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Church News

All Saints Sunday -- November 1st

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 1st, we will remember in thanksgiving the saints who have gone before us, those who this past year have joined the Church Triumphant. We remember: James Armstrong, Paul Betz, Tamra Bierbom, Piper Cahill, James Christmann, Steven Dewey, Sheila Duttlinger, Lois Etheridge, John Hartt, Helen Jackson, Carol Kerchner, Gerald Knowlton, Dorothy Ladenburger, Georgia Mathesius, Robert Meinhardt, Stacy Olesen, John Pierson, David Piller, and Dorothy Wieman.

Church Council Highlights

The following are some highlights from the October 15, 2020 Church Council meeting.

It was reported that the Task Force donated $5,000 of their funds to Lutheran Disaster Relief for the wildfires out west.
Council approved opening the Sanctuary for funeral services as long as our current guidelines regarding social distancing and mask wearing are followed.
Confirmation Classes will resume following worship on Sunday, November 1st. All other Sunday School classes remain on hold.
Confirmation Classes will resume following worship on Sunday, November 1st. All other Sunday School classes remain on hold.
Beginning November 1st, we will resume Communion during worship. Disposable, pre-filled units will be used.
The Installation Service for Pastor Ken will be held on Sunday, December 6th.

Finance Report Year To Date thru September 2020:
Budgeted Income $264,500 Actual Income $227,924
Budgeted Expense $273,567 Actual Expense $231,518

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.

A Thank You from
Pastor Maria Bonine

As we settle into our new home in Altamont, we continue to marvel at the abundant ways God has blessed us. Thank you for the beautiful banner gifted in honor of my ordination. (I love the Mendota colors!) I will enjoy telling the story of the people who made and gifted it with love. Your prayers and on-line presence for my ordination service continue to fill my heart with joy. THANK YOU! With God’s help, you raised up and generously supported a new leader for the church. Your faithfulness has been a part of another congregation’s answered prayer. Dearest people of St. John’s, your siblings in Christ at St. Paul’s in Altamont rejoice in the gift of a new beginning with me as their new pastor. May we continue to love and support one another in our prayers! If you are ever in the Southern Illinois area, there is always room for you at the “inn.” (We have guest rooms at the beautiful parsonage.)

In Christian love,
Maria and Brent Bonine

Mailing address-
Rev. Maria and Brent Bonine
2295 E. US HWY 40
Altamont, Illinois 62411

Thank You from
Pastor Steve and Kelley

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the lovely send-off. We got as far as Waynesboro, VA and Steve had to have emergency surgery. Bye bye gallbladder. He’d do anything to get out of going to the beach.

Lots of love, Kelley & Steve

75th + Birthday

Nov. 4   June Pollex
Nov. 6   Charles Betz
Nov. 8   Phyllis Hitchins
Nov. 9   Joyce Hoelzer
Nov. 12   Marilyn Schaller
Nov. 14   Tom Kerns
Nov. 15   Ruth Wedemeyer
Nov. 27   Barb Zinke
Nov. 27   Donna Hasse
Nov. 29   Betty Dufour

Happy (Milestone) Anniversary Wishes!

Nicholas & Lynette Piller
November 27th — 10 years

             ~ Updated Address ~

Haleigh Wendel has completed Navy boot camp and is now undergoing further training toward becoming a Cryptologic Technician (CTR). She would love to hear from you! Her new mailing address is:
          Wendel, Haleigh, E.
          440 Roberts Avenue
          PMB #1939
          Pensacola, FL 32511

Fabric Face Masks are Needed

The supply of fabric face masks that we received from the Yorkville Mask Makers are about depleted. Please contact the church office if you are able to help. Thank you.

Poinsettia Orders for Christmas Eve are due by Tuesday, December 1st.

Please call the church office if you have any questions or to place an order. Thank you!

Special Items of Interest:

Please contact the church office when you or a family member are hospitalized. 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 October, November, and December 2020 are available in the narthex and the church office.

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

Crossroads Counseling Center

We are pleased to be able to provide professional behavioral health counseling services for members of our congregation and for the entire Mendota area through our relationship with Allied Counseling Group of LaSalle.

Thanks to the generosity of St. John’s, the services provided at Crossroads are affordable to everyone. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Appointments can be made by calling the Allied Counseling office at 815-224-4522 and asking for the Mendota site. Ms. Pamela Wolf, LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, serves at our Crossroads Center.