Tidings july 2013

Sunday Worship 9 a.m.

Kids Worship 9:20 a.m.

VBS—At Trinity UM—July 21-25 Ice Cream Social—August 7 Our Mission Statement: “Bringing the Healing Love of Christ To Our Community for the Glory of God”

JULY 2013 Vol..105

St. John United Church of Christ is an open and affirming congregation who is welcoming and embracing of every person, of every race, age, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, as a child of God. We invite all to join and fully participate in the life and ministry of this church.

STAFF MINISTERS………………….…THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH SENIOR PASTOR……………………...……DONNLEY DUTCHER DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY / DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGIES………………………………..…KEVIN ECKERT YOUTH MINISTRY ASSISTANTS …………………………...JASMINE COLEMAN, LAURA MUENCH MINISTRY OF CHURCH LIFE & MEMBERSHIP…......PAM W ESSEL SECRETARY….…………………….………...BETTY DEMICHELE CHOIR DIRECTOR…………………….……….....GINA BERTRAM ORGANISTS……….….CAROLE BERTRAM & MARSHA ROBERTS NURSERY ATTENDANT…………………..……...LAURA MUENCH

OFFICE HOURS MONDAY– FRIDAY...…8:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.…&.1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.

Church (815) 235-2824

E-Mail: stjohn@comcast.net

www.stjohnuccfreeport.org 2

AS THE SPIRIT MOVES ME… (On vacation… next article in August issue.)

KIDS WORSHIP ROCKS!!!

So a few weeks ago I heard through the grape vine that people are talking about Kids Worship. It’s mostly positive I assure you. We did receive a volume complaint, LOL. Can you imagine God saying “Shhh, praise me quieter”. Yeah, me neither.

I can report that we have begun a new kid’s worship curriculum. Some of you have seem me in my king outfit the last few weeks. Our kid’s worship format now includes “acting”, music, bible verse memorization, videos and group object lessons. I’m really excited about the new format and material. The kids love it.

We are always looking for help with kid’s worship, so please sign up on the metal board in the narthex. This worship time is open to all ages so feel free to join us for worship anytime. I’ve heard people, on several occasions, express their desire to join us.

Anyone is welcome to worship with us, that includes you.

VBS right around the corner. Please spread the word. VBS will be hosted by Trinity UMC this year. We will have VBS on July 21st25th from 6-8pm.

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“FOR THE SAKE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR GOD”

Capital Campaign Drive OUR NEEDS: Our front patio and sidewalk need significant maintenance to minimize the chances of people tripping, slipping, falling and being injured. Our kitchen has been certified for food preparation, but is in need of improvements to serve kitchen workers, the public and us, well.

Our public use spaces of the fellowship hall, kitchen and narthex are in need of brighter, modern lighting, such as our recent experience with our Chapel Hearth Room.

We know, ourselves, that upkeep is necessary in our homes and businesses. Our church building is no different. All of these items involve 50+ years of use by 4 generations of countless people.

The need is real. A meeting of the congregation in March decided the time to address these needs is now.

OUR PURPOSE: To raise money for these four “brick and mortar” projects given priority by the congregation. This endeavor is not a future pledge but items that need to be accomplished in the next 3-6 months.

OUR VISION: This is the beginning of a two-phase legacy we will leave for future generations at St. John United Church of Christ, like the legacy of those who gave us this beautiful House of God, 50+ years ago.

This is the RIGHT time. WE are the right people. You are the Right PARTNERS to make it happen. TOGETHER, we can get it done before snow falls!

OUR GOAL: $69,660.00 COLLECTED TO DATE: $11,289.92 4

VBS Registration Form July 21st-July 25th 6:00 – 8:00PM At Trinity UMC

Please complete entire registration form Child’s Name____________________________________________________________

(Print) Parent/Guardian Name_____________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address _________________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers Home ___________ Cell ___________Work _____________

Age Information Date of birth_________________________________Age_________________________

Last school grade completed __________________________________________ OVER

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Home Church___________________________________________________________

Allergies/Medical Information/ Other_______________________________________________________

Emergency Contacts Name _______________________________Phone______________________________

Name _______________________________Phone______________________________

Dismissal Information Name(s) of person(s) who may pick up this child from VBS each day _____________________________________________________________________

WE NEED PARENTS TO HELP What area are you (parents) willing to help in __________________________________

Please bring a blank t-shirt so we can make it special for VBS. We will be adding iron-on logo’s to the t-shirt. Be sure your child’s t-shirt is labeled with last name.

