Comfort Dog Angel Home from Las Vegas Deployment
Angel, St. John's Comfort Dog, has returned from her deployment in Las Vegas. For seven days, she was there comforting victims and First Responders. Please pray for the victims' families who are experiencing grief that they never thought possible. Angel will be at both Worship Services on Sunday to greet you.
Sunday Worship Services
8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
"A Psalm of Comfort and Restoration"
Worship Leader: Mark Stapleton

In the past few months, think of all the disasters that have affected our nation, hurricanes, shootings, the wild fires in California. It is times like this, that we need to hear some comforting words, we need to be restored. Psalm 23 will be the focus of our sermon this Sunday, even touching on some of the stories from the Las Vegas massacre. For us as Christians, the real crux of our faith is not if we will walk through a valley of the shadow, but how our faith will get us to the other side of that valley. Sometimes, we have to go through difficult times, and God uses those hard times to restore our faith in Him.

Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9
Epistle: Philippians 4:4-13
Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
Baptism of Virginia Violet Applewhite
Sunday at 8:00 a.m.
We welcome this new member of the body of Christ, Virginia Violet Applewhite during our 8:00 a.m. Worship Service. Before Virginia's baptism, her parents, Douglas and Megan responded to these questions in preparation for this day:

Why are you getting Virginia baptized?
It is so important to have a community of believers for spiritual support and faith, we want that for Ginny throughout her life. Baptism will make her a child of God and will allow her to build a relationship with God and allow her to be confirmed and maintain active relationships with other believers in the church.
Why at St John's?
I [Megan] grew up at St. John's and have a connection with it as my spiritual home. I know it will always be a church that Ginny has a connection with and that she will feel comfortable in as she grows up, no matter where she chooses to be a member.
What does baptism mean to you and your family?
Baptism means becoming a child of God and having a formal connection with the Church, congregation, and Godparents such that it will become a formal faith support structure throughout life.
What kind of support do you hope to get from St. John's?
What connection do you want to make at St. John's? with the congregation as well as your baptismal sponsor?
We hope that St. John's will be a support for Ginny at all points throughout her life. We want her to feel that she has a home base here if she seeks it, regardless of where she is in life. With my parents as prominent members of the congregation we know that she will be well supported and loved by the community at St. John's. We hope that all who are attending the service, including family, friends, and Godparents, will love and support Ginny in a good and faithful life.
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
9:25 - 10:25 a.m. (Heritage Room)
A Man Named Martin - Part Three: The Movement
From Luther's 95  Theses  in 1517 to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, God was at work in the Reformation. Fierce debates over Scripture, church doctrine, and late medieval church practice led to theological positions articulating salvation as God's grace in action, with man being left to add nothing to his own salvation. In  A Man Named Martin - Part 3: The Movement , viewers will see how the Reformation transformed European society and, eventually, left a profound impression around the globe. According to Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, program host and Speaker for  The Lutheran Hour , "The greatest thing about the Reformation are the solas: grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone because, in reality, what it does is it establishes the worth of a human being before God in a way that can't be done by people; it's done by God in Jesus Christ."
Sunday School
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
The Sunday School students study the story of “Hezekiah Prays” today. Hezekiah prayed in faith to God and was delivered. Jesus, our mediator and advocate with the Father, intercedes for us, granting us deliverance from sin, death, and the devil. Parents could ask, “Why did Hezekiah go to God in prayer? In what ways does God answer our prayers today?”
High School Youth Bible Study
No Class this Sunday, October 15
BIG Questions, Biblical Answers
We will not be meeting this Sunday, October 15. We look forward to seeing you next Sunday, October 22 at 9:25 a.m. in the Youth Room located downstairs.
Outdoor Activity for 6th - 8th Graders

