November 2005 Newsletter
Lutheran Laymen’s League
Lutheran Laymen’s League will meet at St. John on November 11 at 6:30 PM. Neal Mueller of Medford will talk about his adult service event in Alaska. Neal has a logging and trucking business in Medford. The menu will be turkey. For more information and to make reservations call Duane Steinke at 423-2716. The cost is $6.00 and the reservation deadline is November 6.
Deer Hunters’ Service
Our Deer Hunters’ Service will be on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 PM. This service will be the same as the weekend service.
Thanksgiving Worship Service
Our Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held on Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30 PM. Pumpkin Pie will be served afterwards by the Ladies Aid and Evening Guild.
Advent Services
Advent Services will begin on Wednesday, November 30 at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM.
Thank You
The New Wave Youth Group would like to thank all parents, members and friends for the donation of pop cans and for the support and help at the recent Brat Fry fundraisers. Thanks again!
Human Care Ministry Board
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Hurricane Katrina relief effort. We collected $648.00 to be sent to the Salvation Army.
The Human Care Ministry Board is once again arranging for St. John’s to sponsor a family for Christmas. More information will follow as soon as the details have been worked out. Thank you.
Concordia Self Study Bibles
If you would like to purchase a Concordia Self-Study Bible, our congregation has a limited number of copies available for sale. The cost is $45.00 per copy. Please see Pastor or contact the church office if interested in purchasing a copy.
Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study
“Experiencing God’s Presence” is the topic for the Bible study at the home of Marg Bratcher, 10051 Deer Road. Each study will lead you to a greater appreciation of the power of God’s word. If you would like to join with other women of our congregation in friendship, prayer, joy, and faith please call Marg at 421-5474 for more information.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study
A Bible Study entitled “A Time to Laugh…or Cry” is being held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM at the home of Doug and Karen Ross, 8520 Lake Road. This study is an overview of the Old Testament. Contact Doug Ross at 421-2970 for more information.
Mark Your Calendars
An important upcoming date to put on your calendar:
The Children’s Christmas Worship Service will be Sunday, December 18 at 2:00 PM.
Cookie/Candy Walk-Saturday, December 3 at 9 AM
What is a cookie walk? How do we get involved? Why should we get involved?
All families of St. John are asked to bring 2 to 4 dozen (or more if you would like), of your favorite Holiday Cookies or Candy to the church by Friday, December 2. On Saturday morning the Holiday Cookies & Candy will be sold "By-the-Pound." Holiday Cookies and Candies can be purchased individually, or by two's or three's or whatever...1/2 dozen, whole dozen or an assortment! Cookies and Candies will also be sold in attractively packaged Holiday Gift Boxes and Trays, ideal for your Holiday Parties and as Gifts! The sale will be open to the congregation as well as to the surrounding community. The price will be $5.00 per pound.
In past years the Cookie/Candy Walk was a huge success! Everyone who participated last year is eager to purchase cookies and candy again this year. A good turn out of the finest cookies and candies in the area is expected from all the fine cooks, candy makers and chefs in our congregation!
It's time to look over your favorite Holiday Cookie & Candy recipes and make a few dozen extra to help make this the "Sweetest" event of the year! Share your baking and candy making talents!
Remember to have your Holiday Cookies & Candy to the church by Friday, December 2, and the Sale will be on Saturday, December 3, at 9 AM.
For more information contact Judy Shepard, 423-2071, Deb Sandberg, 424-2432, Becky Snodgrass, 423-2678, Toni Hamann, 325-3033, or Laurel Zager, 421-5674
Volunteers Needed
The Aging Resource Center of Wood County operates 5 senior dining sites in the Wis. Rapids area. Meals are served at the sites, and they also provide home delivered meals for over 100 individuals. Volunteers are needed to assist with these programs. Would you consider donating an hour of your time each week or even once a month. If interested, volunteer applications may be picked up in the church office. Questions can be directed to Judy Steinke at 421-8900.
Shut Ins
John Eberhardt---Home
Millie Eberhardt---Home
Alma Gussel---Family Heritage
Florence Helke---Home
Irv & Elsie Hendricksen---Home
Arnold Moser---Home
Ardes Stanton---Home
Irene Huff---Riverview Manor
Eva Helke---Riverview Manor
Lydia Witman---King
If others are missing on this list please let the office know.
St. Luke’s Thanksgiving Dinner
St. Luke’s will be serving a Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner to anyone who may be alone on this day and/or is unable to prepare the traditional meal for themselves. Serving will be on Thursday, November 24 th, from 12-1:30 PM in the fellowship hall. Home deliveries or transportation to St. Luke’s will be available. There is no charge for the dinner as funding is supplemented by Thrivent Financial and through other donations. Reservations are requested and will be taken starting November 14 th. Please call the following to make your reservation: Weekdays 9am – 4pm 423-5990.
Five Points For the Growing Christian
Read Daily Your Bible, if you would be strong
To witness for Jesus and overcome wrong;
“I’m busy,” you say, as you lay it aside
But when you neglect it you’ll surely backslide.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2
Keep Looking To Jesus, He never can fail
And walk in His footsteps in every detail;
The world’s bright attractions will fade from sight
When you look to Jesus, your Saviour and Light.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him. Colossians 3:17
Pray Without Ceasing, you can count on Him
Who cleanses and keeps you a victor o’er sin;
There’s nothing so great that our God cannot do,
And nothing so small that He won’t do for you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Luke 11:9
Confess Him To Others, be bold for your King
To those who are living in darkness and sin;
What help can you better to all recommend,
Than this blessed Jesus-the needy one’s Friend?
Whoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
Do Something For Jesus, He did all for you,
Your joy is complete when His will you do;
So seeking to please Him through each new day
His presence shall gladden each step of your way.
But be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1:22
November 2005 Stewardship Newsletter Article
"Maturing stewards do the right things for the right reasons and strive for excellence in all they do."
On November 24 our nation will once again observe a national day of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day was first celebrated in early Colonial times in New England. After the first harvest was completed by Plymouth colonists in 1621, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by all the colonists and neighboring Native Americans. Little by little the other colonies picked up on the concept and observed a day of thanksgiving, but the dates differed.
In 1863 President Lincoln issued a White House proclamation calling on the "whole American people" wherever they lived to unite "with one heart and one voice" in observing a special day of thanksgiving. Setting apart the last Thursday of November for this purpose, President Lincoln urged prayers in the churches and in the homes to "implore the interposition of the Almighty to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it to full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and union." He also urged all Americans to express heartfelt thanks for the "blessing of fruitful fields and healthful skies."
Of course we Christians know that many Americans observe Thanksgiving Day as a day off from work, a time to watch the Macy's parade on television, or to enjoy a festive day of food, football, and fellowship. We Christians take Thanksgiving Day more seriously and join in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther when he penned his words of explanation to the petition "Give us this day our daily bread." He explained it this way: "God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving."
Maturing stewards are people who recognize God as the rightful Owner of all things as well as the One who sustains and preserves the earth, air and seas and all that fills them. In the First Article of the Apostle' Creed we boldly confess that God has made us and all creatures and has given us all the gifts we enjoy, purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in us. And we conclude with Luther that it is or Christian duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him!
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest and let these gifts to us be blessed, and may there be a goodly share on every table everywhere, and may we help to put it there. That's a fitting prayer for a maturing Christian steward. Happy Thanksgiving!
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