THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH PEKIN, ILLINOIS St. John’s Lutheran Church 711 Court Street, Pekin Illinois 61554 (309) 347-2136 [email protected] www.stjohnpekin.com Volume 41, Issue 3 March 2015 CHRISTIAN BURIA L GOD'S WAY OF LAYING HIS PEOPLE TO REST We are now in the heart of the Lenten season, with Holy Week to begin at the end of the month. As we focus on the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, we are mindful that He “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.” The burial of our Lord is important enough to merit significant attention in all four Gospel accounts. That's one reason why I have prepared a sermon on Jesus' burial from Mark 15:46 for our final Wednesday Lenten Vespers service. Though done somewhat hastily on account of the approaching Sabbath, Jesus' burial was carried out with great care and respect for His body. (John 19:39-42) Friends who loved Him wrapped the Savior's body in linen cloth together with myrrh and aloes. (Some of the women who followed Him intended to do an even more complete job of caring for His body with burial spices after the Sabbath was over.) Then our Lord's body, which miraculously did not experience decay, lay in the tomb until the third day, when He rose from the dead. Jesus' burial and subsequent resurrection form the pattern for all Christians. We who are united to Jesus, though we die and decay, are buried and remain in our graves or tombs only for a time, to await the great day of resurrection. Thus we pray in one of the prayers for the committal of the body at the grave, “Almighty God, by the death of Your Son Jesus Christ You destroyed death, by His rest in the tomb Y ou sanctified the graves of Your saints....” Jesus' burial was no accident or anomaly, but was planned and prophesied by God Himself. Isaiah wrote, “They made His grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death.” (53:9a) And Jesus declared that the woman who anointed Him with expensive perfume had “come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.” (Mark 14:8) And He commended her for this. So we learn from the Scriptures that a reverent, dignified burial was the manner God had chosen to lay His beloved Son to rest. This is no surprise, for burial is the manner God had chosen to lay His beloved servant Moses to rest, as well. Moses is the one man we know about from the Scriptures whose dead body God cared for personally, and He did so by burial. “The Lord buried him in a valley in the land of Moab.” (Deuteronomy 34:6) Christian burial is thus established by divine example. Surely there is no better way to care for the body of a deceased loved one than to do what God Himself did! When we consider how highly God values and honors the bodies of His beloved people, we easily understand why He chooses dignified burial as His method of laying them to rest. Ponder the ways God shows His high esteem for our bodies: 1. God created man in His own image. This means we, creatures of soul and body, are made to be a little like God Himself! (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6) 2. God redeemed our bodies with His own life. That means He bought our bodies at the price of His own blood. (1 Corinthians 6:20; Acts 20:28) 3. God personally dwells in the bodies of His believers. He honors our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19; 3:16) 4. God has promised to raise and glorify our bodies. He will transform our lowly bodies to be much like His own glorious body. (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) Cont. on page 7 honor could God bestow on our bodies than the Incarnation, when He united true humanity, soul and body, to His eternal being? Jesus Christ is and forever remains true God and true Man with a real human body. (John MARCH BIRTHDAYS Christian Education Sunday School Perfect Attendance January 2015 Pre-School Regan Norman Third Grade Zachary Webb Eighth Grade Emma Canterbury Ethan Szadkowski High School Joe Canterbury Jacob Kelley Joe Canterbury also had perfect attendance in December. MARCH ANNIVERSARIES March 02 William & Theresa Isenberg March 03 Danny & Patricia Sego March 05 Gary & Lisa Pool March 1 Gerold Bohannan Mary Depew Nathan Ronna March 02 Penny Bollinger Terry Gleason Elizabeth Kammeyer Emilie Kesselmayer March 03 Amy Ashbaker Darla Schorr James Widby March 05 Matthew Gudzinskas Cooper Theleritis March 06 Heath Norman William Sidell March 20 Keith & Terry Gleason March 11 Douglas Tiona March 15 Marilyn Liescheidt March 16 Rick Alexander Delaine Gardner March 18 Jennifer Kesselmayer March 19 Waltrand Hupke Blair Ivey March 20 Pastor Darwood Kesselmayer Paige Oschwald March 21 Henry Lappie Marjorie Schoedel March 07 Donna Hansen Karen Nafziger Dorothy Sheckler March 09 Robert & Debra Dant Monroe & Dorothy Sheckler March 14 Nicholas Kesselmayer Samantha Whitlatch March 17 Merle Wiseman March 04 Benjamin Donovan Jeffrey Hillman Gary Pool March 09 