In this issue:

Pastor’s Letter 1

Director’s Cut 2

Serving the Lord This Month 3

Church News 4-6

Children, Youth, & Family 7

Senior Saint 8

Stewardship Notes & Voter’s

Meeting Minutes

9-10

Treasure’s Report 11

Financial Secretary 12

Calendar 13

Special points of interest:

Letters from the Pastor &

DCE.

October Birthdays.

A New Senior Saint.

Lots of fun events and activities for people of all

ages.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL October 2009 Volume 52, Issue 2

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, In our post-modern age in which emotion has replaced revelation as the barometer of truth the words of St. Paul are of vital importance to those of us who want to identify ourselves as being truly catholic and genuinely

Lutheran. In the light of recent headlines that assume to speak to the beliefs of all Lutherans I believe it would be helpful for us to consider what it means to be Lutherans who hold onto what we have been taught. True Lutheranism is defined by the following characteristics outlined by Dr. Theodore Engelder: 1. THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IS

THAT BODY OF CHRISTIANS WHICH UNRESERVEDLY RECEIVES THE DOCTRINE THAT WAS AGAIN BROUGHT TO LIGHT THROUGH LUTHER‘S REFORMATION, SUMMARIZED AND PUBLICLY CONFESSED AT AUGSBURG IN 1530 AND REAFFIRMED AND UNFOLDED IN THE OTHER LUTHERAN SYMBOLS, AS THE PURE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD.

2. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS THE BIBLE CHURCH

3. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS THE GOSPEL CHURCH

4. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS THE FAITHFUL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GOSPEL AS THE SOLE INSTRUMENT OF SALVATION

5. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OBSERVES AND MAINTAINS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LAW AND GOSPEL

6. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS THE TRUE VISIBLE CHURCH.

7. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS ONE WITH THE CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES.

8. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS [DOCTRINALLY] THE TRUE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

9. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ACKNOWLEDGES GOD ALONE FOR OUR PURITY OF TEACHING.

10. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, THE CHURCH OF THE PURE DOCTRINE, MAKES MUCH OF THE PURE DOCTRINE.

11. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS A CONFESSIONAL CHURCH.

12. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, DEVOTED TO THE PURE DOCTRINE, IS THE FOE OF UNIONISM.

13. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH CANNOT TOLERATE UNIONISM, BUT LOVES AND LABORS FOR CHRISTIAN UNION.

14. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH‘S CHARACTER IS REFLECTED IN HER WORSHIP.

15. THE POLITY OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IS THAT OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

16. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH HAS RECEIVED THE PURE DOCTRINE OF GOD‘S WORD AS A SACRED TRUST.

In our post-denominational society in which the confession of Holy Scriptures‘ absolute teachings against every false belief is seen as unloving and narrow-minded, we have the privilege of shining the light of God‘s truth on a sin darkened society. I encourage you to celebrate with me the blessings of our Lutheran confession as together we boldly and unashamedly professed the one true faith, handed down to us by God through the prophets, apostles and evangelists.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Umbarger

Scripture AloneScripture AloneScripture Alone Faith AloneFaith AloneFaith Alone Grace AloneGrace AloneGrace Alone

“..continue in what you have learned and have become con-vinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it..” (2 Timothy 3:14)

From Pastor’s Desk:

Page 2 September 2009

My friends and family in Christ— It‘s once again my very favorite time of year...the leaves are turning their beautiful colors of yellow, orange and red. They crops are fading into their amber beauty. You notice that little bite of chill in the air. And occasionally on a Friday night you find yourself in the stands of the local football game cheering on that team that never seems to pull one out. (We all know everyone goes to watch the band anyway...no offense, I‘m speaking about my home high school) There is just something so special to me about this time of year.

