"Tend and Nurture A Brighter Future"

It's such a privilege and blessing to witness a congregation with the attributes of St. John's:
--Inspiring worship using a variety of gifts
--Prayer-filled, care-filled community
--Gratitude and generosity
--Healthy ministry of children and youth and families
--Sense of mission

My hope, prayer and efforts are to "tend and nurture a brighter future."

A colleague and friend recently completed an interim and their pastoral candidate received a document entitled "Toward a new and bright future.”

This congregation presented this document to communicate that they were on the way and eager for a pastor to join them in the journey. 

My favorite part of the document envisions the following: "We envision a creative, exciting, and compelling worship experience that grows to over 150 in average weekly attendance by 2015. We envision children waking up parents on Sunday morning excited to go to church and Sunday School. We envision smiles and lively discussion as Trinity members and friends join together in fellowship time!"

That's quite a vision; especially the children waking their parents. That’s not far from describing St. John’s.  All of my efforts in this interim is with the hope of doing the same as we "tend and nurture a brighter future."

Gratefully, hopefully and expectantly in Christ,
Pastor Blom

St. John's Church Council - Executive Team
	Front: Melissa Nosalik, Secretary; Carol Dilbeck, Treasurer Back: Ron Rose, Vice President; Brian Eich, President
St. John’s Church Council — 2015
	Front: Alice Fritz, Melissa Nosalik, Karyn Bock, Carol Dilbeck, Lauren Anderson. Back: Ron Rose, Brian Eich, Roberta Wendel, Becky Lowers, Eric Anderson. Not pictured: Tim Munson, Steve Florschuetz

~ Holy Week Schedule ~

St. John’s is continuing its Mission Work Days.

The primary activity of the group is making quilts for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). There are many steps that go into completing a quilt; and not all steps involve actual sewing: Quilt Assemblers - put the three parts of the quilt together and pin the edges for stitching (3 layers = top, filler, bottom); Tiers - “quilt” by making yarn ties on the quilt which secure the three layers together; Sewing Ladies - sew/stitch around the edges to finish the quilt; Cut Ups - cut material into squares for those who sew the quilt tops; Kit Organizers - takes the cut squares and organize the squares into a “kit” which contains enough squares for making one quilt top. There will be two work days in March — March 10th and 24th, from 9am - noon in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you will look over the list of activities noted above and join us for fellowship as we continue to make quilts. Donations of cotton material and sheets are gratefully accepted. Thank you for your support of Mission Work Days at St. John’s. God’s Work, Our Hands.

Sunday Morning Adult Fellowship
and Small Groups

All adults are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday following worship for a time of fellowship and refreshments while our Sunday School students enjoy their opening in the Sanctuary and then move to their classrooms. Two small groups, The Wired Word (Library) and Soul Sisters (Luther Lounge), continue to meet weekly after worship and would welcome anyone who would like to join them. Adults are also welcome in the Intergenerational Confirmation Class.

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesdays

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesdays beginning February 25th for a light supper from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. After supper, the tables will be refreshed so that we may be fed spiritually. Lenten worship begins at 7pm and will include scripture and reflection with a special emphasis on prayer.

“St. John’s All-Star Choir”

“St. John’s All-Star Choir” (made up of choir members, praise band singers and other members and friends of the congregation) will sing on Easter Sunday, April 5th. If you are interested in joining us, we will practice on March 25th and March 31st at 6pm.

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

Children’s Worship
Melissa Nosalik
Educational Ministry
Lauren Anderson
Finance
Carol Dilbeck
Eric Anderson
Food Service
Karyn Bock
Media/Technology
Eric Anderson
Memorial & Remembrance
Becky Lowers
Ministry Enhancement
Eric Anderson
Outreach
Brian Eich
Property
Ron Rose
Brian Eich
Safety & Security
Brian Eich
Scholarship
Alice Fritz
Stewardship
Becky Lowers
Worship
Tim Munson
Youth Huddle
Roberta Wendel

ST. JOHN'S YOUTH NEWS
“Growing Together in our Faith as we Serve Others”

Confirmation Students
Don’t forget that you are responsible for “Stripping The Altar” at the Maundy Thursday worship at 7pm on April 2nd. Plan to wear black clothing. (We will practice during Sunday School on March 29th.),br> Let’s get together on Thursday, April 2nd at 4pm to prepare the eggs for the Easter morning Egg Hunt and enjoy dinner together. We will then attend Maundy Thursday worship together.

Thank You
Thank You to all those who helped make our Fat Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Supper such a success! Whether you donated items, helped decorate the Fellowship Hall, cooked pancakes, served our guests, or assisted with clean-up, your helping hands and servant hearts were very much appreciated! We are very grateful to everyone who came out to support our youth and hope that you enjoyed your meal with us. A special thank you to Brent Bonine and Chris Nosalik for braving the cold to grill the sausage. All proceeds from this supper will support our high school and junior high mission trips as well as many other youth activities.

~ Current 5th through 7th Graders ~
Junior High Mission Trip
Friday, June 5th - Sunday, June 7th
If you are interested in learning more about “Poured Out 2015”, the junior high mission trip to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere planned for this summer, you and a parent are invited to join Maria for a brief informative meeting on Sunday, March 8th at 11:15am in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you’ll join with us and other kids who come from all over the Midwest to serve God and the community!

Mission Trip Youth
Your helping hands are needed for a great service project very close to home! We will head to the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru on Friday, March 6th to help the Dolphin Swim Team set up for the District Swim Meet. Mission Trip participants should plan to meet at church at 5:30pm. We will carpool to Peru, help with set up at the YMCA, and grab a bite to eat together before returning to church. Thank you in advance!

Youth Responsible for
Three Wednesday Lenten Meals
St. John’s Church Council has decided that the freewill offering from the Wednesday Lenten meals will be earmarked for St. John’s junior high and high school mission trips and various other youth activities. As a way to show how much we appreciate this decision, the youth will be responsible for preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the last three Wednesday Lenten meals. The Confirmation Class will be serving soup and sandwiches (including grilled cheese!) on Wednesday, March 11th. There is a sign-up sheet in the confirmation classroom or speak with Maria about how you can help. All youth (5th grade and older) will be responsible for the March 18th and March 25th meals. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the high school classroom, confirmation classroom, and in the youth hallway outside Maria’s office for the items needed. The menus will consist of baked potatoes, chili and hotdogs one week, and spaghetti the other. Thank you in advance to our youth and their families!