St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
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Sunday Worship Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
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Third Sunday After the Epiphany
Sunday, January 27, 2019
"Epiphanies...in Nazareth"
(Sermon Series - Final Week)
Pastor Mark Stapleton
Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Holy Gospel: Luke 4:16-30
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Sermon Series
"Epiphanies: Shining The Light On God's Work In Our Midst"
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The word “epiphany” can have many meanings. It can mean “appearance”, which leads us to the celebration of Epiphany, where the Magi were led to the Christ by the star shining in the sky. In recent times, however, the word “epiphany” can mean “an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure”. This is when you come to a realization of something that had been previously under wraps.
What if the story of the Magi in Bethlehem revealed an “epiphany” to us? What about the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan river? What about the wedding in Cana? What about the synagogue in Nazareth? Could these stories contain “epiphanies”, shining light on what God in Jesus Christ was doing back then…and today?
In this 4-week series, we will be exploring these biblical narratives, shining the light on the work God was doing then…and the work He reveals that He is doing among us today.
1/27: Epiphanies…in Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30)
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Holy Baptism of Taylor Lynn Oliver
Sunday, January 27 during the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service
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St. John's Concert Series
Sunday, January 27, 2019
4:00 p.m.
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CONSECRATED STEWARDS...
is Coming Soon!
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Consecrated Stewards
is a Bible-based stewardship education and commitment process designed to help our members grow in their spiritual lives and in the grace of giving. Watch for details on Bible studies and other events.
Mark Sunday, March 3, 2019 now as the time of our Consecration Sunday Service and Luncheon
. And please pray that God will bless this emphasis as a time of spiritual growth and commitment.
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Sub Sandwiches & Big Cookie Sale!
LAST WEEK - Orders Needed by January 27th!
Sales support our Youth attending the 2019 National Youth Gathering
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Our Youth are preparing to sell subs and big cookies to raise funds for our trip to Minnesota this Summer for the National Youth Gathering. Delicious cookies will be available to purchase on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. til Noon or when they sell out.
For the first time ever, we are going to make delicious sub sandwiches. You must order before January 27, 2019 so that we can make your food the way you want it. Please consider supporting our youth and this amazing trip! There will be order forms available in the church narthex on the Connection Center. Any questions, please contact Vicki Wykert at
v.wykert@sjlagrange.com
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St. John's 2019 Lent Devotional
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7 Days
One Week That Changed The World
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168 hours…that’s the amount of hours in a week. One can pack a lot in just one week. But…can someone change the world? With only 168 hours to do it?
Jesus did. From the first hour He entered into Jerusalem rising on a donkey’s colt, Jesus changed the world. Jesus packed a lot into the 168 hours He spent in Jerusalem that week: stories, teachings, miracles…washing feet, preparing Supper, praying…crucifixion, burial, resurrection. All of this changed the world. All of this
still
changes the world…changes you and me.
Our journey this Lenten season will focus on what has become known as “Holy Week”. We’ll dig into the words and actions that Jesus said and did during this week. Of course, we will focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus, but that is not all. We will also consider some of the parables He spoke…some of the teachings He gave…some of the events that happened to Him…all of them ONLY during this week. What do they have to say of our sin and need for salvation? What do they have to say of the only One who could give us that salvation? What do they say of our life in Christ today, in the present?
168 hours. 1 Week. That’s all it took for Jesus to change the world. That’s all it
takes
to change the world today.
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Sign-Up to Write a Devotion
A sign-up table has been set-up in the church narthex for you to review the Days/Verses for the 2019 Lent Devotional. If you would like to preview the Days/Verses prior to Sunday, please click
here
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Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"More Than the Message"
Sunday, January 27 at 9:25 a.m.
Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
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Join Pastor Ben during the Adult Bible Study hour as he “test drives” a potential resource to be utilized with St. John’s upcoming Small Group ministry!
Ever heard a message from the pastors that you wanted to dig more into? Ever want to take the “message” of the message and apply it directly to your life in a specific way? Ever want to share your insights into the passage of the Bible that the pastors preached on Sunday with others needing the benefits of your insights? Then come to Adult Bible Study from 9:25-10:25 a.m. in the Heritage Room, where Pastor Ben will be giving a “message-based” study. Don’t worry! Whether you have heard the message or not, you will dig deeper into the passages the pastors have preached on, apply the teachings of both the passages and the pastors, and apply those to your lives today. This is (4) week study based on the sermon series in January, “Epiphanies”. Come and join us!
