As we celebrate Independence Day this year, I ask that you also consider the freedom that you have received through Christ, and ask yourself: Has Christ set me free to ignore God’s Word? The other day one of our members called out for Margie from the work room asking for help. It seems that the paper folding machine was jammed. When I heard the cry ring out, I happily declared that I knew nothing about how that machine operated. Actually, it is a case of willing ignorance. I have purposely avoided learning anything about it, so that I may be exempt from its demands. Such willing ignorance may be one of the most destructive forces facing the Lord’s Church, and our congregation, today. I am not talking about a willing ignorance about office machinery, but about God’s Word. Currently, less than one in ten of our children attend Sunday School on a regular basis, and an even smaller percentage of our adult members attend Bible Study. Perhaps not on the part of the children, but for their parents and others, this is willing ignorance. It does not take long before such willing ignorance then leads people to deliberately overlook what the Bible says. Assuming that they are exempt from God’s Word, people feel free to believe whatever they want and to live however they choose. They consider their ignorance gives them license to discount what God’s Word says on some of the subjects they do not like. Emboldened by their assumed exemption, they often demand to hear only what pleases them. They are In this issue: Pastor’s Letter 1 Director’s Cut/ Vicar’s Letter 2 Serving the Lord This Month 3 Church News 5,6, 10 Voter’s Assembly Minutes 7-9 Financial Secretary 11 Treasurer Report 12 Calendar 13 Special points of interest: Letters from the Pastor, Vicar, & CEL Director. July Birthdays. Fun Summer Events. Voter’s Assembly Minutes from June. St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL July 2016 Volume 58, Issue 11 From Pastor’s Desk: basically repeating what was told to the prophets of old, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isaiah 30:10). St. Paul’s warning holds true: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned to fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). St. Peter points out the danger of deliberately overlooking what the Bible says. He writes that those who are willingly ignorant of God’s word end up being "scoffers, walking after their own lusts" (2 Peter 3:3). St. Paul adds that upon those who persist in this, and refuse “to love the truth and so be saved…God sends a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false” (2 Thess. 2:10-11). Because so many don’t love or even want to know the truth of God’s Word, false doctrine and unbiblical practices are consuming the Church and leading to a mass apostasy that is destroying us. As God said through the prophet, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you" (Hosea 4:6). Our willing ignorance is a reason for the death of historic Christianity in America and the struggles in our own congregation. Yet, it is not too late for the remnant. By turning again to the Spirit-breathed Word of God, which is powerful and effective, we can be made wise unto salvation and secure in our faith. As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us remember that true freedom does not come from willing ignorance, but from Spirit- worked knowledge and faith. As Jesus says, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
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Transcript
As we celebrate Independence Day
this year, I ask that you also consider
the freedom that you have received
through Christ, and ask yourself: Has
Christ set me free to ignore God’s Word?
The other day one of our members
called out for Margie from the work
room asking for help. It seems that the
paper folding machine was jammed.
When I heard the cry ring out, I happily
declared that I knew nothing about how
that machine operated. Actually, it is a
case of willing ignorance. I have
purposely avoided learning anything
about it, so that I may be exempt from
its demands.
Such willing ignorance may be one
of the most destructive forces facing the
Lord’s Church, and our congregation,
today. I am not talking about a willing
ignorance about office machinery, but
about God’s Word. Currently, less
than one in ten of our children attend
Sunday School on a regular basis, and
an even smaller percentage of our adult
members attend Bible Study. Perhaps
not on the part of the children, but for
their parents and others, this is willing
ignorance.
It does not take long before such
willing ignorance then leads people to
deliberately overlook what the Bible
says. Assuming that they are exempt
from God’s Word, people feel free to
believe whatever they want and to live
however they choose. They consider
their ignorance gives them license to
discount what God’s Word says on some of the subjects they do not like.
Emboldened by their assumed
exemption, they often demand to hear
only what pleases them. They are
In this issue:
Pastor’s Letter 1
Director’s Cut/ Vicar’s Letter 2
Serving the Lord This Month 3
Church News 5,6,
10
Voter’s Assembly Minutes 7-9
Financial Secretary 11
Treasurer Report 12
Calendar 13
Special points of interest:
Letters from the Pastor,
Vicar, & CEL Director.
July Birthdays.
Fun Summer Events.
Voter’s Assembly Minutes
from June.
St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL July 2016 Volume 58, Issue 11
From Pastor’s Desk: basically repeating what was told to the
prophets of old, "Do not prophesy to us right
things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy
deceits" (Isaiah 30:10). St. Paul’s warning
holds true: "For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own desires, because they
have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; and they will turn their
ears away from the truth, and be turned to
fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). St. Peter points out the danger of
deliberately overlooking what the Bible says.
He writes that those who are willingly
ignorant of God’s word end up being
"scoffers, walking after their own lusts" (2
Peter 3:3). St. Paul adds that upon those who
persist in this, and refuse “to love the truth
and so be saved…God sends a strong
delusion, so that they may believe what is
false” (2 Thess. 2:10-11).
