St. John Receives The Gutenberg Award for ACM
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St. John Lutheran Church was the recipient of The Gutenberg Award at the Michigan LCMS All Professional Church Workers Conference at The DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids on Monday evening, November 20, 2023. The Gutenberg Award was presented in recognition of Allendale Christian Media. Accepting the award on behalf of St. John was Kristen and Kevin Collier, ACM Studio managers. The award is "For embracing and integrating modern communication channels to build community and spread the saving power of the Gospel." The room was full of Pastors, dignitaries and recognizable figures with the Michigan District LCMS. St. John's ACM Studios was chosen for its animation works presenting two cartoon series, both of which were presented on two big-screen monitors in the Convention Room. Photos - The Colliers on stage accepting the award from Rev. David Davis, President of the Michigan District. Watch a home video of the presentation at the event here.
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Jeff Ulicny Installed as Vicar at St. John Lutheran
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The installation of Jeff Ulicny as Vicar at St. John Lutheran Church of Jenison took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023. The swearing in was conducted by Rev. Dr. Timothy Brand, Senior Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Caledonia, Michigan, which serves Grand Rapids South and West. Brand explained that he will be supervising Ulicny for the next two years. “I’m going to be a big stickler on him balancing family and teaching and ministry here,” Rev. Brand said. “After this day you can call him Vicar. It is an official office of the church.” Brand went on to say he is excited about Ulicny’s pathway ahead, stating that in two years (if all classes are passed, reviews, evaluations and a theological interview meet requirements) Jeff will be approved for Ordination at St. John, Jenison. “It will be a big deal,” Rev. Brand said. “Fellow Pastors will come for that, and Jeff will be ordained.” Two more years of classes follow to be certified as a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Ulicny will present his first sermon from the pulpit on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Photos by Bruce Owen.
Small Steps Here Equal a Giant Leap for Humankind
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Join Positive Options' 2023 Walk4Life event Saturday, June 24th, beginning at 9:00AM, at four different locations: First Baptist Church (Zeeland), Allendale Community Park, Covenant Life Church (Grand Haven) and Jaycee Park, Allegan. These events bring together the pro-abundant life community to celebrate the recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade and to continue Positive Option's mission of advocating for the protection of innocent life. Get on your walking shoes!
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The theme this year is found in Esther 4:14. Mordecai reminds Esther that perhaps she was placed in her royal position "for such a time as this." In the same way, the pro-abundant life community has been called upon to use our voices and actions to advocate for the value and sanctity of human life, and this victory in the fight against abortion has come at a specific time for a specific reason. Make a donation to the cause and sign up today for the walk!
Positive Options Life Celebration and Dedication
On January 12, 2023 St. John Lutheran Church joined Positive Options, Allendale Chamber of Commerce, Allendale Township, and other community members to celebrate and dedicate the new Ultrasound Machine. Also presented were matching funds from LCMS totaling $18,750. Attendees could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, and everyone shared stories about our journey together and how God kept showing up for us! Positive Option’s Sandy Ohlman shared during the ceremony that one of the greatest outcomes from this initiative was the coming together of area churches, a clear display that God was taking down walls. All Glory to God! Please pray for future initiatives. Amen!
Fun and Fellowship Marks Event for GVSU Students
St. John Lutheran Church hosted a GVSU student Christmas Party on evening of Thursday December 8, 2022, presenting an evening of fun, food and fellowship. The event brought together youths attending GVSU, including international students, and volunteers. Food included tacos from 5 De Mayo Mexican Grill and Pizzas from Peppino's (both of Allendale). While the event focused on GVSU students, Ratio Christi and Campus Lutherans, church members were welcomed to the celebration, as well. Games such as version of Family Feud were played, and prizes were awarded. “We were all happy and felt blessed,” Pastor Marin Cerchez said.
Churches Bring Positive Outcome for Positive Options
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Allendale's Positive Options has received their new Ultrasound machine and recognized the fundraising effort by area churches to make this happen in their November Newsletter. The new device provides clearer images of the baby inside the womb and has proven to be a game changer for those with unplanned pregnancies contemplating abortion. Life wins!
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St. John Ministry Exhibits for Students at Area Events
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St. John recently participated at two area events reaching out to local students. St. John took part in the GVSU Campus Night Life Event on September 9, and on September 10, Campus Lutherans hosted a Christian Community Celebration at the Allendale Clock Tower. Both allowed students an opportunity to learn about GVSU Campus Lutherans and the GVSU Ratio Christi organization. Join today!
