Edition 1
From Pastor Aaron
Martin Luther’s Favorite Reads Often, I cannot say it better than others, especially compared to our beloved Martin Luther. Kathryn A. Kleinhans, Dean of Trinity Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, put the following article together to help us understand what Scriptures Luther himself found powerful in their witness. Maybe his words will help us choose which Scriptures to read in this Reformation season. “Lord, always be reforming our hearts. Amen.” I love being your pastor, Pastor Aaron Martin Luther ON The New Testament, by Kathryn A. Kleinhans In September 1522, Martin Luther’s groundbreaking translation of the New Testament from its original Greek language into German was published. Luther also wrote a great deal to help ordinary people (not just pastors and scholars) understand and apply the New Testament to their lives. This year “Deeper understandings” has asked Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) scholars and scholars teaching at ELCA institutions to reflect on a New Testament book they find particularly engaging. As we mark the anniversary of Luther’s translation this month, it seems fitting to let him speak for himself about how to read the New Testament. In addition to the translation, Luther also published A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels (1522). The title of this six-page essay gives us essential insight into his thinking: When we read the New Testament, we should do so expecting something. We should expect a message of good news – a gift to us! Luther writes: "The chief article and foundation of the gospel is that before you take Christ as an example, you accept and recognize him as a gift, as a present that God has given you and that is your own. This means that when you see or hear of Christ doing or suffering something, you do not doubt that Christ himself, with his deeds and suffering, belongs to you. On this you may depend as surely as if you had done it yourself; indeed as if you were Christ himself. See, this is what it means to have a proper grasp of the gospel, that is, of the overwhelming goodness of God, which neither prophet, nor apostle, nor angel was ever able fully to express, and which no heart could adequately fathom or marvel at. This is the great fire of the love of God for us." (Luther’s Works, Vol.35) In his prefaces to the New Testament (first published in 1522 and revised in 1546), Luther tells us what some of his favorite New Testament books are and why: "John’s Gospel and St. Paul’s epistles, especially that to the Romans, and St. Peter’s first epistle are the true kernel and marrow of all the books. They ought properly to be the foremost books, and it would be advisable for every Christian to read them first and most, and by daily reading to make them as much [your] own as [your] daily bread. For in them, you do not find many works and miracles of Christ described, but you do find depicted in masterly fashion how faith in Christ overcomes sin, death, and hell, and gives life, righteousness and salvation.This is the real nature of the gospel, as you have heard." (Luther’s Works, Vol. 35) In that same set of prefaces, Luther has this to say specifically about Paul’s letter to the Romans: "This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that [we] should occupy [ourselves] with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much; for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes." (Luther’s Works, Vol. 35) (Ray Pickett will write about Romans in the October 2022 issues of Living Lutheran) Luther was less fond of the letter of James. He called it “a good book” because it speaks accurately about the law of God. Still, he found it lacking as a witness to the gospel: “Its purpose is to teach Christians, and in all this long teaching, it does not once mention the Passion, Resurrection, or Spirit of Christ.” (Luther’s Work, Vol. 35) Luther lectured and wrote commentaries about Paul’s letter to the Galatians throughout his long career. His appreciation for this New Testament book was so deep and ongoing that he even compared it to his wife, saying, “The Epistle to the Galatians is my dear epistle. I have put my confidence in it. It is my Katy von Bora.” (Luther Works, Vol. 35) (Crystal Hall wrote about Galatians in the May 2022 issue of Living Lutheran) For Luther and Christians today, the New Testament is a gift that keeps on giving. Paying Your Tithes and Offerings Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit . Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labo gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labo gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est. Consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labo gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labo gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est.
