CONNECT ... in Worship
Sunday Worship Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, October 21, 2018
"The L/G Difference: Life Under the Law"
(Week 1 of 2)
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-17
Epistle: Galatians 3:10-14
Holy Gospel: Mathew 5:17-20
Whenever you engage God’s Word in the Bible, you engage with the two great teachings it reveals: Law and Gospel. These two teachings reveal the will of God for us that lead us to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. But what does this look like in our ordinary, everyday lives? What difference does the Law and Gospel make as we live, work and play? In this series, “The L/G Difference: Life Lived Under Law and Gospel” , we will be looking at how the Law and the Gospel are not just mere concepts to ponder; they are living and active forces shaping our lives…now…and for eternity!

10/28 (Reformation Sunday): Life Under the Gospel (John 8:31-36)
October is LWML Month
October is LWML month and our Church will happily be supporting it. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League is very active with its outreach throughout the United States and all around the world. During the month of October, the LWML is sponsoring a collection in support of the BEDS Plus program, a local outreach and help to homeless people from our own community. A white donation box in the church narthex, and a list of the items that are needed, is posted on the lid. The homeless people truly need your help. Every donation is appreciated!
GROW ...in the Word
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"The Challenge of Islam"
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
To the Western mind, the faith and practice of Islam are often a profound mystery. In recent years, this religion has emerged as a prominent -- yet misunderstood -- belief system. Listen as Sam Shamoun, an Arab-Christian, unveils some of the mystique surrounding this religion first preached by Muhammad and today practiced by more than one billion people worldwide. 
In Part One of this two-part Bible study, the teachings of Islam are brought into focus. In addition to learning about the "Five Pillars of Islam," participants will examine what the Quran says about the role of Abraham, the Trinity, angels and jinn (genies), the attributes of Jesus Christ, the character of Muhammad, Judgment Day, and paradise. 
The Quran is the premier Muslim holy book. As such, its 114 chapters are the faith-guide for Muslims everywhere. For instance, did you know the Quran claims Jesus is not God, nor is He the Son of God? Were you aware Quranic teaching says the religion of the patriarchs -- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as all the prophets -- is Islam? Shamoun asks, "Christians, do you see the challenge of Islam, and are you prepared to deal with this challenge?" 
While Islam is a religious force to be reckoned with, it already has been dealt its deathblow through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Armed with love and an attitude that considers Muslims -- like everyone else -- those for whom Christ died, Christians can share the same Good News that gives them salvation. As Shamoun says, "The only thing that can defeat Islam is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Sunday School
Sunday, October 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Music/Choir Room
Join us upstairs in the Music/Choir Room for a Bible Story, games and crafts. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
St. John's Sunday School needs several volunteers to assist on Sunday mornings. The activities are planned, but extra hands are needed to help with games, crafts and snacks. While help is needed through the end of December, you need not be committed for every week. If you can help out, please contact the Church Office, 708-354-1690 or Daylne Shinneman or Jim or Barb Paulsen.
Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study
"The Art of Parenting: Aiming Your Child's Heart Toward God"
Sunday, October 21 at 9:25 a.m.
Noah's Ark Nursery
Did you know that your child/ren are like "arrows in the hands of a warrior?" Join us this Sunday as we begin FamilyLife's "The Art of Parenting: Aiming Your Child's Hear Toward God". Parents and grandparents are welcome! Questions? Contact Rebecca Hemminger at 630-660-3602.
High School Youth Bible Study
New Bible Study!
Sunday, October 21 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Youth Room
Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
We will begin a new Bible Class this coming Sunday, October 21st. This class is primarily for High School students. Class will be held in the Youth Room, located downstairs next to the School Cafeteria. Join us as we begin studying the Book of Ephesians for the next few weeks.
Session 5: Grief and Your Relationships
Monday, October 22 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
It may be surprising to find some relationships change after a death. How solitude can be a blessing and a curse, and how to deal with friends who don't understand your grief.

