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.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
"And the Word became flesh and lived among us . . . full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). That is the good news of Christmas, and we can celebrate it not only in December but throughout the year. St. John's celebrates the gift of Christmas mid-summer by collecting funds for the purchase of items for Health Kits which are distributed by Lutheran World Relief. These simple kits (which include items such as a hand towel and washcloth, a bar of soap, a comb, a toothbrush, etc.) help to alleviate the suffering of people around the world who find themselves without such simple necessities due to disasters like earthquakes, floods, etc.

Will you help with this effort (and celebrate the gift of the Incarnation) by making a special gift during the month of July? Please place your monetary gift in an envelope, mark it "Christmas in July", write your name and the amount on the envelope, and drop it into the offering plate on Sunday. Our LCW will use the funds to purchase items for health kits, assemble them, and send them to LWR so that they can bring a bit of Christmas to hurting souls anytime. Thank you for your participation in this ministry.

ORDER FOR HEALING
The order for healing will be included in the 10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion on Sunday, July 12. We will join in prayer for God's healing for ourselves and for others who are in need of 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 healing ministry, please speak with Sister Janet.

ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP'S CALL TO 50 DAYS OF PRAYER

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

"Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world." We are an evangelizing church, and this mission flows out of a life attentive to God's Word and rooted in unceasing prayer for the Spirit's life-giving work with the Word. In the seven weeks leading to the start of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on August 17, I invite you to join in 50 days of renewed and focused prayer around the Scriptures that will be used at the assembly, when your co-workers in the Gospel are daily gathered, centered and sent into mission.

... As you gather around God's Word, I ask you to pray especially for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for those who will gather in Minneapolis, for decisions to be made, and for faithfulness in discerning those directions to which God is calling this evangelizing church in mission and service for the sake of the world.

In God's grace,

Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop

In its June meeting our Church Council voted to encourage the members of St. John's to join in these days of prayer. Weekly resources will be available each Sunday beginning on June 28, or you can find the guide to Scripture and prayer on the website www.elca.org/50days. With your brothers and sisters in St. John's and throughout the ELCA, please commit yourself to praying daily for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the upcoming churchwide assembly and in all of the church's ministry. O God, you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us the light of the Holy Spirit. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the light of that Spirit, that we might have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

(Prayer adapted from ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, Opening of an Assembly.)

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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