2018 Spring Lamplighter

LAMPLIGHTER

Spring 2018

Honoring God Through Excellence

by Pastor Joel Leyrer The following is a condensed version of the “State of the Parish” report presented at our annual Mission and Ministry Sunday this past January 28. The various Boards reflected on 2017 blessings and outlined 2018 goals and plans. For more information and the entire “State of the Parish” presentation, please visit www.sjtosa.org/ StateoftheParish.

The Executive Board and representatives from the Long-Range Planning Committee interviewed several architectural firms and selected Excel Engineering to develop a campus Master Site Plan. This plan will be shared with the congregation in spring through a series of information and listening sessions. Should the result of congregational input and feedback merit further interest for campus expansion, the Executive Board will arrange for a feasibility study to determine the potential for a capital campaign.

The Board of Elders focused on issues related to worship, recruiting additional ushers and providing continued opportunities for our many talented musicians to enhance our weekly worship services. To that end, organ is being used for Saturday evening communion services on a trial basis through May 2018. Another goal for early 2018 is the development of a more intentional church security plan. Look for more information on this plan in an upcoming Lamplighter article.

In response to a slight dip in enrollment compared to last year, the Board of Education formed a School Recruitment Committee to work alongside the Board of Outreach for the collaborative goal of creating greater community awareness of our school and childcare, especially the K4 program. The Board also provided oversight for several personnel changes in 2017, including 2nd and 5th grade teachers, childcare director, lunchroom staff, and classroom aides. Looking toward the future, the Board is exploring the possibility of offering STEM classes (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at St. John’s.

Since 2017 marked the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the Board of Discipleship offered a number of Reformation-themed Bible studies throughout the year. They also launched “By Scripture Alone,” a one-year Bible reading plan entering its second year in which over 125 St. John’s members are participating.

Moving forward, the Board is working to expand spiritual growth opportunities, including bringing back a small group Bible study on Sunday morning and sponsoring a third annual Men’s Worship in October 2018.

The Board of Outreach created a St. John’s presence at several Wauwatosa community events in 2017. This is a continued emphasis for 2018, with an additional goal of encouraging member outreach through community continued on page 2

P a s t o r ’s C o r n e r

Pastor’s Corner: The One Important Fact of Lent

by Pastor Joel Leyrer Did you know that the original period of Lent was 40 hours?

It was spent in fasting to commemorate the suffering of Jesus. Then it became 30 days, then 36 and finally, during the reign of Charlemagne, about A.D. 800, 40 days (corresponding Christ’s time in the wilderness) not including Sundays.

Did you know that the beginning date of Lent is determined by the date of Easter? In A.D. 325, the Council of Nicea determined that Easter would be observed on the first Sunday after the full moon which happens upon or next after the twenty first day of March.

Did you know that the earliest that Lent can begin is February 4 and the latest is March 10?

Did you know that the term “Lent” comes from the old English word for spring, “lenten,” and that the wearing of sackcloth and ashes is a custom going back to Old Testament times? Many Christians observe this custom on Ash Wednesday, using the ashes of the previous year’s burned Palm Sunday palms.

Did you know that the day before Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated in many parts of the

world with feasting? The French call it Mardi Gras; the Germans call it Fasching. The feasting comes from the custom of using up household fats prior to the 40 days of Lenten fasting when no fat is used.

These facts about Lent are interesting, but really not all that important. The one important fact is this: Christ suffered and died for the forgiveness of our sins. This fact is so simple, so familiar, so enormous that it is hard to grasp. That’s why Christians observe Lent—to set aside 40 days to think about Christ’s death and its meaning for our lives.

Lent gives us another chance to reflect upon the message of sin and grace, law and gospel, and its application for each of us. Through our personal and additional midweek devotions, it is our annual opportunity to single-mindedly review the full extent of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

We can live without knowing interesting facts about the origin of the season. But we cannot live—either joyfully now or eternally – without the One whose life and death Lent remembers. May God grant each of us a blessed, reflective and purposeful Lenten season.

continued from front page events and activities like the Christmas postcard challenge. On the flip side, the Board of Outreach is looking to bring prospects and new members into the St. John’s family by inviting them to more church and school events throughout the year.

A primary goal for the Board of Stewardship is exploring methods that give all members the opportunity to experience the joy of true Christian giving. This includes encouraging the use of EFT (electronic fund transfers) and other automated processes for receiving the gifts of our people, providing education on planned giving, and more fully utilizing the Time and Talents database.

Beginning in 2017 the Board of Properties no longer exists as a standing board but has been replaced by a part time position created to oversee the various and numerous facility needs of our campus. We are grateful to have Dan Schmal, recently retired from WLC, now serving as our Properties Coordinator. Among the many campus-wide projects addressed in 2017 was the

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Pastor’s Corner

replacement of a school rooftop heating/cooling unit.

