News of St. John's Lutheran Church

From the Pastor...

Grace and peace to you in this holy Advent season.

Advent is a season of watching, waiting, and anticipating the coming of our Lord, Jesus.  His birth is history, happening over 2000 years ago.  And still our Lord and Savior comes to us again and again, throughout our lives, throughout the world, throughout history.  Advent is a season to prepare our hearts and lives for what God is doing in our midst today.

This year many of us are watching and waiting.  Whether we - or a family member or friend - deal with illness or grief, struggle with the inflation and its impact on our household finances, are anxious because of national and world events, or struggle with something else, we are watching and waiting and anticipating what will be.  Those living in Gaza watch and wait for a cease fire and humanitarian aid.  Those in Ukraine watch and wait and anticipate the end of war.  Migrants watch and wait and anticipate a new home where they will be safe and secure.  Victims of natural disaster watch, wait, and anticipate the return of some normalcy to their lives and the ability to return to their homes.

We, at St. John’s, watch and wait and anticipate as well.  We watch and wait what this time of pastoral transition will bring.  We anticipate and pray for the pastor that will be called to serve St. John’s in the fullness of time.

There is much to make us anxious and afraid in these days.  And into the darkness of our winter days, and into the darkness of our world, we watch and wait and anticipate the light of Christ, with healing and hope, to come to us anew.

As you watch and wait, as you do Advent devotions and pray, as you make Advent offerings and provide gifts for those in need, be filled with the certainty that Jesus comes.  Not just in Bethlehem.  But in your home, in Mendota, in disaster areas, in the Middle East and Ukraine, at the southern border, in the hospitals and prisons, and in all the places where people long for him and wait for him.
 
                             Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
                           Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart!  (ELW #262)
 
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Karen

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. Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted. 

Church Office Hours

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The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 3pm.

The church office is CLOSED on Fridays.

We Hope to See You on December 3rd!

Carryouts are also available!

Upcoming Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of St. John's Congregation is scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024.  We hope you will make plans to attend this important meeting.

Join us for worship on YouTube!

Simply click on the button above to go to our YouTube page.  Once there, you can watch any of our worship services (just double-check the date).

Online Giving to St. John's
is Now Available!

Thank you for supporting the mission of St. John's!

Help Yourself...

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Our Quilting Ladies have replenished the walker bags in the Narthex with lots of new bags. If you know of someone who would enjoy a walker bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to help yourself.

The quilting group will meet on Tuesday, December 12th. You are invited to join them at 9am in the fellowship hall. You do not need to know how to quilt or sew to help create these beautiful quilts. All are welcome to join us for a morning of work and fellowship!

Merry Christmas!

We wish God’s blessings on you & your family during this Christmas season.

St. John’s staff:  Interim Pastor Karen Tews, Melissa Nosalik, Laurie Zimmerman, Susan Garner, Karyn Bock, Rob Guardiola,
Dawn Kendall, James Younger, Delle Vercimak, Vicki Wujek & Kevin Wohrley.