News of St. John's Lutheran Church
From the Pastor...
Dear friends in Christ,
Waiting isn’t easy. You know this. Whether it’s a sense of excitement – like seeing beloved family you haven’t seen in a long time - or dread and worry – like medical appointments and tests, waiting is difficult. Time is out of our control, and most of us like to be in control. And when we aren’t in control or we are anxious in our waiting, we may be impatient with others. We may fill our time with mindless activity to distract us from our waiting. Generally speaking, Americans aren’t good at waiting. And this puts us Christians at odds with our immediate gratification and consumer culture. A hundred years ago, it was still common to only put up, or decorate, a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve in homes - and then keep it up after Christmas Day. Now, Christmas decorations are in stores in September, and some lights and trees are up before Thanksgiving. And many people take the decorations down a day or two after Christmas. And Christmas is done and over. Being in a liturgical church like ours then becomes a counter-cultural event. For weeks we are asked to prepare and to wait for Christmas – the promised coming of Jesus Christ among us, when it seems “Christmas” is already around us. Our schedules may not permit much time for preparing our hearts anew for Jesus between holiday gatherings, music programs, or final papers and exams. So what might it look like to wait with intentionality? What are some practices that help us to mark time in a meaningful way? Advent calendars and weekly advent candles are familiar ones for many of us. Opening a calendar flap or lighting Advent candles at mealtime can be combined with a brief Scripture and prayer from a devotional book or the Sunday worship readings. (Our culture has grabbed onto Advent calendars – you can find all sorts for sale now; most having nothing to do with “Advent” as Christians speak of it.) Write out four Scripture verses on post it notes, one for each week of Advent, beginning December 1. Put the post it note on a bathroom mirror or your seat at the table. Read it frequently and memorize it. Search out “Advent” music and create a playlist for your car rides or cooking time. Blue is our color for Advent. Can you decorate a place in your home that reflects “blue” even as you put your other regular Christmas decorations up? What other ideas might you have to call your attention to waiting for Christ’s arrival? I’d love to hear them! ~ Pastor Elise Join Us for Christmas Services!
Christmas Eve worship will be offered at 4:30pm and 7pm. Both services will include Holy Communion and candle lighting.
The 4:30pm service will be family-friendly. Children are invited to bring a bell for a special way to join in the worship. The choir and praise team will lead music in that service. Sunday, December 29th, the First Sunday of Christmas, will be a Service of Lessons and Carols. Good News from
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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).
Pictured below is Pastor Elise on her Installation Day with members of St. John's Council, Call Committee, and Transition Team. What a wonderful celebration!
Church Office Hours
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 3pm.
The church office is CLOSED on Fridays.
Pastoral Care
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.
We wish God’s blessings on you & your
family during this Christmas season.
St. John’s staff
Pastor Elise Rothfusz, Melissa Nosalik,
Laurie Zimmerman, Susan Garner, Karyn Bock,
Rob Guardiola, Dawn Kendall, James Younger,
Delle Vercimak, Vicki Wujek & Kevin Wohrley
family during this Christmas season.
St. John’s staff
Pastor Elise Rothfusz, Melissa Nosalik,
Laurie Zimmerman, Susan Garner, Karyn Bock,
Rob Guardiola, Dawn Kendall, James Younger,
Delle Vercimak, Vicki Wujek & Kevin Wohrley