Lutheran life Pentecost II 2017 by Toni Denton

the congregational newsletter of

St John‘s Lutheran Church St John’s Lutheran Church

2017 PENTECOST II ISSUE

LUTHERAN LIFE

ear school kids (and teachers),

When I was in grade school, I sat at my little desk in the back left part of the room, near the door. My teacher -- I’ll call her Mrs. Bean -- was going over our work. My parents tell me I was right and left handed as a kid; did some things with my left, others with my right. They trained me to be right handed, mostly to make things easier. Left-handed people need different scissors, for instance, and they figured it would be simpler for me to use my right. Mostly, it’s worked well. but handwriting has always been difficult. Well, this particular day in Mrs. Bean’s class, I’d made a mistake. In handwriting, “J” and “G” look a lot alike. It’s just a question in which way you draw the circle. I got it backward, wrote “Gohn” instead of “John.” Mrs. Bean held up my paper and said, “I think John is gone today.” Gohn. I felt shamed. I don’t know if it’s connected, but I notice I gave up handwriting as soon as I learned to print, and I gave up printing as soon as I learned to type. Did you know the name John comes from the Hebrew word meaning, “God has shown favor?” My name means all of us are a gift from God! And yet, a thoughtless moment, or a mean one -- it’s hard to know sometimes why people say the things they do -- can make us think our name is GONE. In the Bible, Paul - one of the early leaders of the church - writes to the Galatians, “See what large letters I make when I’m writing in my own hand!” What he cares about so much that he’s writing in big letters is he wants people to know, we all are a gift from God! The message of Jesus is, God loves you. There’s nothing you have to do to make that happen. Whether you write your name “John” or “Gohn” or something

totally different — or whether you can write at all — God loves you. You are a gift from God. School is starting soon, and I want to make sure you know, you are a gift from God! Anyone who makes you think otherwise is making a mistake. That’s okay. People make mistakes. You will too. God loves you. Funny thing is, it turns out I’m a writer! I wrote songs for Country radio in the 90’s, and now I write songs for church — and sermons — and once a month, I write an article for the Shopper News. Recently, I bought myself a nice pen and a book on handwriting, and I’m getting pretty good at it. It’s never too late to remember you are a gift from God, to realize you want to learn something, and to do it Enjoy school, enjoy learning, remember you are a gift from God, and… treat others like they are a gift from God too. Love

UPCOMING EVENTS

St. John’s Lutheran Summer Cookout Sunday, August 20th after 11am worship Join us for a Congregation Church Picnic and Cook Out. The Church will be providing the meat and members of the congregation are asked to contribute sides. What should you bring??? Here’s your guide …. Families with last names A-M: Families with last names N-Z:

Sides (slaw, salads, veggies, chips, etc.) Desserts (cookies, cakes, pies, pudding, melons, etc.)

Please bring a chair or a picnic blanket and join us for a time of fellowship, food, and bobbing for apples!

fter a new roof, exterior waterproofing, interior plaster repair, painting, new lighting, and a new audio system, we are ready to put the finishing touches on our sanctuary and fireside room. With all the renovation and restoration, our eleven year old carpet needs replacing and the pew kneelers recovered to complete our makeover.

A Red Carpet Event Friday, September 15th at the home of Todd Richesin and Bobby Brown 10005 Casa Real Cove

Todd Richesin and Bobby Brown have invited members and friends of Saint John’s to consider making a $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight contribution to our Carpet Fund and share an evening at their home with good food, engaging conversation, and musical entertainment. Todd and Bobby are providing the tenderloin, the wine and beverages, the tables and chairs and an AMAZING home and yard for this extraordinary evening. TLC, (a tender loving cooking ministry of Saint John’s) will provide the sides and dessert. A Red Carpet Event will be held on Friday, September 15 at 10005 Casa Real Cove and there will be a limited number of tickets sold for this fund raiser. Sign up and purchase your tickets in the Saint John’s Welcome Center!

CHURCH NEWS

e continue to make progress with Saint John’s property and program development through our “Raising the Roof” Capital Campaign. In less than two years of this three year campaign, we have made significant property improvements and ministry investments which have been paid for through generous member contributions. The first priority was a new clay tile roof for our sanctuary which prepared the way for new plaster and painting on the interior of our worship space and the Fireside Room. New LED lighting in the sanctuary, new chandeliers and window lighting in the Fireside Room and wireless technology to control lighting in both spaces has given new life to our 104 year old facility. A new audio system for the sanctuary has also improved the sound quality of our worship and music ministry. Following the sanctuary improvements, we began to focus on the kitchen improvements. A revised kitchen floorplan created the space for a new commercial dishwasher, just in time for the June and July WOW Urban Mission Ministry. The new dishwasher was certainly put to good use as the weekly summer camp participants and staff enjoyed three meals a day. Over the next few months, we will begin the kitchen expansion and renovation.

