St. John's Connections E-Newsletter

Connections E-Newsletter - January 13, 2022

New Sermon Series: Gifted

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Anyone who has ever been through a job interview has heard some form of these questions. It’s an attempt to understand how the person is wired, what their gifts are and what their shortcomings might be in a work environment.

Have you ever thought of both your strengths and weaknesses as gifts that God has given you? Have you ever reflected on how you might use your strengths well for the sake of your household, your neighbor, your church and your community? Have you considered how you are using your time in light of God’s promises?

In the next six weeks, these are all questions we will be wrestling with. Part of our ministry plan for this year included helping members of the congregation identify and utilize their spiritual gifts. Our next sermon series, entitled “Gifted”, will help us do exactly this. God has blessed us with so many gifts, and He calls us to use them for the sake of our neighbor and for His Kingdom.

See you in worship this weekend!

Attend the Congregational Meeting

~ Divine Call to Mrs. Emily Blue ~

January 30, 2022 at 12:15 pm in the Church Sanctuary

Dear St. John’s Household of Faith,

Some of the blessings (and challenges) in our journey of faith are the changing Seasons of Life. This has always been the case of people in general, but God’s people journey in these seasons with joy and hope in God’s plans for them!

St. John’s Lutheran School has been blessed with such gifted teachers over the years to help children and their families grow in their journey of faith in their changing Seasons of Life. Thank you, Lord! As we reported at the last Congregational Meeting, Mr. Duane “Dewey” Rose will be retiring as St. John’s 5th Grade Teacher. Thank you, Mr. Rose, for your work and influence in so many children’s lives for so many years! We will be celebrating what God has done in and through Mr. Rose later this year, as school wraps up and he moves into a new Season of Life (stay tuned).

The Lord has seen fit to raise up another teacher, Mrs. Emily Blue, for a Divine Call by St. John’s as a Commissioned Minister of the Gospel – Teacher. Mrs. Blue would join the team and teach 5th Grade for this coming 2022-2023 School Year. The Leadership Board has approved the recommendation made by Pastor Jeff Hesse, Jim Van Dellen (School Administrator) and Nicole Janisse (Early Childhood Administrator) to call Mrs. Blue to St. John’s. In addition to teaching 5th Grade next school year, Mrs. Blue is excited to join the staff of our Early Childhood Center ministry until the next school year begins. The Blues are relocating from Virginia and could start at the ECC very soon…so we are doubly blessed!

The January 30th Congregational Meeting will start right after the late service (in the Church Sanctuary) at about 12:15 pm. Don’t worry, the NFC Championship Game is later in the day. In addition, the Leadership Board and Pastoral/Management Teams will have some other important congregational updates for you as we gather in the work of Jesus.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting…until then, see you in worship!

Peace & Blessings in Christ,

St. John’s Leadership Board

Emily Blue's Biography

Emily Blue graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in December 2021 with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English/Language Arts and a Lutheran Teacher Certificate. Her passion for working in Lutheran schools is largely because of her lifelong experience in Lutheran schools. Emily’s parents saw the importance of a faith-based education and enabled her to attend Lutheran schools from preschool through Lutheran High School at Sheboygan Lutheran. Lutheran teaching runs in the family, as Emily’s dad, Jay, is currently the principal at St. John Lutheran in Plymouth, and her mom is the 4th grade teacher.

On July 2nd, 2021, Emily married Chris Blue. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Virginia for Chris’s job and Emily completed her student teaching in Virginia at Our Savior Lutheran School. She has spent the past 5 months working with 6th through 8th graders teaching various subjects with a focus on Literature and Composition.

Emily reports, “I have very much enjoyed my experience with my cooperating teachers and the students and have learned so much in such a short time. Chris and I enjoy the city life and the abundance of places to go, but have come to realize it is not the lifestyle we want. Our family and friends are all from Wisconsin and not being near them was a tough situation for both of us. We are excited to be moving back home to Wisconsin.”

When Emily is not busy working, you will probably find her baking, reading, or doing a craft of some sort. Chris and Emily enjoy traveling and have made a goal for themselves to visit every National Park. Emily commented, “We love to get outside and enjoy God’s creation whenever possible.”

St. John's Couples Retreat Register Today

St. John’s 2022 Couple’s Retreat in Galena, Illinois

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;

I have tried you in the furnace of affliction." (Isaiah 48:10 ESV)

Hello St. John’s Couples!

Are you looking for some time away with your spouse, while still having some fun growing and connecting with other faithful couples? If so, look no farther! The St. John’s 2022 Couple’s Retreat is coming the weekend of March 4-6 to a great get-a-way…the Irish Cottage Inn & Suites in Galena, Illinois!

This weekend is designed for you! Rest, learning, laughing, and prioritizing your marriage while God re-connects and re-energizes your journey as a couple. And let’s face it, sometimes that journey is amazing… but other times it is just plain hard! We say, “God’s Will is Always Best for Us”, but do we really believe and live it, especially when we think things should go differently? We want to give you the encouragement and the tools to greet God’s will with joy and confidence – for your marriage. God knows what He is doing! This is why the 2022 Couples Retreat theme is Forged and Re-Find. God is forging you, your faith, and your marriage into something spectacular and special – even and especially in the hard times…because you and your marriage are precious to the Lord!

