PAGE 1 March 2015

sidebysideministry.com & friend us on facebook at John-Paul Lutheran

St. Paul Lutheran and St. John Lutheran, Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio

From Pastor Chris…

I watched through the window in our living room in wonder, my eyes frozen on what I saw. It was about 8 a.m. and

there appeared on the iced-over scene of West Harbor, a pair of coyotes. I have never appreciated coyotes – thought

of them as a wild, mangy, dangerous, pet-eating species. But these two were beautiful, almost regal in their stance.

They were in no hurry, and seemed to be almost enjoying a peaceful Sabbath on the frozen tundra. As I watched, it

occurred to me the great risk it was for them to be in the open during the daylight, and also for them to walk out on

the ice in what seemed such a casual way. But that was my view from inside where it was warm, and I was still in my

robe knowing I had food in the cupboard for breakfast. These two, however, were out in below 0 weather, looking for

their breakfast. I watched as they stood together, facing opposite directions, surveying the scene for any sign of life

or food. Nothing but white all around. The words, “Even coyotes get hungry” popped into my head. Could it be

that God was showing me the image of who we are in this season of Lent?

“Even Coyotes Get Hungry” is the image of my wild, mangy soul hunting for nourishment, for sustenance, for help

for my starving spirit. God calls us to risk allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, to risk being open about who we are,

to trust a walk on the frozen water. God sees us as beautiful, as regal, because of the work of Christ on the cross.

God meets us on the frozen tundra of our lives and offers us the abundant food of a Holy Communion, served on the

plate of prayer.

Our journey through Lent is into the nourishing, filling, meal of prayer. Under the ice and snow of frozen hearts lies

the feast of a relationship with the living God. God melts the ice and shows us this feast.

“Even Coyotes Get Hungry”…Even Pastors, parents, kids, young adults, seniors, teenagers…get hungry.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you 3Because your steadfast love is

better than life, my lips will praise you. I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 5My soul is satisfied as with a

rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lip

Reading schedule for The Living Prayer Workbook by Maxie Dunham:

Mar. 1 Week 3 Mar. 15-21 Week 5

Mar. 8-14 Week 4 Mar. 22-28 Week 6

Midweek Lenten Meals and Worship

Meal at 6:00 pm...Worship at 7:00 pm

March 4 @ St. John

March 11 @ St. Paul

March 18 @ St. John

March 25 @ St. Paul

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday...April 2...7 pm @ St. John

Good Friday...April 3..12 pm @ Lakeside United Church of Christ; 7 pm @ St. Paul

Easter Sunday...April 5th...7 am @ St. Paul...8:45 am @ St. John...10:30 am @ St. Paul

PAGE 2 March 2015

Special Events

Quiet Witness Corner

He knows exactly what we need even before we ask Him. Matt 6:8

This happened a while back when my middle daughter, Karyn, was still in high school. She had always been very musi-cal with piano, clarinet, trumpet, and lastly trying her hand at guitar. The guitar was a little more challenging. Some les-sons followed and soon she was asking about forming a band. I have no musical ability at all, and I could offer little help in forming a band. However she was persistent and kept hounding and kept asking “How do I form a band?”

“I really don’t know how to form a band. I’m not musical. I wish I could help, but ….put an ad in the paper!” Some times out of desperation we can say things that we don’t really mean to be taken literally. So I was quite surprised when she came to me a few days later with a smile and said “I finally did what you told me to do. Three lines…Three days…$3.75”. It will be in the Register over the week end.

OK Lord, we are going to need some help here because the phone will ring off the hook with guys wanting to have a good time with Karyn. So there were some rules established.

1) I will be screening all the calls

2). You will never be allowed to drive and meet with anyone, anywhere, at any time, alone.

3). Any place you do go, you will be accompanied by your mother and me.

4). There will be no exceptions.

Luckily, there were only two calls that came in. The first one was from a Fisher lad in Bellevue. We arranged a time, got directions, and made sure his parents were going to be home as well. At the appointed date we were all in Bellevue at a farm house out in the country and a Mark Fisher came to the door……a Rev. Mark Fisher….a Lutheran Rev Mark Fisher. I recognized him because he has preached at St. Paul in the past as a guest or supply pastor. It was his son who had called Karyn. We wound up having a nice visit while the kids did their guitar thing up stairs.

