St. John’s Evangelical THE Lutheran Church VISITOR Lauren Wideen, 4th Grade _______________________________________________________ Prairie du Sac, WI February 2012 Dear Sisters and Brothers, In Mark 12, a scribe comes to ask Jesus, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answers, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength’” (Mark 12:28-30). Jesus responds to the scribe’s question with words from the Shema, the passage from Deuteronomy 6 that is recited daily by many of the Jewish faith. (Sundays and Seasons, p. 110) The components of this response will make up this year’s Lenten theme. * Week 1, February 29 Mark 12:28-34 “Shema” * Week 2, March 7 John 12:37-43 “Heart” * Week 3, March 14 Psalm 42 “Soul” * Week 4, March 21 1 Kings 3:3-15 “Mind” * Week 5, March 28 Isaiah 12:1-6 “Strength” Lent will begin with our ecumenical Ash Wednesday services on February 22 and will continue with Palm/Passion Sunday on April 1, Maundy Thursday on April 5 and conclude with our ecumenical Good Friday services, which this year will be a Cantata. The season of Easter begins April 8 with our sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by 8:00 and 10:30 services. I invite you to worship on these additional days during Lent. Ash Wednesday helps us focus on our need for God’s grace and reminds us of our finitude on this earth. Our five mid-week services (20-25 minutes in length) are opportunities for a different rhythm in worship. Maundy Thursday helps us focus on Jesus as servant, while Good Friday reminds us of God’s sacrificial love made clear on the cross. Finally Lent gives way to Easter and a shout to all of creation that death does not have the last word. All these services are opportunities to hear again God’s story of love and grace made known to us in the one we call Emmanuel, “God with us.” Shalom, Adult Sunday School We continue our adult education opportunities through the individual classes offered each Sunday during the education year. Here is our schedule for February. You can attend them all or pick and choose which weeks you want to come. : February 5 – Revelation February 12 – Overview of Lent February 19 – New Testament Overview February 26 – Paul’s Writings There is no cost or previous Bible knowledge required. Bring your friends and/or your post-Sunday School aged children! We hope you will join us! And remember, all are welcome! Food Pantry Sunday is February 12. Food, paper products and cleaning supplies may be brought to the table in the gathering area. These items are distributed to many families in the Sauk Prairie community. The food pantry especially needs: Pork and beans Spaghetti sauce Tuna Peanut butter Mayonnaise Canned hash Crackers Jelly/jam Keep this list handy as you do your grocery shopping during the next few weeks. Many parishioners find it easier to bring the items to the gathering area of the church at other times during the month. We appreciate the donations at any time. Birthday Greetings We hope you take a moment to send greetings to the following people who have birthdays in February. The date is in parentheses. Frieda Waldinger (2) Evelyn Chroninger (11) S10197 Skunk Valley Rd Middleton Village Sauk City, WI 53583 6201 Elmwood Ave Middleton, WI 53562 Jerry Exterovich (11) Walter Sprecher (22) 10 5th Street 930 Prairie St., Apt 103 Prairie du Sac, WI 53578 Prairie du Sac, WI 53578 Lenten/Easter Schedule Ash Wednesday February 22 – 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. Lenten services February 29, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. Palm/Passion Sunday April 1 – 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday April 5 – 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. Good Friday April 6 – 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. (Choir) Easter Sunday April 8 – 6:30, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Women of the Church News Hannah Circle: Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Library. Child care is provided. Lydia Circle: Thursday, February 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Fay Rentmeester’s, N750 Golf Rd., # 44, PdSMartha Circle: Thursday, February 2 at 9 a.m. at Ruth Dresser’s, 1011 Eagle View Ct., PdS Mary Circle: Tuesday, February 7 at 1 p.m. at