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St. John’s Lutheran Church!
St. John’s Lutheran Church (LCMS)
111 Kingsbury Avenue
LaPorte, IN 46350
(219) 362-3726
St. John's LCMS Lutheran Church
Activities brochure
(Information updated Fall 1998)
Regular Church Services
Sunday Services at 8am & 10:45am each week in church (follows worship orders in Lutheran Worship Hymnal or bulletin inserts)
Saturday Service at 7pm each week in church (follows worship order in The Lutheran Hymnal)
Prayer & Praise Service - 5th Sunday in any month; special contemporary service.
Holiday Church Services
Wednesday Night Services during Lent & Advent at 7pm in church (special program)
Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30am (followed by Easter Breakfast at school at 7:30am); 2nd Service at 10am
Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7pm & Thanksgiving Day at 9am in church (special program)
Christmas Eve Family Service at 5pm & Candlelight Service at 10:30pm, (special music program begins at 10pm)
Christmas Day service at 9am (special program)
Wednesday Night Prayer Service
MEETS: Each Wednesday at 6pm in the School Ladies Lounge
GOALS: To give a mid-week opportunity for worship, study & prayer
ACTIVITIES: Singing, Bible study, prayer and enjoying Christian fellowship to uplift each other at a mid-week break-point.
Children’s Sunday School
MEETS: Ages pre-school to 3rd grade meet Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am in the Church Basement
GOALS: To acquaint the children with Jesus, develop Christian character, support missions and evangelism outreach.
ACTIVITIES: Visit local nursing homes, make shut-in gifts, hold visitor drives, have guest speakers, sponsor many mission projects, weekly devotional services, show mission videos
Sunday Adult & High School Bible Classes
MEET: 9:30am to 10:15am in Music Room, 8th Grade Room or Ladies Lounge
GOALS: Spiritual growth through God’s Word, fellowship, prayers & personal sharing
ACTIVITIES: Bible Study (various topics), prayer requests taken, confidential sharing
Tuesday AM Women’s Bible Class
MEETS: 9am to 10:30am each Tuesday in the Ladies Lounge
GOALS: Spiritual uplifting, prayers for others & personal sharing
ACTIVITIES: Bible Study, prayer requests taken, confidential sharing
Tuesday PM Women’s Bible Class
MEETS: Each Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30pm in School Ladies Lounge
GOALS: Bible Study to enrich our individual faith, discussions to strengthen convictions and enjoying fellowship.
ACTIVITIES: Primarily searching the Scriptures, contributing to Bible translating & distributing to organizations.
Voters Assembly
MEETS: Quarterly on Wednesdays (or as announced) in school cafeteria to discuss agenda prepared by Church Council.
GOALS: To bring the entire congregation together to discuss and vote on items of interest and concern to the membership.
ACTIVITIES: All members of St. John’s 18 years of age or older may become voting members after reading the constitution and request voting membership at a Voters Meeting.
Church Council
MEETS: Every quarter before Voters Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
GOALS: Discuss and vote on proposals that the Boards wish to bring before the Voters Assembly. Coordinate the Boards under the church mission statement.
ACTIVITIES: Made up of representatives from each Board, Pastors, the congregation president, vice-president and secretary.
Executive Board
MEETS: First Tuesday of each month except the month following a Church Council meeting.
GOALS: To have more in-depth discussions of ideas & programs to be brought before Church Council.
ACTIVITIES: Made up of chairman of each board, pastors & elected officials.
Board of Elders
MEETS: 3rd Tuesday of the month in the school
GOALS: To oversee, look after & support the Pastoral staff; maintain the priorities, personal contact & leadership to reach every person through Word & Sacrament ministry.
ACTIVITIES: Sponsor various activities and spiritual care church programs.
Board of Trustees
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the school
GOALS: To provide, improve and maintain facilities for the work in mission. Oversee the physical plant for improvements & new uses; plan for future needs & funding.
ACTIVITIES: Sponsor various activities and church programs.
School Board
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the school
GOALS: To provide & cultivate a quality Christian Day School ministry program within the congregation’s Mission, overseeing staff requirements.
