would like to
stop by and talk to them or you can stop in Tuesday mornings and see what we do.
The Tuesday Maintenance Crew will only be working the first Tuesday of May, June, July and August.
We will be going back to every Tuesday morning starting in September.
Some upcoming projects the crew hopes to complete this summer will be refinishing the deck,
painting the interior of the church and some bell
tower maintenance. Please watch the Voice for
dates and times.
Hoping to see you.
God Bless.
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St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will be holding Sunday service
at 9:00 AM. Education Hour on each Sunday
is at 10:30 AM.
Please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Inside This Issue:
Pastor’s Article
Council Minutes
Financial Report
Announcements
Church Office: 651-462-5115
Pastor Ben Hollingsead
Cell: 651-323-3293
Office Secretary: Lisa Loso
Non-Profit Organization
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Stacy, MN 55079
The Voice of St. John’s
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
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1075 Genesis Ave.
Stacy, MN 55079
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