CONNECT ...in Worship
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, August 25, 2019
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
"Jonah:Worst Sermon Ever"
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Epistle: 1 Timonthy 2:1-6
Holy Gospel: Luke 12:44-50
Jonah: When God Wants Your Attention
(August 3rd / 4th to September 1st)

Jonah is one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. Yet, many of us know only that there is a prophet who gets swallowed by a fish. But the story reaches far deeper and teaches us about sin and grace. Sin is when we run from God. Grace is when God runs after us. Both happen in Jonah. In this series, we will unpack these twin themes of sin and grace and discover how God has grace not only for us, but for the world.

September 1: Jonah: Anger Management (Jonah 4:2-9a)
New Sermon Series Begins on September 8th
Enough: God’s Grace For You When You Aren’t

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 religion 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 7 week 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!
9/8/19: Enough…In Your Busyness
9/15: Enough…For The One You Love
9/22: Enough…As A Parent
9/29: Enough…On The Job
10/6: Enough…As You “Rest”
10/13: Enough…When Everything’s Politics
10/20: Enough…For Your “Transformation”

GROW ... in the word
CONFIRMATION 2019-2020
It’s time once again for St. John’s Youth Confirmation! This time of instruction and spiritual growth is a one year, hybrid (online and in person) program for youth 7 th-12 th grade. If you want your youth to get confirmed in May 2020, contact Pastor Ben as soon as possible as b.roberts@sjlagrange.com or
708-354-1690.
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"More than the Message"
Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
Sunday, August 25, 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
High School Youth Bible Study
"Book of Daniel"
Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Sunday, August 25, 9:30 a.m., Youth Room

Sunday School at St. John's
Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
Second Floor Music Room

God created the universe from nothing. No one but God can make something from nothing at all. We'll watch a great video to help us imagine how God created everything
around us. 

Then we'll do a cool science experiment - we'll make MAGIC MUD . See you there!

Men's Weekly Bible Study
 Thursdays 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 . 
Early Risers Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
Tuesday Women's Bible Study Coming in September:

The Tuesday Women's Bible Study will begin on September 10th at 10:30 AM in the Heritage Room. We will begin a new book titled Sip, Savor and Drink Deeply, which is a bible study for women written by Deb Burma. Copies of the book will be available at our first meeting. Bring your bibles and join us as we enjoy bible study, prayer, fellowship and refreshments together. For more information please contact Lynn Kahl at lynnkahl50@gmail.com or 312-890-0020.
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.)
PLI & D2MC Information Night
Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Come and join Pastor Ben for an information night and Q & A.

The purpose of this meeting is:
  • To discuss and clarify what PLI (Pastoral Leadership Institute) is, what purpose it serves, and how the focus of their current learning communities differ significantly from previous ones that pastors and their spouses have gone through;
  • To inform and discuss what D2MC (Discipleship To Missional Community) is, why St. John’s currently has a “team” going through this learning community, and what impact it could have on the current and future ministry of St. John’s;
  • To invite others to consider potentially committing to and joining St. John’s D2MC team at the next learning community here in Chicago on October 24-26.

This meeting is open to everyone! Contact Pastor Ben at b.roberts@sjlagrange.com or 708-354-1690 for more information.
Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study Kick-Off
Sunday, September 15, 2019

Raising kids is tough…but God has a plan!
Feeling helpless when the world contradicts the godly principles you try to instill in your kids?  Good news! God has a plan for effectively raising your kids and you can learn it !

The Hemmingers would like to invite all church families to our annual fall barbeque at their house! Save the date for September 21st at 3:00 p.m. Bring a side dish to share! This year we are asking all families to bring a donated item for the Women's Care Center in
La Grange. A list of items will be forthcoming.

Ladies Fall Brunch: Live Free
Sunday, October 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

You are invited to a lovely afternoon with all your favorites: Girlfriends, Breakfast Buffet, and featured Speaker and Author, Kendra Smiley

Email: k.pece@sjlagrange.com for more information

Ticket Reservations will begin September 8th.
SHARE ...with Your Service
Sunday Morning Mission Cafe:
Focus for September:

This weekend our church will kick off the DIAPER DERBY for families served by Caring Network (formerly CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage). As a church, we will be collecting diapers, wipes, and gift cards to WalMart. Please bring in supplies by October 1st and leave them in the metal bucket labeled DIAPER DERBY. Supplies benefit Caring Network's baby bank programs, providing material goods, parenting classes, and spiritual support to new parents in need.

Our Mission Cafe monetary donation for September will benefit the La Grange Area Food pantry. We will be working with St. John's 3rd Grade Eagles in Action project for the month. Thank you for your contributions!!!!
3 rd Grade Eagles in Action 2019
3rd Grade is on a mission, with the help of God, to help hungry children and families in our community and the world. Throughout the school year, 3rd grade will purchase items using money collected from our chapel offerings in August and September to help the LaGrange Area Food Pantry. These items are non-food items like toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper. (There is also a collection bin located in the church narthex all year if you would like to donate items. The Food Pantry is always in need of cereal, pasta, and canned goods.) We will keep you posted on the items we purchase each month by the school office door.  In addition, we will be packing meals at Feed My Starving Children later in September to help children in the world who are desperate for healthy food supplemented with vitamins, veggies, soy, rice, and prayers to help them grow. Thank you for helping us serve God with your offerings!
The ICP Petal Pusher program is in need of small vases for our Petal Pusher program (think small mason jar size). They have local garden clubs who come to our office twice a month to arrange donated flowers that would otherwise be thrown away. They then have volunteers deliver them to clients and business partners in the community. Please contact ICP at 708-354-9328 to donate.

Food Pantry Item for the Month of August: Facial Tissue
The Crop Walk will be on October 27, 2019. We would like to have 20 people walking from Dt. John’s this year. Watch for more information coming in the future.  
SCHOOL OFFICE
As you are getting ready for summer parties, bridal or baby showers, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations or 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 an event, or attending an event start your shopping with TRIP cards. There are many choices to:
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.

To make a donation, please contact Amy Strombom at (708) 354-1690 or extcare@sjlagrange.com Thank you!
Weekly Worship Attendance
August 11, 2019 = 199
August 17 & 18, 2019 = 244
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