Ongoing projects are also planned for 2018, including a building security assessment and close monitoring of our aging church boiler.

The Board of Finance presented a detailed report on the congregation’s financial status. Our current “We Give Thee But Thine Own” loan will mature in October 2018 and a new loan will be negotiated at that time.

Mission and Ministry Sunday always provides a wonderful opportunity to look back and look ahead. We look back on the accomplishments of the past year, always mindful that these accomplishments are only possible through God’s grace. We look ahead to plans for the future, always mindful that these plans can only go forward under God’s continued grace and guidance. 2018 provides us with another opportunity to honor God with excellence and offer profound gratefulness for all the blessings he has so graciously showered upon St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.

Board of Discipleship

Thank you to our St. John’s Volunteers On Sunday, January 28, St. John’s hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Night for all St. John’s volunteers. Photos and member thoughts are shared here from the night: It is a way of using my God-given gifts and abilities to give back to our church and school. It is very fulfilling.

—Julie Handeland Volunteering helps develop a relationship with the church. It becomes more than just sitting and listening, when you give of your time you grow closer to fellow members and feel connected to the church.—Kelly Kramer I volunteer because I love to help in any area possible.

I feel that I can use my time and abilities that God gave me to help out in the church.—Leslie Campbell

Volunteering is a great way to meet and develop friendships with SJT members and staff. Working side by side there is time to really get to know each other beside the quick greetings surrounding worship services and dropping kids off at school. There are so many opportunities to discover and develop the gifts and talents we’ve been given. Take some time to find something of interest to you and give volunteering a try!—Debbie Stamm I can’t believe that God allows me to do things in his Kingdom. I know he doesn’t need me, but he still prepares opportunities. I like the Luther quote on vocation, “God doesn’t need our good works, but our neighbor does.”

—Dan Ebeling I volunteer at St. John’s as an expression of my love for my Savior. I also feel it is a very good opportunity to serve my church family, much like I desire to lend a helping hand to my immediate family. I get much more than I give—it is heart-warming to be involved in a place that provides so much to me and my family.—Kip Willick

I volunteer as a means to give back and serve the Lord.

Volunteering at St. John’s affords me an opportunity to meet and engage with fellow members, pastors, and professors towards providing a rich and never-ending education in our Lord, through adult discipleship and Bible study.—Michael Skocir

To me, volunteering at St. John’s is not only a chance to interact with more members, it’s a natural extension of being a part of this church family. It provides a wonderful way to exercise God-given talents and to give back to the church as a whole.—Lezlie España “Because I love to serve!”—Pete Hansen

Volunteering is my chance to help in whichever part of St. John’s ministry I can. St. John’s is where I hear the word of God preached from Holy Scripture; the gospel message of salvation. There’s nothing more important than that, and my gratitude includes volunteering.—Jeff Quint

Zachary Wood

Michael Skocir

Brian Lampe

Mark Gaub

Andrew DeLonge

I volunteer because of the joy and satisfaction I receive knowing that, in some small way, I have helped to lighten someone else’s burden.—Gayle Totsky

Not pictured: Chris Jashinsky

Board of Discipleship

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Board of Education

School Events Boys and girls basketball, Childcare “snow day,” and K4 cookie baking

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Board of Education

Board of Education

Staff Spotlight: Dave Leyrer—Then and Now

by Jen Wolf When Dave Leyrer joined the teaching staff at St. John’s in 1995, he had no idea all of the changes that he would see over the next 20-some years. Starting with the old school building and what small green space there was to enjoy to a new school that is now equipped with a huge gymnasium that excites Dave Leyrer him as the athletic director, he also probably never guessed he’d be interviewed by a former student. “I remember social studies classes where we were studying maps and labeling them with colored pencils,” I remarked. “Our technology highlight was a video or overhead projector.”

“We didn’t even have E-mail for the school, and now we have online resources for our 8th grade algebra students that are so much better than even graphing calculators.”

—Dave Leyrer

by attending regional math conferences. “Math is changing for the better right now. That knowledge needs to get out,” he says. A lot of research and reading go into preparing for his students.

“I really like how Mr. Leyrer shows multiple methods to solve math equations so that we can determine which we understand the best. He also has us go back to problems we got wrong and fix them to make sure we understand the concepts better and know what we did wrong,” says 6th grader Madalyn Morin. “He feels that learning each concept very well is really important. He shows us how to use math in real life situations—and we enjoy his occasional stories,” says 7th grader Silas Ebeling.

In addition to teaching math, Dave has served as the athletic director for St. John’s since he came on board in 1995. He says that learning how to resolve issues and techniques from other school districts has been valuable in his role in athletics. It’s not all administration, though.

