AS WE GATHER
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
In today’s Gospel, Matthew tells us how four of the disciples of the Lord were called. In some ways, Peter and Andrew, James and John were unlikely choices. They were not students of the Scriptures or from the nobility of Jerusalem. But Jesus had plans for them. Immediately they left their nets—and it made all the difference in their lives. Hearing the call of Jesus makes a difference in our lives as well. We, too, may be unlikely choices of our Lord. But He has great plans for each of us as well.
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – Our culture encourages us to see the world and our relationships through a lens of individualism, in which we make decisions based on this question: “How will this affect ME?” How would our world be different if we returned to a faith, family, and community-centered lens, in which decisions are based on this question: “How will my actions affect my children, my spouse, my parents, my congregational family, my community?” This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE (LFL) makes resources available to thousands of Lutheran congregations and parishioners all year long. Through their Word of Hope outreach, they offer love and hope to post-abortive men and women. In 2020, LFL is focusing on the theme “Did God Really Say...?” (based on Genesis 3 and John 6:68). You can read more about that theme on the insert in the bulletin. Feel free to contact LFL at 888-364-LIFE (5433) if you have questions or you would like to make a donation.
A VOTERS’ MEETING will be held this Sunday, January 26th at 11:15 am in the sanctuary.
DARTBALL – Zion will travel here for dart ball on Monday evening at 7:00 pm.
YOUTH GROUP HANGOUTS will begin again on Wednesday, January 29th.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
LUTHERAN WITNESS – It’s almost February and that means subscriptions for the Lutheran Witness are due soon. If you would like to receive it in 2020, the cost is $22.68/year. Just fill out the order form below and turn it in to Celeste along with your money (checks are written to St John; please note “Lutheran Witness” on your memo line).
Please fill out this form and return it to the church office on or before Mon, February 24th.
___ Yes, I want to receive The Lutheran Witness in 2020.
___ No, I do not wish to continue my subscription.
Name ________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
City _________________________ State ______ Zip Code _______________
The cost for a 1 year subscription is $22.68.
Please make checks out to “St. John Lutheran Church.”
POBLO DOOR OFFERING – The total amount collected January 11th & 12th in the door offering for POBLO was $260.00. It will be sent to their home office in Michigan.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to those who helped Renae with snow removal last weekend: Dan Coleman, Loggan Norwood, Dale Phillips, Dave Stille, Dave Magnussen, and Larry Fritz and Kevin Jesse in the parking lot.
CBI – The Storm Lake Circuit Bible Institute will be at Zion Lutheran Church this year on Sunday, February 9th from 1:00 – 5:30 pm. Supper will be provided; a free will donation will be taken. Topics and presenters are Rev. Paul Egger, “Yoga is everywhere! What does God say about it? Is it helpful or harmful?” Rev. Bradley Ketcham, “The Natural Knowledge of God in Christian Confession and Christian Witness.” Rev. Bruce Lesemann, “Christians and Social Media: How Should Christians Use it?”
DELEGATE NEEDED – Each LCMS congregation in the IDW has the privilege of sending one delegate to the Annual Meeting of Camp Okoboji. The Annual Meeting will be held in the Christian Life Center on Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 am. Registration begins at 10:00 am. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm. The meeting normally adjourns by 4:00 pm. If you would like to represent St. John and attend this meeting, please let Celeste know by Sunday, February 16th.
GOT PORK? St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller will on Sunday, February 23rd! That is the day of their 15th annual Pork Chop Dinner. They will be serving from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices and additional information is on a gold colored flyer on the bulletin board.
LADIES’ AID will meet on Wednesday, February 5, at 1:30. Theme of the meeting is “Finding Hidden Talents” based on I Peter 4:10. We invite all women who are interested in their own personal spiritual growth and want to demonstrate Christ’s love to others to attend. Diane Krueger is scheduled to lead devotions, Barb Haynes is the hostess, and Audrey Gutz will present the topic. The roll call is to demonstrate or tell about a hidden talent you have.
ALTAR FLOWERS – There are no altar flowers for the last Sunday in February yet. If you would like to sponsor them, please write your name and reason (if any) on the chart in pen (it’s easier to read). The cost is $21.40 and it is payable to “St. John Ladies Aid.” The money can be turned in to Celeste or to Jan Magnussen.
THE FEBRUARY KAYL BROADCAST still needs a sponsor. If you would like to do this, please sign your name. Your check for $39.90 can be written to the church (write “KAYL” on the memo line). This can be left in the offering plate or given to Celeste.