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High School Youth Bible Study
"Angels"
Sunday, January 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Youth Room
Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
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High School Students: A new Bible study will be offered this Sunday between services. The topic is "ANGELS"...What are they exactly? Do they still interact with us today? Listen to some fascinating stories about Angels. Pastor Stapleton is leading this class, it starts at 9:30 a.m. in the basement Youth Room.
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Calling All Sunday School Kids!
Sunday, January 27 at 9:25 a.m.
Music/Choir Room
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Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study
Christ Centered Parenting
"Gospel Conversations on Complex Cultural Issues"
Sunday, January 27 at 9:25 a.m.
Nursery
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This study helps equip you to discuss difficult issues with your kids such as pornography, identity, homosexuality, abortion, technology, and more from a Gospel perspective. Join us!
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Tuesday Women's Bible Class
Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
The Tuesday Women's Bible Class will be reading "One Way Love - Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World" for one more week.
We will begin reading "Waiting - A Bible Study on Patience, Hope & Trust" by Sharon Fritz on January 29, 2019. If you would like a copy reserved for you, contact Lynn Kahl at (312) 890-0020 or email at
lynnkahl50@gmail.com
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We look forward to you joining us in this new year!
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Session 12: Monday, February 4, 2019
Session 13: Monday, February 11, 2019
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
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Our topic for Session 12 is
"Heaven"
...What is heaven like? Are the near death experiences reliable descriptions of heaven? What does the Bible say?
Our topic for Session 13 is
"What Do I Live for Now?"
...Why moving forward is a necessity and a process. Why peace and pain will always coexist.
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Early Risers Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
We are continuing our study of the Gospel of Luke, following Warren Wiersbe's "Be Courageous: Take Heart from Christ's Example." If you have any questions, please contact Jon Fredrickson at
jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com
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SHARE
...with Your Service
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The St. John’s Christmas Sock Tree donations were received and distributed. The socks, mittens, sheets, and other items, while seemingly small, are some of the most impactful gifts, especially with the bitter winter conditions, that improve the daily lives of neighbors who are struggling with homelessness. Thank you for your generosity! These gifts are blessings.
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Raising Our Evangelism Temperature
Board of Evangelism
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During the month of January, the Evangelism Committee invites you to:
Reach out to someone who is lonely or sad, and bring them the light of Christ with your call or visit.
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Interfaith Community Partners
Volunteer Request
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Volunteer drivers needed to transport older adults:
Can you spare an hour or more a week to drive an older adult? Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 130 volunteers provide accompanied transportation to medical appointments, therapies, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, hairdresser, and church. There is no cost to our clients, we ask for them to donate, if able. Contact us at (708) 354-9328 for a volunteer application, visit us on the web at
InterfaithCommunityPartners.org
, and like us on Facebook. We will train you and work around your busy life!
Attention parents:
Are you looking to volunteer in the community over the Summer with your children? Interfaith Community Partners has opportunities to deliver flowers to our older adult clients, take an older adult grocery shopping, or just visit with them for a half hour or so. Call our office for details at (708) 354-9328.
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January's Mission Coffee donations will benefit St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Chicago.
St. John's has had an on going relationship with them throughout the years. We continue to support them in whatever way that we can. One of their strongest missions is El Comedor Popular, their popular soup kitchen that was started about 1990. At the present, the congregation’s ministries connect with people from Germany, Poland, Italy, Mexico and lately Venezuela, all through El Comedor Popular.
They have provided meals throughout their 26 years of ministry to the hungry, and they have experienced the presence of Christ in their midst. St. John's has been instrumental in supporting St. Matthew’s outreach ministry to the elderly, unemployed and homeless living in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Please keep them in your prayers and help support their very important mission.
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Coffee Hour Host Sign-Up
January & February 2019
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If you are interested in Hosting Sunday Morning Coffee Hour, click the button below to learn more! Thanks for serving!
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Food Pantry Item for the Month of January:
DISH SOAP
Donations can be dropped off in the church narthex near the Connection Center.
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FUNdraiser Volunteers
Our St. John's Lutheran School FUNdraiser is scheduled for February 9, 2019. We are excited for all the fun and FUNdraising that evening, but we need a lot of help for the event to be successful and run smoothly. Thank you for all your help and support! Click
here
to volunteer!
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Are you ready for Game Day? There are many choices for your shopping needs...click the TRIP log to learn more!
We will be placing TRIP orders on these upcoming dates: January 28, February 11 & 25
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Thrivent Magazine
Article featuring former St. John's Teacher & Principal, Lynn Kahl
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Click
here to read the article featuring Lynn Kahl located in the December 2018 Issue of Thrivent Magazine.
