St. John Lutheran Church April 2016________________________________________________________________________

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

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

________________________________________________________________________

From the Desk of Bill Ross...

Dear Friends,

I am starting a campaign. No I am not running for President. I am starting a send a card campaign. I would like everyone to choose one or two people from our shut-in list, our friends in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, and then send them a “Thinking of You” card or “God Loves You” card or any kind of card you can think of. Then next month choose someone else. Then keep doing this each month until the end of the year or beyond. Let’s put a smile on the face of our church family members that cannot be with us on Sunday mornings. Remember that someday it could be you staring out a window and wondering, “Does anyone care?”

Until next time, God's Blessings,

Bill Ross, Elder

Core Values

Over the past several months our Planning Council and Board of Elders have been discussing our core values. These are our chief congregational priorities and characteristics – things we value most. We talked over dozens of possibilities, but we decided that there were four that best describe us as a congregation.

When we talk about the Church, we must say that it is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). In a sense, it is not for us to define the Church. The Church belongs to Christ. Rather we are to be a faithful, visible, and local expression of His Church. You will see that represented in our core values.

In April, we will give one Sunday to each of these core values. And in the months to come, I will talk about each of these in our monthly newsletter. But let me give you an initial summary:

Biblical: We believe the Bible to be the revelation of God. It is the Word of God. We take it seriously. We read, study, and give it prominence in worship. It is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative.

Confessional: We have a clear statement of what we believe and hold to it. We are creedal Christians holding especially to the historic creeds, the Small Catechism, and the Lutheran Confessions. You don’t have to wonder about what we believe.

Liturgical: We value the Third Commandment, remembering the Sabbath Day and keeping it holy. We worship weekly and we use our historic Lutheran liturgy full of God’s Word. We value the Sacraments. We gather to receive.

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Missional: God has purposes for His baptized people. His Word speaks to our behaviors, habits, and vocations. God calls us to a new life. He gives us His life as our own. And He sends us out into our families and communities as His representatives.

I hope we will see you on the Sundays of April. We have a lot to discuss.

Pastor

Pastor Pool’s Sunday Bible StudyThe Book of Daniel

Pastor’s Sunday study continues with the mysterious and challenging Old Testament Prophet Daniel. From life in Babylon to the end of the world, Daniel addresses dreams, revelation, persecution, and even a glimpse of the Gospel. We meet each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. There is no cost. Bring your Bibles. Please join us!

April 3: Daniel 6:1-15: Dooming Daniel

April 10: Daniel 6:16-28: A Den of Lions

April 17: Daniel 7:1-14: Four Great Beasts

April 24: Daniel 7:15-28: A Time, Times, and Half a Time

Fellowship Club Potluck

The St. John Fellowship Club will meet on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. for a potluck supper at the church. Please bring food to share. The beverages and table service will be furnished. Everyone is welcome to attend.

St. John Preschool Now Enrolling

The preschool is accepting students for the 2016/2017 school year. We will continue to have a multi-age classroom setting with 3 year olds attending 3 days per week and older children attending 5 days per week. We have extended our hours of operation to 8:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. to be more accommodating to parents and to provide more for our students. Tuition will be $120.00 for 1st year students and will be free for 2nd year returning students. Contact the church office, 242-5588, for more information or enrollment forms.

Check It OutIn Our Church Library

In A Wordby

Heidi Floyd

Heidi Floyd was pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and her prospects looked grim. She was already a wife and a mother of three. Her doctor advised an abortion. But that is not the way Heidi thinks. In this book she writes short inspirational stories about the gifts of life and God’s compassion.

Lutheranism 101Second Edition

Lutheranism 101 examines our Lutheran beliefs and heritage in a fresh way. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran searching for more information or are new to Lutheranism and are looking to understand what we believe, this book will be your guide.

Songs Kids Really Love To Sing

This CD has 17 familiar Bible songs that young children will love to sing along with, including “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”, “Father Abraham”, and “Kum Ba Yah”.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School will be July 18-22, 2016. Our theme this year is “Barnyard Roundup.” VBS is for children 4 years old or enrolled in St. John Sunday School or Preschool through those entering grade 7. Older children and adults are welcome to volunteer as helpers. Mark your calendars and plan on joining us for this exciting barnyard adventure!

Ladies Aid

Ladies Aid will meet on Friday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. We will be working on plans for the LWML Spring Rally so all members are encouraged to attend. Hostesses are Lois Specht, Phyllis Pladna, and JoEllen Wall. All ladies are welcome to join us!

