THE MONTH OF LOVE
“And you shalllove the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength”. (Mark12:30) This is the first commandment.
…February is the month of love. It’s a time to remember your significant other. Whether it be your spouse, boy or girlfriend or indeed anyone that is special in your heart. In God's Word in the Old Testament we have the “Song of Solomon”. The meaning of this book has been debated for centuries. Is it, as it seems to be on the surface, a love story between two passionate lovers completely enamored with each other. The other perspective is that it is an allegory of the love of God for His people. Either perspective has its merits. I am not here to debate the issue but to observe the passion with which it is written.
The author goes into great detail describing his desire for his beloved. In return his beloved, in like manner, returns his passionate advances. The prose in this book is rather beautiful and, at times, extremely detailed and may even make some people blush. It is not so much the content or words in this creation but rather the sentiment behind them. There is a concentrated effort to describe a feeling of complete love and adoration and thankfulness between two persons. They admire one another and pursue their feelings to the max leaving nothing to the imagination, or indeed, no ambiguity to the message. Complete and whole is this poem and a beautiful work of art.
As we know February is the month of love, so to speak. On the 14th we express our love to the person or persons, that have impacted our lives in a loving and caring way. Flowers or perhaps candies are given. Cards with romantic platitudes are passed on eventually to end up in the trash along with the deceased flora and candy wrappers, the sentiment however is sincere. I don't mean to sound mean or cynical. All these expressions of love are honorable and loving but they are after all temporary.
I ask myself this question. Is this just a time of horizontal expressions of love or should we be looking
upward, so to speak, to a person who showed us the ultimate expression of love? The person I refer to is, of course, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When is the last time that we expressed our love and gratitude to him with the same gusto and passion that we have and do for our other loved ones? When is the last time we humbled ourselves and dropped to our knees just to say thank you without having a list of requests added on? This question is as much pointed in my direction as it is to others. I am as guilty as anyone as I am distracted by the temporal world, forgetting the person who made it and indeed made the people we love.
…Let us not let another February 14th pass by without also remembering the person who holds our life in His nail pierced hands. In fact, let us not let another day go by without telling Him what He means to us and how much we appreciate Him extricating us from the possibility of suffering the fiery pits of hell. We should tell those we love that we appreciate them and that they are important to us but we should also remember the one who lives in us and through us for His glory and majesty.
May we all have a wonderful month of love and remembrance of all those near and dear to us.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 ~ Peter Paulovic
MINISTRY COORDINATOR CORNER
February is a Busy Month
We are currently in the month that celebrates the second half of the Epiphany season which continues until the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. We call that Sunday Transfiguration Sunday. And then we begin the Lent Season that of course culminates on April 1 with Easter.
As many of you know I was not raised as a Lutheran, so I have had to learn about a variety of religious holidays, which were somewhat new to me, over the years. I knew about Ground Hog’s Day (Feb. 2), Super Bowl Sunday (played the first Sunday of February), Lincoln’s Birthday (Feb. 12), Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), and President’s Day (Feb. 19 this year). I, of course, knew about Easter and had heard about Ash Wednesday but had never heard of Epiphany.
Luckily, I have been actively involved in multiple bible studies and bible classes since becoming a Lutheran (In 1991 I officially joined the Lutheran Church LCMS.) so I have learned so much more bible history and the various Lutheran holidays and celebrations. But I thought it might be enlightening for those of us not raised as Lutherans to understand a little better about these February events.
Epiphany starts off with the arrival of the Magi coming to visit the baby Jesus. This was the first time that Jesus had been recognized and worshipped as the Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
Baptism of Jesus is a week later (this happened when Jesus was an adult). We celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ by his cousin John the Baptist at the Jordan River. God spoke to those in attendance and declared Jesus as his Son. “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Later we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday when the light that pointed to Jesus at his baptism now shines through Him and we see the glorified radiant body of Jesus our Lord. “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” (Matthew 17:1-2)
Ash Wednesday occurs seven weeks prior to Easter. This ancient act is a gesture of repentance and a powerful reminder about the meaning of the day. Ashes can symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind worshipers of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying. Ash Wednesday begins our celebration of the Season of Lent.
Lent are the weeks starting on Ash Wednesday that are leading up to Easter. We at St. John’s spend these weeks with our traditional Soup Suppers (a wonderful time of fellowship) followed by a special service each week learning more about the Gospel and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us keep in mind all these special events in which we celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings on you all,
Karen Schatz, Ministry Coordinator
OUTREACH MINISTRY
2018 MCOC Hygiene Drive
February 5 – 22, 2018
Mission Community Outreach Center provides hygiene items every 60 days to low-income and homeless Spokane families in need. Can you help them provide these very basic items? They need:
Soap . Toothpaste
Shampoo .Toothbrushes
Conditioner Chapstick
DeodorantShaving Cream
Combs/Brushes Razors
Women’s Hygiene Products Lotion
Baby shampoo/Baby Bath Baby Powder
The needs of Spokane’s low income and homeless families have continued to grow and today MCOC provides clothing and hygiene items for more than 1200 people and infant care items for more than 250 infants each month. A table is set up in the Fellowship Hall with a collection barrel for your donations.
