1. Art and Diseño

CHI RHO
February 2015
In confirmation class, we have been discussing discipleship. Epiphany is the season
where we are all invited to follow Jesus, just like Nathaniel and Philip did in our
Gospel story from Epiphany Two. Like Jesus’ disciples, we must ask ourselves if we
believe, and if so, will we follow Jesus on a difficult and life-altering journey? One
chapter from our confirmation materials posed an interesting question to that end,
“Can it be proven that God exists?”
The Chi
Rho is
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monthly by
St. John
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are
requested by
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19th of the
month
preceding
publication.
Inside this issue:
A Word from the
1
Important Dates/
2
Birthdays
Stewardship/Council
3
WELCA /NEWS
4-6
Worship
7
Youth
8
Church Council Minutes
9
Asst. Schedule /
Calendar-February
Pink
Asst. Schedule /
Calendar-March
Green
It seemed a reasonable thing to want to prove before heading off with Jesus. So how
can we prove that God exists? The reality is that we can’t, but we don’t really need to.
Even Jesus’ disciples, who literally followed him throughout his earthly mission, had
their moments of great faith and doubt. There was no scientific evidence that could
prove God existed and that Jesus was God’s Son. Yet, they didn’t need such proof.
They needed faith, and that’s what God gave them.
When Rabbi Mendel was a small child, his grandfather, Rabbi Shneur, held him on his
lap and asked the child, “Where is grandfather?” The child touched his grandfather’s
nose. “No,” the rabbi said, “That is grandfather’s nose. But where is grandfather?”
The child touched the grandfather’s beard. “No, that is grandfather’s beard. But where
is grandfather?” The child descended, ran to the next room and shouted; “Grandfather”
and Rabbi Shneur went into the room. Gleefully the child pointed, “There is
grandfather!”
The message of the story is a powerful one. Grandfather is the one who responds when
called. Likewise, we believe that God exists, and is our father, because God responds to
our call and need for salvation in Jesus. If you could touch God’s nose or beard would
that prove God’s existence? I think not. The disciples could do this and it did not
remove their doubts.
The good news is that we don’t need to prove God’s existence, and we don’t need to
remove all our doubts. We need God to respond to our cry for justice and peace, to
redeem us from the pit of death, and give us eternal life. In Jesus, God answered that
call. God responds, and that is all the proof we need to believe and follow Jesus in our
ministry here at St. John Lutheran.
See you in church!
Pastor Joe Woodward
1st…Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am
Worship @ 10:30am
Youth Bake Sale
2nd...Will-O-Bell with Communion @ 10am
1
Kody Janke
Lauren Janke
2
Ethan Botts
Kaylyn Cammack
3
Alan Spiegelhauer
Worship @ 10:30am
5
Garland Kneten
9th..Dominoes @12:30am
6
Aidan Botts
Walt Saverse
Paula Unberhagen
7
Mikala Blake
Kaitlyn Randig
8
Ronnie Rafay
9
Megan Gersbach
Tyler Ramthun
10
Jessica Stroud Cammack
11
David Patterson
15
Audrey Rafay
Emma Young
16
Martha Muegge
18
Dotty Kneten
Jordan Thaler
19
Marie Janke
23
Kelleigh Lange
25
Caity Gunn
Lonnie Shepherd
26
Cynthia Gersbach
Dominoes @12:30am
4th…Men’s Bible Study (Lois&Jerrys)@7:15am
5th…..Piecemakers @ 1pm
8th…Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am
10th….American Legion Meeting @7pm
11th…Men’s Bible Study (Lois&Jerrys)@7:15am
12th..Piecemakers @ 1pm
15th...Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am
Worship @ 10:30am
16th.. Dominoes @ 12:30pm
Church Council Meeting @ 6:30pm
17th..Women’s Bible Study @9:15am
Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper 5pm-7pm
18th..Men’s Bible Study (Lois&Jerrys)@7:15am
Ash Wednesday Service @ 7pm (Church)
19th..Piecemakers @1pm
22nd..Sunday School & Confirmation @ 9:15am
Worship @ 10:30am
23rd..Dominoes @ 12:30pm
25th..Men’s Bible Study (Lois&Jerrys)@7:15am
Crafting @ 9am
26th..Piecemakers @1pm
30650 State Hwy 95
P.O. Box 70
Bartlett, TX 76511
1 mile north of
Bartlett on State Highway 95
Phone 254-527-3341
Fax 254-527-4522
Office Hours:
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. M-Th
Email [email protected]
Web www.stjohnbartlett.net
STAFF
Pastor
Joe Woodward
Organist
Garland Kneten
Secretary Sherry Kell
COUNCIL OFFICERS
President
Vice President/Evangelism
Secretary
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
254-289-4454 (cell)
527-4235 Hm
512-913-5900 (cell)
HOME
Duane Kurtin
Walt Saverse
Rick Fleming
Dorothy Marwitz
Sharon Koonsen
ACTION TEAM LEADERS
Property
Property
Worship
Membership/Fellowship
Public Relations
Parrish Education
Youth
Stewardship
W-ELCA
527-3898
983-2050
657-2369
657-2568
HOME
Steven Wentrcek
Lynn Stroud
Joann Zieschang
Jennifer Starke
J.R. Gersbach
Vacant
Debra Martin
Mila Wegner
Sandra Jones
Nelwyn Persky
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
CELL
[email protected]
770-8381
[email protected]
217-3462 [email protected]
718-6061 [email protected]
[email protected]
CELL
718-3106
[email protected]
541-4390
[email protected]
527-3948 512-563-3591
[email protected]
718-6215
[email protected]
913-7736
[email protected]
913-2752
512-633-4070
541-9056
527-4344
231-5296
OFFERINGS FOR MONTH OF JANUARY
Date
Attendance
Offering
January 4, 2015
72
$2975
January 11, 2015
85
$2155
January 18, 2015
92
$2814
January 28, 2015
96
$2182
345
$10,126
January Totals
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
As we conclude our post-Christmas celebration of Epiphany and approach the Season of Lent this month,
may God continue to bless each of you and your support of WELCA throughout the coming year.