Perhaps it‘s that I grew up in the country and I see the corn (like that coming out the auger to the left) as gold to my dad. That pumpkin at the top has been growing and blooming all summer and is finally at the stage now were it‘s reached it‘s potential. I love the hayrack rides, the bonfires, and the hot apple cider that comes with the season. But mostly I think it‘s the fact that I know that God is preparing every bit of the earth for the snow that is about to fall. He‘s protecting it from the harsh cold that will soon cover it. In a previous informer I wrote about the changing seasons as seasons of our lives, but today I‘m just writing about the beauty that is all around us. I invite you to take it all in and enjoy it as time seems ever fleeting these days. I would encourage your family to take time to go to the pumpkin patch together or sit around a board game in the evening chill with a nice warm glass of Apple Cider. Most importantly though take

time in this season of beauty to be still...to look around and enjoy the beautiful creation God has given us. I also want to invite your family to our annual Trunk or Treat evening. We moved the time up a little to keep it light out and we provide all the fun! Please take a moment to see the information below and plan to join us! This too is one of the many blessings God has given us...time in fellowship and fun with our brothers & sisters. In Him— Shannon <><

A C.E.L. Production

St. John’s Member’s invite you to join us for the 3rd annual Trunk or Treat! Member’s here will open their trunks to you & provide safe treats for your children. There will be Hot Dogs & chips for dinner & S’mores for Dessert! Hayrack Rides, Games, & Fellowship are free to all! The event will be in the parking lot at St. John’s!

Page 3 The Informer

Ushers

Saturday, October 3: Vern Sletten,

Fred Krack, & Evan Antolik

Sunday, October 4: Jim Homann, Mar-sha Boarts, Scott Mattly, Bill Green, &

Esther Cashion

Saturday, October 10: Vern Sletten &

Bill Byles

Sunday, October 11: Jeff Belan, Tim Chellew, Mark Grotelueschen, & Dave

Cashion

Saturday, October 17: Vern Sletten,

Bill Byles & Fred Krack

Sunday, October 18: Steve Lackey, Charlie Britton, Alan Beuster, Kevin

Verschoore, & Esther Cashion

Saturday, October 24: Vern Sletten &

George Fellows

Sunday, October 25: Larry Hipple, Candace Sountris, Kevin McAnally, &

Dennis Schaefer

Saturday, October 31: Vern Sletten,

Bill Byles, & Fred Krack

Greeters

3 - 6:30– Candance & David Sountris

4– 9:00– Don & Donna Hakeman

10– 6:30– LouAnn DeRammelaere &

Joyce Hoffman

11– 9:00– Ed & Janet Wachs

17– 6:30– Bill & Doris Byles

18--9:00– Dennis & Margie Schaefer

24– 6:30– JoAnn Wilson & Helen Carter

25– 9:00– Chloe Hewitt & Candance

Sountris

31-- 6:30—JoAnn Wilson & Helen Carter

Fellowship Callers

3 & 4 - Linda Sharp

10 & 11 – Philip & Lories Graham

17 & 18– Duane & Ronda Little

24 & 25– Bill & Doris Park

31 & 1 - Judy Knudsen & Betty Withrow

Acolytes

October 3: Leah Weber

October 4: Tanner McAnally

October 10: Jacob Pena

October 11: Ben Dosch

October 17: Cade Kosche

October 18: Max Park

October 24: Adam Lack

October 25: Jared Sountris

October 31: Suzannah Weber

November 1: Tanner Rusk

Serving the Lord This Month:

Thank you for your service!!

Altar Guild

Cora Whipple Carol Vrban Cori Rossmiller

Sunday Morning Coffee & Donuts

4, 11, 18, & 25— ALL

Available

Eternal Candle October—Full November 8— Available December 13 & 20—Available

Flower Chart October 25—Available November —Full December—Full

Celebration

We want to celebrate someone

who has spent many years serv-

ing the Lord here!

JoAnne Wilson

Retirement Dinner

Fri., October 23: 5:30-6:30-Reception in concourse

6:30-7:30– Dinner

7:30-8:30-Program

Page 4 September 2009

October 1 – Marly Whipple

October 2 – Michelle Bump

October 3– Jeffrey Borkgren, James Fauser, Sherry Orey &Tammy Sullivan

October 4– Emilee Livesay, Tom Niel-sen, Madison Streeter, Arlene VanRycke, Katelynn VanRycke & Joshua Webb

October 5 – Bret VanDeWoestyne

October 6 – Mary Heino

October 7– Shannon Buth, Ellen Glimpse & Floria Moore

October 8– Jillian Cross & Robby Ruggles

October 9– Peyton Mattly & Michael McCollum

October 10– Cristina Braddy, Trevor Keogh, Sarah Pratt, & Chloe Rouse

October 11– Lisa Kelly & Emma Noah

October 12– Joyce Kuse, Diana Lackey & Ronald Wilson

October 13– Alan Beuster, Esther Cashion, Steven Erickson, Rick Fauser, Jill Johanson, & Eric MacDonald

