Dear St. John Members and Friends,

 

Today, January 6 is recognized as the day of “Epiphany.”  The Epiphany story in Matthew 2 is one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  What other story in the Bible has the following elements?

• Special “wise” visitors, possibly from a foreign ruler.
• A special star that acts like no other star in history.  (See Matthew verses 2, 7, and 9).
• The continuation of the Christmas story with the baby Jesus now living with his parents in a house.  (verse 11)
• The battle between the obvious forces of good evil; Joseph, God’s angel, the Messiah, and the wise men vs. cruel and wicked King Herod. (verses 12-21)

 

However, one of the important points of this story is that God went to special measures to call people from a foreign country to the Messiah born in Bethlehem.  Imagine, sending a star to tell people about Jesus!!  Most scholars believe these “Magi from the east” were from Babylonia or Persia.  Both of these countries were populated primarily with non-Jewish people.  The beliefs and customs of the wise men were probably foreign to the Jews.  These were not the kind of people the Jews would have thought God wanted to reach.  Even though these weren’t the kind of people the Jews expected God to reach with the Messiah, God did reach out with special measures to call these unexpected people to the grace and love and salvation of the Messiah, the promised Savior. 

 

And, look what happened.  These wise men brought expensive gifts and ended up worshipping the Savior. ( Verse 11)  That also is not what the Jews would have expected of wise men from the East.

 

Who do you know who doesn’t know Jesus?  Maybe this isn’t the kind of person Christians might expect to follow Jesus, to live in faith, or to live a life of love and obedience.  Maybe you are one of those people that God is calling to faith in His love.  Guess what, if God called the wise men to find and worship the Savior, God also wants to call as His children people today that we might not expect to be followers of Jesus.

 

Remember, “. . . God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

 

So, do you know Jesus?  Who will you share Jesus with in 2009?

 

An undeserving Child of God who needs to share my savior with others,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  the St. John Mission Statement says: Guided by God’s Holy Spirit, we will share our Savior, Jesus, so our members, our community, and all people live and grow in Biblical Christian Faith.  I like to summarize the statement with these 3 simple words: “We share Jesus!”

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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COMMISSIONING AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS will take place in worship this Sunday, January 11.  All Officers and Board Members are asked to please be in worship that day for this Installation and Commissioning.  This gives leaders a chance to commit themselves to serving the Lord in the strength of His help.  It also gives the congregation a chance to support its leaders in prayer as they serve.

 

THE JANUARY ALL-BOARD MEETING will be held this Sunday, January 11 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

            Twice a year St. John holds an ‘All board Meeting’ in place of a council meeting.  Instead of just the chair people of each board attending the council meeting, all officers AND all board members of each board attend this working meeting.  There is time allotted so that each board gets to meet and discuss their job at St. John, and to discuss their plans for the coming year.  This January meeting is usually a low-key time for new Board members to understand what we are doing to serve the Lord, and a time to begin making plans for the coming year.

            IF YOU ARE AN OFFICER OR SERVE ON A BOARD AT ST. JOHN, please plan now to attend this important meeting.  This really helps us to start the new year right.  We want to do a good job doing the Lord’s Work!

 

NEW MEMBER CLASS – If you have been attending St. John and wish to join there are many ways to accomplish joining this Christian congregation.  One of the best ways is to attend a membership class. 

Pastor Rockey will be teaching “An Overview of Christian Teaching.”  Even if you have been a Lutheran before, attending this class can be a good refresher!  (Tentatively this class will meet in Pastor Rockey’s office, unless it is too large, and then we will move to the Fellowship Hall.)

 

WITH THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL IN JANUARY A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES HAVE STARTED UP AGAIN

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS OFFERED AT ST. JOHN EVERY SUNDAY!!!!  Opening worship begins at 9:30 a.m. in the church. 

• Regular classes are held for children from age 3 through High School.
• There is a also new class called “Wooly Lambs” for children aged 1 ½ - 3 taught by Carol Gustafson.
• Sunday Morning Adult Classes this year will start in the following areas
  • a) A Ladies’ Study taught by led Mary Jo Lentz. The title is to be determined.  This class will initially meet in the Cry Room.
  • b) Al Kastar and Josh Rockey will teach a class on 1 Corinthians.  This class will initially be meeting in the library,
  • c) Pastor Rockey is teaching a Class called, “An Overview of Christian Teaching.”  The purpose of this class is to study the Bible to review what Christians believe.  This will also serve as a membership class for any wanting to join St. John. This class will initially meet in the north fellowship hall.

 

OTHER SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES S INCLUDE:

MONDAY

• Cantora Arctica – Women’s Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m.

 

TUESDAY

• LWML first Tuesday of the month in the fellowship hall at 7:00 p.m.
• Promise Keepers Men’s study and prayer group every week in Pastor’s Office at 7:30 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY

• Quilting – 9:30 a.m.
• Lifelight  12:00 noon in the north fellowship hall  (Bring leftovers to share) Currently studying Joshua.
• Confirmation every week during the school year at 2:30 p.m.
• Senior Choir Practice, 5:00 p.m.
• Youth Nite, 7:00 p.m.

 

THURSDAY

• Youth Breakfast with Jamie, 6:15 a.m. (every other week-sometimes on Tuesdays))
• Bell Choir Practice, 5:00 p.m. in Sanctuary.
• Stephen Ministry 1^st and 3^rd weeks in the Library at 7:00 p.m.

 

FRIDAY

• Friday Night Bible Study 1^st and 3^rd weeks at 7:00 p.m. (usually in portable, otherwise TBA)
• Koinania Senior’s fellowship 4^th week 6:00pm (location varies)

 

SATURDAY

• Confirmation – 11:00 a.m.

 

SUNDAY (In addition to Sunday morning classes)

• FISH Bible Study for Youth 1^st and 3^rd weeks at 3:00pm.  (Meet at church beforehand)

 

 

I hope you find opportunities for Growth and Service in 2009 at St. John!

 

 

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org 

• All these “Thoughts from the Pastor” are found on our web page.
• Past Sermons are found on our web page.
• The new Video Projection system will be installed soon, and part of that system will allow us to record services.  We hope to have files of sermons in audio available on the web page as well.