ACTIVITIES: Sponsor fundraising activities and special school programs.
Board of Missions & Evangelism
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the school
GOALS: To provide direction for members in maturing spiritual life through training for outreach & in-reach efforts, building-up world mission vision & commitment.
ACTIVITIES: Special projects for community outreach, assist Church Greeters Program, assist Annual Outdoor Service, visitors follow-up, sponsor spiritual training programs, Telecare Ministry .
Board of Parish Education
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the school
GOALS: To organize Bible study groups and educational programs within the church, support lay-teaching staff so that children, youth and adults continually grow in the knowledge of Christ & His Word.
ACTIVITIES: Recruit Vacation Bible School director, aid the Sunday School Superintendent, & organize Bible Studies.
Board of Parish Fellowship
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of selected months at 7pm in the school
GOALS: To organize & oversee fellowship activities for church & school members of all ages; to create family-uniting activities and a friendly atmosphere.
ACTIVITIES: Family Nights, Annual Outdoor Service & Church Picnic, Fellowship Festivals, oversee Youth Group, Church Daycare & Adult/Senior Activity Groups, assist in Greeter’s Program and put together Church directory.
Board of Social Ministry
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of selected months at 7pm in the school.
GOALS: To provide assistance to people in need, & evaluate programs within the church & community to see how they may benefit the individual.
ACTIVITIES: Food baskets at Christmas & Easter, help with vouchers for food, utilities, gasoline & rent; help with the needs of elderly.
Board of Stewardship
MEETS: 2nd Tuesday of selected months at 7pm in the school.
GOALS: Contact members to allow them to recommit themselves to Christ with time, talents and treasures. Promote Stewardship education.
ACTIVITIES: Contact members annually.
Prayer Phone Chain
MEETS: As announced. Call church office.
GOALS: To pray together with single-minded trust in our Lord Jesus Christ for specific prayer requests concerning His Kingdom work & will among us in every need of body & soul.
ACTIVITIES: Lots of prayer!
Worship & Music Committee
MEETS: As needed.
GOALS: To plan worship services for the church that are Bible based, meet members needs spiritually and make use of the talents within the congregation.
ACTIVITIES: Regular and special church services.
Men with a Mission
MEETS: Every Saturday at 7am in the school.
GOALS: Provide fellowship, Bible study & prayer among the men of the congregation, focusing on man’s role in the family & church.
ACTIVITIES: Sponsor food ministry and various activities.
Church Ushers
MEETS: As announced.
GOALS: Provide ushers for all church services to help members and guests feel welcome in God’s house.
ACTIVITIES: Help with various activities.
Jubilant Handbell Choir
MEETS: Wednesdays at 7:15pm in the church during the school year.
GOALS: Glorify God through music.
ACTIVITIES: Various church services and the Annual Christmas concert.
Walther League Chorus
MEETS: Every Monday during the school year at 7pm in the school music room.
GOALS: Glorify God through music.
ACTIVITIES: Sing at church services and present the annual Christmas concert at the civic auditorium.
Thrift Shop Workers
MEETS: As announced
GOALS: Organize and run the Thrift Shop as a benefit to the church.
ACTIVITIES: Donate to a variety of church & school projects.
Women’s Exercise Class
MEETS: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday September through May at 8am in school gym.
GOALS: Provide fellowship through exercise.
ACTIVITIES: Workout sessions!
St. John’s Senior Group
MEETS: Monthly on Wednesdays.
GOALS: Fellowship for older adults.
ACTIVITIES: Meals, devotional tapes, fundraising and fellowship activities.
Senior Youth Group
MEETS: Every Sunday at 7pm
GOALS: To provide fellowship and spiritual growth for high school age teens.
ACTIVITIES: Easter Breakfast, Confirmation party, attend National Youth Gathering, various social activities and fund-raisers .
PTL (Parent-Teacher League)
MEETS: As announced
GOALS: To look for ways to fill needs of St. John’s school, parents and teachers.
ACTIVITIES: Variety of fellowship & fund-raiser activities involving parents, students & teachers.
