Connections E-Newsletter - May 5, 2022 |
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At the beginning of Lent, each student in our 8th grade class was given a copy of the Red Letter Challenge, and they used this as their “text book” for Christian Education class. Maybe some of you remember doing the Red Letter Challenge (RLC) as a member of our congregation. This book serves as a guide to a 40-day discipleship journey. The idea is to spend 40 days in the words of Jesus and put them into action through five main principles of being a disciple: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
Each week the class would make its way through a new principle; bouncing in between daily reading, discussions, and small group videos to better understand God’s call as a disciple. We worked to challenge each other to put the principles into action the best we could. We lived out “Being” in God’s word with a distraction free listening activity in the sanctuary. The students showed “Serving” by reaching out to the construction workers on 5th Avenue with doughnuts. The class experienced “Giving” by understanding the relationship of life and offering, and seeing ways to bless people around the world with socks.
The 8th grade class learned that there are countless ways to live out the principles of being a disciple of Jesus. What a blessing it is for all the kids of our school to know that following Jesus is a head, heart and hands activity throughout all of life. What a blessing it is for our school to be a place of Discipleship in as Many Places as Possible!
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St. John's Men's Retreat: Register Now! |
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It's time to register for the 2022 St. John's Men's Retreat. This year's retreat is from May 20-22.
If you have already registered, great. If you have not, the time is NOW! We are so excited for this year's retreat; you cannot miss this!
I get it, life is crazy and you are struggling with a busy calendar, not sure if you should go this year? Wondering if you can afford to go for the sake of time or projects or whatever else is going on? Men, you gotta be there and you gotta remember what God does for you on this retreat!
God pulls you out of the stress and grind of daily life. God brings you to a beautiful place and reminds you He is Creator and Sustainer. God places you with other men of faith. God invites you to laugh and connect in real ways. God opens up His Word to you. God rejoices over you in worship. God meets the good and bad of your life with His mercy and grace. God strengthens His gift of faith in you. God sends you with His Spirit to serve His kingdom and build up the body of Christ. Men, you just gotta be there!
"Equipped"
"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." - Ephesians 4:12
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Have you ever gone on a backpacking trip? Whether for a day or a week, there was probably a packing list of what you thought you would need to meet the variety of circumstances that could happen on your mini adventure. But what about that item you didn’t pack, but didn’t realize until you were already on the journey? You have the tent, but forgot the tent stakes. Flashlight… check, but no batteries. Equipped?
Have you ever taken on a house project? How many trips to the home improvement store does it take to finish it? If you say one, we remind you that lying is a sin! You were halfway through installing the faucet and you realized you bought the wrong fitting. You were all set up to repaint the hallway, but you’re out of paint rollers. Equipped?
Ephesians 4:12 - “...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
The 2022 St. John’s Men’s Retreat is all about how we have been equipped by God to not only serve Him, but to build up His people and grow His Kingdom. What if the journey God is leading isn’t best served by running every checklist of what to bring, but actually taking inventory of what God has already packed and prepared for you at this very moment? What if the project God has laid in front of you has all the right parts and tools, but are spread out among the people you live in community with everyday?
Equipped! This year's retreat is about that “journey” and that “project”, and even more so, the God who is faithful to prepare and lead you through it all.
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God’s Dearly Loved People of St. John’s,
How should we respond to God’s love and His very presence?
How should we give thanks for God’s promises, past, present and future?
What is an appropriate offering to the Lord?
Your pastors and leaders invite every member to use the months of May and June as a special opportunity to rejoice, pray and give thanks to God…to put faith in action as part of the body of Christ, His Church. Once again, this spring, you will see green envelopes in the pews for a St. John’s “Thank Offering”. Please join us in this holy time of giving thanks.
How are you doing in supporting God’s work through your financial offerings? As you review your giving, perhaps you are doing better than you thought possible. Praise God! Maybe you are a little behind…or maybe a lot behind. Maybe you have not given an offering yet this year. Wherever you find yourself, consider giving a Thank Offering.
God tells us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) God wants our heart, and offerings are used by God to change our heart. Offerings are a joy… not an obligation. Be cheerful! It is a great blessing and honor to be doing God’s work together!
So, what is an appropriate offering to the Lord? Scripture is clear - all of life is an offering in faith. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Let’s come together as God’s dearly loved people and encourage one another in all the blessings He provides. Let us rejoice, pray, and give thanks! Indeed, we rejoice and give thanks to God for you!
You can make a thank offering through the green envelopes found in your pews or via the St. John’s App and Pushpay!
Peace in Christ,
St. John’s Leadership Board & Management Team
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One Body, Many Members: Join Us for Group Discussions |
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Join us in the gym at 9:25 AM on May 8 and 15 for two large group studies. We will discuss “One Body, Many Members” and wrestle with what it means to be a church and the church where God has placed us!
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Connecting, Caring, and Sharing in Christ |
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The Monday Session meets March 7 - May 9 from 6:30 - 8 PM at 940 Schloemer Ave., West Bend.
