St. John Lutheran Church August 2017________________________________________________________________________

Church Office: 563-242-5588Pastor Dan Pool: 321-6757, home

e-mail: dpool@stjohn-clinton-ia.orgWeb Site: www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org

________________________________________________________________________

August 27 Church PicnicSchedule of Events

7:45 & 10:15 – Divine Service11:15 – Picnic Dinner

*children’s games for those up through 6th grade

The annual St. John Church and Sunday School Picnic will be at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 27. Cost for adults is $2.00 each and can be paid the day of the picnic. There will be no advance sales. Children accompanied by an adult are free. The fee is to cover the cost of the roast beef and roast pork.

Each family is asked to bring two dishes and a single person may bring one dish to share. Choose from potatoes, vegetables, salads, or desserts. Those for whom cooking is difficult are invited to be our guest. The table service and

beverages will be provided. In the afternoon, there will be

children’s games, cards, volleyball, and horseshoes. Please join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship!

Reformation 500

This year we celebrate the 500th

Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. From the beginning, we have been a Church that confesses. We are witnesses to the world of the grace of God, especially as it is expressed in the doctrine of justification. God has declared us righteous by grace through faith because of the cross and resurrection of Christ. It is our task to confess this good news to the world.

There are several ways that we are marking and making known the clear Gospel message of the Reformation. Most importantly, we gather for the Divine Service on Reformation Sunday, October 29 at 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. We will have special music and a chance for all of us to participate in the adult choir. But we have some other ways that we will mark this event:

Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the WorldWe are hosting a movie night at the Clinton 8 Theater on Monday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are for sale now online for $11. We will also have tickets available in the Fellowship Hall soon. You can find a preview and buy tickets at our Church website: www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org.

Processional CrossOn Reformation Sunday we are introducing a new processional cross into the Divine Service to celebrate and mark the Reformation. We will use this on special occasions to begin and

end the service with Christ as our focus. As we reverence the cross when we enter the chancel and come forward for Holy Communion, it is respectful to turn and face the cross for the procession and reverence the cross at it passes you. Our young people will help as crucifers—those who carry the processional cross.

The Small Catechism We will have new copies of The Small Catechism entitled A Simple Explanation of Christianity for you to use in your own devotions and to give out to family and friends. We will have some other resources available as well.

Oktoberfest On Reformation Sunday, October 29 after the late service, we will host a special Oktoberfest in true Reformation fashion. We will be serving brats and root beer, with a German style potluck. More information will be coming soon!

We have much to celebrate.

Pastor Pool

Wednesday Summer Services

Join us each Wednesday for services in August at 7:00 p.m. The summer theme is “After the Darkness, Light” from John's Gospel and Job 17:12. Holy Communion will be served the first Wednesday, August 2.

Church Website

Our website has been recently updated. We now have sermons available in audio format. Did you miss a week? Go and listen online!

And check out all of our improvements! www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org.

Pastor Pool’s Sunday Bible Study

The Augsburg ConfessionThis year we celebrate the 500th

Anniversary of the Reformation, and in honor of this historic remembrance, we are studying the great Augsburg Confession. This document was the key text to explain the faith and practice of the Lutheran Reformation. Copies of the Augsburg Confession will be available for you to keep. This class is highly recommended for those who would like to get to know our Church and theology, but the whole congregation is encouraged to attend! Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

August 6: Church Ceremonies and Civil GovernmentAugust 13: Christ’s Return for Judgment and Free WillAugust 20: The Cause of Sin and Good WorksAugust 27: Various Corrections

Higher Things

Thank you to all who supported our young people on their trip to Higher Things in Valparaiso, IN this summer. Your prayers and financial support were greatly appreciated. Next summer, Higher Things: Sanctified is in

Northfield, MN on July 3-6, 2018. Mark your calendars now!

Summer Sunday School

We will have Children’s Summer Sunday School only on August 6 this month. We are watching a special video series on the life of Jesus, with popcorn and prayers. On the other Sundays, we will not have children’s classes. Both adult classes will continue to meet. Teens and kids are welcome to attend with parents. Classes return to our normal every Sunday format beginning September 3.

