CONNECT ...in Worship
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 3, 2020
(Online Service will be posted on Sunday at 7:30 AM)
The 505 Worship Service
Saturday, May 2, 2020
(Online Service will be posted on Saturday at 5:00 PM)
" Resurrection Truth: God's People Do Life Differently "

Preacher: Pastor Ben Roberts
Worship Leader: Pastor Mark Stapleton

First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Epistle: 1 Peter 2:19-25
Holy Gospel: John 10:1-10
One thing that COVID-­19 has done has forced the church to focus her attention on what really matters. What is it that makes us distinct as the church? “Distinct” was truly what the early church was in the book of Acts. And her distinctiveness saved lives through the resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit. As we continue our series, “Resurrection Truth”, we are reminded that the resurrection calls us out of darkness into His wonderful light, and therefore we just do life differently: Our devotion. Our attention. What matters to us is just…different! And when we live differently, great things can happen: Lives are touched…hearts are joyous…and people are saved.
RESURRECTION TRUTH: 7 Truths To Hold Onto (Whether You’re In A Crisis Or Not)

Easter is the celebration that the crucified Savior Jesus has been raised from the dead. His tomb is empty. He is alive and therefore we, too, can live! The truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus will forever change the course of human history. Just as it did with the early church, it’s the same for the church today. In this series we will unpack certain passages from the Book of Acts, revealing 7 vital truths that, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we need to trust and share now more than ever!

April 12 (Easter Sunday): God’s Resurrection Is For Everyone! (Acts 10:34-43)
April 19: God’s Mission Won’t Be Stopped (Acts 5:29-42)
April 26: God’s Word Is Powerful (Acts 2:14a, 36-41)
May 3 (Good Shepherd Sunday): God’s People Do Life Differently (Acts 2:42-47)
May 10 (Mother’s Day): God’s Foundation For Every Home (1 Peter 2:2-10)
May 17: God’s Church Is A Team (Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a; 51-60)
May 24 (Ascension Sunday): God’s Plan Is Clear (Acts 1:1-11)
PLEASE VISIT OUR CHURCH WEBSITE FOR UPDATED LINKS
TO ALL OF OUR WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST. JOHN'S

505 Worship Service
Saturday, May 2, 2020
(Online Service will be posted at 5:00 PM)

505 Worship Service is normally held at 5:05 p.m.
(On the 1st and 3rd Saturday)

Music Playlist for Saturday, May 2: http://bit.ly/505PlayList050220

Additional Volunteers needed for the:
“AUDIO VISUAL TEAM”

The Board of Information Systems is looking for additional volunteers to assist with the recording and live streaming of our Worship Services at St. John's. We are already doing that now, but the Worship Services have been pre-recorded and are available online the day of the Worship Service.

The next step when the stay-at-home order is lifted is to provide our Worship Service Live at the actual day / time that the Worship Service is occurring. Having our Worship Services available online has been very helpful to many at St. John's, especially our homebound members. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THIS TEAM!

Please contact David Lincoln at [email protected] for information on how to join the “Audio Visual Team”.
Missed a sermon from a past Worship Service?
Catch up by listening to the audio here:
CONNECT ...in Bible Study
Pastor Ben's Online Bible Study

Since our stay-at-home order has been extended, Pastor Ben will be having an online Bible Study using the online Zoom application! This study will be on the book of Galatians. This letter from St. Paul to the churches in Galatia is a full-throated defense of the Gospel of grace in Jesus Christ, apart from works...both before AND after our salvation in Him. It is a call to freedom in the work of Jesus for us and not to be enslaved by anything the departs from this Gospel. Grace, freedom, righteousness, the Law, the Gospel...all in this letter!
 
We will be digging into a portion of the text of Galatians each week, gaining truth and insights from Pastor Ben, discussing these with one another and applying God's Word to our lives of faith. A time of prayer will conclude our time together. All you need is your Bible and, if desired, something to take notes. Each session will last about 45 minutes to an hour. Just God's Word and God's people growing in His grace!
 
Below is the link to this Zoom meeting. Feel free to look at the Zoom website for information on how it works: https://www.zoom.us/ Contact Pastor Ben at [email protected] for more information and/or if you need help with Zoom.
 
Our first Bible Study Zoom meeting is this Thursday, April 30th at 4:00pm. Hope you can join Pastor Ben for a time of growing in our faith in Jesus! See you then!
 
Ben Roberts is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Pastor Ben's Galatians Bible Study
Time: Apr 30, 2020 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Thu, until Jun 11, 2020, 7 occurrence(s)
  •     Apr 30, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     May 7, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     May 14, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     May 21, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     May 28, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     Jun 4, 2020 04:00 PM
  •     Jun 11, 2020 04:00 PM

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Weekly:
 
Join Zoom Meeting:
 
Call Zoom Meeting: 312- 626-6799

Meeting ID : 735 0511 6653
Password: 2XmbF1

SHARE ...with Your Service
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It has been some time since we have been together in person to worship our Lord and Savior. Even so, during this time there has been a lot of activity with the church and school.

School:
  • In person teaching was canceled in March.
  • E-learning began shortly after this.
  • Depending on the age of the student, the teachers are meeting in person, via Zoom with their classes 3-5 times per week.
  • Music and PE teachers are sending videos of music lessons and physical fitness warm-ups and workouts.

Church:
I know and understand that in these uncertain times giving to the church may not be possible, so I want to thank everyone who has continued with their offerings to the church. Many people have signed up to give electronically through Vanco, our electronic giving portal. If you wish to use the application, log into St. John’s website in the “Church” section and click on “Giving”
( https://www.sjlagrange.com/church/vanco-online-giving/). This will bring you directly to the Vanco website. You are also able to drop off a check in our mailbox (these are collected every Wednesday) or you can mail them to us at 505 S. Park Rd., La Grange, IL 60525.

