| | |
THE MINISTRY OF ST. JOHN LUTHERAN
|
| | | | |
Election of Church Officers & Board Members
Sat., May 18 and Sun., May 19, school library
Come to the school library this weekend and place your votes – 5-7pm on Saturday and 8am-1pm on Sunday. St. John communicant members 18-years-old and over are eligible to vote. For those unable to vote in church on May 18 or 19, an absentee ballot may be obtained from the church office starting May 16, and returned by noon on Friday, May 17. .
| | | |
| |
Thanks to Church Officers/Board Members/Committee Members
Thanks to all who ran for officer and board positions, all those whose terms ended and chose not to rerun, and all members who took time to vote this weekend. We pray for God’s richest blessings for our boards as members build new relationships and seek the Lord’s direction in His ministry at St. John.
Installation and Rededication of Officers, Board Members and Committee Members
Sun., June 9, during the 8:30 & 11am worship services
If you are currently serving as a church officer or board member or are newly elected, please plan to be present at one of that Sunday’s worship services.
| | | |
| |
Special Voting Assembly to Issue Calls
Please plan to attend the Sun., May 19, Special Voting Assembly at 9:45am in the sanctuary for the purpose of issuing calls for Youth Director and two Middle School Teachers.
There will be NO ADULT BIBLE STUDIES on that Sunday.
Middle School Teacher Nominees
The ELA and Social Studies Call Committee has met five times and worked through the search process by reviewing documents, visiting with four
candidates in person or online, and narrowing each list for consideration by the Voting Assembly on Sun., May 19. The following names were received in the search process: Middle School ELA - Hamre, Rachael; Oberdiek, Josie; Smith, Rebecca (Becke); Middle School Social Studies - Neuman, Jessica
Youth Director Nominees
These are the nominees on the list for the Youth Director position: Eric Brei, Mark Engelhardt, David Lindeman, Kayleigh Lopez, Tim Oberdieck, Jolene Siebarth, Cory Smith, Steven Whitney, Travis Hartjen, Christine Medcalf, LeAnn Miller, Erika Mitts Troester, Matthew Paul Slaybaugh, Micah Steiner
| | | | |
|
Volunteer helpers can register here.
VBS Supplies Needed!
We are getting ready to Celebrate the Savior with our children and our neighbors' children. Do you have any of the following craft items you could share with them? If so, please bring them to the box in the west narthex by May 19. Thank you!
- Paper cups
- Stick-on gems
- Plastic eggs with no holes
- 1 inch wooden beads
- Popsicle sticks--colored small or large
- Canning jar rings--used is fine
- Adult coloring book pages
- Buttons
- foam stickers
| | |
Charting Our Course - St. John Ministry Plan
You can pick up a hard copy of the St. John Ministry Plan from the church office during the week and on the weekend at the welcome center in the narthex and in the west entrance. Click here for a digital copy. You can also click here to watch the presentation from Nov. 12.
See the May newsletter (pp. 4-5; pp. 8-9) for ministry plan updates.
| | |
LWML 80th Anniversary Celebration
LWML 80th Anniversary Celebration is this Sunday, May 19, 2-4pm in the fellowship hall. Meet LWML members past and present during the social hour and enjoy our gracious hospitality. There will be a short program beginning after 3pm. All are welcome to attend.
“Serving the Lord with Gladness” since 1944! Psalm 100:2
| |
Farewell and Godspeed to Emma Brand and Sam Sommerer
A Rite of Sending for Miss Emma Brand and Mr. Sam Sommerer will take place on Sunday, June 2, in both worship serrvices. A reception will take place in between services in the narthex area. Please join us to express your gratitude in person for Miss Brand and Mr. Sommerer.
