Monday, February 12, 2018

February 11 Weekly News


LENT:  The theme for our midweek Lenten services, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, is from the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  During our midweek Lenten services, we will be taking a closer look at each of the tenets of the Reformation theme – taking up one tenet each week until the last midweek service when the Saint Paul Singing Saints of Concordia, MO will be sharing the Word of God in song.  May God bless you as we head into the season of Lent, beginning this Wednesday with Ash Wednesday worship at 7:00 p.m.  This service will include the Imposition of Ashes to mark the beginning of this penitential season.  The Guild will be serving ham, rolls, and various salads and desserts before worship, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS will be available from the ushers after today’s worship.

A CONFIRMATION MEETING for parents of our 8th grade students will be held after the Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday.

SENIOR LEAGUE will meet next Sunday evening, February 18, at 5:00 p.m. for supper and will then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.

YOUTH GROUPS will meet next Sunday evening, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.

CHURCH FOUNDATION will meet after worship on Sunday, February 25.

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

THE SINGING SAINTS choir from Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, MO, will be presenting an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s on Wednesday, March 21 (our last midweek Lenten service).  Host families are needed to provide a night’s rest and next morning breakfast for these students and their chaperones.  Please sign up after church today if you would be able to provide accommodations for one or more choir members and/or chaperones.

PRE-ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN at White Creek Lutheran School for the 2018-2019 school year.  A discounted pre-enrollment fee of $90 per student is available if received by February 28.  After that date, the full pre-enrollment fee of $140 per student will be due.  Contact the school office for more information. 

“I WANT TO SAY “Thank you” to the White Creek family for your prayers for my broken ankle and heart condition.  Thanks also for the food and cards and a special thanks to Pastor Whitmore for his visits.  Sincerely appreciated!” – David Mensendiek

THRIVENT CHOICE: It’s time to sign your Thrivent Choice designation forms for any funds you may have available. Please stop at the table in the narthex or contact Jan Buss to direct your choice dollars to the church, the school, or the church foundation.  (WCLS received $9,780 from Thrivent Choice in 2017.)

DEPOSITS OF $228 (school) and $139 (foundation) have been made on behalf of Thrivent Financial’s Thrivent Choice program by the directed choice dollars of Mark W. Bushur, Jan Buss, Ernie & Donna Dettmer, David Mensendiek, and Brian Schultz.

OUR WCLS STUDENTS AND STAFF will be celebrating the Olympics with our own White Creek Winter Olympics at school on Friday, February 23.  One of our stations will be a service project assembling hygiene kits for the Orphan Grain Train.  We will be collecting the following items during February for the kits:  wash cloths, bath-size bars of soap, adult-size toothbrushes, sturdy combs, stick deodorant, band-aids.  If you would like to donate to this cause, items may be brought in and left in the narthex any time before February 23.  Our goal is to make 65 kits. 

TRINITY DUES:  Please use the high school envelope to support Trinity, but write your check to St. John’s Lutheran Church so your contribution can be processed through our books.  Checks written to Trinity require extra processing.

OPEN HOUSE: Trinity Lutheran High School invites students and their families to its final open house next Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 to 2:00 P.M. All interested eighth grade students will also receive a $75 voucher that covers half of the registration costs Trinity for the 2018-2019 school year. Please enter through the commons.

AN ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE will be held next weekend, February 16-18.  A trailer will be parked on the school grounds to receive items.

TURKEY/HAM DINNER:  Zion Lutheran Church, Seymour, will hold their annual Turkey & Ham Dinner this evening from 4-7 p.m.  Carry-out will be available.  There will be a free-will offering, with monies raised to support various mission activities.  Everyone invited.

JOIN OTHER MEN in Christian fellowship on April 6-8 at Lakeview Villages as we explore the topic of “Woman and man According to God’s Plan” with Dr. Joel Biermann.  Get away and enjoy God’s great creation, eat like a king at our hog roast and fish fry, and join in the Medieval Challenge, Archery Tag, and much more.  Visit www.mensgathering.us for info and registration.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Mark 9:6          
“For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.”  Soon enough, the disciples’ terror turned into joy for when Jesus is with us, there is no need to fear.  He loves us and cares for us and will never abandon us.  That assurance is the basis of all generosity – for only those who are set free from worry can learn the joy of giving.
T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

Monday, February 5, 2018

February 4 Weekly News

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS have been given by Ken & Sharon Dettmer to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.  God’s blessings to you, Ken & Sharon!

NO YOUTH GROUPS this evening.  Next gathering will be Sunday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.

SCHOOL FOUNDATION MEETING will be at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday.

BOARD OF ELDERS will meet this Wednesday after worship.


THE CALL COMMITTEE will meet this Thursday at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Board of Education meeting.

