Celebrate!!! 

Yes, we did! October 26^th was a wonderful event as we celebrated Pastor Haupt’s 25^th Anniversary at St. John’s.  The congregation, neighboring pastors, special family guests and GREAT food made this a very special day for Pastor Haupt and Ruth. Special THANK YOUs go to Sue Edwards and all of her Ladies Aid helpers for the wonderful meal (no lime jello at this one!), the young men from our youth ministry who washed every one of those dishes and all of the silverware, Janice Korstange (and Craig Kaschube, for tech support) for the great PowerPoint presentation of the Haupts over the past years in pictures, and everyone who pitched in to pick up, put tables away and stacked chairs. Thank you Mark Brooky for the great newspaper article highlighting Pastor Haupt’s ministry at St John’s. We could not have done it without everyone pitching in. It was a day enjoyed by the entire St John’s family.

Charlie Edwards

 

SCRIP News

The holidays are quickly approaching and many people are working on their Christmas lists. Because Thanksgiving was the latest it could be last month, there are fewer shopping days until Christmas. We call it the "Holiday Crunch". There are many businesses nationwide that are available to be used as gifts that may not be listed on our order form.

To see what is available, you may go to www.glscrip.com and click on "retailers". Our SCRIP program has paid for all the supplies and textbooks this year. Because of paying the bills, our balance is low in our account. We try to keep an inventory in our box for the businesses that are used the most. But because of our account balance, we may not be able to have a generous inventory on hand. But we CAN GUARANTEE that we will have what you want if you give us a prepaid order. Most orders will be ready for pickup in a week or less.

Our SCRIP program is "One Stop Shopping" to make it easy for you. The gift cards are the same as you would buy at the retailers -- the only difference is we keep a percentage of the profits for the school rather than the business keeping the profit. Please use our SCRIP program when you do your Christmas shopping and help our school while you do your regular shopping and gift giving. Thank you to all our "regular" customers throughout this past year.

Connie Behm, SCRIP Coordinator

Music Notes

The Songs of Christmas on Radio J-O-Y!

What do you get when you combine a disc jockey, a pastor, a traffic reporter, a newsman, a weatherman, a sportscaster, and a choir director with her choir? It’s “Radio J-O-Y! – where the best songs are songs about Christmas!” This holiday radio station is the setting for the musical play to be performed by St. John’s Family Choir as part of the second Mid-Week Advent Worship Event at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, in the sanctuary. Other characters in the play include Mary, Joseph, a stable-full of animals, shepherds, an angel, and three wise men.

St. John’s Celebration Choir will add three Advent anthems to the service. The vespers setting will include congregational singing, Scripture readings, and prayers. 

This retelling of the Christmas story through music and drama provides an excellent opportunity to invite your friends, neighbors, or co-workers to St. John’s. Why not share with them the joy we have found in the birth of our Savior?

Celebration Choir Caroling

Celebration Choir will sing Christmas carols at area care facilities and homes of shut-ins on Sunday, December 21. Choir members are asked to meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. to share rides.

Following caroling, choir members will hold their annual Christmas party at Eileen Ritter’s home. Please bring your significant other and a snack or dessert to share.

Eileen Ritter, Music Director

 

JuBELLation Ringers

Christmas Eve Handbell Ringers needed: We will be ringing our bells as the congregation sings Christmas carols at the 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. worship services on Wednesday, December 24th. We will ring from the main floor of the sanctuary like we did last year. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to rejoice with us through music on Christmas Eve. If you are available to ring at both or just one of our Christmas Eve worship services, call Handbell director Ruth Haupt (616) 846-7875. We will practice on Wednesday evenings, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the church balcony. Thank you for your consideration and prayers for this opportunity.

