LAMPLIGHTER
Summer 2016
Chinese Ministry: New Ways to Nurture by Dan Ebeling
In 2015, St. John’s celebrated 10 years of Pastor Yu serving its Chinese ministry. One aspect of this ministry is Saturday evening worship in Mandarin Chinese followed by fellowship at St. John’s Lutheran School. Lately, however, it has become clear that the Lord is guiding and blessing another aspect of Chinese ministry: education of international students. Three students from China are currently in 8th grade at St. John’s. Henry Zhang and Carria Wu started in fall. They were joined by Elsie Yu in the spring semester. As in previous years, these students reside with St. John’s host families. Several current and former host parents recently met to discuss joys, challenges, and advice. Each student and each family is unique, but the veterans had solid applicable advice. Parenting a teenager comes with joys and challenges. And adding in a new culture and different family dynamics takes these joys and challenges to a new level. Loving and treating a host child as your own child is a good guide. Your new family member is navigating a completely new environment while trying to make new friends and relying on a second language. There are many different situations that require everyone to adapt. Communicating mutual expectations early on lays a good foundation. With St. John’s continuing to educate international students, an International Student Task Force was formed to oversee the process. This task force is comprised of the pastors, the school principal, the Board of Education chairman, and a member of the Board of Outreach.
The task force began by articulating international student ministry goals. The program: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
is Great-Commission based and serves as Gospel outreach to international students and their parents, provides cultural and educational experience for both international and St. John’s students, prepares international students for further Lutheran education (high school) as a continued path for outreach and/or discipleship, maximizes the gifts of our Chinese Outreach Pastor, including recruiting students, Bible instruction in Mandarin, and serving as a resource to international students and parents, and is financially self-sustaining and may provide an additional revenue stream to support existing ministry.
On the basis of approximately five years of international student experience, it appears that the Lord is allowing these goals to be achieved. As a congregation, we want to continue to plan for this ministry and have the best growth opportunities for all the students and support faculty. The task force proposed that three 8th grade Chinese students is optimum. Full year enrollment is preferred, and having host families is an important component of this ministry. God continues to bless St. John’s with new ways to do outreach and nurture, and this work will have ripple effects throughout the world.
Pa s t o r ’s C o r n e r
Being a Christian in Our Congregation: Part IV—Where Do I Fit? by Pastor Eric Schroeder Mark Twain once said that the two most important days in your life are the day that you were born and the day that you find out why. Recognizing one’s purpose in life is powerful knowledge. Purpose gives us direction. It moves, motivates, and empowers us to be productive. In the last installation, we were reminded that each of us is a part of something bigger: every one of us is a member of the Body of Christ. This installment urges us to a sanctified self-examination seeking to identify where we fit within that Body. God’s Word makes it clear that in the Christian Church, each one of us is uniquely gifted to serve God and the people around us. At the same time, our gifts vary widely. One such listing of spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12:6-8. We have different gifts, according to the grace
What did God make you good at? You aren’t being too proud if you answer that question. We all ought to recognize that God has equipped each of us, his children, to live in a way that delights and honors him, serves our neighbor, and shows evidence of the saving faith we have been given. If you know what your gifts are, then seek out ways to use them in love. If you aren’t sure yet what your gifts are, ask someone you trust and respect, and they will help you identify your unique God-given purpose in life and in the church. Once you see what God made you good at, follow 1 Peter 4:10: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Memorials
In Memory of Michael Schmal (Dan’s brother) From Dan & Mary Schmal (for Lau Tuition Assistance)
In Memory of Dolores Hahn From Annette Birkholz (for debt reduction)
In Memory of Marie Sprengeler From Dorothy Felsing (for Lau Tuition Assistance), Arlene Baumann, Drex & Charlotte Hansen, Delores Baumann Louise Saylor (to be designated), Gerald & Janet Bergemann, Barbara Weihing (for St. John’s school), Barbara Bergquist, Janet Hollatz (for playground equipment)
In Memory of Martha Ellenberger From John Ellenberger (for general fund), Dan & Lori Meiers (to be designated) In Memory of Barbara Rumler (family friend) From Curt & Mary Henne (to be designated) In Memory of Helen Bigelow From Susan Freedlund, Michael & Susan Schneider, Betty Seidel, Gerald & Janet Bergemann (to be designated) I
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given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. For a similar—but not identical—list, take a look at 1 Corinthians 12.
