2021 Spring Lamplighter

LAMPLIGHTER Spring 2021

An Unchanging Mission in Unpredictable Times

by Pastor Joel Leyrer By now we have either exhausted or overworked all possible words and phrases in our attempt to describe the year 2020. We all agree it was challenging. And while there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, 2021 began with the same set of uncertainties that characterized the majority of 2020.

Nevertheless, the work of God’s church goes on. Gospel ministry will adapt to changing circumstances, but it will not yield to them. With that in mind, this past year St. John’s made – and going forward will continue to make – the necessary adjustments to carry out our dual mission of nurturing God’s people and reaching out to others with the soul-saving message of Jesus Christ.

On January 24, we observed our annually designated Mission and Ministry Sunday. In a special “State of the Parish” presentation between services, each Board informed the congregation of various blessings the Lord allowed them to accomplish in the past year as well as goals for the coming year.

In 2020, the Executive Board expanded our green space with the purchase and demolition of the Walters’ house at the top of the hill on Dewey Avenue. A goal for 2021 is to address and assess the potential our two Dewey Avenue properties could have on future church parking needs, perhaps by coming to some sort of mutually beneficial arrangement with Aurora.

The Board of Elders worked to adapt to the many COVID-related realities of the past year, particularly as related to worship, communion, and corporate Bible study. An intentional post-COVID re-integration process for returning to in-person worship and Bible study is a priority for the Board of Elders in 2021, as is strengthening our outreach to and relationships with inactive St. John’s members.

The Board of Education oversaw several changes and transitions in our school ministry, most notably the onboarding of a new principal and the restructuring of the preschool and childcare programs to our new Early Learning Center. The ongoing goal of school improvement will continue in 2021 as recommendations from the WELSSA school accreditation committee are addressed and implemented.

The Board of Discipleship continued its mission of encouraging St. John’s members to regularly be in God’s Word. At-home Sunday School materials and “By Scripture Alone” (our daily Bible reading program) enabled members to maintain their devotional life even when in-person Bible study attendance was not possible.

Through a return to corporate Bible study and filling of Board vacancies, the Board of Discipleship hopes to get people back together around God’s Word as soon as possible. continued on page 4 . . .

Pastor’s Corner

The Necessity of a Devotional Life

by Pastor Eric Schroeder give clearer instruction than that for those of us who want to grow? Likewise, Peter makes this comparison: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation . . .” (1 Peter 2:2).

Like a baby wants milk, that’s how much our souls long to be fed by God’s Word – so feed them!

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

Have you ever wished that your faith was stronger? . . . or that you could fight temptation better? . . . or that you knew the Bible better and could answer life’s questions in a more confident way?

Here’s the thing: you won’t find any Bible passages encouraging us to wish for any of those. What we do see is the reminder that our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). That doesn’t sound like a warning that we ought to consider only once a week.

Do you remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil?

Perhaps the three main challenges come to mind: turn stones into bread, throw yourself down from the temple and the angels will catch you, bow down and worship me and all the kingdoms of the earth will be given to you.

But do you also remember how Jesus fought off Satan?

Not with lightning bolts or an angelic army, but with the perfect Scripture passage for each test: “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” “do not put the Lord your God to the test,” and “worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matthew 4:1-11). This is one of those instances where Jesus serves not only as our savior and substitute, but also as a model for us to follow when the lion is lurking nearby.

As for a stronger faith, God’s Word is our main growth tool, according to his power and promise. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Could God

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Pastor’s Corner

I’ve never seen a mature Christian and come to the conclusion that it happened automatically. However, I have seen the result of a lifetime of growth through time in God’s Word, accompanied by prayer. I’ve seen the strength that God provides carry people through difficult circumstances. I’ve seen the wisdom of God’s Word guide decision-making. I’ve seen the love of God hold a family together through thick and thin. I’ve seen the eagerness of those who share the good news of Jesus every chance they get. I’d love to see the same in your life.

If it’s going to happen at all, it’s going to happen as God works through his word—just as he promises to do.

If you are interested in finding ways to make God’s Word a bigger part of your life than it already is, please reach out to your pastors. We’d love to help.

