Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

!
This report shares the highlights from Pastor Justins monthly reports to St.
Johns Church Council in 2016. God gifted us with an incredible year of ministry!
January 2016
NeLCM-Norfolk: NECC & UNMCs 2016 Spring Semesters began on January 11,
2016. Three weekly events started the semester: Spiritual Practices (Mondays 4-5 PM),
StoryTime (Wednesdays 9-10 PM), and Rant About Religion (Thursdays 11:30-1:30
PM). Students & I did preliminary research on hygiene needs at NECC & UNMC, and
worked on submitting a grant proposal to the Youth Philanthropy Contest in early
February.
Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders: Continuing Ed. Event January 21, 2016
I attended an all-day Nebraska Synod continuing education event on Thursday,
January 21, 2016, at Our Saviors in Wayne. This training, Essential Boundaries for
Wise Leaders, is required of all Nebraska Synod rostered leaders once every three
years. Training from the day included: Session I Boundaries, Power and Vulnerability;
Session II Dating, Friendships, Dual Relationships, Gifts; Session III Pulpit,
Transference, Hugging and Touch, Intimacy; Session IV Emerging Issues in
Maintaining Healthy Boundaries; Session V Preserving Boundaries: Personal and
Professional Health.
50 Years On The Hill Planning Team Formed: With the 50th Anniversary of the first
worship service at St. Johns current location coming up in December 2016, the council
approved the formation of a planning committee to celebrate the day. Planning
happened throughout the year.
February 2016

2016 NeLCM Youth Philanthropy

Contest Winners $1,000 Prize
for Helpful Hygiene Hut

2016 Pillar of Fire

Norfolk group

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

Groundhogs Day 2016 Blizzard Impacts Everyone
A massive snowstorm dumped 14-17 inches in the Norfolk area, causing St.
Johns offices to be closed all of February 2, and finally opened at 1:30 PM on February
3, primarily to help families finalize funeral details. The scheduled February 3, 2016 St.
Johns Get Together Valentine Bingo event was canceled due to poor driving conditions
in the city of Norfolk.
St. Johns Brunch On The Hill: Valentines Day Edition
!
On Valentines Day, St. Johns Brunch on the Hill was held from 9:30 AM to 1 PM
to try a catered fellowship event for members & the community, with around 100 people
attending.
NeLCM-Norfolk attends Pillar of Fire
On February 5-6, four Norfolk students and I attended NeLCMs 5th Annual Pillar
of Fire at Carol Joy Holling Camp by Ashland. Cassi Lambrecht, Timmy Corrado, Justin
Murphy, Kady Tronvold, & I had a great time. The Stewards of the Flame winners this
year were Jacob Kruger from UN-Lincoln and Jordan Kliest from the University of
Minnesota.
NeLCM-Norfolk students win $1,000 Prize for Helpful Hygiene Hut
!
In 2016, NeLCM-Norfolk submitted its first idea for the Youth Philanthropy
Contest. NeLCM-Norfolk was awarded an At Large Winner trophy along with a $1,000
grant for the Helpful Hygiene Hut (HHH). HHH is a hygiene pantry coordinated by
NeLCM-Norfolk, and housed at St. Johns in the closet at the top of the stairs by the
West Entrance.
This project was proposed after discovering a specific hygiene need in Norfolk,
and seeks to follow similar NeLCM models at UN-Lincoln, Midland University, and Peru
State College.
The difficulty for many college students to afford basic hygiene necessities is
increasing. Attending college can be expensive. While college loans and grants may
help students cover housing expenses and meal plans, personal funds for other
expenses such as hygiene products can be limited. Federal nutrition programs such as
SNAP and WIC focus solely on food; participants in those programs cannot use those
benefits for personal hygiene items.
In our research, Northeast Community College (NECC) & UNMC student
services staff have noted that a need for a hygiene pantry such as this has grown in
recent years. A section specific to hygiene had to be added to the NECC student
handbook a couple of years ago, due to roommate complaints. A wide range of hygiene
items are stocked at HHH, including shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes,
body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet bowl cleaner, clorox wipes,
laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, floss, razors, mouth wash, and dish soap.
The off-campus location provides anonymity for students, and allows for NeLCMNorfolk to have anytime access to the hygiene items it organizes. Arrangements have
been made with NECC & UNMC staff to bring hygiene products to campus, including a
container filled with items in the Student Health Office.
Hygiene drives to receive donations will help keep HHH stocked throughout the
year. NeLCM college students will help staff HHH, assess inventory needs, acquire
items, & promote HHH among their peers.
Upon winning the award and grant money, things moved very quickly to get the
space ready for HHH. Jolene Ziebell & Jim Carter removed all of the items that were

