LAMPLIGHTER
Summer 2015
Ten Years of Ministry
by Kevin Fedewa
2015 marks an important milestone for the Chinese ministry at St. John’s. This year, the Chinese ministry is celebrating ten years of God’s grace and blessings. Over the past ten years, St. John’s has been blessed with the opportunity to provide worship services, adult and youth Bible study, and Christian fellowship— all conducted in Mandarin Chinese. This ministry is bringing the Word of God to a continually increasing number of Chinese nationals who are moving into our community. Some of these Chinese nationals have made Milwaukee their home. Many others are young scholars briefly passing through on their journey toward their long-term academic or career goals. As the number of these young scholars enrolling in our WELS schools increases, the role of the Chinese ministry at St. John’s is becoming all the more important. In the past six months, three Wisconsin Lutheran High School students and one St. John’s Lutheran School student were baptized into the Christian faith. In addition, Keyi Zou, the Chinese student currently enrolled at St. John’s School, was confirmed with the other members of his 8th grade class this spring. St. John’s has provided a place for these students to hear, grow, and be strengthened in the Word regularly in their mother language. Pastor Yu’s connections to new international schools in Shanghai could potentially bring even more Chinese students to the United States in the coming years.
In spite of all of these blessings, challenges also abound. Many Chinese students stay in Milwaukee for only a short period of time, leaving regular worship and Bible study behind when they relocate for college or work. In addition, the Chinese community within Milwaukee has grown, and this has led to an increase in events, activities, and weekend schools run and organized by the secular Chinese community. All of these activities fill up weekends and create conflicts with designated worship opportunities. To address these challenges, the Chinese congregation at St. John’s met on February 14, after the Chinese New Year worship service. The meeting established the congregation’s first advisory council. This council will support, encourage, advise, and assist Pastor Yu. In addition, the council will set a direction for the Chinese congregation and its ministry. Member Bill Wu was unanimously elected chairman of the advisory council. Three coordinator positions will also be filled: an education coordinator, a youth coordinator, and an outreach coordinator. With God’s help, this new council will work together with Pastor Yu to better serve Him and fulfill His work. All members of St. John’s are also encouraged to support the Chinese ministry with your prayers and involvement. The Chinese are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in Wisconsin and outreach opportunities are abundant. If you have Chinese colleagues or neighbors, reach out to them, build relationships with them, share God’s Word with them, and encourage them to come with you to St. John’s.
Pa s t o r ’s C o r n e r
Train Up a Child by Pastor Kyle Bitter
It happens every year during the last week of April. The pastors ask 158 questions. This year, 22 participants provided answers. Question categories range from the life of Martin Luther to the Ten Commandments to Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. From an outsider’s perspective, it almost looks like a game show of some kind. However, we know it as Public Examination: the rite of passage for youth Confirmation at St. John’s and many other Lutheran churches. Public Examination serves an important purpose in the Confirmation process. At its most basic level, Confirmation is a set of public promises made by the confirmands to God. Confirmed members promise to be faithful to God’s Word, even to the point of death, should Jesus ask
them to suffer that for his name. Before making such a promise, those being confirmed should know what God’s Word teaches. Public Examination is a chance for the congregation to see that these young men and women have been thoroughly instructed in God’s Word. Through Public Examination, the confirmands demonstrate that they are ready to make their Confirmation promises and begin participating as an adult in congregational worship life. Perhaps Confirmation and Public Examination this year reminded you of your own promises made to God. Whether this happened as part of a formal Confirmation class as a grade school student or later on in life as an adult, it’s a blessed reminder of our God’s faithfulness to us in keeping us close to him through the years. May God continue to be with all of us, and may he continue to keep us faithful to the promises we made at our Confirmation.
2015 8th Grade Confirmation Class
Pictured left to right: (back row) Pastor Kyle Bitter, Danielle Thomsen, Grace Rindfleisch, Eric Dietze, Keyi Zou, Jared Denk, Noah Greene, Samuel Lentz, Pastor Joshua Yu (middle row) Pastor Joel Leyrer, Adam Schroeder, Bennett Raasch, Ryan Lueck, Elijah Henning, Sophie Thompson, Alejandro Verduzco, Dylan Brown, Pastor Eric Schroeder (front row) Olivia Krause, Riley Pape, Ella Taylor, Mackenzie Pollesch, Mark Otto, Jena Harper, Kaitlyn Rhyner, Evan Becker
2
Pa s t o r ’s C o r n e r
Board of Discipleship
Exercising Your Christian Faith by Julie Wietzke “Whether you are a new Christian or a lifelong member, nothing exercises your Christian faith like attending a small group Bible study.” St. John’s member Jon Johnson started attending a weekly men’s Bible study group years ago when he was a fairly new adult confirmand. Now he helps coordinate and lead the study. “Being part of a small group Bible study was a great way for me to open up and learn about God’s Word in a completely different setting,” he says.