He loves all St. John’s athletics, but coaching basketball and track and field are his favorites.

When Dave isn’t at school, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, especially taking camping and fishing trips during summers. “When the kids were little we camped in a tent, but we’ve grown out of that. I’d like to take the kids back to the campgrounds in Michigan where I stayed as a kid.”

Dave started as 5th-6th grade catechism teacher and has now transitioned to 6th-8th grade math teacher. We reminisced about the love-hate relationship we had with the old school. While the green space was nice to have, it’s also great to have a gym where you can actually play a full game of basketball without bumping into the wall or serve a volleyball without hitting the ceiling.

Pete Stauffer

Troy Schulz

Jon Phillips

Kerry Kuehn

Adam Greggs

Although many teachers can get stuck in a rut or in the groove of “we’ve always done it this way,” Dave has found new ways to invigorate his teaching style, especially

Board of Education

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Board of Elders

Growing in Grace and Knowledge

by Kristi Meyer

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out” (Proverbs 18:15). Martin Luther’s commitment to Christian education can be seen today in the church that bears his name. Through exceptional training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Martin Luther College, our WELS pastors and teachers are well-prepared to shepherd a congregation or step in front of a classroom from the moment they receive their assignments on Call Day. And yet, all this excellent education would quickly atrophy if learning stopped with the receiving of one’s diploma. Like Luther, St. John’s recognizes the importance of continuing education for its called workers and allocates budgetary funds accordingly.

For Miss Mandy Treder, being able to formally continue her education is an incredible blessing. “Professional development is good stewardship of the calling the Lord has entrusted to me, that I learn all I can and then apply it to the ministry,” she says. After teaching for several years, Miss Treder earned a masters degree in music.

She continues to take classes, study professional resources, and participate annually in conferences and workshops with the goal of continued growth.

“I find joy in taking new ideas and applying them in the classroom.”—Mandy Treder

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Board of Elders

It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day busyness of serving as a called worker. Continuing education allows Miss Treder to step back and refocus on the big picture. “Continuing education encourages me and keeps me focused on the task of sharing God’s Word with his people, whether through music or in the classroom,” she says. Pastor Kyle Bitter shares these sentiments. “It’s not that the day-to-day work isn’t mentally stimulating,” he says, “but it’s nice to take a class that pushes you to think a little harder or in a deeper way.”

For the past several years, Pastor Bitter has been taking classes through Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with the goal of obtaining a second masters degree. “The Seminary has a program that is designed to fit with a regular ministry schedule,” says Pastor Bitter. “It’s easy to fit it into a regular day without having to take dedicated time off from ministry.” These classes have provided Pastor Bitter with a growth in his calling that goes beyond simply years of experience. “It’s good to be academically challenged,” he says. “It makes you better at what you do.”

As with any church, deciding on fiscal priorities is always a challenge for St. John’s. But for our called workers, money dedicated to continuing education is money well spent. “It is a wonderful blessing to serve in a congregation that places an emphasis on continuing education,” says Miss Treder. “Called workers feel that support financially— and through the prayers and encouraging words of congregation members—and it spurs them on in their work.” Please do keep all of our called workers in your prayers and encourage them as they strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Savior. And when you have time, ask them how their continuing education is going.

They’d love to tell you about it!

Board of Elders

New Symbolism in Worship

by Pastor Kyle Bitter Old and New Testaments. The cross stands in the background of the hymns and songs of praise. The cross serves as the foundation for the sermon. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the cornerstone of the Christian faith: the only reason to worship. When worship concludes, the same scene reverses itself. The cross and candles recess as God’s people joyfully follow the Savior out of the church and into the world, where once again the cross and the accompanying good news of sins forgiven change hearts and lives.

The church is awash in the soft glow of Christmas lights.

Candles flicker quietly on the ends of the pews. Excitement fills the air as God’s people prepare to celebrate Christmas.

Bells announce that worship is about to begin. As the first notes of the opening hymn sound, the congregation rises and turns toward the back door of the church.

Voices blend in song, eyes follow, and cross and candles process, slowly carried down the aisle, right through the middle of God’s people, up to the chancel. This cross does not resemble the instrument of torture it originally was. No body hangs on it. It’s plated with shiny metals and decorated with beautiful ornamentation.

The symbolism is clear. Worship happens when God’s people gather together around the good news found at the cross of Christ. The cross connects the Scripture readings, showing Christ throughout the pages of the

Memorials In Memory of Robert Bradish From John Frailing (debt/building fund) and Delores Schmeling (Lau/Tuition Fund) In Memory of Angie & John Ailey From Bruce & Kary Ailey (specified gift) In Memory of Forrest Hackbarth (Keith’s father) From Lee Abraham (debt/building fund) In Memory of Erna Bahr From Paul Schoeneck (to be designated) In Memory of Alida Feind From Louise Saylor and Thomas & Loris Gabel (to be designated)

The scene described here happens at St. John’s on Christmas Eve during the Service of Lessons and Carols.