Leystra’s Venture Restaurant in SC, Eunice Yanke, Hostess Ruth Circle: Monday, February 13 at 7 p.m. at Carolyn Gilbertson’s, W14410 Vista View Ct., PdS Sarah Circle: Thursday, February 2 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John’s Library Because of the snowstorm on January 12, the Combined Circles meeting was postponed until January 26. The events of that day will appear in the next Visitor. In February the Bible study, The Gospel of Mark: “Tough Questions” will be led by Pastor Williams, Delores Staff, Carol Mallon, Eunice Yanke, Marian DeGiovanni, and Kathy Lester. We will choose Prayer Partners in February. We will collect wrapped bars of soap and adult-size toothbrushes during February for the Lutheran World Relief congregational project of personal care kits. Remember, look in the Visitor for a Prayer for Peace to be read on February 20. Mary Circle visited Special Friends during December and January. Martha Circle will visit them during February and March. We should be keeping in mind that on April 21, St. John’s will host the Spring Baraboo Conference. The Bible study leaders’ meeting for March will be Tuesday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m. OWLS We will meet on Friday, February 24 at our usual time of 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Any who can come earlier are welcome to help assemble the February Visitor beginning at 8:00 a.m. New Members We welcomed the following new members to St. John’s on January 29. Please greet them when you meet them and help them learn that St. John’s is a caring and welcoming congregation. Amy Beattie John Beattie Paige Beattie Sam Beattie Sally Blum Rich Calenzo Jane Fazio Mark Fazio Arlene Foell Jack Foell Craig Frey Tammy Frey Colby Frey Kendra Frey Ellen Larsen Joe Larsen Clayton Larsen Zachary Larsen Vera Musolf Edwin Musolf Cynthia Odden Dan Odden Renee Pierce Gloria Pierce Brian Pierce Terry Roach Mary Roach Ashley Roach Ava Roach St. John’s reports many of the names of our hospitalized and recently discharged members in the monthly newsletter. We include only those who have given us permission to print their names. You may send cards or telephone them and pray for their improved health. Hospitalized/Recently Discharged Luella Lichte Mackenzie Colby Steve Leake Cassie Louis Dear friends, My Aunt Christie sent me an email this morning that sort of stopped me in my tracks: Hello! At your wedding I was scoping out your Church’s missions activities and saw the pillow case dresses you guys were making. I "borrowed" the idea and our Circle made some this past fall. Here is a picture of some of the children at an Orphanage in Haiti that one of the local churches here supports. You guys had part in the smiles on these faces so I wanted to send the picture on to you! Love, Christie Wow! Something that we are doing here in Wisconsin was brought not only to North Carolina where Christie lives, but also to Haiti! Our Sunday School theme this year is Hands and Feet of God. I think it’s safe to say that this is a beautiful example of how YOU are the hands and feet of God. Sometimes it’s in the little things where God’s amazing and abundant grace shines through. As Romans 10:5 states, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" That is what you do here at St. John’s when you model lives of service for others. That’s what you do here when you make pillowcase dresses, drop some coins in a cardboard barnyard for world hunger, and join this faith community in worship. You are the hands and the feet that carry the good news all around the world. You make a difference. Keep carrying the good news, hands. Keep spreading God’s Word, feet. How beautiful are the hands and feet…how beautiful. Peace, Fair Trade Items for Sale The church office has a wide selection of fair trade gift items from countries throughout the world. Many would make one-of-a-kind gifts for relatives, friends, or for yourself. We are offering a 30% off all non-food items through the end of February. Be sure to stop in the office any time the church is open and browse at your convenience. Home Repairs A one night training session on how to do small, yet common repair jobs around the house will be held Wednesday evening, February 8, beginning at 6:30 in Room 1 in the