CONNECT ...in Worship
The Holy Trinity
Sunday, June 16, 2019
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
"The Love of a Father on Father's Day"
Pastor Mark Stapleton

Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Second Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Holy Gospel: Luke 15:11-24
Galatians: Freedom’s Call

Theme Verse: Galatians 5:1, 13a: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery…  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

By faith in Jesus you can live a life of FREEDOM! You are freed from the CONFUSION of this world to live a life of clarity. You are freed from PAST mistakes to live a life of purpose for God. Through Christ you are freed to true LIFE and never have to worry about being good enough. Through the Spirit you are freed to be a child of God and an heir of THE FATHER. You are called to a freedom that goes beyond selfishness – called to SERVE ALL PEOPLE in humility and truth. In this 6 week series on Galatians, we will explore the reality that you were CALLED to be FREE!
A Fond Farewell
Michelle La Velle was hired at St. John’s in July 2014, starting on August 11, 2014, serving as Church Office Manager. She recently accepted the position to serve as Administrative Assistant to the President at the Northern Illinois District Office.  Her last day at St. John’s will be Friday, June 21, 2019. We will greatly miss Michelle, and we invite you to wish her God’s richest blessings in her new endeavor!

Pastor Ben is now accepting resumes for the new Church Office Manager. If you or someone you know would be qualified for this position, applicants can send their resumes to Pastor Ben at b.roberts@sjlagrange.com. Pastor Ben is also looking for volunteers to provide office “coverage” until the new hire is in place. Please contact Pastor Ben at (708) 354-1690, ext. 213 or b.roberts@sjlagrange.com to volunteer.
GROW ...in the Word
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"The Parable of the Prodigal Son"
Sunday, June 16 from 9:25 to 10:25 a.m.
Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Sunday School at St. John's
Sunday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Second Floor Music Room
Kids, What would it be like to go grocery shopping in Jerusalem in the year 35 A.D.? Come and find out - we'll taste some samples just for fun. And we'll play "Pass the Banana" after our shopping trip. See you there!
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!
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.)
Registration is Open!
Vacation Bible School 2019
Miraculous Mission: Jesus Saves the World!
St. John's Lutheran Church and School
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2, 2019
9:00 to 11:30 a.m
It's time to register for St. John's Vacation Bible School! Use the registration link to let us know you're coming: vbspro.events/p/7c83f8

If you have questions, contact Dalyne Shinneman at dalyne.shinneman@gmail.com or call, (630) 772-1688.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Summer Special Music: We are looking for singers and instrumentalists that would like to participate in our Summer Worship Services from June 30 – September 1. If you are interested in playing an instrument or singing at our 8:00 and 10:45 AM Summer Worship Services please contact David Lincoln at 708-354-1690 (ext. 222), or by e-mail to: d.lincoln@sjlangrange.com
 
Additional Volunteers needed for the “MEDIA PRESENTATIONS TEAM” :   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. Click on this link for additional information!  
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES
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 this Sunday, 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 this Sunday, June 16, 2019. Your change can truly make a difference!
Family Musical Update!
Our hopes are high to put on another show this Summer, but as of right now, we don't have enough cast members to make that possible.  This ministry provides a unique opportunity to become better acquainted with other members of the St John's congregation as well as some of the St. John's School families! We only meet one evening a week, and can work around most vacation schedules.  

We are currently about 15 cast members short and are in serious need of some male cast members.   Due to the short time frame we have to put a show together, I need to know if you can commit to the majority of our rehearsals as well as our performance dates as soon as possible.  I will make a final decision as to whether or not we will have a show after this week's rehearsal.  The decision will be based entirely by how many people we have at rehearsal.  If you want to be involved but are unable to attend this Tuesday, I need to hear from you prior to rehearsal. You can call or text me at (847) 302-3967 or email me at heidi827@msn.com  

Reminder of Dates:
  • Regular weekly rehearsals are held each Tuesday evening in the music room from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

  • The door code to access the building for rehearsals is: 29857

  • There will not be rehearsal the week of the 4th of July

  • There will be an additional "tech rehearsal" on Sunday afternoon, Aug 4.  This is our only rehearsal where we work with the mic's

  • Dress Rehearsal on our regular rehearsal night, Tuesday, August 6

  • Performance dates: Friday Aug 9, Saturday Aug 10 and Sunday Aug 11
Food Pantry Item for the Month of June:
Laundry Detergent
Donations can be dropped off in the Church Narthex near the Connection Center.
SCHOOL OFFICE
School Office Summers Hours
Monday - Thursday
Closed ALL Fridays

June 10 - June 13: 9 am to Noon
June 17 - June 27: Registration
June 28 - August 4: School Office Closed
August 5 - August 20: 9 am to Noon
August 21: School Office Closed
Important Summer Dates
June 11: 7 pm Board of Education Meeting
June 17 - 21: 2019-2020 Registration
June 24 - 27: 2019-2020 Registration
August 8: Popsicle's in the Playground (TBD)
August 23: First Day of School (8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
We will be placing TRIP orders for your shopping needs on these upcoming dates: June 24, July 29, August 12.

Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
St. John's Lutheran School Extended Care Help & Donations
Extended care is always looking for donations.  Most commonly needed are Crayola markers, colored pencils, water colors, dry erase markers (especially colored ones), white paper, foam shapes, yarn, beads, & Clorox wipes.  We also look for donations to update our play area like toys, games, and puzzles.  Currently we are looking for play horses, Hotwheels tracks, and Imaginex figures.

I am also in need of volunteers to help get extended care ready for the start of the school year. I will be here from August 12-16 (time to be determined but usually from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.).  An example of the help I need is going through and organizing games, puzzles, and movies. I also have to wash all the toys and shelves.  If anyone can spare any time to help or want to make a donation, please contact Amy Strombom at (708) 354-1690 or extcare@sjlagrange.com Thank you!
CHURCH OFFICE
Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statistics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
Weekly Worship Attendance
Sunday, June 9, 2019 = 205
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
LWML Annual Potluck Dinner and Program
Tuesday, June 25 at 6:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
This delightful annual event will take place on Tuesday, June 25, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the St. John's Heritage Room. Following the dinner will be a brief meeting; a collection of Mites to support current mission outreach programs; and then at 7:30 a harp program will be performed for us by AnnLaura Tapia, in the Church Sanctuary. You are welcome to invite other friends or family members to join us for her performance.

The potluck dinner will provide beverages, and chicken as the main course. If your birthday is somewhere between January and June, please contribute a dessert. If your birthday falls between July and December, please contribute a salad.

Please let me know no later than Friday, June 21, if you will be able to attend. All women and teenage girls are welcome to attend this annual event. We hope to see you there!
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