Church News

Church Council Highlights

The following are some highlights from the April 8, 2021 Church Council meeting:
  • Council reviewed the Building Use/Covid-19 Restrictions update and did not make any changes at this time.    Guidelines will be reviewed by Council monthly and updated as needed.
  • Council approved an in-person “All Teams Meeting” on Thursday, May 13th at 7pm so that Pastor Ken can meet all of the Teams and their members.
  • New Members will be received during worship on Sunday, May 2nd. 
  • Council approved discontinuing the use of Zoom for worship.
  • Council approved using alternating worship styles on Sundays throughout the summer months.
  • The Executive Team reported that all staff reviews have been completed.

Finance Report Year To Date thru March 2021:
Budgeted Income $92,166       Actual Income $97,701
Budgeted Expense $96,741     Actual Expense $95,659

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.

New Member Information

Please update your directory to include the following new members of St. John’s congregation:

Pastor Ken & Yvonne Gibson, 610 10th Avenue, Mendota, IL 61342

Veronica (Ronnie), Connor, Paul & Robert Bailey, 509 Plaza Drive, Apt. 203, Mendota, IL 61342

Linda Buettner, 1902 Diana Drive, Mendota, IL 61342

Cheryl Christiansen, 826 N. Vernon Street, Apt. 1, Princeton, IL 61356

Internship Update

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We are entering into a teaching relationship with Wartburg Theological Seminary.  We had hoped for an intern for this year, but it seems the candidate that WTS had in mind for us is unable to go on internship at this point.  What this means for us at St. John’s is that we will start as an internship teaching congregation after the first of the year in 2022.  This will be an exciting opportunity for all of us as we enter into this partnership.  Watch for future updates as we head into the start of next year.

St. John's Prayer Chain Ministry

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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.

75th + Birthday

May 2      Barb Anderson
May 5      Dotti Scholz
May 7      Kenneth Betz
May 9      Ruth Delhotal
May 25    Otto Meyer

Happy 50+ Anniversary!

Jon & Joyce Dinges
May 29th -- 62 years
                      St. John's
  Military Members Addresses

SPC Gabrielle Brown
419th MCB
Apo, AE 09366

Haleigh Wendel
(has a new address which we will share here as soon as we get it)

Fabric Face Masks Donated

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We say “Thank You!” to Myrintha Morton for generously making and donating 30 fabric face masks for us to have available for any of our members who might need one.  Throughout this covid-19 crisis, she has made over 300 face masks!  What a great outreach to our community!  If anyone else would like to donate fabric face masks, you are welcome to bring them to the church office.

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.
The Christ In Our Home daily devotional booklets for April, May and June 2021 are available in the narthex and the church office. 
 
We have regular print and large print copies for you to choose from.

Quilting News!

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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 are thinking of doing any Spring cleaning and 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.