October 14– Roger Abbitt & Mary Wulf

October 15– Gloria Burke, Jared Fleck & Frank Hodshire

October 16– Megan Armstrong & Ryan Griffin

October 17– Barbara Buck & Bertha Lemkau

October 20– Andrew Burke, Kaylie Pena & Taylor Smith

October 21– Steven Carter, Colton Gar-cia & Connie Garcia

October 23– Thomas Bowman

October 24– Jeffery Fauser, Andrew Kasten, Kelly Lack, Dawsyn McDonald & Angela Mueller

October 25– Gracie Erickson, Charles Knudsen III & Margery Park

October 26– Georgeanne Clark & Diane Peck

October 28– Wendy Kirby & Lawrence Versluis

October 29– Cynthia Gray

October 31– Jason Krack , Cannden

Spicer, Betty VerStraete & Jonah Wilson

Church News

Birthday’s

DATE THIS YEAR LAST YEAR SUN. SCHOOL RECEIVED

8/23/09 229 249 14 $5,387.00

8/30/09 221 204 11 $4,561.00

9/6/09 208 268 32 $6,600.00

9/13/09 253 216 50 $5,894.00

9/20/09 260 230 46 $8,476.00

August Simply Giving Totals $1,957.00

Weekly Attendance & Offerings

Church Keys

Our records for people who have keys to the church are being updated. If you are in possession of a key for the church please call the church office to

verify your key number. If you have a key you are no longer using please turn it in to the church office. Thank You!

Food Pantry

Many of you know that our food pantry is now serving more and more people with our economy the way that it is. This causes our supplies to run lower and lower and our funding to continue to deplete. Please consider donating non perishable food items to our food pantry to help them restock the shelves. All your help is much appreciated by our volunteers and those who need food!

Page 5 The Informer

Church News

Family gatherings are events antici-pated with varying degrees of excitement or stress. Whether reunions, weddings, traditional holiday feasts, there are com-mon threads, such as the stories that bind us—‖remember when the Christmas tree toppled‖, ―did Grandpa always have a cigar in his mouth while dancing with the bride‖. Every fam-ily has tales that become more fun to relate with each telling. Along with each event is something unique and specific to that day—graduation cap and gown, a wedding cake or Christmas tree. The weekly gathering of our Christian family in worship is similar, but even richer with the depth of its meaning, be-cause we are the body of Christ gathered. Our worship service (our feast of Word and Sacrament) consists of two distinct elements: the Ordinary and the Prop-ers. The Ordinary includes the invocation, pleas for mercy, praise for God‘s grace for us, and continuing throughout the complete liturgy, then repeated with loving familiarity each week, the common thread that is sweeter with each telling. The Propers is the portion specific to that day (so we don‘t serve wedding cake at Easter brunch)—different readings and sermons each week with hymn texts that underscore and reflect that theme. We recently used one theme for seven weeks, reminding us of how firmly the early Christian saints remained in their faith, despite the knowledge that they would be killed. Each hymn was carefully chosen to reflect the ser-mon and strengthen that theme, with one of the hymns used throughout the period to ―seal the story‖ securely. The Ordinary follows the tradition of our early ―cousins‖, the Apostolic Christians. What a family! The Propers allow us to focus on selected scriptural texts, and then to reinforce them with strong hymn texts. Not merely guests, we are family. Welcome to the Feast!

