Church: (847) 524-9746 stjohnevlutheranchurch.org School: (847) 524-5328 EPIPHANY SEASON While the Epiphany season begins annually on a fixed calendar date of January 6th, commemorating the Magi’s visit to the Bethlehem stable, the first Sunday in Epiphany celebrates the baby Jesus all grown up on being baptized by John in the Jordan River. As the Gospel of Mark records: (1:10 & 11) “And when Jesus came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Now while “beloved” and “wellpleased” may appear to say the same thing, the heavenly Father’s voice really proclaims two distinct promises. “Beloved” as in son, is the royal designation given by God in the Old Testament, first to David and then all David’s descendants, whom God promised would always rule God’s chosen people. In other words, the Lord was publically ratifying that Jesus was the Anointed One (Messiah/ Christ). As the voice of the Creator over the watery depths created the heavens and earth, so His voice over the dripping wet Jesus in Jordan’s waters, creates faith in human hearts that Mary’s son fulfilled God’s 1000 year old promise to raise up a King of David’s line, to institute the Kingdom of God on earth. The fact that God’s people hadn’t had any genealogical candidates show any sign of qualifying for the title in over 500 years didn’t mean they had stopped hoping. January 2015 Schaumburg, IL On the contrary times in the Roman Empire were so desperate for the descendants of Abraham that their expectation and anticipations were at an all-time high. So having the right pedigree by earthly lineage, God the Father divinely certifies Jesus at His baptism as: “YOU (and only you) are THE ONE!” The “well-pleased” appellation is the heavenly Father’s additional ratification as much to say: “Everything YOU (Jesus) do from here on out is just fine by me!” A kind of �carte blanche’ that the Son of Mary can do no wrong when it comes to saying things about God’s Kingdom and doing things that reveal its presence on earth. So it’s no surprise Jesus goes on a 3 year tour of actively preaching the Good News and doing miraculous works that affirm who He (King, Ruler, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, etc.), and that He has the power and authority to do the job of bringing the Kingdom of God to sinners, and making sinners to be citizens of God’s Kingdom by faith in Him. It’s ironic how human hearts are all a ’fluster over Christmas angels, shepherds, wise men and baby Jesus in the manger. I noticed a house in the subdivision on Jan. 8th that still displayed a sign reading- “Keep Christ in Christmas. ” While it meant something positive during the usual season, it’s message seemed to be more negative, as if to imply “Keep Christ in Christmas” (as in Stop Jesus from getting out beyond the holidays!) But that’s how the world would like it. Celebrating Jesus’ mature wondrous words and adult awesome deeds in the season of Epiphany doesn’t get the time of day, (or even a day of worship per week.) . It’s unfortunate sinners follow such a self-imposed restricted diet. There are so many of God’s Page 2 St. John Newsletter great promises to trust and covenants in which to rejoice with thanks and praise. It’s as though some of God’s people purposely choose to be spoon-fed strained fruits pureed vegetables and drink from sippy cups. Surely their faith is fated to remain infantile, immature, and childish, and their discipleship does the disservice of portraying Christianity as juvenile “kids stuff.” But at least they prove one thing for sure. Epiphany is for growing-up faith and grownup discipleship. In the water and word of our Lord’s Holy Baptism our God proclaims its “adult swim” time in the Kingdom of God. VOTERS ASSEMBLY JAN. 13 AT 7:30pm All communicant members of SJELC 21 yrs. and older are asked to meet Tues. evening to review our financial status for 2014. We shall also be looking ahead to consider what the new year has in store, as well as invite feedback and sharing concerns that will improve our work proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and doing the work of God’s kingdom within our congregation and reaching out to the world. Please plan to attend. TREASURER The Council would like all to consider this next item as a priority. St. John Ev. Lutheran seeks a volunteer willing to fulfill the Treasurer responsibilities of mission and ministry. While there is a fuller description in the Constitution, the gist of the work would best be handled by someone who has a modicum of accounting abilities & a talent for financial computing skills. If you are interested, or can offer the name of someone who