Stewardship Serving in Worship The Messengerstorage.cloversites.com/stjohnslutheranchurch2/documents...Saturday, December 26 5:00pm Worship/Communion-Sanctuary Sunday, December 27

5 p.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeter Doris Hobbs

Ushers Betty Stuemke, Mary Lou Wagner

Reader Lesslie MorganAltar Guild Rose LambertCommunion Assistants Lesslie Morgan, Reggie WagnerMusician Sheryl MeyerPreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg8 a.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeters John and Jane Ihnen

Ushers Ralph Anderson, Joe Bushkill, John Ihnen, Loren Johnson

Reader Amy HamannAltar Guild Linda Bryant

Communion Assistants Bonnie Draughan, Lynne Ewan, Amy Hamann, Rose Moser

Acolytes Elinor Simmons, Harry SimmonsPreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg10:30 a.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeters Bob and Anita Walbaum

Ushers BR Bolton, Nichole Bolton, Windle Helmerichs, Susan Hampton

Reader Jean SergentAltar Guild Bob and Bev SchenebrickerCommunion Assistants Marcia Burris, Jan Cazel, Carol Lange,

Cindy Sedam, Jean SergentAcolytes Ethan Whelpley, Megan VanBerkom

Flower Delivery Carole TracyPreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg10:30 a.m. Contemporary Service - Parish Life CenterHospitality Gary, Mindy, and Lily GarnerReader Greg WeickartCommunion Assistants Bruce Cassens, Gary Garner, Mindy Garner,

June Steinwart, Michael TaylorPraise Team Megan Eiter, Lucas O’Neill, Cayleigh Overlin,

Christie Lazarides, Sheryl Meyer, Craig Williams Keyboardist Valerie HunterInstrumentalists Gabe Cowan, Valerie Hunter, Andy Lazarides,

Dave LazaridesTechnical Team Thi Bowden, Aaron Duncan,

Ron EngstromPreaching/Presiding Minister Guest Pastor Tim Hubert

Weekly Bread Baker Elin Wind

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First Weekend of Christmas

BULLETIN INSERT Weekend ofDecember 26 & 27, 2015

The MessengerSt. John’s Lutheran Church

2477 West Washington • Springfield, IL 62702(217) 793.3933 • www.stjohns-springfield.org

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Serving in WorshipStewardship

Outreach and Mission Community Care SurveyThe Community Care Vision Team is charged with identifying caring ministry initiatives for St John’s disciples and thegreater community. After a critical assessment of theinformation provided by the Church Assessment Tool (CAT), the Team has identified six new potential ministry initiatives, each of which is age group specific, for our consideration. We would love to hear your input on these six new ministry initiatives. Please add your voice by completing a brief survey by going online to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3Z3JZ2L The information that you provide will be used and included in the effort to build meaningful relationships based on caring for one another.

December Spiritual Gifts OpportunityA little attention gives a big boost to the students at Harvard Park Elementary School. High school juniors and older can work in the classroom with individual students or small groups, in the library, at special events and with teacher projects. Lunchtime mentors can help with homework or just be a friend. Choose which grade you want to work with, what days/times you want to come and for how long. Contact Coordinator of Spiritual Gifts Ministries Kristen Schmid Schurter to find out more about volunteering at Harvard Park or other service opportunities at 793.3933 x203 or [email protected]

Thank YouThank you to the 156 disciples so far who have turned in completed Time, Talent, and Touch surveys! Your desire to serve is wonderful and we will work hard to be good stewards of your gifts. There is still time to turn in your survey.

Thank You for your Generosity!Thank you to each and every disciple who has already turned in their completed 2016 Financial Pledge Card! We have had a very positive response so far. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! However, it will take all of us working together to be able to afford the calling of a third full-time pastor in 2016. If you have not already done so, please return your completed 2016 Pledge Card as soon as possible. You may place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or drop it by in person! Your generous gift counts!

Gifts for you…God gives all of us unique spiritual gifts to share with others. Do you have a hidden talent for administration, artistry, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, hospitality, intercession, knowledge, leadership, mercy, music, pastoring, service, skilled craft, teaching, wisdom, or writing? This quick survey can give you an idea of how you were created to share God’s love: http://bit.ly/ELCAspiritualgifts.

