News of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Grinnell, IA

Love Letter August 2014

St. John’s Lutheran Church

ELCA

1224 East Street

Grinnell, IA 50112

(641) 236-4946

stjohngr@windstream.net

www.stjohngrinnell.org

The Rev. Kathryn Roys, pastor

pastorkathy@iowatelecom.net

Muriel Johannessen

Associate in Ministry

muriel@iowatelecom.net

Sue Hovenga

office assistant

WORSHIP

Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

During the school year

ADULT EDUCATION

During the school year

OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At other times, leave a message at

the office, 236-4946

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Gary Cook, president

Ted Clausen, vice president

Nancy Beck, secretary

Derek Jack, treasurer

Deb Benhart, Stewardship

Nicole Behrens, Education

Farrah Deppe, Evangelism/Shepherding

Bob Ashing, Properties

Ryan Intlekofer, Worship

Mitzi Dufoe, Fellowship

Patti Selk, Service

Karen Klug Frischmeyer, Youth

Getting and Giving

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you

have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16

Gracious Giver, so much has

been bestowed on me. I lack for

little and yet yearn for so much.

Continue to teach me to

appreciate what has come to me

as blessing and gift. Keep on

urging me and challenging me

to share what I have. Help me to

give generously and freely of my

bounty. I offer you my thanks

for all that has been

given to me. Amen.

Joyce Rupp

2

Love Letter

Message from

Pastor K

athy

Make a list

Summer is such a gift. We

may tire of extremely hot

weather, but there is no get-

ting around the beauty of

summer in Iowa. Summer

living is a great time to take

stock of some of the things

that make our lives worth-

while. Even a slight shift in

one’s daily rhythm can give

way to some beautiful pon-

derings. So what are some of the wonderful

sights and sounds that touch you? What are

your favorite things? What is it that stirs your

soul and makes your so-so heart a grateful

heart?

Here is a little exercise I ran across that looks

like a great thing to do as we turn the calendar

page in August.

Simply make a list of some of the things that

bring deep gladness to your life. They don’t

have to be big ideas…just authentic ones. You

can pick up a pencil and write on this issue of

the Love Letter, right on this page.

To get you thinking, I’ll lead off with a few

things that I find make life more joyful for me.

Perhaps my little list, combined with a little ice

tea or lemonade in hand on a beautiful day, will

inspire your mind to explore the sights and

sounds of your own experience. Have fun!

Birds singing through an open window while I

am still half asleep * A baby’s smile * Reading

a good book in the morning sun * Receiving a

good fiction-book recommendation * Calling

my kids and having them say I love you as we

close * Getting to say I love you in return *

Practicing my musical instrument when no one

is listening * The smell of freshly mown alfal-

fa * The taste of Culver’s flavor of the day *

Singing harmony to a strong melody * Garden

flowers on my kitchen counter * Opening my

CSA to see what vegetables I get to eat this

week * Coconut Chobani yogurt * An unex-

pected hug * Receiving the Sacrament of Holy

Communion * Listening to St John’s sing * The

music of an acoustic guitar * Getting 5,000+

steps on a work day * Seeing my dog Rufus

make someone smile * Sweet corn * Watermel-

on * A good grilled burger * Seeing a hum-

mingbird. That’s what came to my mind. Now

try making your own list.

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What a great way to focus your summer free

time, by being intentional in seeking these

things out for yourself. What a good way to

start a prayer—in thanks for God’s gifts to you

in your life.

See you in worship and places along the way,

Pastor Kathy

3

Love Letter

Happenings at St. John’s

In sympathy

Sincere sympathy is extended to the

family and friends of Dorothy

Buchmeier, who died June 30. Her

funeral was held Saturday, July 5,

at St. John’s. Burial was at Memori-

al Garden’s Cemetery in Newton.

reTREAT

The annual woman’s fall retreat

will be held Wednesday and

Thursday, September 24 and 25,

at the Sinsinawa Mound Center in

southwestern Wisconsin. Muriel

will lead a time of reflection and

relaxation in a beautiful setting. The

cost of $65 includes all meals and a

private room. We hope you will

contact Natalie Dunn or Nancy

Locker for more information.

MICA this month

Needed at MICA in August are per-

sonal care items such as soap,

shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes

and lotions. A collection cart is lo-

cated in the elevator entrance to the

church. Thank you to Lisa Boyes

for taking over the job of transport-

ing the collection to MICA.

