A warm and heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone who helped with the Easter Breakfast this year. So many wonderful hands pitched in to set-up and take down tables, to bake and donate food, to man the ovens, to wash dishes, and to serve in so many ways. God bless you all for being willing to help! It was a beautiful day to celebrate the Risen Christ. Let's do it again next year! Thank you so much, Gary & Nancy Mayor
Sunday Worship Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Second Sunday of Easter
April 8, 2018
"Empowered by Grace...to Know Your Purpose"
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 138:1-8
Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Holy Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
New Sermon & Bible Study Series beginning this Sunday:
"Empowered by Grace!"
What if you could call God to ask Him how He saw your effort in fulfilling the purpose for which He created you? What kind of marks would He give you for being His witness, or how you were doing in your service to others, or how you were doing in your giving? What kind of response would you expect to hear? Would God see you as a person relying on the Holy Spirit to do His will or working in your own strength and giving yourself credit for your successes? 

Unfortunately, we all fall well short of God’s standards, but, because of what Christ did for us at the cross and empty tomb, we are forgiven for all the times we have failed to honor God with our behavior and efforts to please Him. By His grace He molds and transforms us into God-pleasing people who seek to please Him. In Christ, we can do God’s work well.
Sunday, April 15:
Empowered by Grace…to Serve
Sunday, April 22:
Empowered by Grace…to Give
Sunday, April 29:
Empowered by Grace…to Witness
Audio of our Sermons are now available on our Church website at: http://www.sjlagrange.com/church/sermons/
Sunday School Education Hour
9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
We celebrate Easter in Sunday School today. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! As a family, practice this back-and-forth response. Discuss these questions: Why did Jesus have to die? What does it mean that He rose from the dead?
Weekly Bible Studies
Various Days/Times
Parenting Bible Study: Spiritual Parenting
Sundays at 9:25 a.m.
(Nursery - Classroom 101)
We are currently studying "Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World" by Ken and Steve Ham.
Participants will discover that the legacy we leave for our children begins as we love the Lord and accept His Word as our authority, committing to use it to guide us in all areas of our lives.   

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
(Heritage Room)

Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday at 6:15 a.m.
(Heritage Room)
Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
(Heritage Room)
Now through May 24 we will be studying the second half of the Book of Acts. Questions? Talk with Pete Johnson or contact the Church Office, (708) 354-1690 x210 Give it a try!
Music Ministry
presents
The Agape Ringers Concert
Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

St. John’s will host The Agape Ringers, Chicago’s premier Handbell Ensemble, in a concert performance on Sunday, April 29 at 4:00 p.m. The program will encompass a wide variety of musical styles, including transcriptions of classical works and original compositions for handbells. Directed by David L. Weck, the sixteen musicians will perform on seventy-six bronze Malmark handbells and seventy-three Malmark Choirchimes. The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken. Help us promote our event at St. John’s!
Upcoming Events
Youth Lock-In for 6th - 8th Graders // Friday, April 20, 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. // St. John's School Gym and Youth Room // Our Lock-in will be led by Concordia Youth Ministry Team. Come and enjoy Worship, Bible Study and Fun! Questions? Contact Sherrie Smith at s.smith@sjlgrange.com
Congregational Voter's Meeting
Regular Congregational Assembly // Sunday, April 22 at 9:15 a.m. // Heritage Room // The agenda will include the presentation of the budget for the 2018-2019 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 May 5th through September 1st. 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 .
Shipwrecked VBS: Rescued by Jesus!
St. John's Lutheran Church and School
Monday, July 30 - Friday, August 3, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Four Year Old's - 5th Grader's

At Shipwrecked, kids discover that Jesus rescues them! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play teamwork-building games, make and eat yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures and so much more! Each day concludes with a Sail Away Sendoff that gets everyone involved in living what they learned. Questions? Contact Sherrie Smith at s.smith@sjlagrange.com
School News
8th Grade Eagles in Action Project
April 1 - 30, 2018
Donate Shoes: We accept all types of footwear including, GYM SHOES, SANDLES, BOOTS, ALL SIZES, MEN’S, WOMEN’S, CHILDREN’S, ANY KIND, ANY BRANDS, GENTLY WORN.

The shoes are going to people who may have never even owned a pair. It’s important that these shoes are in  good  condition to respect the dignity of those receiving them. Shoes older than five years old decompose, even if they were never worn.

