Second Sunday in Advent

Click the above video link to be transferred to the Sunday Service, December 3 at 9 a.m. to watch the live stream service, or it can be watched later.

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Sunday 9 a.m. Worship Service

December 10 Sunday School Christmas program

***********Cookie Reception after

*********** Angel tree presents due back

December 12 Council

December 17 Music Sunday

December 20 Newsletter deadline

December 21 Blue Christmas

December 24 Christmas Eve services at 9 a.m.

*******Candle light services at 4:00 p.m.and 6:30 p.m.

December 25-26 Office closed

January 2 Deadline to sign up for Stephen Ministry training

Poinsettias for Christmas

There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you would like to sponsor the poinsettias.

You may also call the office to have your name and message added to the sign-up sheet at (641) 228-3397

Join us December 10th as the St. John's Youth present The ABC's of Christmas & Twases of Christmas.

Music Sunday:

 Sunday, December 17, 2023

 Come and join us for a service of music and word.

 "Rejoice, Your Light Has Come"

featuring: Trinity Choir, Kids Choir, Tone Chime Choir, and other special music.

Blue Christmas Service

December 21^st at 5:30pm

Gentle service of expression and reflection for those who are grieving,

experiencing loneliness or loss this holiday season.

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Wednesday night Schedule

3:30-5 p.m.After School program

5:00 p.m. Supper

5:30 p.m. Kids choir

6:00 p.m. Confirmation

6:00 Tone Chime Choir

7:00 p.m. Trinity choir

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On Sunday, November 12th, Angel Tree tags were available. They are due back by December 10. Angel Tree provides gifts for children of incarcerated parents, food and religious materials for their families, and Bibles for the prisoners. Please support the program again this year.

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Sunday Bulletin

Requests for adding information into the Sunday Bulletin need to be in the Secretary’s Office no later than Wednesday at 11am.

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Please keep the following in prayer.

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Pray for all serving in the military and their families:

Kaleb Bilharz, Mackenzy Bilharz,Tanner Evans, Kaylie Fox, Hannah Fox, Kim Hall, Daniel Jacobs, Cameron Kakac, Drew Roethler and Robson Shankland.

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After Worship Social Time



Coffee & a treat are served in the Parish Hall or outside each Sunday! If you would like to volunteer to bring the treats let Toni know in the office.

What you choose to bring for a treat is entirely up to you! Quantity: Three dozen treats

Coffee & napkins are provided by St. John.

**Special note: We do need people to sign up for bringing treats. There is a sign up sheet by the narthex door.

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Altar Flower & Radio Sign-up: If you would like to sign up to sponsor the Altar flowers &/or the radio broadcast contact Toni in the office at 641-228-3397! We will continue to have flowers as they are on the online service & the radio broadcast reaches many of our at home congregation!

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Wednesday Night supper, December 13.

Walking Tacos, Applesauce & Cookies

$5 for adults

Children through 12th grade eat free

thanks to Kans for Kids.

Volunteers Needed

We would like to form multiple teams of four (4) to prepare and serve the meals on Wednesday night.

We currently need teams for February and March.

For questions or to volunteer contact Shirley Holm or Sandie Quade.

DART BALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 15

runs through January 24th. 7 p.m.

Contact Dennis Sande at 319-389-7998

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Blessing Box

Donations are always needed for the Blessing Box! Items should be weather appropriate, nonperishable food and personal items. You can put your items in the Blessing Box outside the East door or bring to the office.

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Please join us in a card shower for Beverly Friend's 80th birthday.

It's a surprise! Let's shower her with cards full of memories, photos and well wishes. Your notes will be used to create a beautiful birthday scrapbook she can cherish for years to come. PLEASE send a card by December 16 to:

Bev c/o Angela

573 Bluff Rd.

Rochester, MN 55901

Thank you for being part of this special day.

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Stephen Ministry

We all go through tough times. In the midst of these times, it can be extremely

helpful to have someone come alongside us to give understanding and

encouragement – to provide stability, hope, and Biblical principles to help us get

through the storm. That’s what a Stephen Minister is able to provide. Here at St.

John, we have compassionate individuals who are trained to help us when

encountering loss, grief, relationship challenges, and many other challenges that

can throw our lives into a tailspin. A Stephen Minister is a caring individual who

can confidentially help us navigate these times. If you’re interested in becoming a

Stephen Minister, contact the church office and a Stephen Leader will get in touch

with you to provide more information.

We’re planning Stephen Minister training

starting after the first of the year.Stephen Minister Training will be happening at St. John on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, starting January 16, 2024. The deadline for signing up is January 2nd. If you are interested in being a Stephen Minister or would like to learn more about it, please contact the church office and we will get you in touch with one of our Stephen Leaders

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Grief Share is a 13 week grief support group that is beginning again at St. John. Join us to find help and encouragement after the death of a loved one.

Tuesdays at 6:30 January 23 through April 16

Register at GriefShare.org or call the church office at 228-3388.

See Susan Leeper for more information.

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Charles City Community Blood Drive Friday, December 22.

Messiah Lutheran Church

12:30 pm-5:30 p.m.

Life Serve 1-800-287-4903 or lifeserve.info/schedule

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St. John Christian Preschool would like to remind everyone that we sell Kwik Star gift cards. Please stop in the church preschool if you are interested in purchasing a gift card. We do not have many on-hand, so if we are out when you come to order, we’ll just put you down for the next order. We will also try to have an in-person order day after worship once a month. Please leave your name and phone number so we can let you know when the cards are in! We would prefer payment at the time the order is placed, but payment when they come is fine, too. The preschool receives 5% of the gift card’s face value.

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click below for the

December Good Newsletter

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To get to the church website, click at the top of this page on the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church logo.

You can pick up the Sunday bulletin as well as the Taking Faith Home reading sheets on the website.

https://www.facebook.com/stjohncc will get you to the Facebook page

Our intern, Beth Hurt's email [email protected]

Email address you can use to get a message to the church office  [email protected]

Other emails are available on the website.

To call the church (641)228-3397

Editor: Janet Petefish