From the Pastor’s Desk

On Monday, April 28, you have a congregational pre-call meeting with the president of the Michigan District, Pastor Snowden “Gene” Sims. The deadline for completing the Congregational Status/Pastor Needs Survey is past, the results have been forwarded to Pastor Sims, and he is meeting with you to work through these pastor needs to assist him in putting together a call list for your next pastor. At that meeting, you will also be calling a vacancy pastor to serve you until your next pastor comes.

On Thursday, April 10, the Voters approved extending a call to Mr. David Backus to serve as your principal and 7th-8th grade teacher. Mr. Backus is presently serving at St. John’s Lutheran School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as he deliberates this call. You are free to contact him and encourage him. He asks that first you email him to set up a time to talk. His email address is: dbackus@sjln.org.

Granted, it seems to be a “wild time” lately here at St. John’s with these vacancies and callings. Such “wildness” can easily turn into fears and frustrations and confusion. How do I know that? I look at Jesus’ disciples on that first Easter evening. Yes, they were hiding behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Imagine what they were thinking on the third day of Jesus’ crucifixion and death: “We are now leaderless! What are we going to do now? And what do we make of these stories of the women and the two Emmaus disciples seeing Jesus alive?” That’s when the risen Lord Jesus appeared to them, proving that he was alive, explaining to them that he is the fulfillment of Scripture, and then stating what is to be done from here on, “...repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations...” (Luke 24:47). That’s not just the Lord’s mission for those disciples in that room that evening. It’s his mission for all of his followers of all time to carry out until he comes again.

The risen Jesus is still with you with his gospel, encouraging your faith and empowering you to serve him in his mission. You are not calling a pastor to make sure that this church runs smoothly. In Jesus’ name you are calling a pastor to preach repentance and forgiveness to you and to guide you in sharing that message and supporting the work of proclaiming that message to many more who need it. You are not calling a principal just to make sure that the administration of the school is done. In Jesus’ name you are calling one to teach your children repentance and forgiveness for their spiritual good and to help them carry out that mission when they grow up.

When you think about it, Easter isn’t just a one-day event. Easter continues, when you and I recognize our part in carrying out the Lord’s mission of proclaiming his eternally important saving truths. There is still work to be done, and you are included in doing it in the name of the risen Jesus.

Serving you in Christ,
Pastor Paul Schaewe

Worship Update

This Month: Throughout May, we will continue to observe the reality, the meaning, and the results of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead with the theme Because He Lives. Please note that the Rite of Confirmation for our 8th graders will be in the 10:30 service on Sunday, May 4, the BALM Joint Ascension Service will be held here at St. John’s on Thursday, May 29, and the service marking the closing of school year and the graduation of our 8th graders will be on Friday, May 30. The service details are in the table below.

Greeters for this month:

Altar Committee for May
Becky Schwartz

Congregational Acts
No changes in membership in April

Event Group

We would like to say a big Thank You! to everyone who helped to serve, clean up, set up, and provide desserts for the Lenten Fellowship suppers. We had approximately 381 people share in food and fellowship.

Our next gathering will be for Pastor and Kelley Schaewe’s farewell and thank you dinner on June 1st at 1:00 pm. It will be a catered dinner and there will be a sign-up sheet on the hall table. We will have until May 23rd to sign up because we have to give the final count to the caterer by the 26th of May.

Upcoming events include: July 27th church picnic and outdoor service at Williams Township Park in Auburn, and a Loons’ game August 10th (subject to change).

Get Away: We are planning a 3-day, 2-night trip to Mackinac Island and the Soo Locks on October 1st – 3rd. There will be a sign-up sheet and flyers with all the information on the hall table in March. Invite your friends and family to join us for a fun quick trip “up north”. For more information contact Becky Behrmann.

Other Announcements

Quarterly Voters Meeting: will be held on Sunday, May 4th, following the 10:30 service.

Easter for Kids: Thank you to our members for their generous donations that allowed our team to fill 1,000+ eggs for our egg hunt! Thank you, also, to Thrivent Financial for their grant that enabled us to put goody bags together for each child.

Staff Appreciation 2025 will be held May 5th through May 9th and we need your help! We would like to thank our dedicated teachers, pastor, and staff with individual gifts as well as some special meals during that week in May. We are now accepting donations to support a fun-filled week! A box is located on the table near the church office to place your contribution or you can donate online via the St. John’s website, using the drop-down menu and selecting “Staff Appreciation”; please consider donating what you can so that we can make this a very special week! To assist in planning purposes, please submit your donations by April 27th. Any questions can be directed via text or phone call to Amy Krager. Thank you in advance!

