St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
Week of September 29, 2019
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Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
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"Enough ... On the Job"
Preacher: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Worship Leader: Tom Wykert
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:18-24
Epistle: Ephesians 6:5-9
Holy Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
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Work is a gift from God: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15 But in this sinful, fallen world, we now “live to work”. “Good works” should describe our righteousness; now, we have merely subtracted the word “good”. As we continue our series “Enough”, we find that our “jobs”, our work, whatever it may be, is becoming equal to our identity. The more we work, the more we are “enough”. Yet, how can we explain the rising epidemic of guilt over “not getting things done”? Into all of this steps Jesus. He points to His work at the cross and empty tomb that is given to each one of us, regardless of how many hours we “punch the clock”. Could our work…and “over-work”…be changed by the work of Jesus…who makes us “enough” in Him?
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God's Grace For You When You Aren't
(September 8th - October 20)
Humanity’s pursuit of righteousness…of “enoughness”…has taken a turn. Rather than seeking it “at church”, they seek it out in their everyday lives of work, love, parenting, leisure and politics. But just like any other religions of “do this and that will be enough”, we discover a trail of frustrations, failures and exhaustion because we
aren’t enough. But God is. And His grace to us in Jesus is more than enough to say “Enough!” to our endless climbing of ladders that we’ll never reach the top of. In this series, we’ll explore some of those areas of our lives where we end up feeling like we are never enough. Instead, the grace of Jesus makes us ENOUGH!
10/6: Enough…As You “Rest”
10/13: Enough…When Everything’s Politics
10/20: Enough…For Your “Transformation”
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Next Saturday, October 5th 5:05 p.m.!
(Every 1
st and 3
rd Saturday of the month at 5:05 p.m.)
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Sunday Morning Adult & High School Bible Study
"Daniel in the Lions Den"
Leader: Mark Stapleton
Sunday, September 29, 2019, 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
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Sunday School at St. John's
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
Second Floor Music Room
We have work to do in the Sunday School Science Laboratory.
Come and help us with our experiment. See you there!
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Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study
Raising kids is tough…but God has a plan!
Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.,The Nursery
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Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Leader: Lynn Kahl
Tuesday, October 1st at 10:30 a.m., Heritage Room
The Women's Bible Study is reading "Sip, Savor and Drink: Receive God's Overflowing Gifts". Please join us Tuesday mornings for Bible study, prayer, fellowship and prayers.
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Wednesday Bible School
Wednesday, October 2, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Choir Room, Second Floor
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For additional information, please contact Dalyne Shinneman at dalyne.shinneman@gmail.com
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Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday, October 3rd at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
We are beginning a study of the book of Genesis, following Warren Wiersbe’s “Be Basic: Believing the Simple Truth of God’s Word,” the first of three books he wrote on the topic. If you have any questions, please contact Jon Fredrickson at
jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com
.
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St. John’s Concert Series
Mark your calendar for the following two upcoming concert events:
- Acoustic Concert on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 4:00 PM. Concert will feature Adam Roth on guitar, and Gerik Fon-Revutzky on bassoon. Music by Pujol, Albaugh, Bach, Ponce, and some modern popular tunes.
PUBLICITY: Please help us promote this exciting concert event by taking some posters from our Welcome Center and posting them in the community to spread the word!
- Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. More information to come.
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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.)
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Fall Griefshare Session
Tuesday, October 1 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Heritage Room
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Workbooks will be available. All are welcome! Marnie Smith and Bev O'Connor are the facilitators, with Sharon Broz assisting. For more information call or e-mail Marnie at (630-440-6542) or E-mail:
marnie_rev@comcast.net
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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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Food Pantry Item for the Month of October: Deodorant Sticks
(Donations can be dropped off in the Church Narthex near the Connection Center.)
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Join us as we celebrate the "Gift of Story"
Featuring guest speaker Katie Schuermann
Sunday, September 29, 4:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Brookfield
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All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Karine Otten at karineotten@gmail.com or call 708-334-7710. Sponsored by St. Paul's LWML. See link for more information.
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17th Annual Fall Benefit "Takin' it to the Streets"
Banquet & Music by Fabulous FabTones
Friday, October 4, 6:30 p.m.
Capri Banquets, Countryside, IL
RSVP at interfaithcommunitypartners@gmail.com or 708-354-9328
See link for more information
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Seniors Lunch N More
Lunch, Fellowship and Entertainment
Wednesday, October 8th, 2019
11:15 a.m.- Bible Study
12:00 p.m.- Banquet & Entertainment
Aging Care Connections and Hope Lutheran Church invite guests to join them for a Senior Lunch. A nutritious meal provided by Salerno's Pizzeria and Sports Bar. Performance by Kim Frankovelgia. Call Aging Care Connections at 708-354-1323 to reserve a spot.
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September is here! Time to start shopping for cooler weather clothing to get ready for fall! 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 fall gatherings start your shopping with TRIP cards. There are many choices to ...
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Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
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St. John's Lutheran School Parent Forum
Monday, October 7, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
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All parents invited! Join us for an hour of conversation, dessert, and a glass of wine as we unpack some current parenting topics. Please note - No childcare will be provided. Please contact k.pece@sjlagrange.com for more information.
