Welcome! Jonah was a reluctant follower. He went to Nineveh under protest, but through him God called the Ninevites to repentance. Jesus invited Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, and promised that through them, God would call many to repentance. In Baptism, God has called us to follow Him, and promises that through us, as well, people will be called to repentance and new life.

Due to popular demand (praise God!) by those who work during the week, we will beginning a Thursday evening Bible study for those who can’t get to Sunday morning Bible study or the other morning Bible studies that we have throughout the week. Beginning Thursday evening, January 26^th, a Bible study will begin, led by Luke Vandercar. The first topic will be a Biblical study of marriage. The Bible fellowship will begin at 7:00 pm in the Youth Room and run to 8:30 pm.

NOTE: young children are welcome! There will be things for them to play with while we get gather. For further information, please contact the church office.

From the Youth Director:

The Youth Group is now meeting every other Wednesday evening in the Youth Room. The next meeting is February 1. Meetings are from 6-7 pm and include Bible Study and a planning session for monthly events. All St. John’s Youth of high school age are invited to participate. Please bring your Bible and a friend!

The Family Circle will meet January 25 at 6 pm in the church lower level. Thereafter, monthly meetings will be on the third Wednesday.

From the Evening Circle:

The Evening Circle has Pecans, Chocolate Covered Pecans and Chocolate Covered Pecan Caramel Clusters for sale. They are just $7.00 a bag. For more information, call Deana Murray at 362-8084.

Exercise Class:

The 5:30 Monday & Thursday classes have been cancelled until further notice.

Mark your calendar for January 29, 2006, to be part of Every Member Sunday at St. John's Lutheran Church. While we encourage everyone to be in weekly worship, this one Sunday will serve as a renewal of everyone’s membership at St. John’s. This recommitment to our membership is patterned after our confirmation vows. This day is a perfect time as there are no football games to rush and watch, the Christmas cookies are all eaten and you need a fresh dessert, it’s a long Epiphany season and we will all enjoy this midwinter break.

We will also receive into membership those who complete the Discipleship class and desire to become members. We are planning a noon family potluck following the 10:45 a.m. service. Please bring your favorite casserole, salad, or dessert dish to share along with table service for your family. Beverages will be provided. Come for a time of food, fun and fellowship.

Support Our Youth Group:

Save your aluminum cans and scrap iron. These will be collected and transported to be recycled by our youth. Al Vollmer has again volunteered to oversee this project. Watch the bulletin for exact collection date and drop off point. Let’s make this a big one!!

Contribution statements for 2005 are now ready for pick up. They will be available in the Narthex before and after all weekend services and in the church office throughout the week.

Contribution envelopes for 2006 are available in the church lower level.

“Sowing Seeds” envelopes are available in the church office.

We need your help! Please make sure to put your NAME and your NEW ENVELOPE NUMBER on the outside of your “Sowing Seeds” envelopes. With a new year starting, and most people having new envelope numbers, we want to make sure all pledges are credited to the correct account. We also want to remind you that the new 2006 offering envelopes are available in the church basement. Thank You!

From the President of the Congregation:

Attention: All Church Council members, please mark your calendars for the next meeting date — January 24, 2006 in the school cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. In addition, the Voters Meeting will be held Friday, February 10, 2006 in the school cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. Plan to attend.

Order your football sandwiches — $6.00 per sandwich or four sandwiches, two liter of pop and chips for $25.00. Order forms available in the church office. Pick up sandwiches after each church service February 6

Beginning January 25 and until further notice (at least through the month of February), Mothers and Others Bible Study will be meeting

Wednesday mornings from 8:15 to 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room

Come one, come all to our 2^nd Annual Lily Event! It is a dinner, silent auction and dance held at the Silver Palace to benefit our church and school. The date is Friday, February 17^th and starts at 6:00.

There are many benefits to the evening in addition to the fundraising effort that we hope everyone will take advantage of. There is great food, including desserts and midnight snacks as well as an open bar. We will have many fun and interesting auction items to bid on and a great band to dance to after the auction is complete. (This year we have rented both rooms of the Silver Palace so that there is adequate space to browse the auction items.) We will also have a photographer on hand to take keepsake pictures of you and your spouse/friend/group in a designated area of the smaller room…for free!! So bring your friends and neighbors to this community-wide event supporting our church and school.

Auction Items: Anyone having auction items for the Lily event may drop them off in the church lower level between Sunday Services from now through the end of the month. If you have any questions or need to arrange a different time for drop off or pick up, please call Julie Sinclair at 326-0585.

Tickets are $25.00 per person and include dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, dessert, midnight snacks, and photograph. Tickets are available at the church and school offices and from members of our various boards. If you have any questions please call Julie Sinclair at 326-0585.

We pray for Gods blessings on our efforts to fulfill our mission to reach, lovingly, to all people and to provide them with the means to develop and sustain a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the leading of the Spirit.

See you there!!

The next Fish Fry will be held on March 24, 2006. There will be a slight change in dinner prices due to an increase in fish prices. Tickets will be $6.75 in advance and $7.25 at the door with dessert available at extra cost. We need help with all jobs and we need a ticket chairman. If interested in helping in any way, please call Dawn Crum at 324-2985 or the church office.