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

located in the closet and have taken them to the lower level of St. Johns to the Sunday
School closet. Bernita Ebel gave the walls and shelves a fresh coat of paint, using left
over paint from previous painting projects at St. Johns.

St. Johns 2016 Midweek Lenten Series

Date

Meal Time/Food

Worship Time/Theme

Wed., Feb.10

5:45 PM: Walking Tacos

6:30 PM: How do we live marked with ashes?

Wed., Feb. 17

5:45 PM: Sub Sandwiches

6:30 PM: Why Christian?

Wed, Feb. 24

5:45 PM: Culvers Chicken

6:30 PM: What matters most in the Great Commandment?

Wed, Mar. 2

5:30 PM: Passover Seder Meal

7 PM: When does Suffering mean something greater?

Wed, Mar. 9

5:45 PM: Hot Dogs & Mac & Cheese

6:30 PM: How do we sense purpose and fulfillment as Christians?

Wed, Mar. 16

5:45 PM: Little Caesars Pizza

6:30 PM: Where do we see God today?

March 2016

St. Johns 101 New Member Classes were held in February & March 2016. This three
week class focused on St. Johns Congregational Basics, basics of the Nebraska Synod
& ELCA Churchwide ministries, and a tour of St. Johns building. Families included in
these classes were Andersen, Braun, Brower-Smith, Schavee, Kopke, Brunssen, &
Stachura-Kelley.
New Sound System Installed March 7-9, 2016
The good work of Matt Davis & crew from Midwest Sound & Lighting installed the new
sound system on March 7-9, 2016. Assisting in the project were St. Johns Sound Board
Operator Justin Murphy (who gave up a chunk of his spring break to be here) and John
Skogstoe. They worked many-an hour while they were here, and the results currently
seem very good.
St. Johns Parish Fellowship Team began a Walk N Talk Saturday morning fellowship
time in March where folks from St. Johns were invited to go for a walk around Skyview
Lake, encouraging fitness & fellowship. On March 29, a Movie Outing to see Miracles
from Heaven was enjoyed by nearly 40 folks from St. Johns.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

Holy Week didnt go quite a planned, as a major snow storm kept Wednesday night and
Thursday noons worship services from happening.
April 2016

St. Johns Majesty Choir performed their Easter Cantata the weekend of April 2-3,
2016. The following Wednesday, St. Johns Get Together team held a spring bingo
party, which had been snowed out in February.

St. Johns Sunday School performed the Easter Program Because He Lives on
Saturday, April 9, at the 5 PM worship service.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

The St. Johns Prayer list grew to a larger size in April, with a variety of folks facing
challenges, including Pr. David, who had hip surgery after Easter.
May 2016

NeLCM-Norfolk students labeling

Helpful Hygiene Hut shelves.

NeLCM-Norfolk students handing

out free finals breakfast to go.

NeLCM-Norfolk students handing

out free finals week pizza.

