A PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
LUTHERAN LIFE
The Lord God planted a garden… and there he put the man whom he had formed. ~Genesis 2:8~
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Faith Formation Kids Hope Opportunities (Re)forming Arts Initiative New Members
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PENTECOST GREEN “Why so much green? What’s with all the deep green?” A student asked recently, “Why so much green? What’s with all the deep green?” In our branch of the church (Lutheran) and several others (Episcopal, Catholic, maybe quite a lot more), we clothe our altars and pulpits, pastors and priests, in colors to reflect the spiritual season. The basic rhythm is this: preparation, big event, what comes after, and repeat. For the church, the two big events are God uniting with us in Jesus (Christmas) and God raising us to new life in him (Easter). In both cases, there’s a season after that reflects growth, hence, green. Right now, we’ve been covered in green for about nineteen weeks, and it’s got me thinking about my garden, which is a little overgrown at the moment, which in turn has me thinking about life, church, and the need to do a little weeding. In terms of my actual, physical garden, there’s one tomato vine still producing. It’s draped a branch over the fence, and friends driving by are taking bets whether it will ripen before giving out. Okra is towering, still popping with flowers and fruit. Basil — Greek, Italian, and Thai — is booming. There’s a huge stand of lemongrass, started as a tiny tuft, that I don’t know what to do with. And a pernicious weed, not sure the name of it, threatening to take over. Meanwhile, I have two flats of lettuce and greens that can still grow if they get in the ground. It’s time to dig in, make choices, and pull some plants so others can have soil, sun, and water to thrive. How’s the garden of your life going? If time is the garden, are there parts taking too much? Or needing more? Family, friends, pets, community, exercise, work, play, rest, prayer, and worship — how’s the balance? The very first account in scripture suggests we’re all on earth to be gardeners, made in the image of God the gardener. “When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up — for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground… the Lord God planted a garden… and there he put the man whom he had formed” (Genesis 2:5,8). Especially if life seems a bit much, might there be a little doom-scrolling or other obsessive behavior to pull up, to clear space for baking bread or calling a friend? Might there be other things that are good, so good in fact that they’ve overgrown your space, that might be better trimmed back a bit? Are there areas of your life that need rest for now, a chance to compost, renew, and open to new life to come? It’s the end of this particular growing season, but there’s still time for good growth, as well as preparing the way for growth to come. God is a good gardener, and you are made in God’s image.
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WORSHIP THEMES THROUGH OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
Pentecost, the long season running from mid-May to mid-November, is most often associated with growth; the color of green and parables set in nature and an invitation to faithful discipleship provide an appropriate context for MOST of the season. Think for a moment, though, about other colors that might round out this season of growth up to and through harvest: Red leaves signaling cooler temperatures and the “letting go” that come with autumn. Golden yellow of wheat harvested that will nourish lives around tables. Burnt orange streaking across the sky as days grow shorter. Earthy brown of fields reaped and lying fallow. Sowing and tending and nurturing give way to reaping and gathering and storing. There is a certain bittersweet feel to the conclusion of such a long liturgical season, and at the same time, a vibrant hope. With each plucking, there is both a “good enough for now” and a “letting go” of that which did not produce With each harvest, there is an appreciative gratitude and an acknowledgment of what withered on the vine. With each color change on tree and ground, things once viewed as fragile take on boldness in their final transformations. Shadows lengthen. Footsteps cause a crunch among fallen leaves. A chill in the air invites a return home for the days that will come. A poet writes: “A time of cherishing, and laying to rest. Held by a deeper turning, remembering the seeds we save.” How will that play out in worship? Sundays and Seasons helps us focus for our weekly services: At the heart of the gospel message is the mercy of Jesus: a merciful Messiah who is our blood ransom (Lectionary 29), a merciful healer and teacher who hears the begging of outsiders blinded by the world’s wisdom—including, ironically, the son of the famous Greek philosopher Timaeus (Lectionary 30). Mark’s narrative for autumn concludes with a Reformation-appropriate message of loving and sharing our whole lives with our neighbors in need (Lectionary 31), though it may be impossible not to observe the traditional Reformation gospel’s invitation to discipleship centered in the word (John 8:31-36). Reformation Day falls this year on Sunday, October 31. Additionally, we observe All Saints Sunday on November 7 and Christ the King Sunday on November 21. As the liturgical year winds down, how will we cherish? Lay to rest? How will we acknowledge time winding down for the growing season? Celebrate that which will grow again, starting first with hopeful expectancy of Advent which will greet us in a few short months? May this be a gentle time of reflection!
