St. John’s Connections - January 23, 2025 | |
Sister to Sister Bible Studies Return in February | |
Ladies! Sister to Sister Bible Studies are back starting Monday, February 10 and Wednesday, February 12.
There are two groups of Sister to Sister: The Monday Night Group and the Wednesday Morning Group. The Monday Night Group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm at Penny Van Dellen’s Home (940 Schloemer, West Bend). The Wednesday Morning Group meets each Wednesday from 9:00-10:30 am in the church nursery.
The Monday Night Group will be studying Sharla Fritz’s book Bless These Lips: 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal. Her book examines things we say that get in the way of our relationships with God and with others. Each chapter draws on lip product analogies and uses humor, anecdotes, and observations to introduce Scripture passages that address common behaviors and attitudes. And each day’s reading includes Bible study questions and suggestions for personal reflection. Please buy your own book.
The Wednesday Morning Group will be studying Meant for Good: A Study of Joseph by Donna Snow. Travel through Joseph’s grand story in Genesis with author Donna Snow. In this eight-week women’s Bible study, uncover how Joseph’s struggles, woven together in a rich narrative of hope and faithfulness, showcase our need to let God’s love and forgiveness lead our life. You’ll see that trusting God to use your life for good allows you to be brave and bold in your faith. Denise Seibel will have books available for you to purchase at the Bible Study.
Women of any age are invited to join St. John’s Sister to Sister Bible Studies. Bring a friend and meet new ones as you join this supportive community of ladies to explore God’s word, pray, and share in life’s joys and struggles. Don't miss this opportunity to Connect, Care, and Share in Christ.
| |
Sign Up for Mom Café: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes | |
To prepare for the upcoming spring semester of Mom Cafe, I have been reading a book by Lysa Terkeurst called Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. I have learned so much from this book and the scripture included. What has been most helpful to me was seeing that God uses boundaries on us. This is His way of loving us and guiding us to a right relationship with Him. Jesus tells us in John 13, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” So, we can and should use God’s example to set loving boundaries with others. Boundaries that are not meant to shove love way, boundaries that encourage the right kind of relationships, boundaries that prevent dysfunction.
Now, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea and think this book offers a God approved “get lost!” card. The author makes sure to encourage level headed thinking while dealing with this very emotional topic. Through this book study, you will be able to gently examine your relationships and look honestly at yourself as well.
Do you have a relationship that is valuable yet difficult? You don’t have to be a mom to benefit from this study. I encourage you to look into this book on your own.
To all the mothers out there, I invite you to Mom Cafe this semester to go through this book study with me. We will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays this spring, starting on February 6th. All you have to do is sign up below or on the St. John’s app and bring the book to the first meeting.
As always, please sign up early if you need childcare.
Whether you do this study with me in Mom Café or on your own, I pray for God’s gift of wisdom, discernment, and hope while approaching this potentially difficult topic.
Molly Groth
Leader of Mom Café
Sign Up for Mom Café
| |
Last Chance to Register for the St. John’s 2025 Couples Retreat! | |
When was the last time you experienced an act or a spoken word of kindness and tenderheartedness that changed your day... your life? How did you feel when you were truly encouraged by someone? Now imagine doing this for your spouse!
Kindness and encouragement are two of God’s beautiful, spiritual gifts that He gives through people... and most intimately through your spouse. Once received these gifts will ignite a relationship... a little extra kick, a willingness to serve a little longer, and the inspiration to love a little more. Your marriage is Built for More! God’s kindness and encouragement are sweet gifts that God wants us to receive... and share. If kindness and encouragement were part of the everyday fabric of your marriage, imagine the blessings for the two of you... and the people God has placed in your life!
But the truth is that kindness and encouragement often seem elusive... hard to find, hard to give... and often hard to receive. The 2025 St. John’s Couples Retreat is a time set aside to be reminded how important God’s kindness and encouragement are to a beautiful relationship... and to be warned about how destructive the tragic effects of sin can be. Left unchecked by God’s grace, sin leads to hate, discouragement, and even death.
God has a better way, the only Way... Jesus! You are Built for More! In God’s daily care and encouragement for us, we are reminded to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) God’s love, mercy, tender heart, compassion, and encouragement is best revealed to us in Jesus. There is no one more kind and encouraging than Him! And there is no better place to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving than in the bond of marriage.
If you want to join faithful friends, have a lot of winter fun in a great resort (like the Frozen Fairways Event) see the link to the brochure and join us at the 2025 St. John’s Couples Retreat.
The cost for the retreat is $495 per couple ($150 deposit required). We have set aside a limited block of rooms… so please sign up as soon as you can to reserve your spot by January 31.
Jesus will bless your journey together as husband and wife as you are welcomed into the kindness and encouragement of His Word… and your Christian friends!
