PICTURES FROM 2013 YOUTH GATHERING IN
SAN ANTONIO JUNE 30 - JULY 5
Below are pictures from the pre-gathering Bible Studies and a group picture after the commissioning this past Sunday of the youth that are attending the 2013 LCMS National Youth Gathering
Youth Night Bon Fire
Senior Youth Night
Wednesday Nights 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Senior Youth Valentine Dinner
Senior Youth Ski Trip
Decorating the Church for Christmas
Senior Youth Retreat
Confirmation Retreat
Senior Youth Youth Night
Youth Night is every Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. All youth 9th through 12th grade are welcome.
Senior Youth Campout
August 4-5
Bible Endurance 4: Fruits of the Spirit
Kids of the Kingdom and Junior Youth Groups Go Mini-Golfing and Go-Karting
Ask St. John’s
Senior Youth
The next ask
St. John’s Senior Youth question is, “What is your favorite thing to do at
Youth Night?”
Jordan Swaney
replied that he really likes the Bible lessons that coincide with real world
experiences.
Bailey Moss
says her favorite part is the games we play and the prayer circle at the end of
the night.
Carmen Schaefer agreed with Bailey on
really enjoying the prayer circle at youth night too.
Nathan Platte
said that his favorite part was just the social time that he gets to have with
the youth while Brianna Schaefer said she likes having the time to just relax
with the youth.
Micah Versemann
replied his favorite part was playing the variety of different games at youth
night especially Jenga, and eating supper with the youth each week.
Finally April
Sherburne said her favorite part was just being with the youth.
Check back
later this month for more Ask St. John’s Senior Youth answers.
Ask St. John’s
Senior Youth
“What is your
favorite youth group memory besides the National Youth Gathering?”
Jordan Swaney
said his favorite memory has been the lock-in this past December.
Brianna
Schaefer said her favorite memory was when the senior youth went skiing in
Minnesota.
Carmen
Schaefer replied, The campout this past August and the Wildman crackers.
Micah
Versemann and Nathan Platte agreed their favorite memory was going to the Camp
Io-Dis-E-Ca retreats every fall.
Finally Kim
Sherburne said her favorite memory is Every Sunday and Wednesday. Just seeing
the youth interact, discuss and deepen their faith is so much fun. I am so
proud of our youth and their strong faith.
Junior Youth Rollar-Skating Trip
Get to Know the
Senior Youth Group at St. John
Name: Krista Platte: Senior Youth Counselor
School: Teaches at East
Activities: Youth Group! Reading, Gardening
and Music.
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
group energizes my faith. It is such a joy to see the young people of our
church interact with each other. I love to hear their thoughts and concerns. I
definitely want it to be a safe place for our kids. I want to create an
environment where all youth want to come. When I am having a tough week – I
know that both kids and counselors are here for me. We are all here for each
other – even when we need to say tough things.
Senior Youth Bowling
Get to Know the
Senior Youth Group at St. John
Name: Jordan Swaney
Grade: 10th Grade
School: Nashua-Plainfield
Activities: FFA, Band, Jazz Band, National
History Day, Future Problem Solvers, Talented and Gifted, Spanish Club, Drama,
Student Council, Teens Against Tobacco Use and National Honor Society.
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
Group is a place where the crazy world around me disappears. It has a family
environment. Everyone is welcome. There is no judging. We learn about Christ in
a way that we understand. Ways that help us keep our feet in faith in a world
full of sin. That’s what youth group is to me.
Junior Youth Planet X Trip
Kids of the Kingdom
Get to Know the Senior Youth Group at St. John
Name: Bailey Moss
Age/Grade: 16, 11th Grade
School: Waverly-Shell Rock High School
Activities: Band(Tuba), Track, Cross Country,
Speech Contest, Volunteering at the hospital, Spend time with friends and
family and Babysitting.
