Exit Interview on Tuesday
An exit interview for St. John's and me was held on Tuesday, April 20. The interview was led by our Call Process Facilitator, Mary Boals, and our new Eastern Conference Dean, Pr. Stacy Lauer of St. John's Union Corners. This was a chance to reflect on the progress that the congregation has made during the interim time, including things that went well, as well as challenges still facing the congregation. There were about nine members of St. John's that attended this Zoom metting, in addition to Mary, Pr. Stacy and I. Mary will be completing a report of the meeting and will share it with us when it is ready, and then I turn will share it with you. Thanks to all who took the time to participate in this meeting -- it was very helpful!
Confirmation will Include Baptism
Earlier this year we resumed our Confirmation learning sessions, focusing on the Means of Grace -- the Word and the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. One of our confirmaton youth, Sam Doster, invited his friend Jonny to join us for some of those sessions. As we talked about Holy Baptism, it must have sparked something in Jonny as he expressed an interest in being baptized. I contacted his mom and let her know that if Jonny wanted to be baptized, he could join his friends and be baptized on the same day that they would affirm their faith on April 25.
Jonny and his parents took us up on this offer, and our worship on Sunday will not only feature seven of our 8th and 9th graders (our 9th grader is Kaden Miller, who would have been the lone confirmand last year) affirmaing their baptismal faith, but also Jonny receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. I was able to combine the baptism and confirmation services so that this will all happen at the same time.
We did rehearsal on Wednesday evening, with Heather and Cindy Mira assisting. Heather, Sherri and Rebecca (Christian Ed) have been working hard on the details such as flowers, a breakfast on Sunday morning for the youth, gifts for the confirmands, emails to the parents with logistic details, and getting estimates of number of family members and assigning them to pews. Cindy will present the candidates. We are expecting attendance of at least 80 representing confirmands and baptismal families, so we will be very near capacity for our pandemic seating of every other pew. If you are concerned about coronavirus exposure, you may choose to worship via YouTube, which will be streamed in its normal time slot beginning at 8:30 am and on demand after that.
Confirmation youth will be introduced at the beginning of the YouTube service, so congregation members not attending in person will be able to see those affirming their faith, and will also be able to meet Jonny. All will be highlighted with brief bios in Saturday's Weekend Update.
Jonny No Stranger to St. John's
Jonny (Jonathan) Zilch, son of David and Deana Zilch, is our baptimal candidate. An 8th grader at Bellevue Middle School along with other members of the Confirmation Class, Jonny has spent time at St. John's in the past. He is a proud graduate of St. John's Christian Preschool. He also has family connections at St. John's -- Jonny's mother is a twin sister of Dana Beier, which makes Jonny a first cousin to Brooke and Brock. Another touching connection is that two of the confirmands, Cora and Lauren, were acolyting one Sunday last year (pre-pandemic) on a Sunday that Dana and Brooke were present for worship. Cora and Lauren wondered if there was something that the confirmaton class could do to help Brooke and Dana, and as it turned out, there was. Brooke needed a new personal hygiene chair. Cora and Loren's concern led to a fundraiser to help Dana purchase the chair.
Trinity Connection
Trinity Connection is a quarterly newsletter from Trinity Seminary in Columbus. You can read the spring issue HERE.
From the Stewardship Team
Our program emphasis for stewardship this year is Saints Alive! Living Generously.
Generous giving involves more than giving financially. With a cheerful heart, we desire to give all glory to God for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. We desire to center our thoughts on the needs of others, no matter the cost to us, for God's Word reminds us that "God is able to make all grace abound.....in every good work."
And none of these acts of service are about being acknowledged as the giver, but rather the giving will overflow with many thanksgivings to God.
Our acts of giving reflect in a small way the greatest gift of salvation by grace given to us in Christ. May our hearts be filled with generosity for others and may we discover opportunities where we can reveal His love, compassion and servanthood. Turning our hearts and minds toward His plans for us, we cheerfully first offer ourselves to His service and then submit to HIm whatever additional harvest is needed. Understanding the price He paid for us is nearly impossible, but loving sacrificially in return is possible.
Give generously through Him, Love sacrificially for Him.
Stewardship Ministry,
Linda Bollenbacher
Aleta Sieger
Emma K. Wagner
Drive-Through Holy Communion Suspended
Drive-Through Holy Communion will be suspended until further notice. With the next two Sundays of Confirmation and my last Sunday on May 2, there will just not be time to do this. I have certainly enjoyed this "Eucharistic Ministry," using the basic order for Celebrating Holy Communion in Special Circumstances.
ELCA Worship News
You can read the latest issue HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment