LAMPLIGHTER Winter 2018
What We Learned and What’s Next by Pastor Joel Leyrer This past September we held three Long Range Planning informational meetings at which potential campus and ministry enhancements were shared and discussed. Their purpose was to present a “case study” communicating the ministry rationale and spiritual direction driving these plans, gather feedback from our people, and generally determine if we have consensus among us to go forward.
We are grateful for such positive and unified results. We have the will to go forward. At the same time, there were some reoccurring issues that our people believe need to be more fully and clearly addressed before we enter into a new building campaign. The two issues noted most were parking and the retirement of our remaining school facility debt.
To help determine the level of support we might expect should the Lord allow us to advance, we engaged the services of a consulting agency. Our consultant conducted approximately 25 personal interviews and coordinated an online survey for the input of all our members. In all, 175 responses were received with over 250 written comments. Such participation gave us a good representation of our people’s thoughts on this matter.
What’s next? After prayerfully taking everything into consideration, the conclusion of the Feasibility Leadership Team (Executive Board, Property Coordinator and Stewardship Board and Long-Range Planning committee chairmen) was to take the measured approach of delaying a capital campaign until the year 2020, and in preparation for such a campaign devote 2019 to the following:
So, what did we learn? We learned there is a high level of support for the ministry here at St. John’s, as well as support for going forward with any campus enhancements that enable us to more effectively carry out our Gospel ministry. There was appreciation for the carefulness, thoughtfulness and insight put into the plans by the Long-Range Planning committee. And, based on those who responded and the size of our congregation, our consultant concluded we could reasonably expect financial support over a three-year period in the range of 3.5 to 4 million dollars.
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Resolve our parking issues with a definitive plan before any new construction Pay off our existing debt completely (with reserves and recent adjustments, now less than 400K) Refine and right-size the first building phase in line with projected financial support Replace our present mission-vision statement with new goals for a new decade
As you can see, we have much in store for us at St. John’s over the next few years. These are important times. We will need the prayers and involvement of all our members as together we look “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
P a s t o r ’s C o r n e r
Timeless Lessons from Thanksgiving by Pastor Kyle Bitter
Thankful Thanksgiving. It’s the nationally appointed day for counting your blessings and celebrating being thankful. It’s a wonderful celebration to observe, but it also serves as a solid reminder of something that ought to be a part of life every day. Thankfulness doesn’t require a government appointed holiday before it can be a part of the Christian’s life! On some days, thanksgiving comes easily. You might enjoy success beyond what you had anticipated, or you might get to see months or years of hard work pay off. You might see some of the challenges faced by other people and realize just how much you have to be thankful for. On other days, it’s a different story. Major events in life can make it hard to be thankful—a dreaded diagnosis, the death of a loved one, or years of planning that fall apart. Perhaps more commonly, it’s the daily throb of minor annoyances and irritations we all live with that threaten to rob us of our joy and thankfulness. It can be so easy to get so caught up in the minutia of life that the many things we have to be thankful for fade into the background. On such days, the words of the Apostle Paul come to mind: words taken from his epistle to the Philippians; words that were written from the confines of a prison cell! “I have learned to be content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12,13). Whether in prison or free,
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Pastor’s Corner
whether sick or enjoying good health, whether struggling with failure or blessed with success; no matter how many irritating annoyances stood by poised to suck the joy out of daily life, there is one thing that remains consistent for the Apostle: God’s changeless love for his people. Sins forgiven, anticipation of eternal life in heaven, promises of strength and support throughout the days of life on earth—no matter what else is going on in life there is always reason to be thankful. This Thanksgiving season, may God open our eyes to see these timeless blessings anew, and may God bring into our lives the same peace and contentment he gave his servant Paul. Happy Thanksgiving!
Memorials In Memory of Beth Schoenicke From Sarah Siever (We Give Thee But Thine Own) In Memory of Alice Sebald From Richard & Beth Rusch (We Give Thee But Thine Own), Donald Sebald (school)
Board of Discipleship
Back to the Basics by Kristi Meyer
The community aspect, cultivated through daily insights written by St. John’s pastors and members, provides valuable resources and support for participants. Lois Gleason is particularly thankful for the in-person discussion forums. “I always looked forward to group discussions with Pastor Schroeder and others who were reading through the same things at the same time, because I had a lot of questions.” The benefits of studying the Scriptures—regardless of the form this study takes—is another unchanging blessing of By Scripture Alone. Adam Goede treasures that aspect of the program. “You don’t know what you’re missing until you try it.”