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
Group means a lot to me. It means that I can come to a group where we have lots
of fun and know that no one will judge one another. It’s always cool to know
that the other people in youth group believe the same thing as you. We have
supper together every Wednesday and play games! Then we have a nice Bible Study
and discussion. We close with prayer circle, where we tell God and the other
members of youth group our concerns that we have and it is so meaningful! Youth Groups is so much fun and a very important part
of my life! A lot of families are out-of-towners so that is another wonderful
plus, knowing that you can count on seeing them at least once a week!
Senior Youth Lock-In
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| Let's Dance |
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| SPOONS! |
 |
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| Cotten Ball Move! |
 |
| Missed a Cotten Ball There |
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| Cookie Challenge |
Senior Youth - Youth Nite
Wednesdays 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Get to Know the Senior Youth Group at St. John
Name: Carmen Schaefer: Senior Youth Counselor
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
Group means a lot to me. These kids are like my second family. It is a family
reunion every week. I love the open discussions and the fact that everyone is
accepted as a part of the group. WE are there for each other in every part of
our lives. We guide each other through tough times and celebrate in happy
times. I love being a part of the youth praising the Lord and turning to him in
prayer. There are not enough words to describe what a wonderful youth program
we have at St. John’s. Praise the Lord! My favorite part of youth group is, of
course, Prayer Circle. AMEN!
Get to Know the
Youth Group at St. John
Name: Brianna Schaefer
Age/Grade: 15, 10th Grade
School: Denver High School
Activities: Volleyball, Softball, Band, Chorus,
Show Choir, Pep Band, Volunteer at Human Society and Babysitter
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
Group means a lot to me. It means that every week I can come and see my second
family. Everyone in youth group to me is a sister, brother and parents! Every
Monday I look forward to Wednesdays not only for seeing friends but refreshing
my mind with God’s Word!
Get to Know the Youth Group at St. John
Name: Nathan Platte
Age/Grade: 15, 9th Grade
School: WSR High School
Activities: Band, Cross Country, Golf, Swim Team
and Karate
What youth Group means
to me: Youth
Group means to me a place where you can strengthen your faith in Jesus. It is
also a place where you can grow closer to the rest of the youth. It to me seems
like a fun, welcoming and friendly environment. In fact some of my best friends
are in youth group.
Get to Know the Senior
Youth Group at St. John
Name: Micah Versemann
Age/Grade: 15, 10th Grade
School: A.A.C.E.(The Academy for Academic and Christian Excellence) Homeschool
Activities: Swim Team, Karate, St. John Youth Gazette, Christian Film Making, Youth Group, St. John Handbell Choir
What youth Group means
to me: To me,
youth group is a place to have fun, hang out with my best friends and learn and
study God’s Word. The youth are amazing and I think of them like my second
family. Youth group is my favorite part of the week and I can’t wait for it to
get here.
Senior Youth Lock-in
On
Friday December 30, ten of St. John’s Senior Youth along with their counselors
meet for a lock-in at church.
The lock-in was jammed pack with
projects and games to do. For servant projects we helped Melissa get craft
supplies and more ready for when preschool began again in January. We also
helped out St. John’s janitor’s by cleaning the downstairs of the church.
Along with doing servant projects
the youth did a gift exchange, played minute to win it competitions which was
about as amusing to watch as it was to do. Some of the minute to win it games
including throwing marshmallows through a Christmas wreath, move cotton balls
from one bowl to another using only your nose with Vaseline on it and a conveyor belt
challenge where you had to move a Christmas ornament from one person to the
other.
The youth also enjoyed playing
boards games like Apples to Apples with each other and doing the Wii and Xbox.
However the youth’s two favorite activities were sardines and murder.
In sardines one youth member would
go hide somewhere in the education area of the church and everyone else would
try and find them. Once they found the person they sit down with them and this
goes until everyone has found them.
Murder is really just a version of
the game Clue where you are the characters. Two people are the murders and they
go around murdering the others. When someone finds a body they call murder and
everyone meets to try and figure out you did. I will
say that we have some very good players and it always took a long time to
figure out who was the murder.
