6/10/2009

Dear St. John Members and Friends,

One of my children still wears a t-shirt my dad gave us years ago. It is a t-shirt from the Alachua County (FL) Blood Bank that says, “Give the gift of life.” I’m sure you understand the slogan. It takes so little to donate a pint of our blood. But, our donated blood can save the life of a person who was in an accident, or is going through surgery. Most of us probably know someone whose life was saved by the gift of donated blood. In fact, I encourage any who are able to do so to donate blood as a way of helping others.

This Saturday members of St. John will participate in Colony Days festivities by marching in the parade and holding an Ice Cream Social after the parade as a way of “sharing the gift of life.” Only, this gift is not just life in this world, but eternal life. Our hope is that by invitation in the parade and by providing an inviting and enjoyable setting through the Ice Cream Social people may feel more comfortable in visiting us for worship and possibly learn about Jesus, or grow in faith in our Savior.

We have all experienced the pain of this world. Christians know that this world’s pain and suffering and death come from the sin we all share. Through His Son, Jesus, God offers the gift of life to replace this world’s pain and death. God offers this gift in the suffering and death of Jesus for our sin, and through the victory of Jesus in His rising from the dead. God gives forgiveness and eternal life when we believe Jesus is our Savior from sin.

So, if the life saved by a donated pint of blood is precious, imagine the joy of offering the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ!
Perhaps you might want to help with this Saturday’s event as a way to make someone welcome at St. John. As the t-shirt and the commercial say, “Give the gift of life!”

A Child of God who finds joy in sharing Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. We still need help in the following areas:

* People to help set up and take down tables and chairs. Please
show up at 9:00 a.m.
* Children to ride bike and adults to march in the parade. Please
show up at church at 9:30 a.m. WE HAVE OVER 50 St. John T-Shirts and Sweat shirts left. Everyone marching in the parade will receive one free (until they are gone)!

* People to greet visitors, and perhaps serve ice cream. Actual
serving begins after the parade is over, just after 12:00 noon.

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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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A NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS – “Nooma”

This Sunday we begin a series of video Bible studies. These “Nooma” Bible Classes examine everyday events in our lives as an opportunity to see how God is working in our lives, or how we could be living for God. The first such class will be held in the South Fellowship Hall outside the kitchen beginning this Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
The topic for Sunday, June 7 is “RAIN.”

NEW BASIC CHRISTIANS TEACHINGS / ADULT MEMBERSHIP CLASSES.

I have been asked about new Basic Christian Teachings Bible Classes which people can attend if they wish to join our congregation.
We have sometimes held these classes for an hour at a time on Sundays, and sometimes held these classes on a Saturday or Sunday, and gone through all the material, somewhat less in depth, in a 6 hour period.

At the present time I am considering holding such a class on either Saturday, June 27, or Sunday afternoon June 28. If you are interested in attending such a class, and have a preference about date and time, please let me know.

In addition, we may start such a class on Sundays beginning in July.
Please keep watch for more information.

SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING – Our congregation received a letter from the Mission Department of the LCMS. With the financial downturn offerings to Synod are down. There is a need for help for missions. The Board of Elders recommended, and the Church Council approved a mission offering for this Sunday, June 14, to help share Jesus with others around the world.

ST. JOHN FINANCES – At our May 17 Church Council meeting we heard good news and bad news about church finances.

The good news is that offerings are up at St. John over last year. The bad news is that expenses are up and, as summer has arrived, offerings are down recently and we are approaching a shortfall. Please continue to be faithful to our faithful Lord by supporting His work at St. John.

One way many St. John members keep up their offerings while they are out of town is through the “Simply Giving” program through Thrivent that allows automatic giving from your bank. Forms are available on the back table if you are interested.

CHECK OUT THE NEW PRAYER ‘CLOSET’ in the West entry in the old coat area. Thanks to our Trustees, especially Noel Woods for helping with this Prayer Closet. The idea is that this may provide a quiet place of meditation for individuals.

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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/> At the current time our web master,
Jacki Rose, is revising our web site with some new pictures and software. The new version will be available soon.