St. John's Connections E-Newsletter

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Connections E-Newsletter - January 6, 2022

St. John’s 2022 Couple’s Retreat (Galena, IL)

"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.

Discipleship Hour Resumes This Weekend!

Join us in the school gym at 9:25 AM as we continue to Re-Connect, Re-Care & Re-Share all together in Christ! We’ll gather together this week in a large group and spend some time in God’s word together, celebrate the blessings from the past session of Discipleship Hour and sign up for your next breakout if you haven’t done so already.

You can see this session's breakout offerings by clicking HERE.

Promises of Grace also begins on Sunday in the School Library & Kid’s Discipleship will be held in the upper level of the Early Childhood Center.

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

Support the current missions of St. John's LWML on January 8 or 9, before or after each worship service. 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!

Please complete our life group survey by clicking HERE.

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.

Rings were found at Faith Haven on the south kiosk (sign) near the worship area.

Please call the church office to identify the rings: (262) 334-4901

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.