| | |
The Pregnancy Center Collection
The Human Care Board is collecting articles for The Pregnancy Center in Lincoln Mother's Day through Father's Day. Most needed are: ●diapers in sizes newborn, 5 & 6 ●baby shampoo and baby wash ●baby wipes ●toddler clothing (boy & girl) in sizes 2T & 3T, ●quart-size ziplocs, ●teethers, ●rattles, ●board books and ●something small for moms like make-up, lotion, body wash, shower puffs, candles, etc. to put in a new mom's basket. Gifts cards are also always appreciated. Items may be placed in the playpen in the narthex.
| |
Disaster Relief—Tornadoes in Nebraska
We are thankful that no LCMS congregations or school buildings were damaged in the storms on Friday, April 26; however, the surrounding communities and the homes and businesses of many members and school families in our district have been affected. Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, and the LCMS Ready Response Assessment Team have joined Mick Onnen, Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC), to determine the extent of the damage and assess sites for volunteer assistance. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is providing chainsaw and debris removal assistance with heavy equipment in communities around Omaha. LERT (Lutheran Early Response) teams have been deployed to the Omaha area, based at Divine Shepherd. They will do work throughout the week and assess what further work might be needed.
Donations for disaster relief may be given through the Nebraska District. On our online giving portal here, please choose the “Restricted Gifts” option, then write “Care Fund – Disaster Relief” in the designation area.
To give by check, please make your check out to “Nebraska District LCMS” and note “Care Fund – Disaster Relief” in the memo area. You can mail it to us at: Nebraska District LCMS, PO Box 407, Seward, NE 68434.
| | |
Part-time Summer Custodian Job Opening
Would you like to make some extra money this summer? The Ministry of St John Lutheran is looking for a part-time weekend custodian for the summer months. This position is in charge of unlocking/locking the building in preparation for church services, weddings, and other events. It also includes general cleaning duties. The amount of hours can vary from week to week depending on what events are happening. Candidates must be 16 years or older, pay is at minimum wage $12/hr. If interested, please apply here or if you have further questions, please contact Cathy Brase at cathy.brase@stjohnseward.org.
| | |
Day of Pentecost
We will observe the Day of Pentecost this weekend. Communion will be at all services.
| | No eNews the Weekend of May 25/26 | | |
Protect Women & Children Ballot Initiative Informational Meetings
Seward Area Lutherans for Life Chapter will present two informational meetings about the new Protect Women & Children pro-life ballot initiative at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The public is invited to come hear Jana Hughes and others discuss what we need to know about the abortion ballot initiatives in Nebraska on Wednesday, May 29, at 7pm in the St. John Fellowship Hall, and Wednesday, June 5, at 2pm in the St. John Sanctuary. Bless you for speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves! (Proverbs 31:8)
| | |
Armed Forces Sunday - This Weekend
This weekend we recognize, pray for, and provide gifts for the ministry to the St. John members, Seward residents, and relatives of members who are serving in our nation’s armed
forces. Please click here to learn more about the Ministry to the Armed Forces and how you can help.
| | |
LWML Invites the Ladies of St. John
Ladies of St. John are invited to join us Tuesday, June 4, at 7pm in the lower level of the Child Development Center for a time of fellowship.
Activities include preparing jeans pocket favors for the 2025 LWML National Convention to be held in Omaha, writing notes to St. John members who are confined to their homes, and playing board games or cards. Of course, there will be snacks to enjoy with lots of time to visit!
| | |
The Church and School Offices and the CDC will be closed
Fri., May 24 and Mon., May 27
in observance of Memorial Day.
| | |
Summer Horizons
This program is open to Kindergarten - 6th grade in the summer. There are many different classes such as: Art, Science, Cooking, Space, Photography, Fitness, Music, History, Rockets. . . and more! Your child may enroll in three different class sessions for the week.
ALSO, WHEN ENROLLING, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN THE GRADE THEY ARE IN RIGHT NOW - 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
| |
|
Tim Sheehan Camp Scholarship
The family of Tim Sheehan and The Ministry of St. John Lutheran are pleased to provide financial assistance to members of St. John for their student(s) to attend a camp of their choice this summer. The application deadline for the Tim Sheehan Camp Scholarship (click here) is Wed., May 31. Please return forms to the church or school office.
| | |
Mobile Library Closes Over the Summer
The Mobile Library closes over the summer months. Please return your books and DVDs by May 26. Watch for it opening up again in August! New titles and DVDs will be added.
| |
|
Service Opportunities!