Brian Lampe
Mark Gaub
Andrew DeLonge
“By regular, intentional time in God’s Word, he will increasingly draw you to himself.”—Adam Goede
Using the resources from By Scripture Alone to study God’s Word can help you to grow in your faith and deepen your spiritual insight. “It’s easier to develop a habit that is already laid out and structured for you,” says Pastor Schroeder. “The organizational advantage is that, as a community, we can keep each other on task and accountable. We can enjoy the fellowship aspect of being in God’s Word together and sharing our unique perspectives of the same truth.”
Journey through the New Testament in 2019, starting January 1! If you’ve thought about participating in By Scripture Alone but have been intimidated by the unfamiliarity of the Old Testament, working through the New Testament in 2019 is the perfect way to start. Pastor Schroeder explains, “It’s all about removing obstacles and trying to make it as easy as possible for people to spend time in God’s Word. The New Testament ought to be more familiar and more directly related our faith, our lives, and our worship experience. From the get-go, it’s all about Jesus.” For all the details, visit www.sjtosa.org/ByScriptureAlone. Mark January 1 on your calendar, and begin this journey through the New Testament Scriptures with us!
Zachary Wood
After two years of reading through The Daily Bible, By Scripture Alone (the St. John’s daily Bible reading program) will slow down by concentrating on the New Testament in 2019. Although the content of By Scripture Alone is switching from the entire Bible to the New Testament, other aspects of the program will remain unchanged.
In addition to personal spiritual growth, Pastor Schroeder also sees the congregational benefits of By Scripture Alone. “With many members of our congregation maturing and getting to know God better, it benefits the kingdom and equips us for ministry.”
Michael Skocir
39 books. 27 books. Historical and prophetic writings. Gospels and epistles. Nine and a half months. Two and a half months. If you’re participating in By Scripture Alone, the last two categories are likely extremely familiar. After spending nine and a half months reading through a chronological compilation of the Old Testament, we finally moved on to the New Testament in mid-October. Instead of flipping back to Genesis 1:1 on January 1, 2019, we invite you to join us as we embark on a new Bible reading adventure.
Board of Discipleship
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Board of Education
A Look Into Life at Martin Luther College by Christian Willick
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Board of Education
The rest of the day follows a similar routine: Wind Symphony rehearsal, Hebrew class, College Choir rehearsal, and then the school day is done! After class, while many people go off to sports practice or drama rehearsals, I do what only the truly cool kids do: play chess in the cafeteria from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with our budding Chess Club! Finally, my Friday concludes with board games, a movie night with the bros, and prayer to God before drifting off to sleep. There would not be sufficient space in an entire book, much less in this short article, to mention all aspects of life at Martin Luther College: friendships, spiritual growth, resolve for ministry, and also challenges, late nights, and emotional growth, to name just a few. But suffice it to say that God has used every experience I’ve had at MLC to train me in richer and deeper love for him, for his Word, and for his people.
Pete Stauffer
Jon Phillips
Kerry Kuehn
Adam Greggs
In contrast to the raging electric guitar licks in my roommate’s alarm, I am greeted by the sound of light jazz music as I walk into my first-hour class: Astronomy with Professor Tacke. His lively jazz and vivacious personality energize me and other students who still have sleep in their eyes. Not long after, it’s time for my third-hour class, the culmination of three years of Greek and theology classes, the pastor track senior’s ultimate privilege and terror: Acts with Professor Fredrich. We note Professor Fredrich’s tie color as we enter the classroom—red tie means impending pop quiz—but today his tie is a safe dark brown, so we breathe a sigh of relief and sit down for another hour of high-level exegetical discussion on today’s selected verses.
Following Acts class, I join the mass procession streaming into the chapel. Every weekday, morning and evening, we have the opportunity to fill the beautiful chapel with our voices raised to our one true Lord and to hear a professor, tutor, or even a student deliver a short sermon. I have had the privilege of giving two sermons at evening chapel, two very humbling experiences which were just as encouraging for me as they were for the students I preached to.