In addition to the end of semester activities pictured above, I also was asked to share
the invocation & benediction at UNMCs graduation on May 5, 2016, at 2 p.m.
Confirmation Sunday was celebrated May 1, 2016. Please see the annual confirmation
summary at the end of this report for all the details.
June 2016
Along with Pastor David Cox and Ron & Lauran Lofgren, I attended the 2016 Nebraska
Synod Assembly Called in Hope, Diverse in Mission, United in Christ on June
2-4, 2016, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE. I attended pre-assembly
workshops on stewardship and transitional ministry. During the assembly, Rev. Peter
Marty, Rachel Kurtz, Mikka McCracken, and Bishop Brian Maas spoke on a variety of
topics. The Saturday Ministry Fair experience was new and seemed to be
well received. A 2016 Assembly Summary is also available at
nebraskasynod.org.
The first full week of June usually is New Student Registration at
Northeast Community College. During this time, I sit at a table all day,
connecting with students who will be attending NECC in the fall. This time
spent is essential for recruiting new students, and for connecting with
NECC staff.
Also in June, UNMC Administration approached NeLCM
& St. Johns about partnering for a new UNMC initiative this fall.
Named LINKED, this program links UNMC nursing students with
Norfolk individuals/families, so that nursing students have a connection to members in
the Norfolk community. Similar to adopting-a-student, St. Johns families linked up with
these students, checking in with them about once a month to see how they are doing,
offering a home-cooked meal, go out to the movies, etc. UNMC Administrations grant
research shows students would benefit from this community support. A Quick Connect
Event was held in St. Johns Fellowship Hall on Sunday, August 21, 2016, from
4:30-6:45 PM to launch this program.
Confirmation Camp was June 26-July 1, 2016. See confirmation report for details.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

July 2016
Fun with the Float!
Norfolk Celebrates 150 Years
on July 4, 2016

!
Northeast Nebraska ELCA Congregations in Transition
As noted in my July 2016 report to St. Johns Church Council, NeLCM Executive
Director Jon Fredricks asked me to send him a list of all of the congregations in
northeast Nebraska that currently are or will soon be going through transition in pastoral
leadership. After referring to the Nebraska Synod list on their website and adding to it
with area ones that I know are coming up, as of July 18, 2016, there were 27 ELCA
congregations that have transition going on in pastoral leadership roles. The area
ELCA clergy shortage causes other congregations to call us with requests such as
weddings, funerals, etc. The shortage of pastors is real, and it takes time from my
regular schedule to respond to this system-wide problem.
Fundraising & Time Away
!
Once again, my routine in July involved a lot of inquiries for support for Folks &
Forks, the annual fundraiser for NeLCM-Norfolk, and taking some vacation time with my
family in the later half of July.
August 2016

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

August Events & Ministries
!
August was filled with activity at St. Johns. St. Johns 2016 Vacation Bible
School followed Groups Egypt: Josephs Journey from Prison to Palace, as we learned
about the story of Joseph. The Parish Fellowship Team hosted an Oldies & Goodies Car
Show & Potluck on August 14, as the Norfolk Antique Auto Club worshipped with us at
10:15 AM. Thirteen cars were on display, and a potluck was enjoyed by around 50
people. On August 21, St. Johns Rally Sunday once again gathered under the theme
Get Fired Up! As Sunday School started, we gathered for a BBQ & Pie Contest at Noon,
and played some games in the courtyard. St. Johns hosted an Open House on August
28, as various ministry teams & groups shared what they do during the coffee hour.
Sunday School & Confirmation began in August. NeLCM-Norfolks ministries swung into
action August 22, as NECC & UNMCs 2016 Fall Semesters began. Big Green Bags
were given away at the Student Activities Root Beer Kegger on August 25. Weekly
events in the fall semester included StoryTime Monday nights 8-9 PM in Burkhardt
Conference Room & Rant About Religion Thursdays 11:30 AM-1:30 PM. The UNMC/
NeLCM LINKED Quick Connect event was held August 21 in the St. Johns Fellowship
Hall. A great mix of students continued throughout the semester.
Season of Love: Weddings APlenty for St. Johns Folks
!
On the following dates, I presided at the weddings of these St. Johns couples:
July 31, 2016: Deborah Cliffe & Nathan Frauendorfer (at St. Johns/Randolph); August
6, 2016: Mia Schaaf & Patrick Kopke; August 13, 2016: Sydney Lowe & Lucas
Brunssen; August 20, 2016: Katie Maier & Corey Kracl. Pastor David also presided at
the renewal of vows of Ken & Susan Hansen on August 27, 2016.
September 2016
The Helpful Hygiene Hut continued
its roll out throughout the fall 2016
semester. NECC student Justin
Murphy serves as the Inventory
Manager, and receives a small semester stipend
from NeLCM-Norfolk to manage the shelves.

