A few things that have recently been in my prayers are

Time for a Prayer Walk?

Autumn is a magnificent time to be outside. Trees turning different col-ors—reds, oranges, yellows; fields being harvested—corn, soybeans, maybe a forth cutting of hay; cooler temperatures coming our way—60’s, 50’s, even 40’s.

I love Autumn because as the trees and crops are starting to rest, I am reminded also to rest. When things get especially hectic with all the things of life happening, I like to go for a walk. This is restful for me, be-cause taking a walk allows me to re-focus my mind and my heart for the tasks that God has put before me. As I walk I think and pray. I think about the many blessings God has given to me. I pray that his blessings will continue both upon my physical fam-ily and upon my church famfam-ily here at St. John’s. I pray for my wife and my kids; I pray for you!

A few things that have recently been in my prayers are…

I pray for the new worship styles that are taking place. I pray that God will deepen your faith through a variety of worship formats.

I pray for the new Upward Flag

Football program. I pray that

God would work in the lives of the children and their families. I pray for the Trustees as they

con-tinue work on the Henry Boi

Estate. I pray that they and all

the volunteers would continue to have servant hearts as they

carry on in this process. I pray for the committees and

all the work that they do here at St. John’s. I thank God that people are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to give time to the Lord.

I pray for the ministry staff as well. I pray that in the pro-grams and ministry of St. John’s that we continue to seek ways to bring Christ to our church and our commu-nity.

I pray for this church body. I pray that in all the changes happening at St. John’s that we will continue to hold onto our unchanging God. Our God who promises to be with us through it all. I encourage all of you to get out and go for a walk—a prayer walk that is! It’s good for the soul.

St John’s Lutheran Church

God’s caring

fellowship,

sharing His

love!

IN THIS ISSUE

Club 25 5

Local Church News 6 Stephen Ministry 8

Enrich your life by

helping others

If you’re one of the 76 million baby boomers approaching retirement, you’ve probably given some thought to what you will do in the next phase of your life.

Most boomers are enjoying better health and are far more active than retirees of the past. If this sounds like you, consider contributing your time, energy and expertise to one of the many volunteer organizations in your community. Congregations, non-profit organizations and civic groups are just a few places that offer meaningful opportunities to those willing to serve.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans also offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities through its chapters. These opportunities give Thrivent Financial members and other Lutherans the chance to join together to meet individual and community needs.

So, next time you’re thinking about retirement, think about your strengths, passions and spe-cial gifts. Then think about how rewarding it would be to share them. For instance, if you like building things or helping others, you might want to participate in a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity project. In 2008, there were more than 320 such projects in which Thrivent Financial members worked alongside families in need to build their homes. For more information about Thrivent Financial volunteer opportunities, contact John Klyop, FIC, Financial Associate, at 815.355.0138 or john.klyop@thrivent.com today, or visit thrivent.com.

Volume 126, Issue 2 Page 2

W

omen

in

G

od’s

S

ervice

WinGS Fun Bowl at Glo Bowl

Save the date for St. John's WinGS Fun

Bowl at Glo-Bowl Fun Center on

Wednesday, October 20th at 6:30 PM.

Cost is $10 per person includes shoes,

pizza, pop, dessert, and 90 minutes of

bowling. If you don't wish to bowl, but

you don't want to miss the fellowship

the cost is $5 includes pizza, pop, and

dessert. Sign-up and pay by Sunday,

Oc-tober 17 in the lobby at St. John's.

WinGS is St. John's Women's

Organiza-tion. Invite your friends.

Connections is published monthly by

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 6821 Main Street, Union, Illinois, 60180. Phone (815) 923-2733. Fax (815) 923-2734.

E-mail us at: stjohn6821@sbcglobal.net. Our web site is: www.stjohnsluth.org. Contributing to this publication are Rev. Caleb Schauer; Rev. Tim Schutt, Deaconess Lauren Olsen; Kay Hubert, Layout; and Susan Ziller, Administrative Assistant. Contributions should be given or emailed to

Kay Hubert, khubert7@gmail.com by the 10th of each month.

Pass on the word of en-couragement in an honest compliment ....

Pass on the look of encour-agement in a generous smile ....

