Ordination & Installation Service
of
Mark R. Stapleton
Saturday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Join us tomorrow as well celebrate the ordination and installation of Mark Stapleton as Associate Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church and School. Following the service, a celebratory reception will be held in the School Gymnasium, serving hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.
Sunday Worship Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 18, 2018
“Dying to Serve"
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Epistle: Hebrews 5:1-10
Holy Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Give Up!
A Lenten Midweek Series based on the Passion of St. Mark
Many people give up something for Lent. Popular items include meat, chocolate or coffee. This is a kind of “fast” for many, a way to focus on Jesus as they journey to the cross. But while “fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training”, what about what’s inside of you? How do those things get in the way of following Jesus? Could you “give them up” for Lent…and beyond?

This series focuses on just that: “giving up” things to the Lord that get in the way of receiving His grace and love. To help us focus, we will be looking at this through the lens of St. Mark and selected accounts from his Passion of Jesus Christ. We will see the challenges, the struggles and the blessings of “giving up” everything to the Lord in order to receive everything from Him this Lent.

  • 3/21: Give Up…Your Expectations (Mark 15:1-15)
Midweek Lenten Worship Services
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
(March 21)

Lenten Supper Schedule
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
(March 21)
School Gymnasium
Free-will offering
Easter Lily Orders
As Easter approaches, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter that we may have eternal life with Him. On Easter Sunday, Easter Lilies are placed on the Altar in celebration of our Savior’s resurrection.  Members of the congregation may purchase Easter Lilies to place on the Altar on Easter Sunday.  A member of the Altar Guild will be in the church narthex after each Sunday service on March 11, March 18 and March 25 taking orders for lilies. The price per lily is $14.00.  Easter Lilies may be taken after the Easter services.  
Baptism of Logan Russell Noe
Sunday at 10:45 a.m.
We welcome this new member of the body of Christ, Logan Russell Noe during our 10:45 a.m. Worship Service this Sunday. Before Logan's baptism, his parents, Jason and Taylor responded to these questions in preparation for this day:

Why are you getting Logan baptized?
We are having our son baptized because we want him to start his relationship with God and connect to him through baptism.

Why at St. John's?
St. John's has played a part in major events for our family including our marriage and the baptism of myself and other family members. Most recently, our first son Dustin was baptized at St. John's as well.

What does baptism mean to you and your family?
To us baptism is the start of your relationship with God. It also means you are being welcomed into His family through baptism.

What sort of support do you want from St. John's? What kind of connection do you want to make at St. John's? With the congregation as well as your baptismal sponsors?
We hope that Logan grows up learning about God through the Church and his sponsors. We hope he will be taught what it means to be in God's family, and that he can strengthen his relationship with Him as he grows up.
Sunday Morning Children's Message
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Jesus is the king of the whole world, yet He came to serve us. Jesus gave up everything He had and died on the cross to save us. The best way we can serve Jesus our King is to tell everyone about what Jesus did for us!
Sunday School Education Hour
9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Today in Sunday School, our students will hear how “God Creates Adam and Eve,” including providing them with perfect physical attributes and a lush garden in which to live. God created the world’s many natural resources so it would be a wonderful place for His most treasured creation, human beings, to live. Parents might ask, “How were Adam and Eve different from the rest of God’s creation?”
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
9:25 - 10:25 a.m. (Heritage Room)
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"Let Me Tell You a Story"
Parables for Lent
Led by Pastor Ben Roberts
“And He told them many things in parables…” (Matthew 13:3) And with good reason: everyone loves a good story. But with Jesus, He not only is the master story-teller; He tells stories that make us good . And this is especially good news during the season of Lent. This 4-week Bible Study will focus on some of the parables Jesus told, but we will view them through the lens of Lent, the time when we focus on our sin and our Savior. Come, renew and rejoice as Jesus tells us a story…for our forgiveness, life and salvation.
3/18: Parables of GRACE
The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
The Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46)

3/25: Parables of DEATH and LIFE
The Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)
The Sower (Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23)
High School Bible Study
9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Real life is long on law and short on grace. The guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life are heavy burdens for all, and we're in need of some relief. In this 6 part video-based study, author Tullian Tchividjian shows that Christianity is not about good people getting better. Rather, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.

One Way Love calls the Church to abandon our play-it-safe religion, and to embrace God’s unflinching grace. Each 10-15 minute video includes teaching, as well as interviews with individuals who have experienced this freedom. Discussion guide and questions will follow each video. Come and grow in your faith as you dig deep into God’s Word and (re)discover God’s grace for you in Jesus Christ!
When:
Sunday mornings, 9:25-10:25 a.m., 6 weeks (Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18)
Where:
Youth Room (downstairs, just off St. John’s Lutheran School Extended Care)
Who:
All High Schoolers, led by Pastor Ben and Mrs. Roberts
Interested in Membership? Let's Connect!
Sunday, April 8 - Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Interested in membership at St. John’s? Want to know more about what St. John’s is all about? Then come to our CONNECT New Member Class! At this class, you will get to meet Pastor Ben, get to know him and others better, hear about the history and beliefs of St. John’s and what it means to be a member. Lunch provided! Childcare available for children 0-3 upon request. Pick up an “Interested In Membership?” sheet at our Connection Center at the back of the sanctuary for more information. Contact either Pastor Ben at b.roberts@sjlagrange.com or St. John’s Office Administrator, Michelle LaVelle at m.lavelle@sjlagrange.com to sign-up! Come and CONNECT!
When:
April 8, 2018, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Where:
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, Heritage Room
Who:
Both those new to the LCMS and the Lutheran faith AND transferees from another LCMS congregation
Music Ministry
Hallelujah Chorus
Come Join the Senior Choir!
On Easter Sunday during our Worship Services everyone will be singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G. F. Handel as the Closing Song. There will be a congregational part that will be printed in the bulletin that will have the melody for almost the entire song. If you would like to join in singing the harmony parts as a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass you will be invited to come to the rear balcony at the conclusion on Holy Communion and be given a choral score that will allow you to sing in harmony with the Senior Choir. If you have ever sung in a high school or college choir this is for you! Come and join us for “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118: 24)
Weekly Bible Studies
Various Days/Times
Parenting Bible Study: Spiritual Parenting
Sundays at 9:25 a.m.
(Nursery - Classroom 101)
We are currently studying "Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World" by Ken and Steve Ham.
Participants will discover that the legacy we leave for our children begins as we love the Lord and accept His Word as our authority, committing to use it to guide us in all areas of our lives.   

