DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE - FALL START UP
Our DDZ will go into full swing again on Sunday, September 14th, at 8:45 a.m. Intergenerational, workshop-style learning experiences will be offered for toddlers through children in the 6th grade. The theme for the first half of the year is "Wonder Stories." Students will hear about the miracles of Jesus and wonder at the grace of God revealed through them. Through drama, art, science, storytelling, games, and music children will explore the meaning of these stories for themselves and respond in faith and praise. This group meets on the first floor of the educational wing. Parents of toddlers are welcome to remain in class with their children.

There also will be a class for our youth. Grade 7 & above will join in a study of Bible texts on the theme "Life as God's People." They will consider the questions, "What does God require?" and "How shall we respond?" This class will meet on the second floor of the educational wing.

Adults are encouraged to join in the adult Bible class which meets in the St. Stephen's Room during the DDZ hour. Please see below a description of the upcoming topic for that group.

ADULT SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS
We thank Bruce Young for graciously offering his gifts to lead the Adult Sunday Bible Class, which meets in the St. Stephen's Room at 8:45 a.m. each Lord's Day. We look forward to the interesting study on 'Understanding the Bible' which will begin on September 7th. Bruce shares this description:

"Do you really understand the Bible? Or does it seem like a series of fragmented stories put together in random order? Are the Old and New Testaments two parts of the same story? If so, how are they connected? How does the Old lead us to the New? Did you know that the book of Job was written in about the same time period as the book of Genesis? Do you need to resort to page numbers to find a particular verse? The new Adult Sunday School series "Understanding the Bible" will address all of these questions (and so much more!) and help us all to see the Bible as a complete whole, a total, organized picture of God's working throughout history, seeing it truly as His Story. Based on the book "30 Days to Understanding the Bible" by Max Anders, this study is equally relevant to beginning Bible students & those more experienced in the Word."

CATECHETICS
Parents of baptized children in the 6th Grade or above are encouraged to register their children for the "pre-catechetical year" in St. John's. This year of faithful attendance in the Worship Assembly and in Discipleship Discovery Zone is a pre-requisite for entering the catechetical program. The brief registration session will take place on Sunday, September 14th, immediately following the 10 a.m. Worship service. Sister Janet and Learning Ministry Team members will be on hand to outline the catechism program and answer any questions.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
A three-session series designed to prepare young children for receiving Holy Communion for the first time will be provided in St. John's on Saturday mornings, October 4, 11, and 18. The two-hour sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and explore in an intuitive way the meaning of the Lord's Supper in the context of family, fellowship, meal, and the promises of God. A variety of learning activities are employed in which parents/guardians and children participate together. Those who attend all three sessions will receive their first Holy Communion in the 10 a.m. Worship on October 19. This series is for baptized children in the 2nd or 3rd grade and their parents. Registration forms are available on the narthex table or may be obtained by phoning the church office. The deadline to register is September 28.

Note: If there are parents who desire First Holy Communion Instruction for their baptized children who are beyond the 3rd grade in school, please speak with Sister Janet. She will arrange for instruction at an appropriate level.

FAMILY NIGHT WITH SPARK GOSPEL SINGERS
That's right! The Spark Gospel Singers will be with us again on Friday, September 12th, to be part of an evening of music and fellowship beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Luther Hall. The music group will share a faith message in song and our LCW will provide refreshments to be enjoyed after the program. All ages are invited. For those who have difficulty with stairs, please enter by the side, ramped entrance on the street level and someone will assist you in taking the lift to Luther Hall. Don't miss this evening of Christian fellowship and entertainment!

HOBO PARTY
Lorraine Klinger invites members and friends of St. John's to a "hobo party" at her home on Saturday, September 13th, at 4:00 p.m. (This is where we all bring cans of vegetables to add to the wonderful kettle of soup she makes ready.) Please sign the sheet in the narthex to let us know you will attend. All guests are invited to bring a can of vegetables suitable for soup, a hand mitt and a metal spoon for eating the soup, a lawn chair, and an appetizer or dessert. If you have any questions, please speak with Lorraine.

RUMMAGE SALE
Our LCW is planning to hold a rummage sale this fall. Proceeds will help support our ministry to persons in need. Please save your "good but no longer needed" items to donate for the sale. The date will be announced later.

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!