S Issue 2 | February 23, 2016 PAID IN FULL · Matt. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Marge Harrison) Matt.

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church stjohnslcmstopeka.org

Into the Wilderness

Save these dates!

Many people have a physical exercise routine, and those who don’t wish they did. We’re reminded over and over again in our culture about the importance of good physical health. What we don’t hear about as much is the need for spiritual exercises that lead to good spiritual health. The Paid in Full campaign has a helpful prescription to that end.

Ultimately this capital campaign is about raising funds to pay down our debt, but the Bible teaches that good stewardship grows out of spiritual renewal. That’s why the first phase of the campaign is all about assessing and addressing our spiritual health.

This newsletter is a part of the campaign “Wilderness Preparation” packet. For the next three Sundays we’re going out into the wilderness, so to speak, just as Jesus did when He began His ministry. The purpose is to take a few quiet moments out of the craziness of modern life and assess where we are in our personal spiritual exercise program and then build up the weak muscles and strengthen the strong ones.

What are your spiritual strengths and weaknesses? Do you attend church regularly? If so, that’s a strength. Does your mind wander when you’re at church? That’s a weakness. Do you own a devotional book? If so, great! Do you use it every day? If not, that’s another weakness worth addressing. The enclosed Spiritual Renewal Pledge Sheet will help you assess these and other spiritual strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s how it works:

v Read through the enclosed one page Spiritual Renewal Pledge sheet and the guidebook.

v Use the three-Sunday Wilderness Period (February 28, March 6, March 13) to assess your current spiritual exercise routine and pray for strength and commitment to increase it.

v Sometime before March 13 check one or more areas of spiritual exercise on the Spiritual Renewal Pledge Sheet that you will re-commit yourself to or that you will increase.

v On March 13 bring your Spiritual Pledge Sheet to church. (There will be copies of the Renewal Sheets available at church that weekend.)

v If you can’t be in church on March 13 please mail your spiritual pledge to church or bring it to the church office.

Sunday, Feb. 14 Kick-Off Sunday

Monday, Feb. 15 Start 100 Days of Prayer

Sunday, Feb. 28 Begin Wilderness Journey

Saturday, March 5 Prayer Vigil

Sunday, March 13 Spiritual Commitment

Sunday

March 20-April 2 Campaign Break

April 3-April 16 Home Gatherings

Sunday, May 1 Pledge Event

Sunday, May 22 Celebration Sunday

Issue 2 | February 23, 2016

Spiritual Renewal PAID IN FULL

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church stjohnlcmstopeka.org

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The Campaign Prayer Vigil: 12 Hours of Prayer

Next month, you’ll be receiving an invitation to attend a Home Gathering, which is a small get-together at the home of another member.

The gatherings are campaign-related, but rest assured, you will NOT be asked to make a financial commitment of any sort.

Instead, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some light refreshments, participate in a short Bible study, and get your first look at the Paid in Full video and the campaign brochure. Nobody will be “put on the spot” about anything.

This is a time for all members of St. John’s to share their ideas for the congregation, to build each other up as fellow members of the church, and to get to know each other a little better in a different setting.

There will be close to 30 home gatherings during the first two weeks of April. The Home Gathering Team, headed by Dave and Leanne Weems, has been busy recruiting hosts, and those hosts will soon be finalizing the guest lists for the gatherings.

Keep an eye out for your invitation, and when it arrives, RSVP with a “Yes!”

What Can I Expect at a Home Gathering?

Make plans now to attend our Prayer Vigil, scheduled for Saturday, March 5, from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We need the hearts, minds, and folded hands of our members as we seek God's mercy and blessings on St. John’s. Please consider joining the vigil for a little or as much time as you can devote to this important event.

The more people we have attending this moving event, the more we’ll be able to cast pleas for mercy before the throne of God in heaven for an effective stewardship campaign. God has told us that He’s like a loving father who wants to hear requests from his beloved children. Bring those requests on March 5!

If you’ve never been to a vigil, don’t worry—there will be a host there to guide you. There will also be suggested prayers provided along with some resources from the hymnal. Everyone will also be provided with prayer requests from fellow members. (One more note: You will not be asked to stand up in front of people and pray out loud.)

