1

VOLUME 33 SEPTEMBER 2021 NUMBER 9

Chatterbox Newsletter

HAVING DONE ALL…STAND

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able

to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6: 13

There really are times in life when you’ve done everything you can do. You’ve prayed.

You’ve made the necessary adjustments. You’ve followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. But

things just don’t seem to be going your way.

Here’s a precious truth from the Word of God – you can still stand even when everything

around you is crumbling. In His strength you can keep putting one foot in front of the

other, even when you don’t feel like it, even when it makes more sense to give up.

Having done all…stand. When others tell you to quit. When your dreams don’t seem to

remember that you’re truly forgiven.

God didn’t bring you this far to leave you no. He saved you, filled you with His Spirit, and

called you to great things. He has shown you new life, new hopes, new possibilities. So

don’t listen if the enemy whispers those dreadful words, “It’s over.” It’s not over. In fact,

it’s only the beginning.

Lord, thank You! You’ve forgiven me and released me from a life of pain.

You don’t want me to give up now. With Your help, I’ll keep standing! Amen.

2

Special Congregational Meeting of St. John’s

On August 8, 2021, the Council of St. John’s Shell Creek, called a special meeting to take a straw poll of the

congregation to leave the ELCA and NE Synod. President Jason Kock called the meeting to order, and visiting Pastor

Lohmeyer led an opening prayer.

A quorum was established and Todd Scriven and Mark Schreiber were appointed tellers.

There was discussion on what the meeting was about, and that the poll would be to stay with the ELCA and NE Synod or

leave. It would need a 2/3 vote to pass in order to begin the process of disaffiliation.

Bill Klug moved that we take the poll to stay or leave the ELCA and NE Synod. There was a second by Kathy Brunt.

Motion carried.

Members voted by ballot with the results being 28 to stay and 46 to leave with a total of 74 votes. To make 2/3, 49 votes

were needed, so the 2/3 was not met.

Kathy Brunt moved to adjourn the meeting with a second by T.J. Scriven. Motion carried. The meeting closed with the

Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by Pat Cuda, Council Secretary

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL

August 19, 2021 MINUTES

Opening

St. John’s Lutheran Congregational Council met with Jason Kock, Clayton Brunt, Tracey Moore, Cody Luchsinger, Stephanie Bell, and Pat Cuda, along with about 25 congregational members present. President Kock called the meeting to order and led the opening prayer.

President Kock addressed the visitors present and let them speak. They were there to voice concerns of what direction the church is going to take after having the straw poll. They asked that we try to explore other options with the call process. They also voiced concerns about members leaving our church, and Confirmation and Sunday School. The council took their concerns under advisement.

Minutes/Financial Reports

The minutes from the July council meeting and minutes of the special meeting on August 8th were discussed. Stephanie moved to approve with a second from Clayton with a correction to the July minutes. It was stated that Marlene Engel was also a candidate for council, but she asked that we remove her name from the ballot before the semi-annual meeting. Motion passed.

The July financial secretary and treasurer’s reports were presented and discussed. Stephanie moved with a second from Cody to accept the reports. Motion passed.

Beginning Monthly Balance $90,261.37 Monthly General Income $5,978.50 Monthly General Expenses $6,492.69 Ending General Balance $89,751.00 2020 Budget Balance ($13,279.07) 2021 Budget Balance ($15,344.76) Memorial Fund No Report Building Fund No Report

3

Old Business

- After hearing concerns from members, council held further discussion. Stephanie Bell moved that we form a committee to explore or educate members on other synods/denomination options; and to also form a committee to search for a pastor on our own. Cody Luchsinger seconded. Motion passed. There will be sign-up sheets that will be put out after the service on Sunday asking for 8 volunteers for each committee. The synods/denomination committee will have until November 1st to present findings to the members. After their presentations, we will be taking an official vote on disaffiliation from the ELCA needing a 2/3 vote to disaffiliate.

- Old business was suspended for a zoom call to Pastor Chris Alexander as an interim minister. - Continuing with old business, we accepted the estimate to fix the railing. Pam will be sending a check to Fence

Shop and Construction LLC for ½ the amount of $613.80 as a down-payment. - Update on the floor repair to the parsonage-Jason has contacted the synod and Pastor Hall and is waiting for

payment. - Jason checked into changing to Rise Broadband for Internet. It would be $160.96 for installation and 1st month and

then $131.60 per month with 2 routers. Stephanie moved to have Rise Broadband install internet. Cody seconded. Motion carried. Jason will be contacting Rise to set up internet.

New Business

- After the zoom call with Pastor Alexander, council discussed pros and cons in having her as an interim minister. In addition to her regular duties as a minister, she would lead discussions with the members addressing the concerns presented this evening and also theological beliefs of the church. She is knowledgeable about other denominations and could help us with the transition, if we do an official vote to leave the ELCA. Some believe she will be a good asset right now to help us get through our process. There was a motion from Clayton to offer a month-to-month contract to Pastor Chris Alexander as a part-time interim minister, subject to availability and agreement of compensation. Tracey seconded. Motion passed with 4 votes yes and 2 abstaining.