Gerald Norman Jacob Norman Robert Scott March 13 Adam Becker Justin Emery Kaitlyn Gudzinskas March 23 James Heidbreder Stephanie Whitlatch March 24 Ruth Negley Shirley Schott March 25 Roy Dagit Laura Dobbelaire Diane Gould Mar 29 Bruce & Gayle Gettman Mike & Deana Thompson March 27 Katie Smith 3 March Birthdays (Cont’d) March Acolytes March 28 Mary Jane Draves Mar 01 8:00 Ethan Szadkowski 10:30 Audrey Driskell March 29 Ryan Lappie Donald Schoedel Mar 04 7:00 Ethan Szadkowski Mar 08 8:00 10:30 Olivia Driskell Caitlyn Scalf Mar 11 7:00 Caitlyn Scalf Mar 15 8:00 10:30 Zane Dobbelaire Nick Fornoff Mar 18 7:00 Avery Theleritis Mar 22 8:00 10:30 Sydney Webb Avery Theleritis March 30 Tyler Ruder Julie Widby March 31 Kevin Wieland PARISH NOTES Mar 25 7:00 Audrey Driskell Church Attendance Audrey Driskell Ethan Szadkowski Attend. # of Serv 844 13 March Communion Assistance 631 11 Mar 01 646 12 . Jan 2015 Jan 2014 Jan 2013 Mar 29 8:00 10:30 January Sunday School Attendance 2015: 2014: 2013: 238 219 208 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Tom Ivey Steve Depew Mar 15 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Joe Schiavone Dave Drockelman Mar 29 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Randy Couch Dan Rees March Videographers March Greeters Rod Bollinger March Worship Committee 8:00 Ray Barnes Daryl Dagit John Gillespie David Kesselmayer Garret Kesselmayer Daniel Rees 10:30 Bruce Gettman Ken Memken Dan Watson Mike Wilson January INCOME EXPENSE INCOME-EXPENSES $81,304.60 $81,304.60 34,797.28 34,797.28 $46,507.32 $46,507.32 LIABILITIES Note Payable Payroll Liabilities Misc. LCMS Orgs Fund TOTAL LIABILITIES $261,894.46 1,720.86 159.73 $263,866.13 General Fund Accounts General Fund Schwab Cash Account Cat Stock at FMV GAP Stock at FMV General Fund Total $ (26,077.74) 1,720.86 42,286.86 10,106.40 $ 28,036.38 Educational Fund Accounts Educational Grant Fund Checking $ (1,069.84) Educational Grant Fund CD #1 101,926.32 Educational Grant Fund #2 Vanguard 76,130.76 Educational Fund Total $ 176,987.24 Building Fund Checking Sunday School Fund Checking Memorial Fund Checking East Bluff Property Fund CD $ 127,230.36 9,003.73 47,358.57 105,672.97 TOTAL ASSETS $ 494,289.25 Checking Account Balance Checking Account Balance Total $ 156,445.08 $ 156,445.08 Fund Balance Funds to Pay Note Payable Net Income (Loss) Capital Accounts Total Fund Balance $(261,894.46) 46,507.32 445,810.26 $ 230,423.12 8:00 Don & Valerie Dobbelaire Mar 08 8:00 Gary Allan Mar 15 8:00 Jerry & Paula Norman Mar 22 8:00 Ken & Mary Beck Mar 29 8:00 Darrell & Donna FUND BALANCE Hansen TOTAL LIABILITIES & Need greeters for 10:30 service. Please consider signing up. 4 Y-T-D TREASURER’S REPORT January 2015 Mar 01 Melissa Hoyle Life is like a mirror If you frown at it, It frowns back; If you smile, It returns the greeting March Ushers $ 494,289.25 HI-LITES OF ST. JOHN’S VOTERS ASSEMBLY Board of Stewardship – The Stewardship Committee met on February 9th to discuss ideas for a fund raiser for GSLS, February 9, 2014 and is considering a Spaghetti Dinner in May 2015. Food President Ray Barnes called the meeting to order. pantry ideas will be shared with the Elders and Trustees. The Trustees will make any needed accommodations for a A quorum was present. Pastor Bishop opened with devotions. The January 2015 Parish Report proposed food pantry. required no action. The minutes from the January 12, 2015 Voters Meeting were approved as pub- Board of Evangelism – Pastor Kesselmayer continues to visit new people. lished. Treasurer’s Report – Daryl Dagit presented the January 2015 Treasurer’s Report on behalf of Ron Reising. Nancy Drockelman moved to accept the report, seconded by Veva Martin -- motion carried. Long Range Planning Committee – This committee met on January 12. A couple of boards have yet to meet, and the next Long Range Planning Committee meeting will be held after the March 2015 Voter’s Meeting. Educational Grant Fund Committee – This committee met Board of Trustees – Gary Pool reported that there last month and the current charter will be brought up to was nothing to report on the renovation projects. date and brought back to the Voters for action. He noted that the Trustees are requesting bids for the blacktopping of the church parking lot. These Unfinished Business – Pastor Bishop and Ray Barnes atestimates may be brought to the Voters at a future tended the Circuit Forum on January 25 at St. Peters Lumeeting after the renovation work has been com- theran Church in East Peoria. Pastor Thomas Heren was re -elected Circuit Visitor. The need for adding another pleted. LCMS church to the Tazewell Circuit was also discussed. Board of Finance – No report. New Business – Nothing to report. Board of Elders – Dan Rees reported that the next The meeting adjourned and closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Elder’s meeting will be held on February 23. Respectfully submitted, Board of Worship – Brian