Come join us for a maze, campfire with s'mores, and flashlight games. This fun activity will take place in the Paulsen's back yard on Friday, October 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Our campfire conversation will center on what causes us to be afraid and how Jesus helps us conquer our fears. Bring a camping chair. In case of inclement weather, we will meet at St. John's. Contact Sherrie Smith, s.smith@sjlagrange.com to RSVP and for the Paulsen's address. 
New Christmas Trees for Sanctuary
The Worship Board is making efforts to purchase new Christmas trees for the Sanctuary. Why? Because the old trees are aging, hard to maintain, difficult to put up and take up much storage. We will have a Christmas Tree displayed in the Narthex beginning October 8 through October 29 with donation envelopes marked "Christmas Tree donation". We invite parishioners to take an envelope and include a free-will offering in any amount, toward the purchase. They may place these envelopes in the offering plate. Our goal ranges from $700-$1000.
GriefShare Fall Sessions
Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. (Heritage Room)
Lesson 4
 Everyone is welcome at anytime since each topic can stand on its own.
Weekly Bible Study
Sundays at 9:25 a.m.
(Nursery - Classroom 101)

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

GriefShare Fall Sessions
Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.
(Heritage Room)

Early Risers Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:15 a.m.
(Heritage Room)

Men's Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
(Heritage Room)
Trunk or Treat is Back!
Saturday, October 28 - 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
candy_bucket.jpg
Once again, candy donations are greatly appreciated. Please drop off bags of candy in the Church Narthex (next to the coffee hour area) or in the School Office between now and October 22. This is a great event for our Church, School and neighbors.
Click the Calendar to view more events!
St. John's Reformation 500 Celebration
Sunday, October 29 - 12:30 p.m.
On Sunday, October 29, 2017, after the Reformation Festival Service, there will be a German style picnic in the School Gymnasium. Bratwurst, Hot Dogs and all the trimmings, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and various German desserts will be served. This will be a free-will offering event. Please sign-up at the Welcome Desk in the Church Narthex or email the Church Office at churchoffice@sjlagrange.com to reserve a space. You won't want to miss this! Games for the children, a Reformation Trivia contest, appearance by Katie & Martin Luther, German music and Fellowship!
Concordia University Chicago Reformation 500 Celebration Day
Click the picture for more information
School News
Special Appeal for Family Seeking Refuge from Hurricane
One of our School families has relatives from Puerto Rico staying with them arriving with just the clothes on their backs and very little more. We are asking for donations of clothing to assist this family while they try to adjust and recover from the recent hurricane that has created chaos in their lives. Donations can be dropped off in the Church or School Offices. Questions? Contact the School Office . Your kindness is greatly appreciated!

Sizes for family members:
  • Mom: Shirt, size medium; Pants, size 9
  • Dad: Shirt, size small; Pants, size 30 x 30
  • Daughter: Shirt, size Girls 14/16 or Women's x-small; Pants, size 0
  • Son: Shirt, size Boys 6; Pants, size Boys 6
Restaurant Night at Chipotle
Help Support the AR Program at St. John's!
Chipotle has replaced the McDonald’s Night/Raffle for this year, however, the purpose is still to help fund the Accelerated Reader (AR) Program. AR costs just under $2500, and the PTO has committed to paying for this program so that the cost will not be passed along to our SJL families. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 25, from 4-8:00 p.m. You will need to present the flier, show it on your phone, or tell the cashier that you are supporting St. John’s when you order. St. John’s will earn 50% of sales for those who visit the Chipotle in La Grange at 40 N La Grange Road (corner of Ogden and La Grange) during those indicated hours.

Fliers can be found on the School website under Parents -> PTO -> PTO Sponsored Fundraisers and printed copies can be found in Church Narthex at the Welcome Desk.
6th Grade Eagles in Action Project
During the month of October, 6th Graders are collecting stocking stuffers for service members in harm’s way during Christmas. Last year, students brought enough individual stocking stuffers to chapel to fill three boxes. This year, our sewing club members have created pillowcases and stockings that need filling.  Please bring the items listed in the next column to Church during the first three Sundays of October. Pillowcases will be placed in various areas along the school hallway walls for filling. Sixth Graders will bring your offerings and donations to Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT) – America, Inc. on October 26, where they will volunteer their time stuffing more stockings for United States Service Members.
According to OSOT’s “Santa’s Workshop,” the items most needed are as follows:

  • Fruit Snacks / Fruit Rollups (Individual Packs)
  • Chocolate Candy Bars / Tootsie Rolls
  • Trail Mix (Individual Packs)
  • Granola Bars / Rice Krispie Bars
  • Individual Packs of Cookies
  • Starlight Mints, Lifesavers Candies, and Gum
  • Licorice / Twizzlers (Individually Wrapped)
  • Unbreakable handmade Christmas Ornaments
  • Hot Chocolate Packets
  • Mechanical Pencils / Pens
Looking for a High Quality, Lutheran High School?
Walther Christian Academy’s High School Open House is scheduled for Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. Meet the faculty and speak to current students. Learn about the success of Walther graduates. Hear about classes they offer and extra-curricular activities, sports teams and fine arts programming. Scholarship and financial aid information will be distributed. Learn more by visiting Walther.com .
Mission
It's BEDS Shelter Season Again
Please Consider Volunteering for a Shift
BEDS Plus Care provides emergency overnight shelter assistance to homeless individuals and families in our community. From October through May, BEDS operates shelters each night at 7:00 p.m. to the next morning at 7:00 a.m. During that time, BEDS provides a safe place to sleep, an evening meal and breakfast for overnight clients, as well as case management services, and other care upon request. These shelters are staffed primarily by local volunteers under supervision of BEDS staff.

This year St. John's has signed-up to provide shelter volunteers for the first shift 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month:


Please consider supporting the BEDS mission by volunteering with other St. John's members. A sign-up sheet is on the Welcome Desk in the Church Narthex, or you can contact Glenn O'Brien at glenn4848@att.net or (630) 258-0237. Thank you!
We would like to thank everyone who contributed at the door collection on LWML Sunday, October 1, to support the current mission projects that are serving throughout the United States and all around the world. Your donations totaled $557.16 that morning. Thank you! You can continue to support the current $2,075,000 projects by filling a small Mite Box with cash and returning it to the large Mite Box on the table in the church narthex. You may also contribute to LWML through your Sunday envelopes.

Honey Sunday, an annual event in support of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch will be held on November 19. Watch for further information in the coming weeks.

Lutheran Women in Mission have been serving the Lord through their outreach for 75 years. What a blessing!
Operation Christmas Child
St. John’s will once again be participating in Operation Christmas Child. There will be shoe boxes available in the Church Narthex, School Lobby, or you are welcome to use your own shoe box. Please make sure the boxes are closed with a rubber band. Our Sunday School classes will make cards to put in the boxes during the Sunday School hour on November 12. Start with a quality “wow” item such as a stuffed animal, soccer ball with pump, or clothing outfit that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box. Please visit  www.samaritanspurse.org  to get a list of ideas to pack your box. There is $9 suggested donation for each box. The last day to drop off a filled box is Sunday, November 12.
 
DO NOT  INCLUDE THESE ITEMS: 
Candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.  
October's Mission Cafe Donations will Benefit CROP Walk 2017
The Crop Hunger Walk is on Sunday, October 15. It has been a great event for our Confirmands in years past and can also be for your family, to not only enjoy time together, but to help raise funds to fight hunger. 25% of the funds raised go to local Food Pantries. The rest of the funds go to provide food and clean water around the world. The walk is three miles long and begins at the Congregational Church at 100 6th Ave in La Grange. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the walk begins at 1:15 p.m. Pledge sheets are available at the Children's Ministry bulletin board in the back of the Church. Please RSVP to Sherrie Smith, s.smith@sjlagrange.com if your family would like to participate so we can meet at First Congregational Church. If you are not able to walk with our team, please donate during Coffee Hour! Together, we can help end hunger in our community and around the world!
Interfaith Community Partners- Volunteers Needed
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 85 volunteers provide escorted transportation to medical appointments, therapies, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, and church. We also take our clients with disabilities to their places of employment. There is no cost to our clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. And we need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org , and like us on Facebook. Can you spare an hour a week? We will work around your busy life.
Worship for Shut-Ins
Worship for Shut-Ins is a 30-minute Lutheran broadcast worship service produced new every week by Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. Each service included music, scripture readings, prayers, and a Lutheran Pastor delivering a message that is designed to feel one-on-one to the viewer. Each program is closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
The La Grange Area Food Pantry item for the Month of October is: Deodorant

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
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