Coming March 10

Pastor Andy Bartel will bring the message "Our refuse, God's Treasure" this Sunday. Worship services are at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m., with the later two services livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

UMCOR Sunday

Every year, the world experiences devastating hurricanes, storms, wars, and other crises. As these events unfold and the number of those in need of help increases, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. Working in more than 80 countries worldwide, UMCOR provides survivors with temporary relief and long-term education, training and support. UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated gifts on the projects that donors specify. None of these designated gifts support administrative or operating costs.

How then are UMCOR’s administrative costs covered? Every year on the fourth Sunday in Lent, we celebrate UMCOR Sunday, a day when individual and local church gifts are received to support UMCOR’s administrative costs. This year, UMCOR Sunday is March 10. Give now here.

Spring forward on Sunday

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Set those clocks ahead on Saturday night!

Welcome new staff

There are a couple of new yet familiar faces in the office at St. John. Lia Slemons is our interim children's ministry coordinator while Angie Grisales takes a couple of months of planned leave. Joe Muhlbauer is our new part-time administrative assistant. Both Lia and Joe are St. John members who are also volunteers in various capacities. We are so happy to have them on staff!

Alfredo! It's what's for dinner

Join us Wednesday, March 6, for Chicken Alfredo and Banana Cake. Wednesday Night Supper runs from 5:15 to 6 p.m., with a suggested donation of $10 per plate or $5 per half plate.

There will be NO Wednesday Night Supper on March 13 due to spring break. March 20 will be a Potluck and Game Night! Student and Family Ministry will provide pizza - please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Rainbow Easter Baskets

The LGBTQ Outreach Team is collecting Rainbow Easter Basket items for Covenant House and Choosing Our Roots. They've identified the need of 105 baskets! Requested Items: $5-$10 gift cards, craft supplies, candy, Takis, Cheetos, chips, journals, handwritten cards with affirmations; fidgets, small pride flags/pins/stickers; and local artist stickers. We'll assemble them together on March 24 at 12:30. 

Spring Hill Easter dinners

Once again St. John is collecting funds to provide 25 $125 grocery gift cards to Spring Hill Elementary School families for Easter. Find the dropdown on our online giving platform or send a check to the church office with the memo "Spring Hill Easter." Thank you for helping these families have a wonderful Easter dinner!

Holy Week schedule

Maundy Thursday: 6:30 p.m. March 29

Good Friday: 6:30 p.m. March 30

Easter Sunday: 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m. March 31

The church office will be closed on Easter Monday, April 1.

Auction raises $24,000

Thank you to all who participated and helped make the shared auction of First UMC and St. John a smashing success! Before expenses, we received gifts totaling over $24,000!! Wow! The members of these churches (and others who joined us that evening) are so very generous, and we cannot thank you enough, but we'll try! Thank you to everyone who donated time and items. Thank you to everyone who shopped and cooked. Thank you to everyone who bought and gave away tickets. Thank you to everyone who set up and cleaned up. Thank you to everyone who decorated and organized. Thank you to everyone who counted, and collected, and collaborated to make this event such a fun evening of fellowship. Thank you to everyone who attended and bid. Thank you to our fearless leader and auction chair Molly for wisdom, expertise, and tireless efforts on our behalf. Above all, thank God, from whom all blessings truly flow. Because of your generosity, the commercial kitchens in each facility will be well cared for with necessary updates and upgrades. If you were not able to participate in some way on the night of the event, there is still time to make a contribution. Simply label your gift as Auction2024. Thank you all!

~ Pastor Andy

Bike ride on Sunday

The United Methodist Men will be hosting a fat tire bike ride this Sunday, March 10. We will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Abbott Loop Community Park trailhead at 8101 Elmore Rd. We’ll ride for about 90 minutes to explore the multiuse and singletrack trails, which are all in great shape right now. We can then go for a brew and some dinner afterwards! All are welcome to join us. Please contact Scott Digert if you have any questions or need more information.

Lent Event is March 23

St. John's annual Lent Event is coming next month, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23. Families are invited to participate in spiritual formation stations that include crafts, a mission project and an egg hunt. Volunteers are needed - can you help at a station or with setup or cleanup? Sign up here

Workday at Chugiak UMC

The United Methodist Church of Chugiak is hosting a workday on Saturday, March 16, to take care of a list of small handyman-type fixes throughout their facility, and we have been invited to participate! This is the church that led Pastor Andy into the faith. This will be a great time of fellowship between our churches and an even better way to encourage each other in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Reach out to Pastor Andy if you would like to participate. Even if you are available for part of the day, we'd love your help. This is opportunity is open to all persons of St John (not just United Methodist Men).

March Men's Retreat

There are still a few spots left! United Methodist Men are hosting a retreat March 8 and 9 in Hope. Pastor Dave Beckett will lead the retreat, focusing on “Becoming Your True Self.” Register here.

Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to noon Friday

Ph: 907-344-3025 Email us Visit our website

Address change?

Please send any contact information changes to Patti Butcher at members@stjohnanchorage.org

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