Pa s t o r ’s C o r n e r
In Memory of Irene Lawrenz (Mary Schmal’s mother) From Lee Abraham (for Third Thursday Organ Concerts) In Memory of Rev Ernie Lehninger From Cal & Lynn Kozlowski (for organ music fund) In Memory of Marie Sprengeler From Shirley Osgood (for Lau Tutition Assistance)
Board of Outreach
by Kristi Meyer
“Follow the evidence wherever it leads.” This ancient approach from Socrates to determine truth is exemplified in the movie Risen. Charged by Pontius Pilate to find the body of Jesus the Nazarene, the Roman tribute Clavius follows the evidence in first-century Israel. Should we embark on that journey with him? First, a short synopsis. Clavius initially sees Jesus at his crucifixion, just another in a long line of Roman crucifixions. But when Jesus’ body goes missing three days later, Pontius Pilate calls on Clavius to find the body, before Jesus’ disciples spread the word—and the hope—that he has risen. “We must find a body,” says Pilate. “Without a corpse to pronounce him dead, we have to proclaim him Messiah.”
Brian Graf
Derek Campbell
Clavius searches through decomposing corpses, interviews witnesses, and leaves no stone unturned. His search is fruitless until a week later, when he discovers the disciples—and Jesus—in the upper room. When Jesus vanishes, Clavius’ search changes. He is now trying to find more than a body: “I have seen two things I cannot reconcile: a man dead without question, and that man alive again. I pursue him to ferret the truth.”
This journey to find the truth takes Clavius to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After overcoming mutual distrust, he travels with the disciples and hears their stories of following Jesus. Ultimately, Jesus also appears to Clavius and calls him to leave everything and follow him. In general, the movie is relatively faithful to the Biblical story. “[The filmmakers] did their research and paid close attention to the details the Bible does give,” says Pastor Kyle Bitter. The use of Clavius, a non-Biblical figure, allows the movie to extrapolate Biblical events. “Having a person who is one removed from someone we know can be helpful in telling the story,” says Pastor Bitter. Although Risen is faithful to Biblical events, it is not an overtly spiritual movie. This point resonated throughout the post-movie discussion held at St. John’s on March 12. “It was a crime scene investigation movie, not a spiritual movie,” said one participant. Pastor Bitter sees that as an observation, not necessarily a criticism. “Could they have made it more blatantly spiritual? Maybe. But I don’t know that the story suffered from that.” Overall, Risen is a well-done Biblical movie which is worth your time. It provides a new and fresh perspective on post-Easter events. It does not fully explain Jesus’ person, work, or mission. But it does create an opening for religious conversations and discussions. Clavius sums it up well—for him and for us—when he says, “I believe. I can never be the same.” Easter means everything.
Brett Taylor
Does Risen Rise to the Occasion?
Not pictured: Shem Biebert Dan Ebeling Board of Outreach
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Board of Education
2016 8th Grade Confirmation Class
Back row: Pastor Kyle Bitter, Pastor Joel Leyrer, Marlie Campbell, Megan Strautmann, Oliver Nehmer, Victor Robbins, Ethan Chasco, Julia Treichel, Pastor Schroeder Middle row: Elijah Gauger, Hannah Denk, Chloe Todor, Lilly Gantner, Elizabeth Farley, Zach Baltutis Front row: Garrett Doan, Jacob Leyrer, Rayana Hoene, Hailey Rhyner, Nathaniel Doan Not shown: Titus Kostrzewa
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Board of Education
Adam Greggs
Not pictured: Pete Stauffer Dan Westfahl
Kevin Festerling
Zachary Baltutis (WLHS), Marie Beckman (WLHS), Noah Bertotto (Tosa East), Marlie Campbell (WLHS), Ethan Chasco (WLHS), Hannah Denk (WLHS), Garrett Doan (WLHS), Nate Doan (WLHS), Elizabeth Farley (WLHS), Lilly Gantner (WLHS), Eli Gauger (Brookfield East), Rayana Hoene (WLHS), Titus Kostrzewa (homeschool), Jacob Leyrer (Luther Prep), Oliver Nehmer (Brookfield East), Hailey Rhyner (WLHS), Victor Robbins (Luther Prep), Megan Strautmann (WLHS), Chloe Todor (WLHS), Julia Treichel (WLHS), Carria Wu (Luther Prep), Elsie Yu (Luther Prep), Henry Zhang (Luther Prep)
Graduating High School Seniors Lizzy Balistreri (Tosa East), AJ Baltutis (WLHS), Ryan Conaway (Brookfield Central), Joe Eick (WLHS), Clare Johnson (WLHS), Drew Konkol (WLHS), Elizabeth Mariscal (WLHS), Caitlin Raasch (WLHS), Michael Rouse (WLHS), Evan Willick (Luther Prep)
Troy Schulz
Graduating 8th Grade Class
