Friday, February 28, 2020

Anticipating Worship (March 1)


Worship Focus:
Jesus Defeated the Devil for Us.

Prayer of the Day:
Lord our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word, and when we fall,
raise us up again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Readings:
Genesis 2:7-9,15-17,3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon: Genesis 2:7-9,15-17,3:1-7
Ground Zero Isn't a Place



Please join us for Bible Study and Little Lights at 10:00 am Sunday,
Worship at 11:00 am, as we begin the Lenten Season. 
Pastor John Berg will be leading us in worship. 




Saturday, February 22, 2020

Ash Wednesday Service and Meal


Suppers — 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
(Sign up sheet is on the table in the narthex)

Services — 7:00 pm
Ash Wednesday - February 26th
Wednesday Lenten Services, March 4th thru April 1st.

We are looking for members to sponsor a meal. There are still 3 weeks open. If you have any questions, please call the church office. Thank you.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Anticipating Worship (February 23-Transfiguration Sunday)


Worship Focus:
Jesus Appears as the Son of God in Glory!

Readings:
Exodus 24:12,15-18
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, before the suffering and death of your one and only Son, you revealed his glory on the holy mountain. Grant that we who bear his cross on earth may behold by faith the light of his heavenly glory and so be changed into his likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Sermon:     Matthew 17:1-9
"Rise, It's Almost Lent!



Please join us on Sunday at 10:00 am for Bible Study and Little Lights,
and at 11:00 for Worship and Praise. 
We will be singing Farewell to Alleluia as we go into the Lenten Season.
Pastor John Berg will be leading us in worship. 






Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Now available! Crossroads Ministry Planning Diagnostic Report

If you haven't already, pick up your copy of St. John's Diagnostic Report from our Ministry Planning process. Printed copies are available on a table in the church narthex.

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7th for an opportunity to discuss and provide your feedback on the report as we move forward as one body in Christ.

Chili/Soup Potluck & Game Night Reminder!!!





Don't forget Saturday, February 22nd, beginning at 5:00 pm, is the Soup/Chili Supper and Game Night. Bring a board or card game, or just enjoy some social time with friends. If you would like to bring snacks for game-time, that would be great too! Interested in helping with setup? Contact Jim Julian.



Friday, February 14, 2020

Many members, One body

Thanks to all who attended the congregational meeting this past Sunday. It was great to see so many of you there! Here are two more important dates you need to know!


Sunday Feb. 16th, 10:00-10:45AM

This Sunday we begin a 4-5 week Bible study on defining St. John’s “Core values.” This course, for all members, is the foundation on which we will build our mission for the future.
We hope to see you there!


Saturday, Mar. 7th, 9:00AM-1:00PM

All members are encouraged to attend as we close Phase 2 “Analysis” of our Ministry planning process and kick-off Phase 3 “Mission/Vision Setting.” We will start with a discussion on the Phase 2 written report and finish with a Seminar on Ministry and how we apply what we’ve learned.


Now Available!

The written report from Phase 2 “Analysis” is available for all members to read. Printed copies can be found in the narthex. Members are encouraged to take one, read it thoroughly, take notes, highlight areas of interest to you, and pray about it. Our goal on Mar. 7th is to discuss, correct, clarify, and collectively agree on the contents of the report so we can move forward with agreement on where we are at today. The full report is 64 pages of meaningful information so don’t delay!


You may have noticed...

You may have noticed an increase in the amount of organized events for our members lately. God’s word makes it clear we should, as Christians, operate as one body, in Christ:


“In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5

That’s what our strategic planning process is all about. Together, we want to unify around one common mission and vision for advancing God’s Kingdom on the east side. Your involvement, and God’s help, are critical to moving forward together.

Anticipating Worship (February 16)


Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Worship Focus:
The Savior's Sermon: Live a Holy Life!

Prayer of the Day:
Lord God, in mercy, receive the prayers of your people. Grant them the wisdom to know the things
that please you and the grace and power always to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, your
Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Matthew 5:21-37

Sermon:  Matthew 5:21-37
The Impossible Made Possible


Please join us on Sunday at 10:00 am for Bible study and Little Lights,
Worship follows at 11:00 am.
Pastor Percy Damrow leads us in worship. 

Thursday, February 13, 2020

LWMS - Save the Date!

 LWMS St. Croix Circuit will hold it’s annual Spring Rally this year on Saturday, April 18th, with registration beginning at 9:00 am, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, in Minneapolis. Pastor Dan Lindner, from St. John’s, Minneapolis, will be the guest speaker. Parking is limited at Pilgrim, car-pooling is recommended.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Elders Annual Report


Elders Annual Report to the Congregation for 2019
February 9, 2020
“By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” [1 Corinthians 15:2]
Just as the Trustees are charged with maintaining the physical health of the church property, an elder has the responsibility of working with the pastor to see to the spiritual health of the congregation. Just as when a building ages it will suffer from neglect, just so our spiritual condition suffers from neglect. That is why the Apostle Paul includes the words “if you hold firmly to the Word.” That is why the Scriptures encourage us with expressions such as “Remain in my Word” and “Grow in grace.”
When Jesus talked about the Last Days he warned, “Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.” These are the Last Days. As the love for the Word wanes, carelessness and apathy take its place. So Peter warns as he closes his second epistle:
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you do not fall from your own firm position by being led astray through the error of the wicked.  Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 3:17-18]
Sadly, you will see in this annual report’s changes in membership that a large number of people removed from membership continues to be shown. In most cases, the reason for removal is the neglect of the Word and the gradual decline in interest in hearing and learning what God has to say.
This trend continues. Using attendance at the Lord’s Supper as an indicator, we have about fifty members that have attended very few times, most of them not at all in the past year. We have inaugurated the use of attendance booklets, but haven’t developed the habit of registering our attendance each Sunday. Therefore, the information we are getting from them is inaccurate and so, not very useful as yet. You can help by using and encouraging regular use of the attendance booklets found in the pew.
Some that have been contacted to encourage their attendance and participation in the Lord’s Supper have wondered why this is being done. The answer is simple; this is an act of love that imitates that of The Good Shepherd who seeks his sheep and cares for them. It is a duty that the Lord gives to the church. You can share in this loving work by encouraging friends and family members that need it. You can ask for help and resources from your elder if desired.
What about the rest of us? Can we improve in our hunger for the Word? The use of daily devotions such as our WELS Meditations, Bible study – either (or both) that offered here at St. John or individual at home – are being encouraged. Becoming more regular in attendance and the use of the Lord’s Supper, the use of our church library and the like are resources at our disposal, things that we all need to consider to address what is of primary importance in our lives.
With Pastor John Berg serving our vacancy, I have been asked to be responsible for Bible studies. I will do most of the Sunday classes as I am able. A Tuesday night study (6:45) is also now available.
“Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” [Hebrews 10:25]

Friday, February 7, 2020

Anticipating Worship (February 9)


Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Worship Focus:
The Savior's Sermon:  Let Your Light Shine

Readings:
Joshua 24:14-24
1 Peter 2:9-12
Matthew 5:13-20

Prayer of the Day:
Almighty God, you sent your one and only Son as the Word of life for our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Help us to believe what the Scriptures proclaim about him and do the things that are pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.   Amen.

Sermon:   Matthew 5:13-20
Righteousness Is Required

Please join us Sunday for Bible Study and Little Lights at 10:00 am,
and Worship at 11:00 am.
Pastor Berg will be leading us in worship.