View the Couple Retreat Brochure
Register for the 2025 Couples Retreat
| |
How to Help Those Affected by the Wildfires in California | |
Dear Friends in Christ,
Many have inquired about ways to support those affected by the horrific wildfires in California. Donations are best sent to the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. They seek to help ministries and communities coping with this horrible disaster. Please keep praying for them–Come Quickly Lord Jesus!
View Pacific Southwest District LCMS Website
Donate to Pacific Southwest District LCMS
| |
Discipleship Hour: The Resilience Project
Join Us at Sunday at 9:25 am in the Lower Level
| |
St. John’s is blessed to be hosting Christian Family Solutions in Discipleship Hour as they lead us in The Resilience Project, a six-week unit that will emphasize the skill of resilience – how we prepare for, and respond to, the many uncertainties in life and what to do when things don’t go the way we had hoped – not only to survive, but to be built up in God’s promises and hope as we make the journey with Him.
The class will be open to older teenagers and adults of any age, and we are also inviting any parents who have children at St. John’s ECC and School. You also are welcome to bring others you know that might be blessed by this material, as well!
Austin Shultz (LPC-IT), will be leading our time together. He received his Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling through Concordia University Wisconsin. And has this to share:
I have been employed with CFS for just over 1 year, though my internship was also through CFS, which started nearly 2 years ago. I see individuals and couples with concerns regarding depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress management, burn out, and adjustment disorders. I primarily work with therapy models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).
On a personal note, I have been married for about 2.5 years to my wonderful wife. Personal hobbies of mine include photography, playing baseball and church league softball, and watching the Brewers.
I look forward to this journey of exploring the skill of resilience with you. In a time of New Year’s resolutions, let us make sure that bouncing back from life’s challenges with God’s help is part of our 2025!
| |
Thank You for Picking Up the 2025 Offering Envelopes
Most offering envelopes were picked up between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The remaining envelopes can be picked up in the business office during regular business hours. Please note that if you contribute electronically, envelopes were not provided. If you have any questions, please call the business office (262-334-4901).
| |
Connect at Upcoming St. John’s Events | |
Quilters
• Mondays (On Hold)
• 9:30 am
• Lower Level
The St. John’s Quilting ministry is taking a break until Monday, February 3, 2025.
| |
Ladies Aid Meeting
• Thursday, February 6
• Lunch at Noon
• Lower Level
Devotions by Pastor David following lunch. Then our meeting to follow.
The Ladies Aid actively serves by providing meals for families following funeral services. They monthly meet in the Lower Level Fellowship Hall for a time of food, fellowship, devotional time, and a variety of activities. Ladies can join at any time.
Call Joanne Johnson at (262) 707-0899 with questions.
| |
BASH: Love & Hate/Satan & Jesus
• Friday, February 7
• 3:00 - 5:30 pm
• St. John’s Church
BASH: Human Hamster Ball
• Friday, February 21
• 3:00 - 5:30 pm
• St. John’s Church
Random Acts of Kindness
• Saturday, February 22
• 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Meet at St. John’s Church
Please call or text Alan Lull at (262) 707-9198 with questions about any youth events.
| |
All Pro Dad
• Wednesday, February 12
• Starts at 7:00 am
• Lower Level
• Please RSVP
All Pro Dad Chapters provide an opportunity for dads to spend quality time with their children that will strengthen their relationship. For one hour each month you'll get to join other dads and kids for a fun, memory-making event. Enjoy a FREE breakfast with your kids while connecting through conversation around a specific monthly topic! Our topic for February is Social Skills. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or click link below.
Click Here to Learn More and Sign Up
| |
Baptism Class
• Monday, February 17
• 6:30 pm
• 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 to attend by emailing: stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org or calling: (262) 334-4901.
| |
Women’s Book Club for February
• Tuesday, February 18
• 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• Cheryl Wipperfurth’s Home (229 Hargrove Place, West Bend)
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray. In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph–a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
Please join us for fellowship each month as we have the opportunity to share and talk about the books we read and love! Book Club typically meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Come to all or just the ones that fit into your schedule. We do not have a regular meeting location, but enjoy the hospitality of hosting each other. Please watch for the locations of each get together as they become available.
| |
Reach in Prayer • St. John's App • Daily Devotions | |
For a Digital Copy of the Fall 2024 Connections Booklet, Click Here. | |
|
Saturday Worship
• 6:00 PM - Traditional
Sunday Worship
• 8:00 AM - Traditional
• 9:30 AM - Blended (In-Person and Livestream)
• 11:00 AM - Contemporary
Wednesdays
• 8:30 AM - School Chapel
| |
809 South 6th Ave
West Bend, WI 53095
Church Office: 262-334-4901
| | | | | |