Memorials In Memory of Angie Lynn & John Ailey From Bruce & Kary Ailey (school gifts & memorials) In Memory of Henry Bahr From Paul Schoeneck (undesignated) In Memory of Lillian Gerlach From Peter & Lorrie Hansen, Cal & Lynn Kozlowski, Allen & Lori Greschner, Gerald & Janet Bergemann, Michael & Marlene Cox, Mark & Sue Naumann, Barbara Weihing, Jeffrey & Karen Sitz, Joel Gerlach, Louise Saylor, Arlene Baumann, Janet Hollatz, Bruce & Kary Ailey, Delores Baumann, John & Kristine Schapekahm, Greg & Carla Martin, Robert & Jo Ann Schoeneck Lavonne Brown, Sue Johanning, Daniel & Mary Schmal (new hymnal project), and Paula Rauth (choir music) In Memory of John Bergquist From Barbara Bergquist (debt reduction) In Memory of John Goebel (Julie Handeland’s father) From Thomas & Loris Gabel (undesignated) In Memory of Dorothy Felsing From Jeffrey & Karen Sitz (new hymnal project)

Board of Elders

Proclaiming the Truths of God’s Word in Song

by Pastor Kyle Bitter

The Lutheran church has long been known as the “singing” church, and rightly so. Martin Luther himself was a hymn writer and a staunch advocate for singing and worship.

Luther has been famously quoted as saying, “I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.”

Not surprisingly, singing remains a huge part of Lutheran worship today. For most worshipers, the fondest memories of singing in church might revolve around singing favorite hymns on Sunday morning.

How are hymns chosen for a worship service?

Here are a few thoughts . . .

With the occasional exception of special liturgies, worship services almost always start with a hymn.

One might look at this opening hymn as a “gathering” hymn. People are settling into their seats. Perhaps they’ve paged through the service folder and looked at what’s planned for the worship service. Maybe some even remember the theme for the weekend shared in Thursday’s email preview. The opening hymn seeks to pull all these pieces together. Often it’s a longer hymn with a familiar text and melody that allows worshipers to gather for worship, perhaps singing well-known words partly from memory as they settle in and start thinking about the themes of the service.

Just before the sermon, the congregation sings the “Hymn of the Day.” One might call this hymn the “teaching hymn” because of its unique place in the service. The Hymn of the Day usually contains the deepest theological text of the hymns in the service and is intended to give

the congregation the chance to proclaim in song major themes from the Gospel that was read just a few minutes earlier. The Hymn of the Day does not always have the easiest tune to sing, but the text is always deep and rich with a clear emphasis on the theme of the day.

During the second half of the service, the congregation again joins their voices to sing the sermon hymn. On communion weekends, this hymn may be paired with several other similar hymns during the distribution of the Lord’s Supper. One might think of these sermon/ distribution hymns as “reflective” hymns. In these hymns, worshipers reflect on what they heard the pastor preach in the sermon by proclaiming some of the same truths in song themselves, but usually in a simpler, more poetic way than in the Hymn of the Day. Often sermon/distribution hymns are congregational favorites; sometimes they are new hymns that could become favorites. In either case, however, the goal is a thought-provoking text paired with a tune that is memorable and easy to sing.

Finally, the worship service concludes in the same way it opened: with the singing of one last hymn. The closing hymn might be thought of as a “summary” hymn that highlights a quick restatement of the theme of the day.

Usually it is paired with a familiar tune that will continue to run through the heads of worshipers as they leave, bringing key words and phrases along with it.

The Lutheran church has been blessed with a tremendous treasury of beautiful hymns – old and new – that powerfully proclaim the truths of God’s Word. May God continue to bless us as we proclaim his word by singing these musical treasures!

Board of Elders

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Board of Education

School Events School spirit “Crazy Day” dress ups

. . . continued from front page Although the Board of Outreach had to cancel many of its yearly events and activities, some contact with our community was still able to be maintained.

Neighborhood leaf raking and a Christmas outreach campaign reached many of our neighbors, and the Board of Outreach hopes to build on this familiarity and name recognition in 2021 with focused and targeted advertising of our new Early Learning Center.