Church Picnic Volunteers

We have sign-up sheets on the bulletin board by the entrance to the education building for volunteers to help with the other various phases of the Church Picnic on August 27.

Help is needed:1) in the kitchen during late service;2) setting out food for serving;3) cleaning up the kitchen after dinner;4) assisting with children’s games;5) cleaning up the yard and building.

Lend a hand – sign up to help!

St. John Preschool

We are excited to announce that there are 16 children enrolled for the 2017-2018 preschool year. We ask that you keep the teachers and students in your prayers as they are preparing for the start of the

school year and embarking on a new adventure. Thank you for helping to spread the word about our preschool and enabling

us to reach so many young children with the gospel of our Lord.

Youth Catechesis

Youth Catechesis begins on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7:15 p.m. There will be a parent and student meeting in the fellowship hall from 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. and then the students will have class from 7:45 – 8:45 p.m. Youth Catechesis will meet each Wednesday from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Sept. – April, except when the public school schedules vacation or closes school because of bad weather. If you have any questions please call the church office, 242-5588.

St. John’s Fellowship Club Corn Boil

The Fellowship Club Corn Boil/Potluck Supper will be Tuesday, August 1 at 6:00 p.m. at the church. Please bring food to share. Sweet corn, coffee, and table service

will be furnished. Everyone is welcome to join us for good food and an evening of cards and fellowship.

Do you shop at Amazon.com?

AmazonSmile will make a donation to St. John each time you make a purchase. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/42-6005460 to

register your account. After registering your Amazon account, start each purchase at smile.amazon.com.

Vacation Bible School StaffThe staff worked long and hard for the excellent program

at St. John:Thank You· Dawn Adamiec ·Thank You· Heather Becker ·Thank

You· Vicki Beckwith ·Thank You· Sandy Bovis ·Thank You· Kevin Cheney ·Thank You· Donna Crockett ·Thank You· Bonnie Dethmann ·Thank You· Erica Dell ·Thank You· Sarah Flathers ·Thank You· Christine Frett ·Thank You· Nicholas Frett ·Thank You·

Debby Gosnell ·Thank You· Carla Grotelueschen ·Thank You·

Jacob Jackson ·Thank You· Sheryl Jindrich ·Thank You· Jackie Kammerer ·Thank You· Jennifer Kammerer ·Thank You· Heather Kingery ·Thank You Kristi Kuhse ·Thank You· Shawn Kuhse ·Thank You· Kayla Lampe ·Thank You· Joyce Martinez ·Thank You·

McKenzley Morris ·Thank You· Shania Mussmann ·Thank You·

Pastor Pool ·Thank You· Sallie Pool ·Thank You· Emilyann Pool ·Thank You· Eric Pool ·Thank You· Kathy Schrader ·Thank You·

Donivan Sirna ·Thank You· Parker Sirna ·Thank You· Angie Stewart ·Thank You· Daniel Stewart ·Thank You· Matthew

Stewart ·Thank You· Moriah Stewart ·Thank You· Janice Wheelock

Ladies Aid

Ladies Aid will meet on Friday, August 4 at noon in the fellowship hall. There will be a catered meal from Homer's. The cost will be $5 per person, guests are welcome. There will be a brief business meeting followed by "dirty" bingo. Remember to bring a white elephant gift to pass. This will be a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, salad, fruit and dessert. We hope to see everyone in attendance!

Ladies’ Evening Bible Study

Ladies Evening Bible Study will meet on August 1 and 15 at 7:00 p.m. in classroom 1 at the church. All women are welcome to join us!

Mary Martha

There will be no Mary Martha meeting in August.

Quilts for Lutheran World Relief

All ladies are invited to the Quilting Bee, which meets on Thursday, August 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Come help us sew and tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

Facebook

Did you know the Church has a Facebook page? You can like us on Facebook at St. John Lutheran Church, Clinton.

Hospitalizations

Please be sure to mention St. John Lutheran Church if you are admitted at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton. Your pastor wants to visit you when you’re hospitalized, but the only sure way for him to know is for you or a family member to call the church office, 242-5588. If

you would like pastor to visit, but not have your name announced on Sunday, your request will be honored.

