In this issue: Pastor’s Letter 1 Vicar’s Letter 2 Serving the Lord This Month 3 Church News 4-9 Director’s Cut 9 Treasure’s Report 10 Financial Statement 11 Special points of interest: Letters from the Pastor, Vicar, & CEL Director September Birthdays All the Latest CID News Some fun & service opportunities in the community. Children’s Activity Page St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL September 2014 Volume 57, Issue 1 From Pastor’s Desk: Calendar 15 In last month's "Informer" I wrote about the grief I share with many of you over the peo- ple we love and have lost through death. I, then, directed you to the Gospel promises that see us through and allow us to grieve with hope. This month I would like to speak of another kind of grief that burdens me, as it may you. I struggle with intense sorrow over the many people who have fallen away from Christ, walked away from this congregation, and even wandered away from the faith. Many times when counseling with individuals in the aftermath of divorce, they have expressed a belief that their grief is even worse than when someone dies. The reason they give is that, rather than being taken away from them, their beloved chose to leave them. The person they love expressed in words and actions that they neither loved them, nor wanted to be with them any longer. In this case, not only does the one who is thus rejected have to deal going to places and hearing things that bring painful memories and a great sense of loss, they may have to deal with the very person who has caused them such grief and sorrow. As a shepherd who loves the sheep that the Lord has placed under my care I struggle with this almost every day. I see the empty pew where someone once sat in worship. I drive by the house of someone who used to be a close brother or sister in Christ. I see someone at the store who at one time faithfully listened to God's Word, confessed their faith, and sought the counsel and fellowship of this congregation and their pastor. Now, however, in words and actions they say I don't love you anymore. I don't want to be with you any longer. Believe me, it hurts. What is worse than the personal rejection that you and I may feel, however, is what some of these people we love are doing to themselves and to God. What they are doing to themselves is distancing themselves from the Church and from the Savior they need; something that puts their very salvation at risk. Jesus once said to His disciples, "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects Him who sent me." (Luke 10:16) To reject fellow be- lievers, the Church's ministry, and the gifts which Christ gives us is to reject God, Himself. Statements like I don't need to go to Church to be a Christian or I am spiritual but not reli- gious or I don't believe in the organized Church are antithetical to the Gospel. They are a renunciation of God's own Word. Jesus offers a stern warning to those who reject His Church and do not acknowledge Him in this world when He says, "everyone who acknowl- edges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but whoever denies me before men. I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33) My greatest sorrow is that I have failed some of these people I love and have left them to do this horrible thing to themselves. What also troubles me is what they are doing to God, through Christ. I am a sinful hu- man being. My grief and sorrow are not pure, but tainted by selfish pride and jealousy. But what about the grief their rejection and our own causes Christ. I am reminded of the disappointment He expressed when the crowds began to leave Him, and He said to His apostles, "Do you want to go away as well?" (John 6:67) It makes me think about how Jesus wept as He looked over Jerusalem and said, "How often would I have gathered your
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In this issue:
Pastor’s Letter 1
Vicar’s Letter 2
Serving the Lord This Month 3
Church News 4-9
Director’s Cut 9
Treasure’s Report 10
Financial Statement 11
Special points of interest:
Letters from the Pastor,
Vicar, & CEL Director
September Birthdays
All the Latest CID News
Some fun & service opportunities in the
community.
Children’s Activity Page
St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL September 2014 Volume 57, Issue 1
From Pastor’s Desk:
Calendar 15
In last month's "Informer" I wrote about the grief I share with many of you over the peo-
ple we love and have lost through death. I, then, directed you to the Gospel promises that
see us through and allow us to grieve with hope.
This month I would like to speak of another kind of grief that burdens me, as it may you.
I struggle with intense sorrow over the many people who have fallen away from Christ,
walked away from this congregation, and even wandered away from the faith.
Many times when counseling with individuals in the aftermath of divorce, they have
expressed a belief that their grief is even worse than when someone dies. The reason they
give is that, rather than being taken away from them, their beloved chose to leave them.
The person they love expressed in words and actions that they neither loved them, nor
wanted to be with them any longer.
In this case, not only does the one who is thus rejected have to deal going to places and
hearing things that bring painful memories and a great sense of loss, they may have to deal
with the very person who has caused them such grief and sorrow.
As a shepherd who loves the sheep that the Lord has placed under my care I struggle
with this almost every day. I see the empty pew where someone once sat in worship. I
drive by the house of someone who used to be a close brother or sister in Christ. I see
someone at the store who at one time faithfully listened to God's Word, confessed their
faith, and sought the counsel and fellowship of this congregation and their pastor. Now,
however, in words and actions they say I don't love you anymore. I don't want to be with
you any longer. Believe me, it hurts.
