Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

The last 3 ½ - 4 weeks have been really busy with “faith activities.”  During this time at St. John the following activities have happened.

• Vacation Bible School was held in the evening, June 22-26.  About 80 children and 12 adults were in classes to learn that “Jesus is our Friend.”
• We have had 3 weddings:  Katlyn Griese and David Heck (June 28), Shane Arneson and Veronica Niles (July 6), Andrew Jacobs and Katy Minatre (July 11).
• We’ll have had 4 baptisms by this Sunday, and more to come.  (Bridger McIntosh, Joel Holmes and daughter Alexandrea Holmes on July 6.  Graceann Kolberg on July 13.)  (Dallas and Cassidy Littleton and their daughter Madison will be baptized on July 20.  There are also 4 or 5 more baptisms coming.)
• We will have had four funerals.  (Miles France – June 19, Mervyn Jones – July 2, Bob Gilmore – July 8, and Joe Berberich (Don’s dad), July 13.
• Two adult information and membership classes are currently being held as well on Sundays and Tuesdays.

 That does not include the worship services, confirmations, visits, retirements of pastors (2), the installations of new pastors (2), the daily activity of God’s Word in our midst.

Some might ask, isn’t that tough to have all that busy-ness, especially in the summer?  The truth is, I believe that all this activity shows the power of God in our midst through His Word and through His Holy Spirit.  It is a joy!  I would much rather be preaching, or teaching, performing a wedding, a baptism, even conducting a funeral than attending a meeting.  These activities let God act in our lives through His Word.  The Old Testament Lesson for this Sunday says the following:

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God’s Word is powerful.  God uses His word to convict hearts, to work faith, and to bring life.  So . . .  Are you in God’s Word regularly?  In worship?  In devotion?  In prayer? 

God’s Word does not return empty.  It accomplishes His purposes . . . in our lives too.

Moved by God through His Word,

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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THANK YOU FOR CAMP COOKS!  Dorothy Jacobsen, Kathy Rockey, Linda Griese, and Phyllis Craig have agreed to cook for Kaleidoscope.  Thank you, Ladies!!!!!!!!

ADULT MEMBER CLASS – Two new adult information and membership classes are being held at St. John in my office.  One class is being held on Sunday mornings between worship services.  This class that starts at 9:30 a.m. The other class is being held on Tuesday evenings (except during K-scope) at 7:00 p.m.  These classes will examine basic teaching of the Christian faith from Scripture as a way for Christians to grow, and for new people to enter God’s family at St. John.  While we are still receiving members from our last class, but we have requests for a new class.  Feel free to attend and grow with us!

COLLECTION FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONEL IN HARM’S WAY.  In the past we have collected items that our service people need and sent them to members and friends serving in Iraq and in Afghanistan.  At the current time we again have members and friends serving in war zones overseas.

• Member Eric Hermon, a West Point graduate, is serving in Iraq at this time.  You probably know Eric’s parents and grandparents. 
• Eric’s sister, Member Katie Hermon, another West Point graduate is serving in Afghanistan at this time.  You might remember Katie singing at one of our Christmas services a couple of years ago. 
• Luke Falkenburg is Fred Voight’s nephew, and he is serving in Iraq.

I am asking the people of St. John to begin collecting items that we can send to these members and friends serving us overseas.  There are some items that are difficult to get when serving overseas.  In addition, this lets them know they are not forgotten, and that we thank them for their service.  Below is a list of items you can start to bring to church to send overseas.  Thank you for helping in this effort, again.

            - Chap stick

            - Baby powder

            - Baby Wipes

            - Phone Cards

            - Hard Candy (individually wrapped)

            - Beef Jerky

            - Crystal Light Individual Drink Packets

            - Note cards with envelopes

            - Playing cards

            - Mechanical Pencils

            - hand held video games

            - Cushioned absorbent socks.

A box will be in the back of the church to collect these items so we can send them to those serving us.

K-SCOPE  - K-Scope will be offered for Alaskan High School youth next month, July 20-25.  We have about 32-35 youth attending, the most ever for Alaska. 

Kaleidoscope is a high school youth camp that our LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) congregations have offered every 3 years for about 30 years.  This is a week of intense growth in faith and Christian relationships that involves some leadership training.  Those who have attended K-Scope and the National Youth Gathering say that the Gathering is great, but K-Scope is even more life changing.  I am still receiving e-mail messages from the youth who attended K-Scope in 2005.

Please keep this year’s Kaleidoscope in your prayers.

Prayer Requests

• Dave Miranda called today (July 11) to say “thanks for the prayers.”  Dave is in Seattle receiving treatment for kidney cancer.
• Paul Ziegler is about to start his 3^rd round of treatment for lung cancer on Tuesday.  Paul was feeling well yesterday (July 10), but treatments are tough.
• Donna France is in the Care Inc. assisted living home after recent hospitalization.
• Gina Gilmore and family at the death of her husband, Bob, in a plane crash.
• Don Berberich and family at the death of his dad, Joe.
• Please continue to pray for Kristin Kopperud.  Also, look at her ‘update website’ for insight into her journey with the Lord as she awaits a heart.  Please look at the following link:  http://www.caringbridge.org:80/visit/specialhumanbeing
• K-Scope, for growth in faith and love for the youth attending.
• THANKS, for the work of God in our midst through His Word and Spirit!