Fuelberth thanked Greg Swibold for serving on the Board of Worship and welcomed Melissa Hoyle as a new mem- Cheryl Ivey Secretary ber of this Board. Their next meeting is Thurs********************************* day, Feb. 12. This committee will serve the Soup Lenten Worship and Sandwich Supper on February 25. will be Wednesday evenings at Board of Christian Education – John Gillespie reported that Paula Jensen will serve as Chair for this Board and Linda Norman will serve as Secretary. The youth basketball team won the Sportsmanship Award at the St. Peter’s tournament. The youth activity for February will be playing volleyball with hot dogs, chili and ice cream to be served. The Pre-school and Kindergarten Round-up will be held on March 3 for new students. The GSLS Auction will be held at the ParA-Dice Hotel on March 21. The church picnic is tentatively scheduled for September 27, 2015. The youth will be assisting with the Easter breakfast. 7:00 P. M. Every Wednesday will include a Soup and Sandwich Supper as a convenience for worshipping families, starting at 5:30 P. M. Be sure to make this an important part of your personal and preparatory devotions as we make our annual “trek” to Mt. Calvary. Make plans now to attend our Lenten and Holy Week Services. 5 MARCH LIBRARY CORNER ORGANIZATIONS By Eileen Tiona FELLOWSHIP CLUB By Eileen Tiona "We are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3:13 The following books were donated by Brian Umbach from his parents estate. St John's Fellowship Club will meet on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. "Luther-Biography of a Reformer" by Frederick Nohl. "The Holy Bible - An American Translation" by William F. Beck "Lutheran Service Book" by Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. "Concordia-The Lutheran Confessions" "Lutheran Study Bible", and also a DVD player. The program will be presented by the Chime Strokers Hand Chime Choir. This choir is composed of people who have had a stroke. The group was officially formed in January 2011 and have continued to rehearse and perform at various locations in Peoria including OSF St. Francis Hospital, Senior Olympics, churches, luncheons, business groups, nursing homes and more in the Peoria community. Bob Scott from our congregation is in this group that will perform. We are inviting members of the congregation to come and enjoy this performance and give support to this great group. Don’t forget March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the church basement. Please come and join us. The following books were left on the desk in the library. "Revelation" by Louis Brighton "Matthew 11:2-20:34 "Luke 9:51-24:53" The following books were also donated by an unknown donor. "The Captive Heart (The Daughters of Caleb Bender) by Dale Cramer "The Bridesmaid" by Beverly Lewis "The Journey" Book one by Wanda Brunstetter "The Healing" Book two by Wanda Brunstetter. Thank you to Brian Umbach for his donations and also to the unknown donors. Please come in and check out these and also all the In Our Prayers WOMEN’S GUILD By Deb Lakamp The next meeting of the St. John’s Ladies Guild will be held on Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m. The program for the evening is our annual WHITE ELEPHANT auction with proceeds going towards our mission work. Please bring any item(s) from home that you no longer need and bring it with you to the meeting to be auctioned off. All ladies of the congregation are invited and encouraged to attend. The serving committee is Debee Pitchford (chairperson) and Jackie Nauth. If you know of anyone who needs to be added, please let the church office know. Youth Groups All our shut-ins Walt Dozard - GSLS student Adam Jackson—member of Armed Forces (grand-nephew of Lila Lisenbee) Griffin Glass—serving in the U.S. Navy Pastor Nieman Dale Schott Larry Massa - son of Helen Massa Lee Morgan Jeanne Andersen (sister of Ruthanne Scott) Pastor Bishop Our Youth Group is again collecting food for distribution to the needy families in the congregation before Easter. Please bring nonperishable food items and put them in the boxes on the stage. On Sunday, March 15th, the Youth Groups will meet at 2:00 p.m. to put the food baskets together and will deliver them. We thank you in advance for your help for this project. 