What is worse than the personal rejection that you and I may feel, however, is what
some of these people we love are doing to themselves and to God.
What they are doing to themselves is distancing themselves from the Church and from
the Savior they need; something that puts their very salvation at risk. Jesus once said to
His disciples, "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me,
and the one who rejects me rejects Him who sent me." (Luke 10:16) To reject fellow be-
lievers, the Church's ministry, and the gifts which Christ gives us is to reject God, Himself.
Statements like I don't need to go to Church to be a Christian or I am spiritual but not reli-
gious or I don't believe in the organized Church are antithetical to the Gospel. They are a
renunciation of God's own Word. Jesus offers a stern warning to those who reject His
Church and do not acknowledge Him in this world when He says, "everyone who acknowl-
edges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but whoever
denies me before men. I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew
10:32-33) My greatest sorrow is that I have failed some of these people I love and have
left them to do this horrible thing to themselves.
What also troubles me is what they are doing to God, through Christ. I am a sinful hu-
man being. My grief and sorrow are not pure, but tainted by selfish pride and jealousy.
But what about the grief their rejection and our own causes Christ. I am reminded of the
disappointment He expressed when the crowds began to leave Him, and He said to His
apostles, "Do you want to go away as well?" (John 6:67) It makes me think about how
Jesus wept as He looked over Jerusalem and said, "How often would I have gathered your
Page 2 September 2014
From the Vicar
“The Truth!”
It is great to be here with all of you at St.John’s! We would like to thank all of you for the warm wel-
come we have received. Thank you to who helped us move in and for the great potluck lunch. It is truly a
blessing to be sharing God’s word with you this year.
My family’s journey to reach the “vicar status level” has been a wonderful journey. The past two years
that we have spent at Concordia Seminary has shaped us and formed us for this journey into my vocation of
Office of Holy Ministry. But the most exciting year of my formation is going to be my year spent with you at
St.John’s. I have come to share the Word with you and to learn from each and every one of you. I am here to
listen, laugh, love, and yes even cry with you. I want to share one of my favorite bible verses with you and
throughout the year please share yours with me. One of my favorite Psalms is 116. I will share with you a por-
tion of the Psalm: vs. 8-9: “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stum-
bling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”
“The Truth!” Jesus states in John 17:17-18: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent
me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” This leads me to my mission for the year, to learn and
teach the Word with you. In today’s society the truth can be hard to decipher and you or your family members
could be seeking for the true Word. Fear not, under the leadership of Pastor Umbarger I hope to help each and
every one of you stay on the path of truth, (or help people find the path), that leads us to our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, “The Real Truth”!
Yours In Christ!
Vicar Harriss
children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" (Matthew 23:37) Do you sense the
grief and sorrow of our Lord?
As I share these thoughts with you I have a few requests. I ask, first of all, that you would pray for all those who have
chosen to leave or are even now beginning to wander away; let them know that you love them and want them to return. I
also ask that you would pray for me as I struggle with this sorrow, and comfort me with the comfort that you, yourselves
have received from God. And, finally, I ask you to respond to God's sorrow over you and any distance you have placed
between Him and you. By the power of the Holy Spirit give answer to Christ as He asks, "Do you want to go away as
well? Are you willing to let me gather you under my wings?" Let Him hear you say in word and action, "Lord, I still love
You and acknowledge You. Lord, I don't want to go away from You; You have the words of eternal life. Lord, I am will-
ing to be gathered with the rest of your children under your wings. Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the
place where your glory dwells." This will certainly turn His grief in to joy and bring about much rejoicing in heaven.
