|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor's Message | Church News | Announcements & Upcoming
Events | Youth
News | Member Birthdays & Anniversaries
Calendar | Serving
the Lord
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” Philippians 2:1-2
A hearty thank you to all the women involved with the Spring Tea & Bridal Fashion Show - The Bride of Christ. The group of nearly 100 women was treated to inspiring speakers and musicians, delicious tea sandwiches and pastries, and a fashion show of vintage to present day wedding gowns.
The afternoon was definitely one of rejoicing and fellowship.
Women’s Retreat ~ January 2, 3 & 4, 2009
The plans are moving along for our first retreat. The location is Covenant Harbor Resort Center in Lake Geneva, WI, and our speaker has been secured. The details are beginning to take shape, so watch for planning sessions and how you can use your gifts and talents to contribute to this enriching weekend. Put the date on your calendar now.
Morning Craft Group
Check with Robin for time and date.
Altar Guild
Our new confirmands gathered on Sunday, April 20 to assemble their confirmation banners which were designed by Alberta Dequin. The members of the Altar Guild will enjoy an evening out at Sorrento’s on May 14. Meetings are suspended during the summer months. Plans are being made to sell sweatshirts again during Pumpkin fest and for a Soup ‘n Sandwich fundraiser in November. If you have been pondering how best to become involved at St. John’s, give us a try. We are one fun group – just ask Alberta
In the process of ministry work each of us does experience encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, compassion, and joy!
Questions? Contact Robin Dallesasse or Marcia Hogeveen.
Hostesses for the April 3 meeting were Dawn Brown and Nancy Gehrs. They served a delicious Apricot Delight dessert. For devotions Carmen Osland from the DeKalb County Gideon Auxiliary gave a presentation on the Gideon Memorial Bible Ministry. She showed a DVD further explaining the program. Recognized for April birthdays were Freda Wittrock and Dawn Brown. May baskets will be delivered to the shut-ins. The ladies will attend the zone LWML rally on April 10 at Trinity Genoa. A Creamed Turkey and Biscuit dinner will be held on September 26. The ladies will help with the Steeples of Sycamore church walk on April 12. Our next meeting will be May 1 at 1:00 pm in the church conference room. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.
You know, it seems that whenever anyone asks or talks about senior ministry that they just automatically think of it as a caring ministry. In fact they usually even limit this ministry further by thinking of it as caring for our own. Yes, that is important. But, that is only a byproduct of our ministry. Christian Senior Ministries is an outreach ministry whose purpose is to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who by necessity have been removed from their normal home environment, many of whom have not yet come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The first quarter of this year has shown an increase in the number of people with whom we have been able to share this Gospel message of Christ. Our average weekly attendance this year has been 212 compared with 197 for the same time period last year. We attribute this mostly to the addition of our weekly prayer service at several facilities. In addition to this, the Lord is expanding our opportunities this year as a new assisted living facility is expected to open this summer giving us more souls to reach with the Gospel of Christ.
Over the next several months, we hope to expand two of our objectives, first of all in providing Bible studies, and secondly in providing opportunities for Christian fellowship. But, in order for this to be accomplished we need your help.
We are seeking volunteers to assist in leading Bible studies. Deacon Ridulph will provide training, help in selecting topics and materials, and help in any way necessary to aid in getting these studies started.
We are also seeking individuals or groups who would like to sponsor some good old fashioned Christian fellowship. Here is an opportunity for you to be creative and have some fun, and once again, Deacon Ridulph will be happy to assist.
Here are some real needs, and some real opportunities to respond with the love of Christ. Please contact one of your board representatives or Deacon Ridulph. And, may God richly bless our ministry of reaching out with the Gospel of Christ to the seniors in our midst.
THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN SENIOR MINISTRIES
The day started at 8:00 am for many of us with final arrangements of the displays, tickets, pamphlets, assignments, etc. At 9:00 am we were ready, willing, and able. With such a gorgeous (rain and snow) day, we couldn’t understand the lack of visitors and at the end of the 1st shift (11:00 am) we had 7 or 8 visitors pass through our church. The rest of the day went much better with a total of 65 guests visiting St. John’s. Three ladies from the “Del Webb” community in Huntley stated they would bring a bus load to next year’s church walk. One young couple with 2 young children really enjoyed the tour and the little girl said that she wanted to hear the piano again (either Josh or Adam was at the piano) and we honored her request.
The tour started in the Narthex staffed with 2 greeters, 2 tour guides, 2 information aides, 2 ticket takers and 2 straw bosses. The guests were greeted, checked in, and signed the guest register, given the handouts of literature and a pen and were turned over to a tour guide or information aide. They were taken through Christina’s office into the work room and they stuck their heads in Pastor Metzger’s office and wow (who’s office is this) a strange looking neat office with Pastor Weinhold’s name outside. After the shock was over, we passed the small conference, kitchenette and on to the Education wing. All the classrooms were neat and clean with some displays out to look at, the teachers and students should be very proud of the appearance and the compliments that we received on how nice it looked.
The next area was into the Sanctuary. There the entertainment was provided by Kirk Lundbeck and the other 4 members of his brass ensemble (“A” Team) for the first shift. We were all entertained with a variety of popular pieces that we were familiar with and enjoyed by all. David Roberts entertained us with his classic guitar melodies for the 2nd shift. Dave played continuously and I think his fingers still feel the effects. Dave’s soft music was also greatly appreciated and enjoyed. For our last shift, 3rd shift, the music was provided on the keyboards by the Helgeson brothers (Josh and Adam) and they did a great job. We really appreciated the lovely pieces they played, especially if your children took piano lesions and learned the same pieces. It brought back memories.