education wing. This class is limited to no more than 12 individuals. If you are interested, there is a signup sheet on the kiosk and enrollment will be on a first come-first serve basis. Music Opportunities There is a signup sheet on the kiosk to accompany psalms, hymns and special music. See Connie Burton with any questions. Dear Habitat Friends, I want to extend my thank you for your continued support of Habitat and your recent donation of $1,150.00. We know that there are many missional choices in today’s needy world. We also know that for two more families this year Christmas has been a thrill because they have a home of their own in which to spend it. And that is because of faithful stewards such as yourselves. May God bless you in your ministry. Marcia Brown Church Relations As part of our Special Benevolence, St. John’s has given our local Habitat branch $1,150 annually for the past four years. We invite you to pray for peace on the 20th day of each month. On February 20, please repeat the following prayer: O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Evangelical Lutheran Worship Women’s Book Club This month we will each pick out a different book about Jacqueline Kennedy and share our learning with one another! We will meet on Tuesday, February 28 at 10 a.m. in the church library and 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Spoon for discussion. See Pastor Williams for more information. Attention Women of the Church! The newest women’s Bible study group (Hannah Circle) will meet on Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the church library. Childcare will be provided. We meet monthly on the first Tuesday of every month in the church library. This year’s theme is the gospel of Mark. If you are interested in helping with childcare, please contact Pastor Williams. Dear Women of St. John’s, Thank you so much for your generous donation to our Sauk Prairie Homeless families. It was perfect timing for the holiday season. Sincerely, Susan Baumann Duren SPSD Social Worker, Homeless Coordinator WELCA donated $200 to the School District’s Homeless Program as part of their Christmas Cheer. Dear Friends of Habitat, Happy New Year to one and all, and thank you for your continued support of Habitat . We are looking to a busy year ahead and, as usual, our efforts will only happen with lots of willing hands and hearts like yours. Our ReStore in Baraboo is experiencing steady and very good sales. The two parts that make this work are donations and helping customers. That's where you come in. We are looking for individuals who could be available to help pick up donations. If that is you, please contact Bruce Koch at lbkoch@charter.net or 608-370-2083. We are also looking for volunteers to work at the ReStore. Open hours are Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. -6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.. Contact our manager, Marsha Salecker at 608-356-0332 or manager@restore-sca.org. Help is also needed on Tuesday and Wednesday when customers are not present. Remember proceeds from this effort go to help build houses in our area. Plans are taking shape for building two houses this year; one in Reedsburg and one in Wyocena. As always, we will be looking for work crews and lunch providers. Stay tuned on our website www.hfhsca.org or check us out on Facebook at Habitat for Humanity, Sauk-Columbia Area. A busy year and it's only January. We need you to make it work!! Lenten Offerings One way we celebrate God’s goodness is by sharing what we have. As in the past, our Wednesday Lenten offerings have been given to help various individuals and organizations. This year the Stewardship Board has chosen UW Madison Campus Ministry, the Sauk Prairie School District homeless program, Bethel Lutheran Church’s television ministry, Raymond Parish’s medicine support, Haiti travel/mission support, and the Good Neighbor Clinic as recipients of our Lenten offerings. Dear WELCA Friends, We wish to thank you for your recent donation to Hope House. Your contribution will provide services and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As the Christmas season of candles and bright light arrives, and the reason for the season remains constant, we strive to cheer the lives of our clients by