September 2010 - St. John's Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL

September 2010 

Special points of interest: 

Letters from the Pastor, 

Vicar, & CEL Director 

September Birthdays 

A New Senior Saint 

All the Latest CID News 

Some fun & service 

opportunities in the 

community. 

In this issue: 

Pastor’s Letter 1 

Director’s Cut & Vicar’s 

Letter 

Serving the Lord This Month 3 

Church News 3-8 

Children, Youth, & Family 9 

Senior Saint 10 

Treasure’s Report 11 

Financial Secretary 12 

Calendar 13 

2 

St. John’s Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL 

From Pastor’s Desk: 

Dear family in Christ, 

The activities, demands and emotional strain of 

sending our children back to school can present 

tremendous challenges for our families, especially 

when the children are split between two households. 

God intends that our families live in a good and 

pleasant relationship with one another, but often that 

is not what we experience. Many parents, children 

and even grandparents find family life extremely 

frustrating rather than peaceful. Lack of 

communication, a loss of 

mutual respect, and little or no 

shared direction leave our 

families disconnected and 

unfulfilled. 

Perhaps this is because too 

many of us have forgotten what 

it means to live as the family of 

God. When God called His 

people out of Egypt into a new, 

promised, land He gave them a 

shared goal for their lives 

together. The parents were 

called upon to teach their 

children about the Lord and 

their covenant relationship with 

Him and were promised that by 

doing so they would ―enjoy 

long life.‖ (Deut. 6:2) 

T h e c o n f e s s i o n o f 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5, also 

known as the Shema, offered a shared direction to 

everyone within the Jewish family: ―love the Lord 

your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your strength.‖ Wouldn’t this be a great 

direction to be shared by all our families, today? 

Unfortunately, families who forget God become 

futile in their thinking and their hearts become 

darkened toward God and toward one another. The 

consequences of forgetting God are evident in many 

modern families, even in some of ours. 

In a day when so many are asking, ―What has 

happened to the American family?‖ perhaps it is time 

for us to consider the basic tenet God set forth for 

His people so that our family life can grow from our 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, 

the Lord is one. Love the Lord your 

God with all your heart and with all 

your soul and with all your 

strength.” (Deut. 6:4-5) 

Volume 53, Issue 1 

loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and 

strength. Maybe we should ask whether or not we 

have placed this on our children’s hearts and offered 

it to them as the shared goal of our life together as a 

family. Are we talking to our children about their 

relationship with God through Christ? Are we writing 

it upon the doorposts of our houses in all we say and 

do with them? Do our children see that it is their 

parents’ highest daily goal to personally love God 

with all their being? If not, how do we reclaim it? 

As with all things we must 

begin with the forgiveness God 

offers in Christ. Parents must 

know that they are forgiven for 

their failure to bring their children 

up in the reverence and love of 

the Lord, and children must 

know that they are forgiven for 

their disobedience against the 

parents God has given them. 

Living that forgiveness which 

comes by grace changes us. By 

it our families can become a new 

creation in Christ Jesus. (Nt. 

Eph. 2:10) 

I challenge all of the young 

families of our congregation to 

get up a few minutes earlier and 

open up your ―Portals of Prayer‖ 

to have a brief devotion with 

your children before they take 

off for school and you go to work. Let every family 

begin each day with God’s Word ringing in their ears 

and the words of the Luther’s Morning Prayer 

coming from their lips. 

In this season of stress for families let us return to 

what is most important; let us strive together to ―love 

the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart‖; and let us go 

together each Lord’s Day to our Father’s house for 

worship and the study of His Word. 

In Christ’s Love, 

Pastor Umbarger


A C.E.L. Production 

Page 2 

Summer is almost over and that means that the teachers and I are busy preparing for the school year. There are new faces and returning 

faces at the preschool. We have a new teacher in the 4’s classroom, Susan Curry and a new director. Wendy MacDonald is 

our Pre-K teacher with Renee Tysma as her Aide. Judy Turek will continue teaching the 3’s class. We also have Sylvia Fauser returning 

to Aide where she is needed. Gail Massey will continue to come and help in the office. Now that we have the staff in place, all 

we need is for the children to start school. We will have Backpack Night on August 30 th for the 4’s and Pre-K classes and on August 

31 st for the 3’s class both nights start at 6:30p.m. The first days of school are September 7 th for 3’s and September 8 th for 4’s and Pre- 

K. 

