St. John's Lutheran
Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
December 5 - 11, 2020
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Second Sunday in Advent
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:05 PM (The 505)
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 9:00 AM (Traditional)
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"He Comes Among Us...as The Mighty One"
Preaching: Senior Pastor Ben Roberts
Worship Leader: Associate Pastor Mark Stapleton
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Epistle: 2 Peter 3:8-14
Holy Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
Mark’s Gospel begins in a direct way: the ministry of John the Baptist. No “Immanuel”. No angels and shepherds. No light in the darkness. Just the bold preaching of John, preparing people for the coming Lord. But the way Mark describes the coming Lord is “He who is mightier than I”. As we continue our series, “He Comes Among Us”, we consider this description of the incarnation of the Son of God. Why was it so important for John to describe Jesus this way? What does it mean for us today? Jesus born in frail human flesh and laid in a manger hardly seems “mighty”! But what that baby will do will be mighty indeed! For this baby came to do mighty things: to wipe out sin, to destroy death and to bind Satan forever. When we consider all the doom and gloom in our world and lives, even during the “most wonderful time of the year”, how reassuring that the babe born in Bethlehem is mightier than anything!
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Current Sermon Series
He Comes Among Us:
The Incarnation Of Jesus According To Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
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At the beginning of each Gospel, the coming of the Son of God in the flesh is described in each author’s varied way. For them, the “incarnation” (literally “in the flesh”) meant something different to them, all while they are describing the same Jesus. Why did the authors of the Gospels speak of the coming Jesus in their particular way? What did it matter to them? Why does it matter to us? During the season of Advent, we will be going through a series called “He Comes Among Us”. During this series, we will be looking at the various ways that the incarnation of the Son of God is described in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We will be unpacking why this description was so meaningful to the Evangelists, and why it continues to be meaningful to His people today…and for the whole world. As we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas, this series will help us prepare, focus and celebrate just who this baby is as “He comes among us.”
- 12/5-6: He Comes Among Us...as The Mighty One (Mark 1:1-8)
- 12/12-13: He Comes Among Us...as The Promised King (Luke 1:26-38)
- 12/19-20: He Comes Among Us...as Light in the Darkness (John 1:1-5, 9-13)
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE & SUNDAY MORNING EDUCATION |
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December 5 - 6, 2020
Saturday Schedule
"The 505" - Contemporary Worship Service at 5:05 PM
(In-Person and Livestreamed)
Sunday Schedule
Traditional Worship Service at 9:00 AM
(In-Person and Livestreamed)
Sunday Education Opportunities
MORE THAN THE MESSAGE
Sundays, 10:15-11:15am
Join Pastor Ben, either in-person at St. John's or online on Zoom, for a study of the passage that his message is based upon. Gain more insights and teachings than can be packed into a 15 minute message! Strengthen your faith in Jesus and the life He has for you!
In-person: St. John's Sanctuary
Online: Zoom
10:15 - 11:15 AM - Sunday School Education Hour
( E-Lesson materials will be sent. See the article below for details.)
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Everyone should have received an e-mail titled "In-Person / Livestreamed Worship Services" that was sent on Wednesday, November 25. Click "HERE" to view that e-mail and obtain additional information about our In-Person and Livestreamed Worship Services being this weekend.)
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Join Pastor Ben, either in-person at St. John's or online on Zoom, for a study of the passage that his message is based upon. Gain more insights and teachings than can be packed into a 15 minute message! Strengthen your faith in Jesus and the life He has for you!
Sundays, 10:15-11:15am
In-person: St. John's Sanctuary
Online: Zoom (link below)
Ben Roberts is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
Or join by Phone:
Phone #: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 749 0994 2552
Passcode: 505
Topic: More Than The Message
Time: Dec 6, 2020 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Sun, until Dec 20, 2020, 3 occurrence(s)
Dec 6, 2020 10:00 AM - Dec 20, 2020 10:00 AM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
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E-SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ST. JOHN'S |
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JESUS OUR SAVIOR IS BORN! |
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Baby Jesus was born in a stable for animals. There wasn’t a comfortable bed with clean sheets and pillows for him. Instead, he was lying in a manger that usually held food for the animals. Does that sound like a place where a king would be born? Jesus’ birth surprised everyone who expected a mighty ruler to arrive. God's Son was born in a humble place and would live his life on earth as a servant, not a king. All this was God’s perfect plan for the world - he sent his Son to be our Savior, just as he had promised long ago. We’ll celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a skit and a great video!
