St. John's Connections E-Newsletter

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Connections E-Newsletter - September 12, 2021

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Weekend Worship: We Resolve (Re-Connecting)

Worship Readings: Psalm 133, Philippians 4:1-10, Matthew 9:9-13

This weekend we begin a sermon series called "We Resolve." Resolve communicates the need to find a solution, to decide firmly on a course of action, or even to move out of dissonance to a consonance. For us, this is where we see our Mission Statement serving as our landing place: Re-Connecting, Re-Caring, and Re-Sharing.

This weekend we'll be examining the idea of "Re-Connecting" to understand the immense value God has for the time invested into relationships. Jesus calls us to re-connection because 1) He demonstrated it Himself in His ministry; 2) connection curbs the evil that dwells within and protects from the evil outside; and 3) it is the first step in accomplishing the work of the church that the Lord has for us. Come and be blessed by God's Word this weekend as we begin to Re-Connect in Christ.

Discipleship Hour Returns Sunday, September 12

What: Discipleship Hour / Kids Discipleship Hour (Fall Session)

Where: St. John’s Lutheran School (Gym) / ECC (2^nd Floor Activity Room)

Starting: Sept. 12 (Large Group/Promises of Grace) / Sept. 19 (Breakouts)

Ending: The Fall Session will run through November 14

When: Sunday 9:25 AM – 10:30 AM (between 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM worship services)

Kids Discipleship Hour: Children ages 3rd – 7th Grade

Option: 6th Graders+ can join in Adult Breakout Sessions with their parents

Child Care Available for infants – 2-year-olds! Drop off in the ECC 2-year-old room

Mask Req.: Masks are welcomed and encouraged, but not required at this time.

Download Brochure HERE.

Join us for Promises of Grace, a nine-week class taught by our Pastors. This class will kick off Sunday, September 12th during our 9:30 am Discipleship Hour in the school library. For those unable to attend Sunday sessions, we offer the same class each Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in the lower level fellowship hall at church. The classes meet for an hour each week.

As of today, childcare will be available Sunday mornings for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years old in our Early Childhood Center. Children ages 3 and up can participate in our Children's Discipleship Hour in the upper level of the Early Childhood Center.

If you'd like to attend our Fall Promises of Grace sessions or need more information, please contact Cheryl Rudolf at 262-334-4901 ext. 308 or email crudolf@stjohnswestbend.org.

Kids Discipleship Hour is starting Sunday, September 12 at 9:25 am! It's a wonderful opportunity for the kids to re-connect, re-care, and re-share in Christ together as we return to hands-on, in-person discipleship for our young ones! There is child care for children ages infant-2 years old in the ECC 2-year-old classroom. Children age 3-7th grade will learn through age-appropriate lessons with fantastic teachers! Drop-off for them will be in the ECC Activity Room. Sign-up with the link below for your children to attend!

We are looking for volunteers; adults and as young as 5th grade! If you are interested in volunteering, contact Desiree Titus at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org.

Previous Worship

St. John's West Bend - Weekend Worship - 9/5/21

Prayer

"Updates to the St. John's Prayer List"

Martin Luther once wrote, "A Christian without prayer is just as impossible as a living person without a pulse."

Prayer has always been an essential part of faithful life and discipleship for God's people -- it's where we get to talk to God, who has promised to listen and answer us! Prayer is special because we're not just lifting up "thoughts and good vibes" to the universe -- what's actually happening is that we are having a conversation with the Almighty.

Conversation is active and in the present -- it's something happening right now. Prayer, then, as conversation with God, should be the same: living and active, and that's true whether it's individual prayer or prayer as the Church. As pastors, we've made adjustments to how we receive prayers for the prayer list for the sake of diligent, active prayer -- and to better reflect our congregation's commitment to Connecting, Caring, and Sharing in Christ.