Due to the economic impact the coronavirus has caused, our giving has decreased somewhat. In response to this, the Board of Finance, with Council’s approval, took the following actions:
  • We have cancelled our daily cleaning service.
  • We have decreased the heat in the building.
  • We have deferred our monthly mortgage payment. 
  • We have deferred our monthly medical insurance payments for 60 days. These payments must be paid back over the next 6 months.
  • We applied for and received $99,995.00 from the Federal Government under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as part of the CARES Act. This loan is forgiven if used for salaries and benefits for our church workers.

Look for more information on our virtual Small Groups starting up soon. These will be conducted using Zoom. If you are not familiar with Zoom, you may go to their website ( https://www.zoom.us/). Or you can ask your children and grandchildren who are familiar with the program or use it for their work or education. You may also send me an email, which is listed below.

I hope that you have been viewing our weekly Worship Services either on Facebook:

The Word of God can give you His peace in our current situation. This will be one more question that we will need to ask God when we see him!

I hope everyone is doing OK. If you are not, reach out to either Pastor Ben or Pastor Mark or a friend or family member. And, of course, reach out to Our Lord in prayer! There is nothing He cannot handle; He is with you always; His grace is sufficient for you!

Yours in Christ,
Tom Braun
St. John's Care Meals TO-GO
and Food Pantry  
Save the Date!  

We are so thankful and blessed by the overwhelming support and donations to continue our Meals To-Go Ministry.
   
Our next pick-up / delivery for Meals-To-Go and the Food Pantry will be:
Sunday, May 17th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Additional information will be forthcoming.

Questions: [email protected]
A reminder that if you are unable to get to the grocery store, please email Dave Thomas @ [email protected] (or, if emailing is not an option, call Dave’s mobile at (312)576-9421. Given our state’s shelter-in-place situation, one of our members will do their very best to shop for you SAFELY if a detailed grocery list is provided. Members who are willing and able to shop for you will wear gloves and masks when shopping and will only purchase packaged goods (e.g., only fruits and vegetables that are wrapped.) Groceries can be delivered to your home and a receipt can be provided so you can reimburse with cash or check upon delivery (we will try to phone you in advance). In your email or phone call to Dave, please provide your email address, mobile and/or home phone number and home address. Be as specific as possible in your item descriptions and let us know one store where, ideally, you would like us to shop.
2020 Amidst The COVID-19 Virus God Opens Door For
Churches Ministry to People in Our Community 

Although this is a time of immense uncertainty and fear here and around the world, it is also a very exciting time for the Church. Through the COVID-19 virus, God has opened many doors for the Church to reach out into the community to share His message of love and hope. Recently a local Dignity 4 Girls (D4G) group reached out to Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) to help get the word out to individuals and sewing groups for the need to make masks for medical facilities because of shortages of N95 respirator masks for health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients. D4G has also provided ...

 Click " HERE" to continue reading about this great outreach.
St. John's  has secured a date for sponsoring
a blood drive to help during this COVID-19 time. 
Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Details will follow as soon as they become available.  
Questions: [email protected]
These are difficult financial times not only for our members but also for all churches across the nation. As many people are working from home these days, please consider making a SJLG Gift2 donation by giving a portion of your weekly gas savings to SJLG. Or, as you may have curtailed family brunches after Sunday services, please consider these savings as well. Other savings might include dry cleaning, auto maintenance/car washes, haircuts and restaurants/entertainment. These dollars will add up quickly and help the church tremendously. Most importantly, we understand these are tough financial times for everyone, so by all means, please only consider giving as you may be able . As our offerings are needed more so than ever, your consideration is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
The Board of Stewardship
E-SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ST. JOHN'S
E-Sunday School at St. John's
GREAT GIFTS ARE NOT ALWAYS BIG ONES!
A poor woman gave a very small gift, but Jesus knew it was all she had. He told his followers that it was the most valuable offering given in the temple that day. This week's story and activities will be emailed to all Sunday School and Wednesday Bible School families. If you do not receive your package, contact Dalyne Shinneman at [email protected]  or call 630.772.1688.

NOTE: The next installment of our adventure story, 
The Winds of Redvale , will be delivered as a separate email. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE: JULY 27 – JULY 31
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
 
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - "TIME LAB - DISCOVERING JESUS"
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL 
505 S Park Road (47th and Brainard), La Grange, IL 60525
WEB SITE: www.sjlagrange.com PHONE: 708-354-1690

We invite you to register your children on our
VBS Website:  vbspro.events/p/461270 . There is no fee to attend.  

Please feel free to contact Dalyne Shinneman at 630-772-1688, or
[email protected]  if you have any questions
about our Vacation Bible School program
SCHOOL OFFICE
Click on the TRIP logo above for more information!
Donate gift cards to families in need during COVID-19
Purchase gift cards through our school’s fundraiser for essential goods such as groceries, gas, restaurants, and cleaning supplies, to donate to those in our community.

As COVID-19 widens and families are impacted by hardships related to closed schools, limited access to childcare, work limitations, and more, we have a unique opportunity to help support our community and families.
St. John's Boon Supply Fundraiser is here through June 15! 

Here is your chance to support St. John's by purchasing attractive,
durable and fun bags and items that will give back to St. John's School.
Please visit boonsupply.com/57322 to shop online store. Have fun shopping!!!

Saturday Schedule (online)
NEXT SERVICE: May 2
505 Worship Service 5:05 p.m.
(Held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday)
 
Sunday Schedule (online)
Online Service will be posted
on Sunday at 7:30 AM
(Traditional Worship Service is normally held at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.)
Church Office
Office: (708) 354-1690 x210