St.

Johns Lutheran Church ELCA

1300 W. Benjamin Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 371-1985
stjohn@cableone.net
www.stjohnsnorfolk.com

Our Mission: Loving God . . . Loving People . . . Reaching Out!

Please remember in prayer:
Pr. Mike Sorsen
Janel Jundt
Dallas Esser
Lloyd Frowick
Skylar Havranek

Jo Schaefer
Marcia Barg
Susan Hansen
Darrell Jorgensen
Wilma Palmer

Ken Carlson
Leila Uttecht
Margaret Anding
Esther Harrom
Elmer Krause

If you know someone who is in need of prayer but whose name is not listed, it may be that
they have asked not to be included in the printed bulletin. Please remember them in your
personal prayers.

Flowers on the altar this weekend are sponsored by Ron & Mary Lynn Benson in
honor of the 97th birthday of Mary Lynns mother, Jean Mitsch; and by Howard
Leshovsky in loving memory of his wife, Cathy.

PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE if you or someone you know is hospitalized
and would enjoy a visit. Our church staff and hospital visiting volunteers would be
happy to greet, see, and pray with you.

If your cell phone rings aloud during the sermon today, you will be fined
$20 for Walk for Water.
All Wednesday Lenten services will begin @ 6:30 pm, with suppers being served from
5:45 to 6:15 pm. Supper on Wednesday evening (3/11) will be Mexi Burgers served
by the Majesty Choir.

Dr. David E. Cox Interim Senior Pastor

Justin Wiese Assistant Pastor, NeLCM-Norfolk Campus Pastor
Jacquie Samway PMA, Coordinator of Congregational Care
Jolene Ziebell Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Gail Volquardsen Office Manager
Jim Carter Maintenance Engineer
Midge Hedrick Office Assistant

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
8:30 am ........................................... Festival Worship
9:45 am ..................................................... Fellowship
9:45 am ...............................Life of Christ Bible Study
Community Room
10:00 am ............................................ Sunday School
11:00 am .................................. Celebration Worship
7:00 pm.................... Gods Ambassadors ChristCare
Kristy Booras, 402-371-6218
MONDAY, MARCH 9
10:00 am .............................................. Staff Meeting
7:00 pm............................................... Praise Forever
8:30 pm..................................................... Solid Rock
TUESDAY, MARCH 10
7:00 am ................................ Mens Prayer Breakfast
5:15 pm................................................Finance Team
5:30 pm................................................ WELCA Board
7:00 pm....................................... Beloved ChristCare
Tracy Meister, 402-379-2484
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
12:30 pm...................................... Mission Life Team
1:30 pm.................................... Searchers ChristCare
Connie Hagstrom, 402-649-4862
2:30 pm................... 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Confirmation
5:00 pm................... 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Confirmation
5:45 pm.............................. Community Lenten Meal
6:30 pm............................................ Lenten Worship
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
6:30 pm........................................... Cantata Practice
7:00 pm............................................... Majesty Choir
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
6:00 pm........................................................ Worship

SHOP FOR MINISTRY

MAR 8
MAR 15

8:30 am
11am
8:30 am
11 am

Linda Downs
Lisa Echtenkamp
Margie Frank
Nancy Jacobs

ST. JOHNS EXECUTIVE BOARD

Mike Widhalm, President. ..... 1-402-316-5382
John Skogstoe, VP ..................... 402-379-3148
Danny Olson, Treasurer. ........... 402-379-1036
Diane Sobotka, Secretary. ......... 402-371-3583

OFFERINGS
Mission Emphasis (FEB.) .................... World Hunger
General offering for 3/1/15 ....................... $8,079.51
The above general offering figure reflects
weekly additions of direct deposits and advance
pledges.
End of Jan. Net Profit / (Loss) .................... $4,480.36
Year-to-Date Net Profit / (Loss) ................. $4,480.36
Attendance 3/1/15 ........................... (49, 86, 75) 210

