Communique December 2019 Volume 5, Issue 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

St. John Lutheran Church
2700 Babcock Road
Green Bay, WI 54313
www.stjohnash.org
The Gift of Christmas
Sunday, December 8th, at 10:00 AM
at Woodside Lutheran Home
Children meet at 9:30 AM in the room next to
the Chapel.
Sunday, December 15th, the children will
perform the program at St. John
Advent Bible Study,
Longest Night ………….... 2
Hand bell Concert,
Christmas Workshop,
Helping Hands Craft and
Bake Sale …………………… 3
Advent and Christmas
Worship Schedule ………. 4
Ashwaubenon Hygiene
Drive, Women’s Book Club,
Annual Meeting Reports
………………………………….. 5
WELCA ……………………… 6
Birthday Party for Jesus,
Photo Directory ………….. 7
Pastor’s Page ……………… 8
Youth & Family Director’s
Page ………………………….. 9
Sunday Morning Chats .. 10
St. John Congregation
Council Page ……………… 11
December Saints-In-Service
…………………………………. 12
December Birthdays, Anni-
versaries, Memorials ….. 13
Finance Page …………….. 14
December Calendar …… 15
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, December 8

Time to order Christmas Poinsettias! Children’s Program at

Woodside
Red 6” pot Sunday, December 15
Pink covered in gold foil with a bow
Children’s Program
White at St. John
Cost: $9.00 Wednesday, December 18

Sign up on the poster in the hallway. Longest Night Worship at

6:30 PM
Orders will be taken until Sunday, December 8.
Tuesday, December 24
Festival Worship services
at 4:00 & 6:30 PM
 Advent Bible Study
For Advent this year, St. John, is offering an Advent
Study for the entire congregation offered through the
ELCA.
Pastor Josh will post each week on Facebook, and Friday
e-mail, an idea or activity related to the study booklet.
We also have Advent calendars for daily reflection that
will are available to all members.
The study book and calendar can be found in your family
mailboxes after Sunday, November 24.

Longest Night Worship Service

Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 PM

Hope’s Solid Foundation

As he neared death, the atheistic

This is a worship service for EVERYBODY.,
however, not everyone is up and cheery for the
Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a
loved one, facing life after divorce or separation,
coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or
some other disease that puts a question mark over
the future, and a number of other human situa-
tions make parties and joviality painful for many
people in our congregations and communities.
St. John’s Longest Night worship service hopes to
be reflective, accepting where we really are, and
hold out healing and hope.
Come together at 6:30 PM on
Wednesday, December 18.
2
philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre tried —
but failed — to resist despair. “I know
I shall die in hope,” he wrote. “But
that hope needs a foundation.”
For Christians, that foundation is
Jesus, our sure hope amid life’s
uncertainties. While Advent is a time
of anticipation and waiting, it also
represents the fulfillment of Jesus’
promised birth and the certainty of
his promised return. Jesus — the
hope of nations — says he’s preparing
a place for us and coming back for us
(see John 14:2-3).
Because our hope’s foundation is
guaranteed “according to the Lord’s
word” (1 Thessalonians 4:15, NIV),
we don’t have to live like people “who
have no hope” (verse 13). Praise God!
 Benefit with Advent and Christmas Handbells
Saturday, December 14th at 5:00pm
Doors will open at 4:30

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

2736 Glendale Ave
Howard, WI 54313
Cost: Donation of non-perishable food item or cash donation
100% of donations go to local food pantries

Featuring the musical talents of:

Alleluia Bells from St. John Lutheran Church

Director: Diane Olsen

Tone Strikers
Corey Christenson and Jamie Fairfield

Ringers Jubilate from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Director: Corey Christenson

Christmas Workshop
Three Christmas
craft projects
available to create.
Choose 1 or all 3.
Plan 1 hour for
each project
Helping Hands
$20 per project. All materials included. will again be sponsoring a
Family & Friends welcome. Space is Bake and Craft Sale on
limited; sign up early! Sunday, December 15.
Thursday, December 12 The congregation is invited to
4—7 PM donate any bakery or craft
Location: BEAM Art Studio, Bellin Health Cancer items. The funds raised will be
Team, 1580 Commanche Avenue, Green Bay. used to replace flooring in the
Sign up on BEAM Studio Door or RSVP to Amy
multi-purpose area. 3

Eliason, amyeliason@bellin.org 920-430-4674

 Advent and Christmas Worship Schedule

Sunday, December 1 1st Sunday in Advent

9:00 AM Worship, Sunday School, & Communion

Sunday, December 8 2nd Sunday in Advent

9:00 AM Worship, Sunday School, & Communion
Children perform Christmas program at
Woodside Lutheran Home. Children meet at
9:30 AM in the room next to the Chapel

Sunday, December 15 3rd Sunday in Advent

9:00 AM Children perform Christmas program at
St. John during worship

Wednesday, December 18 Longest Night Worship Service

6:30 PM A service for reflection, accepting where we really
are, and hold out healing and hope.