LENT:  This past October, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Because of this, our school has had the theme for the school year of Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone.  During our midweek Lenten services, we will be taking a closer look at each of the tenets of the Reformation theme – taking up one tenet each week until the last midweek service when the Saint Paul Singing Saints of Concordia, MO will be sharing the Word of God in song.  May God bless you as we head into the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 14. 

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

A CONFIRMATION MEETING for parents of our 8th grade students will be held after the Ash Wednesday service on February 14.

THRIVENT CHOICE: It’s time to sign your Thrivent Choice designation forms for any funds you may have available to give to the church, the school, or the church foundation.  Please stop at the table in the narthex or contact Jan Buss to direct the funds that Thrivent is offering.

TRINITY DUES:  Please use the high school envelope to support Trinity, but write your check to St. John’s Lutheran Church so your contribution can be processed through our books.  Checks written to Trinity require extra processing.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Zachary & Rachel Smith on the birth of their daughter, REAGAN MARIE, on Friday, January 26.  Reagan arrived weighing 7 lbs. 10 ozs. and measuring 19.5 ins.  Everyone is doing fine.  God’s blessings to them!  Their address is 165 Castle St., Oceanside, California  92058.

OPEN HOUSE: Trinity Lutheran High School invites students and their families to its final open house on Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 to 2:00 P.M. All interested eighth grade students will also receive a $75 voucher that covers half of the registration costs Trinity for the 2018-2019 school year. Please enter through the commons.

THE TRINITY AUCTION COMMITTEE is looking for dessert donations.  Your help is needed to make this a success!  Do you have a favorite recipe that you like to bake?  This is the perfect venue to support Trinity and share your talents!  Popular items include traditional pies, cakes, cookies, snack mixes and elaborate sweets.  Donations will be accepted at the high school on Friday, February 23.  Please contact Megan Keller at 812-521-0536 or megakeller0536@gmail.com for more information.

SPROUTS PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION:  Sprouts Preschool, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Waymansville, is accepting enrollment for the 2018-2019 preschool year.  Classes are available for three- and four-year-olds.  Please contact Michelle Schultz (812-371-2137) for more information.

TURKEY/HAM DINNER:  Zion Lutheran Church, Seymour, will hold their annual Turkey & Ham Dinner next Sunday, February 11, from 4-7 p.m.  Carry-out will be available.  There will be a free-will offering, with monies raised to support various mission activities.  Everyone invited.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   1 Cor. 9:25              
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable.”  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit – for the desires of the flesh are at war with the desires of the Spirit.  Having received the new life in Christ by His grace, He now calls us to follow Him deliberately, with self-control, with intention.
T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

January 28 Weekly News

TODAY WE REJOICE WITH Thorn & Tara Murphy as they bring their son, CARSON MICHAEL, to be baptized.  Carson’s sponsors are his uncle and aunt, Brian & Linda Jo Hauersperger, and family friends, Bianca Howe and David Luken.  God’s blessings to you, Carson!

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

FEBRUARY CALENDAR/NEWS will be available after today’s worship.

CHURCH FOUNDATION:  Members of the Church Foundation committee are asked to remain in church after worship today for a brief meeting.

2017 BUILDING FUND STATEMENTS are available from Building Fund Treasurer, Phil Burbrink.

OPEN HOUSE:  White Creek Lutheran School will hold its annual Open House this Friday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Interested persons may visit the classrooms, and the teachers will be available to answer any questions in between instruction times.  Please pass this information on to any prospective families interested in WCLS.

OPEN HOUSE:  Trinity Lutheran High School invites students and their   families to an open house today from  2:00-4:00 PM. All interested eighth grade students will also receive a $75 voucher that covers the registration costs at Trinity for the 2018-2019 school year.  Please enter through the commons.

SPROUTS PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION:  Sprouts Preschool, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Waymansville, is accepting enrollment for the 2018-2019 preschool year.  Classes are available for three- and four-year-olds.  Please contact Michelle Schultz (812-371-2137) for more information.

A SOUP SUPPER/EUCHRE PARTY will be held at St. Peter, Waymansville, this evening.  The soup supper begins at 5:00 p.m. ($5/person), with Euchre beginning at 6:30 ($5/person).  All proceeds will be given to the Orphan Grain Train for shipping expenses.  Everyone invited.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   Mark 1:22              
“And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”  Authority is a word we are sometimes afraid of and don’t like to hear.  But that’s just our sinful flesh talking.  Jesus’ authority is something we need.  We need Him to show us what to believe and how to live – for Jesus’ authority is always connected to His love.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

Monday, January 22, 2018

January 21 Weekly News

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

TODAY OUR CONGREGATION joins others across the country to commemorate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS)-an annual day to celebrate the immeasurable value of all human life and help to defend the sanctity of human life.  A basket is in the narthex for your coin collection - one coin, any amount, for each year of your life, in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings. This collection will be forwarded to Clarity (formerly the Pregnancy Care Center) to help support their ministry of sharing the truth of life with women and men in our community who are facing unplanned pregnancies and to offer compassion and grace to those in need.