November, 2022
April 27
THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WERE TAKEN BY COUNCIL: Pastor Aaron reported: From October 24th to October 26 he will be attending a South Carolina Convocation at Lutheridge Camp. This is an annual meeting of South Carolina pastors. Treasurer Report: Kay presented to council the July and August Financial Reports.She also presented the proposed budget for 2023.Following a discussion the proposed budget was accepted and would not need to be revisited before the congregational meeting unless it goes up more than five percent. Outreach Committee: The Blessing of the Animals was held in the parking lot on Sunday, October 9th. Members of the church, as well as several neighbors from Ansonborough, brought their dogs for a blessing. The committee collected monetary donations and supplies for the Charleston Animal Society during the month of October. The free Farmers’ Market for residents of the Ansonborough House was held on Thursday, September 29th. The turnout was excellent and the event was a tremendous success. The committee would like to thank the generous donations from Sidi Limehouse and Harris Teeter. The committee plans on serving a Thanksgiving meal at the Ansonborough House. The council approved the use of matching funds from the Semken Outreach Fund to match donations to the Charleston Animal Society and the donations to the Lutheran Disaster Response. Council also approved up to $600 from the Semken Fund to partially cover the cost of the Thanksgiving meal for residents of the Ansonborough House. Property Committee: The work on the railings on the Parsonage Piazzas has been completed by TH Painting and Flooring LLC for $960. Parking Lot refinishing has been completed for $3475. Unfinished Business The Parsonage Committee met to discuss the use of the Parsonage by a church member. Explore Charleston agreed that St. Johannes members can only rent the parsonage thirty or less days out from the event. A member of the parsonage committee or a trained member of council will be present to open and close the parsonage. The fee would be $0 with a $265 cleaning fee for a daytime event.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING 10/19/2022
Farmer's Market at Ansonborough House
We had a lot of furry friends show up for the "Blessings of the Animals." It was a beautiful day and this event took place on our new gravel parking lot.
Congregational Life
In accordance with the St. Johannes Constitution, the following names will be presented for election to the 2023, 2024 church council— Pedro Rivas, Kathy Allison and Lucas Murley. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor at the November 20th meeting. For any questions, please contact Robbin Mosier, Nominating Committee Chair. We will also be looking at the budget for 2023. We hope you will plan attending this meeting. .
Hymnfest 2022
Pastor Aaron's Installation
Greetings to You from the Music Ministries of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and St. Johannes Lutheran Church! We are so excited to announce our annual Hymn Festival for 2022 and extend an invitation for you and your choir to participate with us this year. This ecumenical hymn festival hosted by Holy Spirit Lutheran Church is a part of the Holy Spirit in Harmony concert series. Sean Holleran and Justin Wham have assembled an evening of wonderful music and scripture that is aimed at promoting love for all of humankind – something we all could use more of right now - with the intent that the pieces we have chosen can be used with your individual choirs after our concert eliminating the need for more rehearsals and extra time. How awesome will it be to have so many great anthems that you can use at any time of the year without much rehearsal?!? We have had a wonderful response from choirs and individuals that are interested in participating including Holy Spirit Lutheran, St. Johannes Lutheran, St. John’s Lutheran, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Holy Spirit Catholic, St. Paul’s Lutheran, The Unitarian Church and possibly St. Matthews Lutheran. Brass, strings and percussion instrumentalists have been hired and Bishop Ginny Aebischer has also been invited to join us as one of our readers. This will be an exciting weekend of music and fellowship that you don’t want to miss!
It was a beautiful service and reception celebrating Pastor Aaron's installation. Thank you to Pastor Nathan Rice, from St. Luke's Lutheran Church, for celebrating with us!
At the end of every semester and right before finals, we have been giving the Citadel Lutheran Cadets "Goodie Bags" to give them a little boost to get through finals. We will be doing this again on December 5th. If you would like to help with this ministry by providing monetary donations to help cover the costs of the bags, we would greatly appreciate the donation. Checks can be made out to the church with "Cadet Bags" on the memo line. The cadets really look forward to this special treat! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Amy in the church office.