Then there was a second call a day or so later also from Bellevue. The kids were chatting about their instruments, abilities, and getting acquainted when she told the boy her last name was Hirt. “Awesome!” he said. “That is my mom’s maiden name!” Now, not only were Jan and I going, but so were my parents and Jason Iannello’s grandparents would be there as well. We all had another great reunion with Dad’s cousin and some of our shirt-tail relation that we had never met until now.

I really don’t know how all this works, but when you turn it over to God, amazing things can happen. He really does know what we need even before we ask.

LUNCH WITH THE EASTER BUNNY!

Lunch with the Easter Bunny will be held at St.

Paul’s on March 21st at Noon

Please sign up to help volunteer or to join in on

the fun! Sign up sheets are on the event board at

St. Paul

American Red Cross Bloodmobile

The Bloodmobile will be here on March 9th

from 12-5 PM.

PAGE 3 March 2015

Bible & Discipleship Studies

Sunday Morning, 9 a.m.:

1.) Adult Bible Study: Join us as we continue on exploring a Lenten theme with, The Workbook of Living Prayer, by Maxie Dunnam.

Hope to see you there!

2.) Parents and Young Adults: Ruth Scotts class began a study on Grace and the difference it makes on daily life. Parents on

Sunday School children are especially encouraged to join the conversation. They are working with the book, Grace; More than We

Deserve, Greater than We Imagine, by Max Lucado.

3.) Single Parenting that Works: Meetings will be held on March, 15, 22, 29, and April 12, 19. 26. We are excited to welcome Kim

Perkins, Executive Director of Heartbeat Pregnancy Center (and long-time friend of Pastor Chris), who is coming to facilitate the

class, just because she loves kids and parents and God! This is open to anyone and everyone, so please spread the word. The only

cost is your time. (We will have an optional donation basket set out for Heartbeat Pregnancy Center.) Children 3 years old and up

are welcome to be part of the Education Hour offered at the same time. This is an outstanding opportunity and is part of our ministry

as a teaching congregation! Come

Women’s Bible Studies (WELCA – All women are invited to participate! )

St. John Women meet on second Wednesday at 2:00 pm

St. Paul Women will meet 3rd Thursdays at 1:00 pm

Weekly Wednesday Bible Study – Meets every Wednesday at 11:00 am at St. Paul. All Ladies are welcome. We are studying the

Women of the Bible. A different woman every week - so you are never behind in the series. Please join us as we dig deeper into the

Lord’s would. Good discussion and laughter.

Heritage Fund Update—During our January 2015 Congregational meeting, the Heritage Fund update was not

available. Recently the account summary was received for 2014. Our year-end balances are as follows: Heritage Fund Investment: $228,379

Accessible Savings Account: $20,162 As a reminder in 2011 the fund was established from a bequest from the estate of Winifred Hallier-Wages. The original investments were $185,000 in the investments and $52,000 in the Accessible Savings Account. We have realized just over a $43,000 increase or a 23.4% return on investment in three years (November 2011 thru December 2014). Annu-ally the fund has provided monies to the Danbury Food Pantry and is creating a Scholarship at Fireland’s Hospital for future nursing students.

Memorial Pavers—An example of one type of possible memorial paver has been on display in Fellowship Hall.

We plan on moving forward with this type of memorials for trees and a potential patio – so your feedback is very much wanted. Please provide any questions or feedback to council members or drop a note at the Church Office.

Sanctuary Renovation—As mentioned at the January 2014 Congregational meeting, our next major project will

be the renovation of the church sanctuary. Currently we are beginning to fund that account – similarly to the Founda-tion Fund which was used to transform the basement. The Foundation Fund has now been closed and we are actively looking for donations to the Renovation Fund. This year we will begin the process to solicit feedback from restoration / construction experts on the scope and scale of our project. From this we will have a much better idea of the total fund-ing that will be needed and the additional monies we should set aside as contingency funds. Your input and ideas for how the Sanctuary renovation should evolve is wanted. We will have some brainstorming / idea sessions later this year. Questions or concerns, please see Tim Mackey.

Any ideas for projects around the Church that may need to be addressed? Please see Tim Mackey or anyone on St. Paul’s Council.

