ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
All voting members of St. John's (confirmed members who, in the past year, have given an offering of record and have communed in St. John's) are urged to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting to be held on January 25th at the close of the 10:00 a.m. Worship service. Bulletins of reports covering the year 2008 and including a proposal for "Planned Expenditures of our Tithes and Offerings in 2009" will be available by January 18th.

ADVENT GIVING
Praise God for enabling us to give generously! Here's a report on the items collected from our "Advent Giving":

Gifts for residents of Saint Luke Village - We forgot to count the items, but the big blue box was over half-full.

Gifts for children at Head Start - 70 toys and books, 15 pairs of socks, 1 shirt, $132 in cash.

Gifts to be distributed by Salvation Army - 1 coat, 15 scarves, 53 hats, 100 pairs of gloves, $100 in cash.

Cash for the purchase of items for LWR Health Kits - $133.

These gifts and the love that accompanies them help others to experience God's goodness in a particularly trying time. Thank you for participating in this ministry!

HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?
If so, please inform our church office immediately. We are charged 50 cents per address to obtain corrections from the post office. So, whenever there is an address change (even if you have not moved), please let us know as soon as possible.

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!

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