In Christ's love,
Page 3 The Informer
Ushers
Saturday, Sept. 6: Norm Antolik, Chris
Chaffee, Vern Sletten Sunday, Sept. 7: Scott Park, Maxwell Park,
Bill Park, Susan Bowman &
Lee Copeland
Saturday, Sept. 13: Norm Antolik, Chris
Chaffee, Vern Sletten Sunday, Sept. 14: Scott Park, Max well Park,
Bill Park, Susan Bowman &
Lee Copeland
Saturday, Sept. 20: Norm Antolik, Chris
Chaffee, Vern Sletten Sunday, Sept. 21: Scott Park, Maxwell Park,
Bill Park, Susan Bowman &
Lee Copeland
Saturday, Sept. 27: Norm Antolik, Chris
Chaffee, Vern Sletten Sunday, Sept. 28: Scott Park, Maxwell Park,
Bill Park, Susan Bowman &
Lee Copeland
Greeters Sept. 6 - 6:30 Gail Massey & Darlene
Dopson
Sept. 7 - 9:00 Mary Miller, Elaine & Rex
Newman
Sept. 13- 6:30 Lou Ann DeRammelaere
& Judy Knudsen
Sept. 14 - 9:00 LaVera Bull, Kay Iwen &
Beth Stimes
Sept. 20 - 6:30 Joyce Hoffman & Lois
Kelly
Sept. 21- 9:00 Marsha Boarts, Hank &
Rhonda VanDamme
Sept. 27 - 6:30 Lou Ann De Rammelaere
& George Fellows
Sept. 28 - 9:00 LaVera Bull, Ann Cobb &
Lynn Suess
Acolytes
Sept. 6-Marissa Keogh
Sept. 7- Peyton Mattly
Sept. 13- Owen Hawkins
Sept. 14- Hannah Rossmiller
Sept. 20– Marissa Keogh
Sept. 21- Sam Nelson
Sept. 27- Allison Antolik
Sept. 28- Tyler Belan
Serving the Lord This Month:
Altar Guild
September Elaine Newman
Ramona Oltmann
Sunday Morning Coffee & Donuts
7- Available
14- Available
21- Available
28- Available
-Flower Chart
Sep 7– Shane & Susan Parvin Sep 14-Scott & Stacey Reed Sep 21– Karen Schmidt Sep 28– Open
We are happy to announce we have 40 students registered so far and a full staff ready to go! Classes begin September 2nd, so please say a prayer for
all of our students and staff wonderful year.
Look for more information on fall fundraisers and family events next month and in your bulletins.
We wish everyone headed to class a blessed year!
Page 9 The Informer
Children, Youth & Family News
RALLY DAY!
SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2014
AFTER WORSHIP IN THE GYM
Games & Grub
How well do you know your past Vicars?
How about your Sunday School Songs?
WE WILL PROVIDE TREAT AND DRINKS
OPEN TO EVERYONE
FUN FOR ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Page 10 September 2014
Practical Tips for Caregivers Jerry Schroeder, MSW, Program Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association will be at our Lutheran Home
Thursday, October 16th at 1:00 and 2:00 pm to present, Practical Tips for Caregivers. Mr. Schroeder has more
than 25 years’ experience in the field of senior services, has been with the Alzheimer’s Association for nine
years, and is a frequent lecturer and presenter on this topic. In this discussion, Jerry will offer helpful sugges-
tions for caregivers devoted to the daily struggles of caring for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a re-
lated disease, based on principles outlined in Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers.
These sessions are free and open to everyone, everywhere! Please share this invitation with anyone you may
know who has a loved one living with any form of dementia. Please call Becky with any questions, at 563-391
-5342. Thank you!
Page 11 The Informer
Page 12 September 2014
Treasure’s Report
Page 13 The Informer
Financial Secretary Report
HOW TO USE THE COMPUTER CATALOG FROM YOUR HOME
COMPUTER Enter your search for a specific title, author, or series in “Search this Library” at the upper right (not “Search site”). Do not use commas or quotations marks in the search. After you have found the book you want, click on the middle symbol to the right, the
“detail page.” Scroll down to “Dewey” to find the classification or location number in our library. Click on “Our Library Catalogue” at the bottom right of our website (stjohnsem.org) Examples: The search for a title, The Tabernacle, has two results. If you choose the book by William Brown, click on the “detail page” to find its location in our library. Scroll down to “Dewey” to find the classification or location number, which is 220.93 B7t. Ignore any other classification numbers that may appear on the first page. The search for an author, Beverly Lewis, results in a screen showing all of her books in our library. Find the book you want, click on the detail page, go to “Dewey,” and find the location number, Fic Lew. The search for the series, Arch books, results in more than 200 titles. Click on the book you want and find the location number in “Dewey” on the detail page. Then locate the book in the church library and check it out. Because this is such a large series, an author, title, or subject search may be a better search strategy. To find books on a specific subject, click on “Tags” on the toolbar and scroll through the various tags to find the subject you want. Click on the tag and bring up all books in our library on that subject. Series can also be found under “Tags.” Examples: “Church architecture” or “Good Samaritan – Juv lit” result in more than one book. Choose the correct book and find its location on the “detail page” under “Dewey.”The catalog can also be accessed from the computer in the church library.
HOW TO CHECK OUT A BOOK
When you find the book on the shelf, locate the book card in the pocket at the back of the book. Sign your name on the book card and include the date on which you are borrowing the book. You may also add the date to the date due slip at the back of the book as a reminder of the date the book was borrowed. Place the book card in the Library box on the counter. Please return the book when you have finished with it. The book return slot is under the computer. We do not have a specific loan period and do not charge fines. Please return the