I am Sara Fauser your new director. This position is a change for me as I am used to being in the classroom. I grew up going to 

church here at St. Johns but have been away for 9 years. I first went away to college at Concordia University Wisconsin to become a 

teacher. More specifically Lutheran school teacher so I could share my faith with students and parents. After college I received a call 

to teach at St. Paul Lutheran School in Fort Dodge, Iowa. I taught there as a second grade teacher for four years. After much praying 

and soul searching, God lead me back to the Quad Cities and more specifically St. Johns Center for Early Learning. Please keep 

the Center for Early Learning and me in your prayers as I try to learn my new position here. 

From Vicar Pay 

In Christ, 

Sara Fauser 

[Paul] lived [in Rome] two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching 

about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. --Acts 28:30-31 

Paul had been lost at sea for at least two weeks before being led, as a prisoner, to trial in Rome. What could he expect of his stay in Rome? What 

could he expect of the days, weeks, even years ahead of him (if he lived that long)? So many things could go wrong… so many things had already 

gone wrong. Yet, with these verses we are told how God was able to use these disastrous circumstances to spread the message of salvation 

through faith in Christ Jesus. 

So here we are at the end of summer, the beginning of a new school year. Personally, I am at the beginning of a year full of opportunity, surrounded 

by the support of loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ. It is safe to say my prospects look a little better than Paul’s did. Nevertheless 

it is easy to become frightened and intimidated by the future. What do we expect of the year ahead of us? Should we be afraid of all the ways 

things could go wrong? Well, if we reflect on what God was able to accomplish in Paul’s stay under house arrest in Rome I believe we can agree 

that God can do great things in the year ahead of us. 

Certainly there will be trials, temptations, and tragedies yet we can rest assured knowing that God is with us, and take comfort knowing He works 

all things for the good of his people. We trust in his promises, his mercy, and above all – in his Son who died and rose again for us. It is at the foot 

of the cross where we find comfort during disastrous times so we can continue to live out our faith as Paul did in Rome. In Christ we have our sure 

and certain hope that we are forgiven and loved by God. 

I pray this upcoming year will be a year of joy, peace, and harmony. I know this year will be a year when the good news of salvation in Jesus will be 

preached, which is the most important message of all. 

I look forward to getting to know you all better. Blessings on this upcoming year! 

In Christ, 

Vicar Pay

The Informer 

Serving the Lord This Month: 

Ushers 

Saturday, September 4: Norm Antolik, 

Chris Caldwell, & Vern Sletten 

Sunday, September 5: Jeff Belan, 

Charlie Britton, Esther Cashion, Brian 

Rossmiller, Dennis Schaefer, & Kristian 

Umbarger 




Esther Cashion, Brian Rossmiller, 

Dennis Schaefer, Tim Stone, & Kristian 

Umbarger 




Esther Cashion, Brian Rossmiller, 

Dennis Schaefer, Tim Stone, & Kristian 

Umbarger 




Charlie Britton, Esther Cashion, Brian 

Rossmiller, Dennis Schaefer, Tim 

Stone, & Kristian Umbarger 

Weekly Attendance & Offerings 

Greeters 

4 - 6:30– Dennis & Lois Kelly 

5– 9:00– Carmae Kern & Betty Withrow 

11– 6:30– George & Marlene Fellows 

12– 9:00– Bill & Donna Green 

18– 6:30– Patty Krack & Gail Massey 

19--9:00– Bob & Pauline Shaw 

25– 6:30– George & Marlene Fellows 

26– 9:00– Lee Copeland & Joy Fauser 

Eternal Candle 

September 20— Available 

Flower Chart 

September 5 & 19—Available 

October 31—Available 

Church News 

Thank you for 

your service!! 

