St. John's Lutheran Church and School
The Mission
The Journal of St. John's Reaching Farther
February 15-21, 2020
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Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday, February 16th, 2020
8:00 A.M. & 10:45 A.M.
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"With You Always ... in the Temple"
Preacher:
Pastor Ben Roberts
Worship Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton
Old Testament:
1 Kings 8:1–11
Epistle:
1 Corinthians 3:10–17
Holy Gospel:
John 2:13–22
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The temple in Jerusalem was a massive, crowning achievement in the eyes of God’s people. Not only was it constructed with care, paying attention to every last detail, but it was the place where the Lord would dwell among His people and be present with them. In time, however, the presence of the Lord would depart the temple because of the corrupt, sinful lives of His people. But God would once again dwell among His people in another temple…a temple of human flesh and blood. As we continue our series, “With You Always”, we will consider how Jesus is the new “temple” where God dwells…and how the destruction and raising of this temple lays the foundation for His presence in us, especially when we construct “temples” of our own.
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Join us this Saturday, February 15th for The "505" Service at 5:05 p.m.!
(Every 1
st and 3
rd Saturday of the month at 5:05 p.m.)
505 Worship Songs for:
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Missed a sermon from a past Worship Service?
Catch up by listening to the audio here:
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Sermon Series:"
WITH YOU ALWAYS”:
The Presence of God in Our Lives in “Super-Natural” Ways
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“WITH YOU ALWAYS”: The Presence of God in Our Lives in “Super-Natural” Ways
Throughout the Bible, God meets with humanity at certain places. These places were often “natural” places for the presence of our almighty Creator to come among us: a high, lofty peak in the desert…slabs of stone constructed into a massive building…a mass of water vapor that comes down to settle over the earth. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the presence of God in nature shifted dramatically forever…and changes us in the same way. In this 3 week series, we are going to be looking at some of the places God made His powerful, yet grace-filled, presence known. We are also going to be looking at how this “super-natural” presence shows up in our lives today, so that we can always be certain that God is with us in places and ways that are not “out-of-this-world”.
2/23 (Transfiguration Sunday): “With You Always”: Clouds
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2020 St. John's Lenten Devotional
"Red Letters Invitation and Challenge in the Words of Jesus"
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The 2020 Lenten Devotional is available in the Church Narthex, by clicking the button below and on the Church Website. You can also pick up additional copies in the Church Office.
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Ash Wednesday Worship
Wednesday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m.
(Ashes & Holy Communion will be distributed)
A Chili Supper hosted by the Elders, will be held in the School Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m. More details regarding Midweek Lenten Worship and Suppers can be found in next week's Mission.
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RED LETTER CHALLENGE IS COMING THIS LENT 2020!
The mission of the Red Letter Challenge is to help people live more like Jesus. Sadly, when people think of Jesus-followers it is a far cry from who Jesus actually is. After all that Jesus has done for us, we cannot be content with the picture and representation that we are sharing. We must change the story and perception of who Jesus is.
So how do we change the story that we are telling?
We go back to Christ’s words. You know, those red letters in your Bible.
Starting on March 1
st, the first Sunday in Lent, St. John’s will be engaging in the Red Letter Challenge, a 40-day journey of literally following the words of Jesus…the “red letters”…in the Gospels. There are many ways to participate:
1.
A new, six-week message series based on 5 common themes of Jesus’ red letters: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving and Going.
2.
Pick up a copy of this year’s St. John’s Devotional, “Red Letters: Invitation and Challenge in the Words of Jesus”.
3.
Grab a copy of the Red Letter Challenge book, full of devotions, Bible readings and specific, doable challenges based directly on the words of Jesus. There are books for both adults and kids!
4.
Start or join a Small Group and do the RLC with others! Small group videos and guides are free!
Empowered by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, are you up for the challenge this Lent? Purchase Red Letter Challenge books for both adults and kids at the following websites:
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Want to gather a Small Group for the 7 weeks of the RLC? Already have a Small Group but want to invite others along for the challenge? Contact Pastor Mark at
m.stapleton@sjlagrange.com.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
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Adult Bible Study: "A Radio Tower of Strength"
Sunday, February 16th at 9:30 a.m., Heritage Room
Led by Kirk Farney
This multi-week course will explore the history of Christian broadcasting, with particular focus on the medium of radio, as an avenue though which forward-thinking Church leaders brought together historical, scriptural preaching with the technological advances of broadcasting, to evangelize and provide pastoral care to millions. As part of our study, we will review the leading role that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod played in these global efforts.