might be, a more detailed description is available from Pastor or President Brett Dallmeyer whom you may contact at your convenience. The need is crucial. COMMUNITY OUTREACH CONCEPTS Back in November we asked you to consider how SJELC might help our neighbors realize God’s love at work in our hearts by a list of activities put together by Elder Mike Waddell and a group of SJELC members. As the holidays may have interrupted this process, we represent that list and ask for your comments and suggestions. These may be placed in the green box on the narthex ushers desk. 1. Bike tune up day with bike shop assistance 2. Have a booth at community concerts, carnivals to distribute church info. 3. Participate in community parades (Labor Day, Memorial Day) 4. Friend/Visitor Sunday (sermon about friends) 5. Charity work – Rake, yard cleanup (Schaumburg Township list of senior svcs.) 6. October Fest – Games, bingo, buckets, hoops, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, face painting, decorate pumpkins, storytelling, bounce house, pony rides, hayride, etc. 7. Activities in Gym – Guest speakers, movie night, Bears game, etc. 8. Welcome to the neighborhood packet – Find new residents to contact 9. Chili Cook Off – Sponsor with a pub 10. More activities for all ages at church functions. 11. Free breakfast on weekends for community and homeless. 12. SJELC send cards to help others. 13. Child Safety Program – Car set installation, medical protection, input from Fire and Police 14. CPR certification 15. English as Second Language classes 16. More use of facility by community groups. Please give serious prayer and thought about the above, and how these or your own recommendations will convey the best witness of Christ Jesus’ lordship in our midst. St. John Newsletter Page 3 PORTALS OF PRAYER The new year brings new devotions, but all still available in three sizes of large print, readers digest and pocket edition. They all offer the same high quality, brief meditation of God’s Word promises a deeper faith and greater discipleship. They are available on the table next to the secretary’s office window of the narthex. Please pick your quarterly issue up today. OFFERING ENVELOPES 2015 Please pick up your multi-purpose box of stewardship tools as soon as possible. You will enjoy helping our congregational mission at St. John as well as various local, national and international ministries of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In addition each individually numbered box provides a confidential way to record your offerings that provide an annual document of charitable giving acceptable for tax purposes. Please contact our council Financial Secretary Beth McGonagle if you have further questions. FLORAL OFFERING CHART 2015 Chancel flowers to add beauty to the worship services also can observe OUR LORD'S TREASURY NEEDED Received Sept. $20,847.67 Received Oct. $20,847.67 Received Nov $20,847.67 Received Dec. $20,847.67 special personal events or family anniversaries. A chart is posted on the narthex bulletin board throughout the year. Add your last name and phone number to a specific Sunday so Mrs. Bobby may contact you the week prior to the chosen Sunday. She’ll inquire what bulletin announcement you would like and inquire what floral arrangements you prefer. PLEASE be mindful that others may want to share the same Sunday, so try and leave room on the signup sheet for their request as well. SJELC orders from Deptula on Schaumburg Rd, who can delivery fresh flowers on Saturdays before worship; or use your own florist, (ask about delivery specifics); or create your bouquet, and arrange to drop them off prior to Sunday morning services. If you have questions about ordering or delivery info, please call Mrs. Bobby in the church office. 2015 ORNAMENT FROM MONDAY NITE CRAFT CLUB Thank you to Karen Flaxman, Michelle Friede, Dawn Hinz, Cindy King, Nancy McVay, Beth McGonagle, Tina Reitz, Len and Jean Flaxman, who spent many cold nights designing, cutting, painting, sparkling and labeling the “Jesus-Cross” keepsakes offered to Christmas worshippers to decorate household Christmas trees. May these symbols remind hearts of the power of salvation in the name of Jesus, and inspire us to believe in the steadfast grace and mercy of our heavenly Father throughout the coming days of 2015. RECEIVED $17,596.76 $17,234.56 $21,595.75 $21,893.25 MISSIONS $ 1,165.00 $ 1,659.00 $ 1,087.00 $ 688.00 Page 4 St. John Newsletter SERVICE GUILD A fantastic “year in review” of our ladies mission work is available in the Gazette included with this newsletter. Perhaps a great resolution for 2015 would be to