CONNECT ... in Worship
Sunday Worship Service
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Palm Sunday
April 14, 2019
(Distribution of Individual Palms)
"ReFocus...on the Interest of Others, not Only Your Own"
(Sermon Series - Final Week)
Pastor Ben Roberts
We will begin our Palm Sunday services with a processional outside near the main School Entrance off of Park Rd. If we have inclement weather, we will gather in the Gymnasium for the procession.

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 32:36-39
Epistle: Philippians 2:1-11
Holy Gospel: John 12:20-43
Sunday Lenten Sermon Series
"Refocus"
Sundays, March 10 - April 14
Distracted?
Focusing on other things?
Not focusing on…Jesus?

In this Lenten series, “ReFocus”, we are looking at those things in our lives that currently take our eyes off Jesus and threaten our relationship with Him and with others. We’ll examine everything from our obsession with smart phones to our “age of outrage”, from our busyness to our sense of entitlement. When our focus is so much on these things, we can easily lose focus on the One who matters most: our Lord Jesus Christ. We’ll also see what God’s Word says about these things and how Jesus should be the ultimate One we “focus” on and the mercy and grace He shows. This Lent, come and “refocus” on Jesus and His eternal love for you in the midst of so many things that distract.
  • 4/14 (Palm Sunday): ReFocus…on the Interest Of Others, not Only Your Own
Maundy Thursday, April 18
12:00 p.m. - Worship w/Holy Communion
7:00 p.m. - Worship w/Holy Communion

Good Friday, April 19
12:00 p.m. - Worship Service
7:00 p.m. - Tenebrae Service

Easter Sunday, April 21
8:00 a.m. - Festival Service w/Holy Communion
10:45 a.m. - Festival Service w/Holy Communion

The Church Office will be closed
Good Friday, April 19 and Easter Monday, April 22, 2019
Easter Breakfast
Sunday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m.
School Gymnasium

Plans are underway for our annual Easter Breakfast. A sign-up board is located the Church Narthex. Items needed include coffee cakes, breakfast breads, fruit trays, egg casseroles, etc. We will also need many hands to make this event run smoothly. Please consider signing up to help, and plan to bring your family and friends for a time of good food and fellowship. Please contact Nancy Mayor nancy.mayor@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you in advance!
Last Sunday for Easter Lily Sales
St. John's Altar Guild
Throughout Lent, as Easter approaches, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter that we may have eternal life with Him. On Easter Sunday, Easter Lilies are placed on the Altar in celebration of our Savior’s resurrection.  Please consider purchasing an Easter Lily to beautify the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday and in thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life.  A member of the Altar Guild will be in the Narthex taking orders for lilies after worship this final Sunday, April 14. The price per lily is $14.00.  Easter Lilies may be taken after the Easter services.  
2019 St. John's Lenten Devotional
"7 Days...One Week That Changed the World"
The 2019 Lenten Devotional is ready! Paper copies can be picked up in the Church Narthex. You are welcome to download a PDF version by clicking the button below, or click here to view the daily devotion on our website.
GROW ...in the Word
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.)
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"ReFocus"
Sunday, April 14 at 9:25 a.m.
Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study
Sunday, April 14 at 9:25 a.m.
Noah Ark's Nursery Classroom
Our Christ-Centered Parenting Bible study will meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. We currently studying "Gospel Conversations on Complex Cultural Issues".
Sunday School - Eggs, Eggs, and More Eggs!
Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Second Floor, Music/Choir Room
Hey kids! We'll have lots of fun with eggs in Sunday School. Come join the fun!
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 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
Hallelujah Chorus
Come Join the Senior Choir !
On Easter Sunday during our Worship Services everyone will be singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G. F. Handel as the Closing Song. There will be a congregational part that will be printed in the bulletin that will have the melody for almost the entire song.  If you would like to join in singing the harmony parts as a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass you will be invited to come to the rear balcony at the conclusion of Holy Communion and be given a choral score that will allow you to sing in harmony with the Senior Choir.  If you have ever sung in a high school or college choir this is for you!  Come and join us for  “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118: 24)
Interfaith Community Partners
Petal Pusher Program
Our Petal Pusher Program is in great need of Vases! The smaller, the better! The size of a mason jar is the size we need, think something that would fit in a cup holder. Nothing large, as they are difficult for our older adults to handle. All donated vases may be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday-Friday at the ICP office located in the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, 150 S. Ashland Ave., enter on the Catherine Ave. side of the building, double doors.
2017-2019 Mission Goal Met! Lutheran Women in Mission has been fully funded! Thanks be to God for His generosity and the generous offerings from men and women all over the United States as they faithfully filled their Mission Mite Boxes and gave offerings towards this goal. Twenty-two ministries have received complete grants. To read about those grants, click here.
LWML Spring Rally
Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 a.m.