St. John Thanksgiving Dinner Coordinator Needed
The Human Care Board is looking for someone to serve in the capacity of organizing the St. John Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Anyone interested would need to be available the day before Thanksgiving as well as Thanksgiving Day. Whoever takes on this role would be highly supported by the Human Care Board members. If you feel called to serve in this capacity or would like more information about what is involved, please call the church office (402-643-2983).
Interested in Helping with St. John Weddings?
Would you like to help coordinate? This involves all the details of the special day. (we will train) Bless these brides and families by contacting the church office for more information.
Quilt Top Sewers Needed
The women who tie quilts for the comforters meet weekly and complete 4-6 quilts each Tuesday. They are in need of simple quilt tops that measure 84" x 64". Fabric is available at the CDC quilt room. If you are willing to sew tops and need further directions, check in with them on Tuesday mornings at the quilt room from 10am-12:pm or contact Glenda Dobbertein at 402-643-9394.
Child Development Center "Natural Playground" Helpers Needed!
The Child Development Center is participating in a program that helps with natural playgrounds called ECHO. We need people who can be involved with some planning, recruiting some help and giving some expert advice. If you have experience with outdoor environments, playgrounds, or have an interest with helping with this, please email Lisa Aring, director, at lisa.aring@stjohnseward.org
Communion Set-up & Clean-up and Linen & Vestment Laundering
Help is needed in all three of these areas. If you would like to assist with these "altar guild" duties, please contact the church office (402-643-2983).
Drivers for Out-of-Town Appointments
St. John provides rides to medical appointments, church and special events. We currently need more volunteers who can drive to Lincoln. Call Sue Wickersham at 402-643-6287 if you would like to serve in this way.
| | |
Help Students Get Connected to Campus Ministry
As we look ahead to the end of the academic year, it’s important to help incoming college students get connected to campus ministry, which helps keep them connected to the Body of Christ through regular worship opportunities, Bible studies, relationships with mature Christians, and fellowship in a Christian atmosphere. Help campus ministries contact your students! There are five campus ministry opportunities in the Nebraska District: Curtis, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Wayne. You can fill in student contact information AT THIS LINK on the Nebraska District LCMS website or directly contact one of the ministries listed there. Do you know a student attending college out of state who would like to be connected to Lutheran campus ministry? GET CONNECTED to an LCMS campus ministry in another state.
| | |
Scholarships Available
St. John Foundation Board Scholarship Applications - click here for applications - both HS and College forms are in this document - please select the one that applies to you.
St. John has scholarship funds available for its members who are planning to attend a:
· Lutheran Church—Missouri high school.
· Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seminary
· Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod college and enrolling in a church work program
· Concordia University Nebraska for any field of study
· Nebraska community college
Forms must be submitted to the St. John Foundation Board by June 30 (bring to the church office or place in the Foundation Board mailbox in hallway by church offices).
Other Scholarships (LWML Nebraska North and South, Nebraska LLL, the Gil and Blondie Vogt Scholarship Fund) can be found on the District's website at THIS LINK.
| | |
Camp Luther Summer Camp Opportunities
To learn more and register click here.
| |  | |
Bulldog Sports Camps
To learn more and register click here.
| | | |
Church Office Hours
May 17 through August 9, the church office will be opened to the public Monday through Thursday, 8am-4pm, and on Fridays, 8am-1pm. Beginning the week of August 12, the hours will be Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm.
| | |
St. John Is a Stephen Ministry Congregation
If you need someone to help you through a difficult time, call any of the following:
●church office (402-643-2983)
●Deanna Dowding (402-643-3148)
●Mary Ann Steinbeck (402-499-6618)
●Lana Urban (402-641-3099)
| | |
| | | |