Another immediate property project will be covering the window wells that surround the sanctuary. These wells, which once provided light for the basement area, are now constantly collecting trash and occasionally serving as an unsanitary sleeping place for homeless neighbors. To keep water away from our sanctuary foundation and to eliminate the trash and misuse of the window wells, coverings will be fabricated and installed in September before the fall rains and the winter weather begins. “Raising the Roof” has also given us the resources to expand our benevolence ministry in the community and make a $5,000 contribution to the Old Gray Cemetery capital campaign, “Trees, Trails and Tradition”. With our $700 Easter Sunrise offering, we have now contributed $5,700 as a gift and blessing to the whole community as new life is planned for Old Gray. A $10,000 gift of benevolence to the ELCA Southeastern Synod has also been appropriated to help move the Synod office from downtown Atlanta to Saint John’s Lutheran which is located just east of downtown Atlanta. This synodical support was designated to this cost saving project after consultation with Bishop Julian Gordy. Contributions to our Saint John’s Mission Endowment Fund continue to be invested for the future development of our programs and property. Establishing and growing this endowment is a “Raising the Roof” priority that has produced our current endowment balance of $________. Please consider including Saint John’s Mission Endowment Fund in your estate planning and future offerings. Thanks for your generous support for the “Raising the Roof” three year campaign which continues until November of 2018.

LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWS LIFE

ur beautiful sanctuary is on the National Register of Historic Places and is treasured by the entire Knoxville community. As members of Saint John’s, we are aware of our call to be good stewards of God’s building and grounds. We also have the experience to know about property overhead and maintenance that is often unpredictable and cannot always be covered by our operating budget. The St. John’s Lutheran Church Mission Outreach Endowment Fund was established to help meet unexpected expenditures and to provide for ministry needs in perpetuity for both our facility and also community mission outreach. We hope you will prayerfully consider becoming involved with our endowment fund. Find out how YOU can make a lasting investment through the many opportunities illustrated in our endowment fund brochures. The current fund value is $40,300 and our endowment goal is $1,000,000. Please see Tom McGalliard if you have questions. In our last newsletter, we introduced two new worship leaders at St. John’s. Judy McCarter has taken over the ordering of flowers for services, and Jackie Tucker has taken leadership as Altar Guild Coordinator. We are happy to introduce another new worship leader this newsletter. Sandy Cantrell has served for more than five years as the Usher Coordinator for St. John’s services. She has decided to continue as an usher, but has retired as its leader. Taking on the role of Usher Coordinator is Megan Venable. Megan worships at St. John’s with her husband Benny Smith and Benny’s daughter Ella Kate. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm to her new role and has already begun a relationship with Usher Team Leaders. Please welcome Megan to her new role! and thank Sandy for leading for the last five years!

LUTHERAN LIFE

...

hat Wednesday morning started out like any other morning at WOW: staff meeting, breakfast, and Bible study. We were considering the simple gift of community through the Gospel story of the four friends who brought a paralyzed buddy to Jesus … via the roof because the crowds were out of control. Following a History Channel clip re-enacting that meeting, everyone went to their various age-specific Bible study groups. Angie and I were with the adults. The conversation flowed effortlessly that day, with lots of thoughts about what it means to be engaged in our communities. With about five minutes left, I asked, “When was the last time you carried someone to Jesus?”

In spite of my internal dialogue, I had the wherewithal to ask, “Where do you work?” “Gatlinburg Fire and EMS,” Kevin replied. “Are you talking about a wreck last October?” I queried.

“The last time I carried someone to Jesus was a teenager out of the wreck in the river,” Kevin offered.

“Yes, teenager on the Spur, right after it began raining on a Friday morning,” he responded with an odd mixture of matterof-factness and obvious emotional connected.

[Side note #1: Kevin was one of five male chaperones who rotated throughout the week to support five male youth campers from First Presbyterian here in K-town. He was with us for less than twenty four hours that Wednesday.] [Side note #2: My initial internal reaction was, “Dude, you don’t get to throw around stories about kids being pulled from a river.” Thoughts of Will Trout’s serious car accident, complete with lifethreatening injuries—are still vividly fresh!] [Side note #3: My second thought was, “Is that guy wearing a Firefighter/EMS shirt?”]