Thank you especially for your prayers for the benevolence ministries we assist, and for all those in need.
Coming Up!
W-ELCA
Thursdays . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00-3:00 p.m. PieceMakers work on Lutheran World Relief Quilts
Feb 17 Tuesday . . . . . . 9:15 a.m. Morning Bible Study in the TRC - Dorothy Marwitz, study leader
Feb 25 Wednesday . . 9:00 a.m. Crafting - all hands needed to assist PieceMakers with LWR Quilts
Reminders
Will-o-Bell - You're always invited to visit, including attending monthly WoB Socials. Please don't
forget to check the 2015 Yearbook for YOUR turn to help with the Socials hostessed by St. John's
Women of the ELCA.
Morning Bible Study - Join us the third Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. for coffee; study begins
at 9:15.
*****************************************
AT
Is it Spring yet? With another successful Chili Luncheon meeting completed last month, our
organization is set for a prayerful -- and busy! -- year in service to our Lord. Special thanks to the 22
members of St. John WELCA who attended our January 18 general meeting to provide support and
input in planning so many important aspects in the life of our congregation.
During the meeting we adopted our 2015 WELCA calendar, elected 2015 Audit and Nominating
Committee members, and adopted a budget totaling $20,685, including $11,285 for Mission/Outreach
Benevolence projects. Following discussion, it was agreed to continue the recent success of
including quarterly WELCA Activities Directors to assist with the year's activities; past & current
Activities Directors are listed with additional information about this service opportunity later in this
column.
WORK!
Calendar, budget, committee and other important WELCA information for the upcoming year will be
published in the 2015 Yearbook, thanks to the dedicated work of immediate past-chair Pat Stroud. As
soon as the yearbooks have been printed, you can pick up your copy in the TRC or the back of the
Sanctuary.
We appreciate and need all our WELCA members to help in the ways they feel called to assist
throughout this busy year.
Many thanks to those of you who agreed to work on a committee or other leadership role in the coming year, and to our 2015 WELCA officers:
Co-chair
Sandra Jones & Nelwyn Persky
Vice President
Sharon Kurtin
Secretary
Linda Ferguson
Treasurer
Judy Gersbach
*****************************************
Monthly WELCA Morning Bible Study. After a special January start to our 2015 Bible Study sessions, capped with a luncheon at the home of Esterleen Fischer, the monthly Bible study sessions
continue in the TRC. Monthly Bible Study is held starting at 9:15 on the third Tuesday of the month.
The next date is February 17, 2015.
Each study is taken from Gather, a magazine for faith and action, published 10 times a year for $16
($3 for single copies) by Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in partnership with
Augsburg Fortress. The following editor's note tells a little about this national WELCA publication:
Blessings, Kate Elliott, editor
Regardless of whether you are able to attend the monthly Morning Bible Study in the TRC, you
are invited to subscribe to this faith-filled monthly publication. To view digital content, monthly
Bible studies, back issues, and subscription information, go to: www.gathermagazine.org
*****************************************
Read all about … us. Our Synodical Women's Organization elected new officers at the SWO
meeting in Abilene last October and have resumed every-other-month publication of the Tapestry newsletter, now in online format only. The November 2014 issue included a brief history
of our Advent Fair. A recap of our latest Ornament Exchange & Brunch is published in the
January 2015 edition. Tapestry is published on the St. John web page for easy access.
