St. John’ s Staff

The Rev. Dr. Rachel Connelly, Pastor Bill Brackett, Congregational President

Andrea Carlson, Parish Secretary Joan Lewis, Spiritual Gifts Coordinator

Patty Shepard and Haileigh Chapman, Youth Directors Ray Burroughs, Sexton/Biggerstaff Christian Retreat

Marsha Cabbage, Organist and Director of Music Cindy Kelly, SJ Preschool Director

Chuck Rawlins, Congregational Treasurer Mark McLean, Financial Secretary

Greg Harris, Cemetery Coordinator Diane Rawlins, Altar Guild

Cory Drennon, Grounds Keeper Dave Parkey, Special Projects

St. John’s Lutheran Church 301 West Main St. Walhalla, SC 29691

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THE CHIMES St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main Street

Walhalla, South Carolina We are called and empowered by God to spread the Gospel and

to share the love of Jesus Christ in service to all. The Reverend Dr. Rachel Connelly

Office Hours Mon.- Fri. 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Phone: (864) 638-6363 Fax: (864) 638-8238 Email: stjohnsluther@gmail.com Website: www.stjohnswalhalla.org

Biggerstaff Christian Retreat: 864-882-3337 398 Biggerstaff Road; Seneca SC 29672

And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Philippians 2:2

Dear Friends:

The Palm Sunday crowd were spectators but when danger came they refused to be participants. The parade excitement quickly turns us toward the Passion of Jesus. Lent is a 'liturgical roller-coaster ride.' a slow, steady, difficult climb to Palm Sunday, followed by the jubilation of the crowds, then plummeting to the depths of Good Friday, before finally returning home at Easter, elated and changed by the ride We are called, not to be spectators, bystanders, or onlookers, but we are called to be disciples and to keep Jesus’ story alive. I invite you to be a full participant in the story. Take time during this Holy Week for prayer, meditation on the word of God, and service to others. Come on Maundy Thursday and experience the “mandate” of Jesus to love one another – remembering his command to “do this in remembrance of me”. Encounter the sacrificial love of God through the cross of Good Friday. Then on Easter morning, come to worship triumphantly, embracing the mystery of the resurrection that makes possible our own transformation as cling to the power of Christ’s death that leads to the Resurrected life. In Christ’s Love and Service,

April 2018

Holy Week and Easter Worship Schedule March 29 Maundy Thursday Service, 7 pm at St. John’s The Rev. Michael Hammett of St. Luke’s Methodist Church preaching

March 30 Good Friday Service Noon, at St. John’s Lutheran

7 pm, at St. Luke’s Methodist The Rev. Dr. Rachel Connelly preaching April 1 Easter Sunrise Service at Biggerstaff, 7am Easter Breakfast at St. John’s, 8am EASTER Sunday Worship, 10:30 am

WHAT IS HOLY WEEK? Holy Week is the final week of Lent and commemorates the events of our Lord's last week before His death. From sundown on Maundy Thursday--when we worship and hear Christ’s new command of love to the cross and pain of Good Friday-- we look expectantly to the resurrection of Easter Day. Holy Week, together with Easter, is the most sacred part of the Christian calendar -- the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Maundy Thursday Worship with Communion and Footwashing March 29 ~ 7:00 pm - St John’s The word “Maundy” comes for the Latin “mandatum,” which means command. Throughout this day, we focus on the commandment Jesus gave us to love each other. In our worship, we re-enact his demonstration of what it means to be a servant, through the ritual of footwashing. At the conclusion of the service, the altar is stripped.

Good Friday Worship Services March 30 ~ 12 Noon - St John’s - A service of Christ’s Passion Service incorporating meditations on Jesus’ last words from the cross 7pm – Tenebrae Service at St. Luke’s Methodist – The Rev. Michael Hammett, Preaching. Good Friday worship is marked by austerity and silence. Our Tenebrae worship dates back to the 8th century and is a service that moves from light to darkness, with fading light symbolizing the ebbing life of the Crucified Lord and worldly darkness of sin and evil. It features Scripture readings, meditations, and hymns, and is centered on Christ’s seven words from the cross.