Gods Work
Our Hands
Day of Service
September 11, 2016

Gods Work, Our Hands: Day of Service was held

by the ELCA on Sunday, September 11, 2016,
which also marked the 15th anniversary since the
events of September 11, 2001. A variety of
community service projects were done in our
community, including distributing thank you packets to first responders in our
community.
Folks & Forks was held Sunday, September 18,
2016, at 3 P.M. This annual fundraiser once again
raised around $13,000 for the ministries of
NeLCM-Norfolk. The Northeast Jazz Machine &
Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble provided great music, First Choice Catering Pies &
Brownies along with Culvers Frozen Custard, & a silent auction featuring 203 items
made the afternoon a successful event.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

October 2016
St. Johns Get Together Team hosted the 2nd Annual Fall
Pumpking Party in the fellowship hall & on the courtyard with
great food, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, and other
activities on a beautiful fall evening.
The 2016 Nebraska Synod Theological Conference was
held October 17-19, 2016, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. I attended
October 17 & 18, along with Pastor David & Jacquie. Activities I participated included
opening worship, a Bible study led by Nebraska Synod Bishop Rev. Brian Maas, visiting
with Pastor Rachel Ziese-Hacker about campus ministry fundraising during a 30 minute
break, a keynote by Tanzanian Presiding Bishop Rev. Frederick Shoo, a We are Church
Work Group Presentation, a Dinner Worship experience that congregations are
encouraged to try on Ash Wednesday, morning devotions, a Keynote by Rev. Josh
Graber, workshops on Tanzania & preaching, and another keynote by Rev. Shoo.
NeLCM-Norfolk participated in NECCs Annual
Spooktacular Event by bring Martinflatable Luther to
town, and running a booth with a hi-striker carnival game,
giving away inflatable hammers to remind children &
parents about Martin Luthers hammering of the 95
theses to the chapel doors in Wittenburg.
St. Johns Parish Fellowship Team hosted a Husker
Football Watch Party on Saturday, October 29, at 6 PM, as
the Huskers took on Wisconsin. The Huskers lost in
overtime, but the fellowship & food was great!
November 2016
Bishop Brian Maas attended a meeting November 15 at Our Saviors Lutheran
Church in Wayne to discuss the ELCA clergy shortage being experienced in the
Northeast, Lewis & Clark, and Elkhorn Valley Mission Clusters in northeast Nebraska,
where over half of the congregations are on a transition list.
St. Johns Fall Stewardship Luncheon &
Hanging of the Greens were held on Christ the
King Sunday, November 20, concluding a fourweek temple talk series on stewardship, and
thanking the congregation for its support of all
the ministries we do together.
December 2016
St. Johns Sunday School Christmas Program as held
Saturday, December 3, during 5 PM Worship, as they performed
the ambitious A Tree Lot Christmas. Great singing, acting, and
choreography shared the story of joining Jesus family tree.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

St. Johns celebrated 50 years on the hill exactly 50 years
to the date from the first worship service being held in our
current building. On December 11, 2016, only one worship
service was held the entire weekend. A special breakfast at
8:30 AM of Caseys breakfast pizzas, Delight Donuts, & fruit
cups was enjoyed while St. Johns musicians shared their
musical talents. At 10 AM, a worship service featuring a
rededication of the worship space and first communions was held. During the season of
Advent & Christmas, a Celebration of Wreaths filled the back of the sanctuary & west
hallway, as nearly 50 wreaths were hung by families of St. Johns. Commemorative blue
& gold ornaments were ordered and sold at $5/ornaments to mark the special occasion.
NeLCM-Norfolk offered Finals Week Free Food Events, including Milk & Cookies in
the new Path Hall Kitchen on Monday night, December 12, and Breakfast-To-Go in
Hawks Landing on Tuesday morning, December 13.
On December 17/8, on a very cold weekend (-21F Sunday morning), St. Johns
Majesty Choir performed the Christmas Cantata Jesus! The Advent of the Messiah.

