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?

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2009
This summer's VBS, sponsored jointly by St. John's Lutheran and St. John's U.C.C. congregations, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon August 17-21 (Monday through Friday). The title is "Discovery Canyon" and the emphasis is evangelism. Learning experiences will be offered for toddlers through Grade 6. More information and registration forms will be available later, but please save the dates now so that your children can join in the faith encouragement, Christian learning, fellowship, and fun of VBS.

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.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Through a local veterans organization, our LCW was made aware of a worthwhile project for our annual "Support Our Troops" collection.

Starting in May we will collect donations for the EO TECH Recon - Wrap in combat uniform color (ACU).

Soldiers face many adverse elements when on duty whether in combat or in support services. The wrap can protect the wearer from bug bites or hot sun. When worn wet, it acts as a cooling cloth to prevent the wearer from overheating. The cost is $10 each.

Standard Army issue wraps are nylon and get too hot in the dessert and have been known to burn the skin of soldiers who try to use them.

If you would like to support our troops in this manner, use one of the envelopes included in the church bulletin May 3 and available until June 7. We will purchase wraps with the money collected. These will be sent to the troops who are deployed from the Armory in Hazleton Heights, A Troop 2/104th CAV (RSTA).

~ Mary Ellen Sims, LCW President

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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