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
CATHY ERWIN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
JIM CARTER
GREETERSEline Brosh, Zella Dederman
USHERS Dennis & Brenda Smith,
The Carhart Family, Mike Sunderman
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Carol Timperley,
Carol Severa, Ken Wragge, Terry Hall
PRAYER LEADER Brenda Smith
SOUND Alex Thompson
POWERPOINT Rachel Carhart
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
MICHELLE DAGERMAN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERSKristi Johnson, Jeann Granstra
USHERS Jeff & Cathy Erwin, The
Echtenkamp family, Del Johnson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Lon & Jeanne
Timperley, Jeff & Cathy Erwin
PRAYER LEADER Dave Pedersen
SOUND __________
POWERPOINT Emma Dagerman
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

Our Stephen Ministers are ready

to care for you.
If you or someone you know could benefit
from the care of a Stephen Minister, please
give us a call:
Stephen Leaders

Karen Widhalm (402-694-9031)

Nancy Jacobs (402-841-1770)
Jacquie Samway (402-371-1985)
Jolene Ziebell (402-371-1985)
Stephen Ministers

Jan Henning
Jeann Granstra
Laurel Moore
Iva Thelander
Nancy Jacobs

REMIND.COM
St. Johns invites you to sign up for our new
remind.com text notifications! Simply text the
following keywords to 81010 to get signed up for
the following notification lists:
General-Congregation: @stjohngnrl
Sunday School: @stjohnsss
Confirmation: @stjohnconf
St. Johns Prayer Chain: @chainpray
Complete the sign-up process by sending the
requested information from remind.coms
follow-up texts, and youll be set!

Kristy Booras
Kris Dahlkoetter
Susan Skogstoe
Katrina Tomsen
Karen Widhalm
Jolene Ziebell

MERCY MEALS PACKING

Packing Mercy Meals at the Mercy Meals
Warehouse at 7th & Madison will be
The first Monday / month: 4-5:30 pm or
5:30 7pm
The first Tuesday / month: 12:30 2 pm
If interested in packing, contact Jan Gannon at
402-649-6401.

The Life with Christ Class

continues on Sundays at
9:45 am but has been
moved to the Community
Room in the lower level.
Everyone welcome to join us for this sideby-side study of the gospels.

February, 2015 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

At their February meeting, the St. Johns
Council reviewed and approved the Ministry Site
Profile, completed by the Call Committee. An
important part of the call process, the profile has
been submitted to the Synod
The offering for the remaining five midweek
services will be designated to the ELCA Walk for
Water project. The Council studied the project and
learned how it can help provide badly needed
water in parts of the world without clean water to
drink. The Sunday School will also have several
fund raisers to help fund water projects.
The Mission Life Team will be crafting a plan
to support community groups with the funds
collected from the Green Fiber bins. Watch for
information about how St. Johns will be reaching
out to the community with this plan.
A complete copy of the minutes is available by
mail or email by contacting the church office.

Sharing Gifts of
Extraordinary Love
Personal Care Kits are still being
received in the west hallway until the
end of March. Thank you for your kind
donations!

One light-weight bath-size towel

(between 20"40" & 52"27"), dark color
recommended
Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any
brand, in original wrapping
One adult-size toothbrush in its original
packaging (Toothbrush multi-packs may be
used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a
business-size envelope; no plastic bags or
wrap)
One sturdy comb, remove packaging
One metal nail clippers (attached file
optional), remove packaging
Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely
with ribbons or yarn. Look for the washtub in
the west hallway for your donations.
We can make a difference!

Caregiver Support Group

The Norfolk Senior Center @ 307 Prospect
Avenue currently offers a Caregiver
Support Group on the 2nd Friday of each
month @ 2PM. Respite care is provided
for your loved one so that you may attend
this activity. At this time, St. Johns is
discussing the possibility of forming a
similar support group. If you would be
interested in being a part of this sort of
ministry, please contact Jacquie Samway at
402-371-1985.

!! CUFF it UP!!