Pass on the touch of en-couragement in a hearty handshake ....

Pass on the kindness of encouragement in a thoughtful deed ....

Volume 126, Issue 2 Page 3

Cardio Praise Exercise

Monday-Friday

5:00 -6:00 AM

Thursdays 6:00-6:45 AM

Sermon based small group.

St. John’s Gym

Friendship Club to

Three Cups of Tea

On Saturday, October 2, we will leave St. John’s at 4:30pm. Catch an early dinner at Famous Dave’s in Algonquin and then head to Second-Space Theatre at Elgin Community College to see American Place Theatre Literature to Life’s production of Three Cups of Tea.

Based on the book by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Performed by Curtis Nielsen Adapted and directed by Wynn Handman. The American Place Theatre Company, the re-nowned theatre company that brought The Se-cret Life of Bees, Black Boy and The Kite Runner to ECC, returns with a Literature to Life adapta-tion of this best-selling true story. Moved by the kindness of a Pakistan village, mountaineer Greg Mortenson promised to return and build a school. In this dynamic performance, that promise and its extraordinary outcome are brought to life. Please sign-up and pay for your ticket by Sunday, September 19. The cost for the play is $22.00.

What: Fund raiser for Tuition Education

Fund (see article on page 5)

Where: Cafe 20 Too (Marengo Legion)

When: Sunday, Oct 24th, 1:00

Cost: $20.00 per person

Info: Call Jennifer Hoeske 923-4919 or

Kathy Rondorf 568-0714

Appetizers/Food will be provided.

DivorceCare

A new session of DivorceCare will begin

on Monday, September 20 at 7pm.

Di-vorceCare is for people who are

experi-encing separation or divorce. It is a 13

week video based seminar with small

group support. Deaconess Lauren is the

facilitator. The cost is $13 for a

work-book. To register, call Deaconess Lauren

at 815-923-2733.

Small Groups

Sign-ups are underway for St. John’s small groups. Check out the brochure in your bulletin and on the web page.

Page 4

Fall is here and it is in full swing. When we look to the final day of this month, we will notice that Sunday, October 31, is Halloween. While this is true, it is not the most important thing happening on that day. October 31 also happens to be Reformation Day, the day where we reflect and look back at the Reformation, the event that made our church possible. The Reformation was not about trying to cause a coo or to disrupt church and/or civil authority, but the whole point of the Reforma-tion (in a nutshell) was to bring to light the loving grace that we have in God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; it was about the fact that there is nothing that we have to do in order to try to get God to love us, He already and graciously does that.

Also on top of it being Reformation Day, it also happens to be Confirmation Day here at St. John’s. What better day to have confirmation than on the day that we remember the Reformation; as we remember the grace of God, we celebrate in the fact that these youth are now going to be able to partake with the whole family of the Lutheran church, in the life giving meal of Christ’s body and blood. It is through communion, through His body and blood, that we are once again washed clean of our sins and renewed in our relationship with God. I want to encourage all of us, to continue to cheer, support, and pray for our confirmands. When you see them congratulate them, remind them of the fact that they, just like you, are a member of not only the family of St. John’s, but also of the entire family of God. Confirmation is not just another thing that we have to do, but a wonderful celebration that we get to take part of.

Finally, it may seem interesting to be thinking about Thanksgiving during October, but that is exactly what I am doing. Wednesday, November 24th_{, we will be having our regular Thanksgiving Eve service at}

6:30 p.m.; but that is not the only event that will be happening that day either. From 5-8 p.m. on No-vember 24th_{, St. John’s will be holding Thanksgiving from the Heart!! This is an exciting event where we}

will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with the people of our community. This will be a wonderful event where we as a church of God and this community will be able to prepare and provide a full Thanksgiving meal for those in our community who are in need. There is a lot of help that is going to be needed whether it is in the form of donations or physically helping, look for more information to be coming in regards to this. If you know of anyone who could use a meal like this please invite them. If you have any questions please feel free to get hold of Pastor Tim, Deb Hauschildt, or Wayne Gehring.

Pastor Tim’s Book Recommendation: Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

Volume 126, Issue 2 Connections

P A S T O R T I M ‘ S

C

O

R

N

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Connections Volume 126, Issue 2 Page 5

The 25 Club

What is the 25 Club?

