Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church - Port Clinton, Ohio
“Growing Disciples of Jesus”
Worship: Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You are invited to come experience the unconditional love of God in Jesus as it is proclaimed, experienced and extended when we gather to worship, to grow in faith, to participate in fellowship and to serve others.[More]
Disciple-Ship Quest: Moving towards God’s vision of “Growing Disciples of Jesus,” our creative Christian Ed Team has chosen the powerful name “Disciple-Ship Quest” for what was formerly called Sunday School. You are invited to join the journey. Classes are available for all ages from 3 year old through adult. [More]
St. John @ the Bay: Come and worship at Mother of Sorrows Church where our Lutheran Mission, St. John @ the Bay, is developing an emerging worship community that shares the Gospel and grows discipleship in those who live, work and visit on South Bass Island. [More]
Narrative Lectionary: The Narrative Lectionary is a set of Bible readings for our worship that tells the over-arching biblical story in a nine-month period. These texts sound the voices of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Isaiah, Jesus, and Paul; and so enrich preaching and our life of faith.
[Summary & Schedule]
We are pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Organist to Peggy Dorr of Fremont. Peggy has been retired after many years of serving as a church musician, but now she has an inkling to return to the organ bench and to the regular use of her gifts. During the month of August, Peggy will be our Organist. At the conclusion of this trial run, we will have conversations with Peggy to see if we can devise an arrangement that will benefit all concerned. Let’s extend a hearty St. John welcome to Peggy.
2018 NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING ...
Believe it or not … we have started planning for our participation in the 2018 ELCA National Youth Gathering that will be held in Houston, Texas … June 27-July 1, 2018!
Registration opens on September 15 … Registrations forms and a $150.00 deposit is due to Pastor Jim on September 1. So, if you have not indicated a desire to be a part of this tremendous opportunity to grow in faith, to be engaged in service, and to worship with 30, 000 youth from across the Church, there is STILL TIME TO DO SO! If you are entering the 8th Grade this Fall through entering High School Seniors … you are eligible to be part of this amazing event that only happens every three years!
Youth Gatherings are an amazing opportunity to experience the “largeness” and the excitement of what it means to be Church! There are five program areas that will be a part of the Gathering: Synod Day; Service Learning; Interactive Learning, Community Life and Mass Gatherings. If you want to learn more, go to these resources: ELCA.org/gathering … facebook.com/youthgathering … Twitter ... @elcagathering.
If you are interested in being a part of this fantastic journey of faith … PLEASE TALK WITH PASTOR JIM!
Here’s my contact information … E-mail prjimlehman1980@gmail.com … text: 419.341.4235.
Our next Getting Ready Event is set for Sunday, August 13 at 1:00 pm at St. Paul, Danbury which is located on Church Road. We will be finalizing plans for the Flamingo Fundraiser.
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR PLANS FOR CELEBRATING THE REFORMATION 500!
1. Sunday, September 10 … God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday
2. Sunday, September 10 … Joint Toledo Diocese-NWOS Worship at St. Michael The Archangel in Findlay … 3pm.
3. Adult DSQ … Rick Steve’s Lutheran and the Reformation … Will be watching segments from this new documentary, beginning the week after our Fall Kick-off Event.
4. Midweek Bible Study … The Letter to the Ephesians … will be using Bishop Daniel Beaudoin’s study … watch for exact dates and times next month.
5. Local Roman Catholic-Lutheran Gathering on October 28!
6. Reformation Crawl … Saturday, October 21 10:00-2:00 pm.
7. Reformation Worship/Confirmation … Sunday, October 28.
8. Study of Luther’s treatise on “The Freedom of a Christian.
FLAMINGO INVASION IS DAWNING!
Ornithologists have spotted a large migratory invasion of Phoenicopterus ruber , better known as flamingos headed to the north coast of Lake Erie. Their arrival is expected on September 1. Experts have predicted that they will stay in our area during the month of September.
