AS WE GATHER
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
“At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). This nugget from today’s Epistle gets to the heart of the Gospel: Jesus Christ has rescued you from the darkness of sin and made you a child of the light! And when does that take place? “Now,” says Paul! Now that Christ has died, now that Christ is risen, now that His Word has claimed you, you are God’s own. Now be who you are! The light of Christ will shine on you today in this time of hearing His Word and receiving His Sacrament. As darkness scatters, let us come into the light, worshiping our Savior with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Excel in the Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:7)
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…” Remember this repeating line from the children’s book The Little Engine that Could? Yesterday and still today the story lines and themes of popular books, songs, movies, or TV shows give us many opportunities to begin a conversation with a young person and influence their life and faith development. “I think I can…” provides a great opening for sharing how many times “I can’t,” but “All things are possible with God.” One episode of “The Bachelorette” provides plenty of opportunity to talk with your teen about how to choose a spouse and what’s really important in a marriage partner. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to share your faith and God’s good design for life and marriage with those in your family this week! This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
YOUR ATTENDACE IS REQUESTED at the Voters’ Meeting on Sunday (19th) at 11:15 am in the sanctuary.
NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR ITEMS are due on Monday, August 20th. Come join us on Friday morning, August 24th to fold them.
OUT OF THE OFFICE ??? – There’s a chance that Celeste might be out of the office all day or most of the day on Thursday for a meeting at Iowa Central in Ft. Dodge. I don’t know any details about the meeting yet. If I’m able to make up the hours during other days, or if I can return in the afternoon, I will.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
FRIENDSHIP FUND – Thank you to all of you who have donated to the Friendship Fund in the past. It is much appreciated! These funds have been used to help members of our congregation in their time of need. God bless you for your generosity! Currently, the fund is getting low, so any donations at this time would be welcomed. It is my hope that we would be able to continue to help people in this way and may the Holy Spirit continue to bless us all with the means to do this. In His grace, Pastor Lesemann
FLORAL SHORTS ROMPER – Are you missing your favorite outfit? A floral shorts romper was left in the library the weekend of Kristin Matasovsky’s wedding. If it is yours, it is hanging on the coat rack by the elevator in the Assembly Room. If no one claims it by the end of August, it will be put with the items for Orphan Grain Train.
STAMPS FOR MISSIONS – There is an envelope on the LWML section of the bulletin board in the Assembly Room to collect stamps for Missions. Beside the envelope is a note telling the guidelines and what kinds of stamps are acceptable.
IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE JUNIOR YOUTH GATHERING! The junior high youth (6th-8th grade) are invited to attend the IOWA Junior Youth Gathering in Des Moines on October 27-28! The 2018 Gathering is themed “Delivered” and will be held at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Please let Jerry Johnson or Brooke Groat know if you are interested in attending this awesome event and would like to get a REGISTRATION PACKET. Registration is due by September 16, 2018. The 2018 Gathering will focus on Titus 3:5 and Holy Baptism. Contact Jerry Johnson at johnson@bvu.edu, Brooke Groat at mackb1291@gmail.com or your church office for registration forms and/or questions. Adult chaperones are needed too.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Beginning on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, the Fratzke & Jensen, Sliefert, and Mahaney Funeral Homes along with Unity Point Hospice will be sponsoring a 7 week grief support group. The group will meet at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. For more information or to register, contact Fratzke & Jensen (732-1911), Sliefert (732-5010), Mahaney (288-4461), or Unity Point Hospice (749-2741).
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
THANK YOU – Dear fellow members of St. John, thank you all for remembering me on my 90th birthday. I am so blessed! Marge Otto
THANK YOU! On behalf of the staff, congregations and church workers of Iowa District West, I want to say thank you for your financial partnership during the second quarter of 2018. Your gifts, among other things, helped provide for our District convention at which delegates from all 172 congregations gathered to conduct business, worship, and hear how we are serving together in support of Christ’s mission. Thank you for your partnership in that mission! President Steve Turner, Iowa District West
OLD HYMNALS – Here’s an opportunity to find a “good home” for any and all hymnals that you or your church no longer needs; take them to the office at Camp Okoboji! Ellie Menz
TREASURER POSITION – Subject to approval by the congregation at the August 19, 2018 Voters’ meeting, the Elders are seeking applications from St. John members for the Treasurer position at St. John. The position will begin on or about October 5, 2018 and will carry a monthly stipend of $250 (there will be NO benefits for non-employees). Please send a letter of application detailing your qualifications to Harlan Matasovsky by September 9, 2018.
