CONNECT...in Worship
Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 5:05 PM (The 505)
Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 9:00 AM (Traditional)


"Here I Stand"

Preaching: Senior Pastor Ben Roberts
Worship Leader: Associate Pastor Mark Stapleton
First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7
Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28
Holy Gospel: John 8:31-36
To the consternation of His opponents, Jesus announced that those who abide in His Word know the truth, which sets them free. And the truth, Paul points out in the Epistle, is that God has declared us justified, not guilty under His Law, because of His gracious gift of faith in Christ. That gift frees us from fearing God’s righteous wrath; we are confident that the Lord of hosts is with us. Sure of His presence and protection, we need not fear the forces of nature, the conflicts of people and nations, and the wiles of the devil. Rather, in all that we think, say, and do, we are free to respond to the angelic invitation we hear today: “fear God and give Him glory . . . and worship Him who made heaven and earth” (Revelation 14:7).
WORSHIP SCHEDULE & SUNDAY MORNING EDUCATION
OCTOBER 24 - 25, 2020
 
Saturday Schedule
"The 505" - Contemporary Worship Service at 5:05 PM
(In-Person and Livestreamed)
 
Sunday Schedule
Traditional Worship Service at 9:00 AM
(In-Person and Livestreamed)
 
Sunday Education Opportunities
NO "BIBLE STUDY" TODAY

NO "MORE THAN THE MESSAGE" TODAY (will return on November 1)

10:15 - 11:15 AM - Sunday School Education Hour
(Held outside on the Playground - weather permitting, or it will be held in the Heritage Room)
WORSHIP INFORMATION
 
(Everyone should have received an e-mail titled "In-Person / Livestreamed Worship Services" that was sent on Wednesday, October 21. Click "HERE" to view that e-mail and obtain additional information about our In-Person and Livestreamed Worship Services that being this weekend.)

All Saints' Day

Next weekend, on October 31 and November 1, 2020, St. John's will be honoring people who have passed away during the past year (November 1, 2019 - October 31, 2020) at our worship services. If you are aware of people to be included in this memorial, please email the church office, churchoffice@stjohnslagrange.org, with the name of the person, the date of death, and your relationship to the departed.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, what should have been their special day on Pentecost Sunday has finally arrived!

On Sunday, October 25th, Reformation Sunday, in a private setting, 5 youth will confirm their faith through the Rite of Confirmation.

This rite will be livestreamed at 11:30 AM for the congregation to view.

More information about the confirmands will be provided in next week's Mission.

Please continue to keep these confirmands in your prayers!


ST. JOHN'S MINISTRIES (Inreach and Outreach)
 
Everyone should have received our "St. John's Ministries" e-mail that was sent on Tuesday, October 20. Click "HERE" to view that e-mail and obtain additional information about these wonderful outreach events. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONDAY EMAIL THAT WAS SENT ARE BELOW!
Please Note Change: Fall Fest on Wheels!
We are changing up our Fall Family Fun Fest on Saturday, and transforming it into Fall Fest on Wheels!

Due to rising COVID cases in our surrounding communities, and based on recommendations from all area health departments to avoid large gatherings, the committee that is hosting is making some changes. We feel this is the safest option for our school and church families and community.  

  • Drive thru to pick up your treat bags, craft kits, pumpkins and Fall posters
  • If you still want to wear your costume, we will have a photo booth available
  • All photos will be posted in a virtual display
  • Lunch will not be available for purchase

The Fall Fest Drive Thru will be open from 10:30am-11:30am, first come, first served.

We do not take these decisions lightly, and appreciate your flexibility as we navigate these times together.
As we look forward to Christmas, our nation and our world are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are looking for comfort and peace and we want to do all we can to help them find hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Operation Christmas Child team has been working hard to make sure they can safely collect and deliver shoebox gifts. The National Collection week is November 16-23rd, the week before Thanksgiving. They understand there are challenges of packing shoeboxes in this unusual year. There will be a few options available to pack a box this year. 
 
  • We will be distributing boxes at the Family Fun Fair on October 24th from 10:30 - 11:30 AM 
  • Boxes will be available before and after the 505 service on Saturday evening and before and after the 9:00 am service on Sundays.  
  • The Sunday School children will be receiving boxes on October 25th 
  • The first graders will also be doing Operation Christmas Child boxes for their Eagles in Action project and will distribute boxes to the other classrooms.  
  • You can also personalize a shoebox or two ONLINE for $25 per box at samaritanspurse.org/occ.  