The Board of Stewardship implemented the “10 for 10” WELS stewardship program, an initiative intended to instruct and encourage God’s people on the biblical principle of first-fruit percentage giving as well as the joy and satisfaction that accompanies putting this principle into action. The Board of Stewardship will continue to assist our members with all aspects of stewardship in 2021, especially as related to estate planning and serving on various Boards and committees.

Our Properties Coordinator oversaw a series of COVID-related improvements in 2020, the big-ticket item being the installation of air purifiers in all church and school HVAC systems. Improvements in 2021 include updating our church and school technology, with an emphasis on updating and enhancing the equipment used to broadcast our worship services and Sunday morning Bible studies.

A post-service video presentation entitled “St. John’s Spotlight” debuted in 2020 as a way for our Communications Coordinator to highlight the various aspects of gospel ministry that regularly take place at St. John’s but may remain unseen by many. A continuing goal is to regularly and intentionally find ways to share Board news and activities with our congregation so all our members will be better informed of leadership plans and priorities and also have the opportunity to get involved as time and interests allow.

Thank you to the members and friends of St. John’s for their sympathy, encouragement, and memorial gifts at the time of Lil’s departure for heaven the day after Christmas.

The family of Joel Gerlach 4

Board of Education

“Be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

What Paul told Timothy applies to all of God’s people: ministry preparation and appropriately necessary adjustments are both our privilege and responsibility.

Pray that God give us a special measure of insight, ingenuity, and adaptability as we carry out our unchanging mission in these currently unpredictable times.

For more information and the entire “State of the Parish” presentation, visit www.sjtosa.org/StateoftheParish.

Board of Education

A More Personal and Intentional Choice

by Ethan Rindfleisch

The importance of having a Christian support system is unparalleled.

Personally, mine consists of people that I went to WELS schools with as well as new friends made through the campus ministry and Christian groups on campus like Cru. When temptations and peer pressure test my faith, I know I can rely on this constant group of Christian people.

Ethan Rindfleisch is planning to graduate from UW-LaCrosse in 2023 with a double major in Public Health and French.

My Christian journey started the moment I was born.

I grew up in a WELS family, attended St. John’s, and went to Wisconsin Lutheran High School. After that, I decided to continue my education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Transitioning to college is no easy feat. First, there’s a whole slew of things most high schoolers never had to worry about before: extensive packing lists for your dorm, buying textbooks, getting along with your roommate, navigating the different buildings your classes are in, figuring out how the meal plan works . . . the list goes on.

One of the most striking challenges, however, is adjusting to the new environment. Being brought up in the faith taught me how to defend it and helped me stay grounded during major changes in my life, such as the transition to a public university. Still, these changes were overwhelming at first.

The opening ceremony didn’t start with a prayer, Christian theology classes weren’t mandatory, there wasn’t a chapel on campus. It didn’t take long to realize that being Christian, and specifically WELS Lutheran, was not the norm and that it would be more challenging to find a community of Christian friends.

While this support system is important, it is made of sinful human beings who also sometimes fail. The most vital lesson I’ve learned is the importance of taking ownership of my own faith. At college, there are no parents forcing you to go to church or teachers making you go to chapel. Worshipping God becomes a much more personal and intentional choice. Developing that 1-on-1 relationship with God through prayer has bolstered my faith immensely. He is an unwavering, steadfast anchor that I can always turn to “in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks” (cf. M. Luther’s Second Commandment).

By committing to this personal relationship with God, every day has become an opportunity to witness for Christ. I have Buddhist professors, atheist coworkers, and Muslim classmates.

I interact with so many people each day who don’t have the same life-giving faith — but instead of distancing myself from them, Ethan participated in numerous I live out my faith as mission trips with St. John’s and an active part of their Wisconsin Lutheran lives, allowing the Holy High School.

Spirit to do its work.

Having a WELS upbringing has prepared me to face the challenges presented by public universities, to keep my faith strong, and to be a witness to everyone in my life.