Firefighter/EMS Kevin and Will Trout.

I countered, “Black Honda Accord?” “Yes, the utility crew stopped to move a branch on the road and noticed the car at the bottom of the ravine when they pitched it over,” Kevin said. “You are talking about our Will,” I exclaimed, “Our Will!” “I always wondered what happened to him. Typically, we see someone at an extrication; we patch them up as best we can and send them on. We never see them again, but he stuck with me,” Kevin offered.

LUTHERAN LIFE “You’ve been looking at him! He’s on staff with us!” I marveled. “At the church?” “No, at WOW! Hang on; let us find him. Let us introduce you two!” [Side note #4: Back to the internal dialogue, “Oh my goodness, God is showing off in the most amazing, goose-bump-inspiring, I-can’t-believe-this-moment way! I’ve got to call Laura and David (Will’s parents).] Will met his rescuer, saying, “I don’t really know what to say, but thank you. THANK YOU!” And Maddie, Will’s younger sister, communicated her gratitude with hugs, and maybe a few tears. It was both an amazing day and a typical day at WOW, with God doing what God does best: transforming lives in spectacular ways all because of Grace!

ocal breweries and craft beer joints are collaborating with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity to make a lasting difference in our community. The House that Beer Built is a fun and exciting series of events that brings the craft beer community together to build a home with a family in need of affordable housing. A safe and stable home is vital for the success of a family. Homeownership allows families to save more, invest in education, live in healthier environments and have more financial stability. It’s the foundation for success and a better future. Join us in crafting that future for a special family. The first of events held at breweries and taprooms across Knoxville begins at Bearden Beer Market on August 22nd. Events will take place through October, and the build begins on October 28th. For more details and a full list of events, visit beerbuilt.com.

LUTHERAN LIFE

Our Prayer

ecently, I got rights to Thomas Merton’s prayer (below), for a musical setting I’ve written. We’ve sung it at St. John’s, which was fine for testing to see if it worked to help us pray, but before I release it to the general public, it’s important to get legal clearance. It’s been a journey getting there, which is appropriate, given what the prayer is about. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are forever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. The music I wrote is simple, ten notes sung back and forth, from leader to everyone. But it changes keys every couple lines, and the pace of change doubles. What I tried to do though, is to make sure everyone has what they need when they need it (no later and no sooner) to sing their part. That way, the music provides an experience of what we’re praying about: being provided for, at the right time. Two years ago, I took Tyson House to the Abbey of Gethsemane in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton lived. There I met Brother Luke, the lead musician, who gave me information for Merton’s publisher. I sent an email, possibly a second one, didn’t hear back, and got caught up in life and ministry at home. Honestly, I got a little nervous about pursuing a national publishing deal once again, so I focused on more comfortable things: leading worship, counseling, writing reports, etc. Along the way, I lost the email, thought about contacting Br. Luke, but felt bad about taking so long, so again I focused on other things.

LUTHERAN LIFE A year later, I took students and interns to Gethsemane, and I saw Br. Luke in chapel. I thought about sending him a note — it’s a silent retreat, so notes get passed monk to monk to reach someone in the cloister — but I let it go. The last few minutes of the retreat, I’m in the refectory and who walks in but Br. Luke! I considered walking after him but didn’t, as it was a silent refectory. Then he came back, walking the other direction, and I went after him! I caught up in the silent garden, where I said, “Brother Luke, I met you a year ago, and you gave me information about getting rights to Merton’s prayer for a musical setting. Would you have a moment to talk?” It was a lot of words for a silent garden. He looked around, there was no one to be upset, and he signaled me to follow to his office. We ended up hitting it off, telling stories — he lived in Knoxville for a time — and trading songs, playing songs we’d written at his keyboard. He’s sent me a bunch of hymns he’s written, which we will likely sing at St. John’s, and I am about to send him some of mine, which the monks may enjoy singing. I had no idea so much joy would flow forth, just from asking a question. It turned out to be an answer to several unspoken prayers (desires of my heart, known to God better than I knew them myself): to have my songs out in the world again, to make friends with colleagues writing the church’s songs, and to pursue these goals in a way that’s harmonious with my role as a pastor. This all leads to a question: What are the unspoken prayers of your heart? What might help them sing (happen)? Is there a nervousness or uncertainty in the way? I encourage you to bring this before God — and possibly to a pastor — and stay open to the likelihood that God is ready to bless you, beyond what you can currently imagine. Pastor John Tirro

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. The date for the 2017 dedicated day of service is Sunday, Sept. 10. Mark your calendars today! . You work every day to make your community a better place. Let us continue doing this work together in 2017!

