St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
January 25-31 2020
|
|
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday, January 26, 2020
8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.
|
|
"Sealed With The Holy Spirit"
Preacher:
Pastor Mark Stapleton
Worship Leader: Pastor Ben Roberts
First Reading:
Acts 10:34-48
Epistle:
2 Corinthians 1:12–22
Holy Gospel:
John 7:37–39
|
|
To “seal” something up means to close it up securely. In so doing, that which is inside will never be removed as long as the “seal” remains shut. Furthermore, a seal can mark something as one’s own; no one can claim it because of the seal. In the same way, St. Paul says that God “has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts.” As we continue our series “No Ordinary Water” we hear that in baptism the Holy Spirit is given to us as a “seal”, locking in the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus within us. Furthermore, we are marked as God’s children that sin, death and the devil cannot claim. When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in baptism, we have forgiveness, life and salvation eternally!
|
|
Join us next Saturday, February 1st for The "505" Service at 5:05 p.m.!
(Every 1
st and 3
rd Saturday of the month at 5:05 p.m.)
505 Worship Songs for:
|
|
Sermon Series
"No Ordinary Water: What God Does With His Word and H20"
Begins this week
|
|
Baptism, as wonderful as it is, can seem anticlimactic. Water is poured, words are spoken…and that’s it. But that simple act brings about a change in a person’s life that has mind-blowing implications. Like turning a diamond in the light, there are many incredible, life-altering aspects that many Christians fail to appreciate after the “rite” is over. In this series, we’re going to look at what God’s Word says about this simple act of combining water and Word. Looking at the wonder that is baptism, we will see that when God baptizes someone into His Name, it’s far from “that’s it”.
2/2: No Ordinary Water: Welcome to the Body of Christ!
|
|
Missed Worship Service this past Sunday?
Catch up by listening to the audio here:
|
|
St. John's 2020 Lenten Devotional
|
|
RED LETTERS
Invitation and Challenge in the Words of Jesus
If you own a Bible, you might notice a stylistic variation: whenever Jesus speaks, the words appear in the color red. Yes, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh and, consequentially, the entire Bible could be written in red letters. But red letters are used in the Bible, most especially in the Gospels, because God’s Son was among us in human flesh at a particular point in history, eating and drinking, touching and healing, walking…and talking. The words that Jesus speaks in the Gospels speak to us today in our lives. And the words He speaks are full of INVITATION and CHALLENGE. Jesus speaks words of Invitation, to a faith and life that He gives purely out of His grace. He also speaks words of CHALLENGE, where Jesus loves us too much to leave us where we are and leads us to where He wants us to be.
How appropriate for the season of Lent. During this 40-day journey of repentance, it is good for us to be challenged by the words of Jesus in order to “deny yourselves, take up your cross and follow Him”. But because we cannot do this by our own “reason or strength”, we hear the words of invitation from Jesus, where He proclaims Good News, encourages us on our journey and gives us His strength when we are weak. This year, we will look at many of the “red letters” Jesus speaks in the Gospel of Matthew. In so doing, we will learn from Jesus as His disciples, follow Him from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday and learn the rhythm of Invitation and Challenge in the words of Jesus.
|
|
Sign-up to Write a Devotion
A sign-up table is set-up in the Church Narthex for you to review the Days/Verses for the 2020 Lent Devotional. If you would like to preview the Days/Verses prior to Sunday, see links below:
|
|
Adult Bible Study: "A Radio Tower of Strength"
Sunday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
Led by Kirk Farney
This multi-week course will explore the history of Christian broadcasting, with particular focus on the medium of radio, as an avenue though which forward-thinking Church leaders brought together historical, scriptural preaching with the technological advances of broadcasting, to evangelize and provide pastoral care to millions. As part of our study, we will review the leading role that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod played in these global efforts.
|
|
Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m.
Youth Room
|
|
New Parenting Bible Study Starts this Week!
Join us for the kick-off breakfast! Meet in the nursery at 9:30!
