2009-06 June
From the Desk of Pastor Ted…
Month of June, 2009 (the most recent material is on last page)
Sunday Bulletin Articles, Newsletter Information, and Report to the Council
From the Desk of Pastor Ted… June 7, 2009
Summer Intergenerational VBS Nights – FOR ALL AGES!! – Join Us!!
I have planned out a new summer activity, springing off the 1st Wednesday fellowship potluck we’ve been having this past year. Using the program Together in Jesus’ Name we’ll meet each 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM for about an hour.
HELP MAKE VBS HAPPEN! – June 17 – Those that came June 3 DID IT! You can too!
- June 3 – 5:15 PM Fellowship Potluck and VBS at 6:00 PM – Introduction
- June 17 – VBS at 6:00 PM (hot dogs at 5:15 PM) – Belonging in God’s Family
- July 1 – 5:15 PM Fellowship Potluck and VBS at 6:00 PM – Growing in Faith
- July 15 – VBS at 6:00 PM (hot dogs at 5:15 PM) – Forgiving One Another
- (July 29?? – 5th Wednesday – an evening fellowship event??)
- August 5 – 5:15 PM Fellowship Potluck and VBS at 6:00 PM – Thanking the Lord
- August 19 – VBS at 6:00 PM (hot dogs at 5:15 PM) – Telling the Good News
New Committees – Which of These Would YOU be a Part Of?
- _____ LEGS – Newly Forming Outreach Committee
This stands for Learning, Evangelizing, Growing, and Serving.
LEGS committee will help shape education, outreach, advertizing, fellowship activities, social service, and other similar activities.
LEGS will begin by being a part of the Wednesday Intergenerational VBS program being planned for Wednesday evenings in summer. Members of this committee help “put legs under the mission of the congregation”, carrying St. John’s into the community and lives of others. The overall orientation of LEGS is outreach… to those in the congregation… and to others in the area.
- _____ ATT (Ask) (the first of three stewardship “sub-groups”)
The Ask group will help determine special giving opportunities that support ministries of the congregation, area, and synod. They will regularly Ask with giving challenges to the congregation.
- _____ ATT (Thank) (the second of three stewardship “sub-groups”)
The Thank group will seek to recognize various ways in which people serve at St. John’s and support others by giving of self in time, talent, and treasure. They will Thank people.
- _____ ATT (Tell) (the third of the three stewardship “sub-groups”)
The Tell group will keep learning about various ministries of St. John’s and its members as well as those of the wider church. They will Tell of the many things God does through God’s people.
Children and Youth Listing on Back – You can INVITE them to VBS
I have a list of those who have been baptized and part of the congregation over the last 15 years. Imagine if they and their parents received several/MANY phone calls inviting them to be part of the intergenerational VBS program this summer… wow! Give it a shot. Support St. John’s VBS.
Crossways Camping Ministries – Global Village Event – July 8-11 (Pine Lake Camp)
This first-time event is for all ages… and for any or all of the days listed. A variety of workshops and ethnic traditions will be part of the event… multi-cultural/world music, dynamic worship, conversations, more… (Check with me, or www.CrosswaysCamps.org/GlobalVillage
Council Report
To: St. John’s Council
From: Pastor Ted Johanson
Re: Council Report
Date: June 29, 2009
Summer Plans and Activities
- Sunday Worship – the music setting alternates each week between ELW Setting 4 (well known – LBW 2) and ELW Setting 8 (an upbeat, folk-like sound) while continuing the weekly styles of the previous year (plus “Christmas in July)
- Thursday Worship – we began with ELW Setting 8 and will be using WOV Setting 4 for a while; I’ve made some use of images on the large screen
- Wednesday VBS and Fellowship Meals – held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in June, July and August; this could provide a model to consider for fall, etc.
Communion for ALL the Baptized – Add an Invitation Announcement to Bulletins?
I spoke about this in my sermon on Sunday. A number of St. John’s children have begun participating in response to St. John’s open invitation; more will begin in the next months.
One challenge this brings up is the distribution process – it might be useful for distributors of communion to ask parents if the child receives communion and to then accommodate them in normal fashions.
Request – Special Offering in July & August – Bishop’s Fund
I request that the council consider a special offering emphasis in the next couple months to support the Bishop’s Fund. St. John’s made no congregational offering (that I know of) at the synod assembly. The Bishop’s Fund was drained this past year due to unusual emergency needs.
Request – Adopt a Committee Structure
I request that the council consider adopting the committee structure discussed and “floated about” in the past half year. To reiterate:
Council – made up of the pastor plus six members with two-year terms
the constitution allows up to six additional members (one-year terms?)
Two Outreach Committees: Worship, LEGS (Learning, Evangelizing, Growing, Serving)
Three Stewarding Committees: Property (name?), Finance, ATT (Ask, Thank, Tell)
Fall – Time Away?
I’ve made travel plans similar to that of last fall, which include being gone the first two Sundays of September. I will have about two weeks of unused vacation available at that point.
I’ve been slightly ahead of Sundays-off due to family events during the past year. I “traded” three vacation/cont.ed. days for last year’s extra Sunday-off. Volunteers led worship on Sunday, June 21.
Ministry Assistants
I’d like to expand on something that has begun to form… Ministry Assistants to support worship and to assist with some caring ministries. Training can include Befriender’s “Harnessing the Energies of Love” and Steinke’s “Healthy Congregations’ Workshop Four”.
Update Meeting for the Congregation: Steps, Organ, Renovation, Call Process
I perceive it is important to schedule an update meeting. I suggest Sunday, July 19.