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COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS St. John UCC has money available for college scholarships through the Kampmeier Endowment Fund, memorials and gifts designated for college scholarships. Persons who are active members, as defined by the church constitution, are invited to apply for an award. While we cannot specify the exact amount of the awards until all applications are received, applicants should anticipate some assistance with books and supplies, rather than a substantial grant.

Persons wishing to apply should pick up an application in the church office. Once completed, they should be returned to the church office in an envelope marked “College Scholarship�. You will also need to submit an acceptance letter or fall schedule from your school, plus a written paragraph or two, stating your intended course of study and what your career plans are once you have graduated from college. The deadline for application is July 15th.

ST JOHN UCC RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD Justice and Witness Ministries, a covenanted ministry of the United Church of Christ (UCC), has selected St. John UCC to receive one of the 2013 Justice Leadership Awards.

St. John UCC is receiving this prestigious award for our extraordinary efforts in ministering to the LBGT and NAMI communities. Presentation of the award will be given to Pastor Donnley Dutcher at the General Synod National Meeting June 28th, 2013, in Long Beach, California.

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MISSONS MINISTRY RED CAN SUNDAY We will be receiving monetary donations on July 7th, for the FACC emergency fund. $262.00 was collected in June.

FOOD FOR FACC In July our food item to collect is 250 cans of fruit. If you are looking for sales, our item for August will be diced tomatoes.

COOKING FOR FACC TRANSITIONAL HOUSING We have started cooking meals, with the nine men who live in FACC's transitional housing on Liberty Avenue. We will do this once a month on the 3rd Tuesday. We need volunteers to cook and also make desserts. Please see the sign-up sheet in the narthex to volunteer your hearts and hands to this missions ministry project.

UNDERWARE DRIVE There is a great need for new underwear for under privileged families in our community. We want to reach out to these families and let them know that St. John UCC cares for them and their children. We will be sponsoring an undergarment drive that will run during the month of July.

We will be working with Amity, whom will distribute the items on a need basis. Let’s help the children start school with new underwear this year. You can bring your packages of 8

children’s underwear, sizes 2 Toddler through size 16 to church and place them in the laundry baskets in the narthex.

Thank you for helping the children in our community.

FELLOWSHIP. O N G O I N G WAY S T O PA R T I C I PAT E I N THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH ICE CREAM SOCIAL

C . A . Ts

AUGUST 7- 4:307PM

(Caregivers And Toddlers)

Please join us for our play group geared for toddlers and the adults that care for them. We get together in St. John’s nursery Tuesday mornings 10-11am. On the Third Tuesday of the month we will be in Fellowship Hall to run and ride. Bring your friends, all are welcome. Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CATSPlayGroup? fref=ts

HELIX Honor, Engage, Listen, Include eXample MIDDLE SCHOOL Tuesdays (5th and 6th graders) 3-5pm Thursdays (7th and 8th graders) 3-5 pm 9

BIBLE STUDY We meet at 9 a.m. Wednesdays, in the Library. In July, we are discussing the book, Rummaging For God by Melannie Svoboda. All are welcome!

PING PONG We meet every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. The second week of the month on Tuesday. We would love to have more men & women join in on the fun!

CARD CLUB Join us for Euchre the first Monday of the month, in the Chapel Hearth. See you on July 1st.

RESOURCE GROUP Join us on Thursdays at 9 a.m. for coffee, treats, friendship, and to do volunteer work! We will assemble the Tidings on July 25th.

MEN’S GROUP We’re having a great time! Come join us! We’re not “holier than thou,” nor is all the talk just “God-talk.” It’s a wonderful blend of maleness, conversation, laughter, the spiritual and the unspiritual. Our next gathering is Saturday, July 6th at 8 am. We meet until about 9:30 a.m. Come check us out!

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Prism Lighthouse LGBTQ Ministry Group The LGBTQ support group will meet on July 27th at 6:30 pm.

This is a group for teens and adults that are Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual or those Questioning their sexual identity. This is also a safe group for allies, friends and family, of the LGBTQ community. Childcare is provided. .

SERVING Being a servant of the church is a great way to get to know fellow members. If you’re interested in serving please call the church office or speak with Pam Wessel .

