St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
February 29-March 6, 2020
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First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 1st, 2020
8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.
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"Red Letter Challenge: Hearing and Doing"
Preacher:
Pastor Ben Roberts
Worship Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Old Testament:
Psalm 119:17–24
Epistle:
James 1:19–25
Holy Gospel:
Matthew 7:24–27
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Today is the First Sunday in Lent and as we make our annual journey with Christ to the cross, we reflect and what it means to follow Him. Jesus says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me…”, but do we actually do that? Do we hear the words of Jesus and yet not do them? Challenging indeed! Yet, Jesus promises that “everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Today, we begin a 40-day journey with Jesus during the season of Lent called the RED LETTER CHALLENGE, in which we are called to literally follow the “red letters” of Jesus in the Bible. We will be looking at how Jesus invites and challenges His disciples to a life of BEING, FORGIVING, SERVING, GIVING and GOING. Though following Jesus seems impossible because of our sin, shame and weakness, we hear the words that we build our lives as His disciples upon: “On Christ, the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
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Missed a sermon from a past Worship Service?
Catch up by listening to the audio here:
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Midweek Lenten Worship Services
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
February 26—April 1
Theme: Life Together
2/26 (Ash Wednesday): Life Together: Life’s Better in My Hands!
3/4: Life Together: I’m Being True To Myself!
3/11: Life Together: This Is It???
3/18: Life Together: Who Am I?
3/25 : Life Together: I Can’t Believe in a God who Would…
4/1: Life Together: I Need This…and This…and This…
Lenten Supper Schedule
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
(February 26—April 1st)
School Gymnasium
Free-will offering accepted
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday, April 9
12:00 Noon & 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 10
12:00 Noon & 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 12
Festival Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
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RED LETTER CHALLENGE STARTS MARCH 1ST!
The mission of the Red Letter Challenge is to help people live more like Jesus. Sadly, when people think of Jesus-followers it is a far cry from who Jesus actually is. After all that Jesus has done for us, we cannot be content with the picture and representation that we are sharing. We must change the story and perception of who Jesus is.
So how do we change the story that we are telling?
We go back to Christ’s words. You know, those red letters in your Bible.
Starting on March 1
st, the first Sunday in Lent, St. John’s will be engaging in the Red Letter Challenge, a 40-day journey of literally following the words of Jesus…the “red letters”…in the Gospels. There are many ways to participate:
1.
A new, six-week message series based on 5 common themes of Jesus’ red letters: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving and Going.
2.
Pick up a copy of this year’s St. John’s Devotional, “Red Letters: Invitation and Challenge in the Words of Jesus”.
3.
Grab a copy of the Red Letter Challenge book, full of devotions, Bible readings and specific, doable challenges based directly on the words of Jesus. There are books for both adults and kids!
4.
Start or join a Small Group and do the RLC with others! Small group videos and guides are free!
Empowered by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, are you up for the challenge this Lent? Purchase Red Letter Challenge books for both adults and kids at the following websites:
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Please follow along using the specific reading plan for the RLC. This provides the details on what to read on each day, for both adults and kids.
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Six Small Groups have formed and begin meeting during the 7 weeks of the Red Letter Challenge, commencing after Ash Wednesday. Please see the list below to select your group. More information and SIGN-UP’S available in the Church Narthex. For more information, contact Pastor Mark at
m.stapleton@sjlagrange.com or the Church Office at
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com and 708-354-1690.
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Tom & Vicki Wykert and
Renee & Rick Hull
4630 Hawthorne Avenue
Lyons, IL
Mondays at 4:30 p.m.
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Gary & Nancy Mayor
5136 Central
Western Springs
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
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Mark & Krsiten Stapleton
21 N. Warwick Avenue
Westmont, IL
Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
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Rebecca Schiltz
120 S. Park Road
La Grange, IL
Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
Starting on March 7th
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Mark Stapleton
St. John's Heritage Room
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
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Dana & Dalyne Shinneman
207 Ambiance Drive
Burr Ridge, IL
Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
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Join us on Saturday, March 7th for The "505" Service at 5:05 p.m.!
(Every 1
st and 3
rd Saturday of the month at 5:05 p.m.)
505 Worship Songs for:
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Adult Bible Study: "A Radio Tower of Strength"
Sunday, March 1st at 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
Led by Kirk Farney
This multi-week course will explore the history of Christian broadcasting, with particular focus on the medium of radio, as an avenue though which forward-thinking Church leaders brought together historical, scriptural preaching with the technological advances of broadcasting, to evangelize and provide pastoral care to millions. As part of our study, we will review the leading role that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod played in these global efforts.
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Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, March 1st at 9:30 a.m.
Youth Room
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Parenting Bible Study
Sunday, March 1st at 9:30 a.m.
The Nursery
This 6-part DVD series will help empower parents to be the primary nurturers of their children's faith. Families will be transformed as they learn how to create space for God-encounters in everyday life.