- Stephanie reported that she had a Christian Ed meeting on Sunday, August 15th, and that Rose Runge is getting things in order and there will be a curriculum for teachers to follow. Chris Luchsinger and Cindy Groteluschen will be helping with closing devotions and Wee Singers.

- Protocol for Covid 19 was discussed. Masks are always optional. We will be monitoring the situation and follow what is recommended for the schools.

Committee Reports

Christian Ed was already reported. Cody reported that Evangelism will try to have 2 meetings by the end of the year. He also reported that the Property Committee fixed the water faucet in the women’s bathroom, and they are still waiting on landscaping bids. Companies are too busy right now and will not give out bids. Tracey reported that Social Ministry is planning on collecting the pill bottles again, and will also be collecting clothing and shoes for the Orphan Grain Train in the fall. There were no other committee reports.

Adjournment

September council representatives are Tracey Moore and Pat Cuda. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00pm.

Clayton moved and Stephanie seconded the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Pat Cuda – Secretary

4

Pastor Search Committee

These are just some starting guidelines/objectives from the Council more may be added later.

• Use any and all resources to begin an immediate search for a new pastor.

• If the pastor is from a synod/denomination that is in full communion with the ELCA, their name needs to be

submitted to the synod for approval and background check.

• Decide on a vetting process for Pastors that you may be interested in

• Work in conjunction with Denomination/Synod Committee so that searches mirror each other (or pastor found can

step into possible chosen denomination/synod).

• Be in communication with the church council. Have chairperson report progress to council either in person or in

writing each month.

Denomination/Synod Committee

These are just some starting guidelines/objectives from the Council more may be added later.

• As a group research other denominations/synods that may be options for our church

• Narrow search down to 3 and present those options before November 1st to Council and Congregation

• Communicate with Pastor Search Committee

• Be in communication with the church council. Have chairperson report progress to council either in person or in

writing each month.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!

So much to everyone who sent me beautiful

birthday cards for my 80th birthday and for

the personal wishes after church on Sunday!

Marilyn Schreiber

5

ST. JOHN’S SHELL CREEK SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS GOALS PRESCHOOL: Learn to pray

KINDERGARTEN: Memorize simple Bible verses

FIRST GRADE: Memorize simple Bible verses and the Lord’s Prayer

SECOND GRADE: Memorize the Ten Commandments

THIRD GRADE: Memorize the Apostle’s Creed

FOURTH GRADE: Memorize the books of the Bible

FIFTH GRADE: Memorize the meaning of the Ten Commandments

SIXTH GRADE: Memorize the books of the Bible and memorize the petitions to the Lord’s Prayer

SEVENTH GRADE: Memorize the catechism pertaining to the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion

EIGHTH GRADE: Memorize the catechism pertaining to the Apostle’s Creed and Confession, general review

6

A List of the upcoming Preachers

September 5 - Pastor Inba

September 12 - Nancy Jacobs PA

September 19, 26 and October 3 - Pastor Bill Koeber

WEE SINGERS

Sunday School Students

(Age 4-Grade 3)

Will Be Singing During Church On

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

7

8

9

Make sure to read the directions for this one!

10

11

September

Congregation Officers 2021 President: Vice President: Clayton Brunt Secretary: Pat Cuda Financial Secretary: Kim Scriven (income) Treasurer: Pam Goering (expenditures) Council members: Tracey Moore, Stephanie Bell, Cody Luchsinger

Please put your committee and organization meetings on the calendar in the Narthex. It’s on the information desk. Thank you!

Bulletin & Chatterbox editor: Kim Scriven st.johnshellcreek@gmail.com or tkranch@megavision.com

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Council Worship Reps

Tracey Moore

Pat Cuda

Altar Guild

Shyla Luckey

Cleaner

Denise

Stevenson

1

6:30 PM

Confirmation

2

3 4

5

10:00 AM

Worship Service

Communion

6

Labor Day

7

8

6:30 PM

Confirmation

7:30 PM

Rejoice Choir

9

10

11

12

10:00 AM

Worship Service

8:50 AM Start of

Sunday School

Grandparents Day

13

14

7:00 PM

Council Meeting

15

6:30 PM

Confirmation

16

Eve Circle

1:30 PM

17

18

19

10:00 AM

Worship Service

20

Chatterbox

Deadline

21

Tabitha Circle

7:30 PM @

Chris Luchsinger

22

6:30 PM

Confirmation

First Day of Fall

23 24

25

26

10:00 AM

Worship Service

27

28 29

6:30 PM

Confirmation

7:30 PM

Rejoice Choir

30

12

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHRUCH

10785 280TH ST

COLUMBUS, NE 68601

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

“COUNTRY CHURCH WITH A WORLDWIDE MISSION”

SUNDAY SCHOOL WORSHIP School Year, Sunday at 8:50 A.M. Sunday 10:00 A.M.

Cell Phone 402-910-0817

Office Phone 402-564-8707

Website: www.stjohnlutheranshellcreek.weebly.com

Email: stjohnshellcreek@gmail.com

10785 280th St.

Columbus, NE 68601-8745

From Hwy 30: 5 Miles North on 18th Ave 41/2 Miles east on 280th St.