MEMBER CALLER – Winter is here again! When church services or events are cancelled, you will receive a phone call from Member Caller notifying you. It will be a recorded message from Pastor Lesemann. Three things you should do to ensure that you accurately receive the message: 1) Let Pastor know the phone number where you can be reached so he can add it to the list, 2) add the Member Caller phone number to your list of contacts in your phone (their number is 888-996-3623), and 3) answer the phone when you see this number. Note: after you answer the phone, there may be a delay of a few seconds before you hear Pastor’s message. Just stay on the phone and wait for him to start talking. If you have a land line, you will not be able to add Member Caller’s phone number, however if the weather is questionable, you might want to answer it when it rings – it just might be Pastor!
THE PORN EPIDEMIC is the topic of a 2 day presentation at the Sioux City Convention Center on April 25th (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm) and April 27th (9:00 am – 3:00 pm). Pornography is highly addictive and normalizes violence and aggression. There are two flyers on the bulletin board with more information.
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
NEWLY BAPTIZED – William Joseph Crew was Baptized in a private service on December 31, 2019. His parents, Bill & Amy, and two sisters, Catherine & Elena, are excited that he’s joined their family – and we are excited that he’s joined God’s family through his Baptism!
FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE – The 19th annual Father-Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Storm Lake Elementary School. This event for fathers/father figures and their daughters/granddaughters is sponsored by the Storm Lake Rotary Club. The cost is $25 per family at the door. This price includes a keepsake photo, as well as treats, appetizers, and punch. Music will be provided by R&R Music (Curt & Connie Ries).
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL for January and February for kids ages Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade. Sunday School will begin again on Sunday, March 1, 2020 for that age group. However, older kids (High school age) WILL continue to have Sunday School in February.
MAIN STREET LIVING for February 2nd will feature Rev. Timothy Booth (Faith – Stanton, NE).
Schedule for the Week of January 26 – February 2
Sun. Jan 26 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am H.S. Bible Class
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Voters’ Meeting
Mon. Jan 27 9:00 am Mission Sewing
7:00 pm Dartball
Tues. Jan 28 5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Jan 29 4:30 pm Midweek
7:00 pm Choir
7:00 pm Youth Hangout
8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Sat. Feb 1 6:00 pm Worship w/H.C.
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Feb 2 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am H.S. Bible Class
10:30 am Bible Class
(This section is placed at the beginning of our bulletin to use as a pre-service meditation)
In today’s Gospel, Matthew tells us how four of the disciples of the Lord were called. In some ways, Peter and Andrew, James and John were unlikely choices. They were not students of the Scriptures or from the nobility of Jerusalem. But Jesus had plans for them. Immediately they left their nets—and it made all the difference in their lives. Hearing the call of Jesus makes a difference in our lives as well. We, too, may be unlikely choices of our Lord. But He has great plans for each of us as well.
THIS WEEK’S NOTES
BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES – Our culture encourages us to see the world and our relationships through a lens of individualism, in which we make decisions based on this question: “How will this affect ME?” How would our world be different if we returned to a faith, family, and community-centered lens, in which decisions are based on this question: “How will my actions affect my children, my spouse, my parents, my congregational family, my community?” This is a message from Lutheran Family Service (712) 276-9000; 4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 203 Sioux City, IA 51106.
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE (LFL) makes resources available to thousands of Lutheran congregations and parishioners all year long. Through their Word of Hope outreach, they offer love and hope to post-abortive men and women. In 2020, LFL is focusing on the theme “Did God Really Say...?” (based on Genesis 3 and John 6:68). You can read more about that theme on the insert in the bulletin. Feel free to contact LFL at 888-364-LIFE (5433) if you have questions or you would like to make a donation.
A VOTERS’ MEETING will be held this Sunday, January 26th at 11:15 am in the sanctuary.
DARTBALL – Zion will travel here for dart ball on Monday evening at 7:00 pm.
YOUTH GROUP HANGOUTS will begin again on Wednesday, January 29th.
NEW POINTS TO PONDER
LUTHERAN WITNESS – It’s almost February and that means subscriptions for the Lutheran Witness are due soon. If you would like to receive it in 2020, the cost is $22.68/year. Just fill out the order form below and turn it in to Celeste along with your money (checks are written to St John; please note “Lutheran Witness” on your memo line).
Please fill out this form and return it to the church office on or before Mon, February 24th.
___ Yes, I want to receive The Lutheran Witness in 2020.
___ No, I do not wish to continue my subscription.
Name ________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
City _________________________ State ______ Zip Code _______________
The cost for a 1 year subscription is $22.68.
Please make checks out to “St. John Lutheran Church.”
POBLO DOOR OFFERING – The total amount collected January 11th & 12th in the door offering for POBLO was $260.00. It will be sent to their home office in Michigan.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to those who helped Renae with snow removal last weekend: Dan Coleman, Loggan Norwood, Dale Phillips, Dave Stille, Dave Magnussen, and Larry Fritz and Kevin Jesse in the parking lot.