Sunday, December 22 4th Sunday in Advent

9:00 AM Worship, Sunday School, & Communion

December 24 Christmas Eve

4:00 PM Festival Worship & Communion
6:30 PM Festival Worship & Communion

Sunday, December 29
9:00 AM Worship, Sunday School,
& Communion
 Ashwaubenon Schools
Hygiene Items Drive
Needed items: (Collection box is outside of The church office is already
the secretary’s office) beginning to prepare the
Deodorant - Men ’s & Women’s Annual Report!
Tampons
The office needs the Coordinators and
Light day panty liners
Shampoo Team Leaders of all six ministry teams to
Body wash - men and women’s prepare a report for their ministry team
Laundry detergent PODS and what events they participated in the
Any personal hygiene items will be appreciated year of 2019. REPORTS NEED TO
If you would prefer, you can also make a donation BE IN CHURCH OFFICE BY
using the Square Reader using the Jaguar paw icon. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19!!!
All Ashwaubenon Public schools have a rotation
schedule for students and their families to donate
Administration
items each month to The Stocked Shelves Food Pantry
during the school year. Let us continue our support by Church office
providing some necessary items that the District Finance Ministry
needs to help children in need with hygiene items, so
they can totally focus on their school work and be Adult
comfortable at school Men on HIS Mission
Women of St. John/
Women’s Book Club Women’s Bible Study
December selection: Pastor’s Class
Wednesday, December 4:
Called to Serve
"The Christmas Shoes" Stewardship
by Donna VanLiere
Prayer Chain Team
Jessica Zeitler will lead this Helping Hands
book discussion. Stocked Shelf Food Pantry
For December’s meeting only,
we are going to dine at Los Magueyes (2648
Facilities
S. Packerland) at 6:30 PM. We will then move
our "party" to church and watch the movie, The Property and Management
Christmas Shoes, in the confirmation room. Kitchen
We also will play the chocolate game. Please Funerals
bring a $5.00 gift of some type of choco- Technology
late. Please wrap or have in a gift bag. This is a Cemetery
fun game.
Worship
January selection:
Worship Planning
Wednesday, January 8
"Sara's Sacrifice" by Flo Parfitt. Choirs (Celebration, Alleluia Bells)

Flo will lead this book discus- Youth

sion. DATE CHANGE: Due to the Youth Group Mission Trip
first Wednesday being New Year's
Day, we are moving book club to
January 8th!
 WOMEN OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CHURCH IN AMERICA
Our Purpose
As a community of women created in the image
of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and
empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to
grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in
our callings, engage in ministry and action, and
promote healing and wholeness in the church, the
society, and the world.

Our Mission
To mobilize women to act boldly
on their faith in Jesus Christ.

Because of Christmas, the Bible study group will meet on December 17.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA BIBLE STUDY

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 9:30-11:30 a.m.
2866 Pioneer Drive
(Jackie Burkat’s home)

Bring cookies to share. We will pack a box for the social workers at the
Ashwaubenon schools who informed us of the need for hygiene items
for homeless students.

“Watch, Wait, Create” is the title of this month’s Advent devotional. “Much like
Isaiah’s visions of abundant blossoming in the wilderness and desert, the hope of this
Advent study is to cultivate new and creative experiences. My hope is as we read the
texts through creative and contemplative lenses, God’s word will reveal Advent to you
in new ways. You’ll respond to these texts with your own lines and colors, engaging in
the following practices: Art as meditation; Art as intercession; Art as devotions; Art as
inspiration.” (GATHER, December 2019 p.21)

About the GATHER cover above: “This introspective illustration by Kyra Rhoades
was created using this issue’s ‘Watch, wait, create’ devotional. Kyra is a production
manager and studio artist living in Albany, New York. She finds her practice to be both
precise and meditative, a patterned depiction of her two worlds, painted as one.”
(GATHER, December 2019, p. 2)

You are invited to gather with us for coffee and conversation as we explore the month’s
lesson and discuss the articles in the magazine. Our study is in GATHER Magazine. To
subscribe, go to www.gathermagazine.org or call 844-409-0576. Ask Jackie Burkat if
you would like to see a copy. Call her at 592-1217 if you have questions. Join us at any
time, even if you don't subscribe to GATHER, or can’t come every month.