Thank you once again for your generosity in helping others in need. ~ Carole Nesbitt
ST. JOHN’S MISSION STATEMENT
Our purpose is to worship God and to glorify our Lord, Jesus Christ by sharing His love, bringing people to Jesus and His family, growing together toward Christ-like maturity and equipping each other for service.
SECOND SUNDAY BRUNCH FEBRUARY 11TH. Ladies, you will be honored the second Sunday of February with the gentlemen of the congregation serving you breakfast at the Second Sunday Brunch.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION!
We need to have someone listed as your emergency contact person in our church records for all our parishioners. It’s extremely important to have someone listed in case of emergency in our records. You are all very important to us. If you already have someone listed that’s great, but many of you don’t. Please contact Karen Schatz. Thank you.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Offering Income
December 2017 $20,250
2017 YTD total $201,401
Building mortgage income
December 2017 $2,262
2017 YTD total $42,188
Amount needed to meet 2017 budget $40,060
As we begin the New Year, please consider your financial commitments (general fund and building mortgage fund) to our church. 2018 will present additional opportunities and challenges in our day to day operation. Your continued support of God’s work at St. John’s is appreciated.
--- Ron Mindemann, Parish Council Treasurer
KEEPING IN TOUCH!
Pastor Brian and Kay would love to continue to hear from us. Here’s their information. If you email, please include your name and email address if you want to be part of the group.
~ Pastor Brian
Brianand Kay Albrecht
3128 Heron Shores Dr.
Venice, FL 34293
Cellphones: Brian: 509-995-8083
Kay: 509-995-8003
Emails:
Brian:
Kay:
SATURDAY WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: Will be held at Marilyn Smith’s house at 9:30 a.m. on Feb.3,2018. Studying chapters 7,8,9 of Luther.
AMAZON SMILES
St. John’s is now set up with Amazon Smiles! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to our church whenever you shop on Amazon Smile. Support St. John’s by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You can also access the link on our Twitter page.
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & OUR WEBSITE.
St. John’s Lutheran Church is alive and well on the Internet. Our website sjlspokane.org is current. We can also be found on Facebook (St. John’s Lutheran Church Spokane) and Twitter.
FLOWER DONATIONS
There’s a new calendar posted on the bulletin board in the back hallway across from the mail boxes. Please pick a date to sponsor your flower donation for the year. You can provide your own flowers or make a monetary donation in the name of someone for this special date. Contact Vikki Paulovic if you have questions about the flower donations.
CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE HERE!!!
At last the changes have been made, new pictures have been taken, lists have been revised. You will find in your mail box your new 2018 St. John’s Lutheran Church Directory.
~Karen Schatz
NEW NEWNEW! CHAP’S
(Formerly the YOKE’S) BIBLE STUDY. The Tuesday morning Bible Study has become so popular, we have had to change the location. The formerly Yoke’s Bible Study has moved to the restaurant next door and so is now called the CHAPS BIBLE STUDY. We start at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. All are welcome.
~ Marv Faris
Upcoming Events
Spring Cut, Crop & Quilt : March 2-4
- Crafting, quilting, and scrapbooking retreat with speaker-led devotions.
- Professional massage therapist on site to help you stay relaxed!
- Come a day or two early to extend your crafting time!
Spring Women's Retreat:: March 9-11
- Relax in a beautiful lakeside setting with friends!
- Get poured into by our wonderful speaker, Audrey Duensing-Werner.
- Get refreshed in the Lutherhaven spa, craft the day away and more!
Email:
Toll Free: 1-866-729-8372
MCS DINNER/AUCTION TIME COMING
The next Meadowlane Christian School Auction and Dinner is in the planning stage. The big event of the year will be on April 21, 2018. The auction will start at 4 p.m. with a Taco Bar Dinner following. If you can help in any way please contact Jolee Wilke at or check out the sign-up sheet on the kiosk as you enter the church. There are many opportunities to help. You can help by donating, attending the auction, or just helping the night of the auction. All help is welcome.
