Gabriel’s Horn Newsletter - Mid-January 2025

Upcoming Events (Mid–End of January)

• 15: Bible Study – 10 AM (Hebrews)

• 15: Jr. Confirmation – 5:30 PM

• 15: Small Group – James & Jude – 6 PM

• 15: Youth Group – 6 PM–7:30 PM

• 17: Men’s Group – 8 AM, Cracker Barrel

• 17: Disco Home School – 10 AM–2 PM

• 19: Service – 8:30 AM & 11 AM

• 19: Sunday School – 10 AM (Revelation)

• 19: Small Group – Genesis – 5 PM

• 20: Quilting – 9 AM–12 PM

• 21: Ladies Small Group – 10:30 AM

• 22: Bible Study – 10 AM (Hebrews)

• 22: Jr. Confirmation – 5:30 PM

• 24: Men’s Group – 8 AM, Cracker Barrel

• 24: Disco Home School – 10 AM–2 PM

• 26: Service – 8:30 AM & 11 AM

• 26: Sunday School – 10 AM (Revelation)

• 26: Deaconess Sunday Collection

• 26: Small Group – Genesis – 5 PM

• 26: Christianity 101 – TBA

• 27: Quilting – 9 AM–12 PM

• 28: Ladies Small Group – 10:30 AM

• 29: Bible Study – 10 AM (Hebrews)

• 29: Jr. Confirmation – 5:30 PM

• 31: Men’s Group – 8 AM, Cracker Barrel

• 31: Disco Home School – 10 AM–2 PM

Greeting Cards / LWML

• Greeting cards: All proceeds go to LWML Mite Boxes.

• Drop 35 cents in the coin box and pick your card.

Deaconess Sunday – January 26

• Sunday, January 26 is Deaconess Sunday.

• LWML adopted deaconess: Nicole DeCoux-Manners, studying at Concordia Theological Seminary.

• Donations go in the deaconess basket; congregation is asked to keep her in prayer.

Memorial

• Janet Marian Grober Van Doran

• June 20, 1938 – December 26, 2024

• Note: “Our prayers are with your family. Rest in peace.”

Serving Our Lord (Mid–End of January)

• Greeter: Jon Collins

• Ushers:

  • 8:30 – David Heitz

  • 11:00 – Langsdorf Family

• Lectors:

  • 19: 8:30 – Miles Christian / 11:00 – Nancy Gray

  • 26: 8:30 – Paul Gamary / 11:00 – Brian Hill

• Altar Guild: Allison Hay / Denise Waczkowski

• Counters: TBA

• Slideshow:

  • 19: Waczkowski Family

  • 26: Sheri Langsdorf

• Elders:

  • 19: Chip Gray

  • 26: Dan Falkenstein

• Nursery: TBA

Attendance

• Saint John Attendance:

  • January 5: 79

  • January 12: 58

January Birthdays

• Paul Gamary

• Betty Burgess

• Barbara Bower

• Barbara Ahlheit

• Deidre Tyer

• Tim Bower

• Johanna Seeger

• Jason Raines

• Elys Lee

• Mark Balce

• Millie Foriest

• Rhyleigh Raines

• Tracy Ryden

January Anniversaries

• Mark & Elizabeth Balce

• Debbie Summers-Kirk & John Kirk

• Michael & Becky Holman

• Eric & Shanna Stiso-Trusk

• Al & Paula Dunahoo

• Alex & Laura Wood

Lectors / Refreshments Volunteers

• Lectors needed:

  • Read Scripture during the service; some practice at home may be needed.

  • Volunteers are placed in a rotation list to read a few times a year; contact the office with questions or to volunteer.

• Refreshments & Snacks:

  • Volunteers needed; you may volunteer with somebody or by yourself.

Communion Scripture

• “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (from 1 Corinthians 11; verse text paraphrased in the newsletter.)

Welcome / Regular Schedule

• Saint John Lutheran Church

• 2300 HWY 96, Burns, TN 37029

• 615-446-2332

• blessedbythelord.org

• Services: 8:30 AM & 11 AM

• Sunday School: 10 AM

• JR Confirmation Class: Wednesday nights, 5:30 PM

Adult & Youth Studies

• Adult Sunday School – 10 AM – The Book of Revelation

• Wednesday Bible Study – 10 AM – The Book of Hebrews

“Saint John Spotlights”

• Over the next few weeks, each board will highlight what they do and how members can get involved.