Notes from the Balcony

The family golf outing was held Sept 13th at Country View Golf Course. We were blessed with a beautiful day and a golf course that was in excellent condition for the event. After a Brats dinner, all the non-golfing youth had an opportunity to compete in giant ―putt off‖ for special prizes. Keith Verschoore was the top challenge winner placing his long putt within inches of the hole. The adults soon learned that starting young in golf is a huge advantage as the preschool and elementary school age golfers proved most proficient in managing the putting surface. Two teams shot 33 in this best ball event. They were: Norm Antolik Pastor Umbarger Brent Antolik Clark Stojan Brian Engebrecht Derek Duffy Evan Antolik Steve Lobur Colin Mildred We had a number of sponsors that allowed us to have a nice range of gifts: This included BlackHawk State Bank (golf balls for all players and a beach ice chest), Thrivent for Lutherans Insurance through Colin Mildred (Tees and Markers for all gifts and golf towels for one of the winning teams), Robert W Baird Brokerage, Pro-V1 golf balls for one of the winning teams and golf caps and visors for men and women, Johnnies Italian Steakhouse (gift certificate), and THE Na-tional Bank (Golf umbrella). Finally all the non-winning team players were provided like new ProV1 golf balls at the awards ceremony. Individual winners were Mike Dosch, Pastor Umbarger, Bill Park, Scott Park, Brent Antolik, Clark Stojan, Ben Engebrecht, Steve Lobur, Nick Fellows and Ralph Grotelueschen. While we had some family‘s playing, we had more family units and hence more women and children playing last year. We will address this situation to encourage broader participation next year. Finally, the Bd. Of Elders thank Norma Grotelueschen for her dili-gent shopping and preparation of the food. Through this effort the cost of the picnic was kept at $5.00 for adults (free for kids) and still $45.00 was left over to give to the Food Pantry. The Sunday following Labor Day has turned out to be a comfortable time for this event. We will hope to continue this as a September fel-lowship event.

Golf Outing Results

Membership Report

CHANGE OF ADDRESS Arlene VanRycke Nicholas Fellows 54-41st Ave. #603 P.O. Box 31 East Moline, IL 61244 411-2nd Ave. 757-1722 Forreston, IL 61030

Judy Hardesty M/M Jamie Cruse 1820 Duggleby Street 600-1st Ave. Davenport, IA 52806 East Moline, IL 61244

TRANSFER IN Thelma Allen 796-0825 1156-46th Avenue East Moline, IL 61244 ASLEEP IN JESUS Ruth Buck—August 8—funeral at St. John‘s August 11, 2009

The Lutheran Women‘s Missionary League will hold their monthly meet-ing on October 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Janssen rooms. The hostesses will be Margie Schaefer and Diana Lackey. The program will be a skit. We hope you will come and join us for some Christian fellowship. There will be a LWML fall retreat at Camp CILCA near Springfield on October 23rd and 24th, 2009. For more infor-mation and a registration form, see the back page of the sum-mer edition of ―The Clarion.‖ Why not plan to attend?

LWML

Page 6 September 2009

Church News

Flu & Pneumonia Shot’s

October 17th Saturday 9 a.m.-Noon Rock Island County Health Department

Our prayer shawl crocheting & knitting group is starting to meet again after taking a summer break. With the help of your donations for yarn, we have been able to provide ap-proximately 40 prayer shawls to the Clarissa C. Cook Hos-pice House. All hospice patients are given a prayer shawl when they are admitted. At this time we have only a small amount of money left in our account. We try very hard to be good stewards of the donated money and buy the yarn when it is on sale (usually at 30% off), but once again we are asking for your support. IF you are so inclined to help us, you can include your donation in your offering envelope or a pew envelope and mark it for Prayer Shawl Ministry. We are so grateful for any donation you might give. Thank You!!

With Eager Hands

Economic Update Workshop

Are you looking to renew your investing confidence? Find out how to put the markets into perspective. Join us and

learn about:

Timeless strategies for coping with market conditions. Important strategies for coping with changing eco-

nomic conditions. Knowledgeable outlook from Thrivent Investment

Management, Inc.

Dates, times and locations:

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009, 7pm-8pm St. John’s Lutheran Church in East Moline OR Thursday, October 8th, 2009, 7pm-8pm Our Savior Lutheran Church in Davenport Presenters: John Tavernier and Colin Mildred 7pm-7:30pm Special Guest: Bruce Maurer – Fraternal Update 7:30pm-

8pm

RSVP to 563.355.4465 by October 2nd You are welcome to attend either event!

Refreshments will be provided.

Please note that we will be taking donations for the current Thrivent Builds Project during the workshop.

