RUMMAGE SALE
Thank you to everyone who has been patiently gathering and saving items for our rummage sale. It will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. You may bring the items to Luther Hall at anytime that the church is open after the Nov. 1st sausage supper until Friday, Nov. 14. Make sure items are clean and in good condition. Help is needed for set up and during the sale. Call Mary Ellen Sims, 788-2866, for further information.

SOCIAL FELLOWSHIP
Fred & Marian Jaxheimer are hosting a wine and cheese party at their home at: 156 Lakeview Trail in Sugarloaf. It will be on Saturday, November 15, at 6 pm. Please bring bread or crackers, and an interesting cheese to share. Fred & Marian will be providing their great wine! A sign up sheet will be in the narthex soon. Any questions, please call: Laurie King - 401-6744 or the Jaxheimers - 788-6098.

ADVENT FELLOWSHIP AND WORKSHOP
"Stirring Up Advent Together" is the theme of the Advent fellowship being planned by our Learning Ministry Team for the First Sunday in Advent, November 30, immediately following the 10 a.m. Worship service. The goal is to grow deeper into the spiritual richness of the Advent season and prepare for a faith-filled celebration of Christmas. All members and friends of St. John's are invited to participate.

We will gather in Luther Hall at the close of the Worship service and begin with a potluck luncheon. Beverages will be provided. Bring along a favorite dish to share. Following the meal there will be a brief time of reflection on the meaning of Advent and the use of the Advent wreath. Then, each household will have opportunity to create an Advent wreath (with natural greens) to take home and use during this season of reflection and preparation. Participating households will receive a booklet of devotions to use with their Advent wreath. The whole event will last approximately 2 to 2 ˝ hours.

So that we can prepare adequately for this occasion, please indicate your intention to join us by signing the sheet available in the narthex or phoning the church office to let us know you will attend. The deadline to sign up is November 23rd. (The cost of materials for each wreath is approximately $5. If you wish to contribute that amount at the workshop it will be gratefully received, but a contribution is NOT required.) Please join us for this time of Christian fellowship and enjoyment in the Spirit as we "stir up Advent together"!

CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
Our LCW is planning a Christmas party to be held at the Stage Coach Inn on Sunday, December 7th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. All members and friends of St. John's are invited. The cost is $16 per person. Please make your reservation by giving your payment to Marian Jaxheimer no later than November 30.

ADVENT GIVING
The season of Advent is fast approaching. In fact, it begins on November 30th. Advent (the word means "coming") is a time in which we focus our attention on the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We look forward to his coming at the end of the ages to bring God's kingdom to fulfillment. And, we ready our hearts to receive him hospitably as he comes to us day by day - in the Holy Scriptures, in the love we receive from others, in prayer, and in the faces of our neighbors near and far who need our help.

In this Advent season St. John's will continue the tradition of sharing our material blessings with those in need. In the Worship services, we again will bring our regular offerings forward at the appointed time, along with gifts for that Sunday's designated recipients. Please note that all gifts should be NEW. The schedule of our Advent giving is:

November 30 - Gifts for residents of Saint Luke Village - Items should be wrapped and labeled as to contents. Only the following items can be given to the residents: tissues, body wash, lotion, deodorant, perfume, aftershave, jewelry, men's white and dark socks, women's white anklets and socks. You also may give cash which will be used by staff to purchase gifts for residents.

December 7 - Toys for children at Head Start - These items should NOT be wrapped. Please consider safety and appropriateness when choosing the toy.

December 14 - Hats, scarves, and mittens to be distributed by Salvation Army to needy children and youth - These need not be wrapped. Cash donations also will be appreciated.

December 21 - Cash for the purchase of items for Health Kits - Some of our LCW participants will purchase the necessary items, assemble the kits, and ship them to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to victims of disaster and poverty all over the world.

This Advent, as economic concerns are pressing harder on many, let us join together in the love of Christ to share God's gifts with others and thus proclaim that "the kingdom of God has come near."

CHRISTMAS TREASURES
The children of St. John's are sending out an open invitation to their families and the congregation, inviting all of you to their Christmas play titled "Christmas Treasures" which will be presented during the Sunday service on December 28th.

The program has an up-to-date twist on our "family Christmas treasures" along with the traditional nativity scene and…..Singing!

In order to practice the play, we need CHILDREN. During the month of December, we will be practicing during the Discipleship Discovery Zone (Sunday School) hour 8:45 - 9:45 AM. That means, that we will need the children to be at every practice so they will feel comfortable with the program. The children do not need to memorize anything (unless they wish too). The children will be assigned parts in the play. All ages are welcome to come and have fun.

Please mark your calendars, December 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, 8:45-9:45 AM for practice, and 10 AM for the church service on Dec. 28th. We are looking forward to having a play that everyone will enjoy! But most of all, bring the children to church. We love and enjoy them all!

