Friday, December 30, 2011

January 2012 @ a Glance

  • Communion service on First & Third Sundays (Jan1 & Jan15)
  • Contemporary worship on the Fifth Sunday (Jan29)
  • Confirmation this month- 
    • No Confirmation WED Jan 4
    • Confirmation at 1:30 WED Jan 18
  • TUE JAN 3- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
  • THR JAN 5- Noon LWML Luncheon
    • 7:00pm Board of Education Mtg.
  • TUE JAN 10- Circuit Pastor's Conference at Our Savior, Denison
  • WED 7:00PM Meetings-
    • Jan 11 Church Council
    • Jan 18 Quarterly Voter's Meeting
    • Jan 25 Elder's Meeting

2012- the Year of the Word?

2012- the Year of the Word? It could be. It would  be nice if it would be. Right now we have about 20 people involved in Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings. Our attendance at Ladies Bible Study is about 9 and Men's Bible Study once a month is about 4. There are 6 LYF members that attend Youth Bible Study this Fall. LWML has a Bible study and it draws about 15. Considering some overlap, let's say we have about 50 communicant members who are involved in some kind of study of God's Word at least monthly. When you consider that we have over 400 communicant members, that's only about 12.5%. There's room for improvement.

Moses stressed the importance of God's words when He told the Israelites, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NIV)

While I'm not suggesting that you redecorate your homes or get a "Ten Commandments" tattoo, it is clear that God wants us to hear and learn His Word. The benefits are clear from Scripture. St. Paul says that the Scriptures "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15 ESV) Peter confessed to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68 ESV) Jesus Himself tells us, "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 ESV)

If these things are true, then we can ill afford to think we are done with God's Word once we are confirmed. The words of God and of Jesus the Word of God made flesh at Christmas, are nourishing spiritual food that keeps our faith strong and healthy. Who would survive if they went a year without eating? Why would we do the same with our faith?

I encourage every communicant member of St. John who lives in the area to participate in at least one Bible study in 2012. For those of you who are away at school, I encourage you to look into Bible studies available on campus or at a nearby LCMS congregation. In January I will be placing a survey in the bulletin to help me plan Bible studies for the year. Let's make 2012 the Year of the Word at St. John, and "Stay Healthy" by feeding on Jesus and His words of eternal life!

Peace to you in Christ,
Pastor Merrill

Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS; This Week at St.John

  • Mon Dec.26- St. Stephen's Day, Church office closed 
    • Pastor will be visiting his family until Thurs. Please call Linda at 712-267-3250 if you have any needs which require a pastor during this time.
  • Wed Dec.28- No Confirmation Classes this week
  • Thurs Dec.29- 6:00pm Cub Scouts
  • Sun Jan.1- New Year's Day 2012
    • 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
    • 10:00am Worship with communion
      • Installation of new officers and recognition of outgoing officers
2012 Offering Envelopes are in the back of the church, please remember to pick yours up.

'Thy Strong Word'- the TSW account for funding of the daily radio devotional program is running low. Contributions are welcome.

Year End Reports- please get your year-end reports to Linda in the office stjohnco@frontiernet.net as soon as possible, in preparation for the quarterly Council and Voters' Meetings. Thank You. 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Merry Christmas from the St.John Sunday School!

 Here are some images from tonight's annual Sunday School Christmas Program. Thank you to all who attended. The students did a wonderful job. Thanks also to Superintendents Trisha McDonald, Peggy Sue Henschen, accompanist Art Beeck, and Music Director Bethany Mallory!


Here are some more pictures, these come from Linda Nepper- Thanks Linda!



Christmas at St.John


  • Mon-Sat. Dec.18-24- 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' (for Triple Parish) on KDSN 107.1FM/1530AM
  • Wed. Dec.21- 3:30pm Confirmation
    • 6:45pm Carol singing
    • 7:00pm this year's final midweek Advent service, LYF refreshments after
    • 8:00pm Elder's meeting
  • Thurs. Dec.22- 6:00pm Cub Scouts
  • Sat. Dec.24- 6:30pm Christmas Eve worship
  • Sun. Dec.25- Christmas Day worship with communion
    (No Sunday School or Bible Study this week)
2012 OFFERING ENVELOPES are in the back of the church for you to pick up.

