HOLY WEEK
In the worship assemblies of Holy Week we faithfully contemplate with the whole Church the journey of our Lord to the cross and the resurrection. Please plan to be a part of these times of prayerful reflection, thanksgiving, and spiritual nourishment:

March 28, Palm Sunday/ Sunday of the Passion

Holy Communion (with distribution of palms) at 10:00 a.m.

April 1, Maundy Thursday

Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m.

April 2, Good Friday

Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m.

April 4, The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Sunday) Festival Service of Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

FOOTWASHING

In John 13:1-17 we can read the account of Jesus, during supper just before the festival of Passover and shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus said, "If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."

A little later in the supper (John 13:34-35), Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

In the church's Maundy Thursday liturgy, footwashing may be included as a symbol and reminder of this command of Jesus. The washing of feet exemplifies the loving servanthood which Jesus asks of all who follow him.

Footwashing has been included in the Maundy Thursday worship in St. John's in the past, but not lately. This year, we will revive the practice in our congregation. As a sign of Jesus' call to all of us to be his servants in and to the world, Sister Janet will wash the feet of several people who have agreed to participate. During this time, the worship assembly may sing a hymn and gaze at this symbol of our Lord's love and command.

CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS

On Sunday afternoon, April 18th, you will have an opportunity to view a documentary that was televised a little over a year ago and which stirred much conversation. Hosted by TV journalist, Diane Sawyer, it is titled "Children of the Mountains" and it presents the story of poverty in much of rural Appalachia. It is a story that is of concern for people of faith who follow the One who became poor for us.

Following the 10 a.m. Worship service on April 18th, our Learning Ministry Team, assisted by LCW, will provide lunch in Luther Hall. (There is no cost to attend, but a sign-up sheet will be available in the St. Stephen's room so that we will know how many to prepare for.) All are welcome to join in the meal, or to return to Luther Hall for the 12:30 p.m. showing of the documentary. The DVD is approximately an hour in length, and a short discussion time will follow.

Please plan to join in this opportunity to learn more about our world and discuss how we can respond to its needs as followers of Christ.

LCW NEWS

Lutheran World Relief has asked and you, the people of St. John's, have responded. Your response came in the form of sheets, fabric, embroidery floss, and cash for quilt batting and best of all, many more hands to sew and assemble quilts. God has blessed this quilt ministry through you. We are truly thankful. Your generosity will provide the materials and willing quilters for many more quilts to be made each Tuesday when we meet at 9 a.m. If you have an hour or two to give and even if you have no sewing or quilting skills, you will be able to help us. If you can stay until noon, bring a bag lunch and join the fun and fellowship as we work together.

Another big thank you comes your way for your donations of food items and cans of frosting for special Easter baskets for Valley Food Pantry recipient families. LCW needed to purchase only a few cans of frosting to make the 60 containers promised. This is just another example of how you care about others facing difficult times and needing a little cheering up.

We hope you are saving your yard sale items for our Indoor Yard Sale on Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This project reaches others in several ways. Customers are able to purchase household items and clothing at St. John's very low prices, a big plus in a bad economy. Leftover items are donated to the Salvation Army where many people need to shop these days. The profits are then used to fund many outreach projects in our community, our country and even our world. Lately, the Salvation Army has been conducting a phone appeal for donations because their present stock is almost depleted. Items can be left at the church from Friday, May 14th to Friday, May 21st in Luther Hall. Be sure to check if the church is open. You can be sure to find the church open on Sunday, May 16 before worship, and during set up times on Wednesday, May 19th and Thursday, May 20th. Call Mary Ellen at 788-2866 if you need a special time.

Other projects on the horizon are our annual support project for the Berwick Women's Shelter for the month of May and our Support Our Troops project in June.

The Berwick Women's Shelter assists women and children out of an abusive situation and into a different and better life. Below is their wish list of items they would like to have available:

Children's Art Supplies

Diapers

Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener

Batteries: AA, AAA, and 9 volt

Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels,

tissues, paper dishes and napkins)

Large Freezer Bags

Notebooks

Baskets for donated items will be found in the St. Stephen's room for the month of May.

This year our annual Support Our Troops Project will be a collection each Sunday in June to help finance Holy Joe's Café.

Holy Joe's Cafes are special places set aside in a war zone where troops can get away from war for a while. They can relax and drink a "cup of Joe", talk to their chaplain about their concerns, their families and their experiences in the war. The coffee is donated by people like us who care about them and how they are coping. Donations will be received in the church narthex at a special display for the month of June on each Sunday. Our local Veteran's group will distribute our donations to the cafes.

Whether you support one or two or all of our projects, we sincerely thank you.

Your LCW

OPPORTUNITIES TO WORSHIP AND SERVE

Valley Food Pantry would again like to offer special Easter baskets of food to recipient families again this year. St. John's has been asked to donate a specific item to the baskets. So, along with at least one nutritious food item, a container of cake frosting would be appreciated as a special treat. (Last year we collected jelly beans.) Please place your donations in the church narthex in the food pantry collection containers by March 14th. Over 60 families are now supplied each week by the food pantry and demand is on the increase in the down economy. They (the volunteers) are hoping St. John's can donate at least 60 cans of frosting.

Our Knot-a-quilt quilters are hard at work creating their beautiful and colorful quilts for the poor or displaced victims of disasters across our world on several Tuesdays each month. If you have some unwanted flat sheets that are gently used and in good condition consider donating them to our quilts. Or if you would like to purchase a new twin size flat sheet or some quilt batting to keep our quilters supplied it would be appreciated. Money donations are also welcome if you are unable to shop. This LCW labor of love has produced over 100 quilts which were sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to the needy. Thanks be to God for this ministry of our LCW!

Get your rolling pins warmed up! It's that time again - shoofly pie baking time on April 12th & 13th. Sign up to help and join the fun.

As ever, LCW is grateful for any and all support of these and other projects sponsored by use. It never ceases to amaze us how the people of St. John's loyally support our LCW ministries. Whether you choose to support all of our projects or just one or two, we thank you. Together as Christians, we can do so much good.

Sincerely, 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!