Festival Worship Sunday, October 31 Reformation Sunday Sunday, November 7 All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 21 Christ the King Sunday 3
FAITH FORMATION
This Fall we’re resuming Adult Faith Formation gatherings in the Fellowship Hall starting about 10:10. Our theme for the fall is “Faith Out Loud,” and we’ll be reflecting on and talking about our own experiences of God. Each Sunday we’ll focus on one topic, like a time when you experienced grace, a time when God’s people came through for you, a time when God felt very present, a time when God felt absent, a time of suffering when God made a difference, or your favorite passage in the Bible. Val Taylor facilitated in our first meeting on Sunday, September 19, focusing on the topic “God in Daily Life.” We’ll begin each session with the topic of the week and watch a ten-minute video in which several lay people of faith respond to that topic, after which we’ll discuss the videos and our own responses to the question of the week. This should be a good chance for us to reflect on our faith and experience of God, looking at the topic from a variety of angles. It will also give us a chance to connect with one another in relationship, something that’s been sometimes difficult to do during the pandemic. We’ll socially distance in a safe fashion in the Fellowship Hall with only small groups at each table. Except for First Sundays, we’ll meet every Sunday through November 24. (Advent begins the next Sunday.) For those who would like to participate but aren’t quite ready yet to get back in the Fellowship Hall, we’ll also hold a Zoom session, including showing the video of the week, on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Click on this link to connect to the Wednesday gathering: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89862559656?pwd=cGlDZE1rSmJHN3hRWW9vVlJkZ3RQdz09. It’s possible that we will shift the time to 6 p.m., because some of our facilitators are members of the choir, which will soon be resuming Wednesday practices at 7. Check your weekly emails from St. John’s to see what times the Wednesday meetings will begin.
Faith Formation for Children and Youth As we anticipate filling the new Faith Formation Director role, we are still hoping to support families as they consider creative ways to nurture faith in the home. Through October and November, the Faith Formation Team will provide what we are calling “playlists,” a weekly e-mail that engages the senses, alerts the mind, and invites the heart through creative options such as music, video, social media, journaling, doodling, cooking, reading, and art. Be looking for all of the cool options via a weekly e-mail!
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LUTHERAN LIFE FAITH FORMATION Stepping Stones of Faith for Preschoolers, Kindergartners and Elementary Age Children One of the things our St. John’s family has missed terribly during the COVID-19 pandemic is celebrating the gift of baptism in the lives of our children and youth. We are finding a creative way to honor our children with gifts and a home visit. On the Saturdays of November, Pastor Amy will schedule stops by the homes of those who would like to participate, complete with a fist bump and a gift bag. Here is how your child can participate: Parents of preschoolers, please consider a visit that will highlight the gift of prayer on Saturday, November 6. Parents of kindergartners, please consider a visit that will highlight the gift of family devotions on Saturday, November 13. Parents of early elementary students, please consider a visit that will highlight the gift of Bible reading on Saturday, November 20. If the little ones can’t come to church, we will bring the church to the little ones! Please check your e-mail for details! Confirmation continues as Pastor Amy and other faithful adults meet with fourteen—14!—teens to explore the baptismal promises made at the font, the Apostles’ Creed, Lutheran history, Lutheran theology, and the BIG questions of faith. Here are the specifics for the remainder of the school year: October 3 … Exploring Article One of the Apostles’ Creed October 24 … Creation November 7 … The Human Condition November 21 … An Introduction to The Ten Commandments January through March … Meeting with Mentors (either in person or online) Spring … Ten Commandments Retreat (either Lutheridge or SJLC) Please prayerfully consider the ways you can support these students!