Lutheran Ministry
Thank you to Maude Hickman and Georgeanna for helping us to provide a meal in October for the Citadel Student Lutheran Ministry. Our next meal will be on Monday, November 28th and we are looking for a few volunteers to help along with Lucas Murley. Thank you to Lucas for volunteering to spearhead the meal on that evening. You can help out by providing a dish and joining us that evening or a dish can be dropped off at the church, and we will make sure it gets to the cadets to enjoy. If you would be willing to help out please contact Amy Bifano at (843)722-8906 or e-mail her at office@stjohanneschurch.org. Thank you in advance for being a huge blessing to these cadets!.
Pastor Aaron enjoying a little dog therapy from Molly!
Body text
You are invited to a special recital by College of Charleston Student Peter O’Malley. This event is here at the church on November 10th at 7:30 pm and there is no charge. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to support Peter.
Prayer Requests
Neighbors Together Coat Drive
Ansonborough House Thanksgiving Meal
Outreach at St. Johannes
Neighbors Together Kitchen Help Needed
Bereaved:The family and friends of Anne Foster Sick and/or Recovering: Marlene Barton, Luke Rankin, Donna, Steven, Diane Hogue, Betty Ann Heinsohn, Cindy Dawson, Monte Mims, Cindy Dawson, Marcy Floyd, Connie Morgan, and Elmore Marlow Please let us know if you or a member of your family is hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. You may contact us at the office at (843) 722-8906, or office@stjohanneschurch.org
As the weather starts to change, we find ourselves looking forward to the holidays. Autumn is a time of reflection, and a time of change. But for many families, it is also a time of anxiety. This stress can come from many places from worrying about sky high grocery bills, utility bills, and thinking ahead to what the upcoming holidays will look like. One of our highest priorities during this time is collecting coats to make sure that all parents and kiddos have one less thing to worry about in the coming winter months. Will you help keep a child warm this holiday season? We will be accepting new and gently used coats, hats and gloves for children and adults until the end of December. Donations can be put in the wagon located in the narthex or may be dropped off in the church office. Thank you in advance for your donation. We will once again be sponsoring and serving the Thanksgiving meal for residents of the Ansonborough House. The date for this event is Monday, Nov. 21st. Please contact Mary Lou (843-224-3854 or waycheese@att.net) if you would like to help serve and celebrate “Friendsgiving” with our neighbors at the Ansonborough House. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday to help with either food prep or serving food at Neighbors Together in North Charleston. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Mary Lou (843-224-3853 or waycheese@att.net.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Office Closed
Offiice Closed
48 Hasell Street, P.O. Box 21927, Charleston, South Carolina 29413 www.sjcharleston.org E-mail: office@stjohanneschurch.org Office; 843-722-8906 Pastor Aaron DeBenedetto, Pastor E-mail: pastor@stjohanneschurch.org Sean Holleran, Organist/Choirmaster Amy Bifano, Parish Administrator Find us on Facebook @St. Johannes Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pardon our mess, the calendar is still under construction.
10:15 - Music Ministry Practice 11:00 Intergenerational Sunday School 11:45 - Service of Worship and Holy Communion
10:15—Music Ministry Practice 11:oo Intergenerational Sunday School 11:45-Service ofWorship and Holy Communion
Ansonborough House Thanksgiving Dinner
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2HANA Mtg 6- pm Board 7 pm Members
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8
9
13
14 Samantha Reaves
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16 Council Meeting 6:30 pm
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22 Office Closed Barbara Williams
23 Office Closed
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28 Office Closed Citadel Meal 6:30 David Lewis
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3Marshall DeBruhl Ella Laird
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5Diane Hogue
10 Brandon Davis Peter O’Malley Concert 7:30 PM
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12
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24 Closed Office
25 Office Closed
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November 2022
10:15—Music MinistryPractice 11:oo Intergenerational Sunday School 11:45-Service of Worship and HolyCommunion
10:15 - Music Ministry Practice 11:00 Intergenerational Sunday School 11:45 Service of Holy Communion Congregational Meeting Hymnfest 6pm Justin Ellet