60+ met for a noon potluck on September 15, 2009 with 11 members present. Pastor Heino presented a program on ―Parables.‖ Bible verses were read by Norma, Vernon, & Dorothy. Meeting was called to order by Arlene VanRycke. Secretary and Treas-ure‘s reports were read and approved. Many cards were sent. Birthday song was sung to members from June, July, August & Septem-ber. Pastor Heino made a motion to meet through December 2009, motion seconded by Peggy Dufer, motion passed. We closed with the Lord‘s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted Joy Fauser, Secretary

60 Plus

Ladies Aid

The Ladies Aid Society met on Thursday, August 6, 2009. There were 14 members present and two guests: Darlene Aukee & Judy Hardesty. Hostess for the meeting were Karen Schmidt and Barb Honert. Karen Schmidt gave devotions. Volunteer Leader Betty Sletten lead the meeting. Reports were given and approved. Judy Hardesty was welcomed in as a new member. Birthday song was sung for Helen Carter, Betty Sletten, Linda Sharp, Judi Umbarger, Kathleen Kelly and Barb Honert. The meeting closed with the singing of the Ladies Aid song and the Lord‘s Prayer was said.

Respectfully submitted: LouAnn DeRammelaere, Secretary pro tem

Page 7 September 2009

Children, Youth & Family News

Friday, October 16—5-7 p.m.—Bonfire/Cookout (place TBA)

join us for a night of fun!!

Wednesday, October 28—6:30-7:30 p.m.— God Squad...We’re taking you out of confir-mation for a night of Fall Fun Activities!!

Friday, October 2—FFF—7-10:30 Bring a snack and a drink to share!

Sunday, October 18—Youth Group—11:30-2 p.m.—Paint balling

Wednesday, October 28—6 p.m.– God Squad set-up/help needed!!

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE STUDENTS Alyssa Busch Brian Busch Ashley Chaffee Oakland University Illinois Wesleyan University Western Illinois University Hamlin Hall 522 A 708-Kingsley St. Higgins Hall Room 1233 2200 N. Squirrel Rd. Apt. 145 D 1310 W. University Drive Rochester, MI 48309 Bloomington, IL 61761 Macomb, IL 61455 Jennifer Johnson Jordan Johanson Nick Johanson Western Illinois University Lincoln College Blackhawk College 206-25th Ave. 464 1916-6th Street East Moline, IL 61244 300 Keokuk Street Apt. 101 Lincoln, IL 61656 East Moline, IL61244 Kami Little Kayleigh Little Hannah Umbarger Blackhawk College Blackhawk College Illinois College 2501-10th Street 2501-10th Street 1101 W. College Ave. Silvis, IL 61282 Silvis, IL 61282 #S 2827 Jacksonville, IL 62650 Mary Umbarger University of Illinois Springfield 2023 Carl Sandburg Lane Apt. #24 Springfield, IL 62703

Page 8 The Informer

Senior Saint of October

In a farmhouse eight miles from Palmyra, Missouri, Earl John Frederick Schaefer came into this world on March 3, 1926. His two middle names were taken from his two grandfathers, who also were his sponsors for his baptism at Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra shortly after his birth. Earl had two younger brothers, Max and Thomas. His dad woke him at 5:30 a.m. every day to milk four

cows before his trip to a one-room schoolhouse. He developed tough feet after walking 1½ miles barefooted to school on a gravel road in warm weather. His teacher rode three miles to school on a horse to start the coal burning pot-bellied stove. The 7th and 8th grade boys were assigned the task of bringing in the coal every morning. This school had only four grades every year. Because Earl was not old enough to start school, the year the teacher was instructing first, third, fifth and seventh grades, he had to wait a year to start school. The teacher could only handle four grades at a time. Second, fourth, sixth and eighth grades were held the following year. One of his grandfathers cranked up his Model T every Saturday morning and drove Earl eight miles to and from confirmation for two years.

Following high school Earl was drafted into the Army

in 1944 and served for two years. After the first year, the United States dropped the Atom bomb on Japan. When Japan surrendered in 1945, Earl was one of the first ones in an amphibious landing craft to arrive in Occupied Japan, around Tokyo and Osaka. They took over the roads cleaning up rubble from the war. There were very few cars and many bicycles that were broken up in the aftermath. One of Earl‘s jobs, he remembers, is dumping all the damaged bikes in big piles alongside the roads. Another memory is watching smoke coming from ‗charcoal burning trucks‘. The charcoal was burned into fuel making the trucks run. When they ran out of fuel, they‘d stop and burn some more charcoal. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He came to the Quad-Cities as a laborer to help build

the Alcoa plant in Bettendorf and stayed about six months. He started working for International Harvester in East Moline, where he stayed for 30 years, retiring in 1977. He met and

married Beulah Tompkins in 1948 and had three children: Dennis and Gayla, residing in Moline, and Pam in Cedar Rapids. He has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Earl and Beulah owned and operated ‗Der Wienerschnitzel‘ on 23rd Avenue in Moline for twenty years. Beulah was diagnosed with a rare Leukemia in 1987 and died two weeks later.

