Parish Life

On November 1, we celebrated All Saints Day and a culmination of our Consecrated Stewards Campaign, entitled "Harvest of Thanks." Our service was led by the Rev. Ingo Dutzmann, pastor of The First Lutheran Church of Boston. Following the service, everyone headed to the Fellowship Hall for a delicious dinner.

Following are a few photos of the event.

Pictured (L–R): Pastor David Born, Pastor Roland Klauck, Joyce Klauck.

Pictured (L–R): New St. John members Marilyn Gere, Tricia Patnoad, and Paul Patnoad.

Pictured (L–R): Jill Overbye, Elsie Kazimer, Tom Kazimer, Rudy Kazimer (in rear), Gerald Hintz, Ed Hintz, Louise Lacoske (in rear), Eva Sarrazin, Dolores Randall (in rear), and Elsie Rochette.

…enjoyed by people of all ages!

(L–R): Amanda Smith and Megan Macomber think they see lunch through the kitchen window!

The first week of July, Pastor Jim and Judy Stoltenberg, St. John member Katie Harris, and Pastor Timothy and Lynette Krieger (Bethany Lutheran Church, West Hartford, CT) made a mission trip to Jamaica under the auspices of Food For the Poor, a mission that St. John Church has supported for several years.

They broke ground for the construction of a new school, which St. John raised $6,000 for earlier this year. They also helped to build a new home for a needy Jamaican woman.

Following are several photos of that trip.

During the worship service on Sunday, July 12, St. John Church recognized the long service of two men. The Rev. Wallace Merdinyan, Pastor Emeritus of St. John, and the Rev. John Beck, member of the St. John Board of Elders and frequent substitute pastor at many local LC–MS churches, have a combined 109 years in the ministry! They were presented with certificates from the New England District of the LC–MS, signed by the Rev. James Keurulainen, president of the NED. Following the service, there was a pot-luck brunch in the fellowship hall. Congratulations to Pastor Merdinyan and Pastor Beck on your long careers as ordained pastors!

Below are a few photos taken on that special day.

Sixty children attended VBS 2009 and visited the Bayou to learn about God and how powerful he is in our lives. Bible stories, songs, and crafts all centered upon God and some of the wonderful things he has done in the past — like appearing to Moses in the burning bush — and how we see him today.

It was a very successful week and I could not have done it without the efforts of many people. A big “thank you” goes out to our staff: To Cathy Poulin for confirming the registrations; to Matthew Bartlett, Sandy Zimmerman, and Ellen Macomber for teaching our Bible songs; to Joyce Amann for teaching the pre-schoolers; to Pam Cloutier for teaching the 1st- and 2nd-graders; and to Cissy Kulakowski for teaching the 3rd-graders. Holly Knapp, Kristen Toupay, Vicky Scott, and Tim Pitcher coordinated the snack, craft, and recess areas.

Our program could not be so successful without the help of our other volunteers. Many moms and teenaged helpers showed enormous patience with each child during morning lessons, music time, recess games, craft creations, and many trips to the bathroom! Thank you, volunteers, all 22 of you!

Each year, we ask for snack and juice donations and once again our congregation and parents responded very generously. Thank you to everyone who donated! Please enjoy the flower creations which were made by the students and which will now beautify our church.

Sincerely,
Donna Rackie, VBS Director

Below are a couple of photos from this year's VBS.

Through their fundraising efforts, such as their annual Giant Tag Sale, their Easter Breakfast, and many other activities, the St. John Walther League (the church youth group) does an enormous amount of good throughout the community. They always appreciate the support, both financial and spiritual, that church gives them.

The Walther League recently held a car wash on an overcast Saturday morning. Here are a few photos of the event.

Preschool Director Chris Wheeler ("Miss Chris") leads the graduation procession.

Front row (L–R): Kaleigh Scott, Megan Macomber, and Rachel Pitcher.

Back row (L–R): Aric Pettengill, Pastor Jim, and Brandon Borriello

L–R: Charlie Foulk, Nathalie Borriello, Josef LaMadeleine

Front row (L–R): Kayla Curtis, Alea Pettengill; 2nd row: Lynn Evenson, Jerry Curtis, Linda Curtis, Sue Pettengill; Back row: Lou Pettengill, Aric Pettengill.  (Not pictured: Anna Pettengill and Lori and Mickey Hunt.)