The Irish Cottage Inn is a new venue for us, and it will be an exceptional place for the retreat! The Couple’s Retreat Committee has once again worked hard to bless your get-a-way. The weekend includes a Friday night reception, Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, some really fun and relaxing resort amenities (charming rooms, a fitness center, Irish pub, spa, pool, restaurant, etc.) all with an Irish flair! Galena is a great place to visit – fine restaurants, shops, and places to hang out with your spouse…and friends. Upgraded rooms are available (King Jacuzzi Suites) and there is an optional Saturday afternoon “Brews & Food Tour” at an additional cost (space limited).

Spots are limited (approx. 30 couples). To learn more and reserve your spot (first-come, first-served basis) please click on the links below. We hope to see you in Galena! God bless you and your Household of Faith!

Peace and Love in Jesus,

St. John’s Couple’s Retreat Committee

Download the Brochure HERE.

Volunteer for Kids Discipleship Hour

Kids Discipleship Hour has started up again! We are looking for volunteers from grades 5 and up, plus adults. If you enjoy sharing God's word with children, then come join us for Kids Discipleship Hour. Your commitment can be every week, twice a month, or even at least once a month.

We provide child care for children ages infant - 2 years old in the ECC 2-year-old classroom. We teach age appropriate lessons for children ages 3 - 5th grade in the ECC Activity Room. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign-up with the link below! If you have any questions, please contact Desiree Titus at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org.

Join Us for Discipleship Hour Breakout Sessions

Schedule:

9:00 a.m. Fellowship: Coffee, juice, and desserts in the School Gymnasium

9:25 a.m. Opening: Adult/Youth (6th Grade+) - Meet in the School Gymnasium.

• Childcare: Infants - 2-year-olds. Please meet in in the ECC 2-Year-Old Room.

• Kids Discipleship Hour: 3-year-olds - 5th Grade. Meet in the ECC Activity Room.

9:30 a.m. Classes/Sessions Begin: Adults & Youth (6th Grade+) can attend Breakout Sessions.

10:30 a.m. - Discipleship Hour Ends

Connect, care, and share in Christ as you go about your week, practicing discipleship in as many places as possible.

View information about Breakout Sessions HERE.

Email Scam Alert

Dear Friends in Christ,

It has been brought to the attention of the Pastoral team that scammers are once again contacting members of the congregation via email and asking for funds to be delivered electronically or through the purchase of gift cards. Most recently, the scammers have been impersonating Pastor Seban, but have also impersonated other members of the pastoral staff, both former and present.

Please be advised that these emails are false and fraudulent. St. John's pastoral team (or anyone on staff) will never communicate via personal email asking for gifts to be transacted in such a manner. We always work through our carefully established St. John's structures and protocols for transparency, protection, traceability and efficiency. When in doubt check it out. Before you are inclined to act on your willingness to help, please talk with us personally. There is never a rush (no matter what the story is). Stop, evaluate and talk with us personally, so we can work through what is real and what is fake. If you get any of these emails, please delete them and do not click on any links or attachments.

It is a broken world and scams are real. Let us remember what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 10:16 - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." We pray for these fraudsters and call on them to repent, confess their sin, turn away from this behavior and trust that Jesus has forgiven them. We also thank the Lord for all law enforcement, and specifically, we thank the West Bend Police Department for their work and protection.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office at (262) 334-4901.

All of the ministries at St. John's continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as we seek to faithfully carry out our mission. Regarding in-person worship, we would like to remind you of the following protocols:

Masks continue to be welcomed and encouraged during worship
The balcony continues to be reserved for mask wearers only at all worship services.
You are free to greet one another in whatever manner you feel most comfortable-Shaking hands, waving, or a simple kind "Hello!" are all ways to acknowledge your brothers and sisters in Christ.
The offering will continue to be collected via the box in the narthex or via the St. John's app.
Worship will continue to be livestreamed on all of our platforms and archived on our Youtube page for those who would prefer to worship at home during this time.

Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and for all affected!

Connecting, Caring, and Sharing in Christ

View info about Hope for Christ for Cancer Patients - Phil's Friends HERE. View info about Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church Asaba, Delta State Nigeria, New Church Planting HERE. Thank you!

It's Good to be Together in the Lord

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE!

View our Livestream HERE!

The next Baptism Class is Monday, January 17 at 6:30 pm in the church nursery. The class is led by Doug and Mel Raddemann. This course is for anyone looking to be baptized themselves or for any parent who would like his or her child baptized at St. John's. The class introduces what we believe and confess about the amazing gift that baptism is for individuals and families.

Please RSVP to the church office if you plan on attending at

stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org or (262) 334-4901

Discipleship in as Many Places as Possible.

Faithful Disciples, Academic Excellence, Christian Leaders

St. John’s Early Childhood Center is hiring! Part-time and Full-time positions are available. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the St. John’s Early Childhood Center at ecc@stjohnswestbend.org or 262-429-1061 ext. 501.

Contact St. John's Elementary & Middle School for Enrollment Options: 262-334-3077 or email school@stjohnswestbend.org.

Contact St. John's Early Childhood Center for Enrollment Options: 262-429-1061 or email ecc@stjohnswestbend.org.

Partner Ministries

CUW OFFERING $1,000 GRANT FOR NEW INCOMING STUDENTS

Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor wants to help new incoming Class of 2022 students save money. Any NEW traditional student who completes the FAFSA by Thanksgiving will be awarded a $1,000 early filing grant. Visit www.cuw.edu or www.cuaa.edu for more info.