Easter Sunrise Service, 7:00 am (Held at Biggerstaff )

Around the world, before dawn on Easter Sunday, faithful followers of Jesus gather at churches, cemeteries, parks, beaches and lakefronts for sunrise services. Wherever they are held or whatever the shape of the service, at the center are images of new life and the resurrection of Christ symbolized in the dawn of a new day and the rising of the Sun.

Easter Festival Worship at St John’s, 10:30 am Come celebrate the Festival of the Resurrection this Easter Sunday. We gather to hear the good news of Jesus conquering death and sing Alleluia to the Risen Lord. Special music and Holy Communion are a part of this Festival day!

Worshipers are invited to bring fresh flowers to decorate

the “flowering cross” that marks the entrance to our 10:30am worship for our Easter celebration.

BULLETS FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 19, 2018

Pastor Rachel’s Report: Mid-week Lenten Soup and Study—35-40 attendees Continuing with the Bi-Monthly staff meetings Pastoral Care Visits Welcome to Pat and Linda Morgan and Shonda Mahler Organizational Structure Task Force—envisioning and talking about how we function and how to

improve the overall organization. Gave out an Organizational Chart By-Laws—contacted Synod regarding copies on File

Finances: Total income for the month (Contributions and Rents) exceeded total expenses by $487.00. This is always a good situation! Contributions were slightly under budget by $521.00 or 2.15, but because of the timing of the Rental Income, it was actually over budget by $840.00. Total expenses, as is usually the case, were in line with the budget, with no significant variations. The General Fund checking account at the end of the month was $20,231.00. Property Committee:

Fellowship Hall Floor installation will begin in June. Relocation of all the windows is approximately $8,000.00. Roofing of the Preschool will begin in June. Lawn repair will be done by church volunteers Saturday 3/24 Waiting for sidewalk quote from Stacy Jackson

Security/Safety Committee:

Addition of Cameras, Walkie Talkie Radios, Lighting Per Code, Upgrade windows and doors, Comply with all local Fire and emergency codes.

The Council authorizes the Property and Architectural Committees to meet and discuss the movement of windows to secure the Breezeway.

The Preschool will be hiring a Preschool Assistant to complete this school year. This person will be assisting the teachers with their needs. The Preschool Board requested $250.00 as a gift from the Congregation to Cindy Kelly for her years of service. This was approved. All Congregational Council Minutes are available in the church office for your review any

time during normal business hours. If you would like a copy of the minutes, please contact the office, and one can be provided for you.

Call 638-6363 or email Andrea at stjohnsluther@gmail.com

Margaret Penington, will be 100 years young on June 21, 2018. Her family will be giving her a reception in the fellowship Hall of St. John's Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The congregation is invited. NO GIFTS PLEASE. She has been in Lila Doyle since April of 2014. We know she will be delighted to see many of her friends that afternoon. - Betty Wallace

Our tithes and offerings are an important part of our faith journey. Electronic offerings may be given through

GIVELIFY. You may also go to our website: www.stjohnswalhalla.org

and access the secure giving button there.

Pastor Rachel’s contact information:

Email: stjohnspastorrachel@gmail.com Cell # (910) 515-0897

Every day, Living Lutheran offers a prayer for the day from the ELCA resource Prayer Ventures, which can be downloaded at scsynod.com. These petitions are offered as a guide for your own prayer life as together we pray for the needs of the world and give thanks for the ministries of our church.

April 1 Easter Day Christ is risen! We rejoice and ask God’s Spirit to live in us and dispel our doubts, hesitations and fears and fill us with faith and amazement over God’s miraculous, unconstrained love for us. April 2 The body of Christ spans every nation and all people, without partiality. Ask God to make us bold witnesses of our faith and the good news of Jesus Christ – close to home and throughout the world. April 3 Give thanks for music in our lives and worship, a gift that lifts our spirits, draws people to-gether, gives expression to our emotions and thoughts, helps us reflect on our faith and Scripture, and expresses our praise and thanksgiving to God. April 4 The church is not immune from the temptations of commercialization, profit and consumption. Pray we keep Jesus Christ at the center of all we do, strive to be and witness to; ask God to help us be mindful of the teachings of Jesus commending generosity, simplicity and attentiveness to the needs and circumstances of our neighbor and the world. April 5 Remember in prayer communities nervously anticipating potential spring storms and severe weather. Pray their preparations, if needed, help preserve life and property, and give thanks for Lu-theran Disaster Response, first responders, volunteers and members of the military who stand ready to assist. April 6 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Look around and give thanks for all God has made, accomplished, blessed us with and is working through us – children of God, followers of Christ.