Page 3 

Acolytes 

September 4: Jacob Pena 

September 5: Alena Rossmiller 

September 11: Adam Lack 

September 12: Ben Dosch 

September 18: Elizabeth Antolik 

September 19: Max Park 

September 25: Jacob Pena 

September 26: Suzannah Weber 

Altar Guild 

Cora Whipple 

Carole Vrban 

Cori Rossmiller 

Sunday Morning 

Coffee & Donuts 

12— Available 



DATE THIS YEAR LAST YEAR SUN. SCHOOL RECEIVED 

7/25/10 244 249 none $5,037 

8/1/10 264 246 20 $6,846 

8/8/10 228 228 21 $5,092 

8/15/10 217 231 22 $7,264 

August Simply Giving Totals $1,990


Birthday’s 

September 1 – Janaan Hanson & 

Amber McMillin 

September 2 – Deborah Weidenbach 

September 3– Adam Lack & Alyssa 

Shelton 

September 6 – Erica Burnett & Matthew 

Dosch 

September 7– Hillary Ekin & Pamela 

Fisher 

September 8– Judy Hardesty & Sheena 

Johnson 

Membership Report 


September 10– Dorothy Tribbett 

September 11– Christopher Heller & 

Keith Schnabel 

September 12– Adela Foster & Marilyn 

Kupresin 

September 13– Jim Beswick & Kaitlyn 

McMillin 

September 14– Ann Engebrecht, Owen 

Hawkins, & Rick Newlon 

September 15– Martha Merritt 

September 16– Judith Versluis 

September 17– Judith DeGraeve 

September 18– Sharon Kirklin 

September 21– Karen Schmidt 

September 24– Helen Heiland 

September 25– Brian Hart, Thomas Hart, 

Steve Lackey 

Page 4 

September 26– Colette Gosa 

September 27– Tara Hawkins 

September 28– Tammy Cady 

September 29—Mary Arnold, Susan 

Busch, & Carlie Schofield 

September 30— John McMillin, Lori 

Smith & Dawn Streeter 

SHUT-IN’S with birthdays this month: 

Adela Foster 

5325-19th Ave 

Moline, IL 61265 

Lori Smith (Parkview Healthcare Center) 

430– 30th Ave. 

East Moline, IL 61244 

ADDRESS CHANGE 

Ruth Poole Mazenhofer Kelly & Ryan Sanders Kami & Micah Orton Robby Ruggles Pat Goering 

781 W. Walcott Rd. 609 ½ 15 th Ave. 2501 10 th St. 613 West Main 2617 Maple Crest Rd. #218 

Lot 86 East Moline, IL 61244 Silvis, IL 61282 Council Grove, KS 66846 Bettendorf, IA 52722 

Walcott, IA 52773-8561 563-349-6816 309-235-9968 

Alyssa Whitmire Mr Richard Berberich Cora Whipple Jonathen & Sarah Pratt Bryan & Amy Dennis 

C/O Sean Kirby 912 Rebecca Ave. 322 13 th Ave. A & Caleigh Spinks 2901 7 th St. 

747 17 th Ave. Carbon, Cliff, IL 61236 Silvis, IL 61282 100 Stonebridge Ct. East Moline, IL 61244 

East Moline, IL 61244 Colona, IL 61241 309-781-5756 

James & Heather Nelson NEW PHONE DEATH TRANSFER OUT 

403 Valley Drive Sharon Kirklin Pat Hill 7/7/10 6/3/10 Katelynn Maire Stewart 

Carbon Cliff, IL 61239 309-948-1830 Funeral at Esterdahl’s Glenn Stern Christ the King Altoona, IA 

BAPTISM TRANSFER IN JR. CONFIRMANDS 

Easton Alexander Antolik 6/6/10 Macey Murphy 6/13/10 

Parents Evan and Dawn 6/6/10 Deborah Weidenbach Katherine Engebrecht 

7/10/10 6/6/10 Kenneth Weidenbach Louis Hill 

Emmelynn Nicole Wilson Tanner McAnally 

Parents John and Nicole Wilson Molly Rogers 

7/11/10 MARRIAGE Cody Rossmiller 

Katelynn Maire Stewart 7/31/10 Tanner Rusk 

Parents Terry and Ericka (Sager)Stewart Burnell Eckardt and Amanda Imig Jared Sountris 

7/25/10 Alexandria Streeter

The Informer 

Golf Outing 

St John’s Golf Tournament and family picnic— 

Sept 12 th 

at Country View, Geneseo, IL 

The St. John’s family golf tournament will be 

Sunday, September 12 th, with the first tee times starting at 2:30 

pm. This is intended as a family event and prizes have been 

organized for youth through senior citizens and men and ladies. 