Tribute to LWR Quilters

St. John’s WELCA has received

word that a brick in honor of our

LWR Quilters has been placed in

the Good Samaritan Quilt Plaza in

Baltimore, Md. Our brick, pur-

chased with a contribution to LWR

that also supports the expenses of

distributing the quilt, helps form the

“Many Trips Around the World”

quilt pattern that reminds staff and

visitors of the more than 400,000

quilts that Lutheran World Relief

sends around the world to people in

need.

Summer Sermon Series

After wrapping up the Book of

Ruth in early August, the message

at worship for the remainder of the

month will be based on the First

Letter of John: Embodied Word,

Authentic Faith. Pastor Kathy en-

couragers worshippers to read 1

John in its entirety (total of five

chapters) before the sermon series

starts.

Church finances to date Comparison of our 2014 budget,

expenses and offerings through the

month of June.

Budget to date: $131,606

Expenses to date: $133,748

Offerings to date: $107,567

Offerings vs. budget: ($24,039)

Offerings vs. expenses: ($26,181)

THANK YOU

THANKS to Carolyn Bosse and

Cheryl Irland for organizing two

wonderful Hymn Sings in July.

EVERYONE: Thanks to all of you

for the prayers, cards and well-

wishes before and after my surgery

in June. Everything went well and

praises to God for that and for no

recurrence. I am truly blessed to be

a part of such a caring church fami-

ly.

Ryan Intlekofer

THANK YOU for the amazing

(graduation) gifts. They were so

thoughtful and greatly appreciated.

Rachel Pinkerton

THANK YOU for the college sup-

plies. I appreciate all that the con-

gregation has done to support me

during my high school career.

Eli Dunne

WE wish to thank members of St.

John’s for the many cards and re-

membrances of Dorothy Buchmeier

we received at the time of her

death. A special thank you to all

who prepared and served the re-

freshing luncheon, complete with

assorted pies. Dorothy would have

loved that! (She never met a pie she

didn’t like.) May God continue to

enrich the lives of each and every

one of you. Blessings.

Family of Dorothy Buchmeier

WE are extremely grateful for your

donation of 131.8 pounds of food

plus milk vouchers to the MICA

food pantry.

Mid-Iowa Community Action

THANKS to Bob Roys and Bob

Ashing for arranging the audiovisu-

al presentation of Dorothy Buch-meier’s memorial service.

A BIG THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone who contrib-

uted to the roof replacement fund.

With the help of many, all the

needed funds were raised and the

roof replaced. Thank you to all

who supported the project.

4

Love Letter

Stewardship of Service

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Welcome Team: Pat Gustafson, Malynn Pavey

Reader: Lisa Boyes

Communion Assistant: Nancy Beck

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 Acolyte: Jarrett Rose Greeters: Everett and Verna Gerrish

Reader: Margaret Amo

Communion Assistants: Jim and Sara Hegg Dunne

Fellowship: John and Madge Ruchotzke, Barb Baker

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 Welcome Team: Ed and Bev Hatcher

Reader: Cori Dahlby Albright

Communion Assistant: Dave Huth

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Acolyte: Gabby Dahlby Albright

Greeters: Don and Doris Sundell

Reader: Mark Kolpin

Communion Assistants: Bob and Pam Ashing

Fellowship: Jim and Natalie Dunn, Natalie Pavey

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Welcome Team: Dave and Brenda Versteeg

Reader: Brenda Versteeg

Communion Assistant: Gladys Booth

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Acolyte: Alisha Ford

Greeters: Becky Wilson and Sue McDonough

Reader: Peggy Kolpin

Communion Assistants: Terry and Lynn Cline

Fellowship: Youth—Ford and Furness

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 Welcome Team: Sandy Falck and Sarah Ashing

Reader: Bobbie Kahler

Communion Assistant: Donna Beck

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Acolyte: Elizabeth Ashing

Greeters: Dick and Carol Pearce

Reader: Farrah Deppe

Communion Assistants: Rick and Luann Weigel

Fellowship: Dick and Carol Pearce, Marilyn Deppe

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 Welcome Team: Bev Cook and Elizabeth Ashing

Reader: Cori Dahlby Albright

Communion Assistant: Dave Huth

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 Acolyte: Sydney Anderson

Greeters: Irene Morrison and Gladys Booth

Reader: Verna Gerrish

Communion Assistants: Gaylen and Kathy Johnson

Fellowship: Bob and Pam Ashing, Lu Ahrens

USHERS (Sunday)

Don Sundell and Mark Kolpin (head ushers), Gladys Booth,

Herb and Anne Knudten

ALTAR GUILD July 9-August 12—Margaret Amo

Month of August—Sherri Peart

August 13-September 9—Madge Ruchotzke

Hands to Work—Hearts to God

This Shaker motto aptly describes the many people active in the

Lutheran World Relief quilting project at St. John’s.

