St. John’s Flock Talk
St. John’s Lutheran Church , Atkinson , NE January/February 2008
402-925-2737 - Pastor Nancy Nyland Intern Carol Reed
ANNUAL MEETING
St. John’s will have their Annual Congregational Meeting on January 20 th. Worship with Holy Communion will be at 10:00 AM with the meeting to follow at 11:00 AM.
You are asked to bring snack/finger foods for a lunch to follow the meeting. If the meeting goes past noon you are invited to informally munch on lunch as we meet. The meeting will be held in the fellowship hall.
Items to be reviewed and/or discussed at the annual meeting will include but not be limited to: reports, 2007 budget, election of council members, foundation board members, synod assembly delegates, internship and future projects.
All reports for the annual meeting are due by Thursday, January 17 th.
BASIC YOUTH GAME SHOWS/DINNER
You are invited to a night of Game Shows, food, and fun on January 27 at St. John’s or February 10 at St. Peter. Come and experience the talents of the BASIC Youth as they serve dinner and host four Game Shows with plenty of laughter and audience participation. Supper will be served two times -- 5:00 or 7:00 . The Game Shows will begin at 6:00 p.m. You can choose from two meals: $5.00 – Chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, salad, and dessert….or…. $10.00 – salad, grilled chicken breast, wild rice, veggie, and dessert. Don’t miss this Game Show extravaganza!! And help support the BASIC youth mission trip to St. Louis .
HOSTS FOR
SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING
St. John’s & St. Peter will be hosts for the Synod Council Meeting on Friday, Feb. 29 and Saturday Mar. 1.
Our own, Adam Flannery, serves as the only youth representative on this board. And so Adam has invited the group to meet at his home church.
Hosting will involve providing meals and housing for the council members. Housing will be needed for approx. 20 people. We will provide three meals on Friday and two on Saturday.
Please be thinking about how you would like to help as we host this group.
Talk to Pastor Nancy as soon as possible if you can help, Thank you.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Ash Wednesday Service with imposition of ashes and Holy Communion will be held on Wednesday, February 6 at 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s and at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter. Let us join our hearts and voices as we begin our Lenten Journey.
LENTEN SERVICES
Mid-week Lenten Services will be held at St. John’s on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. this year. What do you think Pastor Nancy has in store for us this year? Come and find out!!
It’s a girl!
A prayer of thanksgiving for the birth of Elle Lorraine , born to Jenna & Preston Hoffman on Jan. 7. Elle Lorraine weighed in at 6 lb 13 oz and was 18” long. Congratulations to great-grandma - Lorraine Lieswald!
LEWIS & CLARK CLUSTER GATHERING
The annual Lewis and Clark Cluster Gathering will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Hartington. Anyone from the congregation is welcome to attend. We will join in worship, do the business of our cluster and have elections, as well as a talk by Intern Carol. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the church and how it works at levels beyond the congregation. If you are interested in attending, talk to Pastor Nancy.
Please keep these people in your prayers:
FRIENDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA: Joanne Serbousek, Don & Eileen Brown, Duane Pfund, Don Davis, Aiden Spangler, Donna Olson, Craig Enbody, Mary Ellen Scholz, Marian Davis, John & Delores Keating, Marvin Scholz, Hilda Yung, Amanda Torpy, M.M. Karo
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OUT OF OUR AREA: Carl Roberts Sr. (Carl’s dad), Kathy Loeske, (Marian Davis’ mom), Lee Robey (Sally Rossman’s brother), Ethan Hagan (infant son of Jayme Hagan), Carol Hopkins (Janet’s cousin)
FROM INTERN CAROL: Bob & Mabel Roehrborn (parents), Shirley Udovich (cousin), Marian Prepster (aunt), Steve Talmadge (bishop), Betty Miller (friend)
Military Men & Women:
IN IRAQ & MIDDLE EAST: Casey Peterson, Josh Lauck, Derrick Jackson, Brad Larson, Jacob Widhalm, Kyle Fahrenholz
TRANSITIONING: Kristin Olberding, Malorie Gokie, Dustin Gillette, Joshua Thom, Kip Slaymaker, Chris Troshynski, Kris Schaaf, Brittney Osborne, Brent Gokie, Jared Wolf, Justina Adair, Travis Engler, Kodey Kirkman, Andy Hytrek, Ken Stenka, Daile Davis, Jered Saar, Amber Monahan, Justin Widhalm, Melanie Peterson
BAPTISM’S GALORE!
