ADVENT GIVING
Our "Advent Giving" continues through December 20th. Each Sunday during this season of anticipation, as we look toward both Bethlehem and Christ's coming again, we will collect gifts for a particular need. The remaining gifting is as follows:

>Dec. 6 - Toys, books, socks, underwear, hats, and mittens for children ages 3 to 5 at Head Start.

>Dec. 13 - Hats, scarves & mittens for Salvation Army

>Dec. 20 - Monetary gifts to purchase items for Lutheran World Relief health kits.

Gifts may be brought to the worship services and placed in our blue box at the time of the offering. Monetary donations for any of the concerns also are appreciated.

SPECIAL EVENTS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASONS IN ST. JOHN'S
Please plan to be a part of many or all of the following fellowship, service, and worship opportunities in our congregation.

Sunday, December 6, 4:00 p.m. - Congregational Christmas Party in Luther Hall (Reservations necessary; please see article in this newsletter.)

Sunday, December 13, 1:30 p.m. - Christmas Caroling in homes of members who are elderly, sick, or shut-in (Sign-up sheet is available in St. Stephen's Room.)

Sunday, December 20, immediately following Worship - Potluck lunch and Hanging of the Greens (Sign-up sheet is available in St. Stephen's Room.)

Thursday, December 24, 7:00 p.m. - Special Christmas Music followed by Christmas Eve Service of Holy Communion at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 27, 10:00 a.m. - Service of Holy Communion with Choir Cantata, "The Mystery and the Majesty", proclaiming the birth of Jesus.

DISCIPLESHIP DISCOVERY ZONE
There's something for everyone - toddlers through adults - each Sunday at 8:45 a.m. DDZ provides the opportunity for Bible learning, Christian fellowship, and discussing how to live our faith in everyday life. Please join us every Sunday!

In the month of November our Pre-K through Grade 6 will be learning about God's grace in the story of "Joseph and Pharaoh". Our Youth Class (Grade 7 and up) will continue a study titled "Flip the Switch - Living in the Christ Light" which focuses on how actively to live our faith. And, the Adult discussion group currently is exploring how we understand the meaning of our lives as Christians.

Please hold in your prayers our DDZ students and leaders. Serving/teaching in the Pre-K through Grade 6 class are Donna Corra, Kim Deliman, Melody Hinderer, Faye Jeffries, Betty Kushner, Judy Mundie, Mary Ellen Sims, and Linda Snyder. Leading the Youth class is Fred Jaxheimer, and leading the Adult group is Bruce Young. We thank them for their faithful preparation & loving leadership of these classes.

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 2010, any offerings received in the "Improvement Fund" envelopes (found in the offering envelope boxes) will be applied to the Roof Fund. The 2010 offering envelope sets will include "Roof Fund" envelopes.

FELLOWSHIP/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

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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