St. John's Connections - May 25, 2023 |
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Women's Retreat 2023: Register Today!
September 22-24 • Green Lake Conference Center
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It’s that time of year again, ladies…it’s time to think about September and our time away on Women’s Retreat!
Registration is officially open from now until July 19. We will be back up at the Green Lake Conference Center September 22-24 with our speaker Amy Meyer. This year we will be talking about how we are each uniquely and wonderfully “Placed With a Purpose.”
God intentionally made us, gifted us, and placed us in this time and place for a reason! It can be difficult, though, to know where we fit, where we should serve, and how best to use the time we have been given. Sometimes we doubt whether we have anything to offer and if what we do is making any difference at all. But God’s Word says we are each a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and we have been placed with a purpose.
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At this retreat we will discover more about our unique Personalities, Learn about our spiritual gifts, take a look at our Abilities, and see how all of those Connect to our passions and reflect the Experiences that have shaped us (PLACE). We will have time for personal reflection and taking assessments, as well as small group discussion and sharing. This will be a highly engaging and interactive retreat and you will come away with a plan to live out your purpose where God has PLACEd you. We will also take time in an optional breakout session to work on some Bible journaling.
As Paul reminded those in the church at Ephesus, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” ~ Ephesians 2:10 NLT
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Our lives have purpose and meaning. We are a highly valued part of God’s creation. The role we play in our churches, families, and communities matter to more people than we realize. We were made for great things. We were also made to be together. So come and join us on this retreat for a time of renewal and restoration, a time of growing and learning together, and a time of encouraging one another to see the ways we have been “Placed With a Purpose.”
If you have any questions at all, would like help finding a roommate, or need to talk about financial assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to me by phone (262-334-4901, ext 327) or email ([email protected]). I would love to take you out for coffee and talk about how we can help get you to this retreat!
Blessings,
Rachel Morton
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An Update from Our St. John's Leadership Board |
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Back in March, the Leadership Board started its Connecting Phase of discerning God’s will for St. John’s, within the next steps of our 30 year Campus Master Plan. During that meeting, the Leadership Board asked three questions of our membership, what does St. John’s do well, what can St. John’s improve upon/opportunities in ministry, and how can we better serve the needs in our community? We received some really good feedback from that meeting.
The next step of this journey was connecting with those who serve or participate in ministry here at St. John’s which includes those on staff in the school, the ECC, the church, and the numerous other ministries throughout St. John’s. That’s where we are today. We have strategically chosen over 30 ministries that constitute roughly 80% of those who serve or participate in some form of ministry. Our goal is to have connected with all 30 plus ministries before summer starts as the propensity to vacation between Memorial Day and Labor Day here in Wisconsin makes connecting much more difficult. We are well into this step of the process.
The Leadership Board will also be planning several opportunities for members who may have missed out on one of the connecting sessions to attend an open forum setting, as it is important to us to give everyone an opportunity to answer these critical questions. As one last connecting step, the Leadership Board will also be reaching out to our community leaders to see how St. John’s can be a better partner in West Bend and Washington County.
The Leadership Board will then take all of this feedback, distill it down to larger themes and present our findings back to the Congregation at the end of September during our Congregational Meeting.
If you haven’t connected with the Leadership Board with your thoughts, please reach out to the Leadership Board ([email protected]), contact the church office or watch for the open forum announcements. Be sure to come and connect!
Blessings,
Mike Bryan
President
St. John’s West Bend Leadership Board
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Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble is Performing at St. John's
Friday, June 2 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
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St. John’s will once again be hosting the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble for a concert on Friday, June 2 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. This concert is free. There will be a free-will donation collected at the concert intermission.
Over the past 20 years, the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble (MHE) has gained wide popularity in our community and beyond. MHE is an auditioned community handbell ensemble under the direction of Kaethe Grabenhofer with fourteen ringers who play 73 handbells and 73 hand chimes.
Within these 20 years, MHE has become known for amazing memorized performances, for premiering new arrangements of popular music, as well as being the recording choir for AGEHR Publishing. They have been guest performers with the Midwest Vocal Express, Bel Canto Chorus, Present Music, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In fact, MHE has performed five times with MSO under conductors Doc Severinsen, Stuart Chafetz, Jeff Tyzik, and Andreas Delfs. What a blessing to be able to host such a phenomenal group of musicians!
