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 on 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. If you are willing to serve as a leader or assistant in the program, please let Sister Janet know.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
A course (4 sessions) of First Holy Communion Instruction will be provided for any baptized children of our congregation in 4th grade or older who missed instruction at the earlier (2nd/3rd grade) level. This series of 1-hour sessions will take place in Luther Hall at 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 19, 23, & 26. Following attendance at all four sessions, participants are invited to receive the bread and the wine at the Table in all of the Communion services in St. John's. If you would like to register your child for this course, please use one of the forms available in the St. Stephen's room or phone the church office. Please speak with Sister Janet if you have any questions.

INDOOR YARD SALE
Don't forget the indoor yard sale that is being sponsored by our LCW on June 6th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you have clean household items or clothing in good condition to donate, please leave them in Luther Hall whenever the building is open, starting on May 30 up until the sale on June 6th. Remember, this is a great way to care for God's earth by recycling items no longer needed, to provide needed items for those who may not be able to afford them new, and to support the Christian service projects of our LCW.

CONGREGATIONAL PICNIC
Our LCW is sponsoring a church family picnic to be held on Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m. in Nadine Sauer's pavilion. All members and friends of St. John's are invited to attend. Please bring along a dish to share, a beverage for yourself, and a lawn chair if you wish. Attractions include great company, plenty of room for running and games, a pond in which to swim, and plenty of shade for just sitting and enjoying relaxing conversation. A sign-up sheet is available in the St. Stephen's room. Please join us!

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.

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 2009, 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.

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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