Last year we had 32 prizes to recognize and enhance the fun 

for this event. 

We will be playing 9 holes best ball for 4 person teams. Youth 

(7 years and older), women, and Senior citizens may use the 

forward tees. Green fees are $12.00, cart fees are $6.50 if you 

do not care to walk, and picnic fees are $5.00 with kids 12 and 

under eating free. For safety purposes, cart drivers must be 18 

years old. . 

Signup sheets are on the library counter. It provides for indicating 

your intention to play 9 holes, whether you will want a cart 

and whether you want to attend the picnic afterwards. 

If you have a pairing planned with other friends or family members, 

a pairing sheet is provided. Just list each member of your 

party at the time you prefer to play. If you have no preference 

with whom you play, Ralph Grotelueschen will make up the final 

pairing from the signup sheet. 

Picnic cost is $5 per adult. Children 12 and under eat free. 

You do not need to play golf to attend the picnic. The picnic will 

start at about 5:30 pm or as soon as the first pairings come off 

the course. 

Let’s make this an un-FORE-gettable day. 

Bowlers Needed 


Notes from the Balcony 

A big thank you to the special people who 

provided extra special music for our worship 

services this summer. You are so 

appreciated! 

Page 5 

Our choir directors are setting up rehearsal schedules and ordering 

music for this next ―season‖. This would imply that there 

will be singers and ringers to rehearse. PLEASE consider now 

to make that slight adjustment in your time to include a rehearsal 

and presenting music during worship. 

Join us in the balcony or music room; we need to enlarge our 

ranks, because members must be away for family, illness, etc. 

There are no fees, no committees, no auditions. 

Actually – you may audition US. Try a rehearsal for a couple of 

weeks, check us out, take a look at the music. You will find 

other neat Christians who enjoy music, and you will discover 

that the notes are not that difficult, after all. 

There are singers and ringers of all ages. 

Call Christine Engebrecht at 309 787 2958 for Kids of the Kingdom 

and Cherub Chimers; 

Jane Hipple 309 755 2784 for Heavenly Ringers; 

Lucille Perley 309 764 9079 for singers age 14 and up, up, up. 

If you see one of us in the hallway at church, that’s fine, too; 

just flag us down to ask specifics. 

See you in September! 

Maybe you've bowled occasionally with family and friends for fun. Maybe you were on a school team or in a league a few (or many) 

years ago. Maybe you haven't been in a bowling alley since they've gone smoke-free. Maybe you've bowled as a substitute in the 

past. Maybe you'd like to meet fellow Lutherans of all ages and bowling averages. Then maybe you and/or your friends would like to 

join our Monday evening bowling league. 

Bowlers are needed for the Lutheran Mixed League on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. held at Town & Country in Rock Island. Bowlers 

must be a member or prospective member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Our league allows any current member of the 

league who changes synods to remain a member of the league. Immediate family (spouse or children) of a Missouri Synod member, 

regardless of church affiliation will also be allowed to bowl. 

Our initial organizational meeting is scheduled for 6:30 PM at Town & Country on Monday, August 30th, with weekly bowling starting 

2 weeks later on September 13th. Ideally, we'd like to have enough new bowlers to add another team so that each pair of lanes will 

have 2 teams every week - and have a few more substitute bowlers available to fill in when necessary. 

If you may be interested and would like more information, please contact Jim Pearson at LMLeague@yahoo.com or 309-787-6150


Stewardship Article 


On Monday, September 6, Americans and Canadians will observe ―Labor 

Day,‖ a legal holiday set aside to honor labor. Work is often thought of as 

drudgery--something that you have to do to make a living. So we sometimes 

call work toil, a chore, an obligation, or even a necessary evil. The 

New World Dictionary does not agree with that, but holds work up as honorable 

and positive. Part of its definition goes as follows: “work is physical 

or mental effort exerted to do or make something and be involved 

in purposeful activity.” 