The next morning the youth had
breakfast, cleaned-up, played a few more games and then it was time for our
closing prayer circle and leaving. Everyone had a blast and I know looks
forward to doing another lock-in even though no one but the counselors and one
youth member slept the whole night.
Senior Youth Retreat
The third weekend in November, 8 of St. John’s Senior youth went down to Camp IO-DIS-E-CA near Cedar Rapids for the annual high school retreat.
While there the youth had Bible studies on the sacraments with Pastor Wagner, did a servant event on the camp grounds, played icebreaker games and had an awesome time just being with each other and meeting new people.
However, the highlight of the entire weekend was the SPOONS tournament and our group got wild while playing. We had youth diving onto tables and out of chairs to get spoons and one unfortunate spoon ending up in a wrestling match between Nathan Platte and Celina Young
ending with Nathan getting the spoon but bent it into an L-Shape in the process.
Out of St. John, Celina Young was the only youth member who made it to the final round of SPOONS. She then made it to the final three before finally being knocked out herself. The winner of SPOONS ended up being Pastor Chris Lockie.
One other part of the retreat that the youth enjoyed was the campus ministry. Here Pastor Wagner and four of the UNI students from his church talk about campus ministry and the different events College Hill Lutheran Church does. After they finished talking, the college students stayed around to talk to the youth and answer any questions.
It was an amazing retreat and all the youth loved it and look forward to next year.
It was an amazing retreat and all the youth loved it and look forward to next year.
SENIOR YOUTH NIGHT
Youth meet every Wednesday Evening from 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m.
Christ in the Crises of Our Life
Publisher: Micah Versemann; Volume: 5, Number 21;
Date September 25th, 2011
Date September 25th, 2011
On Sunday, Sept. 18, St. John hosted their second guest speaker event. This time it featured both Kellie Stocker and Aaron Thomas, along with the 211 Band providing awesome music.
The event started off with band opening with three songs which happened to be some of the youth’s favorite songs. After the band finished, the MC for the day, Brent Matthias, explained a little about what was going to happen during the conference. After that, he introduced Pastor Versemann who started the event off with a short talk on crises.
During his talk, Pastor Versemann started listing different crises that could happen to you or had happened in this area like the F5 tornado or the 500-year-flood and then he sent a gigantic beach ball flying into the audience.
Following Pastor Versemann’s talk on crises, Brent Matthias brought Kellie Stocker up on stage to talk about losing her 18-year-old Mackenzie daughter in a car accident.
During her talk Kellie talked about how the instant that Mackenzie was killed she had been already thinking about tomorrow. She hadn’t been worrying about today. She also shared how even up until a few weeks prior to the car accident God had been preparing her for what was to come.
After Kellie finished the 211 Band closed out the first session with a few more songs and then it was time for a short break before Aaron Thomas spoke. During the break, Aaron Thomas, Kellie Stocker and her husband, along with the band were out in the commons area signing their books and CD’s for people and talking to people who attended the conference. While this was happening, the junior and senior youth groups were selling drinks and snacks as a fundraiser.
After the break ended, the 211 Band once again opened the event with a few songs before Mark Hubbard introduced Aaron Thomas.
Aaron Thomas talked about how his father, Ed, was always working with the community and how it was faith, and family, football for Ed. He also spoke on how life is 10 percent about what comes at you and 90 percent on how you act on what comes at you.
Following Aaron’s talk, the band resumed with a few more songs. After that, there was a question and answer panel with Kellie, Aaron and Pastor Versemann and Pastor Brustuen.
Once the question and answer panel was over, Pastor Brustuen led everyone in a closing devotion and prayer before the band closed out the night with a small concert.
During the first song of the short concert, the youth got the giant beach balls back out and began hitting them around for a short time. The biggest surprise came when the band got to their final song.
The band, knowing that the song “I Am Free” was one of the youth’s all time favorite from playing it earlier in the conference, brought all of the junior and senior youth up on stage to sing and do our actions for the song to end the night.