Joan Ehlers, who worked in a photography studio

near ‗Der Wienerschnitzel‘, entered his life when Joan came in for lunch. Earl started bringing coffee in the mornings and tea in the afternoons to Joan at the photography studio. They married in 1989 and ran the restaurant until they retired a year later.

Earl‘s fun things to do are fishing and deer hunting.

He serves as landlord for five houses, which continually keeps him busy. But Earl and Joan take time for travel. They had a condo in Florida, which blew away in one of the fierce hurricanes five years ago. After that they took 19 cruises to places like the French Polynesian Islands, the Mediterranean, Italy, Switzerland, and Alaska, plus two more including their children to Nova Scotia and Mexico.

Byrle Schultz and Kathleen Kelly were serving as

greeters and called on Earl and Beulah, inviting them to attend St. John‘s, where they joined in 1948. He snowplowed St. John‘s driveway and parking lot for 20 years, served as an elder, and still ushers along with Joan on Sunday mornings. He and Joan are faithful members, who look forward to attending church every Sunday they‘re in town.

EARL SCHAEFER

Page 9 The Informer

The meeting was called to order by President John Iwen. Pastor opened with devotion from Psalm 51 and prayer. President Iwen asked if there were any members of St. John‘s present that wished to become voting members. David and Esther Cashion expressed desire. Kay Iwen motioned to accept David and Esther Cashion as voting members, Peg Heitzman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Dorothy Tribbett also expressed desire to become a voting member. Ron Heitzman motioned to accept Doro-thy Tribbett as a voting member, Doris Park seconded the motion. Motion carried. A motion was made by Ralph Grotelueschen to accept the June minutes as printed in the Informer. Bill Park seconded the motion. Motion carried. Tom Stimes gave the Treasurers report. Which can be found printed in this informer. Tom also, reported that there is $5,400.00 in Missions money to be disbursed. Ralph Grotelueschen motioned to give $1500.00 to the Raasch Family, and $1500.00 to Breckendorf Lutheran Bible Translators. Dorothy Tribbett seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ann Cobb motioned to split the balance of $2,400.00 of Missions money to the Seminary programs in Ft. Wayne and St. Louis. Brian Kern seconded the motion. Motion carried. The Elders report was given by Bill Park. First of all he thanked the Grotelueschen‘s for all of their hard work in putting together the golf tournament and picnic dinner. The Board of Elders is continuing to concentrate their efforts on getting some of the delinquent members back into faithful worship. We currently have approximately 300 members who have not attended worship in at least six months and many of them not for sev-eral years. September 17th the Elders plan to make calls on several members who promised to come back when they were called, but have not followed through on their promise. The Elders would very much appreciate your prayers for the success of these calls which are so important, not only for our congrega-tion, but also for the salvation of these members. Several members have expressed disappointment that we did not request a Vicar this year. The Elders would like to include a Vicar in our budget for next year, but obviously we will have to consider the status of our financial situation and the results of this year‘s Stew-ardship Program before that will be possible. Since a Vicar must be requested in January and does not arrive until July it should be possible to set up a Vicar Savings Account to finance the program for the 2010 Vicarage. We would have 18 months to pay for 12 months of service. We ask that you pray about this also. Larry Hipple reported for the Board of Trustees that the air conditioners in the education wing are running and being insulated.

Voters Assembly Meeting—September 13th 2009

What has God given you lately? Before you answer ―nothing,‖ think about your body and physical abilities, food and clothes, a place to call home, and a land where you are free to worship Him. Ecclesiastes 5:19 says: Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work---this is a gift of God. Even more importantly God has given you a precious soul, a Savior and saving faith, His Word and Sacraments and a church home. In Ephesians 2:8 we read: For it is by grace you have been saved through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Hasn‘t God been very good to you? God wants to work with us and through us to share Christ in our church and in our community. We do this in our worship services and music, Bible classes, Sunday School and Confirmation, evangelism, food pantry, counseling, maintaining our church and property, youth programs---and the list goes on. God also desires that we encourage the work of the Missouri Synod with funds for training pastors and teachers, sending out missionaries, pub-lishing materials, supporting Hispanic and other ethnic ministries as well as ministries for the deaf and blind. As God‘s blessed and dearly loved children, let us prayerfully and joyfully consider what we will return to Him from all that he has given us. II Corinthians 29:9: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheer-ful giver. Some information taken from HOW TO BE A GOOD GIVER---AND LOVE IT by Pastor Don Ginkel, Church Press, Inc.