THE SALEM LIONS CLUB has as one of their projects the managing/programing for the Computer 4 Kids

work. The lab is open and staffed each Monday from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm in Walhalla. Lab is located in the

basement of the old two-story high school building across North College St. from the Walhalla Civic Auditori-

um in Walhalla. (Drive to the north end of the building and turn left twice to see the door to enter.) They wel-

come any and all to bring unused computers and equipment to the lab, and they will clean and purge the hard

drives. Then they install the programs for learning as needed depending on age and/or grade level - reading or

math or STEM or any other subjects. There is absolutely no cost to the recipients of the equipment or down-

loaded programs. All charity! The computers are given to students in need who are recommended by their

teachers. Questions? - Call Ray Bramble @ 944-1684 and/or Dee Brosnan @ 944-2138.

Operation INASMUCH 2018

YOUNG YOUTH PROJECT DELIVERING COOKIES~ (Haileigh Chapman) The children will deliver cookies to Lakeview Assisted Living. OLDER YOUTH PROJECT ROADSIDE LITTER PICK-UP~ (Patty Shepard) Picking up litter from the road ALL AGES COOKIES FOR THE COMMUNITY~ (Lois Cooley/Nancy Mahan/Nettie Diebold) Thursday 4/12 at 10am Bagging cookies to be distributed to the community. QUARTERS AT THE LAUDROMAT ~ (Millie Hawbecker) Distribute quarters at a Seneca laundromat. KNITTERS & CROCHETERS ~ (Barbara Wilson) Delivering knitted/crocheted dishcloths and blankets to 9 community agencies. LUNCH ~ served at 12 noon ( Libby & Mark McLean) Package & deliver lunch to Walhalla Fire & Police department and Lakeview Assisted Living. PRAYER TEAM~ all day on April 14th (Jan Long) This project is designed for those who are not able to participate in a mission project on April 14th.The Prayer Team supports volunteers through prayer. SMALL HOME REPAIR~(Dave Lewis/ John Hawbecker) Doing home repair at the home of Addie Mae Smith, Seneca. Home repair includes replacing 2 screen doors, fixing several window, repairing bath room tile. YARD WORK~ (Bill Hughes ) Yard work at the home of Addie Mae Smith, Seneca, is general clean-up and some planting. “THIS PHONE’S FOR YOU” phon-a-thon~ (Pastor Rachel) Make phone calls to friends of members who do not have a church home inviting them to worship with us in April. Script provided. Done at church. Bring your “charged” cell phone ready to dial DONATION ITEMS~ Check at the INASMUCH donation table in the Fellowship Hall for details. Bring collection and donation items to the church between April 2nd and 14th

for United Way • Diapers (all sizes but most needed are sizes 4-5) and Baby Wipes

for the Community: • Homemade Cookies • Specific food donations for lunch Walhalla Fire, and Police departments, Lake-

view Assisted Living • “Quarters for the Laundromat” • Knitted dishcloths and small blankets (see Barbara Wilson for details) POT LUCK GATHERING will be held at St. John’s on Sunday, April 29th at 12

noon. This will be an opportunity for us to share our experiences.

APRIL 14, 2018

ISSAQUEENA’S LAST RIDE St. John’s Lutheran Church is hosting Issaqueena’s Last Ride cycling event again this year

on Saturday, April 21st. Before departure at 9:00 A.M. the cyclists will be offered conti-

nental style breakfast items to give them energy for their journey. When the more than

150 riders return, St. John’s will feed them again with soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, des-

serts and drinks. Volunteers needed to donate the food and to serve the food. Sign-up at

the Spiritual Ops table.

OPERATION INASMUCH WILL BEGIN WITH PRAYER & DEVOTIONS on Saturday morning, April 14th, 8:30am at St. John’s. All projects begin after devotions.