MISSION SEWING – We are now collecting used school backpacks to be filled with school supplies, as well as spiral two subject notebooks, pens, pencils, rules, pencil sharpeners, colored pencils, construction paper, glue sticks… These will be used for Orphan Grain Train for the mission school in Nebraska for delivery now. We are also collecting school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. These need the special string book bags. All school supplies are needed. This is a good time to purchase them, since they will be on sale for back to school time! We are also collecting dark colored bath towels, tooth brushes, 2 soap bars, nail clippers, and large tooth combs – all items should be new and in their original packaging. Many thanks for your help. Marge Manteufel, Mission Service
MICHAEL W. SMITH CONCERT at Arnold’s Park on Sunday August 19 at 3pm. We will be leaving at 2pm on Sunday, August 19 to the concert. We have 20 complimentary tickets to see MICHAEL W. SMITH! Please let us know by July 29 or sooner if you want to go and how many going. Hey parents, we need drivers and we do have tickets for you too. Multi-Platinum artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith continues to live out his dream; he releases new music regularly and performs around the world to sold-out crowds of loyal and inspired fans. During Michael's storied career, he's not only been honored with three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and has sold more than 15 million albums, he's also given back to the global community. To RSVP or have any questions, please contact Jerry at johnson@bvu.edu or Brooke at Macklb1291@gmail.com.
Schedule for the Week of August 19 - 26
Sun. Aug 19 9:00 am Worship w/H.C.
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Voters’ Meeting
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
Mon. Aug 20 Newsletter & Calendar Items Due
9:00 am Mission Sewing
Tues. Aug 21 12:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous
5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Aug 22 8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Fri. Aug 24 9:15 am Fold Newsletters
Sat. Aug. 25 6:00 pm Worship w/Presentation by Gary Thies
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Aug 26 9:00 am Worship w/Presentation by Gary Thies
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:30 am Bible Class
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
Please Come to a Potluck after Bible Class
on Sunday,
August 26th.
Gary Thies, from Mission Central, will be here on Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th so we thought that was as good time for a potluck! There is a sign up sheet on the table in the front entryway. Please bring whatever type of food you would like and enjoy eating with your church friends!
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
“At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). This nugget from today’s Epistle gets to the heart of the Gospel: Jesus Christ has rescued you from the darkness of sin and made you a child of the light! And when does that take place? “Now,” says Paul! Now that Christ has died, now that Christ is risen, now that His Word has claimed you, you are God’s own. Now be who you are! The light of Christ will shine on you today in this time of hearing His Word and receiving His Sacrament. As darkness scatters, let us come into the light, worshiping our Savior with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Excel in the Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:7)
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…” Remember this repeating line from the children’s book The Little Engine that Could? Yesterday and still today the story lines and themes of popular books, songs, movies, or TV shows give us many opportunities to begin a conversation with a young person and influence their life and faith development. “I think I can…” provides a great opening for sharing how many times “I can’t,” but “All things are possible with God.” One episode of “The Bachelorette” provides plenty of opportunity to talk with your teen about how to choose a spouse and what’s really important in a marriage partner. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to share your faith and God’s good design for life and marriage with those in your family this week! This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
YOUR ATTENDACE IS REQUESTED at the Voters’ Meeting on Sunday (19th) at 11:15 am in the sanctuary.
NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR ITEMS are due on Monday, August 20th. Come join us on Friday morning, August 24th to fold them.
OUT OF THE OFFICE ??? – There’s a chance that Celeste might be out of the office all day or most of the day on Thursday for a meeting at Iowa Central in Ft. Dodge. I don’t know any details about the meeting yet. If I’m able to make up the hours during other days, or if I can return in the afternoon, I will.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
FRIENDSHIP FUND – Thank you to all of you who have donated to the Friendship Fund in the past. It is much appreciated! These funds have been used to help members of our congregation in their time of need. God bless you for your generosity! Currently, the fund is getting low, so any donations at this time would be welcomed. It is my hope that we would be able to continue to help people in this way and may the Holy Spirit continue to bless us all with the means to do this. In His grace, Pastor Lesemann
FLORAL SHORTS ROMPER – Are you missing your favorite outfit? A floral shorts romper was left in the library the weekend of Kristin Matasovsky’s wedding. If it is yours, it is hanging on the coat rack by the elevator in the Assembly Room. If no one claims it by the end of August, it will be put with the items for Orphan Grain Train.
