To the Family in Faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church
Greetings once more in the name of Christ Jesus! Let me just say that it is good to be home! Permit me to answer some of the questions I was asked on my first Sunday home.
- How was FortEustis (FE)? FE was nice. FE is smaller than many Army Posts and only takes a few minutes to travel from one side to the other. I also spent about a week and a half at Ft. Story (FS) which is at the southern point at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay above Virginia Beach. FS is very small and is more like a beach community than an Army Post. Both Posts are Transportation Corps assets meaning that they house and train Army transporters: truck drivers, cargo handlers, water-craft, air-craft, and rail.
- What did you do? I spent two weeks with the 8th Brigade at Eustis. They train all of the transport specialists including aircraft mechanics in the Army, with the exception of the aircraft pilots. I spent a lot of troop time with the soldiers in training. They gave me tours of their air-craft, boats and trucks. I spent most of my time with the 7th Sustainment Brigade. The 7th has been called the most deployed unit in the Army. I spent much of my time counseling soldiers as they confronted the trials of life: illness, loss of a loved one, deployment, long separations, marital problems, etc… I was also able to join them for a field exercise which was a preview of a much larger joint Army-Navy exercise in the near future. This was a “LOTS” or Landing Over The Shore and included the creation of a small harbor and the landing and staging of equipment from transport vessels over the beach. It was relatively small, but quite impressive. Eventually, I hope to have some photos developed.
- How was this different than training you’ve done before? Just like any specialty, Transporters have a different sub-culture in the Army. Generally, they are considerably more laid back than Infantry, but not as laid back as the Med-Corps folks.
- How long before you have to go back? Technically speaking, as a Reserve Soldier, they can call me back anytime that they like. If you recall, I had originally expected about 12 days of training. Before I was issued my final set of orders those 12 days had changed several times until it ended with 45 days at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. I do not anticipate receiving additional orders anytime soon; however, though unlikely, it is always a possibility.
- Are you going to Iraq or Afghanistan? I am in a non-deployable status, which means that they can call me up, but will not send me overseas. I will not be going any place like that.
- Did you have a good time? I had a great time. Being with Soldiers always makes me appreciate the blessings that God has given me. Among those include this great nation, the peace and security in which we live, a military that does its job under civil authority, and men and women who are willing to volunteer to put their lives on the line for you and me.
Are you glad to be home? Absolutely! The experience was great, and I enjoyed it, but there really is no place like home. I always enjoy my time in the Army, but even though the time I did was relatively short (45 days) in this age of 15-18 month rotations for the Army, it is great to be back home, in Farmville, and at St. John’s.
Thanks to all for your support and prayers. They have been a blessing to me! God bless and keep His people, wherever they might be.
Respectfully,
Pastor Giese
Reaching Out In Faith. This should be more than just a slogan or logo, it should be our actions. As actions go, it should be for more than just the building program for which we are about to undertake. It should also be our attitude for how we evangelize. As your church president, a member of St. John’s, and most importantly, as a Christian, I am proud to say, that St. John’s is doing just that. As it was reported in a previous issue, several members participated in a prayer walk around the Crest View sub division just before Easter. Most recently, 24 members participated in the American Red Cross blood drive held at the Farmville Train Station on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008. These members were part of the support team that was sponsored by St. John’s. They operated the registration process, ran the canteen, assisted the donors as they walked from the actual giving stations to the canteen, and provided the refreshments for those who gave. Mrs. Peggy Dunn of Farmville, is the local person who coordinates for the American Red Cross and sees to it that organizations are found to sponsor the blood drives. Peggy informed Chuck Ironmonger and me that she has never before seen more volunteers than donors at the blood drives. This in itself says a whole lot about the family at St. John’s. The American Red Cross' goal was to collect 40 units of blood when it started this drive. At the conclusion of this drive, there were 46 total units received. 