News & Notes
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​​Friendly Rider:
Anyone desiring to use Friendly Rider on Sunday morning to attend worship services, just call and tell them your destination. There will be no charge to you.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Financial Secretary:
We are still looking for someone to fill one of the Financial Secretary positions. This is not a huge time commitment. See Carol S. or Pastor for details.
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Audio Tech:
(This is a fancy name for the person who runs the Power Point on Sunday morning.) We are in DESPERATE NEED of people to help in this area if we're going to be able to continue to have Divine Service on screens. See Josh S. or Pastor for more details.
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Stitch & Chatter Quilters
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The Stitch & Chatter quilters have quilts for sale. These quilts are located in the fellowship hall and are tagged with prices and the approximate sizes. Checks can be made out to Stitch & Chatter and left in the church office or mailed to the church.
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Most of the quilts made by Stitch & Chatter are donated to missions, the Empty Stocking Fund, fire victims, and members who might be in need of them.
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Lutheran Island Camp Registration
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Our congregation pays the registration fee for any youth from St. John who wishes to attend Lutheran Island Camp.
For a positive change in your life, plan to attend
Lutheran Island Camp this summer!
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​​​​Our next meeting will be Monday, October 20, at 1:00 p.m.
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The annual Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 4, from 9:00--11:00 a.m. Remember to share your talents with craft items, baked or canned goods, or garden produce. More information is available in the October newsletter and on the church bulletin board by the stairwell.
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The Fall Rummage Sale will be held on October 16 and 17. Donated items may be brought to the church beginning Sunday afternoon, October 12 and continuing through Wednesday, October 15. Helpers are welcome and needed. "Many hands make light labor."
Board of Elders:
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You have been CHOSEN...You have been FORGIVEN...You have been REDEEMED.
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Over the past two weeks, we've watched our nation come together in honor and remembrance of Charlie Kirk. If you're like me, you've seen numerous videos of him sharing the gospel and witnessing to others. We've seen unbelievers ask God into their hearts. We've heard about people opening a Bible for the first time. We've seen people start attending church again. We've seen many people around the world come together to praise God on an enormous scale. What the enemy had planned for evil, God used for good.
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In our role as Christians, we need to remember that God didn't remove the Red Sea...He parted it. He isn't going to remove the situation, but He will make a way through it. We must trust that God is always on time, even when we think He is too late.
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As Charlie said, "Every time you make a decision, it puts a mark on your soul."
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As his wife Erika shared, "Charlie knew that faith was a habit; the more you live it, the more it grows. The enemy will continue to tempt you. God will always be there for you, but you must choose to mark your soul again and again in the direction of Christ. Pray again. Read the Bible again. Go to church next Sunday and the Sunday after that. Break free from the temptations and shackles of this world. Being a follower of Christ is not easy. It's not supposed to be. Jesus said, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me' (Luke 9:23)."
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Erika issued a challenge to both men and women that I think is too important not to repeat.
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MEN: Accept the challenge and embrace true manhood. Be strong and courageous for your family. Love your wives and lead them. Love your children and protect them. Be the spiritual head of your home, but please be a leader worth following. Your wife is not you servant. Your wife is not your employee. Your wife is not your slave. She is your helper. You are not rivals. You are one flesh, working together for the glory of God.
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WOMEN: I have a challenge for you, too: be virtuous. Your strength is found in God's design for your role. You are the guardians. You are the encouragers. You are the preservers. Guard your heart; everything you do flows from it. And if you're a mother, please recognize that it is the single more important ministry you have. Lastly, commit to praying daily for your spouse and children. Make a conscious and consistent effort to offer up prayers for their well-being, spiritual growth, and specific needs
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Pray God's Promises: Pray the promises of God and His Word to impact your family and build them up in grace and calling
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Pray for Wisdom and Discernment: Ask God for wisdom and insight, particularly when your spouse of children face major decisions.
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Pray for Specific Qualities: Pray for your spouse and children to have joy, encouragement, peace, and spiritual depth.
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Ask for Guidance and Protection: Pray for God's guidance and protection from dangers, whether physical, financial, or spiritual.
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Yield to God's Will: Commit to yielding your understanding to God's will, allowing Him to lead your family to the right choices spiritually.
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Remove Obstacles: Pray to clear out obstacles that may hinder your spouse and children's growth and development.
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​Blessings,
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​​​​​​​​Kevin W.
On behalf of the Board of Elders
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*This article is a compilation of the Charlie Kirk memorial as delivered by Erika Kirk.
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Board of Evangelism:
There are several instances during the ministry of Jesus that he charged his disciples to tell no one about what they had seen or heard. For example, Jesus asked his disciples in Mark 8: 27-30 how people identified him as well as how the disciples identified him, Peter replied (v. 29) "You are the Christ." Jesus told them to tell no one about Him. Jesus also told Peter, James, and John to tell no one what they had witnessed when he healed a twelve-year-old girl (Mark 5:41-43) or the spectacular scene on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:3-9). The time was not right for "telling" until Jesus' ministry was complete and He had risen from the dead.
Because we live in the post-resurrection era, the time IS right for telling. Jesus' last command to his disciples before He ascended into heaven was "Go tell." We read in Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
With His help, let us winsomely and boldly share with others the gospel of Christ. Our neighbors, as well as all people across the world, need to hear the good news more than ever before!
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Greeting Card Ministry
Be sure and check out the new selection of various Greeting Cards available for sale in the library. Napkins are available as well.
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