Sunday Connections - May 5, 2024 | |
What are friends for? They come with us in the journey of the day, and as they do, they speak works of encouragement, comfort, and even confrontation. They are people we trust, and people who trust us. In our text, Jesus calls the disciples his friends who will love one another as he has loved them. As his friends, they still follow his will for them, but now they are brought into God’s plan for salvation as Jesus says, “All that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” | |
Click Here for the Worship Livestream!
(Livestream available at 9:30 AM Sunday Service)
Record Your Online Worship Attendance Here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Here!
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Click above for May 5, 2024 announcements. | |
What is Stephen Ministry? | |
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Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide one to one care to people in our congregation and throughout our community experiencing difficulty in their lives. A Stephen Minister is a child of God who walks with someone who is hurting. He or she is a congregation member who is carefully selected to serve after completing extensive training to give high-quality, distinctively Christian care. A Stephen Minister is a caring friend who listens, prays, supports, and encourages. He or she is someone who faithfully meets on a regular basis with their care receiver for as long as there is a need.
Stephen Ministry is your ministry. You play an important role in our success.
Tell a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative who is hurting about Stephen Ministry. And if you are a compassionate person and a good listener, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister yourself.
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So, whether you could benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister or you know someone who could, or you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, or just have questions about our care ministry, reach out to our Stephen Leaders. They are Jenny Engel, Kathy Sitzberger, Danny Mengel or Brett Bergquist. For more information, please call the church office at (262) 334-4901 or email stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Attend the Family Life Conference: Passing on the Faith | |
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In an effort to strengthen family bonds and instill lasting values, the South Wisconsin District’s upcoming Family Life Conference under the theme “Passing on the Faith” aims to provide attendees with invaluable insights and resources.
On June 8, 2024 at Concordia University Wisconsin, the conference will feature keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann and several break-out sessions geared towards equipping families with the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges while staying grounded in their faith. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or guardian, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow believers and reaffirm your commitment to fostering a strong faith-based foundation within your family.
The cost is only $5.00 per person. There is also a discounted group rate. Registration closes on May 20.
Learn more about the conference and register to attend at www.swd.lcms.org/FLC.
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Pick Up the 2023 New Member Pictorial Page
The 2023 New Member Pictorial Page will be available from May 1-12 on the Connections Table in the Gathering Space. Please pick up a copy as an insert to your St. John's Pictorial Directory.
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TODAY! Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra Concert
Sunday, May 5 • 3:00 pm • Sanctuary
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The Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra (MMO) plays music arranged for 1st and 2nd mandolin, mandola, mando-cello, guitar, flute, mando-bass, percussion and voice. The MMO was organized in Milwaukee in 1900 and has been in continuous operation in Milwaukee since that time.
Led by Music Director Rene Izquierdo, the MMO's repertoire centers on the best in traditional American mandolin orchestra music (waltzes, tangos, marches and polkas) plus light classical, modern, Italian and Latin numbers. They regularly perform their unique repertoire at music festivals and concert halls around Wisconsin and occasionally outside the State of Wisconsin.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience an authentic mandolin orchestra – at St. John's West Bend.
Tickets cost $20 at the door. Bring a friend!
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COMING SOON! 2024 Men's Retreat
May 17-19, 2024 • Camp Luther • Three Lakes, Wisconsin
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And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28
We have a God of purpose. No, not porpoise, as in the marine animal… (but He created that with purpose too.) Purpose as in function, direction, meaning, intention. God has worked and is still working with purpose, and you have a role in His grand plan.
If someone on the street calls you a “tool”, you’re probably not too excited about it. However, if you consider that idea from your perspective of faith, with God as the Master Craftsman, it may be the right description. Consider the tools you’re familiar with; each designed and made with a specific purpose in mind. Furthermore, not only have they been forged or assembled with purpose, they have also been deployed to accomplish a job. To do work; “called according to His purpose.”
We’re talking about work at a retreat?! Well, kinda. The reason we retreat is so that we can also return. Return with purpose. Return with a renewed understanding of how God is at work in and around you. Don’t worry, we will certainly have time to laugh, relax, and recreate. But we will also dig into God’s Word so that, by His Grace, we can grow in our understanding of Him who works “On Purpose, For Purpose”.
