CONNECT ...in Worship
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 19, 2019
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
"Walking Out of the Tomb...Becoming More Like Jesus"
Sermon Series Week 2 of 4
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 119:105-112
Epistle: Ephesians 4:17-24
Holy Gospel: John 13:12-17, 34-35
Current Sermon Series
"Walking Out of the Tomb: Living Life with Jesus Raised from the Dead"
Jesus rising from the dead is more than just an event in history. It is the beginning of new life. When that stone was rolled away and Jesus walked out of the tomb, never to die again, He brought with Him new rule and reign that would impact our lives to the very core of our being. It is not ironic, therefore, that Jesus “walked” out of the tomb. “Walking” in the New Testament often means “live your life”. With Jesus walking out of the tomb that first Easter, He invites those who believe in Him to “walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).

But what does that look like? What does it look like to live in this post-resurrection reality? What does it look like to “walk” after Jesus walked out of the tomb? This series will offer four ways our lives are impacted by the new reality Jesus’ resurrection brings. We will look at how our “walk” changes after Jesus walks out of the tomb.
5/19: Walking Out of the Tomb…Becoming More Like Jesus (Ephesians 4:17-24)
5/26: Walking Out of the Tomb…Seeing Others Through His Eyes (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)
6/2: Walking Out of the Tomb…Shining Light into Darkness (John 12:32-36a)
Pentecost Geraniums
Altar Guild
June 9 is Pentecost Sunday - the day we observe when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. On Pentecost Sunday, red geraniums will be placed on the Altar celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire. The Altar Guild invites you to place orders for the large (6 1/2 inch pot) red geraniums after each service on May 19, May 26 and June 2. The cost per plant is $12.00. The geraniums may be taken home after the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service on June 9.
GROW ...in the Word
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"More Than the Message"
Sunday, May 19 from 9:25 to 10:25 a.m.
Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
High School Youth Bible Study
"Book of Luke"
Sunday, May 19 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Youth Room
Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Join us this Sunday in the Youth Room located downstairs next to the School Cafeteria. Our study will be on the Book of Luke.
Ready...to CONNECT?
Want to know more about the faith and practice of St. John’s? Get connected! St. John’s offers a free, online 12 session course in Christianity called “God Connects” from Lutheran Hour Ministries. This course has short videos, discussion guides and opportunities for online questions and comments for Pastor Ben to answer and respond. Because it is online, you can go at your own pace and finish whenever you want!

To access this course, sign-up on your Greeting Card located on your Worship bulletin. Take this opportunity to get connected with God and His Son, Jesus!

( Note: Those who are new to the faith and practice of St. John’s and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, are required to complete this course before attending St. John’s CONNECT Class for joining the community of St. John’s.)
Join Us in Sunday School!
Sunday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Second Floor Music Room
St. John's Lutheran Church and School
Vacation Bible School 2019
Save the Date!
Miraculous Mission: Jesus Saves the World!
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m
More information coming soon!
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES
Tuesday Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Room

We are currently reading "Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God" by Max Lucado. Please join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for Bible Study, prayer, fellowship, and a light breakfast.
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 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 .
SHARE ...with Your Service
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
Mission Cafe'
The Mission Cafe donations from May 19 through June 16 will benefit Caring Network, Illinois, formerly Care Net. Caring Network welcomes women with unconditional love, counsel and resources that offer the light of truth as they are faced with an unplanned pregnancy. They provide free and confidential services that include: pregnancy tests, abortion-alternative counseling, ultrasounds, material goods support, community resources and mentoring. Please give generously!
Baby Bottle Drive
Caring Network provides spiritual, emotional and material support to women dealing with unplanned pregnancies, enabling them to choose life for their babies. You can help Caring Network by a hope center for families in our community by participating in Coins for Caring Network. Pick up your baby bottle today at the display located near the Mission Cafe in the Church Narthex. Fill it with spare change and return it to Church Office by June 16, 2019. Your change can truly make a difference!
Here Ye, Here Ye...It's Family Theater Time!
Plans are nearly finalized for this summer’s 2019 St. John’s Family Theater and we would love for your family to be involved! If you are unfamiliar with what this is, here’s a brief run down.

The Family Theater cast is made up of St. John’s Congregation Members as well as St. John’s School Families. The only thing that we ask is that if you have kiddo’s who would like to participate, that a parent/guardian be available to either be in the cast or to attend rehearsals as well.

We meet one evening a week, typically on a Tuesday, from early June until early August (with a couple extra rehearsals thrown in prior to our August performances). Our rehearsal times are “family vacation & Summer activity friendly” so don’t assume that you can’t participate just because you will be gone for a week or two. I’m sure we can work around your schedule!

  • The first information meeting is scheduled for MONDAY, JUNE 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Music/Choir Room.  As I mentioned, our rehearsals are typically on Tuesdays so this Monday meeting is a bit unusual.  This won’t be the norm, I just happen to have a little league conflict Tuesday.

  • The tentative performance dates are August 9-11. The official dates will be finalized after the first cast Informational Meeting.
 
If you have any questions whatsoever, or if you just want to let me know you are interested in being a part of this fun Summer experience, or if you can’t make it to the Informational Meeting, please contact Heidi Dahlstrand at heidi827@msn.com or (847) 302-3967.   
Additional Volunteers Needed for the
"Media Presentations Team"
Board of Information Systems
The Board of Information Systems is looking for additional volunteers to assist in the creation of Media Presentations used for the screens in the Sanctuary, Narthex, and School Hallways. By publicizing the highlights of upcoming events visibly on the screens, we can better inform everyone, including visitors about the great opportunities at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School. General computer knowledge is a plus and one of the programs that can be used is Microsoft Power Point, or any other program that you prefer that creates picture images (jpeg, gif, png, tiff, bmp, etc…). Please contact David Lincoln at d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com for information on how to join the “Media Presentations Team”.
Food Pantry Item for the Month of May:
Band-Aids
Donations can be dropped off in the Church Narthex near the Connection Center.
SCHOOL NEWS
Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarships
Like last year, Tax Credit Scholarships will be available for students at our School, but ONLY if we have donors like you come forward. Your benefit is a 75% state tax credit in 2020. Please see the attachments to learn more.
TRIP Program
As you are getting ready for parties, showers, weddings or vacations, or just looking to pamper your mom, take time to evaluate your shopping needs and order your TRIP cards! Click the TRIP logo above to learn more!

We will be placing TRIP orders on this upcoming date: May 20
CHURCH OFFICE
Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statistics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
Weekly Worship Attendance
Sunday, May 12, 2019 = 224
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
EVENTS
Medicare Information Seminar
Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Heritage Room
St. John's Boards of Evangelism and Caring Ministries will be sponsoring a FREE Medicare Information Seminar on Tuesday May 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room. You will have the opportunity to learn about new medicare changes, how to enroll in Medicare, the Medicare plan with the lowest premium, how to select the best supplement and best drug plan and how to avoid making mistakes. This is an informational seminar only!  Please share with friends and/or family who you think may need updates or information on Medicare. Any questions? Contact Bill Scanlon at (708) 387-1946 or email, billscanlon@accessbpc.com.
Youth Event!
All Youth 6th - 12th Grade
Coordinated by St. John's Board of Parish Education
When: Saturday, June 29, 2019
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Feed My Starving Children
555 Exchange Ct.
Aurora, IL 60504
Questions? Contact Julie Wilkins, (773) 420-6369

Click the link to RSVP!
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