For the Sanctuary, we told about the organ, pipes, ceiling height, seating capacity, etc. In the right transept, we had a banner display set up and arranged by Evelyn Berning. The colors of the banners, the arrangements and a handout (description of each banner) was an excellent display of beauty.
From there, we went by our newly completed display cases loaded with items of memorabilia and Pastor Dequin’s set of rare medallions. Pastor and Alberta Dequin did a fantastic job of arranging the display in each case. It is very interesting and attractive. It adds a great touch to our Narthex area, thanks to John Holtz and “Star Logistics” for giving us such a beautiful display area.
Next our visitors went through the large conference room and by the Parish Nurse office and out into the hallway. The next area was the Youth/Brides room, but wait, we can’t get in, as its full of youth having loads of fun. It seems Pastor Metzger invited 7th grade confirmands and Pastor Weinhold invited the 8th grade confirmands. They has a great day with video games, games, and fellowship.
We went past the homemade quilt made by Pastor Krout and pointed out that he was a former Pastor and this was his 2nd quilt made for church. The first quilt was hung in our former church and lost in the fire.
Last stop, multi-purpose room and what a picture. There were 3 tables on the left loaded with baked goods. 2 large tables show casing pictures from the past, the fire, and construction pictures along with the “Christian Senior Ministries” display. In the left far corner, the dartball board game was set up, and both basketball hoops were up. In the right corner a video display was playing about the church and construction phase, etc and was very enjoyable. Last but not least was the center of the room, arranged with 12 beautiful tables and each adorned with flowers for our guests to enjoy fellowship and the treats of the day.
Darlene Durham and Carol Evans along with all their volunteers did a great job providing coffee and sweets, BBQ, hot dogs, chips and beverages throughout the day. We finished selling all the baked goods on Sunday after the 2nd service.
The providing of food and the bake sale was a fund raising event to raise funds for the Special Events Committee to update and publish the last several years of our church history and a disc or DVD of pictures and history. With donations from the board of Elders, and Ladies Aid; we cleared $859.00 and Thrivent will provide $859.00 of matching funds for a total amount raised of $1718.00.
A special thank you to everyone that helped with this event an the church cleaning on March 29, 2008. We had 61 volunteers and 12 youth for the church walk. Many stayed all day and several came back. It was truly a grand day at St. John’s for a lot of fun, enjoyment, and fellowship. We made ourselves proud by showcasing this facility as a shining example of how faith persevered through a very difficult time. Thank you all again.
The Special Events Committee.
If you have trouble trying to weigh and measure your serving size, here are a few tips..
1/4 cup of raisins is = to a large egg
1 cup of cereal is = to your fist
1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta, potatoes = to 1/2 baseball
One medium fruit = to a baseball
2 tablespoons peanut butter is = to a ping-pong ball
1 1/2 ounce of low fat or fat-free cheese is = to four stacked dice
3 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry is = to a deck of cards.
Please promise me you will not carry around all these items so you can compare size. Just picture it in your mind and judge for your serving.
Thanks, June Kamm P.N
Sugar substitutes, also called artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners, offer the sweetness of sugar without all the calories, and can be helpful when used as part of a weight management program or diabetes meal plan. Consider these facts about sugar and sugar substitutes.
A teaspoon of sugar contains about 16 calories. each gram of refined table sugar (Sucrose) contains 4 calories. Many sugar substitutes have zero calories per gram. Using sugar substitutes instead of sugar can lower your risk of tooth decay. Artificial (synthetic) sweeteners and some plant based sweeteners are generally much sweeter than sugar; which means it takes only a tiny amount to create the same sweetness as sugar.
Some foods labeled sugar-free or no sugar added actually contains sugar alcohols (polyols). If you have diabetes, keep in mind that sugar alcohols count as carbohydrates, even though the amount of calories is less than table sugar. In the United States, check the Nutrition Facts product label to see the total carbohydrate content per serving to incorporate sugar alcohols into your meal plan.
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no scientific evidence that any of the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the United States cause cancer.
ASPARTAME taste about 160 - 200 times sweeter than sugar. Approved for use in all foods and beverages in the U.S. and European Union. People with Phenyketonuria (PKU) should not consume Aspartame; called NutraSweet and Equal.
POLYOLS typically called sugar alcohols, polyols contain neither sugar nor alcohol. The term refers to the chemical structure. Some refer to “polyols” as sugar replacers. Frequently found in sugar-free candy, ice cream, fruit spreads and baked goods. May cause bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. Called “Sorbitol”, “Mannitol”, and “Polyglycitol”.
SACCHARIN is about 700 times sweeter than sugar. Contains 0 calories, Approved as a sweetener for beverages and as a tabletop sweetener for foods. It also can be used in medications such as cough syrups. May be used in baking as heating does not reduce its sweetening power. Called “Sweet and Low” and “Sugar Twin”
SUCRALOSE about 600 times sweeter than sugar. Only artificial sweetener made from sugar. Can be used in baking. Called “Splenda”.
Courtesy of Mayo Clinic and Parish Nurse, June Kamm
For more information about our church and its programs, please call us at 815-895-4477 or e-mail us at office@stjohnsycamore.org
 |
 |