Congratulations to all the parents and sponsors of the new babies that were baptized recently at St. John’s.
Madison Kratz, daughter of Mike & Nancy was baptized Dec. 23 rd sponsors include Mike & Cheryl Rentschler and Rob Kratz.
David Armstrong, son of Casey & Sara (grandson of Phil & Marion Davis) was baptized Dec. 24 th sponsors include Kari Davis & Daniel Armstrong.
Brayden Ogden son, of Jeremy & Amy was baptized January 6 th; sponsors include Crystal & Andy Osborne and Angie & Casey Schaaf.
May God bless and keep all of these children and their families always.
Welcome to our church family!
A FEW WORDS FROM PASTOR……
I have been given the opportunity to travel to Nepal in April as part of a mission trip. I will be traveling with two to three people from For God’s Children International. This is the organization that St. Peter has become involved with in Bassett as they helped to fill a sea container with items for the people of Moldova .
For God’s Children International is now exploring the possibility of starting a children’s ministry in Nepal . Through my contacts with Raj and his work with the government of Nepal , the group will go to Nepal on a fact finding mission.
I am excited….excited to meet Raj face to face after 20 months of communicating via email and phone. And, I am equally excited about the mission work that is possible in Nepal .
Nepal is such a poor country economically, the literacy rate is low, drug abuse and alcoholism are high, and AIDS is pervasive. And, of course, it is the children who suffer.
In Kathmandu alone, the capital city, there are approximately 800 kids living on the streets. Some are from the city, but many more are from the outlying villages. The kids have moved to the city to find opportunity, unfortunately they become involved with drugs, alcohol, prostitution, theft, and all sorts of bad things. They need to come to know God’s love.
Nepal is currently in the process of moving from a monarchy to a democracy. And the interim constitution states that Hindu is no longer the only recognized religion in the country. So there is great opportunity right now for Christianity to grow and flourish in this country where there are few Christians.
Please pray for me, as I ready myself for this trip. And pray that God will prepare the hearts of the people there to receive us and that God will lead us to the mission work He has chosen for us to do.
Pastor Nancy
NEW MISSION CONGREGATION
The Nebraska Synod is starting a new mission congregation in West Omaha . The Mission Developer for this new congregation is Rev. James Lindberg. We will have the privilege of having Pastor James with us on Sunday, March 2 nd to tell us about this exciting new mission and how we can help. Worship time will be at 11:00 AM with a potluck dinner to follow. Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend this special event.
PASTOR GONE TO CONFERENCE
Pastor Nancy will be gone from Monday, Jan. 21 through Wednesday, Jan. 23 to a Striving for Excellence Conference at Camp Carol Joy Holling. If you are need of pastoral care during her absence, please call Intern Carol at (684-2635 or 4542).
SERVING AT ST. JOHN ’S
Jan. 20
Reader: Todd Hale
Ushers: Alan & Linda Poessnecker
Greeters: Casey Poessnecker Family
Acolyte: Logan O.
Communion: Jack Flannery
Youth: Greg R. & Jakki N.
Jan. 27
Reader: Clark Gotschall
Ushers: Jack Flannery Family
Greeters: Jenni & Kati Topp
Acolyte: Megan R.
Feb. 3
Reader: Joan Heerman
Ushers: Dick Frickel Family
Greeters: Sharon & Leon Rentschler
Acolyte: DeLynn S.
Communion: Joan Heerman
Youth: Megan O. & Alex F.