The Bible takes an even higher view of labor. Labor is actually a gift from 

God meant to fill our hours and days with meaningful activities that honor 

God, respect His creation, and provide blessings for others and ourselves. 

It was God who put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of 

it (Genesis 2:15). This work was given to Adam before the fall into sin and 

thus was a blessing from God. It is true that after the fall into sin, work 

became wearisome toil as the ground was cursed so that sinful human 

beings would have to earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brows 

until their dying day (Genesis 3:17b-19). But, in spite of that curse, labor or 

work remains a blessing from God. 

Dr. Martin Luther (who wrote much on the subject of vocation) believed that 

vocation was a calling, which encompassed the whole of the life of the 

believer, and was NOT narrowly defined as a job, trade, or even a religious 

vocation. Luther believed that the honest work of a janitor, maid or housewife 

was just as important and pleasing to God as the work of a president, 

pastor, teacher, doctor, scientist or any other vocation held in high esteem. 

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV) reads: “A man can do nothing better than to 

eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from 

the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” 

St. Paul in writing to the Ephesians and Thessalonians said: “He who has 

been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something 

useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with 

those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 NIV). For even when we were with 

you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not 

eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV). 

God’s redeemed people understand that Christian stewardship is the free 

and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the church, in 

managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. Giving 

money to support the work of the church and other institutions, giving time 

to help with honest efforts, and using our talents to bring glory to God and 

blessings to others are all important parts of Christian stewardship. This 

truth is summed up beautifully in these words from 2 Corinthians 10:31 

(NIV): “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for 

the glory of God.” 

This Labor Day and every day give thanks to God for the blessing of work. 

Giving thanks for honest labor is something that Christian stewards can 

remember to do in their daily thoughts and prayers. So, enjoy whatever 

you are doing to observe Labor Day, and then continue your daily work 

with joy and enthusiasm. 

LWML 

Page 6 

On September 23rd, the LWML Ladies will meet at St. John’s Parking 

Lot and then carpool to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. 

We will tour the Hospice House and hold our meeting there. Our 

hostesses will be Joy Fauser and Ann Engebrecht. If you are interested 

in learning about the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, why 

not join us. Watch the church bulletin for the time to meet at St. 

John’s. We hope you can join us. 

What a joy and privilege for the Central Illinois District to host 

the 34 th Biennial Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention, 

June 23-26, 2011. Thousands of people from all over the 

United States will come to Peoria under the theme Being with Jesus 

– Living on the Edge. Find out more exciting details at your Fall 

Zone Rally regarding the 2011 national convention! Join the excitement 

by filling out the Call for Workers form at www.lwmlcid.org. 

We need hundreds of willing workers, including men. You can be 

greeters at the airport and hotels, VIP drivers, helpers at Information 

booths, and ushers. Workers, serving eight hours or more at 

the convention, will receive a specific coupon to qualify them for a 

discounted registration. Do not send in the registration form in the 

Quarterly, until you receive this coupon later! Come, and join your 

sisters and brothers in Christ by ―Being with Jesus –Living on the 

Edge.‖ And they realized they had been with Jesus. “For we cannot 

but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 

4:13b & 20 (NKJV) 

Volunteers Needed 

Genesis Medical Center is looking for volunteers who would be 

willing to volunteer 2 to 4 hours, once or twice a month. We have 

volunteer opportunities at both East and West Campuses. If you 

are interested in volunteering, please contact Sandy Hull at 421- 

2186 or Colette Blake at 421-1095, or email them at: 

hulls@genesishealth.com or Blakec@genesishealth.com . 

Thank You God 

T Teachers, Truth, The Trinity 

H Heaven, Holy Spirit, Having Mercy 

A Angels, Autumn, Animals 

N New Birth, Night and Day 

K Knowledge, Kindness, Keeping Promises 

Y Your Word, Your Love and Forgiveness 

O One True God, Opportunity to Worship 

U Understanding, Unending Love 

G Grace, Goodness, Gardens 

O Ordained Ministers, Order 

D Daily Blessings, Dancing, Daughters 

For these and all gifts, I thank you.