April News for Our Fabulous Youth Group 1st Week Spring Break—YIPPEE!!! April 11 Starting our Wednesday Prayer and Share at Carolina Pizza April 14 INASMUCH DAY—Starts at 9 am April 15 LCY and ELY joint meeting at Biggerstaff 5—7pm Hamburgers / Hot Dogs, Desserts and Drinks April 22 We are going on a hike—leave after church- picnic lunch April 25 Prayer & Share at 3 Amigos, 6—7 pm

GOD SEES YOU AS YOU CAN BE BUT LOVES YOU AS YOU ARE

Love in Christ, Patty & Haileigh

BREAKFAST WITH DADS was a huge celebration. The Preschoolers enjoyed their dads, grandfathers and loved ones that came to have breakfast with them. The children sang and made crafts for their dads. Easter is coming up and spring break will be enjoyed by all. Huge thanks to everyone that has donated or volunteered their time to the Preschool. Mrs. Cindy and the Preschool Teachers Wish List: Special Items Needed:

Clorox Wipes Clothes for ages 18 months - 5 years Lysol Spray Kleenex

CINDY KELLY, our preschool director, has resigned to take a position within the Oconee County School system. Anyone who would like to bring a card of thanks or make a cash donation towards a love offering for Cindy may do so through the Church Office. She will be honored on Wednesday, March 28th, at a reception around 11:30am following Preschool Parents' Chapel time at 11:15am. Cindy has been with our Preschool for 12 years --- 4 years as teacher and 8 years as director. We give thanks for her ministry shared among us.

MEN IN MISSION --will meet on Monday evening, April 9th, at 6:00 pm in the recently remodeled

Fellowship Hall. Members are expected and all men of the congregation are cordially invited to join.

Reminder…Knitters-Crocheters meet

Wednesdays April 11th and 25th at 10 am. Come enjoy the fellowship and click your needles.

Plan to stay for lunch too.

Join us Wednesday, April 11th, and the 25th, for Lunch! We gather for lunch at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Sign up today

2018 WELCA CONVENTION PROJECT Each year the South Carolina Women of the Church selects a convention project for the year. This year we are collecting items to support Lutheran Services of the Carolinas. The women at St. John’s will be focusing on the following items from now until the end of May. We invite everyone to help us gather these NEW items for our ladies to take to the convention in June. A container will be in the sacristy area. Perhaps some of you can go in to-gether to purchase some of these items: Bath Towels, Kitchen Towels, Bed Sheets (All Sizes), Pillow Cases, Blankets, Socks of all sizes.

WELCA Joy Offering boxes for 2018 are available in the Sacristy. These boxes are provided to all of the women at St. John’s to be used along with your daily devotions. These boxes will be collected on WELCA Sunday, May 6th.

On April 17th GLORIA SHEALY CIRCLE celebrates the birthday of our “namesake”. We will gather at Glo-ria Shealy’s home at 6pm for pizza and birthday cake. Our really bad Bible girl of the month will be Herodias. We will be doing a member/circle match gift to the Oconee Chaplain’s Association, an organization close to the heart of Ms Gloria. It’s “all about Ms. Gloria” in April! On April 9th we will be preparing and delivering spaghetti supper to the Strengthening Families program in

Seneca. This family skills training program is designed to improve parenting skills and family relationships.

THE MORNING CIRCLE will meet on April 17th at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Anne Fogel will give a presentation on the health benefits of using essential oils to make our own products instead of buying ones that contain harmful chemicals. We will be making a small spray bottle of either hand soap or hand sanitizer us-ing these essential oils. Anne will also bring “recipes” for making other useful (and healthier) products. All women of St. John’s are invited to join us for this informative, interesting and fun project. The Opening Pray-er will be given by Lib Siegler and the Devotion by Anne Fogel.

A HUGE “THANK YOU” FROM LUCY KLAREN CIRCLE to everyone who helped make the LKC Jubilee our most successful ever! We could not do it without your contributions, support, help and prayers. “Thank you.”

We received word that the St. Jude’s greeting card recycling program has been discontinued so we will no longer be collecting cards. Our thanks to Judy Nelson for heading that up for us and thanks to all who recy-cled their cards for that program.

ST. JOHN’s INVITE A FRIEND SUNDAY - APRIL 29th

St. John’s will host an Invite A Friend Sunday on April 29th. Members are encouraged to be thinking about and praying for friends, neighbors, family, or acquaintances that you would like to Invite to worship. Cards and emails will be going out to write the names of friends you would like to have a special phone call and invite card to receive. There will also be a Potluck that Sunday showcasing our Operation Inasmuch projects.