The 25 Club consists of members of St. John’s who would be willing to give $25.00 a month to help students from St. John’s to attend Little Blessings Learning Center, Zion Lutheran Grade School, Faith Lutheran High School, Concordia College (studies leading towards a Lutheran edu-cator, DCE, DCO, or pre-seminary), and Seminary. This would be a contribution of $300.00 a year. Each family who chooses to participate in the 25 Club would have the opportunity to give into the general tuition education fund or into the fund in the name of a specific student.

Challenge

We presently have 22 families of St. John’s consisting of over 40 students receiving a Christian education with the help of our tuition education fund. Our goal is to have 25 participants in the club which would provide $7,500.00 a year towards their education.

Donations

Special envelopes marked “The 25 Club” will be provided for this offering. You may give $25.00 a month or just write one check for $300.00 once a year.

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Hoeske at 923-4919

Thank you for prayerfully considering supporting this effort.

Sign-up: _____________________________________________________________

In the name of (optional): ____________________________________________

Connections Page 6

Birthdays

God has given us each a life to live in this time and place. We celebrate this gift of life every year when the anniversary of our birth comes around; it reminds us of God’s many blessings and His pres-ence in our lives. As you count the candles on your cake, St. John’s rejoices with you and wishes you “God’s blessings on your birthday!” 1 Cameron Holst Laurie Jasinski Marilyn Swanson Rebecca Voss 2 Christopher Hansen Paige Moritz 3 Holly Clark 4 Jordan Langan 5 Megan Kieser Bernice Pape 6 Floyd Pape 7 Alissa Block Kelly Fritz Grace Ghastin Nancy Modrich 8 Holly Hedman 9 Dan Reineking Norbert Ziemer 10 Kayla Ward 11 Jared Diskin Josie Firlick Alexis Kunde 12 Nancy Stallbaum 13 Diana Murphy Kamie Oltz 14 Sherrie Moritz AJ Reineking 15 Nanci Fritz Kyra Lopata 16 Monica Jancovic Tessa Kindschy James Ohlinger 17 Marilyn Kelly Ronald Vohs Jr. 18 Mitchell Kunde Gayle Schroeder Christopher Vandello Eileen Walter Jeff Wienke 19 Frank Boxleitner Emily Ettner Pam Gallaugher Jeff Grismer Elisa Hanson Kyle Quarrie Denise Westmoreland 20 Gwen Kottke Dalton Stallbaum 21 Dan Hammortree Carmen Koelper Roger Kunde Kevin Stieneke 22 Amy Flores Ryan Lockhart Alyce Newkirk 23 Denise Alexander Shandra Richardson Jerry Stoerp 24 Volume 126, Issue 2 Rylie Grismer Roger Newkirk Marilyn Votava 25 Malachi Schauer Cathie Seemann 26 Rocco Clark Sandra Schultz Morgan Zumpf 27 Eddy Oltz Brian Streu 28 Ken Bauman Jim Burno Eric Kottke 29 Craig Hubert Gail Perkins Kristopher Rosemann Gary Sherwin 30 Kyle Anderson Julie Grismer Cole Hauschildt Keith Kindschy Sarah Lechner Georgia Meyer Alyssa Schubert 31 Lila Lamz Tabitha Redenz Bob Shaw

Connections Page 7

Wedding

Anniversa-ries

Christian families are founded in strong and loving mar-riages. Congratulations as you celebrate the anniversary of the day when you vowed to be a faithful, compassionate and loving part-ner to your husband or wife.

Jason & Elisa Hanson October 1, 5yrs Andrew & Katie Wellnitz October 2, 6yrs

Ben & Nicole Rosemann October 5, 3yrs Bob & Judy Shaw October 5, 7yrs Bill & Carla Weiss October 5, 25yrs

David & Janet Hoekstra October 6, 31yrs J.D. & Carole Peters October 7, 6yrs Cole & Candi Samuelson October 7, 16yrs Chad & Denise Alexander October 8, 6yrs

Kevin & Cathy Sawallisch 16yrs Vern & Vi Seelhoff October 8, 50yrs Brian & Katrina Luedtke October 11, 7yrs

Volume 126, Issue 2

Baptisms

In Mark 10:13-16 Jesus says, “Let the little children come unto me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children.”

