L I V I N G A N D S H A R I N G A P A S S I O N A T E A N D L I F E - C H A N G I N G F A I T H I N J E S U S C H R I S T

May 2013

• online: www.stjohncf.org• call the office: 319.268.0165

• stop at the Welcome Center

• www.facebook.com/stjohncf

For up-to-date information & registering

Oct 2 - No More Perfect Moms

If you’ve ever forgotten to pick up your kid from soccer practice, this book is for you. This 6 week book discussion group meets from 6-7:15pm in the church library. Please purchase your own copy of the book.

Oct. 6 CROP Walk

The 3 mile route begins & ends at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls at 1:30pm. Walk with others from St. John to raise money & awareness about hunger in our community and around the world.

Oct. 13 - NewAldaya Oktoberfest

A Cedar Valley Oktoberfest for area Lutherans is set for 2-5pm at Elm’s Pub (NewAldaya). Assorted beverages, music, food and conversation!

Oct. 30 Trunk or TreatEnjoy a delicious meal, crafts and games, before the kids head outside for “trunk or treat”. Everyone is welcome to join in the festivities by decorating their car trunk/trunkbed and handing out goodies (no candy, please) to the kids.

Highlights

Oct 2013

Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. This year, we can be a part of the 20th Anniversary celebration by bringing joy to the boys and girls who receive our shoebox gifts!

Our collection bins for OCC will be out starting Sunday, October 13. Please remember that all items must fit (along with other items) in a small shoebox! We will collect items and money until our Packing Party on November 10!

Gift Ideas for 1,001 ShoeboxesToysCars, balls, dolls, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, Slinky, etc.Stuffed animals - every shoebox gets a stuffed animal so we need 1001 of those!

School SuppliesPens, pencils and sharpener, crayons (we had a great source for buying bulk crayons last year - talk with Jenny in the church office), coloring books.

Hygiene Items - Every shoebox includes 1 of each of these:Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth.

OtherSunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, drawstring bags.

Financial: $7 per shoebox to cover shipping costsIf you can contribute financially to help cover the shipping costs, please write “OCC” in the memo section of your check and drop it into the offering basket.

A note from Pastor Duane Miller

As most of you know, I began my responsibilities as your Interim Associate Pastor here at St. John on August 26.

Pastor Dave and your Church Council asked me to come onboard full-time in this capacity to be of assistance in several areas. I have several responsibilities. One is to give leadership to your new Youth Team. A second is to assist your leadership with thinking through what the Associate Pastor position might look like before the congregation elects a call committee and searches for that pastor. A third is

to organize and assist with the ongoing pastoral care needs of the congregation. Finally, I will be looking for some opportunities to teach adults.

People ask me where I come from. My residence is in West Des Moines. One of your member families has graciously offered me living quarters when it is necessary for me to be here in Cedar Falls. I am a native of Michigan, having been born and raised in Lansing, Michigan.

I attended college at Michigan State University and am active in the MSU Alumni Association. I attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. I served congregations in Michigan and Ohio before coming to Iowa in 1991. For the past 15 years, I have served as a trained interim pastor in Iowa and Minnesota.

I am married to Paula Connolly and we share six children from our previous marriages. They range in age from 23-34. One daughter is married, and three of the kids are engaged, so 2014 will be a busy year!

I am an avid bicycle rider and already enjoying the trail system here in the Cedar Valley.

Most of all, I enjoy helping congregations navigate pastoral transitions. The plan is for me to remain with St. John until you have identified your new Associate Pastor. While only God knows when that will happen, that will likely come about in the late spring or early summer of 2014. I will not be a candidate for the permanent call. I must also refrain from influencing the congregation in the choosing of a new pastor.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the congregation in this capacity.

In Christ,

Duane E. MillerInterim Associate Pastor

Welcome Tricia!Tricia Freeman is joining the St. John Staff as Children and Family Ministries Team Leader. Tricia comes to us with 17 years of teaching experience. Her duties will include the children’s ministry program on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for children 3 years - 6th grade.

The congregation and leadership would like to thank Kathleen Osborn Gerdes for her service to the St. John community during her years of service in Children & Family Ministry. Cards or gifts in appreciation of Kathleen’s service may be dropped off at the church office. We wish her well.