School News

Financial Aid applications for the 2025-26 school year are due back by May 1st. Copies are available in both the school and church offices.

Home/School Connect: The next HSC meeting will be Tuesday, May 6th 5:00 pm. Officer elections for the 2025-2026 school year will be held during this meeting.

Our School's Spring Musical, "Pirates!", will be Friday, May 9th. The performance starts at 6:00 pm. Enjoy some concession snacks while you watch the performance!

M.A.L.L. League Track Meet, for grades 1-8, will be held at Garber High School in Essexville on Friday, May 23rd, starting at 9:00 am. Come cheer on our school!

The MLS Track Meet will be held on Wednesday, May 28th, at Cardinal Field. Come cheer on our 5th – 8th graders as they participate in races and field events! Events begin at 10:00 am.

Last Day of School/Picnic is Thursday, May 29th. School dismisses at noon; we will go to Williams Township Park, 1080 W. Midland Rd., Auburn, for our school picnic. A Hotdog lunch will be provided.

Graduation dates: We ask God’s continued blessings on our students and look forward to seeing many of their smiling faces next year at St. Johns! Preschool Graduation will be on May 18th: 3-year-old at 12:00 noon; 4-year-old at 2:00 pm. The Eighth-Grade Graduation Service will be held in church on Friday, May 30th at 6:00 pm; grades K-8 will be singing.

Preschool packets for the 2025/2026 school year available in the church and school offices.

MLS News

MLS Summer Camps: Registration is now open for MLS Summer Camps! These camps provide a fun, faith-filled environment where young athletes and artists can develop their skills, build teamwork, and grow in confidence. With excellent facilities and a dedicated staff, each camp offers a rewarding experience for every participant. Camp options include Fine Arts, Basketball, Football (including a Father/Son Camp), and Volleyball for various age groups. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged! Families registering multiple campers from the same household can receive a 15% discount using the code FAMILY at checkout. The registration deadline is June 1st, - don’t miss out on this exciting summer opportunity! Visit www.mlsem.org to secure your child’s spot today.

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is underway at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. If your family plans to send a new student in the Fall, now is the time to apply! Visit www.mlsem.org for information and the application form. If you would like to know more about the school or the admissions process, please reach out to MLS Admissions Director, Pastor Jared Natsis, at jared.w.natsis@mlsem.org.

Church Council Notes:
From the meeting on April 8, 2025.

Start of the Meeting

• Phil Lane called the meeting to order.

• Pastor Schaewe opened with devotion.

• The Minutes of the March meeting were approved.

Elder’s Report

• Changes in Membership: None.

• Spiritual Concerns: The attendance stats for the first quarter of the year were presented; in the process of mailing encouragement letters to inactive members before Holy Week.

• Worship Items: discussed duties during Holy Week.

• Other Items: Elders discussed further things to plan for when Pastor Schaewe leaves.

• Council approved a motion to accept the Elders’ Report.

BALM Report

• No report: will meet on June 8

Board of Education Report

• 15 Chrome books were purchased for less than anticipated cost; the Board is updating the Chrome book policy.

• The Board is reviewing the HSC proposal regarding athletic participation fees.

• The Board discussed distribution of Adopt-a-Student donations.

• The Board discussed back-up options if we don’t get a principal/7th-8th grade teacher.

• Council approved a motion to accept the Board of Education report.

Evanelism Committee Report

• The committee is planning to conduct a survey about VBS.

• They are considering putting a TV monitor in the church sign.

• They are organizing to follow up on visitors.

• Gail McFarland is looking into publishing a monthly prospect newsletter (Reaching Out).

• The committee will be looking into securing a Friendship Evangelism presenter and scheduling a presentation date, inviting the BALM congregations.

• They are reviewing Visitor Packets and may prepare new informational fliers.

• Next meeting: May 21.

• Council approved a motion to accept the Evangelism Committee’s Report.

Trustees’ Report

• The Trustees received bids for fixing the church roof and for organ blower repairs. The Council approved both projects and will be asking the Voters to approve a fundraiser.

• The Trustees are still waiting for more information to review options for fixing the sewer problem at 214 S. Mountain.

• Council approved a motion to accept the Trustees’ Report.

Treasurer’s Report

• Council approved a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

Old Business

• None

New Business

• The Event Group requests a catered dinner for the Schaewe farewell, Council help to set up tables after the Saturday service, and a free will offering to cover expenses. Council approved these requests

• Council worked through the responses of the Congregational Status/Pastor Needs surveys. Phil Lane to pass on the results to President Sims.

  Meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.