Christmas Eve Worship Services were held at 5, 7, & 9 PM. The Essence of Christmas at
5 PM featured the story of the perfect Christmas tree, and gave each person in attendance
a peat pod & seed so that they could try & grow their own tree. A Christmas Night featured a
sermon about all the people in the Christmas story who show up to experience Gods Word
made flesh in Jesus. A Festival of Lessons & Carols featured Scriptures & Hymns.
Candlelight & Communion were held at all three services. On Christmas Day, only one 10
AM worship service was held, celebrating the Festival of the Nativity.
Confirmation Classes in 2016
January 2016: 5th & 6th Graders looked at Spiritual Practices, particularly different
kinds of prayer
February 2016: 7th & 8th Graders looked at Luthers Small Catechism, Ash
Wednesday, & Tough Questions from re:form curriculum
March 2016: 5th & 6th Graders looked at Tough Topics from re:form curriculum
April 2016: 7th & 8th Graders looked at topics from re:form curriculum, and 8th graders
completed their final projects, took pictures, and walked through rehearsal for
Confirmation Sunday on May 1. The St. Lukes/Stanton students affirmed their
baptisms and I presided over their confirmation at St. Lukes/Stanton on April 24,
2016.
May 2016: 8th Graders were confirmed on May 1
as they affirmed their baptisms. These
students were Emily Ames, Ellie Boyer,
Berkly Brummond, Rachel Carhart, Aaron
Dittmer, Abigail Dittmer, Rylie Krueger,
Kealan Kucera, Josie Miller, Morgan
Murren, Seth Sanders, Cameron Sothan
and Claire Thompson.

Assistant Pastors Report for 2017 Annual Meeting: 2016 In Review

June 2016: Some St. Johns Confirmation Students & I attended Confirmation Ranch
Camp at Carol Joy Holling/Ashland on June 26-July 1, 2016. These students were:
Erin, Amber, & Jackson Schwanebeck; Amanda Brasch; Haley Sterud; Grace
Schavee; Gabe Dahlkoetter; & friend Pacey Koss. Together with Christ Lutheran in
Pierce, we studied a curriculum based on Disney-Pixars Cars, as well as enjoyed
a week of all that NLOM has to offer.
July 2016: No Confirmation Activities
August 2016: Parent & Student
Orientation was held Wed., August
24
September 2016: 7th & 8th Graders
read/discussed from Luthers Small
Catechism
October 2016: 3rd & 4th Graders
learned Bible Basics
November 2016: 7th & 8th Graders
read/discussed from Luthers Small Catechism
December 2016: Families came to discuss First Communion at St. Johns
All St. Johns Weddings in 2016
Date of Wedding
6/11/16
8/6/16
8/13/16
8/20/16

Names of Newlyweds
Jordan Steckelberg & Andrew Benesch
Mia Schaaf & Patrick Kopke
Sydney Lowe & Lucas Brunssen
Katie Maier & Corey Kracle

All St. Johns Baptisms in 2016

Date of Baptism
1/30/16
3/26/16
3/26/16
3/26/16
3/26/16
4/17/16
5/29/16
6/19/16
7/2/16
8/27/16
9/3/16
11/18/16
11/19/16
11/19/16
11/23/16
11/26/16
11/26/16

First Name
Greyson
Taylor
Brock
Quinlan
Emry
Aiden
Ariana
Benton
Dylan
Ella
Ryker
Hunter
Kasen
Atley
Tyleigh
Olivia
Mia

Last Name
Fritz
Brower
Brower
Braun
Braun
Avery
Miller
Wietfeld
Norgelas
Bloomquist
Plumbtree
Lowry
Kratochvil
Kratochvil
Doescher
Siemsglusz
Hedrick

All St. Johns Funerals in 2016

See Statistical Report in Annual Report