Serve One AnotherPancake Breakfast: Saturday, Oct 19All You Can Eat Pancakes, Sausage, Coffeecake & BeverageShare in some delicious food at this annual fundraiser by the NewAldaya Lifescapes Auxiliary as we help provide items that enhance the lives of the NewAldaya residents. Tickets are $6 adults, $3 kids (10&under), free for those under 3years. Don’t forget to browse the Bake Sale before you leave and pick up some goodies to enjoy at home!

Lutheran World Relief QuiltsIn 2013, LWR is challenging Lutherans across the U.S. to donate 500,000 quilts to send around the world to people in need. Join with others the second Monday of the month at 8am in Fellowship Hall to create these valuable gifts of warmth. No sewing experience is needed -- we create “tie” quilts, using yarn & a knot to “tie” together the layers of fabric.

Northeast Iowa Food BankThe Food Bank needs our help on Saturday, October 12 (a week later than we normally help out) from 9am-12noon to fill food bags and restock shelves. Everyone welcome (youth 6th gr and younger must serve with an adult). Sign up at the Opportunities Table.

Salvation ArmyFeed the hungry” literally! Join with others from St. John to serve the noon meal at the Salvation Army on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meet there at 11:15 am, meal is served until 1 pm. Sign up at the Opportunities Table.

Love INC Volunteer SOS Love Inc is in desperate need of at least nine volunteers who are willing to serve n the Clearinghouse. Duties include processing intakes, making verification calls, scheduling Gap ministry appointments, and following up with clients. Comfort speaking on the phone is a must. Volunteers are needed anytime during normal business hours, Monday - Friday. Volunteers are trained. Emailloveinccv@gmail.com if you are interested or to learn more.

Church Council Highlights: Aug 15Meeting was called to order by Donna Wede at 7:00 A.M.

Present: Donna Wede (Pres.), Steve Hill (V-Pres.), Natalie Burris, Gerald Sorenson, Jim Langel, Rich Schoof, Pastor Dave Kebschull, Denise Hanson, Marie Helvie, and Larry Prohaska.

Additional reports of the congregation are available at www.stjohncf.org/#/home/resourcesdownloads

Call Process:  The timeline for the call process was updated (posted on the website). Current timeframe plans for Call Committee to form in January.  Pastor Duane started on August 26 and his service will end with the start of the called Associate Pastor. Pastor Duane will work with a number of congregation members on the Ministry Site Profile.

Capital Appeal:  The James Company was selected and hired to conduct the St. John Capital Appeal for the next 3 years at a cost of $47,500.  Capital Appeal Team Members

are Jim Langel, Larry Prohaska, Charisse Folken, Don Timmerman and Pastor Dave.

Staffing:  Pastor Dave updated the Church Council on the status of the staff as we start the new school year. Pastor Duane has gotten started.  The Youth Team is in place and has begun programming. Childcare and Preschool are fully staffed.  Kathleen Osborn Gerdes submitted her resignation as Children's Ministries Team Leader and will work 1-2 days a week for the immediate future to assist in the transitional search period for a Worship and Music Team Leader.  Tricia Freeman has begun duties as Children and Family Ministries Team Leader. Andy Schipper has submitted his resignation and the position of weekday custodian is being re-evaluated.

Christmas With WartburgNow in its 66th year, Christmas With Wartburg continues to spread the joy of the Christmas season through music, art and word. This year’s production, The Marvel of the Night, will be performed in Neumann Auditorium on the Wartburg College Campus Saturday, December 7 at 3 pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, December 8 at 3pm.

St John members and friends may purchase reserved tickets in advance of the public sale at a reduced rate of $12 per ticket. Deadline to order and pay is October 14. Please sign up at the Opportunities Table prior to October 14.

Financial NewsYear-to-Date Budget 9/30/13 $610,051.93Actual Received as of 9/22/13 $556,908.04

Saturday, November 29am - 2pm

The St. John Holiday Bazaar is truly a labor of love. It is not your ordinary Church Bazaar! The Bazaar offers something for everyone thanks to St. John’s talented members. From wonderful homemade soap and body products to the best luncheon in town, from a well stocked “stocking stuffer” table to lovingly knitted scarves, from an in describable bake sale to the silent auction, the Bazaar has become an event that cannot be missed!

Handmade With Love: Now is the Time to Start!While crafts vary from year to year, they are always interesting and unique -- Shoppers love buying handmade items! Now is the time to begin planning and creating your “Handmade With Love” donations to support the St. John Holiday Bazaar. This Bazaar cannot be successful without your support of items to sell.