Because so many don’t love or even want
to know the truth of God’s Word, false
doctrine and unbiblical practices are
consuming the Church and leading to a mass
apostasy that is destroying us. As God said
through the prophet, "My people are
destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Because
you have rejected knowledge, I also will
reject you" (Hosea 4:6). Our willing
ignorance is a reason for the death of historic
Christianity in America and the struggles in
our own congregation.
Yet, it is not too late for the remnant. By
turning again to the Spirit-breathed Word of
God, which is powerful and effective, we can
be made wise unto salvation and secure in our
faith. As we celebrate this Independence Day,
let us remember that true freedom does not
come from willing ignorance, but from Spirit-
worked knowledge and faith. As Jesus says,
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall
make you free" (John 8:32).
Page 2 July 2016
A C.E.L. Production
St. John’s CEL would like to thank everyone who made pledges/donated to Birdies for Charity. It is greatly ap-preciated. It helps us purchase supplies throughout the year so we can have fun activities for the children. You can still turn in pledges, I will mail them on JULY 3RD.
St. John’s CEL is still enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year. If you know any parents of 3-5 year olds please let them know about
our wonderful preschool. Please pray for St. John’s CEL that we may grow in numbers and spread the Light of Christ to as many
children as possible.
We will be hiring a part time (Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-12:00) teachers aide for this coming year. Applica-
tions are available online and in the office.
Blessings on your summer—Ann
From Vicar
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be
kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray
for us… The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-25, 28).
In these closing verses from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul blesses the congregation, but also asks for prayer. I
thought these words would be appropriate for my last Informer article as your vicar. I encourage you to continue in your
Christian walk, by the power of Holy Spirit. Be regularly strengthened by Word and Sacrament in the Divine Service.
Be faithful in your devotional life. Be consistent in living what you believe. Through the reconciliation that Jesus has
accomplished between God and humanity, we have peace with God. Through faith in Jesus, God sanctifies us and
makes us holy. In our lives on earth, this sanctification is a gradual process as God’s peace and love in us becomes more
evident as we grow in faith through the means of grace. On the Last Day, however, we will experience complete holi-
ness of our whole person for all of eternity. He who calls you by the Gospel is faithful. God will keep His promises.
What Jesus finished in eternity on the Cross, He will complete in your life when He comes again.
I also ask for your prayers. This is a sad time, but also an exciting time. I am sad that my vicarage is over, and
that we have to leave you saints of God at St. John’s Lutheran Church. You have been our friends and family for a year,
and we appreciate everything you have done for us, taking care of us and making us feel at home. Kate and I are espe-
cially thankful for the outpouring of love and kindness surrounding the birth of Matthew. You don’t know what a bless-
ing you have been to us. We will miss you all. But I am excited that my training for the pastoral office is progressing.
Completing vicarage is a major step, and it has been a wonderful experience. Pastor Umbarger is a great supervisor and
mentor, and I have benefited from his tutelage. St. John’s participation in the vicarage program is a ministry that you
provide, not only to me and other vicars, but also to the church at large. This service should not be underestimated. As I
complete Seminary and look forward to my first call and ordination, we will see what God has in store for us in my fu-
ture ministry. Through all this, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Farewell!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen.
Vicar Joe Warnke
I urge you then, strive to "no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting" (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, “let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16)
Page 3 The Informer
Serving the Lord This Month:
Ushers
Saturday, July 2: Sunday, July 3:
Saturday, July 9:
Sunday, July 10:
Saturday, July 16:
Sunday, July 17:
Saturday, July 23:
Sunday, July 24:
Saturday, July 30:
Sunday, July 31:
Flowers
Sunday, July 3: La Vera Bull - in
celebration of her birthday
Sunday, July 10: Merle & Melinda
Loete - 40th Anniversary
Sunday, July 17: Matt & Tara
Hawkins - 15th Anniversary
Sunday, July 24: Karen Schmidt - in
memory of Marlin
Sunday, July 31: Bill & Donna Green-
Blessings
Eternal Candle
Sun. July 3: Gene & Libby Dreier
in memory of Ted Bruch
Sun. July 10: Greg & Cindy Hart-
In memory of Greg’s parents
Sun. July 17: Shirley Gillies
Family
Sun. July 24: Ray Zentz Birthday
Sun. July 31: Dennis Hurley
In memory of mother, Sid
Greeters
Saturday, July 2: Gail Massey &
Helen Carter Sunday, July 3: Earl Schaefer,
LaVera Bull & Esther
Cashion
Saturday, July 9: Chris & Laura
Chaffee
Sunday, July 10: Nancy Davis,
LaVera Bull & Dorothy
Tribbett
Saturday, July 16: Chris & Laura
Chaffee
Sunday, July 17: Bali Guerrero, Bill
& Donna Green
Saturday, July 23: Chris & Laura
Chaffee
Sunday, July 24: Bali Guerrero, Darlene Dopson & LaVera
Bull
Saturday, July 30:Chris & Laura
Chaffee
Sunday, July 31: Earl Schaefer,
LaVera Bull & Dennis Hurley
Acolytes
Saturday, July 2: Trevor Keogh Sunday, July 3: Owen Mattly
Saturday, July 9: Allison Antolik
Sunday, July 10: Noah Cobb
Saturday, July 16: Savanna Kern
Sunday, July 17: Jonah Wilson
Saturday, July 23: Mallory Hawkins
Sunday, July 24: Trevor Keogh
Saturday, July 30: Rylee Sherwood
Sunday, July 31: Ethan Sountris
Thank you
for your service!!
