2009-02 February
From the Desk of Pastor Ted…
Month of February, 2009 (the most recent material is on last page)
Sunday Bulletin Articles, Newsletter Information, and Report to the Council
Newsletter – February 2009
Call Process – Call Committee Informational Meeting – Sunday, February 1
People interested in serving on the Call Committee need to let their interest become known to the council right away. One way to show such interest is to attend an informational meeting on Sunday, February 1 immediately following worship. At this informational meeting I’ll describe typical tasks and expectations of committee members. The council will likely appoint people to the Call Committee in middle or late February. St. John’s constitution indicates a Call Committee shall be six persons. I have seen some councils and congregations also add one or two additional people as alternate members. The basic task of a Call Committee is to select and present a single person to the congregation in a special congregational meeting to call a pastor.
Call Process – Vision and Congregational Mission Profile
The primary step needed before a Call Committee can receive names from the office of bishop is a completed CMP (Congregational Mission Profile). This document has been initiated. A good number of people have picked up yellow copies of CMP pages to offer their ideas. More of these pages are available on a table in the gym. Yellow response sheets can be turned in at that same table over the next number of weeks.
The council is responsible for the creation of a CMP and will be meeting at times additional to regular meetings to make this occur. Donna Havemann has offered to assist with the actual writing and computer work needed to create a CMP. As a document begins to form, the blank pages on the table in the gym will be replaced with draft copies of the forming CMP for people’s consideration. Information and ideas about specific sections of the CMP can be given to Donna, a council member or to me (Pastor Ted).
Additional to the actual CMP it is crucial to better define a vision of the congregation’s mission. I distributed half sheets with the three aspects of the congregation’s current mission statement with space to add ideas and thoughts about what each aspect means in the life and ministry of St. John’s in the present and into the near future. I ask EVERYONE to use these various yellow pages to communicate some of your thoughts about vision and the CMP.
Epiphany 2009 – “Aha… I get it!” – Gaining Clarity in God’s Calling
In the church season of Epiphany, we think of how God reveals God’s-self in various ways, particularly through calling us as individuals and community to BE the body-of-Christ in St. John’s and within the wider communities of which we are a part. An epiphany is like a “light going on” or an “Aha… I get it!” moment. Think deeply about how you sense God calling you and the people of St. John’s at this important time in its life. Talk with others about your ideas and thoughts. Share your ideas to help shape a clearer vision of mission and the needed CMP.
The symbol of “light” and the sacrament of baptism are crucial focus points during Epiphany. We will continue to have the lit Christmas lights in the front each Sunday during Epiphany. As a way to connect with baptism, I am including time on four Sundays to recite with the congregation a section of Luther’s Small Catechism on baptism (the Small Catechism is included in the new hymnal) and to offer some of Luther’s further teaching on baptism as found in his Large Catechism. Join us each week as possible during Epiphany to participate in this time of expecting God’s epiphany among the people of St. John’s. Let the “lights turn on!”
REGULAR Worship – The BEST Thing People Can Commit To
I cannot stress how important it is to others and to the congregation as a whole when people deliberately commit to regular worship at St. John’s. A sanctuary that fills with people who choose to join together in worship empowers others and raises the overall spirit in the life of the congregation. YOUR choosing to worship with others each week is a ministry in itself… and I encourage people to strengthen their commitments to regularly worship at St. John’s, especially during this crucial time in beginning a call process to fill the current pastoral vacancy. As I’ve stated before, it is the BEST way to support the life and ministry of St. John’s right now.
Lent 2009 – Liturgy Music
The Worship Committee decided to use ELW Setting 5 for the liturgical music during Sundays in Lent. ELW Setting 5 is identical to the 3rd setting in the green LBW hymnal and the 2nd music setting in the 50-year-old red SBH. The musical roots of ELW Setting 5 are the deepest and oldest of all the music settings in our new hymnal. In a sense, the setting is the most “traditional”. We’ll also use the liturgical music of this setting in Wednesday noon services during Lent.