Roger Bauer said, “I thought the entire program went very well. Everything was so well planned out with lots of attention to detail. The 211 Band was very outstanding. Kellie Stocker, what more can be said about her than what an amazing person she is. Her story and presentation were very emotional to say the least. Aaron Thomas did a super job with his presentation. It is hard to watch the video clip and not get tears in your eyes. The people that did not come do not realize what a great afternoon they missed.”
“I thought the speakers were outstanding,” commented Al Janssen. “The atmosphere was everything that our committee had hoped for. Of course we were disappointed with the turnout, but those that were there were truly blessed. I appreciated so much the number of youth that were present and I know they really liked the band. All in all it was a huge success! To God alone the Glory!”
Ellen Bauer said, “I thought everything went very smoothly. It was an awesome conference. One of the best I have ever attended, despite the fact that we didn’t have quite the number for attendance. Those who were there had to be touched. Those who weren’t really missed something special. Kellie Stocker and Aaron Thomas both had very powerful messages that anyone could relate to and the band was awesome, One of the best Christian bands that I have heard.”
“I thought it was inspiring and I like the things that Aaron Thomas spoke on,” Natalie Lohmann commented.
Josh Schaefer said, “The music was a little loud at times but was outstanding and the speakers were also very moving.”
Nathan Platte reported, “The event was very beneficial faith wise and awesome!”
Celina Young said, “The conference was pretty good. I loved the band but we should have talked to the other churches and youth that came.”
Brianna Schaefer said, “All the speakers said something that I could relate to or that I could take into my heart.”
All in all, the conference was amazing. Not only did everyone get a lot out of it but members of the junior youth that can go to the next youth gathering got a small taste of what is awaiting them.
The St. John Youth Gazette
Publisher: Micah Versemann; Volume: 5; Issue: 21; Date: September 18th, 2011
The Last Days Movie Showing
On Aug 27, a two-year movie production ended as 75 members of St. John attended the church premiere of “The Last Days” movie Trilogy.
For those that attended, they got to see the entire trilogy back to back. They were also treated with getting to see never before seen bloopers from the final part of the movie trilogy.
People that attended the movie showing were all very impressed. Ellen Bauer said, “It was a very good movie. The roles were believable and the storyline easy to understand. It dramatized what is happening in our world today.”
Karen Boehme said, “A great job by the BCP!(Brothers in Christ Production) I had tears running down when the final minutes in heaven were playing. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more!”
“I thought the Trilogy was a very creative, innovative depiction of man’s last days on earth and Christ’s return,” Jean Hilbert said. “I thought the storyline was great and the characters very believable - a must see.”
For those who were not able to make it to the movie showing, the first part of the movie is in the church library ready for checkout and we are going to be putting the rest of the movie in the St. John library in October for checkout.
Preschool Ribbon Cutting
Sept 6 was the first day of St. John’s brand new preschool and they ended the first day with the ribbon cutting.
At the ribbon cutting Pastor Brustuen, who had to fill-in for Pastor Versemann, spoke on how education was and still is a major part of St. John and the church.
Pastor Korth, assistant to the Iowa District East president, said a few words about the preschool. He was then followed by Mayor Brunkhorst who said that the kids will be getting a good foundation in both education and their Christian faith.
After that, preschool teacher Melissa Haugo thanked everyone that had helped get the preschool ready and said that they had a fantastic first day.
Following Melissa, it was time for the preschoolers to cut the ribbon, officially opening St. John’s Preschool.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 18 “Christ in the Crisis of Our Lives” Conference at the RADA Center at 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 23-25 St. John Campout
Oct. 4 Five C Club at 2 p.m.
Oct. Senior Youth meet
Oct. Junior Youth meet
Oct. 23 Kids of the Kingdom meet to go to the corn maze.
Following the annual Rally Day church picnic on Sunday, Sept. 11, the junior youth challenged the senior youth to a best 2 out of 3 volleyball tournament.
Although for the first two games the senior youth were outnumbered almost 3 to 1, they managed to win the first game and then only lost to the junior youth by two points in the second game.
During the third game, more senior youth and their friends showed up and joined the team, but unfortunately, it was not enough to keep the junior youth from winning the game and becoming the 2011 volleyball champs. However, next year the senior youth will be back and ready to win.