Board of Education
School Events
Seminary Scurry, Muffins with Mom, Donuts with Dad, 8th Grade Confirmation communion, K5 farm trip, Discovery Day, school p lay
Board of Education
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Executive Board
Long Range Planning Update
by Jon Johnson
In September 2014, the Executive Board commissioned a Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) to study the facility needs of St. John’s. The main goal was to develop a preliminary site plan to address whether land acquisition was needed for facilities and building enhancements. This site plan confirmed that expansion of our school, church offices, narthex, and parking could be achieved without the purchase of neighboring properties. In the two years since the findings of the LRPC were presented to the congregation, additional topics such as continued school growth, debt reduction, and long term facility repairs have been identified. The blessings and challenges our thriving congregation currently faces remind us of historically bold and sacrificial steps taken by St. John’s to carry out the ministry envisioned in our Mission-Vision document. Most recently, our school building was dedicated in 2003. It is now on the verge of exceeding its designed capacity. In light of our past facility improvements and blessings, the Executive Board continues to prayerfully consider how St. John’s may best proceed in carrying out the kingdom work God has entrusted to us.
To be effective and responsible stewards of God’s blessings, the next logical step in the process is the exploration of a major capital fund appeal. Over the next several months, the Executive Board will collaborate with leaders from the Board of Stewardship and the LRPC. This collaboration will prioritize the previously identified facility enhancements and outline a plan for a capital fund campaign. The costs and logistics of hiring a fund raising consultant to help with this endeavor will also be explored. (Those who were here in 2001-03 may remember that we used a fund raising consultant for the school building project.) As with all major decisions of this size and scope, the results of these exploratory efforts will be presented in future news publications and open forum meetings. Any decisions to move forward with these plans will be decided by the congregation at Voters’ Meetings. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon St. John’s Lutheran Church and School.
Daniel was a prophet, but the Hebrew Bible doesn’t place him among the prophets. Daniel was a ruler, but his story is not included among Israel’s kings. Daniel was a sage, but he is not lined up next to Solomon, Job or David. Daniel is a believer’s story at an incredible time when God’s people had lost everything. The book of Daniel is only twelve chapters long, but it contains some of the most dearly loved, mysterious, and awesome stories in all of Scripture.
Summer 2016 Pathways The Book Of Daniel June 5 to August 28
Our class will be interactive, open for questions, applied to modern times, and—above all—focused on God’s amazing grace in a godless world.
with John C. Lawrenz (retired pastor, professor and world missionary)
Not pictured: Jeff Quint
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Executive Board
Pastor Yu
Pastor Schroeder
Pastor Leyrer
Pastor Bitter
Scott Uecker
Brian Treichel
Larry Totsky
Michael Henning
Bill Dittman
Pa s t o r a l S t a f f
Board of Discipleship
After decades of faithful use and countless yards of clear packing tape strategically applied as temporary bookbinding, we are retiring our pew Bibles. The new pew Bibles will be in the pews around the middle of June. This replacement project is actually long overdue. We’ve been talking about it for the last several years. But we’ve held off until now for a reason we want you to be aware of. The particular translation we have used and will continue to use for all our Scripture readings in church is the New International Version as published in 1984 (NIV84). The old pew Bibles were the same version. Because we still have limited access to using portions of it for worship purposes, we will continue to print out
St. John’s Library is Only a Click Away by Dan Schmal
Our church library is a tremendous resource, and it just became even more accessible. The complete St. John’s church library—including over 1,300 books and audio and video recordings—is now online. Members of St. John’s can view and search everything in the library from any computer, tablet, or smart phone. To get started, go to www.sjtosa.org/library and click the link to browse the library online.