September 2009 

Tour the Luther Sites 


Page 7 

There is still room for a few more to join Dave Rohe and President Bueltmann on a nine day, tour of the Luther sites, and 

especially the quaint ―Home‖ of the Reformation, Wittenberg Germany. We will tentatively leave Bloomington, Illinois on Tuesday, 

arriving in Frankfurt Germany on Wednesday morning. 

We will then spend the next eight days visiting the sites where Luther taught, preached, and was instrumental in the reformation 

of the church. We will see places like Worms, Leipzig, Eisenach, Eisleben, Berlin, Rothenburg, Mansfeld, Schmalkalden, 

Grimma and especially, Wittenberg. We will tour the Wartburg Castle, Luther’s Birth and Death houses, the Luther museum, and the 

church where Paul Gerhardt served. We will visit the church where J S Bach served as well. 

This trip is scheduled for May 10-18, 2011. We may even add an additional day. The itinerary above is tentative, but the 

locations of the sites we want to see are basically those listed. There will be room for 25-30 individuals and hotel accommodations 

will be based on double occupancy. As we get closer and able to determine exact dates, we will be able to get firm costs for air fare 

and hotels. Time permitting, there may be some additional surprises along the way. 

All travel in country will be by chartered coach driven by an English-speaking German Pastor. We will provide breakfast at 

the hotels we stay in and your evening meal will be included in the cost of the trip. It is our hope to hold the cost down to around 

$2250 

If you are interested in joining us, please contact Dave Rohe at drohe@cidlcms.org, or call him at 217-793-1802 

Opening Thoughts: 

In our country, we observe Labor Day in September, a day to remember those who labor on our behalf. All too often, though, Labor 

Day is simply an extra day of vacation, a three day weekend to go play. 

―Remember the Sabbath Day,‖ says God. (Exodus 20:8ff.) He set aside this weekly ―labor day‖ for us to rest from our labors and 

rejoice in Him who has labored for us. Some take this as an extra day of vacation – a time to go play. Even ―regular church goers‖ 

are tempted to skip once in a while to go play. 

But God is still working – working to bring the blessings of His once-for-all-time work of salvation to us. Through our Bible class 

teachers instructing us in God’s Word, through God’s Word of forgiveness proclaimed by Pastor, through Christ’s Body and Blood 

delivered under bread and wine, God is at work delivering the forgiveness of our sins and clothing us in Christ’s righteousness. So 

this Labor Day, rejoice for God has worked His salvation for you! 

Rev. Michael Mohr, Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg 

Latvian Partners: We are looking for churches interested in a partnership with a church in Latvia. Two of the congregations President 

Bueltmann visited in April specifically asked for congregations with whom they can correspond. If your congregation is interested, 

contact President Bueltmann at president@cidlcms.org and he will connect you with a congregation. 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8


LWML Fall Rally Schedule: 

Sept. 14 St. Paul, Mattoon and St. James, Quincy 

Sept. 15 St. Paul, Manito and Trinity, Arenzville 

Sept. 16 St. John’s, Buckley and Bethlehem, Petersburg 

Sept. 21 Mt. Calvary, Galesburg and Concordia, Decatur 

Sept. 22 Trinity, Bloomington and Salem, Salem 

Sept. 23 Our Savior, Washington and St. Paul, Strasburg 


Page 8 

The rallies will feature guest speakers from the Latvian Lutheran Church. Rev. Andris Kraulins and Rev. Elijs Godins will be traveling 

separately to the various rallies. 

Installation of Matthew Harrison as LCMS President 

President Harrison’s installation will take at the St. Louis Seminary Chapel on Saturday, September 11 starting at 10:00 a.m. 

Retreat at Camp CILCA 

During the day you will hear the popular Dr. Reed Lessing from our St. Louis Seminary present a study on what God has to say 

about dealing with life's disasters. The study should be informative, inspirational, and helpful; AND it is always a joy to meet other 

Christians. He will conduct this study on Jeremiah on Sat., Sept. 11. The retreat will be in session from 9-3:30. Lunch is included. 