We celebrate with Scot and Heidi Gibson on the Baptism of their son Tyler Jonathon Gibson. The Godparents are Donald Hensley and Joanne Cierniewski.

We also celebrate with Scott and Heidi Raether and Douglas and Trisha Homeyer on the Baptism of Alexander William Raether and Douglas Dean Homeyer. The Godparents are Laurie Mar-quis, Brenen May, Justin and Connie Lueder, Joey Frederick and Kaitie Homeyer.

May God’s Spirit continue to bless these children and their families.

Kevin & Peggy Luedtke October 13, 9yrs

Andrew & Tanya Thomas October 13, 3yrs John & Marie Sieker October 14, 32yrs Wayne & Diane Simons October 14, 49yrs Rob & Laurie Jasinski October 15, 16yrs

Roger & Linda Kunde October 15, 44yrs Mike & Amy Schubert October 18, 12yrs Jerry & Jodi Croner October 19, 19yrs

Shane & Suzanne Langan October 19, 19yrs Brian & Kim Johnson October 20, 9yrs Bob & Dawn Wagner October 20, 26yrs

Shawn & Tamara Kowalski October 23, 17yrs James & Diana Murphy October 23, 39yrs Donald & Julie Strauss October 23, 28yrs John & Kristal Bertram October 27, 20yrs

Connections

Page 8 Volume 126, Issue 2

Stephen Ministry

Who Do You Go To?

Recently, I participated in a Small Group Point Leader Meeting and the presentation topic was about transi-tions. The question was asked, “Who do you go to when times are tough?” This is a question I want to pose to each one of you. Who do you go to

· When you have anxiety about the future. · Foreclosure

· Illness · Family Crisis

· Financial challenges

The presentation was based on the book: The Land Between by Jeff Manion. In his book the author fo-cuses on the Children of Israel how after years of slavery in Egypt they are led through the wilderness to the promised land of Canaan. What the decedents of Jacob experienced between the lush land of Egypt and the promised land is called the land between. The author parallels the experience of the Israelites to things that we experience when we face life’s transi-tions.

In most cases these are not transitions that we have wanted. What do you do? Who do you go to? Perhaps some of the transitions are of our own making be-cause of decisions that we have made. We are not unlike the Children of Israel who, though God pro-vided for them in some amazing ways, still look back and say O Lord, if You only would have left us in Egypt we would have been fine. Instead of looking to God’s faithfulness, and anticipating His plan for us., we doubt, whine and long for the good old days. Per-haps we are going through a tough financial time. God may want to teach us more reliance on Him, but because of what we are used to in the land of plenty, we get an attitude that we are entitled to a certain lifestyle. Instead of learning what God is teaching us we dig in our heels and whine.

Please keep in mind in this article, I am not picking on anyone or judging, because this really hit home for me. For the last couple of years, I have been

go-ing through a transition. Life as I knew it changed in a big way several years ago. While this change wasn’t devastat-ing it still has taken me on a journey in the land between. What have I done in the land between? I have whined, com-plained, and I have been resistant! I know better, I am a professional church worker. As a Christian, I also know of God’s faithfulness and the more devas-tating things that he has brought me through (divorce of my parents, death of my brother, mental illness of my fa-ther, and death of my father). I know that God is faithful.

So, Who do I go to?

· It is not the perfect “Cadillac or Chevro-let” health plan that will take me through this journey.

· It is not when a certain political party comes to office that things will strengthen my retirement and flip our house right side up. · It is not by complaining, whining and be-ing resistant that I will grow through this experi-ence.

It is to the Lord that I go, because He and He alone has the Words of eternal life and that is really what matters.

It is with joy that I can look forward to the les-sons that God wants to teach me on this jour-ney in the land between. This doesn’t mean that I will always have a smile on my face and that I will never whine or complain again. What it does mean is that I have laid this before all of you. You can hold me accountable and ask me “Who are you going to?” That is the beautiful part of being a part of the family of God; we can en-courage and build each other up. Who do you go to in the land between?

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

6821 Main Street Union, IL 60180

St John’s Lutheran Church