diakonia® It’s a journey. It’s growth. It’s enlightenment. It’s challenge. It’s discovery. It’s service. It’s renewal. It’s awaken-ing. It’s relationship. And, it has piqued your curiosity if you have read this far. diakonia is a venture to a deeper level of understanding God and how we might better serve Him. diakonia is a two year process of spiritual formation and theological education for ELCA members. It consists of 12 courses, six per academic year. Each course is 5 sessions in length, meeting weekly for 3 hours. All of the courses are introductory in nature. Weekly readings and class presentations with discussion will give participants a solid background in a broad spectrum of disciplines e.g., Old and New Testament; Church History; Creeds and Confes-sions; Christian Living; Doctrine; Ethics; Worship; Practical Applications of our Faith in Daily Living and in the Church, etc. diakonia might be for you, if:

- you are at a place where you would like to go deeper in your faith; or

- you would like to develop understanding and skills that will enable you to better serve God through your church; or

- you find satisfaction in grappling with new insights and tough issues among a fellowship of faithful believers. or

- you have ever wondered if God might be calling you to serve in ordained or rostered ministry.

Classes begin September 9th with our initial class beginning at 5:30 p.m. to handle the administrative requirements of the course.

For more detailed information please contact Shawn Wolfe before or after services, at home at 815-625-5393 or via email at sewolfeidc@yahoo.com

You should take extra care when exercising in warm weather.

The following tips will keep you safe in the heat:

1. Exercise in the early morning or after the sun sets. Avoid mid-day.

2. Take frequent rest and water breaks

3. Drink water before you fell thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty you are already

dehydrated. This is especially true as you get older.

4. Avoid beverages with alcohol and caffeine because these can cause dehydration.

5. Drink fluids, before, during and after exercise.

6. Choose water or a low calorie sports drink.

7. Wear light loose fitting clothing, made of breathable fabric in light colors.

8. Reduce your speed or distance as needed.

9. Exercise indoors during ozone alerts, extreme heat and very high humidity.

10. Listen to your body, stop if you feel chest pain, short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded,

weak, very fatigued, nauseated or that your heart is pounding.

11. Use sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

Have a comfortable summer.

Vera McCormick RN

A Parish Nurse

Grace & Peace to all of you.

“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” Anne Lamott

My family and I are here, settled in, and daily enjoying the myriad of stories coming our way as we walk with you on this next leg of our journey toward the Office of Pastor in the ELCA.

We thank you for offering us this opportunity to learn with you and to grow with you. What we give to and receive from each other will have ripple effects wherever we go.

Holding us all in prayer as we follow the track Jesus left for us in his Life, Death and Res-urrection. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us in this “mystery of grace”. Thanks be to God!

Intern Rita Augsburger

Sunday September 12th

10:30 – 12:00 (or „til the fun runs out)

There will be Games for kids of all ages

A jumping castle for the younger kids

Norm Eakle will once again be at the wheel of the “Big

Red” tractor and hay rack

Refreshment and fellowship will be available for all!

By popular demand, here is video of St. John’s Adult Choir & Adult Bell Choir performing Hymn Of Promise by Natalie Sleeth for Intern Ted’s last Sunday with our congregation.

Julie McCord - Choir Director
Janel Stahr – Bell Choir Director
Eric Boehmke – Accompianist

Nine volunteers are needed for flood relief efforts the week of August 23rd – 27th, near Munster, Indiana.  This effort is supported by Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana (LARRI), a committee of nonprofit, faith-based, business, public and other community partners, known as a long-term recovery committee formed to assist the survivors of the floods by restoring homes to a safe, sanitary and secure standard. Please visit the website at www.larri.info for more information.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Druann Bushman @ 815-626-8956 by July 30th.

If your goal is to eat healthy and your thinking of having the salad bar rather than ordering from the menu, first think about what’s offered at the salad bar. Unless you make careful choices, you could end up with a plateful of calories. For tasty, yet healthy salad options, look for the following:

1) Plentiful fresh greens. Lettuce or fresh spinach is generally the foundation of a healthy salad.

2) Fresh fruit and vegetables. Pile on a colorful array, such as tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, beets, radish, bell peppers, pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, and strawberries.

