AS WE GATHER
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
All three Readings today ring out with the gift of humility. Jeremiah, deeply hurt by those who sought to destroy him, still humbly leaves vengeance to the Lord. James exhorts believers not to think of themselves as wiser than anyone else, especially when the evidence of their lives was full of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. James urges the wise to repent and to exhibit the humility Christ demonstrated by being “peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” When Jesus makes clear that He is on a path that leads to humiliation on the cross, the disciples haughtily argue about who among them is the greatest. By this they demonstrate that they did not understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus then teaches that the greatest thing in life is to be the servant of all. And to show them the simplicity of it, He picks up a child and exhorts them to receive him in humility. We live in a world still ruled much of the time by brashness, boasting, and exulting in lording over others. At times we are tempted to treat others who are not Christians in these sinful ways. Yet these Readings work together to show us another way to live—humbly trusting God.
Live in the peace and love of Christ our Lord.
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – “It’s more important what God thinks of you than what others think of you.” How often have you heard (or said) these words? Yet so often we slip into the habit of living for the approval of others. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to do things for the approval of men. In the same chapter, He assures us that our Father, who sees and knows us inside out, is the One who can and will meet all our needs, including our need to be recognized, valued, and loved. Whew! What a relief! Life begins to look different (and much better!) when seen through the eyes of faith in our loving, gracious, living, and forgiving God. Live in the light of that great love this week! This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
FAITHBUILDERS LESSONS – Today the children will study the Scripture’s account, “Sin Enters the World,” as the devil tempted Adam and Eve into sin. With the fall into sin came God’s punishment of death…but also His promise of a Savior. You might discuss, “How does sin affect us as a family? How does God’s promise of a Savior give us comfort?”
HARVEST DINNER SIGN UP SHEET – This weekend is the last chance to sign up to donate a salad and/or dessert (cookies or bars) for the Youth Group Harvest Dinner that will be held at Grace next Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (more details on the dinner are in a different announcement). A sign up sheet is on the table in the front entry.
PORTALS OF PRAYER (October – December) are available on the tables in the entryways.
IT’S TONIGHT! Don’t miss the Christian Fellowship Society meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the Fireside Room. Topic for the evening is, “What Others are Saying” – focusing on recent religious news items. Did you know that you can now read the entire Bible in an hour? We invite YOU to join us in fellowship for the evening.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
NEW TREASURER – Celeste will be the new treasurer at St. John. Karen has been working with her for about 3 years teaching her all that she knows (it’s quite a bit since Karen is very knowledgeable)! We would like to thank Karen for her dedication and devotion these past years that she has served as our treasurer.
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
THANK YOU to our church family for their many blessings. It has been overwhelming for us! It has been a milestone in our years that God has richly blessed us. Marvin & Laura Bumann
FALL VOLUNTEER WEEKEND at Camp Okoboji is coming up on September 27th - 29th. Join your brothers and sisters for a fun weekend of preparing the camp for winter. The weekend will conclude on Saturday, September 29th with a celebration to honor all volunteers that have helped Camp Okoboji from last September 2017 until now. Please call ahead for reservations and housing (712-337-3325) or email Joy.campokoboji@gmail.com.
GRACE AND ST. JOHN YOUTH HARVEST DINNER on Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Ham and turkey, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, salad buffet, and cookies and bars. Apple pies made by the youth will be auctioned off during the dinner at noon. $10 for adults, $1 x age for 3 to 9 year olds, and free for 2 years and under. Fundraiser for Grace and St. John Youth attending the 2019 LCMS National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. If you would like to contribute a salad or cookies and bars for the Youth Dinner on September 30, there is a sign up sheet in the narthex. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, September 23. For more information, contact Jerry Johnson johnson@bvu.edu
WITH APPRECIATION – Naomi Benna says thank you, thank you to my St. John family for helping me enjoy my 95th party. I’m still smiling and feeling so special remembering all those voices singing Happy Birthday…Thank you!