LUTHERAN LIFE

fter a summer break and lots of fellowship between worship services, the St. John’s family will gather for Faith Formation in August and September. Here are the specifics:

August

September

First Sunday Brunch and A Look Back on the Summer of 2017

“What I Did Over Summer Break: A Trip to Guatemala,” featuring Jim and Nancy Friedrich’s Reconnaissance Work for the Southeastern Synod

TBD

“What I Did over Summer Break: Win Our World (WOW) News”

Labor Day Weekend … No Faith Formation

Rally Day Brunch and Faith Formation Celebration

Faith Formation for All Ages including Rick Steve’s “Luther and the Reformation”

> Children will meet in the Kindergarten Room and then split into their age-specific classes; > Middle schoolers will meet at Remedy Coffee House with Elizabeth Gibson, Joe Ley, and Sam and Chelsea Pressley > High schoolers will meet in the Sharp Youth Room with Isaac Taylor.

TRACY REES SEARCH: ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN KNOXVILLE

LUTHERAN LIFE

MINISTRIES Wednesday, September 6, 2017 Lunch: Salad and Dessert Potluck Program: Susan Long, Executive Director of Knoxville Office on Aging, CAC. Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Lunch: German meal Program: Dr. Bob Bast—“Who was Martin Luther?” In celebration of the 500 year Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Wednesday, November 1, 2017 Lunch: Cole’s BBQ and Catering Program: Eddie Mannis will share the story of Honor Air Knoxville. Attention all Veterans. As we begin our 7th year, please join us for fellowship, laugher, prayer, a good program, and a delicious lunch. If you want to be on the e-mailing list, contact Mary Cole memecole@comcast.net. Hope to see you there. December TBD - River & Rail’s Production of “The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby”

January 21 - Student Care Package (Starbucks Gift Cards) in Welcome Center ere’s a look at upcoming events for St. John’s Women’s Ministries ….

August 25 - Sips and Strokes Paint Party in Sparks Fellowship Hall September 24 - Student Care Package (Reformation Theme) in the Welcome Center October 21 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at World’s Fair Park (Post-Race Brunch Welcome Center) October 29 - Trunk or Treat in St. John’s Back Parking Lot November 19 - Student Finals Care Package (Snacks & Encouraging Notes) in Welcome Ctr November 28 - Advent by Candlelight in Sparks Fellowship Hall

February 10 - FLOW: A Celebration of Creativity in Sparks Fellowship Hall March 2 & 3 - Spring Retreat at Tuckaleechee Retreat Center, Townsend, TN March-April TBD - Lenten Bible Study in Conference Room April 22 - Student Finals Care Package (Snacks and Encouraging Notes) in Welcome Center Also, there is a monthly “Mother’s Night Out” gathering being planned under Sarah Marriott’s leadership. Day and date will be announced! Marcia Power, Karen Bertollini, and Deanna Lloyd have agreed to join Pastor Amy to provide leadership and planning. We would love two or three more women to offer their leadership gifts. See anyone of these ladies for details!

MINISTRIES

ere’s a look at Youth events for the fall …

Sunday, August 6th Sixth Grade Welcome to the SJLC Youth Group Sunday, August 13th Lake Party Kick-Off at the O'Hatnick's lake house Sunday, September 17th Hike to House Mountain Sunday, October 14th Hayride at the Hudson home Sunday, November 11th and 12th All Tennessee Youth Gathering Sunday, November 19th Thanksgiving Dinner and Gratitude Project Sunday, December 17th Christmas Caroling at Guy B. Love Towers

Contact Youth Director Isaac Taylor at littleswimmerboy22@gmail.com for details about all the youth events coming up.

WE NEED YOU! Contact Rita in the church office about volunteering at St. John’s

or those of you who have not heard about the B.E.E.R. group, it stands for Brothers Engaged in Enriching Relationships. We meet every 4 weeks at new and fun places around town. Though we often find ourselves at places that serve beer, drinking beer is by no means required. We simply spend together, getting to know each other better, and maintaining a sense of community between us. Contact me at calebwarren@comcast.net for details on our next event.