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Positive Outcome for Allendale's Positive Options
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From the Positive Options Picnic and Concert Event: Mission Accomplished!
St. John capped off a mission to acquire a new Ultrasound Machine for Allendale's Positive Options with a Family Picnic and Concert on Saturday, August 14, 2022. Holy Cross, St. John, New Hope and Grace Lutheran Churches partnered to raise funds to match a grant from the LCMS of up to the $18,750. The effort exceeded that goal with the final amount totaling over $60,000 (which includes the LCMS grant.) Positive Options, Christian organization that is pro-life, is the closest pregnancy resource center to Jenison and to GVSU. It is also the closest place that a mother can get a free ultrasound of her child. The cost of the new is $36,196, leaving the remainder to aid the organization's operational costs. Positive Options' goal is to "love people to life before, during and after a pregnancy decision." Thank you to everyone who gave financial donations as well as donations of your time. Music was provided by The Skylight Quartet. Watch Event Video here.
Perfect Weather for St. John Fellowship Picnic
God moved away early morning gray skies and cloud cover revealing warm sunshine and a heavenly breeze in time for St. John's summer kickoff congregational picnic. Bruce Owen and Marv Behrens turned hot dogs and flipped beef burgers on the grill for this cookout that included salads and a sweet, decorated cake for dessert! Thank you to Jody Owen and everyone who pitched in to make this happen. It was a wonderful moment for fellowship under God's loving umbrella!
St. John Mission Aids Ukranian Refugee Classroom
A St. John Lutheran Church mission to aid one of the many Ukrainian refugee camps based in Moldova resulted in the purchase of 17 laptop computers (with headphones and mice) for one such camp. Two laptops went to teachers, while 15 are used at the camp for the Ukrainian children to participate in online lessons. The funds to achieve this were raised during a March-April 2022 St. John Art Fair as well as donations from Lutheran Churches and area Christians. The laptops are numbered enabling students to use the same computer during classes. it's not possible to study for all of them in the same room. During the school summer break, the laptops will stay at the camp to be used for outreach computer camps.
St. John Teamwork Spruces Up Church Grounds
Spreading The Word and the Mulch, too!
St. John Lutheran Church Pastor Marin Cerchez was joined by his daughter and several members of the St, John congregation for some outdoor landscaping work on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The team escaped gloomy weather on a mission to improve the grounds of the church by raking in new mulch. Thank you!
Libertas Students Share Senior Thesis Presentations
St. John Lutheran Church hosted a special evening for Libertas Christian School on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Libertas Senior Class students presented their Senior Thesis Presentations for the gathering, which took place from 6-9PM. In attendance were parents of Libertas students, teachers, and fellow classmates of Senior students, who learned of the hard work the Seniors have applied to their fields of study. The mission of this Hudsonville (MI) Christian school is to partner with parents to educate and disciple children consistent with a biblical worldview, teaching them to be lifelong learners able to discern, articulate, and defend truth in a compelling, winsome Christ-like manner. Visit Libertas Christian School online.
Help for Ukraine RefugeesUkraine Connection via Pastor and Wife
St. John Lutheran Church hosted a fine art sale event on March 19, 2022, to raise funds to assist Ukrainian Refugees during the invasion of their country by the Soviet Union. Sales from all arts and crafts, created by area residents, were donated. The paintings of Tatiana Cerchez, wife of St. John Pastor Marin Cerchez, and both from Moldova, highlighted the event, which also included photography and some craft items. Tatiana, pictured at right, holds one of her paintings depicting a country barnyard scene.
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It's Hats On for Family Life CenterHats Off to Family Life Center for the crucial outreach it provides and "Hats On" for the infant blessings arriving via the facility! The ministry shares Christ’s love to young women experiencing unplanned pregnancies by equipping them for challenges ahead. On December 20, St. John member Jody Owen presented to House Manager, Theresa, nearly two dozen crocheted newborn hats handmade by congregation member Sharon Lowing to strengthen our relationship with the Allendale pro-life organization that houses expectant mothers. Manager Rochel Prahl said they have monthly meetings with other pro-life groups and that the hats will also be shared with them.
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Smitten with Mittens!Holiday Happenings at St. John Lutheran Church in December included several outreach initiatives, including spreading community warmth this winter. Hats, gloves and mittens collected on St. John's entryway Christmas Tree were recently donated to Libertas Christian School (Hudsonville) for attending youths. View thank you note here.
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