VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

This summer's VBS will take place on the mornings of August 2 - 6 (Monday through Friday). Learning experiences will be offered for Pre-school children through those who have just completed the Sixth Grade. We will be using Re-New: The Green VBS, which is an environmentally focused VBS program that inspires kids to grow in faith, have fun, and change the world as they practice the stewardship of creation!

Grounded in the Parable of the Sower, the program empowers kids through hope, opportunity, and service. The daily themes are:

1 - Planting Seeds: God's love is a seed in me.

2 - Taking Root: God's love takes root in me.

3 - Growing: God's love is growing in me.

4 - Facing Challenges: The love of Jesus helps me face challenges.

5 - Living Together: We live together in God's love.

Each day, through a variety of activities, participants will explore the themes from the perspective of self, community, and world. Snacks, games, and opening and sending worship also will be part of the experience.

Registration forms are included in this newsletter and additional forms are available in the narthex or may be obtained by phoning the church office.

During the month of July we will be receiving special offerings to support the VBS program. Please place your offering in one of the envelopes available on the narthex table and drop it into the offering plate on Sunday morning, or mail your contribution to St. John's Lutheran Church, PO Box 2, Saint Johns, PA, 18247.

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE

DDZ will be "on hiatus" through the summer. We thank all who served as teachers in the 2009-2010 term and all who participated as learners. Above all, we thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst each Sunday as we gather to learn, share in faith fellowship, and grow as disciples of the Lord.

Our Learning Ministry Team is already working on plans for the next DDZ term, which will begin in September. Watch future newsletters for more information.

HELP NEEDED WITH WORSHIP TASKS

Our Worship & Music Team always welcomes offers of service in the various "serving our fellowship" roles listed on the back of the worship folder each Sunday. Currently, we especially need additional persons to serve on the Altar Guild. "Pre-service" tasks include folding bulletins, posting hymn numbers on hymn boards, polishing offering plates, and changing paraments if needed. "Communion set-up, etc." tasks include setting out Communion ware and elements in the appropriate places and washing glasses following the service. Instruction will be provided for anyone willing to serve in either of these roles. If you sense a calling to serve the Lord and the congregation in this way, please speak let Sister Janet, Arlene Poltrock, or any member of the W&M Team know.

LCW NEWS

At this time our St. John's Knot-a-Quilters are meeting most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and what a terrific turnout there has been! In just a few weeks over 40 quilts have been made and sent to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) for distribution to disaster victims in Haiti and other areas of dire need around the world. About 124 health kits have been assembled and sent also. Forty school kits are in the process of completion for displaced school children of Haiti. Praise be to God for his blessings on these ministries. Thanks be to God for the willing hearts and hands answering his call, "Tend my sheep."

Have you been shopping at local Shursave Markets (Gould's and Carone's) and buying Shurfine or Western Family products? If you have registered your gold card number with other St. John's supporters, you have helped LCW accumulate $186.93 in Shursave Community Rewards. Each product you buy brings 3 cents to our LCW treasury to help fund our outreach projects. Thank you to all who have helped by shopping at Shursave stores, buying Shurfine or Western Family products and using your gold card registered with the program for the benefit of St. John's. Below is a form to clip and fill out if you are interested in joining participating members, their families and friends. Give the form to any LCW member. Remember that if you shop in any Shursave market anywhere and are registered with the rewards program through LCW for the benefit of St. John's Lutheran Church, our church will receive 3 cents for every Shurfine or Western Family product you or your registered family or friends buy.

Our LCW thanks everyone who supports these outreach ministries of St. John's. We marvel at how you, the members, always come through for all that is asked of you. God bless you.

Your LCW

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE
Meaningful, faith-encouraging learning experiences are provided for toddlers through adults each Sunday at 8:45 am. Meeting on the first floor of the education wing, toddlers through Grade 6 engage in monthly Bible themes as well-prepared, devoted teachers guide them through lessons and fun activities. Through searching the Holy Scriptures, discussion and activities our youth class (meeting in the second floor) is learning how the Christian faith lends meaning and encouragement to their lives and impacts their choices. Our adult class meets in Luther Hall to consider a wide range of spiritual and life issues in the light of the Holy Scriptures and our faith in the Triune God. Any time is a good time to begin participating in DDZ, so please join us now as we seek to grow in faith and discipleship of the Lord.

BREAD FOR THE WORLD
"Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. God's grace in Jesus Christ moves us to help our neighbors, whether they live in the next house, the next state, or the next continent. By changing policies and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live."

To learn more and to find assistance in getting involved, visit the website www.bread.org. Among the helps you will find are: the names of your senators and representative in Congress and how to contact them, up-to-date information about hunger legislation in Congress, and incisive facts about hunger and poverty in the United States, as well as in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

FELLOWSHIP/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Knot-a-Quilt for LWR

Participants meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Luther Hall to construct knotted quilts which are sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to persons all over the world who are in crisis situations. For more information, please speak with Lorraine Klinger.

Lutheran Church Women

LCW meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in Luther Hall for spiritual refreshment, fellowship, and planning for service and outreach efforts. For more information, speak with Mary Ellen Sims.

Worship in Butler Valley Manor

Participants gather in the activities room in Butler Valley Manor by 2:45 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month to support the worship service which normally is led by Sister Janet. All you need is a smiling face, a loving heart, a warm handshake, and a willingness to sing with the group.

Valley Food Pantry

Valley Food Pantry serves the needs of our neighbors by providing food and other necessary consumable household items. Please join in this fellowship of service by regularly donating non-perishable food, cleaning products, toiletries, or household paper products. Your contributions can be placed in the "food pantry" basket in our narthex. Monetary contributions also are welcomed.

Items for “On Wings Like Eagles” may be given to the church secretary or placed in the envelope by the church office.

Please turn in articles by the second Thursday of the month to assure being included in the next month's newsletter!