We're excited about performing this play. So children, come one and all!

If you have questions, please let me know! - Melody Hinderer

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE
Our Learning Ministry Team encourages every member of St. John's to join in DDZ each Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Participants of all age groups (toddlers through adults) will find learning experiences designed to help them understand the Bible better and apply it in their daily living. DDZ aims at helping us all grow in faith and discipleship while experiencing the blessing of Christian fellowship.

The adult group currently is engaging a course titled "Understanding the Bible", led by Bruce Young. The course endeavors to provide a framework for a holistic reading of the Bible. The group meets in the St. Stephen's Room.

The youth class (Grade 7 and above) are engaging Bible passages on the theme, "Life as God's People." Sylvia Wenner teaches this class on the second floor of the educational wing.

Toddlers through Grade 6 meet on the first floor of the educational wing and currently are participating in workshops on the theme "Wonder Stories." They are learning about the miracles of Jesus. In the month of October - through storytelling, art, science, music, and other activities - they will focus on Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41).

As you can see, DDZ offers something for everyone. Please support this learning venture by your prayers and your presence so that we all will grow as disciples of the Lord!

CATECHETICS
Please hold in your prayers our catechumens (Caitlin Barr, Raymond Corra, Kristen Opiary) and those registered for the pre-catechetical year (Brianna Corra, Megan Dietrich, Tyler Hottenstein) as they seek to grow in their knowledge of God's Word and their discipleship of the Lord. They and their families have made a commitment of faithful participation in the Worship assembly at St. John's and in Discipleship Discovery Zone, as well as fulfilling other expectations of the catechetical program. We rejoice in their gifts and their presence in the body of Christ.

ROOF FUND
Looking into the not-too-distant future (a few years, maybe), our Property Team and our Church Council are making plans for roof replacement on our church building and the parsonage. In order to prepare financially for this upcoming project, a Roof Fund has been established. For the year 2008, any offerings received in the "Improvement Fund" envelopes (found in the offering envelope boxes) will be applied to the Roof Fund. The 2009 offering envelope sets will include "Roof Fund" envelopes.

KNOT-A-QUILT NEEDS
Our Knot-a-Quilt participants continue to gather in Luther Hall twice a month (on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.) to construct quilts which are distributed by Lutheran World Relief and bring comfort to hurting people all over the world. The group reports that they currently are in need of twin-size flat sheets(new or in very good condition) and batting. If you can donate any of these please leave them in Luther Hall, or speak with Lorraine Klinger. Also, new participants in this ministry are always welcome.(Free training is provided.)

DO YOU NEED A RIDE?
If you have been regularly absent from the Worship services in St. John's due to a lack of transportation, please let us know. Our Church Council will attempt to coordinate rides for members who need it.
So, if you wish to be added to our list of those needing rides, please phone the church office and leave a message, including your name and phone number, with Lauren or on the voice mail.

OUR 210TH ANNIVERSARY IS COMING
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church will be 210 years old in the year 2009! We are trying to assemble a team to plan and prepare for this special anniversary celebration. If you have any ideas about how we can celebrate this significant event, or if you want to join the planning team, just speak to Melody Hinderer.

Let's make it an innovative and special time in the life of St. John's filled with fellowship and a renewed awareness of our holy presence in the community of faith: the Body of Christ, at St. John's, Saint Johns.

BI-MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY
On the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m., our congregation provides a Bible study opportunity for adults and older youth. Participants normally gather in the educational wing and all members and friends of St. John's are welcome. The sessions last an hour and a half, are facilitated by Sister Janet, and include the opportunity for questions and discussion. Currently we are studying the Gospel of Mark. Please join us!

ONGOING MINISTRIES OF MERCY
As we enter the new year, let us continue our support of the ongoing ministries of mercy in St. John's, including:

Valley Food Pantry
Food and other needed items are collected continually in the basket in the narthex. At the end of each month, these items are taken to the pantry, where they are distributed to needy persons locally. Please check the poster in the narthex to see what sorts of items are needed, and leave your offering of food in the basket provided.
Worship Services in Butler Valley Manor
Each month, on the first Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., our congregation provides a Worship service in Butler Valley Manor (Rte. 309, across from Corporate Road). Normally, Sister Janet leads the brief service and members of St. John's are present to support the singing, assist residents in finding pages in the songbook, and share the love of Christ through their presence. All members are invited to join in this ministry of compassion and fellowship. Simply come to the Manor at the appointed time and find the worshippers gathering in the activities room.
Quilts for Lutheran World Relief
Twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m., women of our congregation meet in Luther Hall to construct knotted quilts which are then donated to LWR for distribution to needy persons around the world. Women and men are invited to join in the work and the fellowship. Please speak with Lorraine Klinger if you have any questions about this effort.

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!