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Church News

Church Council Highlights

The following are some highlights from the October 21, 2021 Church Council meeting:

Council reviewed the Building Use/Covid-19 Restrictions. All pews are now open. We ask you to spread out and use the entire sanctuary which includes using the pews at the front.
Our first annual Fall Festival was enjoyed by everyone! Thank you to those who participated in the Chili Cook-off and to those who donated the delicious desserts. A $400.00 donation was given to the Food Pantry along with 160 pounds of non-perishable food items.
We will be the host church for the Mendota Area Ministerial Association’s ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 24th at 7pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
The courtyard events have been well-received by the congregation and will continue in November. We will have a “flagpole Christmas tree-lighting” on Sunday, November 28th at 6pm. The Quilting Ladies will also host a Silent Auction of several beautiful quilts in the north fellowship hall.
Midweek Advent services using the Holden Evening Prayer will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6pm. The first service will take place on December 1st.
Two Christmas Eve worship opportunities are being planned. The 4:30pm service will feature our Praise Band and include our Sunday School youth as well as a live Nativity in the courtyard prior to worship. The 7:30pm service will feature our choir and several soloists. More details will be shared in the December Eagle newsletter.

Finance Report Year To Date thru September 2021:
Budgeted Income $276,467 Actual Income $272,854
Budgeted Expense $290,092 Actual Expense $271,098
Special offering for Hurricane Ida Relief -- $1,650.00

We are grateful for your continued financial support, through your offerings in person, through the mail, and through automatic giving. We are blessed to have such a faithful St. John’s family.

All Saints Sunday
November 7th

Scripture speaks of grief and its heavy toll on those who have suffered loss. More frequently, however, in the New Testament we read about the “joy that comes in the morning”. That Joy comes when we lift our faith to remember the Resurrection and the Victory won by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During worship on November 7th, we will remember in thanksgiving the saints who have gone before us, those who this past year have joined the Church Triumphant. We remember: Patricia Bieser, Tiffany Blake, Gladys Brantner, Salvatore (Frank) Cutrano, Traci Given, Robert Hagemann, Frances (Pat) Hrovat, Carl Kerchner, Marjorie Nance, Dennis Piller, Catherine Radtke, Larry Stamberger, Glenn Truckenbrod, Sherry Volkert.

Commitment Sunday
November 7th

Join us on Sunday, November 7th for “Commitment Sunday.” At this service we will celebrate God’s generosity and indicate how we will generously share our gifts in response to God’s grace. Time, Talent & Giving forms have been mailed to homes. Everyone Confirmation age and older is invited to fill out a Time & Talent form. Please bring your completed forms with you to worship on November 7th. Additional forms are available in the church office.

The office uses these forms to schedule all of our worship volunteers. Even if you are a regular volunteer, please fill out the form so we don’t overlook anyone.

It's Time To Order Poinsettias for Christmas!

It’s that time of year to order Poinsettias to decorate the church during the Christmas Season. The cost is $10.00 and orders must be received in the church office by November 29th. Order forms will be available in worship bulletins soon, or you may contact the church office to place your order.

2022 offering envelopes are available in the
north fellowship hall.

75th + Birthday

Nov. 4   June Pollex
Nov. 6   Charles Betz
Nov. 8   Phyllis Hitchins
Nov. 12   Marilyn Schaller
Nov. 13   Connie Pohl
Nov. 15   Ruth Wedemeyer
Nov. 27   Barb Zinke
Nov. 27   Donna Hasse
Nov. 29   Betty Dufour

Updated Addresses for
our Military Members

Gabrielle Brown has deployed to Kuwait. Mail can be sent to:
SPC Gabrielle Brown
149th MCB
Apo, AE 09366

Kianne (Brown) Jones is stationed in Washington. Mail can be sent to:
Kianne (Brown) Jones
921 115th Street
Apt. 0203 CTE
Tacoma, WA 98445

Haleigh Wendel is stationed in Hawaii. Mail can be sent to:
Haleigh E. Wendel
1175 Oklahoma Dr.
Unit #46
JBPHH, HI 96860

Special Items of Interest:

If you want Pastor Ken to know when you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office. Because of privacy laws, the hospital will not contact us.
For the safety of our precious children, and for the security of our members, guests, volunteers, staff, and church property, notice is given that the premises are video-monitored.
Find us on Facebook! Search for "St. John's Lutheran Church" and join our page. It's an easy way to stay up-to-date on the happenings here at church.
Due to a lack of use and a small number of volunteers, we are not offering a staffed nursery during Sunday morning worship at this time. However, parents with infants or small children are welcome to use the Nursery or the Cry Room (near the Women’s restroom in the narthex) during Sunday services. TV monitors are provided in both locations so you may view the service. Please ask an usher for assistance.

Cemetery Plots are available for purchase. Please see Susan in the church office if you would like more information.

~ Staff Update ~

St. John’s Church Council is pleased to announce that James Younger has been approved to be our new Worship/Music Director. James will be managing everything that has to do with Worship and Music, and he will work closely with Pastor Ken.

Worship Calendar for Choir / Praise Band

Wednesday, Nov. 3rd    6:15pm Choir   7:15pm Praise Band
Sunday, Nov. 7th           Praise Band leads worship

Wednesday, Nov. 10th 6:15pm Choir   7:15pm Praise Band
Sunday, Nov. 14th        Choir leads worship

Wednesday, Nov. 17th 6:15pm Choir 7:15pm Praise Band
Sunday, Nov. 21st         Praise Band leads worship

Wednesday, Nov. 24th NO Rehearsals—Thanksgiving Eve
Sunday, Nov. 28th        Choir leads worship

Quilting News!

We are happy to announce that Council has approved the resumption of Mission Quilt Days. The group will meet monthly on the 4th Tuesday at 9am. Participants will be asked to follow current church guidelines regarding mask wearing and social-distancing.

The Quilting Ladies have replenished the walker bag basket in the Narthex. If you know of someone who would enjoy a bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to take one. They have also been able to assemble some Quilt Top Kits. If you would like to sew at home, the Kits are now available at the Information Booth and the Church office.

If you have cotton fabric or sheets that need a new home, we would be more than happy to be that new home! You can drop them off in the church office during regular hours.

Thank you for your continuing support of our projects for Lutheran World Relief.

St. John's Prayer Chain Ministry

The prayer chain has been very active these last several months and we are grateful for all of you who participate and offer your prayer support to those going through difficult times. If anyone else would like to join the prayer chain, please contact the church office. The prayer chain is conducted primarily through group text messages with a few members receiving information by a phone call.

The Christ In Our Home daily devotional booklets for October, November & December 2021 are available in the narthex and the church office.

We have regular print and large print copies for you to choose from.

Small Group Options for Adults
on Sunday Mornings

We are very excited that our "Soul Sisters" group has resumed meeting during the Sunday School hour! All women of St. John’s are invited to at-tend! Join us for laughs, tears, and everything in between as we reconnect with each other and our love for Christ. "But, I've never been part of a women's bible study group." Just come. "Am I too old for the group?" Just come. See you after the 9am service in the Luther Lounge just off of the Fellowship Hall! (Please wear a mask.)

The Wired Word group will meet around the tables in the north Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday mornings. This group for both men and women is led by Mitch Mays and effectively applies the Bible to stories taken from the head-lines of the day. We hope you will plan to join us!