COFFEE HOUR Before and after service we gather for coffee and treats in the Narthex area with room to mingle and socialize. If you would like to find a place to sit and talk there is plenty of room in the Chapel Hearth and Fellowship Hall is always open. Please, if your name is on the list (dates are assigned alphabetically by the directory) for this month, bring in a treat to share. Some ideas are... cookies, bars, mini muffins, bagels etc. or please consider bringing fruit to share. If you do not wish to be on the list for treats, please contact the office and we will remove you.

JULY—LAYCARE GIVERS—SETUP/SERVE 7/7– Dixie Marklund, Betty Mathews, Tom & Dianne Mathews, Carla Meyer, Keith & Katy Moffatt, Carolyn Moyer, Dorothy Ness

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AUGUST –TAU ALPHA—SETUP/SERVE 8//4—Tim & Angela Newkirk, Larry & Paula Nieman, Ray & Jeri Nieman, Ruth Olson, Ed & Connie Orde, Leland & Nancy Otte, Dwight & Diane Peterson, Royce & Jane Piefer

GREETERS July 7 – Betty Carpenter, Ruth Rockey July 14 – Clyde & Jeanne Cross July 21- Keith & Cherryl Hinrichs July 28 – Zael & Donna Klapp WELCOMERS July 7 – Royce & Janet Piefer July 14 – Stan & Carol Smith July 21 – Marilyn Ruthe & Shirley Ifert July 28 – Donna Ruthe & Mary Frazee

NURSERY July 7 – Jill Kuntz July 14 – Cherryl Hinrichs July 21 – Jeanne Cross July 28 – Marla Kreeger

USHERS 7/7—Ebbers Family, Jim Drew, Dennis Manus 7/14—John & Paula Rawleigh, Phil & Barb Copus, Mike Smith, Tom Priewe 7’21—Ray & Jeri Nieman, Tom & Melinda Ferguson, Wes & Joyce Robinson 12

7/28—Keith & Kathy Moffatt, Jane & Lyle Krug, Dana Underhill, Jeanne Koch

SHUT-INS: The following is a list of people that can’t get out and may love a visit or a card from those thinking of them.

Deloris Burkhalter at Oakley Courts Claire Biesemeier, Dorothy Miller and Laura Uthlaut at Parkview Nettie Hendren at Manor Court, Liberty Village June Nagel, Joyce Kaiser and Holly Genant at Stephenson Nursing Center Katherene Benson, Dorothy Fox at Provena Evelyn Dworak in Kewanee Provena In their homes are, Kathryn Cramer, Karen Salter, Vivian Pals, Esther Dickman, Maida Gimple, Shirley Durrstein, Harold Reints, and Charles & Ardath Lei

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Dear St John UCC: Thank you for making our work possible though your generosity of giving $250 to our greater Gulf Coast Community. For many, we are a refuge of authentic caring and compassionate response that they find in scarcely few other places. What we do matters . . .every day. At Back Bay Mission we pledge to always remember that poverty has a human face, and that every person we serve is first and foremost a precious child of God. We and those we serve—- remain forever grateful.

Peace and Grace, Rev. Shari Prestemon ************************************************************************ 13

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR PRAYERS PRAYER CHAIN: Kevin Davis, Layla, Deleanna Atz, Wesley, John Ness, Dan, Terry Nugent

DEATH— Nada Schiesser who passed away on May 28th.

Constance DeMik who passed away on June 11th.

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 6/2-100, 6/9-145, 6/17-145 The deadline for submitting articles in the August Tidings is July 9th.

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PRESIDENT Tim Ebbers VICE PRESIDENT Joyce Robinson S E C R E T AR Y Deb Hartman T R E AS U R E R Ulan Price C H R I S T I AN E D .

Marilyn Ruthe CHURCHGROWTH Deb Hartman FELLOWSHIP Jane Krug MISSIONS Dennis Manus PROPERTY M AN AG E M E N T Shan MacAdam S T AF F R E L AT I O N S Keith Hinrichs S TE W AR D S H I P Ulan Price WORSHIP Tim Ebbers BOLD TE AM

St. John UCC Council Minutes 6-10-13 Members present: Tim Ebbers, President, Deb Hartman, Keith Hinrichs, Jane Krug, Shan MacAdam, Dennis Manus, Ulan Price, Joyce Robinson, Marilyn Ruthe.

May Minutes: Previously approved via email.

Financial Report: Motion to approve as presented by Deb. 2nd by Shan. Motion carried.