Board of Education Casey Holtz, chair

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Kerry Kuehn

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Jon Phillips

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Troy Schulz

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Dan Young

Board of Education

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Church Council

Our Modern-Day Printing Press

by Kristi Meyer “New cameras in the sanctuary will provide more reliable views that can be adjusted, including clearer and brighter images,” says Properties Coordinator Dan Schmal. “The new cameras in the Fellowship Hall will allow us to pan and zoom for better, non-distorted views of the presenter.”

Technology. Love it or hate it, it’s likely become a much larger part of your life over the past year. Although technology can be frustrating at times, it’s also been an incredible blessing. Life isn’t back to normal, but technology allows us to work and maintain contact with others during the pandemic in a way that wouldn’t have been possible even ten years ago.

Similarly, technology at St. John’s – specifically, the technology used to broadcast our worship services and Bible studies – allows us to continue our Gospel ministry and maintain contact with those who aren’t able to be with us in person. As Pastor Joel Leyrer explains, technology is no longer something that is nice to have but not necessary. “Media today is the equivalent of the printing press in Luther’s day,” he says, “and that seemed to work out pretty well as a way of making the Gospel available.” It isn’t an overstatement to say that technology helps us to fulfill our Great Commission calling (Matthew 28:19) by proclaiming God’s Word outside the four walls of St. John’s.

Unfortunately, our current church video cameras and projector are failing. Installed nine years ago, this equipment has reached the end of its life span and is no longer reliable for broadcasting worship services and showing after-service videos. In addition, anyone who has watched Bible study online knows that the Fellowship Hall cameras do not provide a good viewing experience. Viewers can see and hear the presenter – but not always very well – and comments from Bible study participants can’t be heard at all.

To address this situation, the Church Council has approved moving forward with technology upgrades – upgrades that will be most obvious to online viewers.

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Church Council

For in-person attendees, the biggest change will be the addition of two video screens on the walls in the front of church (similar to the location of the current drop-down screen). The architecture of St. John’s will be carefully considered in the placement of these screens, and they will offer a major improvement for school chapel devotions, presentations from guest speakers, and after-service videos like the WELS Connection and St. John’s Spotlight. During worship services, the screens will be used to display liturgical art – art that, according to Pastor Kyle Bitter, “could be envisioned as the 21st-century version of the visual art we already use in worship, such as banners and stained-glass windows.”

These technology upgrades will be completed over the next several months, with all updates hopefully finished by summer. Our fire alarm system will also be updated to replace failing smoke and heat detectors. The approximate cost for this project is significant – approximately $20,000 – but “the message that we proclaim is worthy of the best medium available to proclaim it,” says Pastor Leyrer. “It would be hard to defend ourselves as ‘Great-Commission’ congregation if we didn’t make this a priority.”

WHAT’S NEXT? Please consider supporting this much-needed initiative with your offerings, and watch for more information coming soon on how to give.

Most importantly, keep our Gospel ministry in your prayers as we continually strive to proclaim the good news of Jesus in the best way we possibly can.

Communications Committee

Telling Our St. John’s Stories

by Kristi Meyer There’s something compelling about a good story.

Whether it’s a page-turning biography or a friend’s engaging account of their most recent vacation, a well-told story sucks you in. People you’ve never met and places you’ve never visited suddenly become real, and you want to hear more.

It may sound odd, but I consider storytelling to be one of the primary aspects of my job as Communications Coordinator. From brief News & Notes blurbs to full-length Lamplighter articles, from announcements of upcoming events to recaps of past happenings, from the written word to pictures to video – all of these various mediums come together to tell the story of the gospel ministry happening at St. John’s.

Here’s the issue, though – I don’t know all of the stories.

I’m certainly well-informed, and I know about many of the things happening at church and school. But I don’t know about everything – and if I don’t know about an aspect of our ministry, I can’t tell its story.

So . . . this article is really a request for you. Are you hosting an event at St. John’s? Fill out an Event Registration Form at www.sjtosa.org/eventregistration so that we can properly publicize your event. Did you take pictures at your event? Let me know, and I’ll get them posted on our website or on social media. Do you have an idea for a Facebook post or a Lamplighter article? Send it my way, and I’ll do my best to include it.