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Register for Vacation Bible School! |
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Attention families! Children ages 3 years (and potty trained) through 5th grade are welcome to attend 2023 St. John’s Annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). It is set to blast off on July 10-14! The theme this year is Stellar: Shine Jesus' Light… join us as we launch an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun. Through the opening skits, songs, Bible verses, Bible stories, crafts, games and even snacks, we will shine Jesus’ light to the world. Bring a friend and join us.
VBS Online Registration is open. Receive a $10 discount if you register during the month of April by using the code: APRIL10.
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Calling All VBS Volunteers! |
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It’s that time of year again when I am 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 10-14). Volunteers meet in the school gym by 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 by 12:15 pm. Be a part of something Stellar this summer: Volunteer for VBS!
If you have any questions, please contact Desiree Titus at [email protected]. Desiree is more than happy to answer any of your questions.
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Connecting, Caring, and Sharing in Christ |
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Upcoming Empty Nesters Events
(Dates still being finalized)
• June – Cookout
• July – Chinooks Game at CUW
• August – Music on Main
• September – Cedarburg Wine Tasting and Lunch
• October – Potluck and Comfort Dog Ministry
• November – Nativity Set Tour and Shady Lane Nursery Trains
Empty Nesters is a welcoming group of St. John’s members and friends who are typically age 50 years or more. Join us throughout the year as your schedule allows and meet other Christians who love the Lord. St. John’s members and friends are all welcome.
If you have any questions, please contact Joanie or Roy Peterson at (262) 442-4102 or [email protected]
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Do You Know Someone Who Could Use a Home Cooked Meal?
St. John’s Meal Ministry is eager to help anyone who finds themselves in a short-term situation where they cannot easily provide a meal for themselves or their family. (i.e. during or after a hospital stay, new baby, after a funeral, etc.) Meals are prepared directly for the members of one household.
If you would like to know more, or if you know of someone in need, please call the church office at (262) 334-4901 and we can assist you.
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St. John's Youth Are Looking For Work
Spring is here along with spring cleaning, yard work, house repairs, and renovation projects. Our St. John's youth are ready to help!
If you have projects in mind, contact Alan Lull at (262) 707-9198 to see if our St. John's youth can help.
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June Ladies Aid Picnic Meeting
Ladies Aid will meet Thursday, June 1. Picnic lunch at noon. Please bring a luncheon dish to pass and a $2 Bingo prize unwrapped. Devotions by Pastor David.
• Thursday, June 1
• Lunch at Noon
• Devotions by Pastor David
Anyone interested in joining Ladies Aid are welcome. Our mission is to serve grieving families by providing food and Christian fellowship following funeral services.
If you need to sign up or have questions, call Joanne Johnson at (262) 707-0899.
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Baptism Class
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.
• Monday, June 19
• 6:30 pm
• Church Nursery
Please RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend by emailing: [email protected] or calling: (262) 334-4901.
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Early Childhood and School Ministries |
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Registration for Summer Sports Camps Is Open! |
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Registration for St. John's Summer Sports Camps in now open! Scan the QR Code above or Register Here. We have basketball, volleyball, and soccer camps for children in Grades 1-8.
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Make New Discoveries at Camp Invention |
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Happy #EarthDay! Celebrate by registering your child for @CampInvention, where kids are encouraged to think creatively to solve problems through hands-on fun. The skills gained at camp can help your child to one day determine ways to reduce landfill waste or remove pollution from the ocean! Camp will run the week of June 19-23 at St. John’s Lutheran School, West Bend and you can save $15 with code SUM15!
Any questions or scholarship needs, contact Marcia Milam, Director, at [email protected]
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Get your kids involved this summer at our 2023 Youth Summer Camps at Living Word Lutheran High School! Camps are open to ALL kids in the community in 2nd-8th grade, and our camp lineup includes: Boys & Girls Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Soccer, Speed & Agility Training, and Girls Volleyball. For more details, visit: www.lwlhs.com/camps.
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Looking for professional growth experiences, upgrading practical skills or just learning something new?
Concordia University has flexible learning opportunities for all stages of life.
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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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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 AM Discipleship Hour (On Hold)
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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