Capital Campaign: A letter was recently sent out to Ministry/Council members asking their support for the Capital Campaign as leaders of the congregation. There will also be regular information in the monthly Tidings, Sunday bulletin and during Sunday service. The Capital Campaign Committee and Property Management Ministry will share this responsibility, alternating each week. This will balance the requests for consideration and support of the campaign and its progress with updates on the projects and information regarding any changes along the way. Shan will speak to this as Property Management representative on June 16 and Jeri Nieman (or other Capital Campaign representative) on June 23. Ministry chairs are responsible for reminding ministry members of the need for their support.

All are reminded to earmark their contribution “Capital Campaign� to be sure it goes into the correct fund.

Unity Fest: Very positive feedback from those who attended and through awareness of the event as a result of media coverage. Over 70 people were in attendance and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.

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CareerTec: CareerTec is making some changes in their classroom needs: In addition to the 3 classrooms they are already renting from us, they would like to expand by renting two more classrooms and use of our kitchen. It is their wish to have all their classrooms in one location. The culinary class hours would not conflict with St. John’s needs for the space. Their requirements would increase the cost of our projected renovation plans, but they already have grant money and have access to more. The extra rent generated by these changes would be significant. We would ask for a 3-5 year commitment from them in return. Marilyn made the motion to accept CareerTec’s proposal to use the two additional classrooms plus kitchen space for $450--$500 additional monthly rent.

Denny 2nd. Discussion followed. Motion carried. Property Management will oversee and coordinate the contracting of changes to the classrooms and kitchen. They will be meeting tomorrow with the Freeport School District chef and kitchen staff.

Stewardship Report: In examining the roles, there are a significant number of inactive members in terms of financial support, attendance and participation in the life of the church.

A letter, to be reviewed by Council, will be sent to these members. If they are in need of support due to the economy, health or other issues we want to reach out to them. A contact person/group will be included in the letter should they want to respond.

General Synod: Since Pastor Donnley and Sandy are attending on behalf of St. John UCC to accept an award, Tim made a motion to use $200 from the Janshen Fund to cover Pastor Donnley’s and Sandy’s registration expenses at the General Synod meeting. 2nd by Marilyn. Discussion followed, motion carried.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Shan, 2nd by Denny. Motion carried. Adjourned with Mizpah Benediction.

Respectfully submitted, Deb Hartman, Council Secretary

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT Beginning Balance January 1, 2013

$3,920.91

06/01 General Fund Beginning Balance

$3,429.06

06/03

GF Income

4,7424.50

06/10

GF Income

$4,468.73

Less 06/14

GF Payroll & Compensation

$5,583.29

06/14

GF Other Checks

$5.689.50

06/14

GF Current Bills Outstanding

06/14

Ending Balance

$269.00

$1,080.41

____________________________________________________ Beginning Balance January 1, 2013

$3,248.72

06/01 Building Fund Beginning Balance

$388.14

06/03

BD Income

$258.00

06/10

BD Income

$329.00

Less 06/14 BD checks

$482.60

06/14 Ending Balance

$492.54

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL August 7th Wednesday 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. $4 for piece of pie or cake, & ice cream and beverage $3 for Sandwich, chips, and pasta salad, and beverage Tickets are available in the church office, on Sunday mornings, or at the door. Watch the bulletin board to sign up to help in some way. If every able-bodied member participates by doing a little something, we won't have to call you! This is a good opportunity to get the whole church and community together for an evening of food and fellowship. This is a very successful event each year thanks to all of you who help.

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July Scripture Readings 01

Genesis 17.1-27

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Deuteronomy 6.1-25

02

Genesis 18.1-15

18

Deuteronomy 7.1-26

03

Genesis 21.1-21

19

Deuteronomy 8.1-20

04

Genesis 22.1-19

20

Deuteronomy 9.1-29

05

Genesis 24.1-33

21

Deuteronomy 10.1-22

06

Genesis 24.34-67

22

Deuteronomy 11.1-32

07

Exodus 20.1-26

23

Deuteronomy 12.1-28

08

Exodus 24.1-18

24

Deuteronomy 26.1-19

09

Exodus 31.1-18

25

Deuteronomy 28.1-14

10

Exodus 32.1-35

26

Deuteronomy 30.1-20

11

Exodus 33.1-23

27

Hebrews 1.1-2.4

12

Exodus 34.1-35

28

Hebrews 3.1-19

13

Deuteronomy 4.1-14

29

Hebrews 4..1-13

14

Deuteronomy 4.15-40

30

Hebrews 4.14-5.14

15

Deuteronomy 5.1-33

31

Hebrews 6.1-20

16

Deuteronomy 6.1-25 19

20

21

22

23

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