~ Important News! ~
"In-person" worship in the Sanctuary continues!
We also offer online worship each Sunday morning at 9am
via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Lent, Firing Up the Spirit,
Using the "Choke"

Every year when Lent comes into our Church year, I am motivated to try and capture the spiritual disciplines that have long intrigued me, and in many ways, called me.  I have in the past taken retreats to monasteries and spent time in Abbeys and felt a sense of wonder and warmth that I cannot deny.  I love to go to an Abbey in rural Iowa near Dubuque (New Mellary) and listen to the chanting of the monks.  I contemplate what life would be like there, and when I am in that very sacred place, I find a holiness that feeds my soul.  I would welcome a group of us traveling to the New Mellary Abbey sometime, as it is incredibly special.  I genuinely love spending time there; it is like a mini-Lenten experience that always rekindles my spirit.

So, what shall I/we do this Lent?  How shall we capture a sense of the Holy?  Why is it important to capture such?  In D. Martin Lloyd-Jones’ book, Preaching and Preachers, I found a few paragraphs that speak to assist us in answering these questions.  Martin writes: “I have found nothing more important than to learn how to get oneself into that frame and condition in which one can pray.  You have to learn how to start yourself off, and it is just here that this knowledge of yourself is so important… Get rid of coldness that may have developed in your spirit.  You have to learn how to kindle a flame in your spirit, to warm yourself up, to give yourself a start.  It is comparable, if you like, to starting a car when it is cold.  You have to learn how to use a “spiritual choke.”

Those of us who have been around older vehicles and machinery understand a “choke” is used to assist in starting the vehicle or tractor or lawn mower, etc.  It is often needed in colder weather or when the engine has not been running for some time.

So how is your spiritual engine?  What spiritual practices are you considering this Lent?  What are the Lenten disciplines that you might use to get your spiritual engine going strong?  Sometimes, even after using the choke, we still might need to push the vehicle or tractor forward and “pop the clutch” to turn the engine over and start it firing.  This means we need help.  I can think of no greater help than being with each other, in whatever ways we can.  That means either being in the pews or watching online each Sunday in Lent and every Wednesday worship service we offer. In this year’s Wednesday Lenten worship services, we will see our youth share in their learning Luther’s Small Catechism, the section on the ten commandments.  I thank all of the youth who will take part, as they jump start my spirit so very much.

Perhaps we can all consider this Lenten season as our “spiritual choke,” much like my time in the monastery and our sanctuary time in worship is for my spirit.  Let us each find a way to kindle the flame of God this season, and in so doing, may we find a most appropriate way of sharing in our life together.  Yes, we will take some time set apart for fasting, and prayer and acts of kindness, so let’s experience the love of God in our mutual journeys.  These Lenten disciplines will surely lead us to further mission and ministry together for Christ.  I hope to “see” you all soon, and by the way, it is okay to need a “push.”
                                                                                   ~Pastor Ken Gibson

Join Pastor Ken for Daily Devotions

We hope you are joining Pastor Ken for daily devotions, Monday through Thursday mornings at 8am on St. John’s Facebook page.  It’s a nice way to start your day!

Pastoral Care

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If you find yourself in need of pastoral care or you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office and we will put you in touch with Pastor Ken Gibson.  Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted. 

Lent 2021

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During Lent this year, we will journey together in a “back to the basics” kind of way.  Each family has been mailed a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism.  As you may recall, the Small Catechism was developed by Luther for the heads of households to teach to their children.  Over the years we have, in the Church, mostly regulated the learning of the faith to the pastors and the Sunday school teachers etc.  In truth, Luther wanted us to learn these tenants of faith at home. 

Our midweek Lenten services held on Wednesdays at 6pm will include our youth presenting a drama based upon a young person learning the Ten Commandments and a surprising conversation breaks forth.  This drama, NOT TEN SUGGESTIONS, was written by Pastor Ken and his seminary classmates while on one of their annual January retreats.  The material is truly “home grown.”

It is our sincere hope that you attend in person or virtually and enjoy our youth presenting this drama each Wednesday in Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17th.

"Virtual Worship"
Information for March

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The Zoom log-in information for our February worship services have been set so that the Meeting ID and Passcode are the same for each week during March.  This is not an error.  We hope that it will make it easier for those logging in to Zoom.
 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8191024353
Dial up: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 819 102 4353
Passcode: 316316

The log-in information will also be emailed to you each Saturday at noon.
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You are also able to watch the worship services via Facebook Live even if you don’t have a Facebook account.  Using your web browser, search for St. John’s Lutheran Church Facebook page.  Once you find us, simply scroll past any invitations to create a Facebook page and you’ll see the Facebook Live video.

Church Office Hours

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The church office is open Monday through Thursday beginning at 8:30am.

The church office is CLOSED on Fridays and this is also Pastor Ken’s day off.  In case of an emergency, you can reach Pastor Ken at (815) 861-9554.

Help Yourself...

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The Quilting Ladies have replenished the “Walker Bags” in the narthex.  If you know of someone who would enjoy a bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to take one.