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 Birthday Party for Jesus
Wednesday, December 11
5—8 PM
This is open to the public and any parent who
wants to drop off their pre-School to 5th grade
child for games, crafts, movie, and snacks
throughout the evening.

All kids are invited!!

Have you had your picture taken yet?

Peggy Koller is taking pictures in the

multi-purpose hallway, right before the
kitchen doorway, following worship on
Sunday mornings.
We ask that all fill out a Family Information
Sheet. This will make sure that we have
current information for all our members.
If you have a recent family picture, please email them to Shelley at
secretary@stjohnashorg. Please keep in mind that pictures can be cropped
and horizontal would work best. Please list names of everyone in the
picture in the “picture” order to ensure we list information properly.

Your help in completing our new picture directory is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

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Pastor’s Ponderings...

Grace, mercy, and peace to There’s too much to mention in

you from our Triune God—
from the Father, Son, and
holy Spirit. Amen.
As I stare at a mostly blank
computer screen, on this late
November morning, I’m think-
ing about Leading Well and
Living Well.
Almost a year ago, Pastor
Jean from our synod staff
nominated Jen and me for a
grant from the Siebert Foundation to be a
part of a continuing education experience
called, Leading Well. After a little bit of
paperwork and a fairly long wait, Jen and I
found out in early October that Siebert saw
fit to make an investment in us and our
ministry.
Last week, we flew out to Phoenix for a
three day continuing education retreat in
the foothills of Carefree, Arizona. If you
can’t name your city, Green Bay, Carefree
is a pretty good second choice. From
Tuesday afternoon through Friday
morning, we met with close to 20 other
pastors, one deacon, and a gifted staff
of four, on a variety of topics related to
congregational leadership.
this brief space, but I would be
happy to talk to you about it
one-on-one. I’ll also be sharing
with the Congregation Council,
and using what I’ve learned in
the months ahead.
It wasn’t all work, though. We
took time twice a day for Bible
study and worship. We also had
a little time set aside for rest and
relaxation (Can you believe it
rained in Arizona almost the
entire time we were there? So it goes.)
With the grant that Jen and I received, we
will be blessed to go to the retreat again in
2020 and 2021. As incredible as that event
is, an invaluable part of this experience will
be monthly cohort meetings (with other
event participants) as we share how we’re
using what we’ve learned, and monthly
coaching sessions with a member of the
staff. I can’t express how grateful I am to
have this opportunity over the next couple
of years. I can’t wait to see how the Holy
Spirit will be using this experience to bless
our congregation.
Pax,
Pastor Josh