Men’s morning Bible study meets at City Market in Wauwautosa at 6:30 a.m. every Tuesday.
This lay-led study has covered topics ranging from books of the Bible to topical studies on Christian doctrines to discussion about specific Christian books. The small group atmosphere allows for more interaction and gives different people the opportunity to lead. “Whoever feels like taking the reins for the day will typically lead the study,” says Johnson, who notes that some of the lay leaders now lead other Bible study groups at St. John’s. Adam Goede says that while he appreciates the large group Sunday morning Bible study and his personal Bible study at home, he’s happy to add this to the mix. “This format of studying Scripture is so rewarding,” he says. “It’s big enough to include other perspectives on Scripture but small enough that it allows me to ask questions or share my thoughts.” This is just one of several small-group Bible studies St. John’s offers to its members. Other opportunities include a Wednesday morning women’s Bible study, a Thursday morning study led by St. John’s pastors, and a Thursday evening financial management study.
Mike Soldner
Brian Lampe
Adam Goede
Contact Pastor Schroeder to learn more about St. John’s Bible study opportunities.
2015 Summer
Pathways
Bible Studies
Adults and older children are invited to participate in the summer Bible studies. (Kids 3-10 are invited to summer Sunday school across the street at the school; the nursery is open for children under 3.)
Large Group: The Journey of Every Parent: Heartache, Heart Break, and Joy May 31-July 12 Chaplain Steven Stern (except July 5) Building Youth-full Churches Dr. Joel Nelson July 19-August 23
Bible Information Class: New Bible Information Class Pastoral staff
Begins June 15
Summer Sunday School
Please join us for Summer Sunday School which kicks off on May 31, and continues through August 23 (no class on July 5). Summer Sunday School runs from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school commons and is for children ages 3 to 10 years old. Each week begins with devotion, which is followed by a craft, a physical activity or music.
Mike Swenson
Six to ten men meet at City Market in Wauwatosa every Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. “It is another way of expanding my spiritual life outside of church,” says group member Dave McCulloch. “I can buy a hot chocolate for the study, order a raisin walnut roll to go, and spend an hour with Christian friends. What a great way to start the day!”
Not pictured: Mark Gaub
Board of Discipleship
3
Board of Education
The Benefits of WELSSA Accreditation
Crusader Olympics and School Play
by Mike Henning
Over the past year, re-accreditation has been a major topic at St. John’s Lutheran School. The re-accreditation committee spent countless hours gathering evidence and data, writing the self-study report, and preparing for a site visit from the accreditation team. At the end of the re-accrediation process, St. John’s Lutheran School received “exemplary” accreditation status, with a 96% level of documentation and support, which is the highest level of accreditation awarded throughout this process. However, not many people may understand what accreditation means and why the process is so important. St. John’s School is accredited through WELSSA (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation). Because WELSSA falls under the umbrella of the NCPSA (National Council of Private School Accreditation), WELSSA accreditation means that St. John’s meets nationally established standards. These standards link the church and school ministry and give us a measurement to make sure we have wise ministry practices and written policies in place. The accreditation process benefits our school ministry for a number of reasons. It helps us recognize and maintain the blessings of St. John’s School. We are also able to identify areas which need work so the school can better serve the Lord, our congregation, and the community. Through our Self Improvement Plan, which will be created after the final accreditation report is received, we are kept accountable to these areas of need.
4
Board of Education
Troy Schulz
Kevin Festerling
Not pictured: Dan Westfahl Andrew Duncan
David Close
As time-consuming as the re-accreditation process is, it is ultimately an incredible blessing for St. John’s. Accreditation ensures that our school ministry is the best that it can be. This helps us more effectively prepare our students for a lifelong relationship with Christ, proclaim the gospel message, and provide excellence in education in order to equip our students for life and eternity.
Board of Properties
New Pictorial Directory in the Works Since the last pictorial directory was completed in early 2012, St. John’s has seen a number of staffing and membership changes. Therefore, St. John’s will again be arranging for a congregational pictorial directory through Lifetouch this fall. Photo sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 through Saturday, October 31. Appointments will be available Tuesdays through Fridays from 2:00–9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
If you would like to create a family Christmas card with your photos, you can make those arrangements at the time of your photo session. Discounts are available for those who wish to order photos. All members who have their photo taken for inclusion in the church directory will receive a free photograph as a thank you. More details regarding sign-up for photo sessions will be forthcoming in early summer. Online sign-up will open in June and the church office will also take appointment requests in late summer. Please mark the October dates on your calendar and plan on being a part of our next St. John’s directory!
If you aren’t available at the end of October, have a family member out of town, or a student away at school, photos can also be arranged with Lifetouch at another church in the area. Contact the church office to put you in contact with Lifetouch to schedule your photos at a more convenient time.
Properties Wish-list by Kurt Kramer
Just like our individual homes, from time to time St. John’s church building needs repair and maintenance. The Board of Properties is seeking financial assistance from congregation members to meet items of need in and around the physical church building.
• • • •
Security doors at church Church parking lot repaving School parking lot crack filling and sealing Church restroom exhaust fans
Desired repairs—nice to have
It is not expected that each item on the list will be funded by one individual member or family. Instead, gifts of any dollar amount toward any item on the list are appreciated. For more information on giving or specific dollar amounts needed for each item, please contact Kurt Kramer at kkramer9@att.net or 414-507-0307, or the church office if you are interested.
• Landscaping – plants and shrubs to replace holes from plants killed over winter • Landscaping – annual plants for corner flowerbeds • Steel posts to protect the electrical meter at school • Shelving units • New lighted exterior church sign on northeast corner of property • New interior directional signage
Needed repairs—sooner rather than later
Future maintenance—hoped for in the future
• Bathroom repairs at school • Additional tuckpointing of three areas of the church building
• Continued support of boiler replacement project: asbestos abatement and boiler replacement
Board of Properties
5
Executive Board
Executive Board Update by Kristi Meyer
One of the main responsibilities of the Executive Board is charting the overall long-term course for St. John’s. In order to execute this charge, the Executive Board has been working to address needs in several key congregational areas. The first major initiative is the formation of a Human Resources Committee. According to Executive Board president Bill Dittman, the formation of the committee “was not in response to any particular incident. [Instead], we want to make sure we have uniform policies in place.” The committee is being headed by Brian Treichel, Executive Board vice-president. Additional members include Larry Totsky, Christine Dittman, Dennis Maurer, and Carol Puglisi. Many of the committee members have a background or work experience in Human Resources and are volunteering to share their expertise with the congregation. Major goals of the Human Resources Committee include updating the employee handbook, updating and establishing policies and procedures, and creating a path for called and hired workers at St. John’s to follow when issues with policies or a supervisor arise. The Human Resources committee was formally established at the April Executive Board meeting. The Executive Board also continues to focus on communication at St. John’s. “Communication is something we discuss every single month,” says Dittman. “We are already seeing the benefits and strive for clear and timely communication.” In conjunction with the Communications Committee, the Executive Board oversees and provides feedback on a number of new communication initiatives. The E-News, distributed electronically on Thursdays, provides a preview of the weekend’s worship opportunities and highlights key congregational events. The Lamplighter, now produced quarterly, has been redesigned to
allow for more relevant communication with the congregation. One of the main goals of the Lamplighter is to increase the focus on the various Boards at St. John’s and highlight their various activities. St. John’s also continues to establish a social media presence, primarily through photos and posts on its Facebook page.
We Gi e
A 2016 Capital Campaign is also under consideration by the Executive Board. “We Give Thee But Thine Thee But Own” is a one-year effort Thine serving as a bridge between “Called Together, Called to Gather” and the 2016 campaign. The Executive Board will be working throughout the summer on the theme, scope, and focus of the next campaign. Look for a plan to be rolled out to the congregation in fall.
Own
Memorials
In Memory of Gerald Johanning March-April 2015 from Paul Schoeneck, Donald and Anna Tyler, Rev Steven and Jean Stern, Jeff and Yvonne Quint, Drexel and Charlotte Hansen, Norbert and Marie Sprengeler, to building fund and organ repair In Memory of Georgian De Leeuw March 2015 from Gerald and Kathleen Garczynski, Claire Estes, Joseph and Kay Gregorich, Janice Ziegler Jeanette Stenzel, Arlene Baumann, Louise Saylor Ellen Steffen, Randy and Karen Tetzlaff, Delores Baumann, Brian Stippich to be designated In Memory of Tom Osgood March 2015 from Shirley Osgood to Lau Tuition Fund In Memory of Martha Ellenberger April 2015 from John Ellenberger to general fund In Memory of Harold Hagedorn April 2015 from Norbert and Marie Sprengeler to debt reduction In Memory of Delores Hahn May 2015, from Annette Birkholz to roof repair
6
Executive Board
Pastor Yu
Pastor Schroeder
Pastor Leyrer
Pastor Bitter
Scott Uecker
Brian Treichel
Larry Totsky
Not pictured: Michael Henning Jeff Quint
Bill Dittman
Pa s t o r a l S t a f f
Board of Stewardship/Finance
Council Project of the Month
Pastoral Acts
We hear the announcement after church and see the blurb in the News and Notes from time to time: “The current Council Project of the month is . . .” But what is a Council Project of the month? And how is each specific cause chosen?
