ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our 2010 annual congregational meeting will take place immediately following the 10:00 a.m. Worship service on Sunday, January 31. ALL voting members (confirmed members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran who have communed and made a contribution of record during the current or preceding year) are asked to participate. The agenda will include, but not be limited to, the adoption of a plan for expenditure for tithes and offerings in 2010 and the election of members to the Church Council for the coming year. A bulletin of reports will be available no later than January 24th so that members can read it ahead of the meeting. All team chairpersons and other leaders are asked to submit reports to the office no later than January 10th.

ORDER FOR HEALING
The order for healing will be included in the 10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion on Sunday, January 17. We will join in prayer for God's healing for ourselves and for others who sense the need for healing in any aspect of their lives. Opportunity will be provided for any who wish it to receive the laying on of hands and anointing. To read further on the meaning of this order, turn to page 276 in our worship book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. If you have any questions about this aspect of the church's ministry of healing, please speak with Sister Janet.

ADVANCE NOTICE - SAVE THE DATES!
Our Learning Ministry Team, in conjunction with our Worship and Music Team, is planning a very special series in 2010. It will begin with a Sunday afternoon presentation of the film, "Amazing Grace" and continue with deeper reflection on its themes during the Lenten season. This film is an inspirational telling of the story of William Wilberforce, a member of the British parliament who worked to abolish the slave trade in the 18th to 19th centuries. A fellowship time with the viewing of "Amazing Grace" is being planned for Sunday afternoon, February 14th (with February 21st as a snow date). Immediately following Worship lunch will be served and the film will begin at 12:30. Then, starting on February 23rd, our Tuesday evening (7 p.m.) Lenten worship gatherings will focus on themes suggested by the film. For those who are unable to attend Tuesday evenings, "repeat" discussions will be held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. during Lent. Watch for more information as plans develop, but please save the dates now and aim to be a part of this exciting adventure in faith growth!

A VISIT TO NIGERIA
Come, escape the coldness of winter for a little while by making a virtual visit to warm Nigeria. See photos of sunny places and smiling faces. Hear about the warmth of Nigerian hospitality. Learn about Nigerian society and about the church in this west African country - its ministries and its fellowship - and grow in your appreciation of the oneness in Christ that we have with our brothers and sisters there. This virtual visit will be a brief but enjoyable vacation from the winter doldrums. And - you will only need to travel as far as Luther Hall! (Our lift will be available for those who have difficulty with stairs.) So, come on Sunday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m. (Since, in actuality, we are in Pennsylvania, the "snow date" will be January 24th.) In 90 minutes or less, Sister Janet will share memories and reflections from her trip to Nigeria using stories, photos, a brief video, and crafts made by Nigerians. Coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks will be available for you to enjoy while you "make the trip".

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE
There's something for everyone - toddlers through adults - each Sunday at 8:45 a.m. DDZ provides the opportunity for Bible learning, Christian fellowship, and discussing how to live our faith in everyday life. Please join us every Sunday!

In the month of November our Pre-K through Grade 6 will be learning about God's grace in the story of "Joseph and Pharaoh". Our Youth Class (Grade 7 and up) will continue a study titled "Flip the Switch - Living in the Christ Light" which focuses on how actively to live our faith. And, the Adult discussion group currently is exploring how we understand the meaning of our lives as Christians.

Please hold in your prayers our DDZ students and leaders. Serving/teaching in the Pre-K through Grade 6 class are Donna Corra, Kim Deliman, Melody Hinderer, Faye Jeffries, Betty Kushner, Judy Mundie, Mary Ellen Sims, and Linda Snyder. Leading the Youth class is Fred Jaxheimer, and leading the Adult group is Bruce Young. We thank them for their faithful preparation & loving leadership of these classes.

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!

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