WEEKLY CONNECTION
As we reflect often as a St. John family, of all the things Jesus could have prayed in the moments just before His arrest that would lead to His suffering and death on a cross, Jesus prayed "for those who will come to believe..." In other words, He prayed for you and me.

And of all the things He could have prayed for each of us as future believers, the focus of that prayer was, "that they all would be ONE, just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe." (John 17:20-21) Or as our mission motto summarizes it, "ONE IN JESUS...REACHING MANY".

I think you'd agree that as we face a new present reality as God's people, it's really difficult being ONE when we are apart, hunkering away alone in our homes. Or is it? After all, when you consider that our ultimate unified connection as the Church is based not so much on our proximity in a room, as it is in our relationship with Jesus through His word and sure promise. And if we are take Jesus at His word when in follow up to His resurrection says, "I am with you always" wherever you are, well then, maybe together we can gain a different perspective in this difficult time. (Matthew 28:20)

May our new email version of the Weekly Connection serve as ONE more reminder of this greater reality in Jesus that brings peace and joy.

WORSHIP CELEBRATION
As we together face a new present reality of being unable to gather in the same room to worship as a large group, we are blessed to have technology to help keep us connected to our Savior Jesus through worship. Our ministry team has been pulling together to make online worship in the coming weeks as accessible as possible...and shareable! Be sure to visit our new ONLINE WORSHIP RESOURCES page.

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
WEDNESDAY EVENING @ 7:00pm
Join us ONLINE via Facebook or our website again on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm as Pastor Marc will share THE ROAD | PART 9 livestream.

In the meantime, if you missed THE ROAD | PART 8 in Traditional Praise or Modern Praise worship this past weekend, or want to share with friends and family click on the links below:

SUNDAY TRADITIONAL PRAISE :
SUNDAY MODERN PRAISE :
BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
This whole new "Stay at Home" reality has come on us very quickly, and we pray the added time you perhaps have been given by being home will be filled with a hunger for God's Word. May the Lord meet us through His Word in these days. Be watching for suggested resources in the coming days.

Our ministry team is also currently exploring the opportunity of providing an online Bible class experience to help us all connect through God's Word and experience community together in the coming days. We will keep you posted with more details concerning when and how this may occur very soon. If this is something you would resonate toward participating in, do let us know!
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
If you are a parent at home with your children seeking ways to get through this time you are not alone! We are creating weekly video devotional resources to help! Follow the Child & Family Ministry resource link above!
One of those weekly resources is online Wednesday School Chapel (remotely!) on our St. John Lutheran Church & School Facebook page from 9:00 to 9:15am on Wednesday mornings!

Whether you have a student in our school or not, all are welcome and your family to join in online and be encouraged!
Students at St. John Lutheran School are currently engaged in Remote Learning for Preschool to 8 th  grade. While the implementation may vary by department, the goal is the same, to keep students engaged in the learning process. Also, importantly, Lutheran Principals across the state have been in contact with our Michigan District Superintendent of Schools and Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools representatives, and have been assured that our distant learning hours of instruction will be credited to students and St. John.

SHARED LIFE
As we wash our hands during this difficult time, may we also look for opportunities to wash other's feet!  

We have started a new ministry called People Helping People consisting of individuals from our St. John family who are actively mobilizing to serve others in this time of need by delivering groceries, running errands, making phone calls to offer prayer and encouragement, etc. for those at high health risk and unable to leave their homes. 

If you are at risk with your health and have a specific need for this group to assist, please click the link below so that we might remind you: you are loved and not alone:
At the same time, if you are in good health and want to be part of this effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community during this important time, sign up now:
Other ways to help:
  • Support a local restaurant by ordering carryout or sharing the word.
  • Reach out to neighbors, friends, co-workers, church family via phone and email to ask how they are doing and is there anything I can help you with?
  • Do what you can. Offer to deliver groceries, run errands, make phone calls to offer prayer and encouragement for neighbors, co-workers, relatives, friends, etc. who might be anxious, isolated or at high health risk and unable to leave their homes.
  • Keep yourself healthy. Social distancing and sanitizing your hands are vital to stop the spread of coronavirus. And if you are sick or not feeling well, don't try to help others. Stay home and take care of yourself.

Finally, let us know how you have already helped others!  
It's all about the Church being the Church...not a building confined to a specific address, but rather people redeemed by the eternal love of Jesus wherever we are! Because of that, we will together weather this storm by His strength! Let's keep praying for and encouraging each other!
SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY
Please know your continued financial support and partnership is critically needed and appreciated perhaps now more than ever in the present new reality we all face together.  It is already become very clear the needs and opportunities to share the love of Jesus through ongoing ministry within our community are only going to increase in the coming days. 

There are 3 simple ways to continue giving to the Lord's ongoing work through the ministry of St. John Lutheran Church & School.

1. GIVE THROUGH YOUR BANK.
Automatic giving is a great way to be more consistent in responding with Biblical “first fruits” through our offerings. Giving through your personal banking online bill pay service is also the most stewardship focused (no fee) way to do so:

  • Designate "St. John Lutheran Church & School" as the payment payee. 
  • On the memo line, write your envelope number and the fund you'd like to contribute to (General Mission & Ministry Fund or ONE Legacy Initiative).
  • Set up a recurring payment (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.).
  • Direct payments to:
St. John Lutheran Church & School
Attn: Financial Office
1011 W. University Drive
Rochester, MI 48307

2. GIVE WITH YOUR ST. JOHN OFFERING ENVELOPE.
Simply mail it to the address above. Note: Due to the directive given by Governor Whitmer this week, dropping off offerings in person will no longer be an option over the next several weeks as church & school facilities will remain closed to the public.

3. GIVE ELECTRONICALLY.
This past week we created a new online giving portal making online giving easier than ever.
CONSTANT PRAYER
PRAYERS THIS WEEK :

Thanksgiving:
Marcia Riemer's 76th Birthday

Guidance and Strength:
Those who work in the medical field including Marlene, Matthew and Steve.
Healthy pregnancies for Liz and Audrey
Alyssa dealing with severe depression

Hope & Healing:
Geraldine Hoch - Stroke (mother of Jim Schulz) / Jennifer – tests / David Jankovich (and wife Debra) – undergoing testing for COVID-19 virus / Jack Parish – cancer / Jack and Bob (neighbors of the Weavers) / Christian / Barb
Continued healing for: Jack Parish / Marilyn Miller / Hailey Noonan / Sarah Leinberger / Linda Madson / Jim Madson / Leah Appold / Ryan Jankovich / Herman Borst / Matthew Stewart / Don Cox / Hospice care: Nick and Jon (Pastor Marc's father)

Grieving: The Family of Traci Shmitt (daughter of Barb Holste & Sister of Sara Grafe)

Nation & World: For fear & panic to subside, for calmness and wisdom to prevail and for great healing to be done and shared for those in need during this global COVID-19 pandemic.

Have a prayer you would like added to our prayer list this week? Click the link below to share it now:
248.402.8000 | 1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | stjohnrochester.org