September 21, 2022

Your Midweek Update

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ parable of the dishonest manager in the Gospel lesson for worship this past Sunday (Luke 16:1-15 ESVserves as a reminder that we cannot have divided loyalties when it comes to faith. As Jesus tells us: “You cannot serve God and money.” The dishonest manager, who served as a bridge to his master’s clients, was commended for his shrewdness. At first glance, it may sound like Jesus is praising his dishonesty here. What are we to make of this?


Jesus is not about dishonesty, but integrity, truth, and righteousness. Over against all of the injustice and corruption in the world, Jesus serves as the bridge to holiness and righteousness. Through Jesus’ blood that cleanses us from all our sins, we are called to be the bridge from Jesus to the world around us, as the sermon pointed out. Jesus now would use each one of us to be his bridge to others so that they may also know the blessing of life in his Name.

In Christ,
Pastor Meehan

From the Pastor's Desk - September 2022

Visit our Online Calendar

"Rise Against Hunger"

 

Please join us for a Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event on Saturday, September 24 in the Fellowship Hall, 9AM-1PM.

 

Rise Against Hunger is an international nonprofit organization with a 3/4 star rating on Charity Navigator. Meals, which look like simple bags of rice and soy but are balanced and nutritious, will be assembled and packed for shipment to developing nations in the world where hunger is a real issue. Almost half of all childhood deaths occur in children with malnutrition.

 

Many volunteers, who are the heart of the mission, will be needed for the assembly line and packing boxes on the 24th. Please sign-up here.

 

The congregation is encouraged to contribute both time and money to this effort; raising $5,000 will enable us to package 10,000 meals. Creative Fellowship is putting up $2,500 and is looking to raise an additional $2,500 for this event. Donations can be put in the offering plate using a check payable to St. John’s with “Rise Against Hunger” written on the memo line or made online through CCB. Please note when giving online to designate "Rise Against Hunger” in the drop-down menu.

Teen Ministry at St. John's


Join us as we kick off a new school year of teen ministry (grade 6-12) on Sunday, October 2 from 5:00 -7:00 pm here at St. John's with our NACHO Average Youth Night. The evening begins with a festive nacho bar and then rolls into a parents vs. teens trivia game. Parents will compete against teens to see who actually does know it all! We'll wrap the night up talking about plans for teen ministry including SED retreats, a summer mission trip, and other events. 


Click here to RSVP for our NACHO Average Youth Event.


We'd love to have help setting up the Nacho Bar - click here to sign up to bring an item.


This event is for parents and teens! It will be a fun filled and informative night as we attempt to relaunch our teen ministry. We can't do it without the support of our SJLC families. 

Nursery

Sunday Morning Nursery

 

St. John's needs women of all ages and seasons of life to help in the nursery during Sunday morning worship. Serving in the nursery is a great way to build relationships with families and fellow volunteers. After completing a background check through St. John’s, volunteers sign up to serve about once every month or two months. Two adult attendants must be present with children and the youth are also invited to help. Contact Beth Rempe for more information.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers Within St. John’s Lutheran Church

 

The Gathering Ministry and Church Council have endorsed reinstituting Lay Eucharistic Ministers at St. John’s over the next several months. Lay Eucharistic Ministers are lay people who are trained and commissioned by the congregation to distribute Holy Communion to members who are home-bound or institutionalized, generally on a monthly basis. They might also read Scripture, pray, and participate in online worship with home-bound members. Lay Eucharistic Ministers help strengthen the connection between homebound and worshipping congregants in the body of Christ.


More information will follow as the program develops.

“The Lutheran Witness” Subscriptions

 

The Lutheran Witness magazine is the official monthly publication of our church body, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The fee for new and renewed 2023 subscriptions is $12.95.

 

Please submit your payment to the Church Office no later than Tuesday, October 11 via check or electronic payment through St. John’s website; select the “Give” option. Make checks payable to St. John’s and note “LW” on the memo line. Questions? Contact the Church Office, 703-971-2210.

 

Online subscriptions are also available; click here to order a monthly email version or a paper version published 11 times a year.

Financial Update

 

The August 2022 St John's Lutheran Church financial results for the Operating Fund and ECEC are posted in the Narthex. The surplus to the operating budget continues to be a combination of realized investment income and income from you, the congregation. Thank you! The ECEC continues to operate at near full capacity while expenses are less than expected. St John’s is blessed in both areas!

 

The Stewardship Campaign will kick off on October 9, 2022. The four-week series is entitled “Placed for a Purpose." It places an emphasis on how God uses us in our family, church, state and means to further His Kingdom and enrich our lives.

 

More details are posted in the Narthex or may be obtained from Jim Burroughs, Minister of Finance.

Thrivent Financial Event

 

You are invited and welcome to attend the following Thrivent Financial event.

 

September 22 @ 12:30 & 7:30 p.m.

21St Century Medicare

TMN East Division Webinar

Click here to register

Tuesdays @2

Tuesday, September 27


Join Pastor Meehan and DCE Jennifer Hills for our new Tuesdays @2 Bible study, The Life of Jesus. 


The four Gospel writers; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, recorded 270 events, miracles, and teachings from Jesus’ life. We’ll explore familiar events of Jesus’ life including Jesus’ miraculous birth, temptation in the wilderness the calling of the disciples, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension from all four Gospels. Dive into the scriptures with us to get a clearer image of our Savior, Jesus. Watch it here.

Midweek Bible Class Study: “Genesis”

Next Session Wednesday, September 28

 

Led by Pastor Meehan, this class meets in-person on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 11:30AM in Rooms 307-309 on the upper level of the Education Center. The class materials come from Concordia Publishing’s LifeLight series.


Genesis Part 1 covers the first 25 chapters of Genesis. As you progress through this 9-session study, you will deepen your understanding of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. Genesis Part 2 will commence in 2023. Participants are invited to purchase all materials now (Click here to register for this class and purchase materials).

Good Shepherd Seminar

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 15th Good Shepherd Seminar sponsored by Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church, Saturday, October 8, 10AM-3:30PM. Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Pulse will present The Presence of God in the Old Testament and its Influence on the Divine Service and Life of the Church. Rev. Pulse is Professor of Old Testament Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary.


Location of the conference is the Holiday Inn Express, 6401 Brandon Avenue, Springfield (703-644-5555). Lunch included, catered by Malek’s Pizza Palace. To RSVP or for more information call 703-455-4003. Suggested donation: $10.

Wednesday Noon Holy Communion

 

We continue to offer Holy Communion each Wednesday at 12 noon. Based on feedback from individuals, we will continue with this midweek time of worship into the fall. All are welcome to join us. Please register here or feel welcome to contact the Church Office (703-971-2210.

Important Links

  • Registration for Holy Communion held on Wednesdays at noon.
  • Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
  • YouTube for viewing church services
  • Click here and scroll down for the bulletins
www.sjlc.com | 703-971-2210
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