STAMPS FOR MISSIONS – There is an envelope on the LWML section of the bulletin board in the Assembly Room to collect stamps for Missions. Beside the envelope is a note telling the guidelines and what kinds of stamps are acceptable.
IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE JUNIOR YOUTH GATHERING! The junior high youth (6th-8th grade) are invited to attend the IOWA Junior Youth Gathering in Des Moines on October 27-28! The 2018 Gathering is themed “Delivered” and will be held at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Please let Jerry Johnson or Brooke Groat know if you are interested in attending this awesome event and would like to get a REGISTRATION PACKET. Registration is due by September 16, 2018. The 2018 Gathering will focus on Titus 3:5 and Holy Baptism. Contact Jerry Johnson at johnson@bvu.edu, Brooke Groat at mackb1291@gmail.com or your church office for registration forms and/or questions. Adult chaperones are needed too.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Beginning on Monday, September 10, 2018 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, the Fratzke & Jensen, Sliefert, and Mahaney Funeral Homes along with Unity Point Hospice will be sponsoring a 7 week grief support group. The group will meet at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. For more information or to register, contact Fratzke & Jensen (732-1911), Sliefert (732-5010), Mahaney (288-4461), or Unity Point Hospice (749-2741).
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
THANK YOU – Dear fellow members of St. John, thank you all for remembering me on my 90th birthday. I am so blessed! Marge Otto
THANK YOU! On behalf of the staff, congregations and church workers of Iowa District West, I want to say thank you for your financial partnership during the second quarter of 2018. Your gifts, among other things, helped provide for our District convention at which delegates from all 172 congregations gathered to conduct business, worship, and hear how we are serving together in support of Christ’s mission. Thank you for your partnership in that mission! President Steve Turner, Iowa District West
OLD HYMNALS – Here’s an opportunity to find a “good home” for any and all hymnals that you or your church no longer needs; take them to the office at Camp Okoboji! Ellie Menz
TREASURER POSITION – Subject to approval by the congregation at the August 19, 2018 Voters’ meeting, the Elders are seeking applications from St. John members for the Treasurer position at St. John. The position will begin on or about October 5, 2018 and will carry a monthly stipend of $250 (there will be NO benefits for non-employees). Please send a letter of application detailing your qualifications to Harlan Matasovsky by September 9, 2018.
MISSION SEWING – We are now collecting used school backpacks to be filled with school supplies, as well as spiral two subject notebooks, pens, pencils, rules, pencil sharpeners, colored pencils, construction paper, glue sticks… These will be used for Orphan Grain Train for the mission school in Nebraska for delivery now. We are also collecting school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. These need the special string book bags. All school supplies are needed. This is a good time to purchase them, since they will be on sale for back to school time! We are also collecting dark colored bath towels, tooth brushes, 2 soap bars, nail clippers, and large tooth combs – all items should be new and in their original packaging. Many thanks for your help. Marge Manteufel, Mission Service
MICHAEL W. SMITH CONCERT at Arnold’s Park on Sunday August 19 at 3pm. We will be leaving at 2pm on Sunday, August 19 to the concert. We have 20 complimentary tickets to see MICHAEL W. SMITH! Please let us know by July 29 or sooner if you want to go and how many going. Hey parents, we need drivers and we do have tickets for you too. Multi-Platinum artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith continues to live out his dream; he releases new music regularly and performs around the world to sold-out crowds of loyal and inspired fans. During Michael's storied career, he's not only been honored with three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, an American Music Award and has sold more than 15 million albums, he's also given back to the global community. To RSVP or have any questions, please contact Jerry at johnson@bvu.edu or Brooke at Macklb1291@gmail.com.
Schedule for the Week of August 19 - 26
Sun. Aug 19 9:00 am Worship w/H.C.
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Voters’ Meeting
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
Mon. Aug 20 Newsletter & Calendar Items Due
9:00 am Mission Sewing
Tues. Aug 21 12:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous
5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Aug 22 8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Fri. Aug 24 9:15 am Fold Newsletters
Sat. Aug. 25 6:00 pm Worship w/Presentation by Gary Thies
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Aug 26 9:00 am Worship w/Presentation by Gary Thies
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:30 am Bible Class
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
Please Come to a Potluck after Bible Class
on Sunday,
August 26th.
Gary Thies, from Mission Central, will be here on Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th so we thought that was as good time for a potluck! There is a sign up sheet on the table in the front entryway. Please bring whatever type of food you would like and enjoy eating with your church friends!
