Coming Sunday, October 25

Pastor Andy Bartel will bring the message “Lord of Lords" this Sunday. Services are at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m. Watch services live or later on our YouTube Channel.

October Is Pastor Appreciation Month!

Let’s show our three wonderful pastors how much we appreciate all they do for our congregation, our community, and each of us and our families.

Consider reaching out with a text, an email, a gift card, or a handwritten note to let them know how much their dedication, care, and service mean to you.

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While October is Pastor Appreciation Month, there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to express your gratitude. The Staff Parish Relations Committee encourages everyone to take a moment to share a kind word or thoughtful gesture of appreciation throughout the year. Thank you for helping us celebrate and encourage our wonderful pastors!

With appreciation,

Pam Okeson

SPRC Chairperson

Chicken Biscuit Pie...Yum!

This Wednesday we're having chicken biscuit pie and blueberry crumble! Supper starts at 5:15 and runs until “about” 6:00 or 6:15. Suggested donation is $10/plate and $5/half plate, but please just pay as you can. We hope to see you there!

Flu and Covid Vaccine Pop Up Clinic

St John will be hosting another Vaccine clinic from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 25. Flu shots are free of charge, and covid shots are billed through your health insurance. Roll up your sleeve and help protect yourself and our community this winter.

Spring Hill Trunk or Treat

Are you already hosting a trunk at the St. John Trunk or Treat? Are you wanting to host a trunk but can't join us on Saturday? Spring Hill Elementary is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23 from 5-7 p.m. They'll provide all the candy; they just need more folks willing to provide the trunks! Sign up here to support a fun evening for families at Spring Hill!

St. John Trunk or Treat

This Saturday, get your costumes on and join us at the St. John Trunk or Treat on October 24 from 4-5 p.m.

• We need more folks that want to have fun and decorate their trunks to make this event possible! Sign up here to host a trunk.
• This year, we are hosting a variety of trunks that help us treat others! The elders at the Anchorage Pioneer Home have a wish list we'd love to support. Check out some items from the list and sign up here. "Treats" aka items from their wish list, can be brought during the Trunk or Treat and placed in the Pioneer Home Trunk that we will be hosting. Additionally, we'll have doggy treat bags from the Canines in Crisis (please leave your dogs at home) and we'll be building treat bags for the women at the Downtown Hope Center.

Baked Goods and Clean-Up Volunteers Needed

The St. John UMC Craft Fair is coming soon - Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Craft Fair supports the construction of wells in Cameroon. Helpers can bring donated baked goods to the church between 12-7 p.m. on Friday, 10/23, or 7-9 a.m. Saturday, 10/24. Volunteers are particularly needed to help with post-event clean-up from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday. Sign up here.

Breaking Bread with the Band

You are invited to a night of song and pizza with the praise band on November 7 at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come sing along to some of your favorite worship songs in addition to some secular favorites. Also featured will be several original songs by St. John's own Mark Chase, including his soon to be released single, "The Least of These." We hope to see you there!

Parcel Post Fundraiser

RSVP HERE or sign-up to help HERE!

Helping Hands

We need more hands to help. The current need is giving rides to church on Sundays and Wednesdays in addition to household repair. To offer your hands contact Debbie Pintsch or sign up here.

Stephen Ministry Training Course

Stephen Ministers are St. John congregation members who are trained to offer high quality, one-on-one, confidential, Christ-centered spiritual care to people who are going through tough times. We offer a 50-hour training course every two years to people interested in becoming Stephen Ministers. The next course will begin January 9, 2027. We will meet at the church on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to noon for 12 sessions. For more information, talk to anyone at church wearing one of the blue Stephen Minister badges or contact one of the pastors. We will hold an informational meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6.

PFD Tithe Challenge

Every year the Mission and Outreach committee encourages the congregation to consider tithing (giving 10% or more) of their PFD to a special project. This year we are supporting the new childcare center opening in downtown Anchorage at First United Methodist Church. You can designate your gift as PFD tithe challenge by selecting the drop down in electronic giving, or by writing it on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your generosity!

Anchorage Mission u

Join us on November 6 and 7 at Anchor Park United Methodist Church (2300 Oak Drive) for Anchorage Mission u, presented by United Women in Faith. Register here starting at 4:30 p.m. on November 6. Registration fee for in person is $45 or $20 online via Zoom. Everyone is welcome, those of different faiths, men...everyone! For more information email Sandra.

Scholarship opportunities are available here. Please fill out the form completely to be considered for a scholarship to a Mission u event. You do not need to be a member of The United Methodist Church to apply. You will be notified no later than November 3 of any award. 

Survey to Identify Health and Wellness Outcomes

Pastor Andy has been serving on the Advisory Committee for a new collaboration between the State of Alaska, The University, and faith communities to improve health and wellness outcomes. He is hoping you might be willing to help pilot/test-drive a survey we have been developing. If you are willing, he would love your feedback on your experience of the survey. Thank you for those willing to participate!

We are conducting a congregational health assessment to learn more about the health-related needs

and priorities of faith-based organizations (e.g., churches, temple, mosques, etc...) across Alaska.

Findings from this assessment will be used to develop health and wellness programming for faith-based

organizations in Alaska. To be eligible for participation, you must currently be 18 years or older and

attending a faith-based organization located in Alaska. If you are eligible and agree to participate, this

survey should take about 5-10 minutes of your time. The survey asks some basic demographic questions

about who you are (e.g., age, gender), your faith-based organization, and health-related needs present

in your faith community (e.g., depression/anxiety, cancer, food insecurity). If you have any questions

about this study, please feel free to contact Nathan West.

Click here to take the survey.

Anchorage Concert Chorus

Nearly a dozen St. John members participate in Anchorage Concert Chorus. The next concert is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.

• December 8, 2026: Annual Charge Conference
• February 26-28, 2027: Women's Retreat

Letters to Members of Congress

Dear St. John,

I sent the following letter to the three members of Congress who represent Alaska, and I urge you to send something similar to those who represent you in that legislative branch of our government in the United States.

Thank You,

Lonnie

Environment Tips

• Keep items out of landfills.
• Buy green.
• Watch what you recycle.
• Choose aluminum cans over plastic bottles. 
• Recycle your paper and cardboard.
• Purchase gently used clothing and other items at thrift stores.
• Recycle Electronics correctly.
• Place blame where it belongs.
• Send your worn sneakers for recycling.
• Want more information? Learn more here.

Office Hours

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday

9 a.m. to noon Friday

Ph: 907-344-3025 Email us Visit our website

Address change?

Please send any contact information changes to Colleen Runty at members@stjohnanchorage.org

Have you remembered the church in your will, like a child or grandchild?