Ruth Haupt, Handbell Director

Stephen Minister Training Class

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Don't Miss the Boat! Act now if you'd like to be part of the next Stephen Minister training class which will take place in January, 2009. Have you thought that perhaps you would like to participate in this ministry? Your opportunity to do so has arrived. Please call Donna Yost at (616) 510-8170, or Scott Liggett (616) 850-0265 if you would like to participate in this training and in this ministry.

Stephen Ministry Continues

The ministry of lay Christian caregivers among us has been going on for well over a year. We thank God that he has given us the gift of these people. After having completed the Stephen Series training, our Stephen Ministers are now putting their skills and compassion to work, caring for people in our congregation.

Gods' Blessings,

Scott Liggett, Donna Yost, Bob Carlson, Fay Hoffman, Peggy Erhorn, Linda Goresch, Jerry Goresch

 

Lakeshore Pregnancy Center Baby Bottle Fundraiser

What if a couple of strangers, a young man and woman, showed up on your doorstep, asking if they could spend the night? Both are ragged, tired, and dirty. The girl is obviously pregnant. If you knew them, if you had been prepared for them, maybe you would say ‘yes.’ If they were your relatives, most likely you would welcome them. If you knew they were Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly parents, of course you would welcome them warmly, then call everyone you know to let them know the future Messiah’s parents were lodging with you. 

The problem is, so often we don’t know who or what or even why someone is asking for our help. In Joseph’s case, he undoubtedly had relatives living in Bethlehem, but they would not welcome him since his fiancé had become pregnant before marriage. It is easy to judge these relatives, wondering whether or not they had any compassion. They may have defended themselves, asserting that they were standing up for their values. 

There are still lots of ‘Marys and Josephs’ involved in unplanned pregnancies. The people involved are no less distressed than Mary and Joseph. They need to know there is help, there is hope, and most of all, there is God’s love, a love like no other. That is the primary focus of Lakeshore Pregnancy Center. We offer the Gospel and the help to restore a relationship between our clients and God. 

Of course, we have hospital-quality pregnancy tests. For every positive test, we offer a free ultrasound. We talk with clients---or anyone concerned about a pregnancy---about their options, praying for them and encouraging life. For those who have had an abortion, we offer confidential post-abortion healing and restoration to a strong relationship with God.

We offer so much more: diapers, wipes, baby clothes, maternity clothes, formula, baby food, and baby furnishings. We provide pregnancy, parenting, and relationship education. Most of all, we provide safe, confidential help to any needing a place to talk, to be helped, or to be encouraged. In January, we will begin a men’s program, taught exclusively by men to men to help them become like Joseph: responsible, committed, and reliant on God.

Everything we offer is free. We are solely supported by donations from people like you. In addition to your prayers, you can be a big part of this by taking a baby bottle home with you after services on November 29, and filling it throughout Advent with change or whatever financial gift the Spirit leads you to give. Then on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, please bring your filled bottle back. Your gift will make it possible for us to continue to meet the growing needs of the vulnerable members of our community. 

And that matters, because we never really know who it is we are helping. What we do know is that we do it because God first loved us so that He gave us the most magnificent gift of all, Jesus Christ. 

 

Ladies Aid Annual Christmas Potluck

Attention all Ladies of our congregation:

 Ladies Aid is having their annual Christmas potluck party. Everyone is invited, just bring a dish to pass and your table setting. All fun, companionship, and laughter is free. Mark your calendar for December 4th at noon (12:00 p.m.), and come and join us. If you have any questions please call Sue Edwards (616) 842-6456.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks for the Donations for SURF Detroit

Thank you (and thank you Janice & Nick Korstange for being the transporters) for your gracious donations. As you have seen and heard from the teams that have come to Surf Detroit, the needs are sooo great. Heard today of a house fire in Highland Park. Grandmother and three grandchildren are missing. They had no heat and were heating with a stove. Even here in Utica, I’ve been working with a 31 year old man who went back to school, but who eats only every 2 or 3 days…when he comes to our church. He feels loved. It is Christ’s love through us.