Register by sending your name and $16 by Sept. 6 to Norbert Soltwedel, 9414 E. 1800 th Ave., Shumway, IL 62461. The retreat is 

sponsored by the LLL; but come and meet a new friend. 

Ordinations: 

Zachary Hoffmann was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at St. Peter, Peoria on June 27, 2010. 

Christopher Hull was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal, IL on Saturday, July 24, 2010. 

Groundbreaking: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Island, IL, broke ground on June 27, 2010 for a new church building located at 

the school site on 24th Street in Rock Island. Construction has begun. We thank God for His many blessings given to us for more 

than 154 years. 

Church Music Seminar- Sept. 25 th 

The Central Illinois District will host a church music workshop on Saturday, September 25 th at Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria. This 

workshop is designed for organists, instrumentalists, choir directors, and all interested in Lutheran church music. Kevin Hildebrand, 

cantor and music instructor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne and cantor Martin Dickey, of Trinity Lutheran Church, 

Peoria will be our instructors. Flyers will be coming in August. Want to be on the email list? Contact Rev. W. Reimnitz, 

wr@cidlcms.org Subject: Sept. 25 th music seminar. 

Calendar 

September 11, LLL Bible Study Retreat – Camp CILCA 

September 17, CILCA golf outing – Hickory Point, Decatur 

September 25, Church Music Seminar, Trinity – Peoria 

October 18-20, CID Pastors Conference, Peoria

September 2009 

RALLY DAY 

Sunday 

September 5 th 

CHILDREN, YOUTH & ADULTS 

COME TO RALLY DAY!! 

“Spend a Day Under the Sun at Camp Luther, 

Spend a Year With the SON in Sunday School” 

School is getting underway and so is SUNDAY SCHOOL! Rally Day is set for Sunday September 5 th right after 

worship, approximately 10:30am. This year’s theme for Rally Day is Day Camp at Camp Luther. All of our camp 

counselors (Sunday School teachers) are getting the cabins (classrooms) ready and we can’t wait to meet this 

year’s campers. 

We will have a great time with many camp activities including; orientation, camp crafts, team building games, and 

lunch in the “mess hall”. Hot dogs, drinks, and table service will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert 

to share. 

CHILDREN…don’t forget to register for Sunday School. Extra forms are at the registration table in the concourse. 

Wednesday, September 

22—7:30-8:30 p.m.—Post Confirmation 

Fellowship—Fun and 

Food Following Confirmation!! 

Children, Youth & Family News 

Watch for more camp related activities for 

your family throughout the year at Camp Luther!! 

Page 9 

Friday, September 10—FFF—7-10:30 

Bring a snack and a drink to share! Our 

hosts this month are the McAnally Family. 

Talk to Shannon if you need directions or 

have questions! 

Sunday, September 12th—Youth Group—11:30-1 

p.m.—Activity TBA!! 

Sunday, September 26th—Youth Group—6:30-8 

p.m. 

We need the addresses of college students in order to publish a list of our members attending college. We will be sending the informer to 

these students as well so they know what is happening here at St. John’s. Please return the form below to the office by September 19th. 

Name of Student: 

Year in College: 

Field of Specialization: 

Name & Location of College: 

Your Address at the College: 

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE STUDENTS 

ZIP CODE:


Bubbly – Friendly – Happy - 

Fun-loving! That’s Joan! Joan 

Elaine of German/Danish 

descent was born to William 

and Harriet Ehlers, at Mercy 

Hospital in Davenport, Iowa on 

July 15, 1931. She was 

baptized in the very old Berea 

Congregational Church in the 

west end of Davenport, which 

they attended occasionally. 

Joan’s younger siblings, all two 

Joan Schaefer 

years apart, are Janet Varner, 

who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and Jean Wolfe residing 

in Yuma, Arizona. 

Her father worked at the Rock Island Arsenal so 

there were no problems for them during the Great 

Depression. Joan states there were no difficulties in 

her life that she can remember and has been 

privileged to be a happy individual throughout the 

years. Joan remembers German was spoken 

frequently in her house, especially around Christmas, 

when the adults spoke it so the children couldn’t 

understand them when they talked about their gifts. 