There are so many amazing things happening at St. John’s, and I consider it my privilege to share these incredible stories — both with our members and with the community around us. But I can’t do that without your help.

Contact Kristi Meyer at kristi.meyer@sjtosa.org or talk to her in person so that St. John’s knows what is going on in your corner of ministry.

Let us tell your story!

“Good Things” at St. John’s Three Good Things That Will Happen

1. We will once again walk with our Savior to the cross and celebrate his resurrection during the seasons of Lent and Easter. What a blessing to be able to come together in worship after the cancellations of 2020!

2. Mrs. Naomi Stein, one of our preschool teachers, will retire from the teaching ministry. We are thankful for Mrs. Stein’s years of service at St. John’s, and we wish her God’s richest blessings in her retirement!

3. Enrollment for our new Early Learning Center will continue. Please help us spread the word about our new program opportunities: K2, K3, and K4, with half- and full-day options. Visit www.sjtosa.org/elc for more information.

Two Good Things That Happened

1. We kicked off another year of By Scripture Alone, our daily Bible reading initiative. Now in its fifth year, this program reaches over 100 people by e-mail each week and many more on Facebook. We hope to resume our discussion forums in 2021 – watch for more information coming soon.

2. We held our annual Mission & Ministry Sunday.

Check out the cover article to see highlights from each of our Boards from 2020 and their plans for 2021. We continue to give thanks for the gospel ministry being carried out at St. John’s!

One Good Thing That You Might Not Know About 1. The new WELS hymnal will be released in time for Advent. Featuring both new and familiar hymns and liturgies, this hymnal will continue to use the time-tested rhythms of worship to bring God’s people together around his Word.

Visit www.christianworship.com for more information.

Communications Committee

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Board of Elders

Worship Opportunities

Membership Changes

Jesus Carries Our Cross

February 17 – Guilt (Ash Wednesday)

February 21 – Temptation

February 28 – Suffering

March 7 – Perfect Obedience

March 14 – Punishment

March 21 – Judgment

March 28 – Glory (Palm Sunday)

April 1 – Blood of the Covenant (Maundy Thursday)

April 2 – Death (Good Friday)

NEW MEMBERS

BY TRANSFER Allison Bovee from Trinity, Bay City, MI Jason & Elizabeth Weinrich, Sloane & Liv from St. Marcus, Milwaukee, WI Tiffany Vitangcol, Sydney, Abby & Tyler from Fairview, Milwaukee, WI MEMBERS LEAVING

BY TRANSFER Brianne Hansen to Shepherd of the Hills, West Bend, WI Matthew & Sara Flister to Christ, Big Bend, WI Donna Karolewicz, Delaney & Tristan to St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc, WI Klay & Lisa Knueppel to Grace, Milwaukee, WI Joshua Knueppel to Grace, Milwaukee, WI Kurt & Nicky Schapekahm, Finley & Hayes to Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin, WI

Midweek Lent Services: The Hands of the Passion Wednesdays, February 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 24

at 3:30 & 6:45 p.m.

RELEASED BY REQUEST Stacy Bartsch, Reagan, Vivian & William Inga Ornburg Gunnar Ornburg Mark & Ingrid Zitzer, Rune

Pastoral Acts Easter Season Our Redeemer Lives! He Lives . . .

April 4 – To Heal Brokenness (Easter Sunday)

April 11 – To Bring Peace

April 18 – To Work Through His Word

April 25 – To Be Our Good Shepherd

May 2 – To Produce Fruit in Our Lives

May 9 – To Change the World Through Us

May 13 – To Rule All Things (Ascension)

May 16 – To Intercede for His People

BAPTISMS Ezra James Leverence Alicia Myalina Cruz Ivy Airianna Cruz Everly Marie Johnston Mason Joel Radue

November 9, November 29, November 29, December 13, December 20,

MARRIAGE Joseph Eick & Anne Reinhardt

December 12, 2020

ASLEEP IN THE LORD Henry Bahr Lillian Gerlach

December 9, 2020 December 26, 2020

Board of Elders Greg Martin, chair

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Bill Braun

Board of Elders

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David Close

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Terry Paul

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John Peterman

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Brian Treichel

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