Thank you for all you do, for all that you share. As we look at the potential of Chrysler being absorbed by General Motors, we look at 40,000 jobs directly touched as well as the ‘ripple’ effect. Just when you think it has bottomed out…

We welcome around 85 people each Sunday who come to our SSS (Shower, Supper, Sack lunch). It amazes us to cook huge amounts of food and see it disappear in 30 minutes. People are hungry. Two weeks ago we handed out 12 blankets to people sleeping in their cars. The real grip of winter is yet to hit.

On behalf of Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as the ministries and the people helped by you, I thank you. As in Exodus 17 when Moses holds up his arms so the Israelites can win the battle…and when he tires, two people hold up his arms, I thank you for holding up our arms on the front lines and the arms of so many others. To you, it may be a drop in the bucket. To us, we see the bucket fill and get dipped into the lives of others.

With more gratitude than you can ever, ever imagine,

Dan Karlin, Trinity Social Ministries, Utica, MI

 

Thank You St. John’s Youth Group

What happens when you hand over power tools, boards, screws, paint and brushes, sewing machines, and fabric to the St. John’s Youth Group? You end up with fabulous yard games! In October, the youth group helped Lakeshore Pregnancy Center by providing a service project for us. The group constructed and painted several clever outdoor games to be used during our annual fundraiser, LifeWalk. I had the privilege of hanging out with them as they worked hard, had fun, and completed all the games we needed in one evening! Everyone got along and had a great time. Parents had some wonderful goodies available for them as they each tackled one project or another. They all worked together well, and there wasn’t any negative behavior. It was an uplifting evening where I got to meet some amazing teens I would not have met otherwise. I encourage you to get involved with the youth or to encourage a teen you know to attend Youth Group. We need to support these youth in their projects and to get to know them. They are a sweet blessing to St. John’s.   

Becky Eminger, Director, Lakeshore Pregnancy Center of Grand Haven

Church  Library

Church Library Donations – Books:

Spiritual Growth

90 Minutes in Heaven, Don Piper

A true story of Don Piper experiencing death from a car     accident. Through the prayer of a minister, he comes back to life.

Christmas Songs Made In America, Albert J. & Shirley C. Menendez

Favorite holiday melodies and stories of their origins.

Firstlight, Sue Monk Kidd (Guideposts)

Thirteen spiritual stories and essays.

Teen/Young Adult

More Prayers On My Pillow, Celia Straus

Words of comfort and hope for girls on the journey to self.

Roses for Mama, Janette Oke (Guideposts)

After the death of her parents, 17 year old Angela has the responsibility of raising three younger siblings. As the children grow, the questions and challenges intensify. Preparing them for life seems to require something more.

The Calling of Emily Evans, Janette Oke (Guideposts)

A timeless story of enduring strenth and commitment through hardships and joy.

DVD

You’ve Got the Time, Hosanna/Faith Comes by Hearing

40 day plan for listening to the New Testament – 28 minutes a day New International Version (NIV)

Video

Windrunner, Feature films for families

Greg Cima longs to be a champion football player. Greg is labeled a convict’s son and must endure taunts from the prison warden’s son. When Greg is unfairly cut from the team so the warden’s son can play, Huck, an elusive and wise Native American, coaches Greg to be a winner and learn to free his anger by forgiving and accepting his father’s failings.

NOTE – The books on Todd and the Talking Pinata (Taco Bell Series) has been placed in  the church nursery. 

Fay Hoffman, Church Library Coordinator

  

Men’s Chili Supper/Hockey Game Fellowship

Men – This one’s for you! – Your Fellowship Board is planning a trip to the Muskegon Lumberjack’s hockey game on Saturday, January 24^th at 5:00 p.m. All Men and Boys are invited. We will meet at the church for a chili supper, then car pool up to Muskegon for the game. Mark your calendars now, and watch for further details in the coming weeks.

Family Friendly Page