PAGE 4 March 2015

Side-by-Side Youth Page “In St. Paul Youth Group we will try to help others and ourselves grow in their faith while promoting a

nice environment to share our thoughts and ideas.” -Senior High Youth

7th and 8th graders

Confirmation Class

Classes meet Sundays at 9:00 a.m.,

Wednesdays in February, 6:00 –7:00 pm

March 4—at St. John

March 11—at St. Paul

March 18—at St. John

March 25—at St. Paul

Lenten Meal Table Talks, 6:00 pm

Lenten Worship, 7:00 pm

Side-by-Side Jr. High Youth

Wednesday, March 4 & 11, 7-7:30 pm

Sunday School for Preschool –8th

Sunday School Teachers Needed!

***We are in great need of a couple

more teachers/helpers to help share

the joy :)

Please contact Chrissy French (419) 341-4653

with any questions and/or to offer your help.

Senior High Side-by-Side Youth

Let’s Stay Connected: If you are interested in what’s going on in the youth group and would like up-dates, join us on twitter! Follow us @StPaulDanbury to keep up! Calling ALL High School Youth of St Paul and St John: Lets make this a new tradition! We are going to meet at Coffee Express in Port Clinton, 128 W. Second St (across from the Post Office), for talk & treats on Sunday, March 1st, 2015 around 12 noon or 12:15. See Helmi Freeh for Coffee Ex-press' loyalty customer punch card or pick one up when you meet us there.

Rise Up ELCA Youth Gathering: youth and leaders are continuing their study of the Gospel of Mark and how it re-lates to sharing our faith with the communities of Detroit. Their next fundraiser will be announced soon, your continued prayers and support are energizing! Easter: We will help with the Easter Sunrise service and the Easter Breakfast.

Senior High

Side-by-Side Youth

Youth Sunday

1st Sun. of each Month

Sign up on the easel on the ramp at church to help

with greeting, ushering, lecturing (reading). Watch

for texts and calls from Chris and Helmi. See Pastor

Chris if you can help with Special Music.

PAGE 5 March 2015

Building Friendships “Not Older, Just Better” - Not Older, Just Better is meeting at Peninsula on Monday, March 9th at 11:30 a.m. Call Marge

at 419-798-8816 if you have questions or need a ride.

Dartball—Please see the attached church calendar for dates and locations.

You’re Not Alone – Our “You’re Not Alone” group will meet at Pastor Chris’s on March 3rd at 6:30 p.m.

Noisy Offering on March 8—ELCA “Always Being Made New Campaign”

Blessing Cup Teams—To be part of this fellowship of Christ’s love, please contact Marge Bridgett or Myra Prokop.

Celebration Chorus - Following Lenten worship each Wednesday at St. Paul. All are welcome!

Community Garden - There will be a meeting to discuss plans for the 2015 garden on Sunday March 15th at 11:45 am at

the church. The meeting is open to all garden members and anyone interested. We will be discussing dates to begin plant-

ing crops; which crops to plant for sharing among members; area plots for members; garden markers; and much more.

Direct questions for 2015 to Emily Glynn 314-517-2402 or Betsy Deer 419-310-4406.

Council Nights—Note Changes in date for St. Paul and in place for St. John - March 19th, All Council Night, (and 3rd

Thursday of each month following) at St. Paul each month; St. Paul 5:30 Joint Parish Board; 6:15 p.m. St. Paul; St. John

7:00 p.m.

Danbury Food Pantry—For March 21st, St. Paul is to bring canned fruit, and St. John is to bring Applesauce. .

Prayer Chain—St. Paul contact Joan Harris at 419.734.3971 or 419.341.6373 or harris2110@roadrunner.com.

St. John contact Myra Prokop at 419.798.5101 or taylors@cros.net. God promises that our prayers are heard!

Ministries—(Supporting Native African Pastors) For info. go to snapministries.org (Welcome. to Home). Pastor Claude will be visiting our congregations from Cameroon on May 10th. Dream Casting— Please add your ideas to our Dream-Casting poster with the sticky notes provided at each church. Or talk to our congregational Vision Team reps – Patty Isaman St. John and Ruth Scott for St. Paul. We will continue to col-lect the results of our prayers and listening to God’s call for our Side-by-Side ministry through the middle of March, as to-gether we create a direction for the next 5 years. No dreams are too small or too big for God!