• Emphasis on using gifts and talents to help others.

Men’s Group

• Men’s breakfast every Friday – 8 AM at Cracker Barrel.

• All men are invited; feel free to invite a friend.

• RSVP to Jon Collins (615-707-9160) so a table can be reserved.

Church Council Meeting

• Church Council meeting: Sunday, January 26 at 12:15 PM.

Sunday Small Group – Genesis

• Covers Genesis, January 12 – March 9.

• LifeLight Bible Study, Part 1, 9 weeks, covering the first 25 chapters of Genesis.

• Sunday evenings at 5 PM, Family Life Center classroom.

• Sign-up sheet in the narthex; see the Gamarys or Tyers for more information.

New Ladies’ Small Group

• Begins Tuesday, January 7 at 10:30 AM.

• All ladies welcome; meets in the Family Life Center classroom.

• First day: determine the purpose of the group and topics to explore; the group’s direction is discerned together.

• The congregation is asked to pray for this new small group.

• Signed: Denise G.

2024 Church Council (Thank You)

• President: Terry Spena

• Vice President: Greg Stevenson

• Board of Discipleship: Denise Gamary

• Board of Elders: Robert Hay

• Board of Education: Sheri Langsdorf

• Board of Properties: Billy Pomeroy

• Board of Stewardship: Jon Collins

• Financial Secretary: Phyllis Burt

• Treasurer: Michelle Balsley

• Note of appreciation for their service.

Church Flowers / Altar Guild

• New Altar Guild church flower chart located behind the welcome desk.

• Please use a dry-erase marker.

Christianity 101

• Class introducing Lutheran Christian teachings.

• Starting January 26.

• See Pastor Nathan for more information.

Quilting Ministry

• Mondays, 9 AM–12 PM.

• No experience necessary.

• Benefits the Red Cross.

• Contact: Barbara Bower.

Scripture Highlight

• Psalm 107:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

New Church Council Officers – 2025

• President: Greg Stevenson (2025/2026)

• Vice President: John Scherrer (2025/2026)

• Board of Discipleship: Shelly Jansen (2025/2026)

• Board of Education: Sheri Langsdorf (2024/2025)

• Board of Elders: Dan Falkenstein (2025/2026)

• Board of Properties: Allan Langsdorf (2025/2026)

• Board of Stewardship: Jon Collins (2024/2025)

• Financial Secretary: Phyllis Burt (2024/2025)

• Treasurer: Interim Paul Gamary (2025), Phyllis Burt (2026)

“Build Upon the Rock” Celebration

• Celebrating:

  • 30 years since the church began.

  • 25 years with the sanctuary building.

• “Build Upon the Rock” Celebration Team:

  • Looking for people to join the team.

  • Purpose: fundraise, educate about church history, and celebrate while reaching the community with Christ.

  • Members are encouraged to consider gifting their time.

Personal Reflection / Gratitude (Testimony Section)

• Reflection on choosing a “word for the year,” including “ASK” in a past year.

• Story of a spinal cord injury over seven years ago, resulting in paralysis from toes to near the chest, chronic pain, and limited mobility; a doctor has called this recovery a miracle compared to typical outcomes.

• Description of learning to live “wrapped in grace,” including encouragement from family and a grandchild’s inspiration to crawl, and noticing many “little miracles” described as “lollipops” from God that help keep going.

• Perspective from serving as a hospice chaplain, gaining deeper compassion for those who are bed-bound and a clearer sense of identity in God rather than external labels.

• Emphasis on gratitude as the 2025 word of the year, noting that “gratitude attracts miracles” and seeing oneself as a “magnet for miracles.”

• Thanks for prayers for friend Trish Luvin and for the congregation’s ongoing prayer support, especially from Mary Beth and others.

• Jeremiah 30:17 quoted: “I will restore your health, and I will heal your wounds; declares the Lord.”