The Sermon on the Mount for Today

At St. John's, the sermon title for the next week appears on the Church's yard sign on Monday or Tuesday, long before the sermon is developed or completed. It helps both parishioners and preacher alike to have some idea where the scriptures will be taking us in corporate worship that next weekend. The same system can be applies to sermon titles for the Wednesday night worship services during Lent 2012. Sermon titles don't define the whole experience, but this year's Lenten series is based on the greatest sermon ever preached: "The Sermon on the Mount"
(Matthew 5, 6, 7)

Join us for Soup and Sandwich Suppers from 5:30pm to 7pm in the Fellowship Hall, with Confirmation Class upstairs and Children's Choir in the Sanctuary from 6pm to 7pm. Then we will all gather for 45 minutes of Holden's Evening liturgy, hymns and sermon in the Sanctuary beginning at 7pm. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, and ends on Palm Sunday, April 1st.

So, this year, come and join us for food for the body and the soul as we share Soup and Sandwiches, and methodically consider Jesus' sermon divided like this:

St. John's Pictorial Directory

St. John 's will be creating a new pictorial family album this coming March with Lifetouch Church Directories and Portraits. Our desire is to create a complete pictorial directory that will help us continue to build a unified church and allow us to put a name with a familiar face. (The last directory was made in 2007.) You will be hearing more information in the upcoming days from the newly formed Pictorial Team. If you are interested in serving on this team, please contact Rita Randecker. Pictures will be taken at St. John's on March, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and May 15 and 16. There is no charge to have your picture taken for the church directory.

Pastor's Column
Eagle Sightings

**The slogan that decorated our church sign for 2011 claimed: "GOD MAKES little BIG". There is evidence of this truth all through the year. How's this theme for 2012: "Family Values Start With Valuing The Family"? January saw the beginning of Children's Worship at 10:30am services. During February, we'll continue offering an adult option during Sunday School called"Marriage 101". April is the scheduled date for a Children's Conference in Atlanta, GA which I am registered to attend with one or two lay members. The year is unfolding as a time to emphasize that we are God's family -- the Faith Community is a family with the Heavenly Father binding us together -- with our common need for a Savior and our unique circumstances in need of family support. Family Values Start With Valuing The Family.

**The south portions of our church facilities (offices, chapel, library, etc,) are without heat other than individual room heaters. Check the internal signs for places where your Team or Group or Class will be meeting during the cold months of winter until the heating situation is resolved.

**Valentine's Day, February 14th, is not a religious holiday, but it has a religious undercurrent. Jesus commanded His followers, "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 15)

**Our new hospital is beautiful and an asset to our town. But the privacy laws often keep the church from knowing when you are hospitalized unless you call the church office. Please do call when a loved one or friend is hospitalized.

**Join us on Sunday, February 19th at 6pm for a movie and popcorn evening as we watch "Courageous", a family-friendly flick that reminds us how important a healthy family is today. Our Outreach Team and others are invited all members and friends of St. John's to join them for a couple of hours of entertainment and fellowship.

**Solo scriptura (by scripture alone) is the Lutheran emphasis on God's Word as the basis for salvation and holy living. Do you read it regularly?

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

Did you know that Rita Randecker has created an Archive Room here at St. John's? She has worked tirelessly and put in many hours to provide a showcase museum of the history and activities of our church. The Archive Room is located just inside the Youth/LSSI office area. Please feel free to stop by and see Rita's creation; and be sure the next time you see her that you thank her for her ministry! We appreciate your service, Rita!

ST. JOHN'S YOUTH

All Junior High and High School Youth
Each month there will be a student "sponsor" from the group. This is a volunteer who will help be the Creative mind behind that month's activities or events. Please sign up with Heidi to reserve your month!


ROAD SIGNS
The Junior High service group will meet on February 1st and 15th from 5pm to 6pm. On the 1st, the tentative plan is to meet at the Mendota Christian Food Pantry to help out. On the 15th, we will be starting "Hats for the Homeless" -- we will begin to crocheting hats for those in need. Don't worry if you don't know how, we are going to learn! Who knew we could have so much fun while serving people?! All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and well-behaved friends are welcome to join us!

Confirmation Class
We will NOT be meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd. Instead, we will meet on Monday, February 20th (a school holiday) from 11am to 1:30pm. We are going to do a group service project - delivering Meals on Wheels for the Mendota Hospital. We will end our time by holding our Confirmation lesson with our members at Stonecroft. Please make plans to be picked up at Stonecroft at 1:30pm. Rides are available if you let Heidi know ahead of time.


JUNIOR HIGH Girls
(6th, 7th and 8th grade for 2011-2012)

The Girls' Bible Study will meet again at Kourtney's Kafe on Friday, February 3rd at noon. We will hopefully begin the book "Kisses from Katie". Please make sure you have read over and are familiar with the Beautitudes by then, too. Don't forget your Bible and a notebook! We can arrange for rides if you need one, just let Heidi know.


HIGH SCHOOL
(Freshman through Seniors for 2011-2012)

Pizza Sale!
We will meet on Saturday, February 4th at 9am to assemble our 150 pizzas (that's the goal anyway). The pizzas will be ready for pick-up between 11am and noon that day. Mark Z. and Paige H. will be delivering pizzas to Stonecroft.

The High School Ski & Snowboard Day Trip is planned for Saturday, February 11th.
We will leave the parking lot at church at 7am and head for Alpine Valley in Elkhorn, WI for a day on the slopes. The plan is to return to church at 10pm. Remember your permission slips and extra cash for meals. Thanks to Warren Holmes and Alice Fritz for volunteering to put up with us that day!

Everyone!
Everyone is invited to a concert by "Captive Free" on Sunday, February 12th at 6pm. Captive Free is a group of six musically talented young people. They will be spending the evening here and have offered to put on a concert for us!
This group travels for a year, doing concerts, Bible studies, and sharing their faith stories. It will be a great night and all ages are welcome! A free will donation will be collected to help their ministry. We are in need of housing for the 4 female and 2 male Captive Free members on Sunday night, February 12th. If you can help out, please contact Heidi. Thank you to the families who are providing all of the meals for our visitors.

Adults
The Road Signs service group will be crocheting hats for homeless shelters and we are in need of yarn, crocheting needles and willing & patient teachers! Please see Heidi if you can help out.
Thanks!


A final note.....
Congratulations to all of the St. John's students who attained Honor Roll status for the first semester of the school year! We are proud of you!