BUILDING PROJECT PLEDGED- when you write a check toward your building fund pledge donation, please mark your check so that Finance Secretaries Jane & Otto Kunze can deposit it in the right place. Thank You.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARDS- If you have received a change of address card for your children, please return them to Linda in the office. Thank you for your help.

THANK YOU to all who purchased a poinsettia to help beautify the Christmas services.

May God bless you and your family
this week as you celebrate 
the birth of His Son, our Savior!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

This Week at St. John

  • TUES Dec.13- Circuit Pastor's Conference, St. Paul Battle Creek
  • WED Dec.14- 3:30pm Confirmation
    • 5:00pm Sunday School Christmas service practice
    • 6:45pm Carol Sing
    • 7:00pm Midweek Advent Service, refreshments from LYF following
  • SAT Dec.17- 9:00am-11:00am Sunday School Christmas service practice, dress rehearsal, all ages
  • SUN Dec.18- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
    • 10:00am Worship with Communion
    • 1:00pm Pastor Merrill preaches at Denison Care Center
    • 2:00pm Pastor Merrill preaches at Eventide Lutheran Home
    • 6:30pm Sunday School Christmas Service
THANK YOU to all who purchased a poinsettia to help beautify the Christmas services

THANK YOU to all the bakers and buyers who participated in the annual LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar.

THE CHARTER OAK SENIOR CENTER has been set up as the collection point for items for Allen "Bud" Gloede who lost all his possessions in a fire last week. Food, clothing, bedding, etc. are being collected. If you can help him, please leave your food, clothig, or household items at the Senior Center. Thank You.

LYF mtg today (12/11) at 3pm

Sunday, December 04, 2011

This Week at St. John

  • TUE Dec.6- 6:30am Men's Bible Study
  • WED Dec.7.- 3:30pm Confirmation
    • 6:45pm Carol singing
    • 7:00pm Midweek Advent service-  'Waiting with Comfort'
  • SUN Dec.11- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
    • 10:00am Worship
    • 11:00am Finance Board meeting
    • 6:00pm Adult Instruction Class

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PRACTICES
Sun. Sch. Christmas Program, December 18th at 6:30pm We need all the children at Church by 6:15pm
Practices are very important for the program to run smoothly, so we need all children (1st-8th Grades) and their teachers to attend. Thank You

Practice Schedule 
  • Wed. Dec.14- 5:00pm-6:30pm For 1st-8th grades
  • Sat. Dec.17- 9:00am-11:00am Dress Rehearsal for all children
  • Sun. Dec.18- During Sunday School

MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES: 'Wait, Pray, Live By Faith: Waiting with the Old Testament Church'
Advent services will begin November 30th. Services will begin at 7:00pm. Christmas carol-singing will begin at 6:45pm, before the worship service itself.
  • Wed. Dec. 7- 'Waiting with Comfort'
  • Wed. Dec. 14- 'Waiting with Joy'
  • Wed. Dec. 21- 'Waiting with Worship'
Come worship Him! Come early & sing His praises as we prepare for the celebration of His birth. The LYF will serve bars after each Advent service.

CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP
There will be one worship service at 9:00am, but not Sunday School or Bible Study on Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day. Watch the Website and weekly church bulletins for Christmas Eve worship times.

Saturday, December 03, 2011

LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar


Sunday, December 4
11:00am-1:00pm
Come fill your box with lots of goodies!
Just $6 per pound.
Cookie & Candy Donations Welcomed
Please bring your treats you're contributing to church by Noon On Saturday, Dec. 3
Proceeds will go toward the kitchen in the new addition.