Newspaper Stuffers
MEETS: Monday & Saturday mornings at the LaPorte Herald-Argus
GOALS: To raise money for church projects.
ACTIVITIES: Donate to various church projects and activities.
Market Day Volunteers
MEETS: Monthly on Saturday mornings
GOALS: Raise money for church and school programs.
ACTIVITIES: Take orders and distribute food.
Discipleship Class
MEETS: As announced
GOALS: For persons interested in becoming church members or in renewing their knowledge of their confirmation vows.
ACTIVITIES: Bible study and fellowship.
Altar Guild
MEETS: Quarterly as announced.
GOALS: Service the needs of the church/ altar
ACTIVITIES: Assist acolytes with robes, clean chancel & sacristy, take flowers to shut-ins, assist with weddings & funerals, launder linens, Bible study topic at meetings
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
MEETS: 3rd Wednesday of every other month at 7pm in school
GOALS: Mission education, inspiration service & fellowship; to encourage & equip women to use their God-given talents
ACTIVITIES: Mite Box collections, devotions, Bible study, speakers, fundraising for missions, making tie-quilts.
LWML Quilting Group
MEETS: Last Friday of the month at 9am in the church basement.
GOALS: Fellowship and quilts for the needy or fundraising.
ACTIVITIES: Quilting!
Ladies Aid
MEETS: 2nd Friday of every month at 1:30pm in the Ladies Lounge
GOALS: Fellowship for ladies and finding ways to serve the church.
ACTIVITIES: Meetings with speakers, program & dessert.
JOYinC (Just Older Youth in Christ)
MEETS: Various times - usually 2nd Saturday of each month in evening at a members home
GOALS: Good Christian fellowship & fun for young adults (20’s - 40’s)
ACTIVITIES: Social activities including cards, games, dinners, service activities.
Mom’s Care-n-Share
MEETS: Fridays at 1:30pm in church basement (summer 2:30pm at member’s home)
Goals: Through the study of God’s Word, Mom’s find encouragement, challenges & support in being Godly wives & mother’s
ACTIVITIES: Bible study & fellowship(children welcome to attend with mothers)
Activities Committee
MEETS: 1st Monday of each month at 1:15pm in the Ladies Lounge (except in summer)
GOALS: Fundraising and coordination of all organizations.
ACTIVITIES: Luncheon and Fall Festival for all organizations, planning of joint activities.
Circle 1 Quilting Group
MEETS: Every Wednesday at 9am in the church basement.
GOALS: Fellowship and quilts for the needy or fundraising.
ACTIVITIES: Quilting!
Ladies Circle 3
MEETS: Monthly on Thursdays at 1:30pm in the Ladies Lounge (except in summer)
GOALS: Fellowship & serve the church through various activities.
ACTIVITIES: Help with Fall Festival, VBS, serve at shut-in service.
Ladies Circle 4
MEETS: Every other Wednesday afternoon in members homes.
GOALS: Fellowship and fundraising for the church.
ACTIVITIES: Social meetings with card games or potluck, help with Fall Festival, volunteer work, making items for fundraising, donating money to church
Ladies Circle 6
MEETS: Every other Thursday at 1pm in the Ladies Lounge (except in summer)
GOALS: To help the church missions & members in a variety of ways
ACTIVITIES: Social meetings with card games or potluck, help with Fall Festival, volunteer work, making items for fundraising, donating money to church
Ladies Circle 8
MEETS: Every other Tuesday at 1:30pm in Ladies Lounge (except in summer)
GOALS: To make every member feel welcome at St. John’s and help the church
ACTIVITIES: Bible Study, lunches, cards, help with Fall Festival, help with church banquets & shut-in service
Ladies Evening Circle
MEETS: Every other Thursday evening at 7pm
GOALS: Fellowship and fundraising for the church
ACTIVITIES: Bake sales, Mother/Daughter Dessert, potluck, parties, serve dessert after Lenten services, fundraising projects.
For more information, call St. John’s Church Office at:
(219)362-3726
for the contact person for any of the organizations listed.
Project of: St. John’s Board of Missions & Evangelism
Brochure produced by: Dreamer
Creative Marketing c 1998
