1/29/09

Dear St. John Members and Friends,

In worship on Sunday I told about an ice fishing trip I took with 4 children from our congregation on Martin Luther King Day. I told about one of the adventures from that trip, when the pull handle and pull rope from the power ice auger became disconnected.

However, I didn’t tell about another adventure. With 2 young boys and 2 young girls with me my truck became stuck in the snow in the parking area for one of the lakes at which we fished. What should I do? We were North of Sutton and out of cell phone range so I couldn’t call a wrecker. None of the children were of driving age and too small to push. (We tried) As we were digging snow out from under the truck I said a short prayer. “Lord, it would sure be great if we could get this truck unstuck.” That was it. We kept working. I decided to use my fishing auger to try to dig some ice and snow from under the truck.
That seemed to work. The truck was no longer stuck and I backed out of the parking lot . . . to go fishing in another lake.

Now, some may think freeing of my truck from the snow was a coincidence.
I am sure, however, that in His way, God had His hand in the fact that the truck was no longer stuck. He answered my prayer in His way.

How often do we neglect to bring our needs, large and small, to the Lord? God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually.”

I believe God is serious about His offer.

A Child of God, constantly amazed by His grace, Pastor Jonathan

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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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NEED – The Heart Reach Crisis Pregnancy Center provides Christian help and counseling for young mothers in need. One of the goals of Heart Reach is to provide a Christian alternative to abortions. I received an e-mail yesterday from the Heart Reach Director with a need. A young mother needs 4 beds for her children. Please call Director, Christy Pinkerton, at 373-3456 if you can help her to assist a young mother with the help she needs.

AN INVITATION TO MEN – Pastor Rockey is inviting any men of St. John (members or friends) who want to watch the Super Bowl at his house to join him and show up at the Rockey home between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. This could be a good opportunity for getting together as Christian men. Feel free to come with or without a snack.
To get to Pastor (and Kathy) Rockey’s house follow these
directions:
* Go west on the Palmer Wasilla Highway past McDonalds and Carrs
about 2 miles.
* At the Cross, at Trinity Lutheran Church, turn right on Arabian
road.
* Take Arabian 1 mile until the road ends.
* Jog left (to Kennerson Trucking) and right onto Snowgoose Road.
(This is about 200 yards from Arabian.)
* Turn left at the cul de sac, Ali Circle, the first street.
* Pastor (and Kathy) Rockey’s house is the yellow house, second on
the right, 10645 East Ali Circle.
* Phones are 746-5131, or 841-4066.
* P.S. Kathy is at work until 7:30 p.m. Tim is at the Youth
party. So it’s just us men!

LSSA NIGHT AT THE THEATER RETURNS – LSSA is partnering with Valley Performing Arts (VPA) to reserve a special night of family entertainment-a production of the Broadway version of “The Spitfire Grill.” LSSA has reserved Saturday, February 14th (Valentines Day).
The ticket price will include a dinner which will be hosted at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla prior to the show. 20 tickets will be available at St. John. Cost is $35.00 a person for children and adults.
This could is not only a good fellowship opportunity for St. John members, but also an opportunity to support a ministry of Christian care. The Rockeys and Nufers will be attending. Dave Nufer is helping in this effort and can be reached at 745-6528. Come and join us for an evening of Christian fellowship.

NEW MEMBER CLASS – If you have been attending St. John and wish to join there are many ways to accomplish joining our Christian congregation.
One of the best ways is to attend a membership class. (However, just because someone attends a class does not mean they need to join St.
John.)
Pastor Rockey is currently teaching “An Overview of Biblical Teaching”
on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. (Sunday School Hour). And, even if you have been a Lutheran before, attending this class can be a good refresher! The class is meeting in the Fellowship Hall outside the kitchen.
We are still in the early stages of the class, and make-up classes will be held, so there is still plenty of time to begin attending.

ACOLYTE TRAINING will take place at St. John on Saturday, February 7 at 10:30 a.m. Any child in 2nd grade or older can attend this training.
After the training Pastor Rockey will take the children to McDonalds for Lunch

“A Gathering With our Christian Family” – In order to provide Elder care, the Elders of St. John have divided the congregational households into 10 groups, one for each Elder. Beginning in February, one elder each month will be inviting their group to “An Evening / Gathering of our Christian Family.” These Gatherings will be held at the Rockey’s home.
These groups are changed yearly as new Elders are elected. However, each group will receive a written invitation, and a phone call. Herman Griese’s group will be gathering at the Rockey’s home for lunch and sharing on Sunday, February 15, after late worship. (Kathy is calling this meeting, “Sunday dinner at the Pastor’s.) Watch for more information.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 IS ASH WEDNESDAY! Each Wednesday night in Lent we will have a worship service at 6:30 p.m. to remember the suffering and death of Jesus to save us. Please note, worship begins at 6:30 p.m., not 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday night, following our Lenten Meal.

LENTEN FELLOWSHIP MEALS - Each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. a meal is served before worship. There is no cost. This is not a pot luck, so you don’t need to bring anything.
Members of St. John are asked to volunteer to serve these meals to make it easier to attend Wednesday night worship. This also gives a wonderful opportunity to spend time with God’s people, and to meet new members. Plan on attending!
We need people to sign up to serve meals! Please see the signup sheet on the back table in the narthex at church! (Thanks to those who already signed up last week.)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN AMC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL? St. John has been asked to lead the Vacation Bible School for Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai, June 1-5. Pastor Rockey and Randy Luffberry have indicated an interest in this Bible School. If you would like to help us, or would just like more information, please sign up on the sign up sheet on the table in the narthex.

ANOTHER FISHING TRIP – Click on this link to see the pictures from fishing trips the past two Mondays.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/IceFishing2009?feat=directlink

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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
<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.