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Sunday School at St. John's, March 1st
9:30 a.m. Class, Music Room, Second Floor
10:45 a.m. Class, Kindergarten Room
ST. JOHN'S
RED LETTER CHALLENGE FOR KIDS
BEGINS!
We'll read Jesus'
"RED LETTER"
story aboutThe Prodigal Son and present our skit to see the story in action.
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Sunday school parents:
On Sunday, March 8 the children will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and make care kits for Lutheran World Relief. These kits will then be sent overseas to needy families. Meet in the Library during the Sunday School hour.
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Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, March 3rd at 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday, March 5th at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursday, March 5th, 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
We are continuing our study of Genesis with Warren Wiersbe's Be Obedient: Learning the Secret of Living by Faith, which covers the life of Abraham. For further details, please contact Jon Fredrickson at
jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com.
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SHARE
...with Your Service
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Mission Cafe Sunday Morning Coffee Hour hosts are needed! This is a great way to volunteer for a short period of time to enjoy fellowship and meet new people. It is not difficult... making the coffee is easy and you can provide breakfast pastries if you would like, but not necessary.
Please see attached link and consider hosting!
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Mission Cafe and 5th Grade St. John's Eagles in Action project will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
Ronald Mc Donald House exists so families can get better together. They believe when a child is sick, a family is sick. That’s why, since 1977, they have kept families together with their hospitalized children through our Ronald McDonald House
®
and Ronald McDonald Family Room
®
programs, enabling them to get better together.
Each night, they keep 162 families close to the care and resources they need at five area Ronald McDonald Houses and three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. Allowing families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the child’s health and well-being while saving families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year.
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Food Pantry Item:
Mar
ch: Rolls of Toilet Paper
Donation bins by Connection Center
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A CAPPELLA CHOIR from
Concordia Lutheran High School
to visit St. John’s on
Wednesday, March 18th,2020 &
Thursday, March 19th, 2020
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED!
St. John’s is excited to host the A Cappella Choir from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19, 2020 as part of their Annual Spring Tour.
On
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
- the A Cappella Choir will be joining us at our Midweek Lenten Dinner at 6:00 PM. Following the dinner they will be providing some pre-service music at 6:45 PM for our Midweek Lenten Worship Service at 7:00 PM. Following the Worship Service they will be singing a 30 minute choral concert for all of us to enjoy.
On
Thursday, March 19, 2020
- the A Cappella Choir will also be presenting a Choral Concert for St. John’s School beginning at 8:20 AM and concluding at around 9:00 AM.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED:
St. John’s
NEEDS YOUR HELP
– we need 30 host families to accommodate the 75 voice choir. Please consider hosting two or more youth for the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The hosting will begin at 8:15 PM and conclude at 7:45 AM the following day (Thursday). All we are asking for is housing for Wednesday evening and breakfast on Thursday morning.
Please contact David Lincoln at
d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com
, or you can call 708-354-1690 (ext. 222) if you have any questions about the hosting arrangements or the choir visit.
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Lifetouch Photos are starting to arrive. Please check the Church Narthex for your package. Thank you!
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2020 St. John's Lenten Devotional
"Red Letters Invitation and Challenge in the Words of Jesus"
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The 2020 Lenten Devotional is available in the Church Narthex, by clicking the button below and on the Church Website. You can also pick up additional copies in the Church Office.
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Lenten Walk Inspiration
Saturday, March 7th at 8:15 a.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
If you are looking for encouragement on your Lenten walk, you are invited to attend Lenten Inspiration on March 7th at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1910 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Fellowship begins at 8:15 am with Matins at 9:15 am. The Keynote Speaker is Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President. Northern Illinois District LCMS. Bible Study led by LWML Pastoral Counselors and a Mission Speaker, Bill Indelli, Executive Director Walcamp will also be featured. Advanced registration is required online at WWW.LWMLNID.org (click on the Led by the Spirit Logo) or see your local LWML members for details.
Teach me to do your will for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10
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Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
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Whether you are starting your Spring shopping, or updating your wardrobe for the season, don’t forget to order your TRIP cards! If you just plan on dining out or treating yourself, take time to evaluate your shopping needs and order your TRIP cards! If you are hosting or attending any gatherings, start your shopping with TRIP cards. There are many choices for your shopping needs…
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St. John's Lutheran School Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, March 8th from 7:30 am to 12:00 p.m.
School Gymnasium
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Breakfast includes: Pancakes, Sausage, Fruit, Coffee and Juice
Admission: $10 per person; 10 yrs. and younger are FREE
Tickets available day of at the door
Volunteer Opportunities available! See Board in the Church Narthex for monetary contributions and see Sign-up Genius for volunteer opportunities.
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Weekly Worship Attendance
February 23 = 210
February 26 (Ash Wednesday) = 117
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Saturday Schedule
Worship Service 5:05 p.m.
(1st and 3rd Saturday)
Sunday Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Education/Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
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Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
r.suarez@sjlagrange.com
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