St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
January 18-25 2020
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Second Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday, January 19, 2020
8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.
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"Born Again"
Preacher:
Pastor Benjamin Roberts
Worship Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Old Testament:
Ezekiel 36:24–28
Epistle:
Titus 3:1–7
Holy Gospel:
John 3:1–8
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The birth of a child is an extraordinary event: the pangs of labor; the efforts of the mother; and, in an instant, a new life enters the world. With all of that in mind, it can seem puzzling when Jesus tells Nicodemus that anyone who has ever been born must be “born again” in order to see the kingdom of God. But when that kingdom is completely out of reach to those conceived and born in sin, being “born again” is absolutely necessary. But that’s when Jesus speaks of baptism, of being “born of the water and the Spirit”. As we continue our series, “No Ordinary Water”, we see that in baptism, the Spirit becomes our “mother”, and the baptismal waters become a “womb” from which emerges a child, “born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
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Join us 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:
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Sermon Series
"No Ordinary Water: What God Does With His Word and H20"
Begins this week
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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”.
1/26: No Ordinary Water: Sealed With The Holy Spirit
2/2: No Ordinary Water: Welcome to the Body of Christ!
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Missed Worship Service this past Sunday?
Catch up by listening to the audio here:
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St. John's 2020 Lenten Devotional
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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.
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Sign-up to Write a Devotion
A sign-up table has been 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:
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Adult Bible Study: "A Radio Tower of Strength"
Sunday, January 19th at 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
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. Kirk Farney will be teach this class.
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Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, January 19th at 9:30 a.m.
Youth Room
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Sunday Morning Parenting Bible Study
"Effective Parenting" - 1 week left
Sunday, January 19th, 9:30 a.m.
The Nursery
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New Parenting Bible Study Starting in One Week!
Come on the 26th for a kickoff 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.
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Sunday School at St. John's, January 19th
9:30 a.m. Class, MUSIC ROOM, 2nd FLOOR
10:45 a.m. Class, KINDERGARTEN ROOM
Hey Kids, Come to the Sunday School Science Laboratory -
we need your help with our next experiment. See you there!
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Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday, January 23rd at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursday, January 23, 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.
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-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:
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A place of Spiritual Growth through God’s Word;
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A place of Finding Strength for life’s struggles and Celebrating life’s blessings;
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A way to Connect Relationally with others.
Here at St. John’s, Group life will be based on the following framework:
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SHARE LIFE: Group participants will share the high’s and low’s of each other’s lives.
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GOD’S WORD: Group participants will read, discuss, apply the Bible.
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PRAYER: Group participants will pray for themselves, group members and for anyone.
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FELLOWSHIP: Group participants will gather outside of regular group gathering times at least once for fun and fellowship.
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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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Our Mission Café donations for January will benefit Yarn Over Missions. Yarn Over Missions is a group of knitters and crocheters, of all ages, that meet every month at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Burbank, IL. They have been meeting for over ten years. The group knits and crochets Prayer shawls, hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters, baby items and toys. All of these items provide comfort and remind their recipients of God’s love while going through difficult times whether treatment for an illness, death of a family member, babies in the hospital or Operation Gratitude (for soldiers). They do not sell any of their handcrafted items.
There are also volunteers who are not able to attend the meetings but generously donate items 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
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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.
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Church Office will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2020
in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
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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!
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Church Board Vacancies
Elections were held at the Congregational Assembly on Sunday, November 29, 2019. Many people stepped forward to either fill a vacancy or to be reelected to their same position. I would like to thank all who decided to give their time and talent to our Church. Even with people stepping forward there are a number of open Board Positions as well a Chair for the Board of Evangelism and for the office of Secretary of the Congregation. These are two very important positions which need to be filled as soon as possible.
I ask you to pray and consider filling one of these key roles of the congregation. Many people have accepted the challenge to give up some of their time and use their talents to help lead our Church into the future. I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone and fill one of the open board positions or more important to volunteer to lead the Board of Evangelism or become the Congregational Secretary.
If you have any questions or want to volunteer for one of these positions, email me at
tjbraun54@gmail.com. Thank you, Tom Braun.
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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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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.
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Youth Servant Event - Summer 2020
Please click on link for exciting opportunity to participate!
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Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
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Are you ready for New Year?
There are many choices for your shopping needs for a…
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St. John's Basketball Tournament
Thursday, January 16, 2020 – Sunday, January 19, 2020
Please support our St. John's Basketball Tournament. Click below for our Ad booklet forms. Coming soon: opportunities to donate and volunteer.
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Volunteers needed!
St. John's basketball team needs you! Please click the link below to help with
St. John's Annual Basketball Tournament!
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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!
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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
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Does the new year have you interested in volunteer opportunities?
Consider becoming a volunteer driver with ICP!
Can you spare an hour or more a week to drive an older adult? Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships and is expanding to the western suburbs west of Rt. 83. Volunteers provide accompanied transportation to medical appointments, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, hairdresser, and church. There is no cost to clients and donations are accepted, if able. Contact ICP at 708-354-9328 for a volunteer application and visit them on the web at
InterfaithCommunityPartners.org
. They provide training and work around your busy life!
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Weekly Worship Attendance
January 12 = 188
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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/Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
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Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
r.suarez@sjlagrange.com
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