Schedule for the Week of September 23 - 30
Sun. Sept 23 9:00 am Worship/Rally Sunday
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am Faithbuilders
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Rally Day Hot Dog Feed
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
7:00 pm CFS
Mon. Sept 24 Newsletter Items Due
9:00 am Mission Sewing
Tues. Sept 25 5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Sept 26 4:30 pm Midweek
7:00 pm Choir
8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Fri. Sept 28 9:15 am Fold Newsletters
Sat. Sept 29 6:00 pm Worship
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Sept 30 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Coffee
10:15 am Faithbuilders
10:30 am Bible Class
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Youth Harvest Dinner at Grace
2:00 pm Ethiopians
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
All three Readings today ring out with the gift of humility. Jeremiah, deeply hurt by those who sought to destroy him, still humbly leaves vengeance to the Lord. James exhorts believers not to think of themselves as wiser than anyone else, especially when the evidence of their lives was full of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. James urges the wise to repent and to exhibit the humility Christ demonstrated by being “peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” When Jesus makes clear that He is on a path that leads to humiliation on the cross, the disciples haughtily argue about who among them is the greatest. By this they demonstrate that they did not understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus then teaches that the greatest thing in life is to be the servant of all. And to show them the simplicity of it, He picks up a child and exhorts them to receive him in humility. We live in a world still ruled much of the time by brashness, boasting, and exulting in lording over others. At times we are tempted to treat others who are not Christians in these sinful ways. Yet these Readings work together to show us another way to live—humbly trusting God.
Live in the peace and love of Christ our Lord.
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – “It’s more important what God thinks of you than what others think of you.” How often have you heard (or said) these words? Yet so often we slip into the habit of living for the approval of others. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to do things for the approval of men. In the same chapter, He assures us that our Father, who sees and knows us inside out, is the One who can and will meet all our needs, including our need to be recognized, valued, and loved. Whew! What a relief! Life begins to look different (and much better!) when seen through the eyes of faith in our loving, gracious, living, and forgiving God. Live in the light of that great love this week! This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
FAITHBUILDERS LESSONS – Today the children will study the Scripture’s account, “Sin Enters the World,” as the devil tempted Adam and Eve into sin. With the fall into sin came God’s punishment of death…but also His promise of a Savior. You might discuss, “How does sin affect us as a family? How does God’s promise of a Savior give us comfort?”
HARVEST DINNER SIGN UP SHEET – This weekend is the last chance to sign up to donate a salad and/or dessert (cookies or bars) for the Youth Group Harvest Dinner that will be held at Grace next Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (more details on the dinner are in a different announcement). A sign up sheet is on the table in the front entry.
PORTALS OF PRAYER (October – December) are available on the tables in the entryways.
IT’S TONIGHT! Don’t miss the Christian Fellowship Society meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in the Fireside Room. Topic for the evening is, “What Others are Saying” – focusing on recent religious news items. Did you know that you can now read the entire Bible in an hour? We invite YOU to join us in fellowship for the evening.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
NEW TREASURER – Celeste will be the new treasurer at St. John. Karen has been working with her for about 3 years teaching her all that she knows (it’s quite a bit since Karen is very knowledgeable)! We would like to thank Karen for her dedication and devotion these past years that she has served as our treasurer.
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
THANK YOU to our church family for their many blessings. It has been overwhelming for us! It has been a milestone in our years that God has richly blessed us. Marvin & Laura Bumann
FALL VOLUNTEER WEEKEND at Camp Okoboji is coming up on September 27th - 29th. Join your brothers and sisters for a fun weekend of preparing the camp for winter. The weekend will conclude on Saturday, September 29th with a celebration to honor all volunteers that have helped Camp Okoboji from last September 2017 until now. Please call ahead for reservations and housing (712-337-3325) or email Joy.campokoboji@gmail.com.
GRACE AND ST. JOHN YOUTH HARVEST DINNER on Sunday, September 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Ham and turkey, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, salad buffet, and cookies and bars. Apple pies made by the youth will be auctioned off during the dinner at noon. $10 for adults, $1 x age for 3 to 9 year olds, and free for 2 years and under. Fundraiser for Grace and St. John Youth attending the 2019 LCMS National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. If you would like to contribute a salad or cookies and bars for the Youth Dinner on September 30, there is a sign up sheet in the narthex. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, September 23. For more information, contact Jerry Johnson johnson@bvu.edu
WITH APPRECIATION – Naomi Benna says thank you, thank you to my St. John family for helping me enjoy my 95th party. I’m still smiling and feeling so special remembering all those voices singing Happy Birthday…Thank you!
Schedule for the Week of September 23 - 30
Sun. Sept 23 9:00 am Worship/Rally Sunday
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am Faithbuilders
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Rally Day Hot Dog Feed
2:00 pm Ethiopian Gathering
7:00 pm CFS
Mon. Sept 24 Newsletter Items Due
9:00 am Mission Sewing
Tues. Sept 25 5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Sept 26 4:30 pm Midweek
7:00 pm Choir
8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Fri. Sept 28 9:15 am Fold Newsletters
Sat. Sept 29 6:00 pm Worship
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Sept 30 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Coffee
10:15 am Faithbuilders
10:30 am Bible Class
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Youth Harvest Dinner at Grace
2:00 pm Ethiopians
