3/10/09

Dear St. John Members and Friends,



Two weeks ago my confirmation class made a visit to some church members at the nursing home section of the Palmer Pioneer Home. I was surprised when in class the following Wednesday when student were sharing their personal plans to live for God. Two of the students said they wanted to help people, “like visiting people in the nursing home.” Obviously, reaching out to others in need was a blessing to our youth, and touched them. God calls us to serve others AND we grow by serving.



This morning I received another touching surprise. I was visiting a member in their home after an illness and prayed for them. Then they asked to pray for me, and prayed a heartfelt prayer that touched and blessed me. God calls us to serve others. We grow by serving, AND we are blessed when God’s people serve or help us.



In our world today people are often so invested in taking care of themselves that they don’t have time to serve God by serving others.
Please think of what Jesus said,

“25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Matthew 20:25-28)



I’m not sure if you know it, but there are opportunities to serve all around us, and in our congregation.

* Our Human Needs Board often prepares meals to help people going
through difficult times. If you are interested in helping call Barb Thomas at 376-5802, or Eleanor Allen at 746-3919.
* Our Human Needs Board in the past has also found rides for
people going to a doctor visit. If you can help with this you could call Barb or Eleanor.
* Our Handicapped Bus picks up Elderly and brings them to church.
* Our Stephen Ministers provide confidential Christian care to
people in difficult times.
* Our prayer chain lifts our brothers and sisters to the Lord and
His care.
* Individually we can all take time to listen and encourage other
Christians.



It is important to remember this calling of God. God calls us to serve others. We grow by serving, and we are blessed when God’s people serve or help us.



A child of God, blessed by the love and service of Our Lord and His children,

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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THIS SUNDAY IS THE SHANE WOODS MEMORIAL ICE FISHING DAY after late worship. The St. John men’s group, Promise Keepers, will sponsor this event. The Promise Keepers will provide the ice-fishing gear and the Family and Children’s Board will provide snacks and hot chocolate.

Shane was killed in the Iraq war in August 2006. However, right before Shane left for Iraq he helped the Promise Keepers in a similar ice fishing outing at Finger Lake. Shane helped many children catch their fish that day.

The intent of this event is to provide an opportunity for children to go ice fishing and to remember Shane.



NEW BIBLES FOR WORSHIP – We will be buying new Bibles for our sanctuary in the coming months.

Our current Bibles are over 15 years old, and the majority show their wear. The St. John Church Council approved the purchase of new Bibles. The Large Print NIV Bible we currently have, which we will be purchasing again, cost $8.72 a piece, or $139.52 a case. Our hope is to buy about 150 new Bibles for the sanctuary, and use many of the sanctuary Bible in Bible Classes.

A signup for donations is on the table in the narthex. Thanks to those who have already donated.



LENTEN WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP MEALS - Each Wednesday during Lent we are holding special Mid-Week Lenten worship services around the Theme, “Modern Day Sins and Temptations.”

In addition, at 5:30 p.m. a meal is served before worship.
Members of St. John 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. There is no cost. This is not a pot luck meal, so you don’t need to bring anything.
Plan on attending!



FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY will be held at St. John on Sunday, March 29. St.
John members are asked to bring friends to either worship service on that day. Visitors will hear about Jesus who is our friend who suffered and died for us, and for His call to us to share His love with others.

Each Sunday in March before March 29 members will be helped to consider whom they might invite to worship, and helped to pray about God working in the invitation and the worship.

The Evangelism Board will provide snacks after each worship service on that Sunday.



PRAYER CHAIN - If you want to receive prayer requests from our prayer chain by e-mail, you can e-mail Jacki Rose at Jacki Rose at jackirose@gci.net <mailto:jackirose@gci.net> .





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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/>