A Christmas Challenge
In many countries, December 26 is Boxing Day. The name might come
from the alms boxes set out in churches to collect money for the needy,
especially on St. Stephen’s Day, which is December 26. The name also
likely comes from the old British custom of employers giving “Christmas
boxes” to servants or tradesmen the day after Christmas. The boxes
might include money, presents and leftovers from a Christmas feast.
Because servants and others would have worked on Christmas, they were given the day after
as a holiday to spend with their own family.
In 1994, the year apartheid ended in South Africa, the country renamed December 26
“Day of Goodwill.” Writes Martie Coetser at HubPages (2013): “Just a day after Christmas,
when friends and relatives exchange gifts of all sorts and Christians celebrate the gift of …
Jesus Christ, the Day of Goodwill comes like a challenge. … What are you willing to give not
in order to get rid of the things you don’t want, or to kill your feelings of guilt, but to show
goodwill coming from the depth of your heart?”
Youth & Family Director’s Page
Last week, all the teachers at
Parkview Middle School, were asked
to make 4 phone calls to let some
parents know how their children
were doing at School. Specifically, we
were asked to contact those who
maybe “it would have been nice to
see” at conferences.
I have one girl in my class,
who we will call Sally. Sally is an awesome kid
who is one of the unlucky ones who got stuck
with me for 2 years….both 7th and 8th grade
science. She has never had any issues with
behavior, but her work ethic and attitude last
year weren’t where they needed to be. It drove
me nuts! It was a rough year and, at times, it
seemed as though she just didn’t care. No
matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get her to
understand the importance of education. She
had absolutely no focus or direction.
When I contacted Sally’s mom for one of
my 4 calls, I was so happy to be able to tell her
Sally had really come out of her shell this year
and was so much more on top of things. It was
like she was a completely different person! At
the time, I reluctantly have to admit, I sensed
this must have been, at least in part, to my
persistence. I had put so much effort into
helping her and really staying on her case with
some tough love. I felt like I had really made a
difference. But did I……..?
After I was done explaining
to mom the huge growth I saw in
her daughter, her mom shared
some interesting news with me.
She thanked me for all the help
and went on to say that last year
was really tough for Sally because
her dad had died. Wait… hold the
phone… how did I not know this
had happened? I am a loving
and caring teacher who knows each of his
students, right? Why wasn’t I ever told?
In a matter of 30 seconds the past crazy
year suddenly made complete sense. At
that moment, my heart sunk, and I felt so
bad for Sally. I am not sure what she had
gone through, but a 13 year old kid losing a
parent had to be almost unbearable.
It really got me thinking. All of us
have things we are dealing with in our lives.
Some are big like Sally’s, and some are small
depending on the day, but we all have some-
thing. Not everyone knows what baggage we
are carrying as we go about our day to day
life. My challenge for you is to always look
at others with extreme compassion and
understanding. Take time to listen. When
you see some behaviors that maybe don’t
make sense or frustrate you, know there
most likely is a reason… you just aren’t
aware of it. The ones carrying those heavy
burdens are the ones who need your love the
most. Instead of getting upset or annoyed,
pray for them. God will take care of the rest
of the details. He always does.
Keep the Faith!
Scott
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 Sunday Morning Chats

Sunday, December 8: Parent & Youth Chat

8:15 am Led by Scott Conradt

For the adults: Informal discussions on raising kids and helping them
live their faith…concerns, joys, frustrations, celebrations, and sharing
what works and what doesn’t.

For the youth: Informal discussions and activities on being a

Christian and living your faith, not always easy to do in today’s society.

ALL are welcome.. whether you have kids, have had kids, or know a kid.
This is required for parents and youth in 5th – 8th grades.

Sunday, December 15: Couples Chat 10:15 am (right after church)

Led by Scott Conradt

Laughter, fun & games, laughter, discussions that are based on Biblical
references for marriage and how to treat others, and most importantly, laughter.
ALL are welcome. Child care available… just let Scott know you are coming.

Sunday, December 22: HS Life Chat 8:00 am Led by Scott Conradt

This chat is geared for our high school students. They will meet once a month,
usually off site, for informal discussions on topics of interest. Service will be
incorporated into this group.

Sunday, December 22: Pastor’s Chat 8:00 am Led by Pastor Josh

Join Pastor Josh for informal discussions on Biblical views on current events,
topics that interest those in attendance, and questions about the Bible.
ALL are welcome!

Join in a Sunday morning chat!

There is something for everyone!

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 Mission Statement

Sharing the Bread of Life

November Congregation Council update:

St. John Lutheran
 Dan Schneider reported that all bills have been
Church
paid.
 Fees for confirmation camp will be over $3,375,
2019 Congregation because there is a larger class size, as we did not
Council have any kids attend camp last year.
 Finance Ministry will be asked to draft a letter to a
Shawn Blakley 771-5011
member requesting repayment of student loan.
Council President
 Gift will be sent to Ron Pigeon for continuing to
Ila Lardinois 265-0172 cut the church’s lawn. Ron will cut our grass next
Vice-President year.
 Need to notify Nominating Committee of all open
Deb Olsen 338-8399 positions that need to be filled for 2020.
Council Secretary
 Marketing Ministry has a meeting set up for
December.
Randy Johnson 336-3730
Treasurer  Memorial Garden plans will resume in Spring.
The wood chips that remained have now been
Dan Schneider 499-0929 spread throughout the yard.
Bookkeeper  Have found a snow removal company to plow our
parking lot for this winter.
Members:
 The St. John sign is still in limbo—need to locate
Jessica Zeitler 366-8463
an indoor antenna and hook up the electricity.
Joe Lawler 639-0046 After these have been accomplished, Jones Sign
Peggy Koller 498-2118 will schedule their Technology team to teach us
Glenn Thiede 321-8959 how to use and program the sign.
Catherine Burdick (608) 228-5406  Summer of 2020, St. John will be hosting visitors
Brenda Gloyd 428-7247 from our Companion Synod in Africa.
More information to come.
Alissa VandenHoogen 265-4817
 Youth, and Paul Seymour, are planning a
Christmas Party on December 11.
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 Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday
Saints-In-Service
December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22 December 29
Christmas Program Christmas Program
at Woodside at St. John
Deacon

