INFORMATION REGARDING
GOOD FRIDAY (noon) & EASTER SUNDAY (9am)

We hope you are all well and staying in and safe.  Pastor Steve gave us an update to login for Zoom services as a password is required now. (I don’t think it is required for those telephoning in)

Please use these links when logging into Zoom for the services.

Good Friday Prayers updated login codes
Time: Apr 10, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/185972885
Meeting ID: 185 972 885
Password: REFER TO EMAIL OR LETTER DATED APRIL 7
Dialup
        +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 185 972 885
Password: REFER TO EMAIL OR LETTER DATED APRIL 7

Easter Sunday updated login codes
Time: Apr 12, 2020 09:00 AM Central Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/695740072
Meeting ID: 695 740 072
Password: REFER TO EMAIL OR LETTER DATED APRIL 7
Dialup
        +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 695 740 072
Password: REFER TO EMAIL OR LETTER DATED APRIL 7

There are a few palms left outside in the courtyard if you didn’t have a chance to get one in time for Palm Sunday worship.

Please let us know if you need anything.  Blessings to you all.

2020 Lenten Season

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“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Lent is properly a time when we become more strenuous in devotion and self-examination.  Lent invites us to repent of our sin and feel our need of God’s grace.  Lent invites us to contemplate our Lord’s sacrificial love and to place ourselves in his hands.  Through Jesus, crucified and risen, we come into the presence of God — forgiven, renewed, empowered.

We begin our Lenten devotions with a service of imposition of ashes and Holy Communion on Wednesday, February 26th at 6:30pm.
 
Ashes are a mark of repentance and humility.  Ashes help us remember that we are mortal, and that our lives are dependent upon the graciousness of God.

Ash Wednesday is not a dreary or morbid exercise, but a way of turning toward God to receive forgiveness and the promise of new life.  Yes, we are dust.  But we are also children of God, called to live in union with him.

                                                                      ~ Pastor Steve Mindrup

St. John's Church Council
Team Appointments

Our newly-elected Church Council met recently and made the following appointments:

Steve Florschuetz           President, Stewardship
Ken Ladenburger            Vice President, Call Committee, Task Force
Carol Wheeler                 Treasurer, Finance
Melissa Nosalik               Secretary, Educational Ministry
Ed Bock                          Property
Dorothy Brandner           Youth Huddle, Memorial
Gary Duttlinger                Property
Melvette Jones                Educational Ministry, Outreach, Scholarship
Dawn Kendall                  Youth Huddle
Roberta Wendel              Youth Huddle, Memorial, Task Force
Todd Zimmerlein              Benevolence

Pastoral Care

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If you find yourself in need of pastoral care while we are without a full-time pastor, we ask you to confidentially speak with our Interim Pastor, Youth Director or office staff.  We will connect you with a pastor or appropriate ministry person to assist you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
~PLEASE READ~

Dear St. John’s Family,

Attached below is the March 20th letter from Pastor Steve and the Church Council.

The staff will be checking in at the office during this difficult time that we are apart, so if you have a need please leave a message and we will get back to you. Custodians are busy cleaning and disinfecting the building.

As stated in the letter if you have an emergency please contact Pastor Steve at 815-988-4992.  We will keep in touch through email, Facebook, the Church Website and of course through texting and telephoning.

A song to remind us that WE are the church. “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving. I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”

Prayers for health and safety for us all.
2020-3-20_pastor_steve_and_council_letter.pdf
File Size: 323 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Midweek Worship and Lenten Meals

UPDATE:  ON MARCH 15, IT WAS DECIDED TO CANCEL ALL MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES AND MEALS.
Please mark these upcoming dates on your calendar and watch for more information in the weekly bulletin announcements:  Midweek Lenten Worship Services — each Wednesday at 6:30pm (beginning on March 4th); Midweek Lenten Meals — Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall, beginning March 4th from 5:30pm to 6:15pm. 

March 4th -- Church Council; March 11th -- Sunday Morning Round Table Ladies; March 18th -- High School Students; March 25th -- 5th through 8th Graders; April 1st -- Melvette Jones & Friends.

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.