Backpack Blessing August 17
Outdoor Worship at Veterans' Park
It has become a tradition at the annual August Outdoor worship service to bless the backpacks our children will wear and carry to school. We gather in Veterans Park on Sunday, August 17 at 9:00 with the Praise Band and singers leading us in a community worship. Remember to bring backpacks, guests...plus a lawn chair!
ADULTS - LOOKING BACK TO JULY 12 WORSHIP
Saturday, July 12, ten Diakonia students graduated in a worship celebration in our sanctuary. Bishop Wollersheim presided and preached as these men and women concluded their two years of in-depth studies of Scripture, the Church and service. Diakonia students were from Waukegan, Huntley, Moline, Rockford, Durand, and Belvidere. They gathered every two months to gain classroom knowledge and reading assignments to finish their classes with a nearly Seminarian background to go into congregations to serve more effectively. If you are interested in the program, call Doug Liston at 815-385-2700 for the next registration.
RETIREES - LOOKING AHEAD TO SEPTEMBER
Monday, September 15 at 10:30, all the retired members and friends of St. John's are invited to a Refinement gathering. Instead of "Retirement" we want to think about "Refinement" ministry. A special program of local interest is being planned along with a Pot-Luck luncheon in which everyone brings something to be shared with others. Mark your calendar now and save Monday, September 15 for a lunch here in the Parish Hall.
FOR CONFIRMED WOMEN WHO CARE
Will you help me update the WELCA (Women of the ELCA) in this anniversary year? I met with the serving Board of WELCA on Wedneday, July 16 and learned that a 150 year tradition could be lost and gone forever unless we act soon. I was also inspired by the attitude these ladies had about renewal of the organization to meet the changing lifestyle of today's busy women.
What ministries would we lose if WELCA doesn't exist?
1. Hundreds of School supplies distributed annually to our WELCA World Relief Agency.
2. Thousands of dollars that is channeled to ELCA Disaster Relief Fund for flood, tornado, and hurricane victims throughout the U.S.A.
3. Quilts given to refugees in third world nations (3,000 made by our WELCA members).
4. Women's Circles' monthly bible studies/fellowships/care-projects.
5. Fellowship among Christian Women in a time of American history when Chrisian fellowsip is vital to survival. Where else can a believer gain insight and support for raising Christian children, having a strong, faithful marriage, surviving the grief that comes from aging?
6. Support of the national level of WELCA where our synergy in caring for women's issues has international impact.
7. Countless changed lives of women in this parish who heard the Gospel of Christ in Circle bible studies and in supportive conversations among new and long time friends met in the church.
8. Funds donated to our youth Lutherdale campers, church campership fund and Good Samaritan Fund.
I've asked this competent Board of WELCA to provide a gathering of all the women of oour congregation to discuss how we can provide a viable ministry to our women in the 21st century. Despite all the flurry of fun activities surrounding our 150th Anniversary, I can't think of a more significant or urgent need in our church than to find the vehicle that will transport this historic tradition of St. John's on into the future. We have a wonderful reputation for what WELCA in Mendota has accomplished, and now we have an opportunity to refine and define how we continue this powerful agency approprately.
Ladies, will you join me at the gathering the Board will soon announce? Soccer moms and schol class room sponsors are important and demanding functions for many of our women. But WELCA "gives" rather than "demands" - it give Christian women the fuel and support to live faithfully all those duties of a believer - wife, mother, daughter, worker, friend, and to find strength for the inner women to grow in healthy ways! Join the conversation please, when the WELCA Board invites all the women of the church to dialogue about women's needs and ministry!
Have you seen the College students in worship or helping in the office this summer? Some have been readers/assisting ministers/greeters, etc. while others have given time and talents to complete office work. The reason for their efforts is to say "Thank you" for the scholarships St.John's provide them for their education pursuits. This financial ministry comes from generous previous generations who established scholarship funds that outlive their own lifetimes. Their ministry lives on in these young, grateful Christians. Please remember scholarhsip funds when you do your estate planning or when you have been specially blessed!
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