End-of-the-Year GivingThank you for your faithful and generous end-of-the-year giving to St. John’s! A reminder that all year-end gifts for 2015 need to be received in the church office or post-marked no later than Thursday, December 31. You may direct your year-end gift to the General Operating Fund, the Building Fund, the St. John’s Endowment Fund, one of our many outreach ministries, or any fund of your choosing. Again, thanks in advance!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Christmas greetings to each and every one of you! I pray that as we journey through these 12 days of Christmas the gift of Christ’s coming might fill your heart with peace and joy. As we near the end of 2015, it is good to look back over the past year and give God thanks for all that has been accomplished in and through the name of the Lord Jesus here at St. John’s. Though certainly not an exhaustive list, here is my TOP TEN list of what was accomplished in and through our congregation in 2015.#10 – In mid-July, 23 youth from St. John’s and 4 adults traveled to the ELCA’s National Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan, joining together with over 30,000 other Lutheran youth from around the world for Rise Up!#9 – In late July, the congregation came together to grieve the tragic death of our Lead Custodian, Ken Barnes. Through our tears and grief, we supported one another and supported Ken’s family, rejoicing in Ken’s baptism into Christ earlier in the year.#8 – In 2015, we have received 52 new disciples into the life and ministry of our congre-gation, including 24 through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism!#7 – Our fall stewardship emphasis helped us to grow in our relationships with one another as well as to grow in our generosity in profound ways.#6 – In early fall, we hired Kristen Schmid Schurter as Coordinator of Spiritual Gifts Ministries who is working hard to help connect peoples’ gifts with meaningful ministry opportunities.#5 – We reached out to our neighbors in a most significant way through our weekly Wednesday summer cookouts on the lawn and our new Little Free Library that was built and dedicated.#4 -- In early 2015, we adopted a new vision statement and five specific action steps to guide us into our future that focuses on growing in meaningful relationships with Christ, with one another, and with our community.#3 – The disciples of St. John’s joined together to raise funds, build, and dedicate a new Habitat for Humanity home for St. John’s disciples Sundae and Darviel Johnson.#2 – On February 1, we put into place a new governance and ministry structure includ-ing the transition from a 23-member Congregational Council to a 9-member Leadership Board and the formation of five new Vision Teams in the areas of Community Care, Discipleship, Outreach and Mission, Stewardship, and Worship.And #1 (drumroll, please!) – With the adoption of the 2016 Budget, we began the process toward calling a third full-time pastor, a Pastor of Community Care, sometime in 2016.As you can see, God’s Spirit is alive and at work in this place and for that, I give God thanks. I look forward with hope-filled joy and anticipation to all that God has in store for us in 2016. May everything we do, in both word and deed, be forever done in the name of Jesus. Share the good news

Saturday, December 265:00pm Worship/Communion-SanctuarySunday, December 271st Sunday of Christmas8:00am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary9:15am Fellowship10:30am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary10:30am Contemporary Worship/ Communion-PLCMonday, December 28Church Office and Preschool ClosedTuesday, December 299:00am Staff Meeting10:00am Baptismal Blanket Tie Party7:00pm Global Missions Ministry TeamWednesday, December 305:30pm Encounter Band Practice8:00pm Worship Band PracticeThursday, December 31New Year’s Eve

Friday, January 1New Year’s DayChurch Office and Preschool Closed

Saturday, January 210:00am Worship/Communion-SanctuarySunday, January 3Epiphany of Our Lord8:00am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary9:15am Fellowship10:30am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary10:30am Contemporary Worship/ Communion-PLC6:00pm Parents in Christ Small Group6:00pm Senior High Sweet 16 Dance Party

Eunice Avart, Dorothy Beach, Kathy Beall, Clarence Bomke, Marie Bomke, June Ann Deaner, Marla Fox, Don Gleason, Nathaniel Harney, Bud Herter, Evelyn Kluckman, Mark Lohnes, Betty Lunik, Connie Marzinzik, Judy Nika, Sheldon Nordstrom, Terry Pencek, Gene Poehlman, Debbie Renner, Liz Saner, Pat Sriner, Sandra Stoye, Bill Stuemke, Maude Tatman, JoAnn Thrasher, Mary Underwood

Welcome to St. John’s Lutheran Church this first weekend of Christmas as our hearts continue to be filled with the joy of Christ’s coming among us. We are glad you are here! If you do not yet have a church home in Springfield and are interested in becoming part of St. John’s, we invite you to visit with one of our pastors. In today’s readings we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a savior.

Senior High Youth Group will have Christmas Break from Thursday, December 17- Saturday, January 2. Ashlynne would LOVE to grab a coffee with you, help with your Christmas shopping, pray with or for you, or just chat on the phone! Feel free to call, text, etc! (217) 971.4915.

No Encounter on December 27. Encounter will resume on January 10.

Senior High Sweet 16 Dance PartySunday, January 36:00 p.m. - Dinner at Chili’s on 2891 S. Veterans8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Dance Party in the PLC featuring DJ Diabeatz (Noah Schlosser!) Come wearing New Year’s gear and be ready to DANCE!

Why is Grace So Amazing?Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, January 17 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Adult Meeting Room for the Adult Forum as we start back exploring the question, “Why is Grace So Amazing?” Pastor Greg, Pastor Ladd, and St. John’s disciple Reggie Wagner co-lead this engaging Bible study looking at key texts that help us more fully understand this core teaching of our Lutheran faith.