THIS WEEK our White Creek Lutheran School will join Lutheran schools across the nation in celebrating National Lutheran Schools’ Week.  Throughout the week, our students will participate in an online mission trip to Cambodia, enjoy special dress-up days, watch a marionette presentation in our gym, attend chapel services at St. Peter’s Lutheran School (kindergarten – grade 3) and Trinity Lutheran High School (grades 4-8), donate baby items to Clarity, and receive daily surprises.  Many thanks to our congregation for their prayers and support that enable our students to have the blessing of a Christ-centered education!

YOUTH will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m.

SENIOR LEAGUE will meet this evening at Bob Evans Restaurant at 5:00 p.m. for supper and then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.  Guests are always welcome!

FEBRUARY CALENDAR/NEWS ITEMS need to be given to Becky by tomorrow.

THE FIRST MEETING of White Creek’s Endowment/Foundation committee will be held this Tuesday, January 23, at 6:30 p.m.  All committee members, please plan to attend.

BOARD OF EDUCATION will meet this Thursday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m.

OPEN HOUSE:  White Creek Lutheran School will hold its annual Open House on Friday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Interested persons may visit the classrooms, and the teachers will be available to answer any questions in between instruction times.  Please pass this information on to any prospective families interested in WCLS.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION:  St. Paul Lutheran Early Childhood Ministry (Clifty) will begin registering for the 2018-2019 school year on January 22.  Classes are offered for children who are 3, 4 or 5 by August 1.  New for this year are an afternoon preschool class for 4’s and a STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Arts, Mathematics) enrichment class on Wednesday afternoons.  The brochure and registration forms are available at White Creek School or by visiting our website at www.stpaulcolumbus.org.  Please contact Chris Behmlander at 812-376-6504 with questions.


OPEN HOUSE: Trinity Lutheran High School invites students and their families to an open house next Sunday, January 28, from 2:00-4:00 PM.  All interested eighth grade students will also receive a $75 voucher that covers the registration costs at Trinity for the 2018-2019 school year.  Please enter through the commons.

A SOUP SUPPER/EUCHRE PARTY will be held at St. Peter, Waymansville, next Sunday, January 28.  The soup supper begins at 5:00 p.m. ($5/person), with Euchre beginning at 6:30 ($5/person).  All proceeds will be given to the Orphan Grain Train for shipping expenses.  Everyone invited.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   Mark 1:14-15              
“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’.”  To repent means to turn away from sins and our former way of thinking and turn toward belief in God and His Gospel of grace and mercy.  The whole Christian life is one of repentance and faith – where is God calling you to repent today?  How is He calling you to deeper faith?

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

Sunday, January 14, 2018

January 14 Weekly News

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

THE ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING will be held this afternoon at 1:00 p.m.  The election of 2018 officers will be among the business at hand.  All confirmed members of our congregation, 18 years and older, are encouraged to attend.

THOSE OFFICERS ELECTED at today’s meeting will have an orientation meeting this Thursday, January 18, at 7:00 p.m.  All officers are urged to attend. Also, all new officers will be installed during the worship service next Sunday.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, our congregation will join others across the country to commemorate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS)-an annual day to celebrate the immeasurable value of all human life and help to defend the sanctity of human life.  We will have a coin collection that day - please give one coin, any amount, for each year of your life, in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings.  A basket will be in the narthex for your donation. This collection will be forwarded to Clarity (formerly the Pregnancy Care Center) to help support their ministry of sharing the truth of life with women and men in our community who are facing unplanned pregnancies and to offer compassion and grace to those in need.

YOUTH will meet next Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

SENIOR LEAGUE will meet next Sunday at 5:00 p.m. for supper and then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.  Guests are always welcome!

CRAFT NIGHT:  A craft night will be held at the home of Cathy Bontrager this Thursday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m. for anyone who has craft ideas for our annual bazaar and those who would like to help   make the crafts.  This will, hopefully, be a monthly event.  For more information, contact Cathy at 812-216-5061.

THE FIRST MEETING of White Creek’s Endowment/Foundation committee will be held Tuesday, January 23, at 6:30 p.m.  All committee members, please plan to attend.