36 donors gave single units and 5 donors gave double units. All of this is a blessing from our Heavenly Father. I would like to take this time to thank those members who were involved with the blood drive that day: Chuck and Beth Ironmonger, Jack and Sylvia Miller, Beverly Marenholz, Andy Blanton, Jack and Dorothy Stamper, Sherry Walters, Marge Bailey, Shannon Gilbert, Sarah Schember, Vicar Brian Martin, Will and Becky Bound, Theresa Denaro, Vic and Betty Lotterer, Rebecca Giles, Patti Carlson, Jennifer Halladay, Rita Anema, James Anema, Jr., Marion Kyner. The members were on one hour shifts, some serving two or more shifts. A special “thank-you” to Chuck Ironmonger for acting as our liason between St. John’s and the Red Cross. Chuck was there from the set up time of 10:30 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. when the blood mobile pulled out. Thanks also to those who provided drinks and snacks for the donors and to the youth group for putting up the informational flyers publicizing the event. I would also like to thank those members who gave blood during the drive. You know who you are. The members who represented St. John’s at the blood drive were in unison with some of their apparel. Beige tee shirts with the churches theme and logo on the back and Luther’s Rose on the front were provided by the youth. For anyone who may be interested in one of these shirts, they are $15.00 each. These shirts are a fund raiser for our youth group. Please see Rita, Beth or Catherine if you are interested in buying one. The only size remaining is large, but orders may be taken for specific sizes. I welcome Pastor Giese home from his 45 days of military exercise. Vicar Brian Martin and Pastor Bob Sorenson have been gracious enough to fill in during his absence, my thanks to both of these gentlemen for their service to St. John’s. We are very close to closing the loan for the new building. If things stay on track, we should be able to give the contractor the notice to proceed soon. There is a called congregational meeting scheduled for Sunday, June 8th, 2008 after the late service. During this meeting, the congregation needs to approve a prepared resolution authorizing the legal trustees to sign the final sales agreement on behalf of St. John’s with Bluestone, LLC. Also, during the last quarterly congregational meeting, a motion was made, seconded and passed that the new building is to have fire sprinklers included. The congregation needs to decide how they wish to appropriate funds for this. A basement was discussed for under the fellowship wing at the last quarterly meeting. Information has been acquired for further discussion and a final decision for this possible option. Information is also being sought as to what options we may have for additional funding. In closing, we have two members of St. John’s who have transferred to another church. Mrs. Sarah Moropoulos and Mrs. June Tucker have requested and received letters of transfer to a church in their new home town. Please keep these two ladies in your prayers as they worship with their new church families. Praise God, for He is good. He has certainly been good to St. John’s and her members. May each and everyone at St. John’s have a blessed June. God’s Peace, Longest
Announcements!
The last day of Sunday School will be June 8th. Classes will end for the summer and resume in September. Anyone who is currently teaching a class and does not plan on teaching in the Fall, please let Beth know as soon as possible.
VacationBibleSchool will take place the week of July 21 - 25. Details to follow. As usual, we will need volunteers, so please be thinking of how you can help. Thank you.
We will be honoring Jessica at the coffee after church on Sunday. She graduated from H. S. last month at Fuqua. She will be attending BridgewaterCollege this fall. Congratulations to her!
This is the last Sunday to get the names listed for the Father's Day folder. Please see Sarah after church or email me the names.
There will also be a called congregational meeting following the coffee after the reception.Currently on the agenda are approving a resolution for the sale of 1913 South Main Street, and estimates for the possible basement and the fire sprinkler system for the new building will be the topics. Please mark your calendar.
Covered dish luncheon next Sunday- June 15- Father's Day.
LWML's Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10th, at 10:00 a.m.with a pizza lunch and a social. We will not be meeting in July and August. Allwomen are invited to attend.
Elders Meeting will be on Thursday, June 12th at 4:00 p.m.
CouncilMeeting will be on Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 p.m.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4: 2-3
Dear Friends,
The Lord opens doors in such interesting ways. This week, Hope Virginia Beach asks us to pray for their member Chief David Brown who has been asked by the command chaplain to serve as a “Lutheran liturgical presence on board his ship (USS Vella Gulf). Let us lift him up as he serves in ministry to the crew of this ship, that the words he speaks and his actions give a strong proclamation to God whose love and grace encompasses them each day of their mission. The ship is currently in base and is preparing to be at sea this summer. May this opportunity be that opportunity for those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior to come to knowledge of him. You can send an encouraging word to him at .