This setting was chosen for its musical character… a more somber sound in older style chant that connects well with the more introspective/penitential mood of Lent. It might take a while to become comfortable with the melodies for those who are unfamiliar with these traditional music phrases. This music has been in my life since I learned it as a boy in my childhood congregation. I’m hoping that the effort we take during Lent will make Setting 5 another of the good options for St. John’s worship life.
Lent 2009 – Sunday’s WORD: A Dramatic Reading of Mark
We are in the 2nd of the three-year lectionary cycle of weekly readings in worship. That is, we rotate through a schedule of readings every three years with a new year of readings beginning each Advent. Last year, the gospel of Matthew was primarily used for gospel readings. This year, Mark is the primary gospel from which weekly gospel readings are drawn. Next year it will be Luke. Readings from John are scattered throughout the three-year cycle.
The gospel of Mark is a favorite for me since having studied it intensely during my seminary years. Inspired by dramatic portrayals of Mark by Dr. David Rhoads since the late 1970’s I’ve provided similar dramatic readings of the text in worship over a five-week period. I plan to do this again at St. John’s on Sunday mornings during Lent… beginning March 8 and concluding on Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) with Mark’s passion story of chapters 14-15, saving the short Markan resurrection story of chapter 16 for Easter morning.
I’ll also provide a 45 minute Bible study following worship each Sunday in Lent beginning on March 8. The study each week will reflect the three or so chapters read during worship with a two-page study guide. In this Bible study, I’ll be approaching the gospel of Mark from literary perspectives that mostly ask questions about the gospel structure and intended perspectives of the gospel writer.
Since the Sundays of Lent (beginning March 
will be a five-week series of unique dramatic readings of Mark, those five weeks provide an excellent reason to commit to weekly worship throughout the season of Lent and Holy Week. The series also provides an excellent opportunity and reason to invite friends or family to join you for a unique worship experience during Lent.
Lent 2009 – Wednesday Noon Worship with Luncheons Beforehand
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 25) a noon worship service will occur each Wednesday at St. John’s throughout Lent (to Palm Sunday). A weekly “Comfort-Food-Luncheon” has been organized to begin at 11:00 AM each of the Wednesdays of Lent preceding the noon worship. (Since a luncheon wasn’t scheduled as of this writing for Ash Wednesday, I have decided to provide a kettle of potato soup and a pot of chili during the hour before the noon Ash Wednesday service.) This is a wonderful opportunity to invite family and friends to join you for a luncheon and worship service each Wednesday.
The Wednesday worship services in Lent will be include lectionary readings for the week and a brief message. As mentioned, the liturgy will make use of music from ELW Setting 5.
Lent 2009 – A Couple of Prayer Labyrinths to Use During the Week?
I hope to make at least one or two prayer labyrinths that will be available during the weekdays in Lent. A prayer labyrinth is a pathway that one slowly walks while in a spiritually tuned frame of mind as a means to focus on prayer. Walking a labyrinth could be a weekly or daily experience for people at St. John’s. Watch for more information as we get near to Ash Wednesday.
Lent 2009 – Two Movie Nights at St. John’s
We’ll decide at the 1st Wednesday Potluck Meal on February 4 (5:15 PM) whether we’ll continue the 1st Wednesday Fellowship Potluck Suppers during Lent. Regardless of that decision, I’ve scheduled the showing of two movies on the 1st Wednesdays of the month during Lent, the recent Chronicles of Narnia movies. I’ll begin the showing the movies in the Naomi room at 6:00 PM. The movies are based on the C.S. Lewis books of the same name. They depict in uniquely creative ways the story of Christ’s passion and ongoing faith-life realities.
March 4 - 1st Wednesday of March: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, 6:00 PM
April 1 - 1st Wednesday of April: Prince Caspian, 6:00 PM
Put these fellowship events on your family calendar. The movies are appropriate for all ages. I’m confident you’ll enjoy the movies and will find that they enhance your experience of the Lenten season.