Whenever you want to make a request for the prayer list, there will be a few questions to answer for the sake of pastoral care, whether you're calling the office or using the app. There are opportunities to explain who the prayer is for, and why, and if you'd like one of the pastors to call.

For many, perhaps the most noticeable change will be the question of, "How long would you like this prayer to be on the prayer list?" You can ask for up to three months' time, and at the end of that time, every prayer can be renewed as often as you'd like to ask for prayer.

We've made this change not because we want to "clear the list," but because we want to reflect the truth that prayer should be active. Each time you call in, you have another opportunity to ask for a pastoral call, give an update on how things are going, or just connect with God's people to share burdens or celebrations. This is what is meant when we talk about "walking together."

For any further questions, please call the office and ask to speak to the pastors -- we'll be happy to talk with you and share thoughts.

-- David Nieman, Pastor -- Care

Request prayers HERE.

Members in treatment, at home, or recovering: Mason Noren, Christine Hesse, Jean Black, David Martin, Kevin and Pamela Bartlett, Jill Krell, Tom Kohn, Kristine Schram, Gene Biegler, Nancy Dehling, The Ehlke Family, Ethan Hackman, Ken Felsecker, Bob Berndt, Donna Menzel, Parker Dietrich, Mike Schmitz, Richard Hron, Katherine Benner, William Brenckle, Delores Fischer, Julie Buss, Peter Schlefke, David Sitzberger, Sandy Berres, Darrell Olson, Harold Justman, Marcy Donaldson, Lloyd Prost, Gloria Cassidy, Rick Heintz, Adrian Buntrock, Ron Newell, Sandy Lovato, Doug Zarling, Carla Kinkel, Carrie Kuehl, Evelyn Wornardt, Leatrice (Lea) Strupp, Joseph (Tom) Augustine, Ken Endlich, Cindy Doers, Verna Kissinger, Lois Lewinski, James Zimbal, Sharon Stenschke, Barbara Moritz, Elmyra Martin, Mary Plaskey, Al Schaetz, Arlene Goebel, Gladys Hron, Mary Ann Yahr, Ellen Frank, Cheryl Eberhardt, Charles Frank, Nancie Purskey

Non-Members: Bob Kauffman (Al & Louise Schut Brother-in-Law), Ralph Wolfe (Mary Jo Reinke’s father), Glen Blok (Glen Blok’s father), Anna (Denise and Bruce Biendarra’s friend), Jeff Lee (Bruce and Denise Biendarra’s friend), Mary (Bruce and Denise Biendarra’s friend), Barbara Opala (Kathy Sitzberger’s friend), Eugene Fiedler (Phyllis Mortenson’s father & Andrew Mortenson’s grandfather), Russ Roesler (Jeanne Roesler’s son & Susan Roesler’s brother-in-law), Jerry Weisser (Roland & Orgenia Weisser’s son), Olivine Schimmels (Cathy Schimmels granddaughter), Jackie Farr (Clara Guse’s sister), Kathryn Hirsch (Marge Ruprecht’s sister), Cordell Strack (Carol Roecker’s sister-in-law & Sherry Cullen’s mother), Roo Bublitz, Kathy Rosholt (Monica Rosholt’s mother), Debra Wussow (request from Kathleen Sitzberger), Ruth Seider (Joe & Marge Ruprecht’s friend), Barbara Black (Jean Black’s daughter), Steve Williams (Rick Dusenbery’s brother-in-law), Dinah Cogdill (Arnie Mengel’s Sister). Ashlyn Roecker (Carol Roecker’s great-grand niece), Rich Buss, Mickie Wagner (Tom & Peggy Bruce’s friend), Duane (Jerry & Terri Buettner’s friend), Danielle Hayburn (Paul & Charlene Otto’s daughter), Kris Kraase (Evelyn Wornardt’s granddaughter-in-law), James Oelhafen (brother of Audrey Weiland), and Shane Nault (grandson of Carmen Kuntz)