On March 1, St. Johns will kick off

!! CUFF it UP!! a fundraiser for the ELCA
World Hunger Walk for Water program.
!! CUFF it UP!! is an activity that involves a
gallon milk jug and a pair of hand cuffs. Yes, hand
cuffs. If you are willing to CUFF UP 10 (TEN)
dollars, you can purchase an insurance policy that
protects you from the holy hooligans who will be
seeking to attach a gallon milk jug filled with
water to your wrist by hand cuffs. A 10 (TEN)
dollar fee (payable to Walk for Water) will
provide you with protection, so that no harassment
or embarrassment may befall you. If you have no
insurance, there may be a penalty to have hand
cuffs removed -- perhaps 20 (TWENTY) dollars.
Just saying . . . Be wise, be brave, be intentional!
BUY WATER INSURANCE!
Did you know? The average African woman or
child walks 3 miles a day for water (and not always
clean water) for their family. They carry between
5 to 20 gallons each trip. (A gallon of water weighs
approx. 8 lbs.)

THE CHALLENGE IS ON!

The Sunday School challenge has the boys
versus the girls to see who can raise the
most money for ELCA World Hunger
Walk-for-Water campaign. The Sunday
School offerings will be deposited in a
well with buckets separately marked
BOYS and GIRLS. The bucket with the
greatest amount in donations will
determine who will receive a pool party at
the Norfolk YMCA. The well is located in
the back of the sanctuary. Everyone is
invited to donate to either bucket!

Easter Sunday is April 5

Floral Expressions is offering
Easter lilies to purchase for
the worship space. Plants will
cost $13 each and will be
available for you after your Easter worship
of choice. All lilies left behind after Wed.,
April 8, will be delivered to shut-ins. Please
mark lily on your offering envelope to
order your plant today!

This spring the Midland University

performing arts department will launch a
choral tour featuring performances by the
Midland Chamber Choir, the Clef Dwellers,
and the Acoustics. From March 13th
through March 18th, the three groups will
be performing at churches and schools
throughout the Midwest. On Friday,
March 13 they will be performing at Our
Saviors Lutheran Church in Wayne, NE, @
7 pm. For ticket information, contact Our
Saviors Lutheran Church @ 402-375-2899.

Life Line Screening will host their

affordable, non-invasive and painless
health screenings on April 8, 2015. Five
screenings will be offered that scan for
potential health problems related to:
Blocked arteries, abdominal aortic
aneurysms, hardening of the arteries in the
legs, atrial fibrillation or irregular heart
beat, and a bone density screening.
Register for a Wellness Package which
includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis
screening from $149. All five screenings
take 60-90 minutes to complete. To
register for this event and to receive a $10
discount, please call 1-888-653-6441 or
visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/communitypartners.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED OF NORFOLK

celebrates
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2015
Sacred Heart/St. Marys Parish Hall
Across from St. Marys Church
2500 Madison Ave.
Friday, March 13, 2015 @ 1:30 pm
PROGRAM TITLE: Do you understand
what I have done for you?
For info: 402-371-8154
The women of the Bahamas call us to
consider Jesus words to the disciples after
washing their feet. Through this service,
the women of the Bahamas give us an
invitation to beauty and love in the name
of the transformative love that Jesus brings
to us.

Have you been considering joining the

membership of St. Johns? Pastor Justin
will be leading a three-session series of
New Member Classes on March 15, 22, &
29, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Nazareth
Room, which is located on the upper level
of the Jobman Education Center at St.
Johns. Please contact Pr. Justin for more
information: 402-371-1985 or
jwiese@frontrowlutheran.com.

March is National Intellectual and

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Join us for an exciting one-hour session where
you will hear personal stories from people
Mosaic serves and learn how Mosaic helps
people with intellectual disabilities live a life of
possibilities. RSVP to Brittani at 402-564-8212
X244 to reserve your spot.
March 12, April 9, May 7
Noon 1pm
105 E. Norfolk Ave.

BEFRIEND MENTORING
OASIS COUNSELING

MAJESTY CHOIR WANTS YOU!!