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
(Heritage Room)

Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday at 6:15 a.m.
(Heritage Room)
Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
(Heritage Room)
Now through May 24 we will be studying the second half of the Book of Acts. Questions? Talk with Pete Johnson or contact the Church Office, (708) 354-1690 x210
Give it a try!
Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE!
A Youth Retreat for the Sixth - Eighth Graders will be held on Friday evening, April 20, 2018. More information will follow.
School News
Serve the Lord with Gladness
Wow! We’ve survived Lutheran Schools’ Week once again. We’re never quite sure if we’re going to make it through all of the extra activities, but we always come out the other side pleased with the outcome of our extra efforts.  Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” We don’t have time for laziness! We dressed up each day to show our school spirit, visited the Field Museum, ruled the school, had our faculty vs. 7 th & 8 th grade volleyball game (faculty was victorious, once again!), surrounded our community in prayer, stepped up to the next grade, sold some treasures, worked through an escape room, hosted special guests, sang in our choirs, rang handbells, performed the musical, served pancakes and hosted our open house! (Pause to catch your breath.) 

I have to tell you that the faculty here are so invested in your students, it is beyond amazing. These teachers are not here by a union contract, walking in just before 8:00am or running out at 3:15pm. They are often here before 7:00am, stay until 5:00pm or later, participate on church boards and committees, volunteer for pancake breakfasts and FUNdraisers, coach sports and intramurals, host clubs and extracurricular activities, pray for your children daily, prepare meals for families that are going through difficult times, and the list goes on. All of these things prove that the faculty at St. John’s don’t come here every day because it’s their job, they come here every day because they feel called to do so. I can’t imagine a greater group of servant hearts than I find in this building every day. 

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those, who through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:10-12

In His service,
Teri Lyn Mannes
38th Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale
Friday, May 11, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
&
Saturday, May 12, 2018
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Orders are due by Monday, April 23, 2018
Click on the "TRIP" logo to learn more.

Current upcoming order dates are:
March 19
April 3 (Tuesday), 16 & 30
Mission
St. John's Sunday Morning Mission Cafe
Please join the Board of Caring Ministries in supporting this wonderful organization located in La Grange. The mission of Interfaith Community Partners is to help older adults and people with disabilities live independently in our community. They provide a fabulous service where they accompany our care partners to medical appointments, therapies, and assist with other essential daily living errands (grocery shopping, banking, etc.) They also arrange transportation to area churches for Sunday morning services. In addition, they have recently set up a “library delivery service” for seniors 60+ that are not able to drive to the library.
 
Volunteers are also needed to provide rides for their clients. It is a great opportunity to help out in the community. At present there are 14 member congregations, and many of the volunteers are members of these churches and service the following areas:

  • Brookfield
  • Burr Ridge
  • Countryside
  • Hinsdale
  • Hodgkins
  • Indian Head Park
  • La Grange
  • La Grange Park
  • Lyons
  • Westchester
  • Western Springs

If you would like assistance with rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping or other appointments, please fill out the service request form at www.interfaithcommunitypartner.org or call their office at (708) 354-9328  8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please support this wonderful organization by donating at the Mission Café or inquiring with Interfaith Community Partners if you would like to volunteer to drive.  
Kitchen Angels...What is it?
This hands-on ministry reaches out to those in need by offering a home-cooked meal. When the Church Office is made aware of the fact that an individual or family could be helped with one or several meals, a volunteer will contact you to see if you could prepare a meal in the coming week, on an evening that fits your schedule. Everyone has a favorite dish… share one with someone in need!

Please sign-up in the Church Narthex at the Connection Center and someone from the Caring Ministries Board will reach out to you when a meal or two is needed. Or you can contact Rebecca Schiltz at schiltz4@sbcglobal.net or 708-502-4547.  
The weekly televised program "Worship for Shut-ins" has become known as "Worship Anew". Worship Anew celebrates the new life all people have in Jesus with a 30-minute broadcast service. Christ's love is shared through weekly scripture readings, favorite church hymns, prayers and a Pastor's message that reveals God's grace and truth. Visit www.worshipanew.org for more information and ways to watch.
The La Grange Area Food Pantry item for the Month of March is: TOILET PAPER

Please drop off donations in the Church Narthex in the marked box for Food Pantry items. Thank you.
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Fellowship 9:00 a.m.
Education 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office: (708) 354-1690
Worship Attendance
Sunday, March 11, 2018 = 313
Midweek Lenten, March 14 = 73
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