Hospital Visits and Notifications
The HIPAA Privacy Rule has dramatically changed how information about hospitalizations is shared with others. As a chaplain and parish pastor I used to be able to walk into a hospital and look over the listing of patients. I could search for people from my congregation and others for whom I might have pastoral concern. That level of information sharing is no longer available.
I now learn of hospitalizations primarily in two ways. One: a patient or family member informs the church office directly. Two: a hospital notifies a congregation after having been given permission by a patient. If a hospital visit by a pastor is important, the first approach is always best… to notify the church office of such an interest as soon as possible (since hospital stays have become much shorter in recent years).
Lent 2009 – Worship Schedule During Lent and Holy Week
|
Day |
Date |
Time |
Description |
|
Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) |
February 25 |
|
(no pre-service luncheon this week) |
|
12:00 PM |
Imposition of Ashes Worship |
||
|
6:00 PM |
Imposition of Ashes Worship |
||
|
Sunday (Lent 1) |
March 1 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship led by |
|
Wednesday
(1st Wednesday of March) |
March 4
|
Beginning at 11:00 AM |
Pre-Service Luncheon |
|
12:00 PM |
Wednesday Worship – Week 1 |
||
|
5:15 PM |
1st Wed. Fellowship Potluck (?) |
||
|
6:00 PM |
Movie: Lion Witch & Wardrobe |
||
|
Sunday (Lent 2) |
March 8 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship Bible Study follows worship |
|
Wednesday |
March 11 |
Beginning at 11:00 AM |
Pre-Service Luncheon |
|
12:00 PM |
Wednesday Worship – Week 2 |
||
|
Sunday (Lent 3) |
March 15 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship Bible Study follows worship |
|
Wednesday |
March 18 |
Beginning at 11:00 AM |
Pre-Service Luncheon |
|
12:00 PM |
Wednesday Worship – Week 3 |
||
|
Sunday (Lent 4) |
March 22 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship Bible Study follows worship |
|
Wednesday |
March 25 |
Beginning at 11:00 AM |
Pre-Service Luncheon |
|
12:00 PM |
Wednesday Worship – Week 4 |
||
|
Sunday (Lent 5) |
March 29 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship Bible Study follows worship |
|
Wednesday
(1st Wednesday of April) |
April 1 |
Beginning at 11:00 AM |
Pre-Service Luncheon |
|
12:00 PM |
Wednesday Worship – Week 5 |
||
|
5:15 PM |
1st Wed. Fellowship Potluck (?) |
||
|
6:00 PM |
Movie: Prince Caspian |
||
|
Sunday (Passion Sunday) |
April 5 |
9:00 AM |
Sunday Worship Bible Study follows worship |
|
Thursday (Maundy Thursday) |
April 9 |
12:00 PM |
Maundy Thursday Worship |
|
6:00 PM |
Maundy Thursday Worship |
||
|
Friday (Good Friday) |
April 10 |
12:00 PM |
Prayer Vigil |
|
12:30 PM |
Good Friday Worship |
||
|
Sunday (Easter Day) |
April 12 |
7:00 AM |
Easter Vigil Worship |
|
Beginning at 8:00 AM |
Easter Breakfast |
||
|
10:00 AM |
Easter Worship |
February 1, 2009
Informational Meetings for Those Interested in Being Part of a Call Committee – Today
The council is beginning to consider the appointing of a Call Committee for the call process that is underway. If you are interested in learning more about this and/or wish to be a part of the call committee, and informational meeting is right after today’s worship.
First Wednesday Potluck Supper – THIS Wednesday at 5:15 PM – Join Us!
I’ll provide a couple of “main-dish” contributions. The rest is potluck (dessert, drink, salad, set-up, clean-up, etc.) I’m confident enough food will be available for those not able to make a food contribution… just join us for a fellowship meal.
Choir for Easter – A Cantata!