OPEN HOUSE:  White Creek Lutheran School will hold its annual Open House on Friday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Interested persons may visit the classrooms, and the teachers will be available to answer any questions in between instruction times.  Please pass this information on to any prospective families interested in WCLS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Thorn & Tara Murphy on the birth of their son, CARSON MICHAEL, Monday, January .  Carson arrived weighing 6 lbs. 8 ozs. and measuring 18 ins.  Keep Carson in your prayers as he has been hospitalized with some breathing issues, but is responding to treatment!

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION:  St. Paul Lutheran Early Childhood Ministry (Clifty) will begin registering for the 2018-2019 school year on January 22.  Classes are offered for children who are 3, 4 or 5 by August 1.  New for this year are an afternoon preschool class for 4’s and a STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Arts, Mathematics) enrichment class on Wednesday afternoons.  The brochure and registration forms are available at White Creek School or by visiting our website at www.stpaulcolumbus.org.  Please contact Chris Behmlander at 812-376-6504 with questions.

A SOUP SUPPER/EUCHRE PARTY will be held at St. Peter, Waymansville, Sunday, January 28.  The soup supper begins at 5:00 p.m. ($5/person), with Euchre beginning at 6:30 ($5/person).  All proceeds will be given to the Orphan Grain Train for shipping expenses.  Everyone invited.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   1 Cor. 6:19-20              
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.”  God owns everything, including our very selves.  We were made to serve Him and glorify Him and will never truly be happy or find our fulfillment until we learn that lesson.  Jesus has redeemed us and brought us back into the Kingdom of the Father – and that has set us free to serve Him in joy, generosity, liberty, and faith.
T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

Sunday, January 7, 2018

January 7 Weekly News

PLEASE REMOVE your poinsettia TODAY.  If you ordered through Karen, be sure to take a flower in a gold foil container.

YOUTH will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m.

2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the narthex.  If you have not yet picked yours up, please do so today.

THE ANNUAL VOTERS’ MEETING will be held next Sunday, January 14, at 1:00 p.m.  The election of 2018 officers will be among the business at hand.  All confirmed members of our congregation, 18 years and older, are encouraged to attend.

THE GUILD will meet this Tuesday, January 9, at 7:00 p.m.  Baptismal banners will be assembled, so please bring scissors and glue guns.

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, our congregation will join others across the country to commemorate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS)-an annual day to celebrate the immeasurable value of all human life and help to defend the sanctity of human life.  We will have a coin collection that day - please give one coin, any amount, for each year of your life, in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings. This collection will be forwarded to Clarity (formerly the Pregnancy Care Center) to help support their ministry of sharing the truth of life with women and men in our community who are facing unplanned pregnancies and to offer compassion and grace to those in need.

POSITION AVAILABLE:  The school board at St John’s White Creek Lutheran School is accepting applications for the position of Principal.  The position is full-time and will involve working with students from grades K-8. The position requires the candidate to have a Master’s Degree and Administrative Licensing. The individual may have teaching duties in addition to administration responsibilities. We are seeking someone caring and diligent about the Christian education of our children, so a Lutheran background and Synodical training is preferred.  Please send your resume to the school office by January 11, 2018.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   Mark 1:7              
“And John preached, saying, ‘After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.’”  John is right: Jesus is immensely greater than any of us, yet behold how He came to serve!  That is the upside down, outlandish grace of God: the innocent Jesus takes our sinner’s place.  This is the greatest act of giving the world has ever known or will know: The Father gives His Son to die in the place of sinners.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

December 31 Weekly News

POINSETTIAS:  Please remove your flower after this Wednesday evening’s service.  If you ordered a poinsettia through Karen, be sure to take a flower wrapped in gold foil.

THE JANUARY CALENDAR AND NEWS is available in the narthex.

ELDERS will meet Wednesday evening after worship (8:00).

CHURCH COUNCIL will meet Thursday, January 4, at 7:00 p.m.  All council members are urged to attend as the agenda for the annual meeting will be discussed.

YOUTH will meet next Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the narthex.  If you have not yet picked yours up, please do so this evening.

POSITION AVAILABLE:  The school board at St John’s White Creek Lutheran School is accepting applications for the position of Principal.  The position is full-time and will involve working with students from grades K-8. The position requires the candidate to have a Master’s Degree and Administrative Licensing. The individual may have teaching duties in addition to administration responsibilities. We are seeking someone caring and diligent about the Christian education of our children, so a Lutheran background and Synodical training is preferred.  Please send your resume to the school office by January 11, 2018.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   Luke 2:39              
“And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord…”  The Law of God is good.  Of course, it always shows us our sins:  but that is good, too!  We need to be driven back to the forgiveness of Christ.  But the Law also shows us the truly blessed way to live – as Mary and Joseph found their joy in a godly life, so should we see the Law as a guide for Christian living, as the roadmap for saying thank you to the Lord for all His grace and mercy to us.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T