Things you never hear in church…

1. Hey! It’s my turn to sit in the front pew.2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed the sermon

ran 25 minutes long.3. Personally, I find witnessing much more

enjoyable than golf.4. I’ve decided to give our church the $500 a month

I used to send to the TV evangelists.5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the

junior high Sunday school class.6. I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard

before.7. Since we’re all here, let’s start the service early.8. Pastor, we’d like to send you to a Bible seminar

in the Bahamas.9. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my

commitment like our annual stewardship campaign.

10. I couldn’t find space to park outside. Praise God!

The Clinton Lutheran HourRadio Broadcast

Each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. the Clinton Lutheran Hour is broadcast over the Clinton Radio Station KROS, 1340 AM. The program is sponsored by the Radio Mission League. Digital recordings are made of our church services each Sunday by Darlene Paysen. Jeffrey Niebuhr is the announcer giving the introductory message for each broadcast.

A broadcast may be sponsored for a certain Sunday for $35.00 by contacting Janice Wheelock, 321-4536, who handles the scheduling. Sharon Brown is the Radio Mission League treasurer and receives the broadcast fees. A broadcast may be given in memory of a loved one, for a birthday or anniversary,

or simply as a gift of love. The name of the sponsor and who the broadcast is given for is included each week.

St. John’s library carries CDs of each broadcast for anyone to check out. Perhaps there is a service you would like to share with a friend or you were unable to attend a service. Come find it in the church library! The most recent Sundays are on the desk when you first enter; instructions are next to them on how to check a CD out. You can find past broadcasts on the shelves with the DVDs and videos.

Check It OutIn Our Church Library

Joyce Martinez has donated a new fiction book to our library. A Time to Love is from the Quilter of Lancaster County series. Thanks Joyce.

The Harvest Riseby Katie Schuermann

Another new fiction book in our library.

Did You Know? Where there were books there were libraries (okay clay tablets). A collection of over 30,000 clay tablets was discovered in the Sumerian city of Nippur. The Assyrian king of Sennacherib formed a library in his palace somewhere around 700 B.C. and his grandson, Ashurbanipal, formed an even larger collection of ancient records.

August Birthdays & Anniversaries

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Happy Birthday to: Lois Black, who will be 82 on August 1.Mildred Reusche, who will be 91 on August 9.Donald Stuedemann, who will be 86 on August 10.Paul Specht, who will be 87 on August 20.Eunice Weller, who will be 86 on August 24.Helen Lauritzen, who will be 82 on August 27.

Happy Anniversary to:Roberto & Christy Mendez, 1st wedding anniversary on Aug. 6.Ben & Olivia Rowan, 1st wedding anniversary on Aug. 6.Ryan & Bethany Dell, 1st wedding anniversary on Aug. 13.Bob & Carol Hill, 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 25.Don & Marilyn Stuedemann, 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 25.

We list birthdays 80 and above and anniversaries for year one and every five years thereafter unless we receive a request not to do so.

Private Communion Calls

Pastor Pool makes his visits to those in nursing homes throughout the month. Those at home who would like to receive a communion visit are asked to call Pastor at the church office, 242-5588, to schedule a convenient time.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN AUGUST

Early

Elders: Bill Ross Dave Reynolds

Ushers: Brent Pladna Gary Lueders Jon Meyermann Craig Miller

Nursery Attendants (Late)6 – Natalie & Molly Jackson 13 – Jennifer Kammerer

20 – Sheryl Jindrich

27– Kristi LaShelle

Recording 6 – Darlene Paysen13– Paul Wenzel20 – Darlene Paysen27 – Paul Wenzel

Late

Elders: James McHugh Jim Kophamer

Ushers: Wayne Becker Keith Doucette Rod Simpson Dakota Ebensberger

Acolyte Schedule6-Early – William Schemers6-Late – Elder

13-Early – Elder13-Late – Kaleb Bovis

20-Early – Elder20-Late – Elder

27-Early – Maya Murtha27-Late – Elder

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: AUGUST 20If you would like to put any information in the newsletter, contact Angie Stewart, and get her the information by August 20.