This 6-part DVD series will help empower parents to be the primary nurturers of their children's faith. Families will be transformed as they learn how to create space for God-encounters in everyday life.
|
|
Sunday School at St. John's, January 26th
9:30 a.m. Class, MUSIC ROOM, 2nd FLOOR
10:45 a.m. Class, KINDERGARTEN ROOM
Hey Kids!
Come and join us in our Science Laboratory - we have another great experiment planned for our class on Sunday. See you there!
|
|
Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, January 28th at 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Room
|
|
Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday, January 30th at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
|
|
Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursday, January 30th, 7:00 p.m.
The Heritage Room
We are continuing our study of Genesis with Warren Wiersbe's Be Obedient: Learning the Secret of Living by Faith, which covers the life of Abraham. For further details, please contact Jon Fredrickson at
jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com.
|
|
-Looking to Connect With Others?
-Looking to Grow Deeper In Your Faith?
-Looking to Make A Difference?
Small Group Ministry is starting at St. John’s this January!
Small groups are a gathering of people in a certain place according to the scheduled day and time. St. John’s Small Groups are intended to be:
o
A place of Spiritual Growth through God’s Word;
o
A place of Finding Strength for life’s struggles and Celebrating life’s blessings;
o
A way to Connect Relationally with others.
Here at St. John’s, Group life will be based on the following framework:
o
SHARE LIFE: Group participants will share the high’s and low’s of each other’s lives.
o
GOD’S WORD: Group participants will read, discuss, apply the Bible.
o
PRAYER: Group participants will pray for themselves, group members and for anyone.
o
FELLOWSHIP: Group participants will gather outside of regular group gathering times at least once for fun and fellowship.
|
|
SHARE
...with Your Service
|
|
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!
|
|
January’s Mission Café donations will benefit Yarn Over Missions. They meet monthly to make beautiful hand crafted items for people who need comfort. Some of the groups they support are: Vitas Healthcare, where they are given to mostly hospice patients, Operation Gratitude (soldiers), PADS, food pantry families, South Suburban Pregnancy Center, South Suburban Crisis Center, World Vision, Merlin Muffler Snug Hug campaign, red hats for babies in hospitals in February, purple hats for babies in the hospital in November (shaken baby syndrome), Blue hats in September for Lion Brand Hats for Hate, and Chemo hats for patients in Loyola Cancer Center. In 2019, they made and distributed 2,106 items.
There are also volunteers who are not able to attend the meetings but generously donate or crochet items and donate them to Yarn Over Missions. The group also accepts donations of yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks. Their meetings are uplifting and inspiring. They also welcome new knitters and crocheters. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline Craig at 708-372-7758 or via email at
ccraig124@gmail.com
. Thank you for your contributions at the Mission Cafe.
|
|
FLOWER CHART 2020
Do you enjoy fresh flowers? Each week the altar is beautified with fresh flowers given by individuals of St. John’s congregation. Flowers can be given in memory or in honor of someone or some occasion, in thanksgiving of something or to the Glory of God. The flowers may be taken home after the 10:45 service 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. The Flower Chart for 2020 is posted in the Narthex on the left brick pillar as you walk into the sanctuary. Flowers are $42 for two arrangements. If you wish to sign up for a particular Sunday and someone else has already signed up, we invite you to sign up in addition to another person giving flowers – you can split the $42 cost with the person signed up or purchase an additional two arrangements for $42. Multiple floral arrangements to beautify the altar are always welcome! A member of the Altar Guild will contact you in advance for your dedication.
|
|
Scholarships available for the
LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL
Don’t miss out on Lutheran Summer Music (LSM). LSM is a residential performance and training program for young musicians grades 8 – 12. LSM is hosted on different Lutheran college and university campuses each summer. Join over 25 nationally recognized faculty artists and a team of dedicated counselors in our supportive, academic community. This year the academy is being held at Valparaiso University from June 28 – July 12, 2020 (Half Session); and June 28 – July 26, 2020 (Full Session).
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Thanks to many generous donations, the tuition was reduced in 2019 by $1,000 from the past several years. You also can apply for Matching Grants that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs substantially.