LENTEN SEASON BEGINS IN FEBRUARY
As has been our tradition, we begin the Lenten season with Soup Suppers in Christian Fellowship. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
- February 146:15 p.m. Soup Supper with ASH WEDNESDAY Service with Pastor Ken Goodfellow
- February 216:15 p.m. Soup Supper with Devotion by the Lay Ministers
- February 286:15 p.m. Soup Supper with Devotion by the Lay Ministers
- March 76:15 p.m. Soup Supper with Devotion by the Lay Ministers
- March 146:15 p.m. Soup Supper with Devotion by the Lay Ministers
- March 216:15 p.m. Soup Supper with Devotion by the Lay Ministers
- March 297:00 p.m. MAUNDY THURSDAY Service
- March 307:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY Service
- April 1EASTER, times of services to be announced
QUESTION: "WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF VALENTINE’S DAY, AND SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE IT?"
Answer:The first Valentine was posted around 1806. Almost one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year on or near February 14 with females purchasing 85% of the cards. This is second only to the number of Christmas cards sent. The history is somewhat murky as to how Valentine's Day has come to be what we now know and celebrate. Saint Valentine served in third-century Rome. Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers. Therefore, Claudius banned soldiers from being married. One version of the story is that Valentine continued to perform the weddings of young soldiers who were in love, and Claudius had Valentine imprisoned. While imprisoned, Valentine reportedly fell in love with the jailer's daughter. Valentine sent her a card and signed it, "Love, your Valentine." Another version is that Valentine defied Claudius by helping Christians escape the torture of the Romans.
Valentine died in approximately A.D. 270. Others claim the church may have decided to celebrate in mid-February to "Christianize" the pagan Roman celebration Lupercalia. The first Valentine sent in the United States was in the 1840's by Esther Howgald. Most of us enjoy "spoiling" a loved one on Valentine's Day. Sending gifts and cards conveys love, affection, and friendship.
There is no biblical reason why Christians should not celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving their loved ones flowers, candy and/or cards. As with celebrating any holiday, the decision should be between the individual and God. Some people feel very strongly that observing any secular holiday is wrong, while others see it as harmless. The important thing to remember is that celebrating or not celebrating holidays should not be a cause for pride or division among Christians.
(from GotQuestions.org – BibleQuestions Answered)
DON’T FORGET TO USE THE PRAYER CHAIN!!
This is a group that is hard at work praying for congregation members or their friends and family who are sick, hospitalized, infirmed in some way, or needing some healing prayers. The Prayer Warriors are here for you. Please utilize them. If you or someone you know needs prayers, please contact them. Call Barbara Purcell (808-2357) or Grace Miller (340-1864) and they’ll contact the prayer chain to get those prayers going.
CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATION STAFF
If you have a need to reach the Administrative Staff at St. John’s, you can always email us at:
Karen Schatz
Tonya Gaskins
Christine Miller
OUR CHURCH STAFF
Pastor
Organist, Choir Director ….…..…….. Laurie Eash
Ministry Coordinator………..……... Karen Schatz
Administrative Bookkeeper………Christine Miller
Administrative Assistant………....Tonya Gaskins
MCS Director, Lead Teacher…..……Jolee Wilke
MCS Teacher……………...…....Shannon Lorenz
MCS Teacher……………………Michelle Lenoue
MCS Teacher………………………Amanda Gintz
MCS Librarian…….……….….. Julie St. Germain
FEBRUARY COUNTERS
Feb 4 Lois Bremner, Bonnie Heimbigner & Luis Huang
Feb 11 Ron & Julie Mindemann & Marilyn Smith
Feb 18 Carole Anderson & Bud Ehrgott
Feb 25 Pat Foster & Linda Rowley
FEBRUARY DOOR GREETERS
Feb 4 8:30 OPEN
10:30 OPEN
Feb 11 8:30 OPEN
10:30 OPEN
Feb 18 8:30 OPEN
10:30 OPEN
Feb 25 8:30 OPEN
10:30 OPEN
Please call Marcia Graham (998-3645) if you want to be a Door Greeter.
FEBRUARYANNIVERSARIES
2/2/2002RICH & MARCIA GRAHAM
2/4/1961BOB & CAROL SCHUMANN
2/14/1968LARRY & PHYLLIS DOUD
2/18/1956AL & ELEANOR WINDLER
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY’S
2JERI ALLEMAN
2KAYLYN LEIBRAND
8MICHELLE ALLEMAN
10CAROL SCHUMANN
12KAY ALBRECHT
13DARLENE FRASIER
17GWENDOLYN JOHNSON
20PHYLLIS LUITEN
21MINDY BAKER
21NANCY ASLAM
21JACOB DEBOISE
22LUIS HUANG
24DYLAN BERTHOLF
24JACKSON DOUD
24ELI NEHRING
26JUDY RAYMOND
27CLAIRE BEAM
28STEPHEN DOUD
28SAMIAH KUNTZ
29LAURA HANSEN