CBI – The Storm Lake Circuit Bible Institute will be at Zion Lutheran Church this year on Sunday, February 9th from 1:00 – 5:30 pm. Supper will be provided; a free will donation will be taken. Topics and presenters are Rev. Paul Egger, “Yoga is everywhere! What does God say about it? Is it helpful or harmful?” Rev. Bradley Ketcham, “The Natural Knowledge of God in Christian Confession and Christian Witness.” Rev. Bruce Lesemann, “Christians and Social Media: How Should Christians Use it?”
DELEGATE NEEDED – Each LCMS congregation in the IDW has the privilege of sending one delegate to the Annual Meeting of Camp Okoboji. The Annual Meeting will be held in the Christian Life Center on Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 am. Registration begins at 10:00 am. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm. The meeting normally adjourns by 4:00 pm. If you would like to represent St. John and attend this meeting, please let Celeste know by Sunday, February 16th.
GOT PORK? St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller will on Sunday, February 23rd! That is the day of their 15th annual Pork Chop Dinner. They will be serving from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Prices and additional information is on a gold colored flyer on the bulletin board.
LADIES’ AID will meet on Wednesday, February 5, at 1:30. Theme of the meeting is “Finding Hidden Talents” based on I Peter 4:10. We invite all women who are interested in their own personal spiritual growth and want to demonstrate Christ’s love to others to attend. Diane Krueger is scheduled to lead devotions, Barb Haynes is the hostess, and Audrey Gutz will present the topic. The roll call is to demonstrate or tell about a hidden talent you have.
ALTAR FLOWERS – There are no altar flowers for the last Sunday in February yet. If you would like to sponsor them, please write your name and reason (if any) on the chart in pen (it’s easier to read). The cost is $21.40 and it is payable to “St. John Ladies Aid.” The money can be turned in to Celeste or to Jan Magnussen.
THE FEBRUARY KAYL BROADCAST still needs a sponsor. If you would like to do this, please sign your name. Your check for $39.90 can be written to the church (write “KAYL” on the memo line). This can be left in the offering plate or given to Celeste.
MEMBER CALLER – Winter is here again! When church services or events are cancelled, you will receive a phone call from Member Caller notifying you. It will be a recorded message from Pastor Lesemann. Three things you should do to ensure that you accurately receive the message: 1) Let Pastor know the phone number where you can be reached so he can add it to the list, 2) add the Member Caller phone number to your list of contacts in your phone (their number is 888-996-3623), and 3) answer the phone when you see this number. Note: after you answer the phone, there may be a delay of a few seconds before you hear Pastor’s message. Just stay on the phone and wait for him to start talking. If you have a land line, you will not be able to add Member Caller’s phone number, however if the weather is questionable, you might want to answer it when it rings – it just might be Pastor!
THE PORN EPIDEMIC is the topic of a 2 day presentation at the Sioux City Convention Center on April 25th (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm) and April 27th (9:00 am – 3:00 pm). Pornography is highly addictive and normalizes violence and aggression. There are two flyers on the bulletin board with more information.
PREVIOUS POINTS OF INTEREST
NEWLY BAPTIZED – William Joseph Crew was Baptized in a private service on December 31, 2019. His parents, Bill & Amy, and two sisters, Catherine & Elena, are excited that he’s joined their family – and we are excited that he’s joined God’s family through his Baptism!
FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE – The 19th annual Father-Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Storm Lake Elementary School. This event for fathers/father figures and their daughters/granddaughters is sponsored by the Storm Lake Rotary Club. The cost is $25 per family at the door. This price includes a keepsake photo, as well as treats, appetizers, and punch. Music will be provided by R&R Music (Curt & Connie Ries).
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL for January and February for kids ages Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade. Sunday School will begin again on Sunday, March 1, 2020 for that age group. However, older kids (High school age) WILL continue to have Sunday School in February.
MAIN STREET LIVING for February 2nd will feature Rev. Timothy Booth (Faith – Stanton, NE).
Schedule for the Week of January 26 – February 2
Sun. Jan 26 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am H.S. Bible Class
10:30 am Bible Class
11:15 am Voters’ Meeting
Mon. Jan 27 9:00 am Mission Sewing
7:00 pm Dartball
Tues. Jan 28 5:00 pm Overeaters Anonymous
Wed. Jan 29 4:30 pm Midweek
7:00 pm Choir
7:00 pm Youth Hangout
8:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Sat. Feb 1 6:00 pm Worship w/H.C.
8:00 pm AA/Al-Anon
Sun. Feb 2 9:00 am Worship
10:00 am Sunday Morning Coffee
10:15 am H.S. Bible Class
10:30 am Bible Class