E-Lesson materials will be sent to all Sunday School and Wednesday Bible School families. If you do not receive your package, contact Dalyne Shinneman at dalyne.shinneman@gmail.com or call 630.772.1688.
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Attention All High School Youth!
We are working on our plans for December,
and waiting to see what restrictions are in place.
Check back next week!
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Note: If your Mission gets clipped in your email,
click your "view entire message" link to go on reading
about opportunities at St. John's.
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Annual Christmas Tree Decorating |
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Volunteers Needed (No Experience Necessary)
Friday, December 4 at 7:00pm
St. John’s Sanctuary
Wear your mask and plan to socially distance as we adorn our trees with ornaments for Christmas
(Trees will be set-up and ready)
Thank you in advance for your help!
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"A Ceremony of Carols"
Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
St. John’s will host a virtual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 6:30 PM. The concert will feature a choral work by Benjamin Britten called “A Ceremony of Carols”. The choral work is composed for treble chorus and harp. Written for Christmas, it consists of eleven movements, with text from The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems, edited by Gerald Bullett.
We will also be featuring some instrumental music for Harp. We hope you will join in the singing of three hymns during the Virtual Concert. Two of those hymns are from the 2019 Christmas Concert at St. John’s. The third hymn will be a virtual Christmas carol provided by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. This virtual hymn includes several musicians from St. John’s participating. The hymn is “Angels We Have Heard on High” and features over 1,000 singers and instrumentalists.
A program will be forthcoming and additional information on Tuesday, December 9, 2020. We hope you will join us on our YouTube page at http://bit.ly/stjohnsYOUTUBE
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St. John's Christmas services schedule will be as follows:
Sunday, December 13
6:30 PM - St. John’s Virtual Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 17
6:30 PM -
St. John’s Virtual School Christmas Worship Service
Thursday, 12/24, Christmas Eve
4:30pm- Candlelight Family Worship Service
7:00pm-Holy Communion Candlelight Worship Service
Friday, 12/25, Christmas Day
10:00am-Holy Communion Worship Service
Saturday, 12/26
No 505 Service on this date
Sunday, 12/27
Traditional Worship Service at 9:00 AM
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In response to the concern which was brought up at our congregational meeting we would like to have some additional insight into the idea that St. John's does not always seem to be supportive of the beliefs and teachings of LCMS. Additional information would be very helpful in order for church leadership to make a determination as to whether or not this is the case.
Please feel free to reach out to:
If you prefer, please feel free to mail your response to St. John's directed to the Board of Elders. The church address is 505 S Park Rd, La Grange, IL 60525. We would like for any response to be made by the end of the year so that we can address the concern in a timely manner.
Thanks for your help to us in addressing this issue.
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Altar Flower Calendar Openings
Altar flowers may be given in memory or in honor of someone or some occasion, in thanksgiving of something or to the Glory of God. The Flower Chart for 2021 is posted in the narthex on the left brick pillar as you walk into the sanctuary. Flowers are $42 for two arrangements.
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Multiple floral arrangements to beautify the altar are always welcome! If you wish to sign up for a particular Sunday and someone else has already signed up, we invite you to sign up as well – you can split the $42 cost with the person signed up or purchase an additional two arrangements for $42. A member of the Altar Guild will contact you in advance for your dedication. The flowers may be taken home after the Sunday services for you to enjoy at home or perhaps share with a loved one or someone you wish to share an invitation to worship at St. John’s. |
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Church Directories are here! |
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If you had a photo taken for the church directory the directories have arrived and are available for pick up at the church. They are in the grey pick up bin outside Door A. Please take the one labeled with your name.
If you did not have a photo taken for the directory please see the Church Office Manager about acquiring a church directory.