offering them hope – Hope House. Together with our communities and people like you, we will be able to give hope to our clients for many merry Christmases to come. Thank you for your generosity. Agnes Holt WELCA donated $200 to Hope House as part of their Christmas Cheer. Dear Sauk Prairie and St. John’s, Thank you for the donation to our Food Pantry. The money will go to help so many people during the holiday season. Kay Marquez St. Vincent de Paul We would like to thank you for your generous donation. We will put it to good use in providing food support to the needy in our community. We are grateful for your ongoing support Peggy Lahti Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry Each Sauk Prairie area Food Pantry received $248.12 from the offering collected at the Ecumenical Thanksgiving service. With Sincere Sympathy We offer our sympathy to many in our family of faith this month: * Inez Zitlow and David and Lois Kaul on the death of Inez’s husband and Lois’ uncle, Vern Zitlow * Dick and Okla Yanke on the death of Okla’s sister, Glenda Armstrong * Jane and Mark Fazio on the death of Jane’s mother, Agnes Schultz * Michelle, Jerry, Leanna and Malea Niesen on the death of Michelle’s grandfather, Richard “Dick” Patterson * Todd and Gina Wyttenbach and Chad Keller on the death of Todd’s father and Chad’s grandfather, Donald Wyttenbach The ecumenical Good Friday service will be held on April 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. This year’s service will be one of scripture and song. The ecumenical choir will be preparing several pieces for this service, which will also include congregational hymns and scripture readings in the telling of Christ’s Passion. Several rehearsals are planned for the choir, which will be held on the following dates in the sanctuary of St. John’s. February 1 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Wednesday) February 4 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Saturday) February 8 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Wednesday) February 18 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Saturday) February 26 1:00-2:30 p.m. (Sunday) March 17 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Saturday) March 24 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Saturday) April 4 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Wednesday of Holy Week) April 6 Noon rehearsal for 1:00 service and 5:30 rehearsal for 6:30 service Connie Burton will direct the musical portion of the worship service, with Karen Schlittler serving as accompanist. Please contact Connie with any questions at 393-4291. On behalf of the Help Excite Little People (H.E.L.P.) Project, heartfelt thanks for your involvement. We greatly appreciate the generous donations that you shared. On the day of our distribution, the toys and items for teens were made available to 50 adults. Many thanks for making the holidays happier for Sauk Prairie families. God’s blessings to you in 2012! With thanks and respect, Margaret McFarlane H.E.L.P. Coordinator Men’s Book Bunch The group will read The Chaneysville Incident by David Bradley. We will meet at the Blue Spoon at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23. Questions? Contact Peter Heide at 356-8219. Serving in February Ushers: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Mark Gilbertson Matt Miller Claire Richardson Jerry Niesen Sylvia Richardson Michele Niesen Erik Gilbertson Sean Collins Feb. 12 Jeff Ballweg Sue Kirner Brad Kraemer Lisa Sauer Kim Larson Tom Sauer Kyle Johnson Austin Powell Feb. 19 Jeff Ballweg Sue Kirner Brad Kraemer Lisa Sauer Kim Larson Tom Sauer Kaitlynn Pulvermacher Sean Collins Feb. 26 Jeff Ballweg Sherri Endres Lovell Brad Kraemer Kathy Lovell Claire Richardson Jon Sandeman Jacob Jones Wednesday, February 22, Ash Wednesday 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Linda Hines Beth Yanke Kim Larson Jeff Yanke Jaime Sawle Jennifer Sawle Jon Sawle Wednesday, February 29 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Linda Hines Beth Yanke Elaine Sprecher Jeff Yanke Linda Lorenz Doug Ringelstetter Gwen Ringelstetter Readers: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Hunter Lohr Feb. 12 Dan Baun Roxanne Small Feb. 19 Mary Halweg Tom Schneller Feb. 26 