The Wednesday Session meets March 9 - May 11 from 8:30 - 10:00 AM in the Church Gathering Space.
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Families! Children ages 3 years old (and potty trained) through 5th grade are welcome to participate in St. John's Annual Vacation Bible School. The theme this year is Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. Join us as we go off-road for a monumental adventure through the colorful canyons and sunbaked trails of the southwest. Through the opening skits, songs, bible verses, bible stories, crafts, games, and even snacks, we explore God’s awesomeness and the kids form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead. Bring a friend and join us!
VBS Online Registration opens April 1st! Receive a $10 discount if you register during the month of April by using the code: GRACE10.
PLEASE NOTE WHEN REGISTERING: ACTIVE offers a subscription for their services to individuals, which has a cost of $89.95. This will probably be a pop up after clicking submit on the initial payment. Please pay attention to your screen or you may select the opt in and be charged that fee, which is NOT a fee for St. John's VBS. The cost for VBS is $35. If you use the discount code, the cost is $25 per child.
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Calling All VBS Volunteers! |
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It’s that time of year again when we need strong, amazing, sweet, sassy, loud, quiet, Jesus-loving volunteers. Do any of those descriptive words describe you? We know at least one of them did, so jump on board and join the team of VBS Volunteers. We are gearing up for another week of fantastic fun this summer (July 18-22).
Volunteers meet in the School Gym by 8:30 a.m. every morning during the week of VBS so that you are ready to welcome your crews or jump to the station you will be helping at. By 12:30 p.m., you are typically finished serving for the day.
If you have any questions, please contact me, Desiree Titus, at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org and I would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
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It's Good to be Together in the Lord |
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The next Baptism Class is Monday, May 16 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
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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!
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Discipleship in as Many Places as Possible. |
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Support our National Youth Gathering Attendees:
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Faithful Disciples • Academic Excellence • Christian Leaders |
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Location: St. John's Lutheran School 899 South 6th Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095
Date: June 20 - 24, 2022
Time & Cost: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM | $245 (before discount)
Extended Day Hours Available: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM | Additional $80
Camp Director: Marcia Milam
Camp Invention is for children entering grades 1st-6th. Secure your child's spot today!
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Contact the office to learn how to join the Living Word Luther High School family.
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Contact the Enrollment Office to learn how to join the CUW family.
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Do you feel God's Calling to Become a
Pastor or Deaconess?
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Reach in Prayer • St. John's App • Daily Devotions |
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5th Avenue Closure: St. John's Traffic & Parking Plan |
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Decorah and Hawthorn Road Closures:
Both of these streets will close periodically due to 5th Avenue construction. Please watch for detour signs posted by the City of West Bend.
5th Avenue Closure:
Beginning on or about March 28, 5th Avenue to the east of the St. John’s campus will be closed. As such, we will have to make multiple adjustments to our traffic flow, parking, and our car line drop off and pick up for St. John’s School.
Sunday Morning Worship
All four entrances/exits to and from 5th Avenue will be closed. In order to facilitate traffic flow, two turnarounds will be marked off so that traffic can exit the parking lot easily with our angled parking. (See #1 on the map above.)
To help with this challenge, the parking lot lines will be repainted in the coming week and there will be parking attendants to help facilitate traffic for the first few weeks.
Worshippers who are willing and able are encouraged to park on 6th Avenue or Spring Street to ease traffic flow in the parking lot.
Early Childhood Center Drop off and Pick Up
The drop off and pick up process will remain the same. After dropping off your child, please use the designated turnarounds and exit back onto 6th Avenue.
School Drop Off and Pick Up
We will now be utilizing 6th Avenue directly to the west of the School & ECC building for all car line drop off and pick up. Buses will load and unload on 6th Avenue next to the ECC (See #2 on the map above).
Car line will drop off and pick up directly in front of the school gym on 6th Avenue coming from the south. Those picking up children from St. John’s School should line up on 6th Avenue coming from the south next to SonShine Community Park, and, if necessary, on Hawthorn Drive.
Signage will be utilized to designate loading and unloading zones.
Final Notes
The city is unable to pinpoint an exact completion date due to the variables that exist with any robust re-construction project (weather, etc.). However, based upon what the city has shared with us, we should plan for this to take approximately 7 months, which is a completion date of approximately October 15.
This will certainly be a change to our normal operating procedure and people will need time to adjust. Two things will help the entire St. John’s community during this time. First, slow down and pay attention to your surroundings as things will be more congested. Second, if there is ever a time to show a little bit of extra grace to our fellow members of our community, this is the time.
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For a Digital Copy of the Connections Booklet, Click Here.
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Saturday
6:00 PM Traditional
Sunday
8:00 AM Traditional
9:25 Discipleship Hour in the Gym (April 24-May 15)
11:00 AM Contemporary
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809 South 6th Ave
West Bend, WI 53095
Church Office: 262-334-4901
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