6 (cont. from front page) GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL 5. Most profoundly, God Himself has taken a human body as His own in Christ! What higher honor could God bestow on our bodies than the Incarnation, when He united true humanity, soul and body, to His eternal being? Jesus Christ is and forever remains true God and true Man with a real human body. (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9) MARCH 2015 NEWSLETTER PS/K Round-Up Time: Come and join us on Tuesday, March 3rd, for an informative and fun Dr. Seuss Night! Where you will have the opportunity to explore the school, meet the Preschool and Kindergarten Staff and PreRegister for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. God's great love, honor, and care of our bodies teaches us and impels us to show similar love, honor, and care for the bodies of our fellow men, including when they die. We learn from the Lord to treat their bodies with respect and thus give them a decent, dignified burial. The Preschool/Kindergarten Informational Meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. There will be a coloring station to keep the children busy while you listen and learn about what we have to offer at Good Shepherd. Christians will certainly reject the practice of some pagans, who simply leave the bodies of the dead exposed outdoors so that they may be consumed by scavenging animals. Christians have historically rejected, and vigorously so, the practice of other pagans, who cremate the bodies of the dead. Neither practice shows the care and respect for the body we learn from God. Since our bodies belong to God, and they still belong to Him when we die, and since He so loves and cares for our bodies, we Christians best demonstrate godly love and respect, not by deliberately destroying the bodies of His people, but by following His lead and giving them an honorable burial. Following the meeting you will be able to visit the classrooms, visit with the staff, and have any questions answered that you may have; and, while you are getting to know the staff, the children can keep busy with fun and unique activities in each of the 4 Preschool classrooms and the Kindergarten classroom. March 5 ear ly dismissal. Pr eschool is out at 12:00, K8th out at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served. March 6 - no school. Teachers workshop. Christian burial honors not only the bodies of our loved ones who die in the Lord, but also the Lord Himself, who died and was buried for us, rose from the dead, and promises to raise us from our graves! As we treat the body with care and respect, and bury the body with the trusting expectation of the resurrection to glory, who show love and thanksgiving for our risen Savior. To Him be all the glory in life and in death! The GSLS Board will meet on Tuesday, Mar ch 17th at 6:30 p.m. Auction: Only ONE MONTH remains until March 21 and Good Shepherd's 9TH ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION, "A Fiesta for Ewe!" Stop by a SCRIP table, call the school --347-2020, or call Ann Fuelberth--347-9027 to purchase tickets. Some Live Auction, Silent Auction and Dinner Table Sponsorships are still available. Contact Ann Fuelberth or Faye Kesselmayer--346-0569 if you or your business is interested in supporting the auction through a sponsorship. - Pastor Bishop This week's highlighted items: Mrs. Ruder's Preschoolers are making a pinata, Mrs. Dobbelaire's 4th Graders have decorated two footstools, and Mrs. Spaeth's 5th Graders are painting a decorative sled! See our website: www.goodshepherdpekin.com for the complete list and photos of some of the wonderful dontions. Remember, it is not too late to make a donation of an item for bid! Christ is our Peace; the sins of YESTERDAY By His most precious blood are washed away. Christ is our Life; the trials of TODAY He bears for us who walked life’s toilsome way. Christ is our Hope; the FUTURE all unknown Is in His care who watches from the throne. April 3rd to the 12th is Spr ing Br eak. 7 The FELLOWSHIP CLUB oversees funeral dinners with assistance from Guild members. to Nathan Barth for your years of service in the Army. Nathan was discharged February 10, 2015. We also say thank you to all members of the Armed Forces who are serving at this time and those who have served . We welcome assistance from all church members. Contact Veva or Val if you could help with either veggies (for relish tray) or dessert INFORMATION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ON FOOD SUPPLIES Short-Term Food Supplies: Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long. The easiest way to develop a two-week stockpile is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves. Storage Tips: Keep food in a dry, cool spot—a dark area if possible. Keep food covered at all times. Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. Wrap cookies and crackers in plastic bags, and keep them in tight containers. Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw top jars, or air-tight cans to protect them from pests. Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or maker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front. Nutrition Tips: During and right after a disaster, it will be vital that you maintain your strength. So remember: Eat at last one well-balanced meal each day. Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day). Take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work. Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition. They will provide chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, relish tray, potato chips & dip, drinks & dessert. Contact Veva Martin at 346-3101 or Val Dobbelaire at 346-8903. If a full meal is requested, names of catering services will be made available. Suggested donation: $5 per person Price subject to change EWE’S TREASURES It’s CHANGEOVER TO SPRING MERCHANDISE time at Ewe’s Treasures. We are looking for volunteers to help out and would greatly appreciate your help. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th, and with much help, we should be able to complete the task by Noon. CHRISTIAN CIVIC OUTREACH Special needs: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Canned Meats, Fruit, Sheets, Curtains, Towels, Jeans both boy and men sizes. They reported helping 263 clients in January, 2015. OLD TELEVISION SETS: Best Buy i Peoria ill take your old tu e tele isio s if the s ree s are ” or s aller a d your lat s ree TVs if s ree is 50” or u der. Remember to change your clocks on Saturday, March 7th. Spring ahead one hour 8 On Saturday, March 28, Kristine will present a workshop for handbell ringers from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Trinity. Please RSVP to Dr. Martin Dicke at 309-6764609 x 207. UPCOMING EVENTS “Finding Spring Again” is a free educational grief seminar offered by UnityPoint-Methodist Hospice Services to persons experiencing the loss of a loved one. The seminar will take place Thursday, March 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Methodist Atrium Conference Room in Peoria. Please RSVP by March 10 to 309-672-5746. Illinois Central College Scholarship Application Information Over 600 scholarships are offered based on all kinds of factors...financial need, specific major, academic excellence, athletics, high school attended, or even ancestry! You only need to complete 1 application to be considered for every scholarship. Scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. April 1. For more information or to apply go to icc.edu/ scholarships and click on “All Scholarships” on the left side of the screen. Anyone with extenuating circumstances and requiring assistance to complete the online application should call 309/694-5324. by March 13, 2015. Easter Parade Style Show and Tea: Help Lutheran Women of Greater Peoria celebrate spring, and promote the Church Mouse, by attending our “Easter Parade” style show and tea at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1427 W. Lake Ave., Peoria. Models will show off some of the delightful spring styles available at The Church Mouse while everyone enjoys coffee, flavored teas, and “English Tea Room” type desserts. We’ll have door prizes, music, and items from the Church Mouse for sale, so please plan to join us for an enjoyable afternoon of food and fashion. Tick prices are $10 a person, $5.00 for children under 12. You can reserve your place by calling Marilyn Liescheidt, 346-0396, Pepper Bauer, 697-5762 ([email protected]) or Connie Trent, 246-3766 ([email protected]). Proceeds support Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. (Match funds applied for from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) LCMS Disaster Response Training: Hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, IL Saturday, April 18th 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration fee is $35 (made out to immanuel Lutheran Church). This includes: training manual, LCMS volunteer vest, and lunch. Topics that will be covered include: Christian Care in Times of Disaster A Ministry of Presence The LERT Program Introductions to Disaster Response At the Work Site a. Debris Clean Up b. Tarp and Patch c. Flood and Mud Clean Up d. Chainsaw Safety e. Necessary Paperwork Reservations need to be made by March 14th. Trinity Lutheran Church 135 NE Randolph Avenue Peoria, IL Trinity Concert Series pr esents The Story of Holy Week: An Easter Cantata for Handbells on Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. To begin our celebration of Holy Week, handbell soloist Kristine Stout (www.joybelltheater.com) returns to Peoria to perform her Easter Cantata. It is a one-of-a-kind work that tells the Greatest Story Ever Told, but through music only. It features favorite hymns like “All Glory Laud, Laud, and Honor,” “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” “Go to Dark Gethsemane,” “Were You There,” “Jesus Christ Has Risen Today,” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” as well as some original compositions. A very emotional and meaningful work it has touched the hearts of many. Information is on the bulletin board in the gym for Finding Spring Again, ICC Scholarship and LCMS Disaster Response Training. Registration forms on LCMS Disaster Response Training is in the church office. A free-will offering for this concert will be donated to the Mite Offerings of the Trinity Women in Mission. 9 Transferred To The Church Triumphant Cathy Jusi August , 55 Fe ruary , 0 5 10
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