Feb. 10
Reader: Richard Poessnecker
Ushers: Lorraine Lieswald & Janet Kliment
Greeters: Alan & Linda Poessnecker
Acolyte: Dayna S.
Feb. 17
Reader: Cindy Gotschall
Ushers: Richard Poessnecker & Phil Davis
Greeters: Pat & Earllaine Krumm
Acolyte: Megan R.
Communion: Lois Poessnecker
Youth: Adam F. & Greg R.
Feb. 24
Reader: Rocky Rothchild
Ushers: Rocky & Gayle Rothchild
Greeters: Richard & Caroline Poessnecker
Acolyte: Thomas R.
ST. JOHN ’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
Financial Secretaries Report
December 2007
General Fund: Checking Account
All Budget Deposits year to date: $54,125.89
Proposed Average Weekly Budget
$1108.00 x 52 weeks: 57,616.00
Amount under Budget………………...... –3,490.11
Budget Deposits: 12/2/07 724.00
12/9/07 1,552.00
12/16/07 1,141.47
12/23/07 974.00
12/30/07 602.80
4,994.27
Christmas Eve Offering 728.54
JANUARY MISSION OPPORTUNITY
Mission of the Month
*Lutheran Family Services*
There is information in the newsletter or in your mailbox about ways you can donate to Lutheran Family Services.
The Mission of the Month has kind of run its course and therefore will be discontinued after January, the council decided instead to take a special offering during worship on a quarterly basis. Special envelopes will be used for these offerings. The Mission of the month list will be handed out and you will be asked to vote for four missions instead of twelve. The top four missions will then receive the offerings that are collected.
Be watching the bulletin and newsletter for more information on these changes.
BIRTHDAY’S & ANNIVERSARIES
January February
1 Donni Nachtman 1 John Flannery
2 Matthew Rentschler 1 Theresa Ochs
2 Gregory Rentschler 2 Dorothy Goldfuss
3 Fred Grothe 3 Katelyn Olson
6 Todd Hale 8 Jenni Topp
7 Jeremy Ogden 10 Jean Pacha
9 Perri Farr 11 Paulette Fahrenholz
11 Cale Buss 15 Tadd Nyland
12 Emma Good 20 Tom Etherton
14 Sharie Flannery 22 Dayna Strand
14 Wayne Pacha 27 Eugene Poessnecker Jr.
14 Jen Steinhauser 27 Jenifer Rothchild
14 Courtney Poessnecker 29 Jim Falor
17 Dawson Poessnecker
19 Jesse Harmon
20 Jakki Nachtman 1 Don & Fran Obermire
26 Mike Kratz 13 Jim & Jennifer Falor
27 Jane Falor 19 Dave & Donni Nachtman
27 Jeremiah Krysl 25 Mark & Chris Hysell
29 Larry Ogden
29 Carl Roberts
31 Crystal Osborne
31 Jerry Fahrenholz
12 Orlin & Joan Heerman
27 Gary & Bonnie Lech
27 Larry & Marlene Ogden
Six New Year resolutions
1. Forget the past and honor God more.
2. Live for Christ in the world.
3. Trust God with a strong faith.
4. Remain faithful to my church.
5. Witness to the lost.
6. Cultivate the talents God has
given me for His glory.
The Alpha and Omega
God created this world,
Everything that it holds.
And God still is creating
As each day unfolds.
What we once called the future,
We now call the past.
While the present is fleeing,
GOD STAYS! FIRST AND LAST!
—Peggy Ferrell
WELCA MEETING
ST. JOHN ’S WOMEN WILL HOLD THEIR JANUARY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM. ALL WOMEN OF THE CONGRE-GATION ARE MEMBERS AND WELCOME TO COME TO THE MEETINGS. WE WILL BE SETTING GOALS FOR 2008 AND APPRECIATE EVERYONE’S INPUT.