If a small flock of these blood red feathered birds arrives mysteriously in your yard … “Do not be afraid” … and “Don’t panic” … Flamingo Removal Teams stand ready to come to your aid … to relocate these colorful birds. Our FRT’s are prepared to move these birds, at your direction, to the yard of a friend, neighbor, work associate … who might “enjoy” the sight of a flock early some morning.
So, as the first official fundraiser of 2018 ELCA National Youth Gathering, youth and adult leaders from St. John, Peace and St. Paul will be delightfully placing “under-the-cover-of-darkness” … flocks of gaudy plastic flamingos in yards around our area.
Here are the prices for the services of the Flamingo Removal Team:
1. Placement of a flock in the yard of someone you like/dislike … $25.00
2. Removing the flock from your yard and relocating it to someone else’s yard of your choosing … $25.00
3. Purchasing Flamingo Protection Insurance … $50.00
Please submit the following form … or send an email … with this information to: (St. John/Peace) prjimlehman1980@gmail.com or (St. Paul) chrisfreeh03@gmail.com.LUTHERAN/CATHOLIC JUNE MEETING
Our next regular meeting is 9:30 am Wednesday, August 30th .. (location to be determined, or we'll meet again at the Sutton Center in the same building as Bistro 163). Stay posted for location.
CONFIRMATION MINISTRY
On Sunday, September 10 … Pastor Jim will be hosting our annual Confirmation Ministry Orientation. (I know it is depressing to hear that summer is speeding by!)
Returning and prospective Confirmation Ministry Participants are invited to be present at 6:00 pm. You are guaranteed to be out the door and on your way in one hour!
We will review how we do Confirmation Ministry; review some tweaks and changes, be introduced to our focus for this year; receive schedules for the coming year; and have the chance to answer all of your pressing questions.
Confirmation Ministry “normally” begins when youth reach 6th Grade. However, if you are older than that, and just didn’t get started then, for one reason or another, you are most welcome to join this community of young persons who are learning about faith and life. We have youth in a wide range of ages, so come and learn more!
PLEASE NOTE THAT WITH THIS PROGRAM YEAR … Classes will be held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month; beginning at 5:00 pm. Each time we gather there will be two classes, a meal and activities with the whole youth ministry group. The evening will conclude at 7:30 pm.
Classes will begin on Sunday, September 24 from 5:00-7:30pm. Complete schedules for the year will be available at the Orientation.
|
VISITATION MINISTRIES One of the most significant additions to our ministry in recent years has been the establishment of a team composed of “everyday Christians” who serve as Visitation Ministers. These ministers are trained and equipped to take Holy Communion to those who are homebound or living in nursing homes, and to enter into relationship with the saints who are no longer able to be present for worship. It is consistently reported that the blessings from this ministry flow in both directions. Thanks be to God as the Body of Christ is strengthened and deepened as this ministry happens each month. Three of our Visitation Ministry Team Members have had to end their time of service at the conclusion of July. In order to continue to meet all of their needs of all our homebound, we are in need of a couple of new folks who would be willing to visit and serve 2-3 persons once a month. If you are seeking a meaningful way to serve, perhaps this is the right way for you to extend God’s gift of love in a tangible way. If you are interested, talk with Pastor Jim. Church Council is pleased to announce that following a time of prayerful discernment, JULIE FRATTAROLI has accepted the call to serve as our YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR. Julie begins her time of service to, and with, the youth of our congregation on July 1, 2017. As many of you know, Julie has demonstrated a love for our youth for quite some time. We are filled with joy and gratitude that she has been prompted by the Holy Spirit to live out this role on behalf of all who are at St. John Lutheran Church. Keep Julie and our youth in your prayers as we anticipate many exciting ministry opportunities in the near future. CONGRATULATIONS JULIE!!!!! MUSIC MINISTRY TEAM OPENINGS With Craig Dieterich’s retirement and Henry Kihlken’s death in April, we have had two significant “holes” to fill in our Music Ministry Team. First, keep these searches in your prayers, asking God to guide and direct us as we seek gifted persons for leadership. Second, if you know anyone who might be interested, forward their names to Pastor Jim, Kristina Smith or Erin Linehan. We are pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Organist to Peggy