Stewardship Notes

He also reported that the air conditioner for the offices is going out and the handling unit will need to be replaced. A motion was made by Tom Stimes to loan $18,000.00 from the Endowment funds at a rate of 4.5% interest for 5 years to the trustees, to replace the unit. Brian Engebrecht seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ralph Grotelueschen made a motion, that Executive Board work with Trustees to add a ―Large Cost Capital Improvement line‖ to es-tablish a church improvement fund. Brian Engebrecht seconded the motion. Motion carried. The Evangelism Board report was given by Al Beuster. He reports that The Evangelism board is continuing to look to refine the ―Greeter program‖, and sends appreciation and thanks to all of those who have served and continue to serve in this important mission area. Al reminds us that we have the DVD that was made about St. John‘s, and that they are available to everyone. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for any further uses for these DVD‘s, to please contact the Evangelism Committee. And also, that the Board of Evangelism is continuing to look into the possibility and feasibility of broadcasting and or video taping church services for use here locally as well as sending them to those deployed oversees.

Norma Grotelueschen reported for the Board of Stewardship. She reminds us that ―Simply Giving‖ brochures are available on the literature table in the Narthex if anyone is interested in using that method for their gift to the Lord. Everyone is invited to the German Dinner on October 11 at 11:30 following Bible class in the gym. This is a time for us to enjoy fellow-ship with one another and give thanks for God‘s many blessings. There is no cost for dinner, but we appreciate you signing up so we prepare enough food. The sign up sheet is available on the library counter---look for the German flag! Our fall stewardship emphasis is, ―How to be a good giver…and love it.‖ It will begin on October 18 and conclude November 15 with pledging of our treasure to the Lord. These booklets will be available on the literature table starting October 18 if you wish to follow along. We ask that you take one per family. Lastly, Norma shared a mission opportunity that Charlie and Joan Britton learned about at their daughter‘s church in Crystal Lake, IL. It is sponsored by a group called Faith Comes by Hearing. This is an outreach to our military by means of mp3 players. They are small enough and meet camouflage requirements so can be taken anywhere. There was a short presentation played at the meeting and will be shown for the following two Sundays at the beginning of church service. There will be forms available starting next Sunday for anyone who might want to contribute to this project. The checks should be made to St. John‘s and all money will then be sent to the Faith Comes by Hearing group. Ann Cobb thanked everyone for their help and support on Rally day a reported 50 children were in attendance today. Pastor report is as follows:

2008 – Current 2008 - Current Membership: Baptized 842 – 829 Communicant: 642 – 628 Baptisms 10(5 infant/5Adult or Older Children) Confirm./Reaffirm: 22 ( 5Jr. Confirmands) Transfers In: 4 Released: 36 Transfers Out: 4 Deaths: 4 Average Worship Attendance 264 = 32% Average Per Communicant Giving: $757 45% of members/households with envelopes less than $1 per week 10% of members/households with envelopes contribute over 0% of the budget Of the top 20 contributors 8 are retired and living off of pensions We continue to have over 300 members at anytime who have not attended worship in over 6 months. All members need to consider greater commitment in daily witness and service and proportionate/first-fruit giving. Let the blessings that God has given us guide us in our giving. Bill Park made a motion to adjourn, Tom Stimes seconded. Motion carried. Meeting closed with the Lord‘s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Hart Secretary

Voters Assembly Meeting (Continued)

Page 10 The Informer

Page 11 The Informer

Treasure’s Report

Page 12 September 2009

Financial Secretary’s Report

WORSHIP SERVICES: Saturday — 6:30 p.m.

Sunday— 9:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS: Sunday — 10:15 a.m.

Worship Times

St. John’s Sanctuary.

1450-30th Avenue

East Moline, IL 61244

Tel: 309-792-0755

Fax: 309-792-0776

E-mail: stjohnsem@sbcglobal.net

St. John’s

Lutheran Church

of East Moline,

Walking in the Light of Christ!

We’re On the Web!! www.stjohnsem.org