She grew up with mostly German food served in her 

home, which prepared her for cooking Christmas 

dinner now every year for the whole family, which she 

thoroughly enjoys. 

She says she hated school. She was well liked 

and had many good friends. It was the work in school 

she didn’t like and was glad when she finished. 

When she was 13 years old her parents divorced. 

She and her sisters along with her mom moved in 

with her mother’s parents, Harry and Selma 

Andresen. A year later Harriet married Frank Daily 

and Joan lived with them until she was 18. Her father 

married Doris Rohm when Joan was 15 years old. 

The two families became good friends with each 

other. Joan loved her mom very much and was 

fortunate to have her until July of 2009, when she 

died at the age of 102. She said her mom was 

always alert and full of life until the last two weeks of 

her life. 

Joan attended Monroe grade school in the early 

years and attended Frank L. Smart in 6th through 8th 

grades. Fun in school consisted of skating at the 

local roller rink and dancing at Melody Mills, a 

downtown gathering place for teenagers. In 1948 

graduation took place at Davenport Central High 

School and after graduating, Joan worked for a few 

years at the Steak House, located at 4th Street and 

Harrison in Davenport. 

Senior Saint of September 

Page 10 

Joan’s mom knew Frank Anthony Free of Free 

Photography Studio, located in a mansion across 

from Wayne Montgomery. There Joan was trained 

for 14 years retouching and coloring photographs and 

served as receptionist. In 1953 she modeled for 

Kaiser Frazer Car Company, where she helped sell 

their automobiles. Kaiser Frazer offered Joan a job 

modeling and touring with their sports car, the Darrin 

with a sliding door, but she declined to travel. She 

wanted to stay in Davenport. Joan remembers Eddy 

Howard, singer and band leader, bought one of the 

cars. Joan’s personal preference is driving 

convertibles and convertibles have been the only kind 

of car she ever owned and drove. In 1963 she 

attended Winona School of Professional Photography 

at Winona Lake, Indiana and went to school in Wheat 

Ridge, Colorado. 

One of the salesmen told Ted Haines ‘Master 

Photographer’ of Haines Photography Studio about 

Joan and she worked for him for 22 years. Ted 

decided to become a missionary and sold out to a 

man, who closed the doors after two years. 

Paul Hayes called from Paul’s Photography Studio 

in Moline and offered Joan a job, where she managed 

the studio and served as a wedding consultant for five 

years. This is where she met her future husband, 

Earl Schaefer, who was the owner of the 

Wienerschnitzel across from Paul’s Photography on 

23rd Avenue in Moline. 

Joan was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church 

in East Moline in 1988 and she and Earl were married 

on April 15, 1989. Paul Hayes, ten years younger, 

walked Joan down the aisle. For 40 years she 

spent winters with friends at Satellite Beach in 

Florida. Joan and Earl are regular attendees in 

church, except when they’re taking a cruise or 

traveling to different parts of the world – about 22 

cruises so far and still counting. They usher together 

on Sunday mornings frequently when they’re home. 

If you want your spirits lifted, talk to this lady a 

while and you’ll catch her wit and enthusiasm for life. 

Thanks, Joan, for a delightful interview!

The Informer 

Treasure’s Report 

Page 11


Financial Secretary’s Report 

Page 12

1450-30th Avenue 

East Moline, IL 61244 

St. John’s 

Lutheran Church 

of East Moline, 

Tel: 309-792-0755 

Fax: 309-792-0776 

E-mail: stjohnsem@sbcglobal.net 

Walking in the Light of Christ! 

We’re On the Web!! 

www.stjohnsem.org 

Worship Times 

WORSHIP SERVICES: Saturday — 6:30 p.m. 

Sunday— 9:00 a.m. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS: Sunday — 10:15 a.m. 

Office Hours 

NORMAL OFFICE HOURS RESUME SEPTEMBER 7TH 

FOLLOWING LABOR DAY 

8:30-NOON & 1:00-4:30 MONDAY –THURSDAY 

8:30-12:00 FRIDAY (PRESCHOOL OFFICE ONLY) 

St. John’s in Summer Sun..

September 2010 - St. John's Lutheran Church of East Moline, IL

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