LWML Spring Rally

St. John’s Ladies Aid invites all ladies to attend the LWML Spring Zone Rally on Saturday, April 23. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast being served immediately. The registration fee will be $4.00 with pastors and their wives as guests. The meeting will begin at 9:15 a.m. The guest speaker for the day will be Kristi Manley from Lutheran Family Services in Davenport. The Ingathering will be for the Pregnancy Center in Clinton. They would appreciate the following items: diapers--size 0 - 2 years, 0-3 month onesies, 0-3 month sleepers (boys and girls), crib sheets and wipes. Also Kleenex, stamps, hand soap, copy paper, air freshener (apple cinnamon), small and large trash bags, toilet paper as well as monetary donations. Please RSVP by April 18 to Claudia Schenk, 563-259-0901.

Mary Martha

The Mary Martha Society will meet this month on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. Carol Stuedemann will be leading the Bible study. Hostesses are Jan Peters and Carol Stuedemann. All ladies are invited to join us!

Ladies Evening Bible Study

Ladies Evening Bible Study will meet on April 5 & 19 at 7:00 p.m. in classroom 1 at the church. All women are welcome to join us!

Quilting Bee

The Quilting Bee will meet on Thursday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. All ladies interested in helping sew and tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief are invited to attend.

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!

Facebook

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

Higher Things

We have 11 youth and 3 adults going to the Higher Things Youth Conference this summer in Cedar Falls, IA. We are excited to have so many go! But we could use your help. The cost is $375 per person. Would you consider giving a gift to help our young people go? Thrivent Choice dollars directed to St. John Lutheran Church are also helping us. Direct those choice dollars today.

Youth Ushers

On the second Sunday of each month, our confirmed young people are serving the congregation as ushers. But we need you to sign-up! The sign-up sheet is in the fellowship hall.

Confirmation Day – May 1

On Sunday, May 1, at the 10:15 a.m. service, three young men of St. John will be received into communicant membership of the congregation. Those to be confirmed this year are: Jacob Jackson, Joseph Simpson, and Parker Sirna.

On Wednesday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. the confirmation students will participate in an oral exam followed by a reception. Family and friends of the confirmands are invited to the exam and reception.

Confirmation Meeting

Families of second year Confirmation students are asked to sign up for a meeting time with Pastor Pool. The confirmand and at least one parent are expected to attend. Please call the church office to set up a time at 563-242-5588.

Lutheran Witness

“Lutheran Witness” subscriptions are available for $15.96 per year. To renew or begin a subscription, sign-up and pay in the fellowship hall or mail a check to the church office, 416 Main Avenue, Clinton, IA 52732. The deadline is April 20.

Spring Workday

On Saturday, April 9 beginning at 8:30 a.m. St. John is hosting a Spring Workday. All members are invited to help pick up leaves, trash, weeds, etc. around the churchyard. Let’s show the public that we care about our church building and yard!

April Birthdays & Anniversaries

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

Happy Birthday to: Lois Lamz, who will be 81 on April 1. Wayne Wilke, who will be 84 on April 3.Carl Johnson, who will be 94 on April 21.Lois Knutson, who will be 91 on April 27.

Happy Anniversary to: Dan & Barbara Jepsen, 45th wedding anniversary on April 10.Wayne & Millie Wilke, 60th wedding anniversary on April 15.Larry & Sheryl Villa, 30th wedding anniversary on April 26.

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 now 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 time.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN APRIL

Early

Elders: Jim Schnitzmeyer Kurt Flathers

Ushers: Ronald McGauvran Gary Lueders Jon Meyermann Craig Miller

Youth Ushers: April 10

Nursery Attendants (Late)

3 – Peter & Tara Sirna

10 – Heather Becker

17 – Barb Bialas

24 – Natalie Jackson

Recording

3 – Darlene Paysen10– Paul Wenzel17 – Darlene Paysen24 – Paul Wenzel

Late

Elders: David Martinez Tom Hardersen

Ushers: Wayne Becker Marty Bovis Keith Doucette Stephen VanVuren

Youth Ushers: April 10

Acolyte Schedule3-Early – Elder 3-Late – Joseph Simpson

10-Early – Elder10-Late –Jacob Jackson

17-Early – Elder17-Late – Joseph Simpson

24-Early – Elder24-Late – Parker Sirna

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