Those of you who have been to a vigil before know how meaningful it is, and we hope you’ll join us. If you already know what hours you’ll attend, please sign up ahead of time to encourage your fellow members. You can find a vigil sign-up sheet on the campaign display board in the Courtyard.

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent, or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to him who ask him!

Luke 11:11-13

You Are

Invited April 3-16, 2016

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church stjohnslcmstopeka.org

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Bible Verses: What’s Your Favorite? Thoughts on

Spiritual Renewal

Dennis Hintz Word and Sacrament Team

Leader

What priceless gifts we receive week in and week out from our gracious God as we gather together for worship! Through Word and Sacrament we are nourished in the faith which He alone can give and sustain. Plan now to attend the special Sunday Bible classes being presented February 28 – April 17.

Bev Sparks Prayer Team Leader

Nothing can be more important in our lives than having daily conversations with this Triune God that we worship and serve. My hope for the Prayer Vigil is that all will simply pray. Come to the church if you can, or pray wherever you are. Pray without ceasing.

To prepare for the Spiritual Renewal phase of the campaign, we conducted a random(ish) survey of favorite Bible passages and hymns on Kick-Off Sunday. Results are below. (You can find the hymns on the next page.)

Ps. 26:8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (Ardeth Bean)

Ps. 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Linda Currie)

Ps. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. (Ron Revelle)

Matt. 6:25-34 In brief: Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink… (Jaimi Goetz)

Matt. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Marge Harrison)

Matt. 19:26 With God all things are possible. (Kathy Gehrke)

Matt. 28:20 And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Jodi Fay)

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Neil Firestone)

Rom. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. (Ed Lohmann)

Continued on next page

About the Campaign Logo The Paid in Full logo was designed by St. John’s member Trae Rickford. Trae incorporated several significant elements in the design, all of which work together to convey the message of the campaign.

“First, we know that Jesus paid our debt on the cross, releasing us from the bondage of our sin—Paid in Full. Therefore, the cross being the central piece of the logo is not only logical but important. Supporting the

cross is a shield, representing security and strength. Incorporating the abstract Christ figure in the shield (lower left quadrant) represents both the security and strength we receive from Christ, but also the sacrifice He made. Clearly strength and security are instrumental in both motivating us as a congregation to retire our debt and our ability to live boldly as Christians. Finally, the cross is emblazoned in abstract flames, a call to ignite our spirits as we pursue this campaign and renew ourselves spiritually.”

St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church stjohnslcmstopeka.org

I walk into this building and I am in awe. This is church. God is here in the preaching of Christ crucified, who paid our debt in full.

St. John’s is home. Some of us have seen grandparents buried and grandchildren baptized here. Some have just arrived and are only beginning to appreciate the richness of our heritage. The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful place, this home of ours.

Our legacy at St. John’s is rich, but we’re burdened with debt. That burden weighs us down, limits our options, and keeps us from moving forward.

Paying off the debt will free us to do more of what we do best: teach the faith, preach God’s Word, and advance God’s mission in the capital city and to the far corners of the globe. Together, we can work to keep St. John’s vibrant for generations to come.

Let’s leave the debt behind, so we can move ahead—paid in full!

Campaign Case Statement

Questions? Contact Campaign Coordinator Dave Graversen at 785-354-7132 or [email protected].

John 10:27-28: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. (Bethany Woelmer)

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (Trina Riley)

Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Chris Graversen, Yvonne Berry)

1 Cor. 1:21-31 In brief: For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (Sue Revelle)

Eph. 5:22-33 In brief: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. . . . Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Clay Walters)

Bible Verses (cont. from p. 3) And a Few Favorite Hymns Abide with Me Ed Lohmann; Ruth Scott

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth Bethany Woelmer

Of the Father’s Love Begotten Chris Graversen

A Mighty Fortress Marc Weir

Chief of Sinners though I Be Ryan Weir

Be Still My Soul Jodi Fay

Beautiful Savior Shirley Nolting

God Be with You Till We Meet Again Marge Gehrt

The Tree of Life Allie Gehrke

Lift High the Cross Kathy Gehrke

On Eagles’ Wings Marge Richmond

How Great Thou Art Norma McMullen

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came Gabby Kinnett

Just as I Am Rachel Kinnett

For All the Saints Jim Simpson

O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth Pr. Bruss