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Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, February 16th at 9:30 a.m.
Youth Room
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Parenting Bible Study
Sunday, February 16th at 9:30 a.m.
The Nursery
This 6-part DVD series will help empower parents to be the primary nurturers of their children's faith. Families will be transformed as they learn how to create space for God-encounters in everyday life.
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Sunday School at St. John's, February 16th
9:30 a.m. Class, MUSIC ROOM, 2nd FLOOR
10:45 a.m. Class, KINDERGARTEN ROOM
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It's time for God's people to enter the promised land - but this isn't going to be easy! Join our skit and find out what happens.
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Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, February 18th at 10:30 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday, February 20th at 6:15 a.m.
Heritage Room
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Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursday, February 20th, 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
We are continuing our study of Genesis with Warren Wiersbe's Be Obedient: Learning the Secret of Living by Faith, which covers the life of Abraham. For further details, please contact Jon Fredrickson at
jon_fredrickson@yahoo.com.
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SHARE
...with Your Service
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Mission Cafe Sunday Morning Coffee Hour hosts are needed! This is a great way to volunteer for a short period of time to enjoy fellowship and meet new people. It is not difficult... making the coffee is easy and you can provide breakfast pastries if you would like, but not necessary.
Please see attached link and consider hosting!
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February’s Mission Café offerings will be donated to the
Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Lutheran Hour Ministries is a trusted resource in global media that equips and engages a vibrant volunteer base to passionately proclaim the Gospel to more than 125 million people worldwide each week. Through its North American headquarters and ministry centers on six continents, LHM reaches into more than 50 countries, often bringing Christ to places where no other Christian evangelistic organizations are present. LHM’s flagship ministry,
The Lutheran Hour®
, airs weekly on more than 1,800 radio stations and the American Forces Network.
Lutheran Hour’s Impact:
·
More than
125 million
people hear or read the Gospel each week through LHM programs, services, or materials.
·
More than
1 million
listeners to
The Lutheran Hour
each week
The Lutheran Hour can be heard on WGN AM 720 in Chicagoland at 6 AM on Sunday mornings.
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Food Pantry Item for February:
Rolls of Paper Towel.
Donation bins by Connection Center
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A CAPPELLA CHOIR from
Concordia Lutheran High School
to visit St. John’s on
Wednesday, March 18th,2020 &
Thursday, March 19th, 2020
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED!
St. John’s is excited to host the A Cappella Choir from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19, 2020 as part of their Annual Spring Tour.
On
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
- the A Cappella Choir will be joining us at our Midweek Lenten Dinner at 6:00 PM. Following the dinner they will be providing some pre-service music at 6:45 PM for our Midweek Lenten Worship Service at 7:00 PM. Following the Worship Service they will be singing a 30 minute choral concert for all of us to enjoy.
On
Thursday, March 19, 2020
- the A Cappella Choir will also be presenting a Choral Concert for St. John’s School beginning at 8:20 AM and concluding at around 9:00 AM.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED:
St. John’s
NEEDS YOUR HELP
– we need 30 host families to accommodate the 75 voice choir. Please consider hosting two or more youth for the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The hosting will begin at 8:15 PM and conclude at 7:45 AM the following day (Thursday). All we are asking for is housing for Wednesday evening and breakfast on Thursday morning.
Please contact David Lincoln at
d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com
, or you can call 708-354-1690 (ext. 222) if you have any questions about the hosting arrangements or the choir visit.
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Please note: Application due by this Saturday, February 15th!
Scholarships available for the
LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL
Don’t miss out on Lutheran Summer Music (LSM). LSM is a residential performance and training program for young musicians grades 8th–12th. LSM is hosted on different Lutheran college and university campuses each summer. Join over 25 nationally recognized faculty artists and a team of dedicated counselors in our supportive, academic community. This year the academy is being held at Valparaiso University from June 28th – July 12th, 2020 (Half Session); and June 28th – July 26th, 2020 (Full Session).
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Thanks to many generous donations, the tuition was reduced in 2019 by $1,000 from the past several years. You also can apply for Matching Grants that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs substantially.