T
he St. John’s Lutheran Knoxville Youtube channel streams our worship services live and archives them -- so you can re-visit a worship experience that moved you.. YOU’RE INVITED TO WORSHIP WITH US!
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KIDS HOPE
Sharing the Journey...
Helping the Children...
We at St John’s offer hope to elementary age students through the national program Kids Hope USA. This program is designed to pair one church, with one elementary school, one mentor and one student. All mentors are trained and vetted before they are matched with a student. The commitment is one hour a week, but often the time with the student is limited to their lunch time and maybe special areas time. Mentors are asked to come alongside a student, and be there for them to listen, guide and support them. In some cases, teachers will send class work or indicate an area of study the mentor might help with. The most important goal is a special relationship, with a caring adult, which helps a child in immeasurable ways.
Can you help provide new 30 one of our inner city schools?
At St. John’s, we have been blessed to be in relationship with Christenberry Elementary School since the fall of 2008. During those 13 years, we have had more than 50 members become mentors! Currently we are in need for mentors to revitalize our ministry to Christenberry students. If you would like to talk further about this possibility, please give me a call at 865-591-4803 or send me an email to thea@sjlcknox.org I look forward to talking with you!!!
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Caring for the Teachers and Staff… During COVID last year, community partners at Christenberry came together and committed to providing moral support for teachers and staff. Through the year, SJLC provided notes, coffee, donuts, apples and Life Savers (because each teacher is a life saver to a child). During October ,we are providing small Guatemalan Worry Dolls for each staff and teacher. These dolls were made in Guatemala, by indigenous women, and support the legend that children can tell their worries to the doll, put it under their pillow, and in the morning, their worries are gone! Don’t we all wish it was that simple to get rid of our worries? It is our hope, that with a bright little doll, the teachers and staff will remember we hold them up in our prayers every Sunday and totally support the fine work being done at Christenberry Elementary.
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(RE)FORMATION...
Reformation … Past
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...THROUGH ARTS AND MUSIC
(Re)formation … Present Lutherans traditionally love all things Reformation; from the color red to liturgical worship, from “95 Theses” to “Here I stand,” we look back with appreciation for Luther’s call to address spiritual abuse and invitation to experience the grace-filled, initiating love of God. Acknowledging our past keeps our spiritual heritage alive. But isn’t there more than just looking back? How does our reformation past shape our present, direct our future? During the month of October, the St. John’s family will invite all to consider (re)formation, an intentional look at how God is re-forming us, re-forming the church. The premise is simple: creative arts shape us, change us. Raw materials and inspiration and time and sweat and physical effort combine to bring about something new. And we see the world through transformed eyes; we engage in relationships with new insights. We are (re)formed. During the month of October, members of St. John’s will offer their creative gifts leading up to and during Sunday morning worship. You can anticipate the following: Prose Instrumental music Quilting Baking Photography
Vocal music Poetry Crocheting Doodling Film
Woodworking Cross-stitch Sketching Pen and ink Liturgical writing
Knitting Computer Design Painting Sculpting Stained glass
(Re)Formation … Future The future is up to us! How will we hold the gift of “being saved by grace through faith apart works of the Law” in balance with a call to reformation through social justice, racial reconciliation, and gender equity? “...it is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”
