The council approved coming back to church on September 27th. Remember you need to come in through the Narthex door to attend worship. More information is below.


For the Sunday Service, click on the image above and you will be directed to the You-tube page where the worship service is located. The new one is usually uploaded on Saturday so check back and see. I will not be sending additional e-Skinnys out because you can use that link.
You can also listen to the podcast by clicking on the podcast image at the bottom of the page or.....

As always, you can listen on KCHA Sunday morning at 9 a.m.

The weekly Taking Faith Home and the bulletin are here on the website.


In the aftermath of the Derecho Storm that caused damage to a large part of Iowa, Monday August 10th, the ELCA’s Southeast Iowa Synod is collecting relief funds to help the many people affected by the storm. If you would like to donate to the fund send your donation to St. John Lutheran church, 200 S Main St., Charles City IA, 50616,
& on the memo line write Disaster Relief. 
Coats for Kids
St. John will be holding Coats for Kids October 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. & October 11th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Due to social distancing rules the event will be by appointment. (More details to follow).
 
If you have new or gently used coats, boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, etc. to donate, bring them to the church. Outside the Narthex door there is a plastic tote to put your donations in.
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Parish Ed News
Online Sunday School began September 20th
 with 36 kids registered.

Confirmation is scheduled to begin October 7th via zoom.

Confirmation Sunday is postponed & will be scheduled for a later date.

The First and Fourth Grade St. John Sunday School students will be receiving their Bibles during the month of October. We will be blessing those that have received Bibles during the online and in-person worship service on Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2020.

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The September “Christ in Our Home” devotionals will be in the outdoor mailbox in the afternoons!


Though the St. John building is closed to the public, you can call the office with any questions or concerns. When staff is there your call will be answered, otherwise leave a voicemail for Kathy. You can also reach her by emailing khoeft@stjohncharlescity.com. 



or you can go to the church and pick up a physical copy in the church mailbox in the afternoon or go to the church website and access it online.

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REOPENING INFORMATION
 A reopening team of church staff, Deacons, and ushers have been planning for a safe return to in-house worship at church on September 27.  There will be safety guidelines to follow, including a reservation system to attend, social distancing, and mask wearing by everyone.

Members and Friends of St. John Lutheran,
 
The Church Council has made the decision to begin offering a weekly in-person worship option in addition to our weekly online and radio services. We will have one, in-person service on Sundays at 9 AM. Our first Sunday together will be September 27th. The following instructions were taken from the in-person worship plan and are intended to help make the in-person worship experience meaningful and safe:
•  There will be a limit of 50 people for each worship service to maintain social distancing.
•  All worshipers will need to register by 4 PM on Thursday before the Sunday service by calling the church office. Only registered worshipers will be admitted.
•  Entry and exit will be through the main doors which will open at 8:45 AM Sundays. Worshipers will need to check-in with a greeter as they enter the building.
•  Face masks will be required for those five years and older. We will provide a face mask for anybody who needs one.
•  All worshipers will be ushered to their seats to maintain physical distancing between family groups.
•  Communion will be offered at every service so that it’s available whenever worshipers are able to attend. We will not be singing or speaking in unison, any singing and responsive readings will be pre-recorded.
•  Please read the full plan for additional information.
 
 An on-line video explaining the modified in-person worship is available. HERE is the link.

Also of note: the nursery will not be open when the limited service resumes for sanitation reasons and the only bathrooms that will be open are in the Narthex.
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Thank you to all of you that have been mailing in your offerings.
To keep up with your offerings: they can be mailed to St. John at 200 S. Main St, Charles City, IA 50616
or to sign up for Simply Giving, click on this link for a printable form:

Something new: On the St. John Website is a Digital Simply Giving tab which will allow you to manage your electronic giving from home! You can decide how much you would like to give, the frequency and which fund you would like your donation to go to.

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To get to the church website, click at the top of this page on the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church logo.

https://www.facebook.com/stjohncc will get you to the Facebook page

An email address you can use to get a message to the church khoeft@stjohncharlescity.com
Other emails are available on the website.

To call the church (641)228-339

“Drive Through Communion”
On October 4th between 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. we will have “Drive Through Communion. We also plan to offer this communion on the 1st Sunday of each month. We will ask that you enter the parking lot at the top. You will proceed down to the canopy where you will be handed a disposable communion cup with wafer. Next you will proceed to the pastor to partake of communion. Gluten free cups will be available.

Backpack Blessing: During the October 4th online service & drive through communion, Pastor Russ will bless the backpacks of students and teachers!
 
Click on the icon to go to the church podcast.