View the Men's Retreat Brochure
Register for the 2024 Men's Retreat
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It's Time to Register for Vacation Bible School | |
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Families! Children ages 3 years (and potty trained) through 5th grade are welcome to participate in St. John's annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). It is set to cast off on July 8-12! The theme this year is Scuba: Diving into Friendship with God. Grab your dive buddies for a whale of a good time! At Scuba, kids plunge into an undersea world brimming with colorful coral, flashy fish, and abundant life. Immersed in oceans of fun, kids discover God is a real friend who loves them forever.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 ours.
Register for VBS
Sign Up to Volunteer at Vacation Bible School
Calling all VBS Volunteers! It’s that time of year again when we are in need of strong, amazing, sweet, sassy, loud, quiet, Jesus-loving volunteers. Do any of those descriptive words describe you? I’m sure 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 8-12).
Volunteers meet in the school gym at 8:30 am 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. You are typically finished serving for the day at 12:15 pm.
We will be building the main set on June 1 from 8:00 am -1:00 pm at Our Redeemer! If you have any questions, please contact me, Desiree Titus, at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org and I would me more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Sign Up to Volunteer at VBS
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Join Us This Sunday for Discipleship Hour
At 9:25 am Through May 5 • Lower Level
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Engage in important and hopeful dialogue with fellow Christians about living in a time and place that is foreign to us as we Get Used to Being Different.
Adult Discipleship Hour (DH): We will be discussing Speaking the Truth: What Do We Have to Say? We meet in the lower level of the church at 9:30 am. Come early for fellowship and refreshments.
Middle School DH: Meets in the Social Studies room on the 2nd floor of the school.
Kid's DH Ages 3*-5th Grade: It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect, care, and share in Christ together with old and new friends! Children ages 3-5th grade will learn through age appropriate lessons with fantastic teachers. Drop off for them will be in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom, the last classroom upstairs. *Children must be potty trained. If your 3-year-old is not potty trained, we have child care.
Child Care for Ages Infant-3 Years Old: Child care is in the ECC 2-year-old classroom.
Sign Up Your Child for Kid's Discipleship Hour
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Special Offers from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund | |
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Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) serves as the financial extension of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod offering loans to help establish, maintain, and expand Lutheran ministries since 1978.
LCEF helps by making loans to expand churches, start schools, build senior housing, and help pastors and LCMS rostered/called workers with home mortgages. For example, St. John’s West Bend has been a borrower since 2021. At the end of last year LCEF had over $1.5 billion of loans outstanding to support Lutheran ministries.
LCEF needs people to invest money with them so they can make loans. This is one of those times when the need is great. LCEF has two special offers called Term Notes available to investors. Both pay interest and have fixed maturity dates like bank certificates of deposit. There is more information available in the Connections Rack in the Gathering Space so you can read more about the offers. Or go to LCEF.org and click Invest Now (top right). LCEF is a non-profit Lutheran organization. Investments in LCEF are not FDIC insured.
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Connect at Upcoming St. John's Events | |
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Join Our Pew Maintenance Team!
St. John’s is looking for someone to join our Pew Maintenance Team who could volunteer every other week on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (preferred) mornings after 9:00 am for about 1-1½ hours working with another team member.
Pew maintenance includes putting in scribble sheets for our “littles”, replacing offering envelopes, making sure pencils are sharp, straightening position of hymnals and bibles, picking up any garbage, and checking the attendance pads.
If interested in volunteering, please contact Lori Yogerst. Call her at (262) 334-4901, ext. 310 or email her at lyogerst@stjohnswestbend.org
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Quilters
• Monday, May 6
• Starts at 9:30 am
• Church Lower Level/Fellowship Hall
Our team of quilters meet each Monday at 9:30 am in the lower fellowship hall to make quilts that are sent out to people in need around the world.
For more information about the Quilters Ministry, please call the church office at (262) 334-4901 or email: stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Sister to Sister Bible Study
• Monday, May 6
• 6:30 - 8:00 pm
• Meet at Penny Van Dellen's House - 940 Schloemer Dr, West Bend
Wednesday Mornings:
• More information coming soon.