BAPTISMS Ada Louise Phillips Michael Ross Hobler Alyssa Shelby Christine Walters-Therriault Savannah Rose De Longe Keyi Zou William Robert Hedrick
by Todd Ziesemer
The Council Project of the month is an important giving opportunity in our congregation. Through the Council Project of the month, St. John’s members are able to support a ministry effort that is not included in the annual congregational budget.
ASLEEP IN THE LORD Gerald R. Johanning Harold Hagedorn
February 28, 2015 March 5, 2015 March 7, 2015 March 15, 2015 April 5, 2015 April 12, 2015 March 15, 2015 April 17, 2015
Examples of such opportunities could be causes and organizations outside of St. John’s, such as Camp Phillip or WELS Humanitarian Aid and Relief. At other times, the Council Project of the month is used to support non-budgetary efforts within our congregation, such as debt reduction campaigns or funding the Lau Fund. The Council Project of the month is determined by the Coordinating Council and Executive Board, with suggestions provided by the Board of Stewardship. Thoughtful consideration is used to determine where St. John’s can best direct our monetary gifts to support the Lord’s work. If you would like to participate in the Council Project of the month, you can contribute by using your green “Above and Beyond” envelope, and designate your gift by writing “Council Project of the month” on the front.
Thank you to the many ladies who answered the call to provide and serve food for the funeral luncheon; it was so nice of all of you. St. John’s congregation is filled with people who show God’s love through their many acts of kindness to one another. With hearts full of gratitude, The family of Gerald Johanning
Todd Ziesemer
Brian Roser
Dan Meiers
To the Members of St. John’s: It is hard to put into words how grateful we are to the people of St. John’s for the cards and prayers and for the love and concern that was shown to us during the illness and recent death of our loved one, Jerry Johanning.
The current Council Project for the month of June is Wisconsin Lutheran High School’s Share the Mission program.
Jes Mariscal
Thank you
Not pictured: Mark Meissner
Board of Stewardship/Finance
7
Board of Elders
Worship Opportunities Our summer sermon series will focus on the 10 commandments with corresponding Biblical stories:
E July 26—6th Commandment: David and Bath sheba (2 Samuel 11:1–1 2:25)
r Us od’s Law is Fo E June 7—G sians 2:13-17) (Colos
dment: —1st Comman 14 ne Ju E ) alf (Exodus 32 The Golden C
ent: 2nd Commandm E June 21— Bush and the Bur ning es os M s 3:1-15) (Exodu ent: 3rd Commandm E June 28— uel 13:1-14) Sacrifice (1 Sam l’s au S
E August 2—7t h Commandmen t: Ananias and Sapp hira (Acts 5:1-11 ) E August 9—8t h Commandmen t: David and Jona than (1 Samuel 20) E August 16— 9th and 10th Comman dments: Ahab and Nabot h (1 Kings 21)
ent: h Commandm E August 23— E July 5—4t Conclusion: 18:1-18) 8, -1 :1 15 l ue m Sa m (2 lo sa Ab Moses sees God ’s glory (Exodus 34) t: en dm h Comman E July 12—5t is 4:1-16) d Abel (Genes an n ai C
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas & Jane Eddinger and Jack, Albert, and Leah to Christ, Pewaukee, WI Mr. William Forbes & Mrs. Lou Dengler to Woodlawn, West Allis, WI Mr. and Mrs. Thomas & Staci Gaulke and Lily to St. Paul’s, Muskego, WI Mr. and Mrs. Russell & Ann Henning and Michael to Calvary, Thiensville, WI Mrs. Elaine Raddatz to Woodlawn, West Allis, WI Mr. Tyler Roeming and Mrs. Stephanie Post and Caden Roeming to Bethlehem, Menomonee Falls, WI
Membership Changes NEW MEMBERS BY TRANSFER Mr. and Mrs. Rob & Lisa Rouse and Hayden, Collin, and Luella from St. Marcus, Milwaukee, WI Ms. Cheryl Woldt from Grace, Waukesha MEMBERS LEAVING
8
Board of Elders
Adam Sipe
Dan Pollesch
John Peterman
Jon Johnson
Not pictured: Kerry Kuehn
Jeff Schibe
RELEASED BY REQUEST Mr. and Mrs. Mark & Kim Madritsch and Katherine, and Katelyn Mrs. Michelle Rasmussen and Carter
TRANSFERRED TO SISTER CONGREGATIONS Mr. and Mrs. Bradley & Megan Beck to Mt. Olive, Appleton, WI