Diane Slotty Sue Ann Schwanke Cantors: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Melani Wheeler Bill Burton Feb. 12 Jordan Small Cassie Bradley Feb. 19 Dee Suchomel Katie, Cathy Yanke Feb. 26 Bill Burton Marv Hupp Acolytes: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Ryan Ladd Tanner Wideen Grant Kirner Nolan Joyce Feb. 12 Lucas Johnson Grant Schlimgen Nolan Joyce Ethan Harper Feb. 19 Katie Ederer Grant Schlimgen Olivia Chao Ivan Lohr Feb. 26 Nolan Joyce Grant Schlimgen Ethan Harper Wednesday, February 22, Ash Wednesday 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Leah Spurgeon Keith Kraemer Wednesday, February 29 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Leah Spurgeon Keith Kraemer Greeters: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 (Sanctuary) Larry/Mary Halweg Jerry/Michelle Niesen (Front Doors) Marv/Janelle Hupp Brian/Janet Hanson (Side Doors) Cliff/Cindy Thompson Bob/Marilyn Straub Feb. 12 (Sanctuary) Dave/Pat Osterfund Bill/Donna Knickmeyer (Front Doors) Rodney/Marsha Key (Side Doors) Bev/Roger Clason Craig/Penny Johnson Feb. 19 (Sanctuary) Michael Kindschi Tanner Wideen (Front Doors) Katie Ederer Connor Sutter (Side Doors) Olivia Chao Feb. 26 (Sanctuary) Greg/Linda Lorenz Jim/Delores Staff (Front Doors) Bob/Josie Fentress Chris/Jennifer Stephan (Side Doors) Alan/Loretta Landerman Dave/Ruth Lohr Librarians: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Maren Andersen Boerger Feb. 12 Mary Weeks Barb Salveson Feb. 19 Marilyn Larson Mary Ellen Beich Feb. 26 Carol Mallon Marcia Thompson Coffee Set-Up/Clean-Up: Feb. 5 Brooke Herschleb, Adam Ballweg Feb. 12 Brooke Herschleb, Adam Ballweg Feb. 19 Feb. 26 Communion Set Up/Clean Up: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Darlene Holl Julie Andrews Diane Williams Feb. 12 Keith Hines Lauryn Froehlich Feb. 19 Julie Allen Deb Westphal Feb. 26 Diane Williams Sue Ann Schwanke Darlene Holl Wednesday, February 22, Ash Wednesday 1:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Linda Hines Marilyn Herschleb Assisting Ministers: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Kathi Risley Kathi Risley Feb. 19 Bev Clason Bev Clason Feb. 26 Donna Knickmeyer Donna Knickmeyer Communion Assistants: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Hunter Lohr Feb. 12 Haakon Carlson Doris Lohr Feb. 19 Nadine Lauer Renee Pierce Feb. 26 Nadine Lauer Barb Salveson Nursery Staff: 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5 Michael Kindschi Julia Reinke Emily Sauer Alex Statz Feb. 12 Emma Carlson Jordan Powell Michael Breunig Connor Sutter Feb. 19 Michael Kindschi Hunter Lohr Ryan Ladd Gracie Koenig Feb. 26 Michela Breunig Lauren Bradbury Emma Carlson Alissa Grauvogl Kalahari Waterpark Trip on February 24, 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Grades 6-12 are welcome and the cost is $30 per person which includes water park ticket, lunch and transportation. Kids should bring a towel and extra spending money if they wish. Friends who are not members of St. John’s are welcome. Please see Pastor Fred or Pastor Sally if the cost of the trip prohibits your child from attending. Have your child sign up on the Youth Info Board ASAP. We only have 60 spots available. Payment should be made on February 24. Make checks out to St. John’s. High School Youth Ministry Upcoming High School Events * February 5, Souper Bowl Sunday * February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Confirmation sessions 5:30 - Meal 6:00 – Class * February 11, Broom Ball, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. * February 22, Ash Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. * February 24, Kalahari trip, 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * March 7, 14, 21 Confirmation sessions 5:30 – Meal 6:00 – Class * March 28 – No class Upcoming Middle School Events * February 5, Souper Bowl Sunday * February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Confirmation sessions 5:30 - Meal 6:00 – Class * February 11, Broom Ball, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. * February 22, Ash Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. * February 24, Kalahari trip, 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * March 7, 14, 21 Confirmation sessions 5:30 – Meal 6:00 – Class * March 28 – No class Barnyard Banks & Noisy Change Offering On Sunday, February 5 we will collect all of the Barnyard Banks as part of a special Souper Bowl offering for world hunger. We also welcome noisy gifts (loose change) to be put into our soup pots! With the money we raise we can buy animals for families in need from the ELCA Good Gifts Catalog. Please check it out at www.elca.org/goodgifts: $500 for a cow, $30 for a pig, $20 for a duck, and so on. We can make a world of difference in the lives of people across the globe. Important Sunday School Dates February 5 - Bring your barns to worship April 8 - No Sunday School May 6 - Last day of Sunday School May 20 - Sunday School teacher meeting at 9:15 a.m. Sunday School Attendance and Offering Attendance Offering January 8 98 $ 9.81 January 15 88 26.58 January 22 17.70 Soup Race for Local Hunger Our Sunday School and Confirmation classes are challenging the adults in our congregation to a soup race in February. You may bring cans of soup any time between now and then and place them under the appropriate sign in the Fellowship Hall. All cans of soup will be included in the Food Pantry offering for February. We will announce winners at the end of February. What a blessing to have our St. John’s church family! We want to thank you for your thoughtfulness for the many Christmas greeting cards we received, and also being friends throughout the year (even when we are back in Virginia). May 2012 be a happy, healthy year for all of you. Alvin and Gloria Moles P.S. See you in April! National Youth Gathering The monthly meeting for registered students and chaperones will be on Sunday, February 19 between services in the Youth Room. Souper Sunday, February 19 Come join us for a Souper Sunday, February 19 following our second service. We will have a soup and bread lunch with a great time for fellowship. Soup, bread, and beverages will be provided. So just come and enjoy! Easter Flowers This year for our Easter flower garden, our flowers will be pre-ordered so everyone who wants to purchase flowers for Easter will be able to get them. Karen Bader will take orders between services on February 19 and February 26 for tulips and daffodils at $6 each. Flowers can be purchased “in honor of” or “in memory of” a friend or loved one. The names of those who have purchased flowers will be printed in the Easter bulletins. Memorials We recently received memorial gifts in memory of Edith Sunderlage’s granddaughter Lindsey, Alice Wolter, and Vern Zitlow. We are grateful when families answer a need in this congregation as they honor their loved one. Don’t Risk a Fall! Keep St. John’s in mind for your walks when the weather gets cold and icy. Three times around the perimeter of the building is approximately one mile. The church is open from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Exercise at St. John’s and stay safe. On January 8, Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, we conferred the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on Carly Ann Jorgenson, Nadya Mykolaivna Khodakivska, Oliver Jack Harms, and Theodore Ross Harms. Carly is the daughter of Justin and Sarah Jorgenson. She was born on November 2, 2011, and her sponsors are Annette and Steve Schalla and Amy and Chris Majeski. Nadya is the daughter of Mykola Khodakivskyy and Kelly Maavich. She was born on November 7, 2011, and her sponsors are Ivan, Hunter, Melina and Briar Lohr. Oliver is the son of Theodore and Maren Harms. He was born on August 28, 2011, and his sponsors are Renee Thums, Missy Bradley and Megan Stoltz. Theodore Harms was born on January 12, 1981, and his sponsor is Maren Harms. Ecumenical Lenten Services Join our brothers and sisters from First United Church of Christ, First Presbyterian Church, Concordia United Methodist Church, St. John's Lutheran Church in Leland, Zion Lutheran Church in Westfield, and Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Blackhawk for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday services. Services will be held at St. John's in Prairie du Sac at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. This year’s Good Friday service will include the Passion story in scripture and song. On behalf of the Salvation Army, I would like to thank you