Angie Smith's video series and book, Matchless: The Life and Love of Jesus, will be discussed. Books are available for $16. Enjoy Bible study and fellowship with your sisters in Christ.
If you have questions, please email Penny Van Dellen at pvandellen@sjswb.org or email Denise Siebel at blessedonwheels@gmail.com
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All Pro Dad
• Wednesday, May 8
• 6:30 pm
• Lower Level
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 May is Integrity. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or click link below.
Click Here to Learn More and Sign Up
May Meeting Flyer
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LWML Meeting
• Monday, May 13
• 6:00 - 8:00 pm
• Lower Level
Join us as we support mission work here at home and around the world!
You may turn your mites in at the church office or save them for the next Mite Box Sunday in fall.
In you are interested in joining LWML or have questions, contact Pam Muther by calling (262) 338-9435 or emailing her at pjmuther@yahoo.com.
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Youth Events
BASH - Mess Night!
• Friday, May 17
• 3:00 - 5:30 pm
• At St. John's Church
• Cost $5
• Bring Extra Clothes and a Towel
Youth Mission Trip to Nashville
• June 15 - 21, 2024
• Youth in Grades 7 and Up
• At least 3 Adults Needed
• Cost $290
• Friends are Welcome!
Join Alan for a 7 day mission trip to Nashville, TN. Click on the link below for more information.
Nashville Mission Trip Information
Please call or text Alan Lull at (262) 707-9198 with questions about any youth events.
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Baptism Class
• Monday, May 20
• 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.
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Women's Book Club
Our Women's Book Club typically meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Come to all of our book club meetings 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.
Book Club for May 2024
May 21: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Science Fiction). We are meeting at Christa Markworth's house (1341 Evergreen Street, West Bend).
Please contact Cheryl Wipperfurth at cwipperfurth71@gmail.com or Leah Mussel at lmussell@sjswb.org with any questions.
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Winter Futsal
Futsal is simply indoor soccer. So if you love soccer, join us in the school gym on Sundays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Adults and high school students are welcome. All skill levels are encouraged to join us.
To get on the Futsal Text Alert List, please text Molly Herbolsheimer at (414) 350-9451.
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Secure Your Child's Spot at Camp Invention
Grades: 1st - 6th
Location: St. John's Lutheran School
Date: June 17-21, 2024
Time & Cost: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm ($270 Before Discount)
Camp Director: Marcia Milam, Email: mmilam@sjswb.org
Register at INVENT.ORG/CAMP
If you are willing to help children attend Camp Invention, click here to donate.
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Our Prayers are with the family of Gladys Hron, who was called home. May God comfort this family with the promise of the resurrection through faith in Christ.
Prayer of Thanksgiving for 37 years of marriage for Dale & Monica Wunder on May 2 and 25 years of marriage for Adrian & Amy Buntrock. We thank God for favoring them with the love that comes from Christ. May God bless them and all marriages.
Members in Treatment, at Home, or Recovering: Mary Ann Gierach, Jack Muryn, Jeff Guth, Laurel Meincke, Elmyra Martin, Annette Miller, Tom Miller, Terry Soper, Adrian Buntrock, Mary Biegler, Judy Dricken, Tim Drover, Roger Berth, Cathie Schuler, Bruce Biendarra, Ken Endlich, Monica Wunder, Joel Clausen, Kathryn Benner, Carla Kinkel, Marcy Donaldson.
Non-Members: Jim (Brother of Tom Wills), Cheri Fleer & John Kumblalek (Friends of Biendarra Family), Shane Nault (Grandson of Mike & Carmen Kuntz).
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Reach in Prayer • St. John's App • Daily Devotions | |
For a Digital Copy of the Connections Booklet, Click Here.
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Saturday Worship
• 6:00 PM - Traditional
Sunday Worship & Discipleship Hour (DH)
• 8:00 AM (Traditional)
• 9:25 AM Adult Discipleship Hour (Lower Level)
• Middle School DH (2nd Floor School)
• Kids DH (2nd Floor ECC)
• 9:30 AM - Blended (In-Person and Livestream)
• 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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