Troy Schulz
I wake up to the familiar beeping of my 6:00 a.m. alarm, in plenty of time to get ready for the day and finish any homework before class starts at 7:30 a.m. It’s Friday—one more day of class before the weekend! About half an hour into my early morning homework session, my roommate’s own alarm goes off, playing Christian Willick a powerful heavy metal song by DragonForce. He rolls groggily out of bed, hits the snooze button, and crawls back under the covers, a process which he will repeat for the next 45-minutes.
Board of Education
School Events Fall sports, Fall Festival, and Bedtime Blessings
Farewell to Mrs. JoAnn Schmidt “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3). Mrs. JoAnn Schmidt will be leaving our staff as our much loved school secretary. She has been assisting our faculty and serving our school families and children for the past 19 years. She has faithfully filled so many roles over the past two decades at St. John’s and has loved our children like her own. Her friendly smile and servant-like heart has welcomed all who have come through our school doors.
A-team volleyball made it to the consolation championship game at State
JoAnn has spent countless hours volunteering and organizing volunteers for our school with the Miller Park and Sports Service opportunities. Many of the items that our faculty and school children use to enhance their education have been purchased through these funds. We thank JoAnn for her years of faithful service and wish her God’s blessings on her future endeavors!
Boys cross country took home first at Nationals, girls cross country came in third.
Board of Education
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Board of Education
Mornings with Mommy: Expanding Our Mission by Carrie Henning The addition of the Mornings with Mommy (MwM) program to the mission-minded services offered by St. John’s is an important step in reaching both member and nonmember/unchurched families in our community. Before MwM started this fall, St. John’s didn’t offer a program for infant through preschool age children and their caregivers. Many young families are looking for ways to connect with their church and community. Quality programs can be challenging to find and sometimes expensive. MwM is an inexpensive, quality program which assists St. John’s in serving congregation members and reaching out to the community.
Mornings with Mommy is for caregivers who are looking for a way to enjoy organized activities with their children.
Since MwM invites the caregivers to be part of the experience, the caregivers have an opportunity to connect and form relationships with each other. This also eliminates the anxiety of leaving small children in an unfamiliar environment with an unfamiliar facilitator.
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Board of Education
Caregivers are often interested in educational experiences for their children. Each Mornings with Mommy session includes activities that promote early childhood learning through songs, books, flannel stories, a sensory activity, a gross motor skill activity, a fine motor skill activity, an art activity, and a craft activity. The first six week session of Mornings with Mommy is complete. Through promotion of MwM on social media, the St. John’s website and printed material, and fliers distributed at the Wauwatosa farmer’s market events, the fall roster was full with 12 families and 18 children! Six were St. John’s school families, three were St. John’s church members, and three were nonmembers/ unchurched! The K3 classroom was packed with sweet babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their lovely moms. The participants were not only able to spend quality time with their children but also connect with each other and gain a better understanding of St. John’s church and school through connecting with educational assistants. Most of them indicated a desire to attend the next Mornings with Mommy session. Efforts were made to invite the MwM participants to other St. John’s family events such as Fall Festival, Bedtime Blessings, and Advent by Candlelight. The winter session of Mornings with Mommy begins on January 9, and online registration is now open. Please pray boldly with me that this new outreach initiative fills to or even exceeds capacity. It would be fabulous to be blessed with 50 participants and open a second session. Please share and spread the word about MwM to your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers by encouraging them to visit the website (www.sjtosa.org/MorningsWithMommy) and register. Pray also that the MwM participants are moved by the Holy Spirit and desire to learn more about our gospel ministry. If you are interested in more information about Mornings with Mommy, I would be delighted to speak with you. I have a passion for connecting families to Christ and enjoy building relationships.
Board of Elders
Safety, Security, and Evacuation Plans by Dan Schmal It’s easy to put off planning for something that will likely never happen. Our church and worship space is thought to be one of the safest and most peaceful places we know. However, we live in a world where natural emergencies happen, and sin sometimes shows itself in safe and peaceful places. For this reason, our church leaders have taken steps to plan as best as possible for emergencies, safety, and security.