9:00 Scott/Brenda Shelley Berndt Jessica Zeitler Betty Runge Werner Burkat
Conradt
Ushers

9:00 Luke Opperman John & Ingrid Filcher Ron & Shelley Berndt Larry & Deb Frazier Floyd & Lavonne
Michael Bernath Hohn

Greeters
9:00 Emmalee Keisler Diana Kranz Dan & Peggy Koler Shawn & Sandy Breanna Loveless
Addy Gloyd Blakley

Assisting Minister
9:00 Rob Clarksen Joy Pahl Kirsten Reitan Teresa Wetzel
Acolyte
9:00 Alex Bogenschutz Sierra Rothe Amelia Delany Lily Haen

Communion Set-Up/
Clean-Up
Shelley Berndt Randy & Julie Travis & Jamie Dale & Sherry Mary Hanmann
Johnson Bernath Winchester

Special Worship Services Wednesday Tuesday Tuesday

December 18 December 24 December 24
Longest Night Christmas Eve Christmas Eve
6:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM
Usher
Greeters
Communion Set-up/Clean Up
Worship Assistant Paul Hering
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 December Birthdays
December 2 Flo Parfitt Holly
3 Sarah Calaway
Mary Haen Holly was first used
4 Peggy Koller by pagans to decorate
Ben Olson for the festival of
Saturnalia.
5 Rhys Bogenschutz
7 Greg hohn When Christians
Trent Zeitler began celebrating
8 Blayklee Rothe Christmas in honor of Christ, they
9 Lily Haen adapted that decorating practice to
Jim Storma reflect Jesus’ life and death. Holly’s
10 Jordan Rouse pointed leaves symbolize the crown of
11 Shawn Blakley thorns and its red berries symbolize
Bailey Conradt Christ’s blood shed on the cross.
13 Holly Olson
14 Abby Holford Because holly thrives and its berries
15 Ron Clarke retain their brilliance even in harsh
Francie Clarksen winter conditions, non-Christians saw
it as a symbol of eternity — which is
25 Jackson VandenHoogen fitting for Christians as well.
30 Logan Haen
31 Ron Maloney

December Anniversaries
December 4 Dan & Peggy Koller
8 years Memorials
15 A.J. & Alissa VandenHoogen
12 years A donation was made
to Feed My Starving
18 Scott & Brenda Conradt Children in memory of
21 years Charlene Narance
A donation was made
26 Jim & Birgit Ruotsala to Feed My Starving
21 yeears Children in memory of
Larry Zastrow.
28 Scott & Nancy Armbrust
45 years
29 Elroy & Patricia Nelson
57 years

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 30,000

BUDGET 2019
25,000

20,000
EXPENSES
INCOME INCOME
15,000
Finance Ministry EXPENSES
Werner Burkat 10,000 BUDGET
592-1217
Tom Jayne
5,000
337-9837
Dan Schneider
0
499-0929
JUL 19 AUG 19 SEP 19* OCT 19
Randy Johnson,
Treasurer
INCOME INCOME INCOME INCOME

$19,177 $23,597 $23,340 $21,012

EXPENSES EXPENSES EXPENSES EXPENSES

$24,233 $24,034 $20,806 $21,813

October 2018 Budget

Income $21,622
Expenses 21,370

October 2018 Year-to-date

STOCKED SHELF FOOD
Income $80,941
Expenses $86,380 PANTRY STATISTICS
October Statistics
October 2019 Budget Households 63
Income $21,012 Adults 122
Expenses $21,813
Children 87
October 2019 Year-to-date
Elderly 15
Income $87,126
Expenses $88,784 Ashwaubenon 9
Families
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15
 St. John Lutheran Church, ELCA 1873 - 2019
www.stjohnash.org
Telephone Number E-mail
Secretary 499-1142 Ext 5 secretary@stjohnash.org
Pastor 499-1142 Ext 6 pastorjosh@stjohnash.org
Youth & Family 499-1142 Ext 7 scottconradt@yahoo.com
Bookkeeper 499-1142 Ext 4 dschneider22@new.rr.com
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Green Bay, WI 54313
2700 Babcock Road
St. John Lutheran Church