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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITES... Dear Participants of SAM (Senior Adult Ministry), I miss you all so much. I miss you smiles, your laughter, your words, and your hugs. I pray that you are well, and that you have had both of your shots. I want us to be together, but I want us to be safe. As a result the October 6, 2021, SAM gathering is canceled. I have talked with many of you; I have talked with Pastor Amy, and she has talked with Dr. Karen Wells who is the chairperson of St. John's Covid Committee. Everyone feels that canceling Oct. SAM is the right decision. With hope in our hearts, we pray that Wednesday, November 3, 2021 will be a better date to have a safe first time gathering of SAM since Covid changed our lives nineteen months ago. Some good news to share is that First Saturday Meals and Porch Visits will begin again October 2, 2021. Your invitation should arrive by mail. Please RSVP. I know that all of this is frustrating. I want to share a verse that I have on my bulletin board and read often: Remember, when you are most beside yourself, God is beside yourself, too! Hang in there. Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
God's peace and love,
Mary Cole
TENDERLOVINGCOOKING In June, we all had hoped that we could begin to gather again and that we were beginning to be able to interact together without masks. Then the delta variant occurred, and we have all become more cautious again. TLC has decided to resume our 1st Saturday Meal and Porch Visit on Saturday, October 2, 20021. We are fully aware that most folks do not NEED the food but we ALL so value the joy of friendship as we have a porch visit with each other. The yummy box lunch is just a bonus!! We have plans to do a 1st Saturday Meal and Porch visit in October, November, and December. If you would love a visit, if you would like to cook or deliver meals, please text or call Nancy Maland at 964-0851. TLC is also slowly beginning 1st Sunday Brunches. In September ,we served simple biscuits and sausage and sweet treats and enjoyed them in the church courtyard. We will do a simple brunch again on October 3 , and we will eat outdoors in the courtyard at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome!
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...WITHIN AND BEYOND THE WALLS OF ST. JOHN’S
Welcome…
...and Farewell
After several year of shared ministry with Judy Bacon and with the Church Council’s full endorsement, the St. John’s family began a new accounting relationship with Hines & Company in Bearden as of October 1. This well established company is familiar to St. John’s as both Tyson House and Win Our World (WOW) Urban Ministry are long-time clients.
On Monday, September 27, Chris Clay submitted his letter of resignation, indicating his years of ministry with St. John's had come to a close. We celebrate Chris' gifts and appreciate the intentional actions he took to hand things off in a collegial manner, minimizing disruption during this very significant time.
Tracy Price will be our primary contact.
If you would like to offer a word of thanks, please send note to Chris at 2861 Mossy Oaks Lane, Knoxville, TN 37921.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Church Council President Jessi Grieser at jessgrieser@gmail.com or Vice President Nancy Maland at .nkmaland@hotmail.com.
The Personnel Team continues to support the St. John's staff! We are using this time to evaluate the ministry needs here on Fifth and Broadway, boldly discerning God's dream with a new Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and five-year goals. Please stay tuned for updates and exciting opportunities! a
We look forward to celebrating Chris' next professional endeavors and artistic ventures!
One of the best places to connect with St John’s is our social media platforms. We are incredibly active on Facebook and Instagram – and we use these platforms to keep you informed, engaged and inspired! Check our platforms daily to get inspirational messages, interesting content about what’s happening in our local congregation all the way to the national Lutheran church. Search for “St. John’s Lutheran Knoxville” or “SJLCKNOX” on Facebook or Instagram and FOLLOW TODAY! And don’t forget to subscribe to St. John’s channel on YouTube! Tuning in for worship is easy as clicking a button!