To read about activities of our sisters throughout the North Texas-Northern Louisiana (NT-NL)
Synod/Mission Area, check the most recent issues posted on our church website at
www.stjohnbartlett.net and click on Tapestry Newsletter in the column to the right of the
group photo of our congregational members.
To receive an email with the latest issue when it is released, contact our current WELCA Secretary, Judy Gersbach, to be added to the distribution list.
*****************************************
Never done . . . Whatever the season, our charitable efforts keep rolling around. And the
thank-you notes keep coming in, too. Recently received and posted on the WELCA bulletin
St. John Lutheran Church WELCA
12-15-14
The Bartlett VFD would like to acknowledge your donation of $200. Bartlett VFD & First
Responders {Service Through Community Support.} Thank you for your support.
Thank You
Scott L. Janke
Treasurer
Dear Lutherans,
12-31-14
Thanks so much for the very generous gift to Food For Friends. Donations like yours keep us
cooking! As our rolls have increased so has the price of all food, so donations are precious to us.
At about noon on Fridays you can pat yourself on the back because you have helped provide
meals to "the least of these my brethren." May God continue to bless you.
Love, Joyce
90th Birthday Rose Planting
March 22, 2015 after Worship
Celebrating Marie Janke and Mary Helen Goodnight’s Birthday’s
Old-fashion lunch will be served
W-ELCA AT WORK
Bold, thoughtful women read Gather. … each issue serves up articles that inform, inspire, and comfort, along with our award-winning Bible study. Don't miss an issue or a
Bible study session! Thank you for reading our magazine and joining other women
who think, pray, and care. You are very important to us.
Dear St John Lutheran Church,
On behalf of the children and families we serve, thank you for the $500.00 you gave to the Ronald
McDonald House.
This generous gift will help provide a home away from home for families of children being treated for
serious illnesses in Temple area hospitals.
We wish you and your loved ones a healthy, blessed, & happy 2015.
Leilani Kitchings - House Operations Manager
-
[email protected]
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Temple, Texas
Light a Light, Share a Night
Note: This letter was received with the following personal note from the Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Temple, Texas, Executive Director.
What a lovely surprise. Thank you for your friendship & generous check! Happy 2015!
Susan Bolton
***************************************
Job Description - Quarterly WELCA Activities Directors
W-ELCA AT WORK
January 6, 2015
The role of Activities Directors was successfully developed beginning in 2010 to help spread the
responsibilities of the organization to allow more involvement by the women in our church. It was decided
to use Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall Activities Directors.
Each director is in charge of the activities planned during that season, working with the chairwomen of
events held during the quarter. It would also be useful for each Activities Director to help involve other
churchwomen in the events of the season. If possible, the Activities Directors are also asked to prayerfully
consider and offer suggestions to the current year's officers regarding members to include as the following
year's committee chairwomen and Activities Directors.
The consensus of those involved was that Activities Directors brought new vigor and creativity to our year.
Past Activities Directors are listed below as a resource:
Past Activities Directors
2010
Winter - Cynthia Gersbach & Linda Ferguson
Spring - Janice Wentrcek, Sherry Kell & Kristy Decker
Summer - Cedalia Kurtz & Sharon Koonsen
Fall - Ruth Janke & Sharon Kurtin
2011
Winter - Cynthia Gersbach & Mona Smalley
Spring - Cedalia Kurtz & Paula Unberhagen
Summer - Melinda Kurtz, Sharon Randig & Sharon Koonsen Fall - Janice Wentrcek & Shirley Fischer
2015 Activities Directors
Winter [Jan-Mar] - Janice Wentrcek & Janice Atchison
Summer [Jul-Sep] - Pam Fleming & Pat Bruggman
Spring [Apr-Jun] - Ruth Janke & Shirley Fischer
Fall [Oct-Dec] - Peggy Kurtz & Paula Unberhagen
February 17th – Youth Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper 5pm-7pm
18th - Ash Wednesday Service @ 7pm (Church)
25th- Lenten Meal @6pm Service @7pm (TRC)
March
4th - Lenten Meal @6pm
11th - Lenten Meal @6pm
18th - Lenten Meal @6pm
25th - Lenten Meal @6pm
Service @7pm (TRC)
Service @7pm (TRC)
Service @7pm (TRC)
Service @7pm (TRC)
2nd – Maundy Thursday @7pm (Church) no meal
3rd – Good Friday @ 7pm (Church) no meal
Easter
5th – Sunrise Service @ 6:30am with breakfast to follow
April
If you would like to furnish an Easter lily for our Easter Service, please fill out this form and place it
in the offering plate with your payment, or give it to the church secretary. Cost is $10.00 per plant.
Deadline to order is March 25th.
—- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- — — —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —Please Print:
—- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —- —-
Bulletin Wording:
YOUR NAME _____________________________________________
In Loving Memory of_________________________________________________
Phone and/or E-Mail Address _______________________________
In Memory of_______________________________________________________
Number of Plants ___________ @ $10.00 each = $___________
In Honor of_________________________________________________________
To the Glory of God __________________________________________________
**Plants not picked up on Easter Sunday
Will be taken to our sick and homebound.
There will be a Youth Committee meeting on February 18th at 6:00pm. It’s for
anyone who would like to be on the Youth Committee, to discuss the future,
or anyone who would like to give some input/ideas. If this is not a good day
for you but you would like to participate, please give me a call or email
me. Remember, the youth are our present!
Thanks,
Deborah
254-913-2752
[email protected]
Don’t Forget that every first Sunday we have a youth bake sale!
The proceed go toward youth activities!
Please show your support by donating or buying something yummy .
Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper
Please mark your calendar for
Tuesday, February 17th
5pm-7pm
Pancakes, bacon, and sausage with
assorted toppings.
The December 15, 2014 meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM by the President Weldon Kurtz
Members present: Darrell Marek, Rick Fleming, Weldon Kurtz, Janice Atchison, Pastor Joe Woodward, Sharon Randig,
Jennifer Starke, Joann Zieschang, and Steven Wentrcek
Members absent: Kristi Dague, Lynn Stroud, Jay Don Gommert, Gayle Bielss
Guests: Dorothy Marwitz, Duane Kurtin, Mila Wegner
Pastor's Report: Handout
Treasurers' report: Janice AtchisonGeneral- 4568.00
Cemetery- $8485.26
Secretary's report: Rick Fleming- No report
Special- $62,986.89
Beyer- $1659.86
All bills had been paid
Youth had made $215.69 off pecan sales. It was moved by Sharon and seconded by Darrell to accept the Treasurer's
report as it was written.
Action committee report
Property: Steven- Roof leaking over the preacher’s area in the church. A possible work day to work on the upstairs storage
area in mid- January.
Youth/ Parish Education: Kristi and Sharon- Working on fundraisers and transportation to Detroit. Sunday school is
better. Sharon suggested handing out bags with some of the left over materials in the storage/Sunday school room at
Christmas Eve. Plan for 50 bag of materials.
Evangelism: New members will be welcomed and added to the congregation on Sunday 12/21/2014.
Public Relations: No Report
Membership/Fellowship: Working on the membership list.
Worship: Joann- Advent Worship service committee will meet on 12/16/2014 A few volunteers are needed to work as
assistants.
Stewardship: No report. Sharon asked if the gym could be used during the holidays for a basketball league to practice. It
was discussed and determined that there was not a problem.
OLD BUSINESS:
Bids were opened for Cemetery and custodial care.
Cemetery Care: Bobby Bartlett ( only bid received) Bid of $275.00 per month for care of the cemetery. Motion made to
accept the bid by Janice Atchison and seconded by Darrell Marek. The motion passed.
Custodial Care: Walt Saverse (only bid turned in by the deadline) of $750.00 per month. This would be an increase on
$50.00 per month. After some discussion it was moved by Darrell Marek and seconded by Janice Atchison to have a
member of the property committee renegotiate the price for the custodial care, and have published by the council. Have
him work closer to the job descriptions that the council had established. Also, to renegotiate the salary to stay at the
$700.00 that had been set. The motion passed.
The Annual Congregational meeting would be on January 18, 2015 along with the new officer installation. All reports are
due by January 4, 2015.
Nursery: Going well, one family is using the service and they are coming on a more regular basis.
NEW BUSINESS:
Weldon read a letter from Briarwood Retreat about the need for financial assistance. Weldon suggested that the church
donate some of the funds from the Lenten and Advent services to help out Briarwood Retreat. It was moved by Sharon and
seconded by Joann to donate $500.00 of the Lenten offering to Briarwood. The motion passed.
Garland Kneten asked for a donation to be made to the Holland Band for donating instruments to the church in the amount
of $200.00.Darrell Marek made the motion to donate $200.00 to the Holland Band from the Worship committee's budget
money. The motion was seconded by Janice Atchison. The motion passed.
The motion to adjourn was made by Janice Atchison, and seconded by Sharon Randig. The motion passed.
The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Respectfully submitted Rick Fleming, Council Secretary - St. John's Lutheran Church
OUR MISSION
To Gather as God’s
People
To Grow Spiritually

To Go Empowered by
the Holy Spirit
To Share the Gospel
as We Serve
You’re Always
Welcome at St.
John Lutheran
Church…
Sunday Mornings
Sunday School 9:15am
February 2015
Worship 10:30am
Join Us and Bring a Friend!
Bartlett, TX 76511
P. O. Box 70
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Permit #7
Bartlett TX
76511
30650 State Hwy 95
St. John Lutheran Church
Address Service Requested