3) Healthy dressings: Look for fat free or low-fat, low calorie dressings. Flavored vinegar—try red wine and others mixed with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil is another option, as well as herb, and pepper or other available seasonings. Take your dressing on the side, dipping your fork into the salad, to limit how much dressing you use. A squeeze of lemon can add fat free flavor.

4) Lean protein and fiber—Chickpeas, red beans and peas help you to feel full. When it comes to the high-fat ingredients such as cheese, chopped eggs, bacon bits, sun flower seeds, buttery croutons, pasta and potato salads, take a very small amount.

Taken from Mayo Clinic Health Letter May 2010

Vera McCormick R.N.
A Parish Nurse

We will again be collecting supplies for School Kits, Health Kits and Layettes. We will begin collecting JULY 1st and conclude on September 12, 2010. We will also be collecting bars of soap. Clothing will NOT be collected this year. The items for the kits and layettes can be placed in the East Room. We need people to make school bags as well. School bags should be made of sturdy cloth (finished measurements of 12” X 14”), with cloth handles or draw string closure. Patters for sewing the school bags are available upon request. If you are interested, please call Barb Otten for details at 732-4156 or Joyce Preston at 625-5210.

Please include the following items with each School Kit.
-Padded or spiral notebooks of ruled paper approximately 8.5” x 11” totaling 150-200 sheets; do not include loose leaf paper.
-One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
-One 30 centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
-One pencil sharpener
-Six new, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band
-One eraser approximately 2.5” long
-12 sheets of construction paper in assorted colors
-One box of 16 or 24 crayons

Please include the following items with each Health Kit.
-One hand towel, dark color recommended
-One washcloth, dark color recommended
-One bath-size bar (4-5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in its original wrapping
-One metal nail file or nail clippers with file attached, remove packaging
-One adult size toothbrush in its original packaging (do not include toothpaste)
-One sturdy comb, remove packaging
-Six Band-Aids (or similar brand), preferably 1/2” to 3/4”; secure together with a rubber band.
ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE NEW AND IN GOOD CONDITION. WRAP SMALLER ITEMS IN THE WASHCLOTH; WRAP WASHCLOTH AND REMAINING ITEMS IN THE TOWEL AND TIE SECURELY WITH RIBBONS OR YARN. DO NOT ENCLOSE THE KIT OR ANY OF ITS CONTENTS IN PLASTIC BAG.

Please include the following items with each layette.
- Two lightweight cotton shirts or Onesies™ (or similar item)
-Two gowns or sleepers (with or without feet)
-Two receiving blankets, medium weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted or knitted with lightweight yarn
-Four cloth diapers, flat fold preferred
-One sweater or sweatshirt
-Two washcloths (full size preferred)
-One bath size bar (4-5 oz.) of gentle soap, in its original packaging
-Two diaper pins
-Clothing items may be in gently used and in good condition

General Assembly Instructions
Sending top quality items makes a caring statement to the recipient about the giver. Please give new items only, except where noted otherwise.
Please do not include items with any religious symbols, messages or with your parish’s name. LWR provides material resources based on need, regardless of religious creed. Religious references could be misinterpreted by the governments of the receiving countries, jeopardizing the delivery to the people who need the items the most.

Please do not include any items decorated with a U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, or references to the armed forces, including camouflage. LWR and overseas partners have access to areas of the world others do not because we are impartial humanitarian organizations. If our intentions are misinterpreted as being politically motivated, our work, our partners and the people we assist could be endangered.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PURCHASE THESE ITEMS AND WOULD RATHER CONTRIBUTE A MONETARY DONATION THERE ARE ANGEL ENVELOPES AVAILABLE IN THE EAST ROOM.

Susan Duhn from the Blue Feather Alliance will be coming to St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 11th. The Blue Feather Alliance in the past has taken school supplies, quilts, and other things that were donated by St. John’s to the Pine Ridge Reservation.  Below is a current list of needed items. A box in the east room is available for drop-off.

Diapers         Blankets       Toilet        Paper
Dish Soap     Baby Lotion          Heaters        Toys
Shampoo      Baby Powder       Clothing
Laundry Detergent       Coats         Baby Shampoo       Pet Food
Dishes       Silverware     Baby Wipes       Pots & Pans
Playpens          Gloves       Bibs/Pacifiers       Formula
Diaper Rash Cream        School Supplies

It is asked that all items be new or in like-new condition. Please note they do not take used shoes, socks or underwear.