Just Walk Across the Room
9:00 a.m. - August 1, 8, 15, 22

Hospitality/Outreach Team members have walked a creative idea through the World Team and the church council that is designed to equip members to make disciples for Jesus by simply walking across the room and greating an old friend or a new face.
It's that easy, as the videos and examples will illustrate every Sunday in August as we move our worship to the Parish Hall. We'll sit at tables and have brief discussions about the video that replaces the sermon each week.
The videos are professionally done by Willow Creek Community Church with a special message that fits St. John's.
Our youth will introduce worship in a relaxed, almost fun way, and the contemporary, Raise the Praise Band will lead the music which will introduce a personal testimony each week.
There will be a coffee pot and a reminder of how the Christian faith community actually began in homes - centered on God's Word and discussions about God and His love for His people.
What a combination, and we will try to copy that original model as we experience the presence of God among us. How easy is it to Just Walk Across the Room?
Mor information will be forth coming during the commercials you see in worship in July.

Welcome New Staff
Heidi and Laura

We are excited to welcome new staff members to St. John's Staff!
Heidi Peterson started June 1 as our new Youth Director. Heidi comes to us from Steward area and is married to John. Please stop by her newly renovated office to say hello.
You will want to stop by the office and welcom Laura Zimmerman as she started on June 28 as our Church Receptionist. She is one of our own and is married to Curt and has three sons. We are so happy that yu both are serving us.

PASTOR'S COLUMN
EAGLE SIGHTINGS

Here's a riddle for you to solve. It happens weekly at St. John's. Our Sunday School children make it possible. It feeds people who would otherwise go hungry. What is it? It's $500 worth of Sullivan Gift Cards our Sunday Schoo provided through Sully Bucks. As Pastor I've had the privilege of helping families who were hungry with these Sullivan Gift Cards. Thank you children of St. John's.The last question we'll be asked before entering heaven may be "When did I see you hungry and give you food? As you have done to the least in my kingdom, you have done this to me," says Jesus.

Thank you to Amy Holland, Heidi Peterson, Tamra Peterson, Kianne & Gabrielle Brown, Karen and Don Goy for your painging skills in the Youth/LSSI Center Offices' area. What an improvement you've made.

A number of people work from time to time to keep our facilities beautiful, but none are ore faithful than Jim Armstrong who nurses our flowers around the buildings! Thanks Jim!

Did anyone notice all the Lutheran who were winning prizes at the recent High School Band Concert in Veterans Park? The Worley family walked away with money and many cakes, the Knottnerness family won a cake as well. Were there others winning as well? Lutherans don't believe in Luck, but we believe we are a blessed people. Way to go!!

July 10 in Earlville, Tamra and I will be walking in the Relay for Life all nighter to raise money for Cancer. We sincerely thank all who have been a part of Tamra's recovery process with food, cards, visits, and most of all prayers. Radiation treatments are going well, and the healing she has experienced revelas a gracious God and loving faith-community.

Northern Illinois Synod Assembly
Report from June 18 & 19

Every June, hundreds of Lutherans from Illinois gather on a spectular campus of Augusta College to do the official business of the synod. Bishop Wollersheim was re-elected for another six year term, and candidates from around the synod were elected to serve on various teams and committees of Northern Illinois. The news from the ELCA was brief but overwhelming as it was announced that Lutherans in our denomination gathered and sen $10.5 million to Haiti relief.

Shirley Pierson, Len Schaller, and alternate Marily Schaller reprensented St. John's with diligent participation through all the meetings and fellowships. Your representatives were also communion assistants on Saturday morning worship.

By the end of the weekend, all proposed resolutions were passed in fine fashon and the synod has a 2011 budget of $2.5 million to perform ministry in northern Illinois.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to the wonderful people of St. John's for your callls, cards, the beautiful rocking chair and for coming to my retirement reception. Special thanks to Pastor Dale, Susan, Rick, Norma, Betty and Barb for planning, setting up and serving at the reception. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as your Church Secretary, and it is with mixed feelings as I begin my retirement. I've made so many wonderful friends and will miss seeing you so often.
With much appreciation,
Joyce

A big thank you to Cyndy Krieser for filling in the gap in the Church Office during the transition. We are glad that Cyndy is our substitute Receptionist!

ST. JOHN'S YOUTH

Junior High

Youth Sunday
In August, please plan on coming to church on Sundaysto help out! Also, there will be a Youth Sunday (youth led) on August 30th, at the park. We will be leading everything so please let Heidi know your talents (music, speaking, reading, etc.) so we can make it a great time of worship! This is open to all students!
Confirmation Camp
Seven confirmation students are headed to a week of learning and fun for Confirmation Camp Elkfhorn, WI. Pastor and Heidi will both be spending a few days fupporting the students as they take part in the awesome week! Pictures to come! Please keep those who are traveling in your prayers.
Raging Waves: July 12th
The 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students will be headed for Illinois' largest water park on Monday, July 12th. The day we are attending is Make-a-Difference Monday so we will get discounted tickets if we bring canned goods for the food pantry. Contact Heidi by July 2nd so she can order our tickets.

High School

Wednesday Lunches
While school is out for the summer, we will meet for lunch on Wednesdays. If you are able, just meet at the church at noon and we will head out for lunch. Come when you can! Once school starts again (so sorry to bring that up) we will be meeting for breakfast Wednesday mornings before school.
Great America: July 21st
All high school students are invited to a day at Great America. We will be spending the day riding roller coasters, or watching the crazy people who ride the roller coasters! Make sure to let Heidi know by July 9th if you are coming so we can order our tickets.
Cook Out and Bonfire
August 6th from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. we will be having a cook out and bonfire at Griff Anderson's house. There will be games, food and tons of fun. Please plan on joining us for the evening. If it rains, meet at the church for a movie and popcorn!

FAMILY FUN

This great event includes dozens of contemporary Christian musicians, plus family-fun events like bugee jumps, a climbing wall, slides and more at Alexian Field in Schaumburg.
The tickets cost $39 for adults/$25 for kids 12 & under. We'd like to get an idea of how many would like to go so we can see about reserving a coach bus from St. John's to Schaumburg.

A big thank you to Cyndy Krieser for filling in the gap in the Church Office during the transition. We are glad that Cyndy is our substitute Receptionist!

For more information, see www.ignitechicago.com.
Please contact Curt Zimmerman right away or the church office.