Processing and recessing with a cross and candles may not be familiar to all worshippers, but beginning and ending worship in this way has been a part of Christian tradition and history since the fourth century. The cross reminds worshippers that the only reason for worshipping is found at Jesus’ cross, and the candles serve to draw attention to the cross and what it symbolizes.

In past years, St. John’s borrowed a cross and candles from Wisconsin Lutheran College for Christmas worship, but this past year our congregation obtained our own set for more regular use in some Festival worship services.

When you see a worship service that starts with a cross procession, pause for a minute to reflect on the symbolism behind such a simple action. Listen to your Savior speak through his Word, and then follow him out into the world.

In Memory of Zhouzhao Zhang From Cal & Lynn Kozlowski, Dean & Shirley Smith, Bill Wu & Renee Tian, Michael & Marlene Cox, Sue Johanning, Barbara Weihing, Janet Hollatz, Louise Saylor, Delores Baumann, and Greg & Carla Martin (to be designated) In Memory of John Ellenberger From Sue Johanning, Barbara Weihing, Louise Saylor, Delores Baumann, Mark & Susan Naumann, Dan & Lori Meiers, Ed Herwig, Drex & Charlotte Hansen, Dorothy Felsing, Friends in Fellowship, and Arlene Baumann (to be designated) In Memory of Lawrence & Adelia Birmingham From Ernest & Darleen Tarmann (debt reduction) In Memory of Robert Hahn From Annette Birkholz (debt reduction)

Board of Elders

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Board of Elders

Worship in Lent: Jesus Carries Our Cross February 14 – Guilt (Ash Wednesday) February 18 – Temptation February 25 – Selfishness March 4 – Reason March 11 – Faith March 18 – Pride March 25 – Glory (Palm Sunday) March 29 – By Sacrifice (Maundy Thursday) March 30 – To the Cross (Good Friday)

Easter Season Jesus Lives April 1 – To Drive Away Fear (Easter Sunday) April 8 – To Bring Peace April 15 – To Work Through His Word April 22 – To Be Our Good Shepherd April 29 – To Produce Fruit in Our Lives May 6 – To Change the World Through Us May 10 – To Rule All Things (Ascension) May 13 – To Intercede for His People

Midweek Lent Services: Jesus Christ Is Our Great High Priest Wednesdays at 3:30 & 6:45 p.m.

February 21 – Our Compassionate High Priest February 28 – He Makes Us Priests March 7 – Our Perfect High Priest March 14 – Our Self-Sacrificing High Priest March 21 – He Serves at a Great Altar

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Board of Elders

Jes Mariscal

Mark Maurice

David Close

NEW MEMBERS

BY TRANSFER Sara Boldt from Grace, Milwaukee, WI Dave & Karee Hahm and Haydn, Bennett & Hudson from Beautiful Savior, Marietta, GA Lindsay Knight from David’s Star, Jackson, WI Matthew Knight from Good Shepherd, Jackson, WI Amanda Otto and Micah from Siloah, Milwaukee, WI Matthew & Renee Pastorek and Evan, Dylan & Mikayla from St. Paul’s, Fort Atkinson, WI Mark & Monika Robinson from Atonement, Milwaukee Helen Albrecht from Risen Savior, Milwaukee Eric & Melissa Sipe and Elijah & Brody from Crown of Life, Hubertus Scott & Jennifer Hanson and William & Eden from Fairview, Milwaukee Ryan Lussky from Peace Lutheran (ELS), North Mankato, MN

MEMBERS LEAVING

BY TRANSFER Ben & Kiara Ristow to St. John’s, New Ulm, MN Nathan Boehmke to Victory of the Lamb, Franklin, WI Andrew & Jessica Smith to St. Paul’s, Muskego, WI Anthony Smith to St. Paul’s, Muskego, WI

Pastoral Acts ASLEEP IN THE LORD Alida Feind John Ellenberger Zhaozhou Zhang Gladys Wilke Jonnelle Bukowski

November 21, November 21, November 28, January 6, January 15,

2017 2017 2017 2018 2018

BAPTISMS Finley David Carlson Ethan Matthew Wittig Nolan Daniel McGrath Eleanor Alma Dodd Cecelia Beth Werner

December 9, December 10, December 31, January 13, January 28,

2017 2017 2017 2018 2018

John Peterman

Membership Changes

Jesus Lives

Adam Sipe

Worship Opportunities