Ideas of items you might like to begin creating include soap and body products, toys, pottery, handmade ornaments, photo-greeting cards, knitted hats and gloves, handcrafted aprons, jewelry, baby blankets, quilts, holiday-specific items, jar mixes, scrapbook pages, stained and fused glass, wood items and more! Silent Auction baskets are also very popular and fun to put together!

The sky is the limit -- your imagination can lead you to create and donate absolutely wonderful things! This is the perfect time to begin working on your projects!

H LIDAYBazaar& Luncheon

H LIDAY

save the

date!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

    1

9am Ladies Study 10am Ladies Study 7pm Pints of Grace 7:30pm Ladies Study

home  

2 3:30pm Yth Room Open 4:15 Chimes 5-6 pm Meal 6 8pm ALPHA 6-7:15 MOMS Book Grp 6pm Firelight (K-4 gr) 6pm Club 56 (5&6) 6pm Jr. High (7-9gr) 6pm Sr. High (10-12gr)

3  

1pm Sole-full Ministry  4  7pm Jr. High Heart of Darkness

5  4pm Wedding

6 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Live Out Loud (7th/8th/9th gr) 11am Gospel of Mat-thew 1:30pm CROP Walk 7pm High School Campfire Worship  

7 6pm Run for God

8 10am Ladies Study 7pm Pints of Grace  

9 3:30pm Yth Room Open 4:15 Chimes 5-6 pm Meal 6 8pm ALPHA 6-7:15 MOMS Book Grp 6pm Firelight (K-4 gr) 6pm Club 56 (5&6) 6pm Jr. High (7-9gr) 6pm Sr. High (10-12gr)

10  

11   12  9am-12 Food Bank Volunteer Opp 4pm Wedding

13 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Live Out Loud (7th/8th/9th gr) 11am Gospel of Mat-thew 2pm NewAldaya Main Street Oktoberfest 7pm High School LaVida @ LSC  

14  8am Do-Day Quilters 6pm Run for God

@ Preschool 7pm Breast Cancer Support Grp.  

15 10am Ladies Study

@ Preschool 7pm Pond Club 7pm Pints of Grace  

16 3:30pm Yth Room Open 4:15 Chimes 5-6 pm Meal 6 8pm ALPHA 6-7:15 MOMS Book Grp 6pm Firelight (K-4 gr) 6pm Club 56 (5&6) 6pm Jr. High (7-9gr) 6pm Sr. High (10-12gr)

17  

6:30pm Cross-stitch Group 6:30pm Preschool Partners Mtg.  

18   19  Habitat for Humanity Workday Synod Stewardship Event Live Out Loud Re-treat @ EWALU

20 9:30am Sunday School 11am Gospel of Mat-thew Live Out Loud Re-treat @ EWALU  

21 10:30am Sole-full Ministry 6pm Run for God

22 10am Ladies Study 11am Salvation Army Volunteer Opp. 7pm Pints of Grace  

23 3:30pm Yth Room Open 4:15 Chimes 5-6 pm Meal 6 8pm ALPHA 6-7:15 MOMS Book Grp 6pm Firelight (K-4 gr) 6pm Club 56 (5&6) 6pm Jr. High (7-9gr) 6pm Sr. High (10-12gr)

24  

25   26 Run for God 5K Run @ Orchard Hill

27 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Live Out Loud (7th/8th/9th gr) 11am Gospel of Mat-thew  

28   29 10am Ladies Study 7pm Pints of Grace  

30 3:30pm Yth Room Open 4:15 Chimes 6 8pm ALPHA 5-6pm MEAL followed by TRUNK OR TREAT

31  

 Bring your BAZAAR items to the Faith & Life Center

 Come to shop and support our Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon!    

October  2013  

9am-4:30pm 9am-2pm

PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHERBlessings to . . . .

• Beth Koch & Jeff Ehlers who were united in marriage

• Taylor Wessels & Jason Hassman who were united in marriage

• Lauren Kebschull & Luke Borkenhagen who were united in marriage

• Heather & Zeb Nicholson on the birth of their daughter, Alice

• Chris & Erin Tripolino on the birth of their daughter, Brielle

• Andrea Arvidson & Broc Harms who were united in marriage.

Comfort and Consolation to . . . .

• Steve Ferguson, LeaAnn Wendling and Lesa Ruane on the death of their

cousin, Bill Durnil.

• Alicia Goecke & Michael Doss on the death of their son, Malik.

• Darvin & Lyn Bobst on the death of Darvin’s mother, Viola Bobst.

• The family of Marvin Rohm upon his death.