APPLICATION: Please complete the application by February 15th, 2020. Application Link:
http://bit.ly/LSM2020
Please contact David Lincoln at
d.lincoln@sjlagrange.com
if you have any questions on the scholarship application process. Any student from St. John’s Church can apply for a scholarship.
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Church Office will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2020
in observance of Presidents Day Observance.
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Weekly Report from Board of Finance
Weekly Statics on Congregational Giving to St. John's Lutheran Church & School
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Anyone wishing further information on Congregational giving or the Church’s overall financial situation is invited to contact either Marty Haugen, Chair, Board of Finance, or Jeff Baker, through the Church office,
churchoffice@sjlagrange.com
or (708) 354-1690 x210.
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Youth Group Laser Quest Night
February 15th, Meet at St. John's at 6:00 pm and we will be back by 9:30 pm
The Cost is $20 per person
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L.W.M.L. Meeting
Tuesday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m.
Heritage Room
Please join us for the first meeting of the Lutheran Women in Mission in this new year.We have many events to discuss that will be occurring in this new year. So please plan to join us! All women from high school age and older are welcome to attend, to enjoy refreshments, and to learn how we can be a reflection of God and His love to the world around us. We hope that you can be with us that evening!
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Lenten Walk Inspiration
Saturday, March 7th at 8:15 a.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
If you are looking for encouragement on your Lenten walk, you are invited to attend Lenten Inspiration on March 7 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1910 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Fellowship begins at 8:15 am with Matins at 9:15 am. The Keynote Speaker is Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President. Northern Illinois District LCMS. Bible Study led by LWML Pastoral Counselors and a Mission Speaker, Bill Indelli, Executive Director Walcamp will also be featured. Advanced registration is required online at WWW.LWMLNID.org (click on the Led by the Spirit Logo) or see your local LWML members for details.
Teach me to do your will for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10
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Renee Hull and the FUNdraiser Committee would like to thank you all for helping make Saturday evenings FUNdraiser a huge success. Thank you for the monetary donations, wine pull donations as well as beautiful gift baskets. Everyone played a huge part in making the night enjoyable and fun!!! Your generosity is greatly appreciated by St. John's School staff and students!!!!
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Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
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Remember Random Acts of Kindness week is February 16-22, 2020. Whether you are starting your Spring shopping, or updating your wardrobe for the season, don’t forget to order your TRIP cards! If you just plan on dining out or treating yourself, take time to evaluate your shopping needs and order your TRIP cards! If you are hosting or attending any gatherings, start your shopping with TRIP cards. There are many choices for your shopping needs…
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Kindergarten Eagles in Action
In February, the Kindergarten class will
be supporting Chicago HOPES for Kids.
Chicago HOPES for Kids provides educational support for children living in Chicago's homeless shelters. Their mission is to provide students with the resources and encouragement needed to succeed academically, despite the challenges of homelessness. For more information on their program, please visit their website:
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St. John's Lutheran School Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, March 8th from 7:30 am to 12:00 p.m.
School Gymnasium
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Breakfast includes: Pancakes, Sausage, Fruit, Coffee and Juice
Admission: $10 per person; 6 yrs. and younger: FREE
Tickets available day of at the door
Volunteer Opportunities available! See Board in the Church Narthex for monetary contributions and see Sign-up Genius for volunteer opportunities.
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Interfaith Career Network's "How to ..." Session
Thursday, February 20th, 7-9 p.m.
St. John of the Cross Parish Center
5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Spring, IL
Learn how to...target your resume and get noticed! How to... highlight the skills, knowledge and experience that REALLY matter. How to... create meaningful "achievement statements" that show your value. How to...easily customize your resume for each opportunity with a professional format. How to... optimize web based tools and sites to boost your visibility, create activity and get the interview! Our speaker is Jodi Eriksen, a Certified Advanced Career Coach. Spend some of your valuable time with Jodi this evening and you will be energized, informed and motivated to remake YOUR resume. There is no cost to attend this session.
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Weekly Worship Attendance
February 9, 2020 = 173
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Saturday Schedule
Worship Service 5:05 p.m.
(1st and 3rd Saturday)
Sunday Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Education/Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:45 a.m.
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Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210
r.suarez@sjlagrange.com
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