Altar Guild
Ruby Pancrazio LouAnn DeRammelaere
Helen Carter
Fellowship Callers
Sunday, July 3: Kevin Verschoore &
Bali Guerrero
Sunday, July 10: Dave & Candace
Sountris
Sunday, July 17: Ralph & Norma
Grotelueschen
Sunday, July 24: Charlie & Joan
Britton
Sunday, July 31: Jim & Brenda
Hanerhoff
Page 4 July 2016
July 2 - Larry Sims July 3 – Alice Heller
July 4– Lois Kelly, Ava Morrow & Cade Kosche
July 5 – Aliza Stone & Hank Van Damme
July 7– Laura Chaffee & Cori Rossmiller
July 9– Collin Antolik , Nathan Duffy & Megan Hess
July 11– Helen Carter
July 12– Donna Fleck, Nancy Gosa, & Brandi Heinecke
July 13– LaVera Bull, Michael Dosch, Ronald Erickson, Kevin McAnally & Mary Whipple
July 14 - Sue Heller, Ron Whipple
July 16 - Amanda McMillin
July 17– Jane Hipple
July 21– Greg Burke, Ann Cobb, Darlene Dopson & Scott Mattly
July 22– Steven Braddy, Lee Copeland, Judith Knudsen, & Amanda Streeter
July 23– Keith Verschoore & Nick Johan-son
July 24– Perry Aukee & Larry Hipple
July 25– Cody Rossmiller
July 26– Troy McDonald & Rick Ratliff
July 27– Judi Becker & Grant Stimes
July 28– Amy Rogers & Nancy Smart
July 29– Greg Hart & Donna Moews
July 30- Janice Coon
July 31—Jim Moews & Wendy Verschoore
Church News
Birthdays
DATE THIS YEAR LAST YEAR SUN. SCHOOL RECEIVED
5/29/16 170 243 $7,411
6/5/16 197 243 $8,294
6/12/16 187 208 $5,595
6/19/16 217 238 10 $4,816
27% Average monthly attendance Simply giving $3,245
Weekly Attendance & Offerings
Membership Report
Birdies For Charity—For St. John’s CEL
This is your last chance to get forms and turn them in. All forms should be returned to the office no later than July 3rd.
Members released per voters meeting 6/12/16 Shaye M. Alexander, Jeffrey S. Burke, Morgan L. Canfield, Anthony M. Castro, Michael Castro, Shawn Chaffee, Robyn K.
Cothron, Dedra A. Crampton, Lindsay S. Crane, Terry Crane, Joshua A. Daggett, Kyle J. DePauw, Anthony R. Fauser, Jayme L.
Fisher, Vicki Goering, Brian C. Hayes, Jordan L. Hill, Kimberly D. Hurley, Mark A. Johanson, John W. Koenig, Joseph E. Koenig,
Jamie M. Krack, Toni M. Mallett, Jodie L. Marner, Julian Sanders, Virginia Sanders, Martina D. Schmall, Jordan Smithey, Jeff
Stauffacher, Kaytlynne Weed, Mark N. Williams, Frances M. Wold, Michael P. Wold.
Change of address
Thomas Bowman Virgie Harris
1511 S. Monterey Ave. 1455 Hospital Rd., #2
Schaumburg, IL 60193 Silvis, IL 61282
Page 5 The Informer
July 10th, 2016 The Church picnic will be at Willow Springs in East Moline starting after Bible
Class and Sunday School at 11:45 am. Bring a dish to share and your own table
service. Grills will be available for cooking your own meat. Parish Ministry will
furnish drinks and will cover the $4.00 charge to swim.. Sign up today on the
Library counter
Church Picnic
Please note that we do have
Sunday School over the
summer! All ages, come
join us!!!!
See Ann Cobb with any
questions.
Summer Sunday School
There will be a farewell to Vicar , Kate & Matthew
on July 31st during Bible Class. Coffee, cake &
punch will be served. Come and help celebrate their
past year and wish them well on their journey.
St. John’s Lutheran Center for Early Learning
And
St. John’s Lutheran Church - East Moline
Church News
“Walking in the Light of Christ”
Youth Service Activities and Opportunities
(One per person. Please print. Complete and return to office.)
Please circle any of these activities that you may be interested in being a part of.