Dorr of Fremont. Peggy has been retired after many years of serving as a church musician, but now she has an inkling to return to the organ bench and to the regular use of her gifts. During the month of August, Peggy will be our Organist. At the conclusion of this trial run, we will have conversations with Peggy to see if we can devise an arrangement that will benefit all concerned. Let’s extend a hearty St. John welcome to Peggy. It is also right and proper that we extend our deepest appreciation to Linda Stauffer who has been serving as our Organist since Henry’s death in April. Linda has truly been a God-send during this unsettling time. Linda will end her current “run” at the end of July, although true to her character, Linda will remain available as an Assistant Organist in the months ahead. St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, OH is receiving applications for the part-time position of Choir Director. We are seeking a gifted person to inspire, oversee, rehearse and direct our Senior Choir. Position begins in August, 2017. The choir season begins each year in September and concludes at the end of May. A ministry description is available upon request. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to pastorjimlehman1980@gmail.com. 419.734.5548 SUMMER SPECIAL MUSIC Over recent months, a number of gifted individuals and groups have been willing to share their musical gifts during our Sunday morning worship. If you have a gift to share, especially as we move into summer when our choirs take a break, contact Erin Linehan or Kristina Smith who serve on our Worship Committee. Get ready to serve! “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. The service activities set before us offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Plans are being formulated right now for this year’s GWOH Sunday. If you have any ideas, please talk to one of the members of your Church Council. NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee of St. John Lutheran Church will soon begin its work of prayerfully calling forth leaders to assist in the accomplishment of God’s mission in and through this congregation. Members of the Nominating Committee are: Mike Snider, Chad Mitchell, Dave Bloom, Chuck Postma and Lida Knipp. If you are interested in assuming a position of leadership, we’d be glad to hear from you and learn about your particular interest. For example … do you have a heart for worship, Christian education or congregational life? Just contact one of the above Committee members or Pastor Jim Lehman.
|
LUTHERAN-ROMAN CATHOLIC CONVERSATION
VACATION PLANS … AND MORE …
Pastor Jim and Jean will be away for a few days of vacation during the month of August … 21-29 … as they travel south to the sunshine state to celebrate the 5th Birthday of their grandson, Hudson Lehman. They will also meet for the first time … their 5th Grandchild … Holden Dean Lehman.
On the weekend of August 27 and 28, our own Pastor Ralph Schibler will be presiding and preaching!
Pastor Jim will be leading worship and preaching at Peace Lutheran on Sunday, August 13 as they continue carrying on during their pastoral vacancy.
NOISY OFFERINGS are collected on the second weekend of each month. Our Next NOISY OFFERING will be … August 11 and 12!
St. John LutheranWe are a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America , whose offices are located in Chicago, Illinois.
We are also partners with the 162 congregations of the Northwestern Ohio Synod. The offices of the NWOS are located in Findlay, Ohio.
Local ELCA congregations in Ottawa and Wood Counties share mission and ministry through the North Central Conference.
Our congregation also participates in the Port Clinton Clergy Association and it’s seasonal worship and service opportunities.
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! On behalf of the people who gather to worship, learn and serve at St. John Lutheran Church, I welcome you to our Web site as you learn more about our mission.
You are invited to come experience the unconditional love of God in Jesus as it is proclaimed, experienced and extended when we gather to worship. It is our church's desire to grow in faith, to participate in fellowship, and to serve others
I am available to visit with you by phone, at your home or work place, or via e-mail. I would enjoy getting to know you better and answering questions you might have about the Christian faith, or what Lutherans believe, or any specific practices of this Christian community. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
Once more, in Christ’s name, welcome to St. John Lutheran Church. Come and join us as we seek to make Christ known.
Pastor Jim Lehman
OUR MISSION
We are a Christ-centered and caring congregation called by God to share the good news of salvation for all people.
OUR VISION
“Growing Disciples of Jesus”
