WORSHIP IN THESE HOLY SEASONS
Each Wednesday during this season of Lent we've had around 17 people gathering in our church nave to give thanks for Baptism, pray, sing hymns, and reflect upon the Holy Scriptures. These Wednesday evening worship gatherings will continue on April 1 & 8 at 6:45 p.m. The themes will be: Apr. 1 - "Gather the People"; Apr. 8 - "Christ in You, Christ in Me". Please join us.

Please also follow our Lord on the journey to the cross in the worship services of Holy Week:

Apr. 5, Sunday of the Passion, at 10:00 a.m. - Service of Holy Communion with Palm Processional.

Apr. 9, Maundy Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. - Service of Holy Communion, Corporate Confession and Forgiveness with Laying on of Hands, Stripping of the Altar.

Apr. 10, Good Friday, at 7:30 p.m. - Tenebrae Service (A service of shadows recalling our Lord's crucifixion).

On Easter Sunday, Apr. 12, we will celebrate The Resurrection of Our Lord in a 10 a.m. festival Service of Holy Communion.

These worship services proclaim the heart of the good news - that Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, died for the sake of humanity and lives again to give us new life. In him is our hope and our salvation. Let us together reflect on and celebrate this good news!

COLLECTION FOR WOMEN'S SHELTER IN BERWICK
Throughout the month of April our LCW will collect items needed by the clients of Beyond Violence (the women's shelter in Berwick). Please join in this ministry by leaving in the baskets in the St. Stephen's Room your donation of any of these items: disposable diapers (larger sizes), cleaning products, laundry products, health & beauty aids (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.). The deadline to drop off your donation is May 3rd. Thank you in advance for helping those going through a very difficult period in life.

BOOK DISCUSSION ON "THE SHACK"
Our Learning Ministry Team is planning another book discussion. This time it will be on The Shack by William Paul Young. Here's a description from the book jacket:

Mackenzie Allen Philip's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant THE SHACK wrestles with the timeless question: Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.

We'll discuss this penetrating, popular, and sometimes controversial book on Friday evening, May 29th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Luther Hall. Refreshments will be provided. The only preparation necessary is to have read the book, which is available at many local vendors and can be ordered on the website www.theshackbook.com. Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of reading the book:

As you read, jot down any questions, insights, or disagreements that the book prompts in you. You may also want to note a page number.

Note any ideas that you especially would like to discuss with the group.

Ask yourself: What was the main message of the book for me? What was the book saying about God and about human beings? How well does it fit with my understanding? What challenges did I find in the book? What affirmations? What feelings arose in me as I read the book? Was I changed in any way?

CEMETERY BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
Currently there are two vacancies on the board of St. John's Lutheran & U.C.C. Cemetery and they need to be filled by members of our congregation. (There are five board members from each of the two congregations.) The term for cemetery board members is five years. The board normally meets twice a year, in February and in May. Other meetings may be called if the need arises. The board oversees the financial affairs (including salaries of employees) and the physical maintenance of the cemetery. Present Lutheran members of the board are Rudy Hoda, Curt Kromis and Richard Wenner. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, please let Sister Janet or Tom Chegwidden know.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PAINTING
The Property Team is planning another painting party and we hope that you can help us out. On May 2nd and May 9th @ 8 AM, we will be painting the first floor of the Sunday School building, including the bathrooms.

If you can give us any time at all, even if it is an hour, please join us. The more help we have the sooner we can accomplish this task before summer arrives. I promise you, you will be entertained and have fun! If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Melody Hinderer - Property Team Chairperson

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE
There's something for everyone in our DDZ which begins at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday!

Toddlers through Grade 6 children meet on the first floor of the education wing. Each Lord's Day they engage in workshops designed to help them discover the riches of the Christian faith and grow in their faith and love for Jesus. During the month of February they will focus on the account of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43).

Grade 7 through Sr. High youth meet on the second floor of the education wing. They presently are exploring Bible passages from the First Testament on the theme, "People of Commitment".

The adult group currently is meeting in Luther Hall to view a video series on the Holy Land which ties biblical events to the likely sites where they happened. This series helps viewers understand the cultural context in which Biblical events occurred, and group discussion will seek to apply the Biblical texts to living in today's world.

Whatever your age, don't miss the riches of this hour. Join us every Sunday for a faith-encouraging, disciple-strengthening experience in Discipleship Discovery Zone!

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Beginning February 5th, we will enter upon a study of the First Letter of John (1 John). If you haven't been to Bible Study for some time (or have never experienced the joy and nourishment of studying the Bible together), this is a great time to jump in!

The group normally meets on the first and the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the educational wing. The sessions are an hour and a half in length and are facilitated by Sister Janet. There is some instruction as well as plenty of time for discussion and asking questions. This is an opportunity for growth in biblical understanding, starting wherever you are in Bible knowledge. All are welcome and invited!

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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