There is a $15 fee for the workbook that goes along with the videos. Please register by contacting Marnie Smith at  marnie_rev@comcast.net  or call (630) 440-6542.
Weekly Bible Studies
Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Class
Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.
Heritage Room

The Tuesday Morning Class will be reading a new book beginning on October 30th. We will be reading, "One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World" . Please consider joining the class. If you would like a book to be ordered for you, contact Lynn Kahl at (312) 890-0020 or at lynnkahl50@gmail.com and one will be waiting for you on the first day of class.
Early Risers Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
We are now studying the Gospel of Luke, following Warren Wiersbe's "Be Compassionate: Let the World Know That Jesus Cares" . This is the first of two books covering Luke's Gospel, through chapter 13, which we will read sequentially. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Fredrickson at jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com .
SHARE ...with Your Service
Raising Your Outreach Temperature
Every follower of Jesus has an outreach temperature. This impacts the way we live and interact with those who are far from God. Using a scale of one to ten, one would be a heart that is cooled off where we walk past opportunities to let the light of Jesus shine; a ten would represent a season where Jesus’ light is shining, we speak of our faith often and share stories of what God is doing in our lives, and share the Gospel naturally. With the Holy Spirit to guide us, let’s individually raise our temperature one degree to grow and increase our passion to reach out to others who are spiritually hungry and thirsty. (adapted from Kevin G. Harney’s book on outreach for churches) The Evangelism Committee will share an idea each month in the Mission pages to help us raise our outreach temperature.
This month, the Evangelism Committee invites you to think of someone who you can spend time with who needs to know God's love and grace .
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Collection
Don't forget to stop by the church narthex on our way out of church this weekend and pick-up your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox. There are only a few weeks left before they have to be turned in so we can make sure they are distributed to children around the world before Christmas! If you need more information on "How to Pack Your Shoebox", visit: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/

Shoeboxes are due by Sunday, November 11th!
BEDS Plus 2018-2019 Shelter Season has Begun!
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 overnight shelters at area churches.

Overnight clients are provided a safe place to sleep, an evening meal and breakfast, as well as case management services, and other care upon request. These shelters are staffed primarily by local volunteers under supervision of BEDS staff. The locations rotate during the week.

This year St. John’s has volunteered to staff the overnight shelter at Saint Barbara's Parish in Brookfield. We will staff the 1st shift during the hours of 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the 1 st Tuesday of each month. Volunteers working this shift set-up the venue, serve the evening meal, and help the guests settle in for the evening.

Please consider supporting the BEDS mission by volunteering with other St. John’s members. There is a sign-up sheet on the Connection Center in the church narthex, or you can contact Glenn O’Brien glenn4848@att.net or 630.258.0237. Thank you!

Mission Cafe Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour donations for the month of October will benefit the CROP Walk that will take place this Sunday, October 21st . Help support the many individuals and families that have signed-up to represent St. John's at this years CROP Walk.
SCHOOL NEWS
Chipotle Night School Fundraiser
Tuesday, October 23 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support our School! Visit Chipotle at 40 North La Grange Road in La Grange on Tuesday, October 23rd between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m . Bring in the flyer show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you're supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to St. John's Lutheran School. Share with friends and family - anyone can support our School!
TRIP Program
October is here! Time to start shopping for costumes and candy, along with cooler weather clothing! If you just plan on dining out or treating yourself, take the time to evaluate your shopping needs and order your TRIP cards! Click on the "TRIP" logo above for more details!

Upcoming order dates: October 22 & 29
CHURCH OFFICE
Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statistics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
Anyone wishing further information on Congregational giving or the Church’s overall financial situation is invited to contact either Bob Roth, Chair, Board of Finance, or Jeff Baker, Congregational Treasurer, through the Church office, churchoffice@sjlagrange.com or (708) 354-1690 x210
Weekly Worship Attendance
Sunday, October 14 = 283
St. John's Church and School Foundation Update
The foundation recently received a $10,000 donation which has been transferred to the Lutheran Legacy Foundation, where it will be professionally managed. We have also received a 50% match from Lutheran Legacy for this contribution, bringing our initial account balance to $15,000. A 20% match will be added to all future contributions up to a total of $500,000.

St. John’s congregation voted to establish our foundation last year to ensure that we will exercise wise stewardship as we fund our various ministries and further God’s kingdom. The following comments from Lutheran Legacy provide wise guidance as we grow our foundation:

During His public ministry, Jesus talked frequently about the potential power of seemingly small things. For example, a seed planted in the ground can grow into something large and provide many benefits.

Endowment funds are like planted seeds—they start small and they grow with a little nurturing. When endowments are planted and grown, they can provide opportunities to expand the horizons of work in God’s kingdom.

An endowment fund is focused on accomplishing the current and long-term financial goals of the congregation. An endowment fund receives gifts and funds of various types, invests those gifts and funds for long-term growth and distributes income from those investments to current projects in support of the congregation’s mission.

Please keep St. John’s Foundation in your prayers and consider how you may become involved in its future .  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the church office or email the foundation at Foundation@sjlagrange.com .