LUTHERAN LIFE

in Our World (WOW) Urban Ministry by the Numbers …

> 307 participants, including guests, staff, and volunteers > 17 churches from South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Georgia > Mission Partners include Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM), KARM Thrift Store, Beardsley Farm, Global Seeds, Random Acts of Flowers, Serene Manor, Mobile Meals, Volunteer Ministry Center, Project Live, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Guy B. Love Towers, Ladies of Charity, Christenberry Elementary School, Minvilla Manor, and Water Wagon > 4800 ministry hours in the downtown Knoxville Community > 7 parties at World’s Fair Park > 7 staff and team lunches > 37 staff meetings > 35 worship services > 28 Bibles studies > 12 cases of poison ivy > 1 Team Appreciation Dinner > 1 Staff Dinner > Countless memories Blessings as described by the youth and adults who participated: “The best mission trip I have ever been on!” “I fight so hard to bring our kids to a week like this where we connect with our humanity. In a week such as this, we unveil the hidden truths of ordinary life and the face of truth of being one people, one world, created in one God who is breath, grace, and eternal life itself!” “Interacting with others at mission sites was wonderful, and I will carry that with me the rest of my life.” From Vicar Joanna Gragg at Redeemer in Columbia: “Thank you again for the ministry that you and all of the St. John’s disciples are going. I preached yesterday and used a lot of our week together to highlight how we are called to be neighbors and redefine our understanding of family.” “Doing Bible study with the kids at Wesley House” “The conversation I had with Dan at Global Seeds—it was like sitting at the feet of Jesus I learned to smile because I am loved.”

LUTHERAN LIFE 10 11 14 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Konnie Anderson Garry Menendez Geoff Kenney Deborah Sousa Turner Rogers Brady Hopkins Karalyne Ley David Jagels Marjorie Hansen Michael McWilliams David Cash Christopher Hegseth Deanna Lloyd Christine Oehler

16 17 18 19 20

Ann Crytser Marva Solt Bill Fogarty Nancy Wolfe Tom Wainner Lars Cooter Ryan Cooter Brandon Ladage Karen Robbins Sharon Stancher Ella Kate Smith Kim Shock Betty Kyle Mike Pursiful Katherine Perkinson Anna Brownlee Jackie Tucker Keith Beckwith Lisa Minton Madeleine Trout Loudon Rogers

21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 30 31

25 14

1 2 3

4 6 7 9 10 11 13

Tia Kalmon Norma Bradley Phyllis Collins Eunice Carlson Aubrey Metelka Nathanial Kimzey Linda Cash Josh Misenheimer Matthew Long Katherine Rutherford David Maples Sylvia Countess Keith Eichenberg Lynn Menendez Laura Cash Frank Metelka Gary Anderson Jean Smith Preston Fields

15 16 18 19 20 21

22 23 24

Odessa Clark Carolyn Ray Jessica Bocangel Morgan Hancock David Lynn Scott Rogers Linda McCollom Cami Brewer Sara Griswold Jennifer Rieger Isaac Griswold Simon Griswold Carter Wells Karen Wells Nolen Wells Cindy Krusenklaus Pam Lawhon Chuck Maland Grace Shattuck Peter Keyes Tim Schalk Peter Crowley

26 27 28 29

Ron Rimer Dexter LaBrooy Darrell Murrell Aaron Delgado Emilie Casey Lakiea Chapman Mary Eikenberry Jeanne Misenheimer David Trout Victoria Schwahn Mary Constantine Holden Giesecke Kay Burnette Olga Eisenhower August Warren Joaquin Bocangel Renee Busse Thomas Westphal

Lola Bocangel Mary Rimer Scott Schwahnn Shaunta Ray Benson Hopkins J.T. Maland Brittney Greene Don Hansen Emlyn Cobble Pam Shealy Lee Ley Louise Hegseth Daniel Boohe

ST. JOHNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LUTHERAN CHURCH 544 Broadway, NW Knoxville, TN 37917

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF Stephen Misenheimer Senior Pastor steve@sjlcknox.org Amy Figg Pastor of Faith Formation & Leadership Development amy@sjlcknox.org John Tirro Pastor of Campus Ministry John@sjlcknox.org Deborah Dunne-Sousa Minister of Music steve@sjlcknox.org

Phone:: 865.523.3330

Christopher Clay Ministry Coordinator & Director of Communications chris@sjlcknox.org

Isaac Taylor Youth Ministry Associate isaac@sjlcknox.org

Toni Denton Administrative Assistant toni@sjlcknox.org

Thea Peters0n Kids Hope USA Director Mary Elizabeth Petersen & Lisa Minton Nursery Assistants Lisa Foxwell Facility Staff facility@sjlcknox.org Darrell Murrell Facility Staff facility@sjlcknox.org

Fax: 865.524.7895 Email: INFO@sjlcknox.org Website: www.sjlcknox.org