A Church Security Plan has been developed with special instructions and training for our church usher staff. In addition to serving the members with the distribution of worship folders, assistance with seating, and gathering the offering, the usher staff plays a vital role in providing security during worship services. The Church Security Plan provides specific information for ushers on how to respond to various emergencies.
Since it was built, our school has always had a “locked door� policy during the school day. About a year ago, our church facilities were also secured with locked exterior doors during work week office hours. To gain entry, unknown visitors must ring a door chime, identify themselves and ask to be let in. Members that need access during off hours are given a code for the office door keypad. The door codes are changed periodically for security. The main church doors are unlocked before services and at the start of special events. However, once a service or event starts, entrance doors may be locked again for security.
All members are encouraged to take note of the closest emergency exit in various rooms in our facilities. While almost everyone enters the church sanctuary from the narthex, there are four emergency exits from the church sanctuary. The same is true for the Fellowship Hall, which has three means of exit.
A special training session on active shooters, fire emergencies, and evacuation procedures was recently conducted for ushers and other interested members by a Wauwatosa police officer. In addition, a survey of safety needs for our facilities was also conducted by a community resource officer. One result of that visit was the installation of panic bars on all church emergency exit doors.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are mounted in the church narthex and the school commons for medical emergencies. The church leadership has had some training in the use of an AED, but anyone can use the device in an emergency. The devices are preprogrammed to tell the user exactly what to do. Youtube has many training videos available for our ZOLL AED devices.
The best solution for any emergency is to plan ahead. Thinking about what to do in an emergency before it happens can improve the safety and security of everyone. Board of Elders
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Board of Elders
Worship Opportunities
Kept
Epiphany Season Light For Our Lives January 6 – Light for All Nations January 13 – Light Comes from God January 20 – Light Seen in Miracles January 27 – Light Shed on Prophecy February 3 – Light Comes by Faith February 10 – Light to Share with a Dark World February 17 – Light Brings Blessing February 24 – Light Found in Love March 3 – Light is Revealed
Membership Changes NEW MEMBERS BY TRANSFER Tanya Tennies and Vincent, Samuel, Sydney & Cooper from St. Paul’s, Muskego, WI Toni Parker and Kamden from Atonement, Milwaukee, WI John Warnke from St. Paul’s, Green Bay, WI Sandra Phelps and David from Grace, Milwaukee, WI Dorothee Haferman from Water of Life, Las Vegas, NV Codie Watson from Grace, Tucson, AZ
Board of Elders
Jes Mariscal
Mark Maurice
David Close
MEMBERS LEAVING BY TRANSFER Scott & Jennifer Hanson and Liam & Eden to Christ the Lord, Brookfield, WI Jason & Rachel Borchard and Mya, Quinn & Libby to St. John’s, Lannon, WI Lynn Rogowski to Grace, Mosinee, WI Matthew Schmidt to Eastside, Madison, WI Craig & Amanda Bird to Deer Valley, Phoenix, AZ
RELEASED BY REQUEST Ed & Lynn Reid Amanda Reid William Reid
Pastoral Acts BAPTISMS Koen William Zeitler Olive Cooper Geppi Ava Catherine Geppi Kennedy Mae Suwalski Wallace Nordgaard Davis Elliott Wolfgram Foy Caroline Grace Radue Henry John Patrick Stolzman Fletcher Lee Festerling ASLEEP IN THE LORD Elaine Larson
September 15, September 18, September 18, September 22, October 13, October 13, October 21, November 4, November 10,
2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
October 22, 2018
Adam Sipe
Sundays in Advent: God’s Promise Kept December 2 – We See Deliverance December 9 – We Have Hope December 16 – John Points the Way December 23 – Through the Virgin December 30 – Light in the Darkness
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Christmas & New Year’s Services December 24 – Children’s Christmas Eve Service, 4:00 p.m. at WLHS December 24 – Lessons & Carols Service, 7:00 p.m. December 25 – Christmas Day worship, 10:00 a.m. December 31 – New Year’s Eve worship, 6:45 p.m. January 1 – New Year’s Day worship, 10:00 a.m.
John Peterman
God’s Promises
Midweek Advent Services Wednesdays at 3:30 & 6:45 p.m.