Tom Braun
Chairperson
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School Foundation
Gift Opportunities
As we approach the end of the year, it is not too late to make a special contribution to St. John's. If you are 70 1/2 you can fulfill the Required Minimum Distribution of your IRA account by contributing a portion of the Distribution to St. John's. Your contribution reduces your Adjusted Gross Income.

Another tax saving possibility is to donate an appreciated security to St. John's. If the security is held in a taxable account, you pay no capital gains tax and receive an itemized deduction for the value of the security donated.

Please review these possibilities with your tax advisor before taking action. You can contact the following members for more information:

Jeff Baker: (708) 446-9567 or jwbaz@aol.com
Tom Braun: (708) 207-3720 or tjbraun54@gmail.com
Bob Roth: (630) 247-1864 or rjrmcr@aol.com
UPCOMING ST. JOHN'S EVENTS
2018 CROP Hunger Walk
La Grange/Western Springs/Brookfield
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Registration Time: 12:30 p.m.
Walk Time: 1:15 p.m.
Join St. John's team for the 2018 CROP Hunger Walk. Six local food pantries will receive 25% of funds raised. There will also be a shorter family-friendly walk starting at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, 5250 Wolf Rd., Western Springs IL. At the halfway point, First United Methodist Church of Western Springs, 4300 Howard Ave., there will be a blessing of pets. Questions? Contact Vicki Wykert at v.wykert@sjlagrange.com

  1. Join the Walk
  2. Donate money now to support walkers
  3. Online giving at: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/lagrangeil/vicki
  4. Eat at Panera on October 11th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (need flyer)
  5. Donate to local food pantries (see the list of items)
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
St. John's Parking Lot
Join us for an afternoon of fun for all ages; a great chance to visit with friends, bring your neighbors and your family to enjoy a nice Fall afternoon. There will be snacks, a jumpy house and many decorated cars that will provide a treat and some games. Check out the table in the Narthex with more details. If you would like to be a “host” for a car, please contact Ms. Pece at  k.pece@sjlagrange.com  or Mrs. Strasser at  j.strasser@sjlagrange.com.

We are asking School families to donate bags of wrapped individual sized Halloween candy to distribute during Trunk or Treat. Please bring the candy and drop-off in buckets labeled Trunk or Treat in the Church Narthex or the School Office lobby by Wednesday October 24th. If you would like to volunteer to help at Trunk or Treat or participate by decorating a trunk, please visit the sign up genius links below. 

Helpers link below:

Trunk decorators link below:
Save the Dates!
Advent Tea
Saturday, December 1
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
More details to come!
Cookie Drop-Off
The Board of Caring Ministries invites you to join us for a "Cookie Drop-Off" on Saturday, December 15th at 1:00 p.m. Please help us take Christmas Cheer to those who cannot join us for Church on Sundays. More information to follow!
A Journey with Harp and Voice
Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
St. John’s will host “Ravel and Britten: A Short Journey with Harp and Voice” , featuring harpist AnnLaura Tapia and soprano Amanda Murphy, on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. The concert will feature two primary works: “ A Birthday Hansel ” (a setting of Robert Burns Poems by Benjamin Britten); and “ Cinq Melodies Popularies Grecques ” (a setting for harp and voice by Maurice Ravel). The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken. Please help us promote the St. John’s Concert Series!
Christmas Concert: "Of the Father's Love Begotten"
Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
St. John’s will again host our Annual Christmas Concert: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. This evening of music will feature St. John’s adult and youth choirs, handbells, and orchestra. The program will include a variety of sacred music and familiar carols. The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken.
Scholarships available for the
LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL
Don’t miss out on Lutheran Summer Music (LSM).  LSM is a residential performance and training program for young musicians grades 8 – 12.  LSM is hosted on different Lutheran college and university campuses each Summer.  Join over 25 nationally recognized faculty artists and a team of dedicated counselors in our supportive, academic community.  This year the academy is being held at Valparaiso University from June 23 – July 7, 2019 (Half Session); and June 23 – July 21, 2019 (Full Session).

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  Thanks to many generous donations, the tuition has been reduced by $1,000 from the past several years.  You also can apply for Matching Grants that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs substantially. 

APPLICATION:  Please complete the application that is available on our church web site. The deadline to complete the scholarship application is January 1, 2019.

Please contact David Lincoln at d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com if you have any questions on the scholarship application process. Any student from St. John’s Church can apply for a partial scholarship.  This is made possible by the Eugene Pepich Lutheran Music Summer Camp Scholarship Program.
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Education 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210