So please: be respectful with your donations, understand that our goal is to provide good, clean shoes to those in need. For example, tennis shoes should include laces and not have holes. We  discard  any old overly worn shoes!

Over 3 million pairs of shoes delivered in 19 years. No Boundaries. No borders. Boxes are located near the church narthex and School office. Contact Mrs. Hull, r.hull@sjlagrange.com for any questions.
38th Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale
Friday, May 11, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
&
Saturday, May 12, 2018
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Orders are due by Monday, April 23, 2018
Click on the "TRIP" logo to learn more.

Current upcoming order dates are:
April16 & 30
May 7 & 21
Mission
April's Mission Cafe Donations will Benefit CareNet
God is Working through CareNet to Save Lives! CareNet is the first step for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. They welcome women with unconditional love, counsel, and resources that offer the light of truth—changing hearts and saving lives. Over time their team has honed its skills, so that they bring the very best tools into the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy—the latest in ultrasound technology and counselors skilled in intervention, addressing the complex issues that compel a mother to seek abortion as her answer. In 35 years of ministry, CareNet has been used by God to save tens of thousands of lives!  There will be baby bottles in the narthex the weekend of April 15 th ; please take one and fill it up with your spare change.  They will be collected on Mother’s Day.  Thank you in advance for your donations!
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 100 volunteers provide escorted transportation to medical appointments, therapies, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, and church. We also take our clients with disabilities to their places of employment. There is no cost to our clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. And we need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org and like us on Facebook. Can you spare an hour a week? We will work around your busy life.
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. Donations can be dropped off at Interfaith Community Partners Office, 150 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Senior Lunch N' More
Fiddlin' with the Violin: Fun Facts and Fiction // Wednesday, April 11, 11:15 a.m. - Bible Study; 12:00 p.m. - Luncheon // Hope Lutheran Church, 6455 Joliet Rd., Countryside, IL 60525 // Join us for lunch, fellowship and entertainment by Jenny Rohr. Seating is limited. Call Aging Care Connections at (708) 354-1323.
Walther Christian Academy Placement Testing
Do you know of families looking for a quality, Christian education for their High School student? Walther Christian Academy's next placement test date is Friday, April 13, 2018. There will also be an opportunity to shadow a current student that day. Contact Alma_calleros@walther.com or (708) 344-0404 x245 to register or to set-up an individual visit.
Hear God's Word for You through Worship Anew!
Worship Anew celebrates the new life all people have in Jesus with a weekly 30-minute broadcast service. Christ's love is shared through scripture readings, favorite church hymns, prayers and a pastor's message that reveals God's grace and truth. To learn more about Worship Anew, you can visit worshipanew.org or call (888) 286-8002.
What a blessing to communicate exciting news regarding our broadcast of Worship Anew in the Chicago market. Worship Anew can now be found Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. on Chicago's CW station WPWR channel 50 (Comcast 184). This means anyone who has a television in the Chicago area will now be able to access weekly program via both over the air antenna and cable/satellite.
Church Office News
Kitchen Angels
Thank you to all who signed up to be a "Kitchen Angel". The sign-up sheets have been removed from the Connection Center, but please contact Rebecca Schiltz at schiltz4@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in helping out. You will then be added to the list. Providing meals for members of our congregation is greatly appreciated by the recipients.  
Tax Time!
Are you over 70 and 1/2 years old and do you have an IRA? As you file your Federal Income Tax return for 2017 and plan for your 2018 taxes, you might consider making a charitable contribution to St. John's. The IRS allows you to reduce your taxable income by contributing all, or a portion of your Required Minimum Distribution, to a qualified charity like St. John's.

There are IRS rules for this type of deduction. If you're interested in learning more about this tax reducing feature, you should contact your tax professional or contact Bob Roth at (630) 247-1864.
Pentecost Geraniums
May 20 is Pentecost Sunday – the day we observe when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. On Pentecost Sunday, red geraniums will be placed on the Altar celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire. The Altar Guild will take orders for large (6 ½ inch pot) red geraniums after each service on April 29, May 6 and May 13. The cost per plant is $12.00.  The geraniums may be taken home after the 10:45 service on May 20 .
The La Grange Area Food Pantry item for the Month of April is: Baby Diapers

Please drop off donations in the Church Narthex in the marked box for Food Pantry items. Thank you.
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Fellowship 9:00 a.m.
Education 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office: (708) 354-1690
Worship Attendance
Maundy Thursday = 116
Good Friday = 227
Easter Sunday = 482