WOMEN OF THE ELCA NEWS
By Lois Poessnecker
St. John’s Women of the ELCA had their annual Christmas party in December with many guests and members present. Intern Carol began the evening with prayer. The theme, “Faith and Friendship” came alive as there was much fellowship and singing to be heard. Four different kinds of soup to choose from, homemade bread, a large relish tray and Strawberry Pretzel dessert were the items on the menu. Following the meal we were blessed to have as our guest speaker, Jan McGrath, sister of Elaine Poessnecker. Jan had been on a mission trip to Africa and spoke of her experience - first as she found her faith and then how she used her faith to spread the news to others. What a wonderful experience she gave to all of us! Christmas carols were sung throughout the evening. Pastor Nancy read the Christmas story from Luke and then prepared communion for us. The evening came to a close with the singing of Silent Night and the Christmas Benediction.
New Challenges for Your Intern
I want you to know how much I appreciate your role as teacher in my internship, and how responsibly you exercise that role. There are some bumps in the road in any education process, called trial and error!
In the next couple of months you will see some of those bumps as my attention is being focused on preaching. Many members consider preaching skills to be very important in their pastor. To that end a couple of things are happening.
Recently I tried preaching from the center aisle with few notes. The first thing I noticed is that it was far more difficult to maintain control over the length of the sermon. I apologize if I went too long. I am working on that component! There is a reason for me to learn how to do this. I need to become more comfortable when I preach. That means that reading from a full text is not as meaningful to you, the hearers, as is simply talking to you. Preparation is more difficult for me but that is the purpose – to make preparation easier and make the delivery easier and more meaningful for you to hear. So look for more of me preaching without or few notes. I need to do this from the pulpit as well. I appreciate you telling me what ‘works’ for you, and what does not. If you have not been asked to fill out a Sermon Response Form by a member of the Internship Committee, please ask for one.
The next thing you will notice is that during Lent I will be preaching each Sunday. Pastor Nancy will be preaching during the weekly Lenten services, so you can still hear both of us each week. This schedule will help me to learn the rigors of preparing for and delivering the sermon on a weekly basis. That of course, will be my role as pastor after I graduate, so the experience I get here will be most helpful.
Thanks for being my teachers and thank you for being patient as I learn new things and take on new challenges.
Intern Carol
You may contact me at:
Intern Carol Reed
PO Box 474
Bassett NE 68713
402-684-2635 home
402-340-4542 cell
interncarol@gmail.com
Blue Book Changes
It is time to update the blue book again. Please take a few minutes to review the information in your blue book and if anything needs to be changed or updated please let Cheryl know. The new 2008 blue book will be out around the first of February.
LOST & FOUND
There is a new diaper bag that was left in the church office a couple of weeks ago that has no name or identification on it. If anyone knows where it came from or who it belongs to please let Pastor Nancy know so it can be returned to the owner. Thank You.
SECRETS TO HAPPINESS
*Be kind to kind people
*Be even kinder to unkind people
*Let someone cut ahead of you in line
*Take time to be alone
*Re-read a favorite book
*Cultivate good manners
*Be humble
*Understand and accept that life isn’t always fair
*Know when to say something
*Know when to keep your mouth shut
*Don’t criticize anyone for 24 hours
*Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present
*Don’t sweat the small stuff
The Seven Wonders
A group of students were asked to list the Seven Wonders of the World . Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Pyramids of Egypt
2. Taj Mahal
3. St. Peter’s Basilica
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. Grand Canyon
7. Great Wall of China
One student didn’t match even one of the others’ lists. She listed the seven wonders as:
1. To see 5. To feel
2. To hear 6. To laugh
3. To touch 7. To love
4. To taste
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous.
THOUGHTS FOR YOU
Prayer is a way of lifting ourselves, of getting a higher look, of transcending self. In prayer one sees life as God sees it, and relates his own little life and his own little needs to the needs and life of humanity.
Robert L. Kahn
† Flock Talk
St. John’s Lutheran Church
P. O. Box 665
Atkinson , NE 68714
Pastor Nancy Nyland
Intern Carol Reed