Click here for more information.
Food Pantry Item for the Month of April:
Baby Diapers
Donations can be dropped off in the Church Narthex near the Connection Center.
SCHOOL NEWS
School Annual Fund
St. John’s Lutheran School has offered quality Christian education in La Grange for over 130 years. Each year, the expenses to provide this education increase. We do our best to keep our tuition as reasonable as possible, and because of that we often see a gap between our income and expenses. The Annual Fund is one of the tools we use to bridge that gap. So far we have raised $46,000 towards our goal of $125,000. Over the next several weeks, we aim to raise the rest. Please consider donating today! Your donation is tax deductible, and always used to support St. John’s Lutheran School. Donations can be made by offering envelope on Sunday, or online - simply click this link and choose "School Annual Fund" from the drop down menu https://www.sjlagrange.com/church/vanco-online-giving/ or drop off in the Church or School Offices.
2019 St. John's Plant Sale
Friday, May 10 from 10 :00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Spring is around the corner and it's time to think about St. John's Plant sale! Click here to view the order form. Preorders do not have to be paid in advance; payment at pick-up is fine. Completed forms can be placed in the "Plant Sale" boxes located the Church Narthex and School Office.
TRIP Program
As you are getting for Easter, gradation parties, showers, weddings, or vacations, 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: April 15; May 6, 20
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, April 7 = 225
Tax Planning and Charitable Giving
By now you have probably filed your Federal Income Tax return for 2018 and are planning for your 2019 taxes. An increasing number of members have used an IRA distribution directly to St. John's as a convenient and tax efficient contribution. We have received over $23,000 in Qualified Charitable Distributions in the first months of 2019.

Transferring an IRA distribution directly to St. John's or other charities can help satisfy your required minimum distribution and it can lower your taxable income. If this is of interest to you, please contact your Tax/Investment Adviser.

For general questions, contact:
Bob Roth: (630) 325-7305
Jeff Baker: (708) 446-9567
Tom Braun: (708) 207-3720
EVENTS
St. John's Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 28 at 9:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
The agenda will include the presentation of the budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year for the congregation's approval. Please plan to attend.
Attention Golfers!
St. John's has once again secured a 7:37 a.m. Saturday morning tee time at Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside. The tee time will run from April 27 through August 31. All are welcome. Please contact Rick Lange at (708) 710-9829 or richard.lange@unisys.com to get more information on how you can sign-up to play.
Voice of Care Ministries
Trivia Fun for Everyone!
Voice of Care Ministries, an outreach which puts Christ among people with disabilities, will be hosting this happy event at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 Maple Ave., Lisle, IL on Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. It will include a Silent Auction, a Gift Card "Fishing Pond," and other fun activities. Please register by emailing VoiceOfCare.org or call (630) 231-3862.
MORE NEWS
Walther News
With the grace of God and the support of nearly 400 individuals, churches and organizations, Walther Christian Academy has completed their $2.3 million dollar Where Blessings Abound capital campaign. In addition to funding a complete replacement of the school’s heating system, donors provided support for the Warren G. Hoger track, athletic field fencing, a new visitor’s dug-out and security upgrades to ensure the safety of Walther students. Donors also provided funds for student financial aid and scholarships, including the Bronco Legacy Scholarship which assists Walther alumni in enrolling their son or daughter.  Lastly, generous donors supported the Grade School Instrumental Music Program, a program that provides instrumental music education to 10 Lutheran grade schools.  Please keep Walther Christian Academy in your prayers as they consider next steps in the continual improvement of Chicagoland Lutheran secondary education. 
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