for your involvement in the 2011 holiday bell ringing. We greatly appreciate your gift of time. $5,752.90 was collected on the weekends during Advent. St. John’s Lutheran Church raised $2,353.94. With thanks and gratitude, Pastor Bill Kapp First United Church of Christ We appreciate everyone who helped with the activities at St. John’s on Martin Luther King Day. Whether you assembled kits, made jewelry from Haitian tiles, gift wrapped shoe boxes, or helped clean the kitchen or sacristy, your efforts are very welcome. Kristin Pape Darlene Holl Pat Sweet Renee Pierce Donna Knickmeyer Marilyn Larson Lon Kaderavek Linda Hines Kathy Roberg Josie Fentress Janis Baun Marilyn Herschleb Julie Allen Donna Nelson Dianne Effinger Bonnie Merlet Joanne Kitelinger Kathi Risley Fay Rentmeester To Pastor Williams and Pastor Rilling for the prayers and kind words spoken, the people who sent all the beautiful cards and messages, the Messengers for the hymn they sang, to Connie for the music she played, to the women who prepared the meal, to Linda for arranging the fellowship hall, and to Mary Ellen for preparing the worship folders. God bless you all. Inez Zitlow Ronald Zitlow Barbara Doughterty To those of you who sent special wishes for Christmas and the New Year, thank you so very much. Your cards of remembrance mean more than you can imagine, as we have not been actively participating but are still members of the congregation and miss not being involved with all of you!! Our special thanks goes to Pastors Fred and Sally for their visits and sharing communion with us. God bless all of you. In Christ’s Love, Dode and Mac McCluskey Happy February Birthdays Our Youngest: Gavin Gallus 17 Drew Tomter 21 Our Sunday School Students: Alexander Pemberton 2 Max Sailor 2 Michael Endres 3 Brandon Neumann 5 Jonah Richard 6 Courtney Lautenbach 7 Samuel Nedeau-Owen 13 Kylie Hutchins 15 Bryan Kruchten 15 Sophia Fiske 16 BrookLynn Baier 16 Kate Himebauch 19 Haylee Goetsch 21 Lilian Jones 24 Molly Ballweg 26 Josua Ellerman 27 Audrie Nurkala 28 Our Youth: Trent Anderson 3 Maggie Dederich 5 Katie Neumann 8 Julia Reinke 15 Keith Hines 16 Grant Schlimgen 16 Nathan Lovell 20 Jerica Kirner 25 Anna Thums 28 College and Career-age Young People: Andrew Lovell 12 Lisa Hegge 13 Joshua Steinhorst 15 Courtney Crawford 18 Mark Harpold 25 Randy Luck 27 Evan Weeks 28 SPYN’s Annual Broomball This event will be Saturday, February 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the Sauk Prairie Area Recreation Center. Cost is $5/student. This fun event is open to all 6-12 grade students and no ice skating ability is needed. Kids should wear athletic shoes and bring a broom if possible. We will have some friendly competition and enjoy pizza and soda. Sign-up for this event is located on the Youth Info Board. Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits The women’s Lutheran World Relief congregational project for 2012 is personal care kits. We will collect wrapped bars of soap and adult-size toothbrushes in February. You may place donated items in the plastic bin in the cloakroom. Parish Planning Council Members: Executive Director Lea Culver 643-3946 Assistant Exec Director Alan Hines 393-3881 Secretary Audrey Luetscher 643-2328 Treasurer Lynn Froehlich 592-2142 Evangelism Board Jackie Frosch 963-7553 Fellowship Board Julie Allen 513-4433 Lay Ministry Board Ruth Lohr 225-8477 Member at Large Dale Haroldson 643-4795 Member at Large Nancy Passehl 643-3008 Parish Education Board Traci Schutt 643-5303 Properties Board John Ballweg 643-3033 PR and Social Concerns Kathi Risley 643-6892 Stewardship Board Deb Corrao 643-4756 Women of the ELCA Pat Sweet 592-4174 Youth Board Marvin Hupp 643-0653 The Staff: Pastors: Fred Rilling fred@stjohnssaukprairie.org 644-1359 (h) Sally Williams sally@stjohnssaukprairie.org 643-7810(h) Office: Mary Ellen Beich maryellen@stjohnssaukprairie.org 643-4265 (h) Linda Hines linda@stjohnssaukprairie.org 544-2409 (h) Youth-Education: Jessa Kinnamon jessa@stjohnssaukprairie.org 643-8262 (h) Director of Music: Connie Burton connie@stjohnssaukprairie.org 355-7908(h) Custodian: Linda Hines St. John’s Lutheran Church: 643-2439 (phone), 643-2430 (fax) www.stjohnssaukprairie.org Mission Statement: Christ, our strength and refuge, calling us to serve