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NEW MEMBERS
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NEW MEMBERS
Please join us in welcoming these new members who joined our church family on Sunday, September 12! We look forward to learning together and serving alongside one another. 13
RELATING TO THE SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD AND THE ELCA Welcome to the ELCA Southeastern Synod's Latinx Ministry Initiatives: En Conjunto. Together, we are engaging communities and congregations, equipping disciples and leaders, and empowering relationships for the development of Latinx Ministries in the Southeastern Synod. Introduction En conjunto, in Spanish, means altogether, as a group, together with and is used to describe how something is done communally. En Conjunto is the name for the Southeastern Synod Latinx Ministry Initiatives because we do this work that God has given us altogether and with one another. The initiatives that grow out of this ministry are always carried out with our Latinx siblings in Christ and neighbors. Through the various parts of this ministry we strive to worship and pray en conjunto, learn and teach en conjunto, serve and advocate en conjunto, engage, equip, and empower en conjunto, and grow and accompany en conjunto. En Conjunto, as a multifaceted, Spirit-led, intercultural initiative, began with the explicit intention to develop a sustainable strategy for Latinx ministry across the four states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee) of the Southeastern Synod over three years. The development and growth of Latinx ministries is contextual and may follow a variety of paths that lead the participants to achieving the goals and discerned ideal future. The Southeastern Synod has created a Strategic Initiative Fund with the funds made available through the holy closure of a predominantly Latino congregation. The addition of this funding with previously designated synodical funds for Latino ministry enable the creation of the Southeastern Synod´s Latino Ministry Strategy as well as making funds available to support emerging Latinx ministries and worshiping communities. If you have a question or an area of interest, please contact: enconjunto@elca-ses.org. We look forward to partnering with you and building sustainable networks for Latinx ministries across the Southeastern Synod!
WINE W
omen of St. John’s. WINE will meet Thursday, October 14, at 6:30 PM, at SJLC. We will mask; please bring an appetizer or sweet treat to share. Topic is to be determined! Please contact Kaye Bultemeier at kayebultemeier@gmail.com for more info.
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BEER
M
en of St. John’s, we aren't sure yet if we'll be having an October BEER meeting, because of COVID, but we regularly meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month. If you would like to be kept in the loop, please signup for our email list by contacting either Jordan Baker at jentolyn@gmail.com or Garry Menendez at menendez@utk.edu.
BIRTHDAYS
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Eric Krautner John Stancher Karen Hylton Vyvette Solt Chrystal Brewer Libby Stinnett Richard Bender Chris Wise Deaver Shattuck
Rowan Daugherty Susie Racek Nathan Wise Herta Olive Scarlett Lucia Thrasher Dani Warren Josie Whitehead Jonathan Freeman Terry Hamer Sarah Bast Ryan Click Linda Welch Emma Brooks Beck Hamstead Scott Krogmann Sarah Morgan Todd Richesin Jim Friedrich
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Bill Cathcart Amy Hamer Camille Wilson Diane Boxx Mary Sue Bjorklund David Hegseth Richard Hunley Scott Hamstead Casie Holt Bill Wing Thea Peterson Mason Bucklin Rosalind Bucklin Sharon Gamble Sarah Lowe Pat Krogmann
Sarah Holtz Monica Krogmann Joe Miller Lissa Lay Rivers Chapman Julie Sharp Linda Efteland Reid Zinser Preston Tucker Annie McDermott Barry Thompson Ryan Lee Lisa Johnson David Thomas Jennifer Roberts Bari Gerbig Barbara Teague Elisabeth Bernard Will Wing
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Will Trout Matthew Freeman Hailey Hamer Donna Foster Wilburn Howard Capito Helmut Busse Barbara Thompson Jon Efteland Chris McKerny Lee Metelka Pam Thompson Sydney Trujillo
Dreama Feezell Will Boyd Charlotte Miller Arlene McCarthy Andrea Menendez
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ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 544 Broadway, NW Knoxville, TN 37917
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Advent Save the Dates November 21 … Hanging of the Greens December 1 … Midweek Advent Worship December 8 … Midweek Advent Worship December 15 … Midweek Advent Worship
CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF Amy Figg Ley Senior Pastor amy@sjlcknox.org
John Tirro Pastor of Worship & Campus Ministry John@sjlcknox.org
Deborah Dunne-Sousa Minister of Music sousa@esknoxville.org
Toni Denton Administrative Assistant toni@sjlcknox.org
Darrell Murrell Facility Staff facility@sjlcknox.org
Phone: 865.523.3330
Thea Peterson Kids Hope USA Director Thea@sjlcknox.org
Mary Elizabeth Peterson Lisa Minton Nursery Assistants
Fax: 865.524.7895 Email: INFO@sjlcknox.org Website: www.sjlcknox.org