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7th Grade Eagles in Action 2019
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During the month of October, seventh graders are collecting stocking stuffers for service members in harm’s way during Christmas. Last year, students brought enough individual stocking stuffers to chapel to fill five boxes. This year, our sewing club members have created Christmas stockings that need filling. This morning, stockings were distributed to each classroom for filling. When one is filled, bring it to chapel as you would your regular chapel donations. Seventh graders will bring your offerings and donations to
Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT) – America, Inc.
on October 31, where they will volunteer their time stuffing more stockings for United States Service Members.
Please
bring the items listed below to school on Wednesdays during the month of October:
*AA & AAA Batteries
*New CD’s and DVD’s
*Fruit Snacks / Fruit Rollups (Individual Packs)
Chocolate Candy Bars / Gum
*Trail Mix (Individual Packs)
*Puzzle/Sudoko Books
*Granola Bars / Rice Krispie Bars / Individual Packs of Cookies
*Starlight Mints & Holiday Candy
*Slim Jims / Beef Jerky (Individually Wrapped)
*Licorice / Twizzlers (Individually Wrapped)
*Hand Warmers
*Unbreakable Christmas Ornaments
*I-Tunes Gift Cards
Letters and Cards for the Troops
Thank you for your support!
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There are two Board positions that went unfilled at the elections in November. These are two very important positions and need be filled.
The first position is for the Congregation Secretary, expires December 2020. Main duty is to take the official minutes of the monthly Council meetings and the periodic Congregation meetings.
The second position is for a Chairperson of the Board of Stewardship, expires December 2021. Among the duties is to designate on an annual basis the recipient organizations of the funds collected each week for different charitable organizations, establish a talents data base, and assist the nominating committee with information to get the correct person on the correct Board potion.
As Christians we are asked to donate our time, talents and treasures. If you choose to fill either of these positions you will go far in fulfilling the time and talent as asked.
Please prayfully consider one of these positions. If you have any questions, or want to volunteer either call Tom Braun at 708-207-3720 or email at
tjbraun54@gmail.com.
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Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
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Anyone wishing further information on Congregational giving or the Church’s overall financial situation is invited to contact either Marty Haugen, Chair, Board of Finance, or Jeff Baker, Congregational Treasurer, through the Church office,
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com
or (708) 354-1690 x210.
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Volunteer Opportunity at St. John’s Cemetery
A volunteer with a pick-up truck or larger SUV is needed on an occasional basis to transport trash from St. John’s Cemetery on south La Grange Road in Hodgkins to the dumpsters in the church parking lot. The trash will be bagged in oversized heavy-duty construction-grade plastic bags, but these bags may become punctured and leak liquids from flower vases or unfinished beverage containers during transport. Every effort will be made to remove liquids before the bags are filled. If you are willing to help the cemetery in this way, please contact Jeff Baker at (708) 446-9567 (cell).
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month. We are Blessed to have Pastor Ben and Pastor Mark serving our St. John's Community. This month is a great opportunity to offer them a note, word, or gift of thanks and encouragement for all they do! We will be having a reception during the Coffee Hour between services on Sunday, October 27th.
Email Katie Pece for more information.
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NEW! High School Youth Group
October 5th, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
"Let's Go Bananas Game Night: Food and Board Games"
Heritage Room
Attention High School Youth, we are starting up a youth group!
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NEW! Additional Sunday School Offered
October 6th,10:45 am
Kindergarten Classroom
Ages 4 - 5th grade. Parents may choose one of two options for the 10:45 class:
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Children may come to the Sunday School room (the Kindergarten classroom) any time after 10:30 a.m. prior to the 10:45 a.m. worship service.
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Children may stay in the sanctuary with their parents until the conclusion of the Children's Sermon and then proceed to the Sunday School classroom.
In both cases, the children will leave the classroom and return to the sanctuary on communion Sundays to join their parents for the sacrament. On Sundays when communion is not served, the Sunday School class will continue until the conclusion of the worship service.
** 9:30 a.m Sunday School will still be offered.
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Ladies Fall Brunch: Live Free
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Sunday, October 19, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
You are invited to a lovely afternoon with all your
Girlfriends, Breakfast Buffet, and featured Speaker and Author, Kendra Smiley.
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Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 26th, 11:30-1:30pm
St. John's Parking Lot
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Join us for an afternoon of fun for all ages; a great chance to visit with friends, bring your neighbors and your family to enjoy a nice fall afternoon. There will be snacks, lunch, and many decorated cars that will provide a treat and some games. Check out the table in the Narthex with more details.
We are asking church families to donate individually wrapped bags of candy to distribute during Trunk or Treat. Please bring the candy and drop off in buckets labeled Trunk or Treat in the church Narthex or the school office lobby by Wednesday October 23rd.
If you would like to volunteer to help at Trunk or Treat or participate by decorating a trunk, please visit the sign up genius links below.
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2019 CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Registration Time: 12:30 p.m.
Walk Time: 1:15 p.m.
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Join St. John's team for the 2019 CROP Hunger Walk. Five local food pantries will receive 25% of funds raised. There will also be a shorter family-friendly walk starting at Presbyterian Church of Western Springs, 5250 Wolf Rd., Western Springs IL. At the halfway point, First United Methodist Church of Western Springs, 4300 Howard Ave., there will be a blessing of pets. Questions?
Email Vicki Wykert for more information.
- Join or Donate: Crop Walk Sign Up!
- Eat at Panera on October 10th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Panera Flyer!
- Donate to local food pantries Food Pantry List!
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Weekly Worship Attendance
September 21 & 22, 2019: 296
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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 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
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Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
r.suarez@sjlagrange.com
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