St. John's Connections - August 3, 2023 |
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Returning to Serve with a Longtime Mission Partner
Bethania Kids • January 3-14, 2024 • India
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Pigs and Missions: What do they have in common?
Pigs are the only animal that push their food forward as they eat… true and silly! At St. John's, we as a mission team are going to “push” things forward in Christ.
As we Connect, Care, and Share in Christ and as we move forward in mission, I can’t wait to see what Jesus has in store this coming year!
We are planning to go to India from January 3-14, 2024 and visit Bethania Kids, a long time mission partner for over 15 years. Bethania Kids is a Christian mission working to bring hope and wholeness to orphaned, abandoned, disabled, and destitute children in India. St. John’s & the St. John’s West Bend Foundation has supported Bethania’s ministry with resources raised up through our missions fund with $10,000 a year for the past three years.
While on the ground, we will visit the Shalom Home for Girls that houses 48 young girls and their care providers. The building itself is about 14,000 square feet and spread over 2 floors. Shalom Home is a refuge for the girls as they grow up, helping them to prepare for an eventual life on their own. This trip will be filled with beauty and pain. Please pray about going and ask a friend to go with you.
You can learn more about the trip and Bethania at the informational meetings listed below.
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But wait, that’s not all!
Over the past few years, the Lord has worked through St. John’s in Alaska, Appalachia, and Guatemala to name a few places. Many have asked me if there could be a mission trip to the Creation Museum and the Ark in Kentucky. Why not? Come to one of the mission meetings so we can discuss the possibilities.
Mission trips are God trips, so the expectations on these trips are as follows:
• Come as you are and be real with all your strengths and weaknesses.
• You can be as involved as you want to (challenge by choice), which means if you want to pray out loud, great, if not, no big deal. Lead a devotion or just come along for the ride, either way is fine.
• Having the attitude of Christ is needed.
Schedule of Mission Informational Meetings:
• Sunday, August 6 at 12 pm in the Gathering Space with light food and drinks
• Sunday, August 6 at 7 pm in the Gathering Space with ice cream
• Sunday, August 20 at 12 pm in the Gathering Space with light food and drinks
• Sunday, August 20 at 7 pm in the Gathering Space with ice cream
Please RSVP by contacting me. Call/text Alan: (262) 707-9198 or email: alull@stjohnswestbend.org
If you cannot attend these meetings, but are interested in St. John's mission trips, please call me so I can give you all the details and answer any questions you have.
Like a pig, let’s push forward as we seek God’s will!
In Christ,
Alan Lull
Director of Youth and Missions
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Enjoy Outdoor Worship at Faith Haven
Saturday, August 26 at 6 pm
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St. John’s is excited to offer an outdoor worship opportunity at Faith Haven on Saturday August 26 at 6:00 pm. Gather together on the beautiful chapel hill of Faith Haven as we worship together and praise the Lord of all creation. Come early to walk the trails or stay after to enjoy some fellowship or a camp fire, but be blessed by the time together.
Please bring your own chair or picnic blanket for seating during the service. Shade tents will be provided.
Faith Haven is located at 7622 Townline Road, West Bend. Parking is located at the North entrance near the garage and a map can be found in the kiosk.
Any weather cancellation will be made through the St. John's App and Facebook.
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Join the New St. John’s Wind Ensemble |
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St. John’s Worship Ministry is excited to start a new musical group for those who have gifts and experience playing wind ensemble instruments. This group will serve and lead in the Lord’s Service through special music and meet for weekly rehearsals to prepare together. Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings, with the hope of starting at the end of September.
If you have experience and interest in playing your piccolo, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, baritone, euphonium, or tuba in and for worship, please reach out to Dave Wells. Dave will be directing this group and has 12 years of experience directing high school bands, directed the Marine Symphonic Band, is a member of the Kettle Moraine Symphony, and is an active member of the St. John’s Worship Teams.