Brian Lampe
Mark Gaub
Andrew DeLonge
When you first arrive at the library browsing page, all items will be shown in alphabetical order. You can quickly jump through the items by clicking on the letters of the alphabet at the top. There is also a search engine for you to find specific resources in the library. Type in a key word or two in the search bar at the top of the library home page and you will quickly see what is in the library. For example, if you would like to see what the library has
the Scripture lessons as they are found in NIV84. But now if you choose to follow the reading from the new pew Bibles, you may notice a slight difference. That’s because Zondervan, the Publishing House that prints the NIV, no longer is making NIV84 available in book form. This new version (NIV2011) is similar to NIV84, but it includes some updated language and phraseology. Far more important than stylistic differences, however, is the fact that both translations convey the same meaning. Over the last few years you may have heard or read articles about the strengths and weaknesses of various Bible translations. Your pastoral team spent considerable time examining the NIV2011 as well as other Bible translations before making this decision. Because NIV2011 represents a change from the Bibles that graced our pews in the past, we wanted you to know the reason behind it. on the topic of angels, type angels in the search bar. Or if you would like to know if the library has any books by Max Lucado, type Lucado in the search bar. You will see pictures of the books along with a complete synopsis and other information. The physical church library is located in an alcove on the lower level down the steps from the church narthex. To check out items, simply fill out the form on the library shelf with your name and email address. Books may be checked out for up to four weeks. You will receive an email reminder one week before your item is due back in the library. To return items to the library, put them in the basket marked for that purpose near the library shelves. Once you have checked something out, your name and email will be registered in the library database, and you will be able to put items on hold or reserve from the library web site. Our library is pleased to receive donated books. If you have books that you would like to donate, please contact the church office.
Mike Swenson
by Pastor Joel Leyrer
Mike Skocir
New Pew Bibles
Board of Discipleship
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Board of Elders
Worship Opportunities What Does It Mean to Have Faith? Q May 22 – Faith trusts in the one true God
(Trinity Sunday) Q May 29 – Faith trusts in God’s great power Q June 5 – Faith trusts even when confronted by death Q June 12 – Faith trusts in God after contrition and repentance
What does it mean to follow Christ? Q June 19 – Expect persecution Q June 26 – Understand commitment Q July 3 – Support Kingdom work Q July 10 – Love our neighbors Q July 17 – Listen when God speaks Q July 24 – Pray boldly Q July 31 – Earthly treasure is meaningless Q August 7 – Heavenly treasure comes from trust Why is the Christian life hard? Q August 14 – Some will reject the Word—
it divides Q August 21 – The way is narrow Q August 28 – The humble will be exalted Q September 4 – Discipleship carries a cost
Membership Changes NEW MEMBERS
MEMBERS LEAVING
BY TRANSFER Christine Beckman (Marie) from St. Jacobi, Milwaukee, WI Nicholas Cutting from St. John’s, Milwaukee, WI Klay Knueppel from St. John, Lannon, WI Lisa Knueppel (Joshua) from Atonement, Milwaukee, WI Thomas Purfuerst from Calvary, Thiensville, WI Michael Roekle from First Ev. Lutheran, Racine, WI David Schulz from Risen Savior, Milwaukee, WI Matthew Klieforth from St. John’s, Neillsville, WI Victoria Stoffer from Redeemer, Weston, WI Melissa Sullivan, Mikaela (Aidan) from St. Jacobi, Greenfield, WI
TRANSFERRED TO SISTER CONGREGATIONS Kevin & Hana Fedewa to Memorial Lutheran, Williamston, MI Nathan & Rebecca Gabower to Mt. Lebanon, Milwaukee, WI Carrie Gauger to St. Marcus, Milwaukee, WI Jon Pankow to Emmanuel, Tempe, AZ Keyi Zou to Bethany, Hustisford, WI
Oliver Nehmer Hailey Rhyner Victor Robbins Megan Strautmann Chloe Todor Julia Treichel
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Board of Elders
Dan Pollesch
Kerry Kuehn
Jon Johnson
BY PROFESSION OF FAITH Nathan Boehmke
ASLEEP IN THE LORD Helen Bigelow
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
BAPTISMS Jrake Marius Alvarez Sean Douglas Graf Zachary Edward Binger Matilda Claire Stolzman
Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday,
MARRIAGES Sharon Plautz & David Vander Veen Emily Treichel & Benjamin Siemers
February 27, 2016 April 9, 2016 April 16, 2016 April 23, 2016
Saturday, March 5, 2016 Saturday, April 30, 2016
Adam Sipe
CONFIRMATION CLASS Zachary Baltutis Elizabeth Farley Marlie Campbell Lillian Gantner Ethan Chasco Elijah Gauger Hannah Denk Rayana Hoene Garrett Doan Titus Kostrzewa Nathaniel Doan Jacob Leyrer
Pastoral Acts
Jeff Scheibe
ADULT CONFIRMATION Michael & Lara Fojut (Melita)
RELEASED BY REQUEST Mara Morita (Ryan)