A greeting from our pastor:
Rev. Timothy Kenyon

The colors and textures of the world are shaped and formed by light. Take the light away and the plants and flowers of earth would not spring forth from the ground in such glorious splendor and beauty. It is the very nature of plants to be drawn to the light. This became strikingly evident to our family while vacationing in Colorado many years ago. The hot summer sun was shining and not one sun-flower plant turned its head toward the darkness or shade. In order to get the best photograph of the sunflowers in bloom it was essential that we positioned our-selves toward their flower faces with the sun at our backs and their flowering heads looking into our very eyes. Driving further west another 6 hours later, we noticed how in another field the heads of the sunflow-ers had rotated 90 degrees to catch the rays of the setting sun.
One of the great songs of faith in our hymnbook (ELW #593), “Drawn to the Light” by John C. Ylvisaker, wonderfully expresses this sense of God calling people from darkness into light. “The Lamb (Jesus) is the one who is shining bright…who bids us to come! Life has begun when we’re drawn to the light of God” (CCLI License #11072450).
In a similar way, we grow in the light through the promises God has given in Baptism. Holy Baptism marks the beginning of our Christian journey and in Holy Communion we are feed and nourished in our daily lives…dying to sin and rising to new life and light. As the heads of the sunflowers are drawn to the light, may we to turn our heads to the glorious grace, love, and promises of the living Jesus who invites us to come. We come as a community just as sunflowers thrive when growing together. In John 8:12, Jesus addresses the people: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” Now, that’s a promise!
May the light of Christ be with you!
Pastor Kenyon

Director of Children & Family Ministries:
Carol Ploch Phone:815/223-1144 or 815/202-3338

Director of Youth Ministries Jeff Whalen
Ph:815-674-7722

Church Council
Kay Marincic – President
Mike Adams – Vice President
Sue Flaherty – Secretary
Susan Koepke – Treasurer
Council Members: Tim Armstrong, Carol Eckwall, Janice Hammer, Matthew Hammer, Bob Huston, Kay Raineri.

Finance: Susan Koepke, Ken Koepke, Mike Adams, Greg Yuvan, Dave Kromphardt.

Worship & Music: Sue Flaherty, Molly Thrasher, Barb Kromphardt-Choir Director.

Parish Education: Carol Eckwall, Lori Whalen, Steve Wrobleski, Jami Sebastian, Kathy Ricci, Carol Ploch

Building & Grounds: Bob Huston, Gregg Flaherty, Roger Sines, Mary Lamps, Rod Anderson, Ilene Shaw, Lloyd Schrowang, Carole Wenzel, Clarence Wenzel.

Stewardship: Kay Marincic, Stacy Newell, Ilene Shaw.

Social Ministry: Janice Hammer

Endowment: Susan Koepke, Pr. Sue Eckhoff, Dave Hunt, Jan Delvallee, Pastor Kenyon

Youth: Kay Raineri, Don Anderson, Jane Krysiak, Kristin Wrobleski, Molly Thrasher, Abney Bernardini, Riane Wrobleski

Evangelism: Thelma Hollander, Linda Greene, Ruth Ann Tomanek, Theresa Ellerbrock, Sue Komarek, Betty Roegner, Linda Windy

Harbeck: Susan Koepke, Kay Raineri, Linda Hoelter

Personnel: Mike Adams

Green Team: Susan Koepke

Choir Director: Barb Kromphardt
Youth Bell Choir Directors:Jeff Whalen
Organist - Pianist: Pam Engels
Pianist: Rachel Garthe
Office Secretary: Eloide Pinter
Custodians: Jim & Melody Miller

Sewing luncheon is next Tuesday, May 29, at 11:30 a.m. at the House of Hunan. Everyone is invited to join them, please call Anne Baker to reserve a seat.

On May 18, 2012, St. John’s received the “Good Neighbor Award” and a “Giving Back Award” at Horizon House’s Awards and Recognition Dinner at Celebrations 150. A sincere thank you to Winnie Hartenbower who attended the special dinner on behalf of the congregation. Horizon House serves adults with disabilities providing both day and vocational services. Presentation plaques will be displayed in the fellowship hall as a reminder how God has blessed us with such great neighbors.

Summer Bible Study - Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Ladies, are you ready to take a walk with God. Our 6 week bible study will take you beyond just reading his word. Our bible study will begin on Thursday, June 28, from 9:30-11:30 and last six weeks. Contact Sue Weber to sign up and reserve your copy of the bible study 815-223-7779. Child care provided.

A letter from Rachel Garthe:
After having the true privilege of playing piano at St. John’s for the past five and a half years, I will sadly be saying goodbye to this congregation at the end of July. As you all know, I recently graduated from North Central College in Naperville with a degree in Psychology. Soon after graduating, I was offered a full scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA to pursue masters and doctorate degrees in Developmental Psychology. This opportunity will allow me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a professor and researcher. Although it is a very exciting opportunity for me, I am truly saddened to leave my home and this church. These past years with you all have been a blessing, and I have enjoyed every moment that I have gotten to share with you all.
July 21st and 22nd will be my final weekend playing for church services at St. John’s. To thank you all for providing me with five wonderful years here, I will be holding an informal recital at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22nd here at St. John’s. I will be performing some classical, jazz, blues, religious and contemporary pieces, to show you all the other styles of music that I love so much. Music has always been such a huge part of my life, and I would like to share some of that music with you all one final time. I would also love a chance to say goodbye to you all.
I hope to stay in touch with the congregation after I move to Richmond, and will be sending my address to Eloide and Pastor, once I am settled.
I cannot express enough how much I have enjoyed this opportunity to play for you all over the years. I will never have another job that I will love so much, or work for people that are so marvelous. The “job” was never really a job for me, as I enjoyed every moment. As I start this new chapter in my life, leaving this church is one of the hardest parts of moving away. Thank you all for five and a half wonderfully and blessed years. You have all become like a family to me, and I will never forget my time here. - Rachel

19 smiley faces at our last morning High School breakfast at Hy-Vee. Great year everyone. Keep the frienship and fellowship alive this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!

VBS: Can you believe that it is almost that time again? This year St. John's VBS will be up in the clouds! Sky VBS will help kids discover God’s Word in a fun and unforgettable way! Each day, kids learn a single Bible Point that is reinforced with a Bible verse and Bible story–which makes it super easy to teach and simple enough that your kids will remember what they learned. Join us July 23-27 from 6:00pm to 8:15pm. For more info you can call Carol Ploch at 815-223-1144 or visit our VBS website by clicking on the big blue oval below!

Summer Camps: If you are interested in sending your child to summer camp LOMC and Lutherdale offer many opportunities. You can find more information on their websites, LOMC.org or Lutherdale.org or by contacting Jeff Whalen or Carol Ploch.

Our date for the Hy-Vee coupon sale has been changed by Hy-Vee. We will now have our coupon promotion over Memorial Day weekend. Get your coupon at church, present it during checkout, and we receive 5% back for the youth. The promotion will be May 24, 25 and 26. Please take extra "coupons" to pass out to friends, family, and neighbors. It costs you nothing extra!!!

Trash & Treasure Sale sponsored by WELCA will be held on October 27. As you begin your spring cleaning, please save your donations for this sale. Donations may be left in the coatroom. Please no clothes or large items.

The OWLS, "Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors", will be dining at Hank’s Restaurant in Ottawa on Thursday, May 24, at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up in the narthex.

Congratulations to Allison Whalen for being selected to the Lutheran Youth Choir of North America. The choir will gather in Chicago in July and perform throughout the Midwest. Next year the choir will perform in Germany.