We look forward to growing this group, and as a Worship Ministry, continuing to serve, to lead, and to worship in His Service. Please contact Dave Wells at illinidave@gmail.com or (262) 305-7300
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Connect at Upcoming St. John's Events |
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Join Us for Music on Main
The Empty Nesters will be enjoying a summer tradition in West Bend as we meet up for Music on Main on Thursday, August 10.
Because of downtown construction, Music on Main has moved to the parking lot for Immanuel UCC on the corner of 5th and Walnut. Let’s plan to find each other near the southwest corner of the parking lot (close to the library).
The music that evening features “Liquid Crush.” This group performs throughout the area with a wide range of popular tunes. The performance begins at 6:30 and finishes by 9:30. Bring your own chair and spend a relaxing evening with your fellow Empty Nesters.
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Empty Nesters Upcoming Events
(Dates are being finalized)
• 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. Questions? Contact Joanie Peterson at 262-442-4102.
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Youth Event
ROCK (8th - 12th Grade)
August 13: 4:00 - 8:00 pm Sunday Restart at St. John's.
If you have questions or if you are you interested in helping at youth events, please call or text Alan Lull at (262) 707-9198 or email: alull@stjohnswestbend.org
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The Garms Family Concert
On Thursday, August 17 at 6 pm, The Garms Family will bring A Night of Encouragement at St. John's in the sanctuary. The event is free and there will be a freewill offering. All are invited to attend.
A Night of Encouragement is a remarkable musical presentation. Fans of Southern Gospel, bluegrass, and inspirational love their acoustic Christian music. Guitars, piano, drums, fiddle, banjo, upright bass, dobro, and mandolin make up the core band. All members are skilled vocalists—from soprano to deep bass—and they switch leads, trios and quartets.
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Join a Fall Trap Shooting Team
The fall trap shooting season is fast approaching! The captains' meeting is August 15 at 6 pm at the Barton Sportsman Club with the first shoot date on August 22. The time of the first shoot will depend on the teams. The season runs for 10 weeks.
All past participants as well as new shooters must contact Jim Vorpagel so that we can organize our teams, so those interested in joining this fun activity please email jimvorpagel@yahoo.com or call (262) 388-1579 to sign up. Pull!
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Summer Park Days
Hosted by Mom Cafe
Moms, dads, and kids are welcome to come meet at parks around our area. Meet new friends or keep in touch with old ones, beat the heat at splash pads, and watch your kids run off some of that summer energy!
No need to register! Just show up when it works for you. We will meet at 10 am on most Thursdays through August 17. Please see schedule below.
Summer Park Days Schedule:
Aug 3 – Regner Park in West Bend
August 10 – Hickory Park and splash pad in Jackson
August 17 – Kiwanis Park in Kewauskum
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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, August 21
• 6:30 pm
• Church Nursery
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Summer Soccer at St. John's
Do you love to play soccer? Join us on Sundays from 4:30 - 6 pm on the field next to St. John's School playground (Sonshine Community Park). We'll have a BBQ after soccer on the second Sunday each month.
Adults and junior high (and older) are allowed with a parent present. Shin guards and water is highly suggested.
Questions? Text Molly at (414) 350-9451 to get on the weekly text list.
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St. John’s Women’s Book Club
Please join us for fellowship each month as we have the opportunity to share and talk about the books we read and love! 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 List for August 2023 - May 2024
August 22: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction)
September 19: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave (Mystery)
October 17: Miracles from Heaven by Christy Wilson Beam (Non-fiction/Biography)
December 5: A Christmas Memory by Richard Paul Evans (Historical/Christian Fiction)
January 16: Emma by Jane Austen (Fiction/Romance)
January 19: Movie night! We'll enjoy dinner and a movie as we watch the movie, Emma. Hosted at the home of Penny Van Dellen.
February 20: A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin (Christian Romance)
April 16: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (Self-Help)
May 21: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Science Fiction)
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Early Childhood and School Ministries |
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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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