Serving in Christ’s Name

Internship Update God may be preparing us to sponsor another intern. We will be deciding by the end of March whether or not we can support an intern for the 2016-17 year. The committee has been working on the funding, and to date

approximately 23,000 is in-hand or pledged. This is an amazing gift so soon in the process! Our goal is $28,500, and St. Paul Council would like us to have that total before we make a commitment. We will still need around $6,000. So, this is a request that you let Marv Rettig know if you would like to see an intern come, again, and want to make a donation or pledge by the end of March to our Seminary Fund. Pastor

Chris is interviewing potential candidates at Trinity Seminary at the end of February, and we will find out if we have been accepted as a sponsor of a Trinity Student potentially by the end of March. If a Trinity intern is not available (there are 23 sites and 11 interns), our name may go into a pool for the other seminaries. Please

keep this ministry in your prayers for God’s direction and guidance and provision. Thank you so much!

Aaron and Patty—A Wedding Invitation Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul

Followed by a reception in the fellowship hall with a Contra-Dance Band. What a joy to be counted as his family! They hope you can come.

PAGE 6 March 2015

St. john beacon light

For March, 2015

St. John Council Highlights

Due to scheduling conflicts a short meeting was held after church February 8, 2015. Council voted to place

back in the 2015 budget St. John’s 1/3 portion of the cost of having an intern for the year 2015-16.

Special dates:

Birthdays

1-Linda Merckens

2-Chuck Keller

9- Sue Vyrostek

11- Paul Lee

12- Joan Benya

19- Margaret Stellhorn

20- Anna Povlick

23- Samantha Lee

26- Jackson Lee

29- Bob Vyrostek

***Please make a note that

Daylight Savings Time starts on

March 8th. Set your clocks

ahead the night before. We

don't want to miss you!***

St. John History Happenings

History Happenings: The Guild of Sts. Mary & Martha

September 23rd, 1923 The ladies of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Parish met in the church for the

purpose of adopting a constitution. The main articles of the constitution were voted upon and ac-

cepted. It was decided to adopt the remainder at the next meeting to be held on the tenth of Octo-

ber.

The following officers were elected by acclamation-

1. President, Rev Ernst E. Eckhoff

2. Vice President, Mrs. Walter Shirley

3. Secretary, Mrs. Charles Dress

4. Treasurer, Mrs. John Tetjian

Volunteers Needed:

Counters for Sundays

Financial Secretary (for winter months)

Please consider lending your time and talent!

PAGE 7 March 2015

St. Paul Lutheran Church Messenger March 2015

St. Paul Lutheran Church “Messenger”

December 2014 Budget Highlights

General Fund— Income- $9,871.98

Expense- $12,958.86

Restricted Fund— Income- $2,405.55

Expense- $3,116.94

St. Paul Council Highlights:

February 12, 2015

-The heat problem in Fellowship Hall is being looked into.

-Representatives are needed for the Synod Assembly on May 15 & 16 in Bowling Green.

-Pastor will be going to Columbus to interview potential interns.

-A new printer will be purchased for Pastor Chris.

-Some of the designated funds are being combined and changed (Sunday School and Vacation Bible School will be

Christian Education. Foundation will be Restoration Fund)

-a Cemetery Information Management System and a computer to run it on will be purchased for under $2000.

-a Grant is being submitted for the community garden to purchase a soaker system, garden shed and brochures.

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

(WELCA)

-The regular March meeting and Bible Study will be on the 19th at 1:00

pm. Louise Rogers is hostess. Please join us. The Bible study is in the mag-

azine “Gather”. We will be doing the study for February.

-The Monthly Project Contributions for March are: soup, toothbrush,

blunt scissors, cloth diapers and pins.

-The Easter visits will be Apr il 7-9. If you want to join us please see Marge

Bridgett.

-Looking Ahead - Ladies of the Church - The All Daughter Dinner will be

held at church on Sunday, May 3rd.

Altar Guild -Meeting on March 12th at 6:30 pm to polish brass. The Flower orders

for Easter flowers are due March 29th.

