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 Dear Friends in Christ,
 
These are exciting days at St. John’s!  They are days filled with God’s blessings and gratitude.  Blessings and gratitude are the focus of this year’s stewardship program, First, We Give of Ourselves: Giving in Gratitude.  Together, we will explore the many ways we are blessed by God, especially with God’s grace in Christ and how our response of gratitude moves us to be a blessing to others.
 
Over the next several weeks, through Bible Study, sermons, opportunities to acknowledge and express gratitude, and congregational activities expressing gratitude, we immerse ourselves in the delight of blessing and thanksgiving.  These weeks will focus our attention on God’s gracious giving in Christ and how gratitude for these blessings enable us to grow in our lives as disciples and in our sharing of blessings – to give of ourselves in gratitude.
 
The Kick-Off Sunday for “First, We Give of Ourselves: Giving in Gratitude” will be Sunday, October 1st when we will celebrate Gratitude Sunday, which focuses on the blessings God has shared with us and our cumulative expressions of gratitude as individuals and congregation.  Our Celebration and Commitment Sunday will be Sunday, November 12th.  At this service, we will celebrate the ministry we have as a congregation and indicate how we will share our gifts in gratitude for God’s blessings and the ministry of our congregation.
 
Giving in Gratitude All Congregation Bible Study  —  An integral component of our program is the all congregation Bible Study, Giving in Gratitude.  This is a four-week series that explores God’s giving and our response of gratitude.  Together, we explore questions such as God’s blessings, their impact upon our lives, how we receive and use God’s blessing, and the difference gratitude makes in our lives as disciples and stewards.  Please join us each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall following worship beginning on October 1st.  Or, you may instead wish to attend on Monday evenings at 7m beginning on October 2nd.
 
Plan to be on hand in worship and join a Giving in Gratitude Bible Study this fall as we consider how “First, We Give of Ourselves”.  How exciting it will be to grow together in discipleship and the delight of gratitude.                                   

                                                                      ~ Pastor Janet Lepp

St. John's Church Informational Survey

Starting on Sunday, October 8th, you will have an opportunity to give your feedback to our church leadership through the “St. John's Church Informational Survey.”  This survey is an important tool to help determine your opinions (anonymously) about many aspects of the church, including youth ministry, attendance, worship services, and other key areas.  Your honest input is crucial to help shape the future of St. John's.  You can complete a survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StJohnsMendota, through the link on St. John's website (www.stjohnsmendota.org), or through St. John's Facebook page.  Paper copies of the survey will also be available in the office.  EVERY CONFIRMED MEMBER in your household should fill one out!

Why Sunday Fellowship?

The Merriam–Webster online dictionary defines a fellowship as a “community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience,” and “a company of equals or friends.”

God designed His church to be a fellowship, not just a community, but a family of brothers and sisters who share God’s ideals and beliefs, and who can help us improve ourselves.

The importance of fellowship in our lives is part of the reason that the people of God are commanded to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.  Every week, on Sunday, Christians gather both to hear the Word of God taught and to strengthen each other through fellowship.

Sunday Fellowship at St. John’s requires your participation.  We are the Church.  Please consider signing up for one Sunday during the year to make coffee and serve donuts to your fellow members so that we can meet, get to know each other and focus on God’s desires and goals for us.

There is a calendar in the Church kitchen, pick a Sunday to do your part as a member of the St. John’s community.

Help Yourself...

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Our quilting ladies have been working on “Walker Bags” for residents of area nursing homes.  They are also making them available to members of our congregation.  You will find a basket full of these colorful and handy fabric bags in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one for yourself or someone you know.