St. John’s delivers over 250 quilts to Lutheran World Relief

every year. This effort takes many people. There are no special-

ized skills required and volunteers are always needed and wel-

come.

You could help assemble and tie the quilts with a group that

meets from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Church. There are many

other ways to be involved. Some of the ways people are cur-

rently helping in this effort are:

Separate electric blankets – take cords out

Rip open side seams of fitted sheets

Patch sheets for use as quilt backs

Piece (sew) quilt blocks at home

Sew around edge of quilt

Tie quilts at church or at home – in a group or by yourself

Oil and repair sewing machines

Search garage sales and auctions for sheets, blankets, mat-

tress pads, curtains

Collect boxes for packing quilts

Pack finished quilts

Transport quilts to Des Moines in April and October

Donate money for material and supplies

Buy and donate thread, scissors, rippers

Buy material on sale or at garage sales

Contact Susan Willig (quilting) or Vic and Jean Frana (tying,

packing, delivery) if you are interested in assisting with this

worthwhile, rewarding and addictive effort.

Church Council highlights

The following are key points of the Church Council meeting on

July 15. The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 5, at 5:30

p.m.

At a future meeting the council will discuss accessibility in

the church building.

Nicole Behrens and Ryan Intlekofer were appointed to a

committee working on sabbatical policy.

A communication chain will be formed to help keep in

touch with the youth of the congregation.

The youth will distribute fliers in the neighborhood telling

residents about our Giving Garden and encouraging them to

pick vegetables.

5

Love Letter

August 1

Jennifer Ditzler

Anita Ford

Lamoyne Gaard

Staci Harms

August 4

Larry Deppe

Gladys Weber

August 6

Michael Burk

Laynie Clark

Russ Crawford

Bev Hatcher

August 7

Carol Busse

Laurie Kramer

August 9

Helen Routier

August 11

Hannah Behrens

August 13 April Cranmer

August 14

Donna Beck

Stacey Coleman

August 15

Dan Huebner

August 16

Doris Sundell

August 18

Russ Behrens

Verna Gerrish

Jana Innis

Jim Pinkerton

August 19

Kyle Smith

August 20

Sara Lown

Malynn Pavey

Chod Urfer

August 22

Jessica Olson

August 23

Kathy Johnson

August 24

Diane Winburn

August 25 Barrett Anderson

August 26 Sue McDonough

Julie Wierson

August 28 Bob Ashing

Carolyn Bosse

Sydney Hatcher

August 29 Jan Sherlock

Barbara Stone

August 31 Claire Behrens

Harlan Honsbruch

AU

GU

ST

BIR

TH

DA

YS

Help with School Kits

Education is important for every community,

especially where poverty or disaster has

limited the options for

young people to reach

potential. School Kits

\ contain essential supplies

\ to help children—and in

some cases adults—continue learning despite

the hardships they face.

St. John’s WELCA invites the congregation

to help them purchase materials for School

Kits in August and September. Each kit

should contain the following items: (all items

in new and in good condition):

Four 70-page spiral notebooks, wide- or

college-ruled.

One 30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with

centimeters on one side and inches on the

other.

One pencil sharpener.

One pair of blunt, safety scissors.

Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers.

Secure together with rubber band.

Five black or blue ballpoint pens. Secure

together with rubber band.

One box of 16– or 24-count crayons.

One 2 1/2 -inch eraser.

July 4 Parade

St. John’s highlighted its

hunger efforts, Giving

Garden and pet ministry

in its entry in Grinnell’s

Fourth of July parade.

Shown (above) are Mari-

lyn Deppe, Gary Cook,

Derek Jack (at right)

Anne Knudten. Thanks to

everyone who helped—

and especially to Luann

Weigel, who did the

organizing.

6

Love Letter

St. John’s Lutheran Church

1224 East Street

Grinnell, Iowa 50112

(641) 236-4946

AUGUST2014

The LOVE LETTER is published

monthly by St. John’s Lutheran

Church. Deadline for each issue is

the 15th of the previous month.

Contact: Mary Schuchmann,

schuchr@pcpartner.net

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