keep the Guild’s work in your prayers, and be on the lookout for events in the coming year, where you could share your sacrifices of time, talent and treasure doing the work of God’s Kingdom through our women’s fellowship at St. John. SCRIP SAVERS GIFT CARD RESPONSE Thank you to the Bd. Of Stewardship for sponsoring this successful opportunity making our Christmas �gifting’ a little easier. $9,256 worth of cards were ordered (2x more than last year!), which returned back to our congregation’s mission and ministry a benefit of $537.95. We appreciate Lynn Bobby and Tina Reitz for compiling, ordering and delivering the cards in a timely matter to make great stocking stuffers for our friends and family. Your participation has given us encouragement to do this again next year. �SHOEBOX CHRISTMAS PRESENTS’ We are grateful to all congregational members, Bd. Of Christian Ed., Youth Group and Service Guild who gave time, offerings and donations to assist our monthly ongoing Project Compassion work at Abbington Rehab & Nursing Home. Filled with items requested by staff and recommended by residents, over 60 plastic shoe boxes were wrapped, ribboned and placed under the congregation’s Christmas tree until Christmas Day. They were delivered and distributed to the people following a worship service of carols and hymns conducted by members of St. John who shared their Christmas morning with the residents. In the words of one resident: “This gift is a present from the Lord.” When the hands of God’s people are transformed into the Lord’s hands in the eyes of those who are blessed by such sacrifices, the true Spirit of Christmas has been realized. “God with us” - “God in us” - God through us.” ELDER ASSIGNMENTS The Elders of SJELC are servants for members who have personal spiritual needs or material requests that the Pastor and congregation may address, but in a private and confidential way. To best help, the directory is divided alphabetically and assigned an elder. Here is the list for 2015 Matt Stearns: E. Anderson – K. Bruns Mike Waddell: M. Buchholz – E. Fondel Ed Piepenbrink: R. Franklin – K. Hinz Chris Kolupa: H. Hitzemann – B. McGonagle Karl Hinz: E. McVay – B. Scholinsky John Darrow: D. Schroeder – R. Yunker THRIVENT CHOICE GIFTS Thank you to all Thrivent members who designated SJELC congregation and preschool respectively, as recipients for the benevolence funding by this insurance/ financial adviser organization. $1,199 were received because of your care and concern for our young family mission and our ongoing ministry to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus St. John Newsletter Christ. Those funds made a positive difference in our work together as God’s people. Thank you. PASTOR AND KATHY’S PERSONAL NOTES We thank the members of St. John for their extremely generous Christmas gift this year. With the extra trips to MN in recent months, your thoughtfulness was a blessing that helped ease our financial concerns in a time when it was important for our family to be together. We pray God will extend His gracious and merciful hands over all of you in the coming year, to guard you from every danger and bestow all spiritual abundance and earthly bounty on you and your families. THANK YOU To My St. John Family, Thank you so very much for all of your cards, prayers and expressions of sympathy since my father’s death. It is truly comforting to be surrounded by so many kind and thoughtful people. God bless you! God bless us all with a very happy New Year in 2015! Kathy Brockhoff RICCARDO’S PROGRESSIVE DINNER The fellowship, food and service were so fantastic last year, we’d like to get together again for our SJELC unique version of progressive dinner. We meet at church for appetizers, then drive to the Riccardo’s Family Restaurant at Wise and Roselle Rd. for some fine dining. Then return to church for desserts. This all cuts down Page 5 on the travel time so we can spend more time together sharing and conversing. The $25/ plate cost covers the meal (choice of entrée off the menu), non-alcoholic drinks and tip. You’re invited to prepare an appetizer or dessert to share. A signup sheet will be on the narthex bulletin board later this month. MONDAY NIGHT CRAFT CLUB DONATION An offering of $557.00 has been made to the glory of God by the Monday Night Craft Club, from the 2014 Harvest Days sales proceeds towards a prepayment on the mortgage principle. SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE IN WORSHIP IN JANUARY ELDERS: 8:00 a.m.— Ed Piepenbrink 10:30 a.m.— Chris Kolupa ALTAR GUILD: Dawn Hinz Laura Sutherland
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