If you are interested in singing with the
Majesty Choir but are afraid of the time
commitment, why not try a cantata? We
are practicing now for the Easter Cantata
The Passion and The Promise which will
be presented the weekend of April 11-12.
Practices are Thursdays @ 6:30pm.
The Majesty Choir is always looking for
new voices. If you have a passion for
making a joyful noise, be sure to join us on
Thursdays or visit with Ron Lofgren or any
choir member on Sunday mornings.

Befriend is a mentoring ministry outreach of

Oasis Counseling. Befriend seeks to match atrisk families to caring mentor families from
local churches in the community. The staff of
the Befriend Program is seeking individuals to
meet once a week for an hour with a family
experiencing challenges. The match is to last
for 6 months but may extend longer if both
parties would like. Since Oasis is
faith based the mentor is encouraged to
invite the mentee to join with them in a third
level of support, a local congregation. A
Mentor Training Seminar is made available to
equip mentors and strengthen discipleship
skills. If interested, call Oasis Counseling in
Norfolk @ 402-379-2030.

GET TO KNOW:

The Nazareth Room

& The Emmaus Room

Nazareth Room

Beautifully furnished with large

meeting tables and chairs --great for small groups up to
about 15
Emmaus Room houses the
large wall display of St. Johns
Confirmation class photos
Currently used for
o adult classes
o church committee mtgs
o Stephen Ministry
o Christ Care groups
Portable AV equipment
available
Contact Church Office to check
availability

Stop in and check out the

Emmaus and Nazareth Rooms
before scheduling your next
meeting.

Emmaus Room

Two beautifully furnished meeting

rooms located at the east end of the
North Hallway, down the hall from
the Bethany Room
Bright, friendly rooms with
large windows

*The Nazareth Room is the farthest east

room in the north hall. Used primarily for
Stephen Ministry gatherings, this is an
excellent room for privacy and small
meetings.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7
6 PM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
CATHY ERWIN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
JIM CARTER
GREETERS/USHERS Lonnie & Clare
Kleensang
READER Shirley Hughes
PRAYER LEADER __________
SOUND Ron Benson

SATURDAY, MARCH 14
6 PM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
MICHELLE DAGERMAN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERS/USHERS Lonnie & Clare
Kleensang
READER Pat Monson
PRAYER LEADER Pat Monson
SOUND Susan Skogstoe

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
8:30 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
CATHY ERWIN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
JIM CARTER
GREETERS Bob & Jan Henning,
Dick & Barb Adams
USHERS Mark Polenske, Mike Frank,
Mike Kai
READER Dan Melkus
FELLOWSHIP HOUR Dick & Barb Adams
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Diane Sobotka,
__________, __________, __________
PRAYER LEADER Rollie Downs
SOUND Ron Benson
POWERPOINT Mary Lynn Benson

SUNDAY, MARCH 15
8:30 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
MICHELLE DAGERMAN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERS Lynn Milander, Doris McMahon
USHERS Gayle Short, Jim McMahon,
Merlin Milander
READER Carol Waggoner
FELLOWSHIP HOUR Bob & Jan Henning
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Duane & Cindy
Nelson, Roger & Alice Gentzler
PRAYER LEADER Carol Waggoner
SOUND Nancy Jacobs
POWERPOINT Janet Erickson

SUNDAY, MARCH 8
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
CATHY ERWIN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
JIM CARTER
GREETERSEline Brosh, Zella Dederman
USHERS Dennis & Brenda Smith,
The Carhart Family, Mike Sunderman
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Carol Timperley,
Carol Severa, Ken Wragge, Terry Hall
PRAYER LEADER Brenda Smith
SOUND Alex Thompson
POWERPOINT Rachel Carhart
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

SUNDAY, MARCH 15
11 AM
COUNCIL PERSON OF THE WEEK
MICHELLE DAGERMAN
WORSHIP ASSISTANT
MIKE / KAREN WIDHALM
GREETERSKristi Johnson, Jeann Granstra
USHERS Jeff & Cathy Erwin, The
Echtenkamp family, Del Johnson
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Lon & Jeanne
Timperley, Jeff & Cathy Erwin
PRAYER LEADER Dave Pedersen
SOUND __________
POWERPOINT Emma Dagerman
LECTIONARY READINGS:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21