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Church Board Vacancies
Elections were held at the Congregational Assembly on Sunday December 2, 2018. Many people stepped forward to either fill a vacancy or to be reelected to their same position. I would like to thank all who decided to give their time and talent to our Church. Even with people stepping forward there are a number of open Board Positions as well a Chair for the Board of Stewardship and for the office of Secretary of the Congregation. These are two very important positions which need to be filled as soon as possible.
I ask you to pray and consider filling one of these key roles of the congregation. Many people have accepted the challenge to give up some of their time and use their talents to help lead our Church into the future. I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone and fill one of the open board positions or more important to volunteer to lead the Board of Stewardship or become the Congregational Secretary.
If you have any questions or want to volunteer for one of these positions, talk to me on Sunday or email me at
tjbraun54@gmail.com. Thank you, Tom Braun
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Lutheran Witness Subscription Renewals
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It's that time of year again! If you are interested in subscribing to the Lutheran Witness magazine or renewing your Lutheran Witness subscription, please contact the Church Office at
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com or call (708) 354-1690 x210. The cost for the (12) month subscription is $15.96.
Deadline is Friday, February 22, 2019.
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Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statistics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
PLEASE NOTE:
With the changes to the 2018-19 Operating Budget approved by the Congregational Assembly on December 2, 2018 (which increased our projected deficit for this fiscal year to approximately $114,000), and taking into account actual giving for operations for this year through December 30, 2018, the amount of giving for operations needed per week to balance the budget this year has been reset. The new level is $17,110. This amount will be reflected in the weekly giving
charts
beginning January 6, 2019.
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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
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Weekly Worship Attendance
Sunday, January 20, 2019 = 156
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GIFT APPEAL UPDATE
G
iving
I
n
F
aith
T
ogether
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We are well on our way!!
The GIFT appeal is for $120,000 over and above regular contributions to close our projected budget deficit by March of 2019. From November 25, 2018 through January 20, 2019:
$61.283
. Look for weekly updates in the Mission.
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The Qualified Charitable Distribution rules have been made permanent. This allows you to make annual direct transfers from your IRA to a qualified charity like St. John’s. In order to qualify for this bypass, you must be 70 and 1/2 or older.
Transferring an IRA distribution directly to a charity allows you to avoid taxes and the charitable contribution helps satisfy the required minimum distribution. By redirecting your distribution directly to St. John’s, it is not considered income nor a charitable deduction; it “bypasses” your tax return. Speak with your tax/investment Advisor if you have questions or contact:
Bob Roth (630) 325-7305
Jeff Baker (708) 446-9567
Tom Braun (708) 207-3720
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Electronic Giving Available
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The Board of Finance has established a way for you to make electronic donations to St. John’s Lutheran Church, using software provided by Vanco. The procedure is fast, easy and secure. You can set up either a onetime donation or a set of recurring donations.
A onetime donation is for a specific date, and amount and fund to be credited.
A recurring donation is a set of donations for dates in the future. These will be sent to St. John’s on the dates you decide, in the amounts you decide and the funds you have decided to be credited.
These automated donations insure that the first fruit you have planned to give to St. John’s are received by St. John’s as you have planned, even if you are on vacation. This saves you the problem of writing out individual checks on weeks you are away.
Recurring donations can be changed or deleted at anytime up to three days of the future date of the donation. You can even do a combination of recurring and one time donations. You can make a onetime donation to the GIFT program, or Christmas, or any other holiday which does not fall on a Sunday.
It is easy to sign up for this program:
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Go to church page
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Giving tab
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Sign in or Sign up
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One time donation
- No need to set up account
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Recurring donations
Set up your account
- YOU decided the amount
- You decide the frequency
- You decide the funds to be credited
- Can be changed up to three days prior before the donation is to be paid.
GIFT Program is included as a choice.
The
attached
explains the process of setting up your electronic gift giving.
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"Senior Lunch N' More"
Wednesday, February 13 at 11:15 a.m.
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Hope Lutheran Church at 6455 Joliet Rd. in Countryside is hosting a Senior Luncheon on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. There will be an 11:15 a.m. Bible Study Opportunity and lunch served at 12 Noon. Come and enjoy a FREE Lunch with Fellowship and Entertainment by Musical Entertainer, Tony Bernard. Tony will perform songs from many different eras, ranging from the 40’s to today’s contemporary hits.
A nutritious lunch (See
flyer
for menu items) will be provided by Salerno’s Pizzeria and Sports Bar.
Seating is limited! *Reservations are required
and are being taken starting Tuesday, January 22 through 12 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. Please call (708) 354-1323 and indicate that you are reserving a space at Hope Lutheran Church.
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Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Education 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
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Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
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