A choir is forming to learn and present an Easter cantata called “Out of the Shadows.” The first rehearsal happened this past week and will continue until the performance on Sunday, April 26. The group on Wednesday liked the music and thought its difficulty level to be sufficiently challenging but certainly “do-able”. Join us for Wednesday choir rehearsals at 7:00 PM. Sue Kennon is directing the choir and can provide more info.
ATT – Ask/Thank/Tell – A Different Approach to the Tasks of Stewardship
The Stewardship Committee decided to reorganize itself into three “work-groups” based on an Ask/Thank/Tell model. That is… one work-group will be dedicated to the task of “asking” people to support and contribute, another work-group will endeavor to “thank” people for the giving and support. A third work-group will focus on telling the stories of ministries happening in the congregation and wider church. Consider which of the groups you would enjoy being a part of.
February 21, 2009
Two Special Congregational Meeting Questions – Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 10 AM
1. Shall the council be directed to obtain a line of credit for up to $30,000 for cash-flow?
2. Shall the constitution be modified to reflect actual Nominating Committee practices?
Details about both issues will be included in the next newsletter being organized right now.
Ash Wednesday – THIS WEEK! – 12:00 & 6:00 PM
Ash Wednesday (THIS Wednesday) begins the season of Lent. Six weeks later the season is concluded with the powerful Holy Week worship experience: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Join us at noon or 6 PM this Wednesday to begin your Lenten journey. Commit to regular worship throughout the season.
Sundays in Lent – Liturgy Music: ELW Setting Five (also used in Wednesday worship)
The liturgy music will be Setting Five throughout the season. Some people tell me that it is “sort-of” familiar. Others do no recognize the music. Setting Five (of the new hymnal) is the same as Setting Three of the former green hymnal (produced in 1978). That setting was based on Setting Two of the old red hymnal (SBH… produced in 1958.)
Setting Five has the oldest musical roots of the ten settings in the new hymnal. It has a more chant-like quality and supports the nature of Lenten worship. I ask people to be patient in learning the music of Setting Five. It could become added to the worship liturgy “repertoire” of St. John’s. (Settings 3, 4, 10 are already“standards”.)
Sundays in Lent – Dramatic Reading of Gospel of the Mark – Weekly Bible Studies
Beginning on March 8, I’ll present a dramatic reading of about three chapters of Mark each week (these will be my “sermons”). I’ve done this occasionally throughout my ministry, the first time in 1980. I’m confident that those who commit to worshipping each week during Lent (including Palm Sunday) will find this a meaningful experience.
Each Sunday, following worship, I’ll offer a 45 minute Bible Study on the material presented in worship. I’ll use a literary approach to the gospel and provide a brief commentary that can help people see the gospel as a whole and as a literary work.
Wednesday Worship in Lent – “Five Covenants” – Luncheon Before Worship
Using the unread scripture readings from the Sundays in Lent (1st and 2nd readings) the Wednesday noon services will focus on five distinctive covenants God makes with the Hebrew people of the Old Testament. Join us each week for this series. Also, a “comfort-food” luncheon will be offered beginning at 11:00 AM starting March 4.
A Couple of Prayer Labyrinths will be Available Throughout Lent
I’ll be making some prayer labyrinths (one in the gym, one in the sanctuary) that can be useful for personal devotional or prayer experiences. They will be available throughout Lent. With the locked doors it’s important to call ahead to be sure somebody is around.
A Reminder About Handicap Parking Spaces: I was asked to remind people that a number of parking spaces around the church are clearly marked as reserved for those who display a state-issued handicap parking permit visibly hanging in the windshield. (Three of the spaces so marked also indicate that they are effective Only On Sunday and may be used by anyone during the other six days.)
I write this as my own reminder, since I find myself using the spaces once in a while… and I really oughtn’t. My “justification” is that “nobody is going to want the spot right now…” No, it really doesn’t sound like a good excuse for me when I write it out, does it? “Ok, Ted,” I need to say to myself, “just drive and walk the extra 30 feet to an unmarked spot… and rejoice at your capacity to walk comfortably.”