St. John Youth Gazette Book Review: Unsinkable
By: Abby Sunderland
“Unsinkable” tells the amazing story of Abigail Sunderland, a 16-year-old homeschooler who decides that she wants to sail around the world by herself non-stop.
This book follows the whole story from the preparations needed to leave, through all the storms, repairs and adventures of the trip right back through when she returns.
To find out if she makes it around the world, you’ll have to read the book for yourself.
The St. John Youth Gazette
Publisher: Micah Versemann; Volume: 5; Issue: 29; Date: August 28th, 2011
Senior Youth Campout
On Friday Aug 12, the senior youth kicked off a new year of fun with a campout at the Platte’s house. There were a total of 10 youth and friends from St. John along with five youth from Artesian that attended the event.
While at the campout, the youth played games like ladder golf, bean bag toss, football and ghost in the graveyard. They also sat around the fire and told stories, riddles and more. During the night, the youth got to see the space station for two minutes as it passed by in the night sky.
Unfortunately, at 3 a.m. a huge thunderstorm rolled in and so all the youth had to leave their tents and head into the house where they slept for the rest of the night.
Somehow though, the fire that Mark Platte built survived the storm and was still burning the next morning.
The next morning the youth enjoyed an awesome mountain man’s breakfast and more time to hang out with each other before it was time to return home.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 1 Preschool Open House at 4 p.m.
Sept. 6 Preschool Ribbon cutting
Sept. 6 Five C Club at 2 p.m.
Sept. 7 Confirmation begins at 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Rally Day Sunday
Sept. 11 Rally Day Picnic at 5 p.m.
Sept. 12 Handbell Choir practice begins
Sept. 14 Hand Chimes and Midweek start.
Sept. 16 Friday morning adult Bible class starts at 9 a.m.
Sept. 18 “Christ in the Crisis of Our Lives” Conference at the RADA Center at 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 23-25 St. John Campout
St. John Youth Gazette Movie Preview: Courageous
On Sept. 30, Sherwood Pictures, the makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof, bring out their fourth film, “Courageous.”
The film focuses on fatherhood and what true Christian fathers should be like towards their wives and children.
The story focuses on four policemen and their friend each in different stages of fatherhood. Then a tragedy strikes that will make them rethink what they have been doing.
You won’t want to miss this movie. For more information, visit Courageousthemovie.com
Pictures from the Bremer County Fair
Members of St. John work at fair booth
Pastor Versemann in the dunk tank at the fair.
Hank and Susan Heine along with Loretta Stahlberg all take shots at Pastor Versemann in the dunk tank.
Roger Bauer and Ron Stahlberg watch Pastor Versemann in the dunk tank.
Check out St. John's new blog at: stjohnlutheranwaverly.blogspot.com
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Pictures from "The Last Days"
Complete Trilogy Movie Showing.
Premier on August 27, 2011
Waverly Palace Theatre
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Premier on August 27, 2011
Waverly Palace Theatre
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CAMP OUT
AUGUST 12-13, 2011
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The Last Days
Complete Trilogy Movie Showing.
When: Saturday August 27th at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Waverly Palace Theatre
Admission: $5 This includes a small popcorn and soda
Starring: Micah Versemann, Jordan Swaney, Natalie Lohmann, Anna Versemann, Cassie Rottink, Kelsey Platte, Luke Everhardt, Pastor Versemann, Pastor Brustuen, Celina Young, Nathan Platte, Pastor Feldt, Matt Rottink, Bryce Gaede, Dustin Gaede, Matt Peschang, Noah Swaney, Al Janssen, Elizabeth Versemann, April Sherburne, Mike Prusiner, Craig Lohmann, Nick Lohmann, Caleb Lohmann AND MORE!
The run time for the movie is 2 hours and 13
minutes. This includes never-before scene
bloopers following the movie.
The run time for the movie is 2 hours and 13
minutes. This includes never-before scene
bloopers following the movie.