Pastor Rick Rogers, Epiphany – GreenvilleNC requests urgent prayers. They are currently renting space and the landlord wishes to sell the property. We remember this young congregation in prayer that in the midst of this new wrinkle, God will show them where they need to be in order to best reach into the community with the Gospel. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them in this time of discernment and that if it is God’s will that they remain in their current location, that any barriers will be removed. You can learn more about Pastor Rick Rogers and this ministry on their website at
Mara Jeffries is the Pastoral Assistant for Hispanic Outreach, a new position at AscensionLutheranChurch. Her work is to connect church and school to the growing Hispanic families in the neighborhood. In their first offering of an ESL class, more than 70 people have enrolled and now there are four classes. Pastor Fred Hedt shares that about half indicated that they have no church home. To continue this outreach effort, members of the staff have decided to offer a concurrent Spanish-speaking VBS experience. I invite you to pray for Mara and the work God has called her to be about as she serves to bridge these two communities. We pray that the ESL experience will open the door for many opportunities to share Jesus and that the VBS program will overflow with children and young people who are nurtured in the faith. You can learn more about this effort at:
I am giving thanks to God for the more than 1300 mission prayer partners. Your commitment to praying for the mission work that God would have us be about is making an eternal difference. Thank you. Please share the word. If you know of others who would join us for prayer, invite them to do so. Blessings in your serving.
10:02Prayers for the Harvest and Workers
Don’t forget to set your cell phones alarm/alert to 10:02 a.m. And pray during these days of Lent for the Harvest and Workers. Luke 10:2 Jesus told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Sally J Hiller
Mission and Ministry Executive, Southeastern District, LCMS
6315 Grovedale DriveAlexandriaVA22310-2501
voice: 703.971.9371, Ext. 205 or 800.637.5723, fax 703.922.6047, web
Southeastern District Info
The 215 congregations and missions and the 95 schools of the Southeastern District face many challenges as they seek to reach out to communities around them. Communities filled with people who don't know Jesus as Lord, who hunger for spiritual meaning, and who are looking for something in which to hope. The Mission of the Southeastern District leadership is to help congregations strengthen themselves and each other in order that each congregation might more effectively understand and pursue its mission.
The Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, District President, shepherd of the congregations, schools and the professional church workers of the district.
Mission and Ministry Office - Deaconess Sally J. Hiller, Executive
Administration - Steve Heemann, Chief Financial Officer and Lutheran Church Extension Fund
Black Urban and Multi-Ethnic Ministry - Rev. Lloyd Gaines, Mission and Ministry Executive
Rev. Kenneth Carlson, Mission and Ministry Facilitator, Northern Region
Rev. Dr. William Seaman, Mission and Ministry Facilitator, Southern Region
Rev. Arthur Umbach, Mission and Ministry Facilitator, Central Region
When to Call Your Pastor
In the February 2008 St. John's Church Council, it was brought up by one of the members that occasionally it was difficult to contact Pastor Giese. He did not have a cell phone and the only places to contact him were at home or the church office. This posed a problem when he was out doing home-visits, shut-in calls, or hospital visitations. Therefore, the Council directed Pastor Giese to obtain a cell phone.
Please take note of the number. It will be listed in the weekly Announcements:
434-315-3801
Pastor will carry the cell phone with him. However, there will be times that Pastor will be unable to answer. Please be sure that you leave a detailed message so that he can call you back or locate you.
Call When there is a Death in the Family.
-Any time there a death in the family
-Any time you have been told that the death of a family member is imminent
-Any time that you have been told that you or a family member has a terminal disease
Call When Entering the Hospital.
-Hospitals usually do not call the church when someone is admitted
-If surgery is scheduled and you wish to have Holy Communion or a visit from the pastor do not hesitate to call the church office
-If there is an emergency and someone is taken to the hospital
-In any case of an accident or injury requiring hospitalization
-When a baby is born. By the time the information has reached the church office the mother and baby are already home.
Call When in Need of Personal or Family Counseling.
-Pastor is willing to listen, encourage, pray and apply a Biblical perspective and help in a crisis, but he is not a licensed counselor.
-Pastor is also happy to assist in finding the right community agency to help with particular kinds of needs, i.e. Professional Counseling, etc…
Call When You Need to Talk or Pray.
June 2008