Please remember in your prayers:

Vince an Nancy Adams, Barb Agne, Barb

Batcha, Mary Butchko, Ben Chapman, Gary

Cover, Rebecca Dress, David Heinzl, Bill

Hirt, Steve Hosko, Ruth Keller, Delores Mah-

ler, Kathy Stine, Sarah Tanner, Janet

Vodicka, Gordon Wahlers, Jerry Weichman.

We pray for family and friends in the armed

forces.

Delta Cooley passed away on January 28th

and her funeral was at St. Paul on February

3rd.

Terrence (Terry) Davis passed away on

February 1st and his funeral was at St. Paul

on February 7th. May God comfort all who

mourn their passing. ***Please make a note that Day-

light Savings Time starts on March

8th. Set your clocks ahead the

night before. We don't want to

miss you!***

The new Portals of Prayer, beginning

with April are in the rack beside the

bulletin board.

PAGE 8 March 2015

Birthdays

1 Nolan Chapman

2 Hayley Doski, Mason French

4 Dennis Coles, Joel Lowien

7 Jacob Freeh

8 Christina French

9 Anne Beasley

10 Joseph Bartzen

13 Melissa Widmer, Courtney Kihlken, Sarah Beasley, Lauren Mooney

14 Linda Dubbert

16 Francine Chapman

18 Charles Deluca, Rebeca Fuerstenberg, David Rayle

19 Brad Biers

23 Nancy Adams, John Tibbels, Nelf Kimerline

24 Jennifer Ringeisen

26 Linda Goff

27 Bernell Lowien, Benjamin Lowien, Daniel Lambert

28 Justin Chapman

30 Perry Geller, Sr., Levi Coles, Mason Kihlken

St. Paul March Special Dates

Wedding Anniversary

4 Charles and Ruth Scott

14 Cleo and Evelyn Bodi

24 Bob and Valerie Glovinsky

Baptismal Anniversary

1 Debra White

5 Rebeca Fuerstenberg

8 Alijah Christiansen

9 Dale Dubbert, Natalie Lambert

13 Andrea Tibbels

14 Leighanna Bartzen

17 James Boss

18 Graham Bartzen

21 Isaac Miller

23 Robert Glovinsky’

25 Penelope Sandvick

27 Lauren Indorf

29 Shelley Seamon

30 Tom Sandvick, Steve Young

Thank You

-Devin and I are so very blessed to have such an amazing church family, we would like to thank every one who worked in the kitchen preparing for the luncheon, brought food, plowed the church and cemetery, offered prayers, hugs, and shoulders to cry on during the loss of Terry. I know he is in a better place free from all his medical disabili-ties. May God Bless you all. Tammy Davis and Devin Pollock.

-St. Paul Council and Congregation, Please accept our sincere thanks for your very generous Christmas Gift. It is a great start for our saving to go to Disney World next January with our grandkids. (Don’t tell, though- the kids don’t know yet!) We are so overwhelmed by your love and support- there are no words. Just thank you and thank you! Love and Blessings, Pastor Chris and Steve

PAGE 9 March 2015

Mutual Ministries

March 1 March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29

Greeters Bethany Urban Rose Marie Arn Shirley LaCumsky Norma Dubert

Kihlken

Linda Dubbert

Lectors Nick Waters Jim Deer Tammy Davis Laurel Berhent Shirley LaCumsky

Ushers Heather Lambert

Brendon Mullins

Nancy Kihlken

Shirley LaCumsky

Betty Kovach

Marge Bridgett

Tammy Davis

Dave Hirt

Nancy Kihlken

Marge Bridgett

Dave Hirt

Shirley LaCumsky

Jack Easton

Marge Bridgett

Acolytes Kenneth Kerik

Natalie Lambet

Devon Grosswiler

Ryan Chapman

Daniel Lambert

Erik Wadsworth

Mason French

Nolan Chapman

Nick Bossetti

Brendon Mullins

Hospitality Lunch/Dartball

Bulletins

Steeple Lighting Roland, Laurel

Perpetual Light Roland, Laurel

Assisting Minister Chrissy French

Crystal Chapman

Altar Guild Trish Ahrens

Counters Tammy Davis

Fran Chapman

PAGE 10 March 2015

PAGE 11 March 2015