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"Thank You All!" from the Board of Stewardship. During these tough times, for those who have been financially able to donate money to St. John's normally spent on things like gas, dry cleaning, auto maintenance, car washes, haircuts and restaurants/entertainment...the church thanks you greatly! Your generosity is appreciated. |
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CONNECT...in Bible Study and Small Groups
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St. John's currently has three small groups meeting
Click "HERE" for additional information on these opportunities!
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Your LWML is online with some great resources for you including email subscriptions, blogs, podcasts and videos, even an LWML App for your smartphone or tablet. Click here to learn more.
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Fall and Winter LWML Quarterly magazines are available for pickup at the church. They are in the grey pickup bin outside Door A. Please pick one up at your convenience. |
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ST. JOHN'S MINISTRIES (Inreach and Outreach) |
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THANK YOU to those who donated blood on Wednesday. It was a great success as twenty-six individuals registered, and 23 whole blood donations and 2 red cells were collected, exceeding the 20-donation blood drive target. As we all know, there is a blood supply shortage at this time.
THANK YOU to Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket for providing Thanksgiving meals to over 30 St' John's friends!
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December 6 Meals To Go
The final Meals to Go is scheduled for December 6th. Please use the sign up link below to sign up for a meal for yourself or a loved one. Last day to sign up is Dec 4. Pickup will be Sunday, Dec. 6th from 1-2pm in the St. John's Parking lot.
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ADVENT CALENDAR FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
TREE DECORATING:
- Friday, December 4, 7 PM, St. John's Sanctuary
VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
MEALS TO GO:
- Last day to sign up Dec 4
- Pick up on December 6
- Sign up "HERE"
CHRISTMAS MEAL:
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:
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December's featured item is PUMP SOAP
- Please deposit featured item in the box in the narthex.
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St. John's Christmas services schedule will be as follows:
Sunday, December 13
6:30 PM - St. John’s Virtual Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 17
6:30 PM -
St. John’s Virtual School Christmas Worship Service
Thursday, 12/24, Christmas Eve
4:30pm- Candlelight Family Worship Service
7:00pm-Holy Communion Candlelight Worship Service
Friday, 12/25, Christmas Day
10:00am-Holy Communion Worship Service
Saturday, 12/26
No 505 Service on this date
Sunday, 12/27
Traditional Worship Service at 9:00 AM
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Now including access to our St John's school newsletter! |
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6th Grade Eagles in Action - Prepared to Help!
Please help St. John's 6th graders with their Eagles in Action project. The link below will lead you to the St. John's Food Pantry Advent Calendar. Follow the calendar from days 1-24 and learn how you can help by adding an item to a designated box or bag each day. Additional details are in the Ministries email.
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3rd Grade Eagles in Action Recap for December 2020
Thank you for your ongoing support of the LaGrange Area Food Pantry. We collected donations at our Meals to Go/Pie Pick Up on November 24. 3rd grade uses $77.00 each month from our September chapel offerings to buy our monthly featured item and shop for sales to benefit those in our community in need. In November, we purchased 60 bars of soap, canned coffee, chicken broth, and canned vegetables.
In December, we will purchase pump soaps and have already purchased cake mixes, brownie mixes, and cans of cranberry sauce that were on sale. Your generosity is gratefully appreciated! Thank you!
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how to donate gift cards to families in need during COVID-19
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Purchase gift cards through our school’s fundraiser for essential goods such as groceries, gas, restaurants, and cleaning supplies, to donate to those in our community.
As COVID-19 widens and families are impacted by hardships related to closed schools, limited access to childcare, work limitations, and more, we have a unique opportunity to help support our community and families.
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Time to start holiday shopping and get ready for cooler weather clothing or for anything – start with TRIP cards.
Click on Dazzle to see the attached article for regular order dates.
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Our next order dates are December 7th and 14th
7:45 am at Door A.
when you are placing an order.
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Saturday Worship
505 Contemporary
Worship Service at 5:05 p.m.
(Click "here" for the song playlist)
Sunday Worship
Traditional Worship Service
at 9:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: All Worship Services will be available on our Livestream YouTube Page shortly after they are Livestreamed.
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Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
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