Men’s Bible Study continues every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. They meet in the Parlor with George Lambert. Please feel welcome. Classes will not be held on December 29 but will resume on January 5 with The Book of Revelation. Craig Koester is Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota where he has taught since 1986. Over six podcasts, Dr. Craig Koester will guide you through the visions of Revelation and emphasize the centrality of God and Christ who hold our future. Some of the images are disturbing and others are

encouraging, but when read together, the visions continue to point us to the God who has created us and the Lamb who redeems us by his blood. When Revelation awakens a renewed sense of faith and hope in its readers, it is having the effect for which it was written.

Women’s Bible Study will not be meeting on December 29. Join us on Tuesday, January 5 at 9:00 a.m. as we begin a study entitled A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. Renee is co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries Radio Show, a popular conference speaker, and a best selling author. In the study, Renee shows us through scripture a closer walk with God as we study His word. Come join us as we experience the journey Renee has walked and as we experience the gift of God’s security, fulfillment, and confidence we all long to experience in our lives. Looking forward to having you join us! Questions? Call Marilyn Witkop at 546.8769.

Knitting and Crocheting Ministries meet every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Life Center Lobby. If you are wanting to learn, they will help you and if you need yarn, they have some for you to use. Call Lynne Ewan at 546.9632 and she will answer any questions you may have. DISHCLOTHS ARE NEEDED AT THE PRESENT TIME!!!!

Stitch & Share Sewing GroupThe Stitch & Share Sewing group enjoyed hearing from Jeanine Zinch, a volunteer and Samaritan for St. John’s Hospital, on Friday, December 11. We gave her 60 colorful pillow cases that will be used to give to the children in the hospital. We will continue to make pillow cases for St. John’s Children’s Hospital. If you have any cotton or flannel fabric you would like to donate please contact Elena Bee, [email protected], or Mary Ann DeFend, [email protected]. The next meeting of the Knitting and Crocheting Ministries and Stitch and Share will be Friday, January 8, at 1:30 p.m.

Dinner Night OutOur next Adult Ministries Dinner Night Out will be at Casa Real at 3100 W. White Oaks on January 19 beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you plan to attend, please call Becky Smith at 494.5523. Travel PresentationOn January 26, St. John’s disciple Ted LaBelle will present highlights from his and Pam’s trip to Austria, Switzerland, and France. It will be held in the Adult Meeting Room. Dessert will be served. Please call Mary Lou Booker if you plan to attend at 546.2422.

The altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Margaret Wieties on the occasion of her birthday by her son and daughter-in-law Larry and Becky Wieties.

Altar Flowers

Welcome

Calendar

Discipleship Adult

Discipleship Youth and Family

Remember in Prayer

GRACE FOODPANTRY500CLUB

DecemberFood Item:

Canned Fruit

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Discipleship Children and FamilyBaptismal Blanket Tie Party!Mark your calendar for this coming Tuesday, December 29. We will meet in the Parish Life Center Lobby at 10:00 a.m. to cut and tie blankets for our Baptismal gift bags. Donations of fleece are also needed. Please bring fabric in a minimum of two yard lengths all of the same color or two coordinating colors. Fabric can be brought to church any time and labelled “Baptismal blankets.” If you have fabric scissors and/or electric scissors, please bring them on December 29. Contact Aimee Johnson or Maressa Busboom if you have any questions. Thank you!

Author Visit: Bullying PresentationSunday, January 10 at 9:15-10:15 a.m. in SanctuaryAll St. John’s adults and children are invited to a presentation by author, principal, and St. John’s disciple, Matt Rhoades. He will share his book “Tough Luck Tim and the Toilet Twister” and discuss themes of bullying, sibling rivalry, and self esteem. There will be time for a question and answer session for adults. Families will also be able to order autographed books for $7.00 each.

Sunday School and Sprout! are on Christmas Break! Sprout! will begin again on Wednesday, January 6. Sunday School will welcome author, principal, and St. John’s disciple Matt Rhoades on Sunday, January 10, in the sanctuary, for a presentation on bullying. Families are invited to join us for this important presentation. Our first Sunday of Sunday School classes will be January 17, 2016.

Key Verse for December“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Key verse magnets are at the Welcome Centers. Please share them with a friend!

Breakfast with Santa PicturesIf you chose to pick up your photos at the Church Office, you may pick them up during regular business hours (8:30-5:00 Tuesday-Thursday). Thank you!

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Stephen Ministry... people caring about people, if you are interested in talking with a Stephen Minister, please contact one of the Pastors at (217) 793.3933.

Discipleship AdultPaint Out Social for Young Adults

Come kick off the new year with some colorful fun! Join us on Friday, January 22 from 6-8 p.m. at Barrel Head for a Paint Out Social with local artist Sarah Dufner. No art experience or artistic ability needed! Sarah will provide the canvas, all paint supplies, and instruction. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a night out. Cost to participants is only $10. Food and beverage will be available to

purchase. RSVP with payment to secure your spot by Sunday, January 17 to Amanda Johnson (309) 241.4860. Hope to see you there!