APPLICATION: Please complete the application by February 15, 2020. Application Link:
http://bit.ly/LSM2020
Please contact David Lincoln at
d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com
if you have any questions on the scholarship application process. Any student from St. John’s Church can apply for a scholarship.
|
|
Join us and be included in our new directory.
Lifetouch will be here soon to photograph and create a new directory for us. Our faith community is stronger when we know one another, so reserve your session today.
Photography starts February 11, 2020.
Reserve your professional photography session today
- No session fees
- Be included in our new directory
- Plan on 60 minutes for photography and time to view your images and an assortment of products offered
You will receive:
- One FREE 8x10 standard print
- Free printed directory
- BONUS: FREE Shutterfly gift with purchase
|
|
Or, call 1-866-756-0281 to make an appointment.
We also need volunteers to help assist the photography team. Please see sign up for times & dates.
|
|
Youth Group
Super Bowl Sub & Cookie Sale!
Our youth are preparing to sell subs and big cookies to raise funds for our Mission Trip to Rochester, New York this summer. Delicious cookies will be available to purchase on Super Bowl Sunday from 9-12pm. We are taking orders for our delicious sub sandwiches. You must order by January 26
th
so that we can make your food the way you want it. Please consider supporting our youth and this amazing service trip! There will be order forms available in the narthex and a box to turn in your orders. Please fill out one sheet per sandwich. Any questions, please contact Vicki Wykert at
v.wykert@sjlagrange.com
. Thank you!
|
|
Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
|
|
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, through the Church office,
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com
or (708) 354-1690 x210.
|
|
Lutheran Witness Subscription Renewals
It's that time of year again! If you are interested in subscribing to the Lutheran Witness magazine or renewing your Lutheran Witness subscription, please contact the Church Office at
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com
or call (708) 354-1690 x210. The cost for the (12) month subscription is $15.96.
Deadline is Friday, February 28, 2020.
|
|
Youth Servant Event - Summer 2020
Please click on link for exciting opportunity to participate!
|
|
Basketball Tournament
I would like to thank all of the people who helped make our Basketball Tournament a huge success. We had twelve different schools involved with eight boys teams, six girls teams, and three cheerleading squads. Thank you to all who donated their time by helping set up, work concessions, work admissions, work the score table, and clean up. Thank you also to all who donated money or items for the tournament as well. Thank you for all your prayers that all would go well. I couldn’t have accomplished this without all your help. -
Tom Wykert, Athletic Director
|
|
Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
|
|
Are you ready for New Year?
There are many choices for your shopping needs for a…
|
|
McDONALD'S Fundraiser Night
701 S. La Grange Road, Countryside, IL 60525
Monday, January 27, 5:00-7:00 P.M.
St. John's will earn 20% of proceeds of all order
(inside & drive-thru)! No Flier necessary.
***TRIP will have Cash & Carry gift cards for McDonald's available
Monday morning, Jan 27th. Support our school twice for one event!
|
|
St. John's Lutheran School Annual FUNdraiser
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Visit the Auction Website Today!
Purchase Tickets; Can't Attend? Make a Donation!;
View Silent Auction Items; Bid on Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island Package NOW!!
View & Purchase Teacher Wish List Items
Register your credit card in advance for all event purchases
Contact Renee Hull for more information at r.hull@sjlagrange.com or auction@stjohnslagrange.com
Volunteer to Help for the Event via the button below!
|
|
Seniors Lunch ‘N More
Aging Care Connections and Hope Lutheran Church invite you to
Lunch, Fellowship and Entertainment.
When: February 12, 2020
Time: 12:00pm - Luncheon
Where: Hope Lutheran Church
6455 Joliet Rd, Countryside, IL 60525
RSVP: Call Aging Care Connections at 708-354-1323*
Cost: Suggested donation of $2.50
|
|
Weekly Worship Attendance
January 18 & 19 = 155
|
|
Saturday Schedule
Worship Service 5:05 p.m.
(1st and 3rd Saturday)
Sunday Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Education/Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
|
|
Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
r.suarez@sjlagrange.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