The deadline to turn in or to personalize a box online will be Sunday November 15, 2020. 

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: October's featured item is DEODORANT
  • Please deposit featured item in the box in the narthex.
  • Click "HERE" for more information.

FALL FEST ON WHEELS: Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Please see above for updated information.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD:
  • Boxes will be available at Family Fall Fun Fest on Saturday, October 24.
  •  Click "HERE" for more information.
  • Boxes are due by November 15, 2020.

Q-BBQ FUNDRAISER: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  •  Click "HERE" for more information.

PIE FUNDRAISER: November 1 - 5, 2020
  • Click "HERE" for more information.

TRIM A TREE AT THE ZOO: Sunday, November 22, 2020
  • More information forthcoming.

(Click "HERE" to obtain additional information about these wonderful events.) 

CHURCH NEWS!
LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION - NEWS AND EVENTS!

October is the month when the hardworking Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) committees would gather together for an interdepartmental meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. Like many in-person activities, this year will be completed through a series or large and small group Zoom meetings.

Click "HERE" to read the rest of this article and see all the great things that are going on this time of year.

"Thank You All!" from the Board of Stewardship. During these tough times, for those who have been financially able to donate money to St. John's normally spent on things like gas, dry cleaning, auto maintenance, car washes, haircuts and restaurants/entertainment...the church thanks you greatly! Your generosity is appreciated.

E-SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ST. JOHN'S
A TRIP THROUGH WATER WITHOUT A BOAT!
When God told Moses to cross the Red Sea, he wondered how he could possibly obey this command.  He knew that he needed God's help, because the water was very deep, and swimming would be impossible. God had an amazing plan in store for His people - He would move the water so everyone could walk across the sea instead of swimming! This great miracle was just the first of many wonders God would show Moses and His people as they left Egypt and followed God's directions to their new home. We'll follow their journey in our Bible lesson. It's an amazing story!  
 
Lesson materials, including a scavenger hunt, will be emailed to all Sunday School and Wednesday Bible School families. If you do not receive your package, contact Dalyne Shinneman at dalyne.shinneman@gmail.com or call 630.772.1688.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
Attention All High School Youth!

Come swing by and say hi at the Fall Fest on Wheels
Saturday, October 24th from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM 
(Due to rising COVID cases in our surrounding communities, and based on recommendations from all area health departments to avoid large gatherings, the committee that is hosting is making some changes.)  Drive thru to pick up your treat bags, craft kits, pumpkins and Fall posters. If you still want to wear your costume, we will have a photo booth available. All photos will be posted in a virtual display. Lunch will not be available for purchase.

The next date for youth group is Saturday, November 7 from 6:30-8pm. We will be playing Glow in the Dark Volleyball at St. John's Gym.  

If you have any questions about the Youth Program at St. John's please contact Vicki Wykert at v.wykert@sjlagrange.com

CONNECT...in Bible Study and Small Groups
All three small groups have new topics
Click "HERE" for additional information on these opportunities!

SCHOOL OFFICE
Click on the TRIP logo above for more information on
how to donate gift cards to families in need during COVID-19
Purchase gift cards through our school’s fundraiser for essential goods such as groceries, gas, restaurants, and cleaning supplies, to donate to those in our community.

As COVID-19 widens and families are impacted by hardships related to closed schools, limited access to childcare, work limitations, and more, we have a unique opportunity to help support our community and families.
Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
October is here! 

Time to start shopping for cooler weather clothing to get ready for fall or for anything – start with TRIP cards. See attached article for regular order dates.

Our next order date is: Monday, October 26 at 7:45 AM at Door A.

Please email Amy Buonassisi at amybuonassisi@gmail.com
if you are placing an order.


Saturday Worship
505 Contemporary
Worship Service at 5:05 p.m.
(Click "here" for the song playlist)
 
Sunday Worship
Traditional Worship Service
at 9:00 a.m.


PLEASE NOTE: All Worship Services will be available on our Livestream YouTube Page shortly after they are Livestreamed.
Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210