St. John Lutheran Church eNews: July 2022

Friday, July 29, 2022

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Anna Biedenbender, local artist and SCLA's domestic admissions counselor and middle school art instructor, was involved in a serious auto accident on July 16 and has significant injuries. We praise God for the healing she has already received, being discharged from the hospital a week after the accident. We know that Anna is in the loving, almighty care of her Savior, Jesus. Please join us in praying for her comfort and full recovery.

Updates and GoFundMe

Join Us for Worship-July 31, 2022

Please join us for Worship this Sunday, July 31st, at 9:30 am.

Pastor Otto's message will be from Luke 12,

The Parable of the Rich Fool.

Stay for a short Bible study and refreshments.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Luncheon for Tony Update

The luncheon for Tony will follow his service and internment at Elmhurst Cemetery. If you are able to provide a salad and/or dessert please call Rhonda Evgen at 651-208-4642. Thank you.

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Luncheon for Tony Wimmer

Tony's luncheon will follow his internment at Elmhurst Cemetery, after his service on July 29th.

If you are able to provide a dessert and/or a salad for the meal, please speak with Rhonda Evgen.

Obituary for Tony Wimmer

Tony was joyfully ushered to Heaven on July 14, 2022,

at the age of 69.

He is peacefully at home with the love of his life and beautiful bride Sandy, his brother Dan, and his Lord, Jesus.

Tony is dearly missed by his father Raymond Wimmer and his mother Ilene, his brother Greg Wimmer and wife Sharon, his sister Sharon Langstrom and her husband Steve. He is also missed by his son Dan Wimmer and his wife Sandy, his daughter Erin Foley and her husband Mike. Tony has five beautiful grandchildren. Kirsten (Brandon), Emily (Brett), Jenni (AJ), Jacob and Nicklaus, and many other relatives and friends.

Tony, like his wife Sandy, touched the lives of so many people at St John Lutheran Church in St Paul. His dedication to our Lord showed in the many ways he contributed his time and abilities and effort to the church and to all his family and friends who worshipped together.

Tony worked for the FAA for 41 years as a Systems Specialist and Supervisor. Tony also had a love for the outdoors and fishing and gardening, for the Vikings football team, and playing fantasy football. He was very kind-hearted and always wore a smile.

Although Tony is missed by all who knew him, he would want us to have confidence and to be strengthened by the words of our Lord in his favorite verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

We invite you to join us in remembrance of Tony on Friday, July 29 at St John Lutheran Church, 765 Margaret Street in St Paul at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with a luncheon following the interment at Elmhurst Cemetery.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Join Us for Worship - July 24, 2020

Please join us in worship this Sunday, July 24th, at 9:30 am.

Pastor Otto will lead us in worship,

Pastor Emile Burgess will share his sermon message from Matthew 6

Find the Narrow Middle between "Take it to the Lord in Prayer" and

"I Leave All Things to God's Direction"

Stay for a short Bible Study and refreshments that follow.

Sunday, July 17, 2022

SCLA Anna Biedenbender

As you may have seen or heard, Ms. Anna Biedenbender, our domestic admissions counselor and middle school art teacher, was involved in a multi-vehicle crash yesterday and is hospitalized with serious injuries. She is expected to survive, but her recovery will take a great deal of time and God's hand of healing.

Thank you to those who have joined us in prayer already through social media and in your worship services. When she realizes how many are lifting her up, we hope it will bring her joy and comfort.

We are collecting cards and letters for her while she remains in the ICU for an unknown amount of time. When we are able to visit, we'd like to provide her with these notes of love and encouragement.

If you would like to send a card or letter, please drop it off in the front office weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or mail it to the school to the attention of Anna Biedenbender.

Thank you to those who have joined us in prayer already through social media and in your worship services. When she realizes how many are lifting her up, we hope it will bring her joy and comfort.

We are collecting cards and letters for her while she remains in the ICU for an unknown amount of time. When we are able to visit, we'd like to provide her with these notes of love and encouragement.

If you would like to send a card or letter, please drop it off in the front office weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or mail it to the school to the attention of Anna Biedenbender.

Thank you for holding up our beloved teacher, coworker, and friend in prayer. We know that she is safe in the care of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Faculty and Staff of SCLA

SCLA Urgent Prayer Request

If you are so moved, will you please include a prayer in your services this morning for Anna Biedenbender, SCLA domestic admissions counselor and middle school art teacher. She was involved in a horrific auto accident yesterday in Jordan on 169. A semi truck rear-ended a line of cars that were waiting at the stoplight, and Anna was the first to be struck. She was taken with life-threatening injuries to HCMC. She is expected to live, but many prayers are needed for her and her family's comfort and recovery.

God bless your worship today and always.

Friday, July 15, 2022

Special Announcement on Tony Wimmer

Dear members of St. John for who Jesus lived, died, and rose again that we might live,

The following email was sent to the church council this morning by Pastor Otto:

"Good morning to all and greetings in the name of our Savior,

It is with a heavy and yet joyful heart that I write this letter. Late last night I received a phone call from Mike Tholl who gave me the shocking news that the Lord called our dear brother in Christ, Tony Wimmer to his side in heaven. Tony was working on his pool in the afternoon and then went down for his usual late afternoon nap in the afternoon in his recliner. His cousin saw him "sleeping" and thought nothing of it. When Tony's cousin came back from running an errand, he realized that Tony was gone. Tony fell asleep and woke up in paradise! Sad news for us who loved him, but no sad for Tony as he sees and hugs Jesus (and Sandy too) forever and ever!

We receive comfort from Bible verses like these: "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will NEVER DIE." (John 11:25-26) Tony's body died, but his soul lives in heaven. What comfort we have. And so, at times like this, we go to Jesus in our sorrow as he invites us: "Come to me you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest/" (Matthew 11:28) I really like this hymn verse:

Raised from the dead we live anew; (Tony was raised to life in baptism)

And, justified by grace, (Tony was justified by faith in Jesus)

We shall appear in glory, too,

And see the Father's face. (And there our brother is in glory)

I will have a special prayer in church. Feel free to call me anytime. "Let us encourage one another, even more as we see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Grace and peace be to all of you,

Pastor Otto"

The Lord gave us so much through Tony. He was a friend to all and a tireless and humble servant of Jesus.

Now he is with Jesus. The Lord gave us so much through Tony. The Lord has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Coming to you in Jesus' name,

Thomas G. Koepsell, Elder

Thursday, July 14, 2022

SCLA Alumni Meet Up

Meet up with SCLA alumni from 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28 at Panera Bread located at 1740 Robert Street, West St. Paul for a simple, fun, coffee hour. Alumni are welcome to network, catch up on life or St. Croix happenings, or chat about whatever matters to you!

Please register here for planning purposes.

This event is limited to the first 25 people to register. Enjoy a free cup of coffee on us!