NOTE – Easter Sunday Worship is NOT at 9:00 AM but is moved to 10:00 AM
I made an error in the worship schedule I produced in last month’s newsletter. I indicated that the Easter Sunday worship services were at 7:00 and 9:00 AM with breakfast between. I was incorrect about the time of the second services. It will begin one hour later than usual… at 10:00 AM. Be sure to note the one-Sunday change of time.
First Wednesday Potluck Meals – Continue in March and April – 5:15 PM
We’ll continue having the monthly potluck fellowship meal on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 5:15 PM. Different people have come each month… some folks seem to show up every month. Join us, even if you don’t have opportunity to prepare something to share. There has always been sufficient food for additional people. The fellowship potluck meals will occur on March 4 and April 1.
First Wednesday Potluck Meals – Movie Nights at 6:00 PM in March and April
As part of the Lenten experience, I invite people to a couple of movie nights immediately following the 1st Wednesday Fellowship Potluck. They represent well C.S. Lewis’ famous novels, The Chronicles of Narnia. The first movie - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - is a fascinating depiction of truths basic in the Christian faith… elements of evil’s nature and effects, the power of redemption, the person-hood of Christ and the disciples, the wonder of God’s capacity to impact and renew life, the surprises of the life-in-Christ. The second movie in April is called: Prince Caspian.
Today – A Presentation by the Gideons – Special Offering Will Be Received
(The website of this non-denominational organization is: www.Gideons.org)
A representative of The Gideons International will share the sermon time with me this morning to describe some of the nature and accomplishments of their ministry, which occurs in over 185 countries around the world and involves more than 280,000 members.
(From the website… The Gideons “focus on distributing complete Bibles or New Testaments. These Scriptures are printed in more than 80 languages and are either given directly to certain individuals or placed in selected public locations where large numbers of people who may be searching for answers will have the ability to encounter the Word of God.”)
From a Brochure for Distribution to Others:
(done on a single page in 3 column, “Z” fold page)
(also distributed into neighborhoods)
We’ve Entered a Special Time of Year in the life of the Church
You are invited to Join Us in our weekly worship and in our special events planned for the Lenten season!
St. John’s Lutheran Church
(The Only Church on Main Street)
808 No. Main Street, Oshkosh
920-231-5480
St. John’s is part of the ELCA
(Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
Sunday Worship: Worship is always at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings.
Our services are liturgical (Gathering, Word, Meal, Sending) and the music is normally led by our pipe organ. Services on 2nd Sundays feature more stylized music led by various music groups and various instruments.
Holy Communion occurs each week and is offered to all who are in worship.
Sunday Worship in Lent: Beginning March 8 and completing on Easter morning, Pastor Johanson will present dramatic readings from the gospel of Mark. The entire gospel will be presented over the six weeks. Also, Pastor Johanson will lead a 45 minute Bible Study after each Sunday worship service (beginning at 10:15).
NOTE – Easter Sunday (April 12) will have different worship times: 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Also, there is no Bible Study on Easter. An Easter breakfast is offered beginning at 8:00 AM.
Wednesdays in Lent: Lenten Worship Services will occur each Wednesday at noon from March 4 to April 1. A “comfort-food” luncheon is served beginning at 11:00 AM.
The forty minute worship services will focus on five “covenants” God made with God’s people. Communion will be included each week with fresh home-baked bread. Olivewood chalices (carved in Bethlehem) will be used for the wine.
1st Wednesday Fellowship Potluck and Movie: We’ve been enjoying a monthly fellowship potluck supper beginning at 5:15 PM each 1st Wednesday. They will occur again on March 4 & April 1. Also, afterward, those interested will be viewing a movie beginning at 6:00 PM.
March 4 Movie (6 PM): The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
April 1 Movie (6 PM): Prince Caspian