Ticket money should have been turned in by Friday; however, if you still have tickets and money, call Julie at 326-0585.

Today is the "Chocolate Fest" between services. Please join us for delicious chocolate treats, coffee, fellowship and Bible study. A suggested donation of $2.00 per family will help defray the cost of the Outdoor Service and Hog Roast/Family Picnic for 2006.

“His Word, Our Joy”:

“His Word, Our Joy” will meet in the Music Room this evening, February 12, at 6:30 pm. We will be singing, praying and have children’s activities. Plan to attend for an uplifting gathering.

Have you ever packed up all your belongings to move to a new location? If so, you can probably relate to the task of the “mother of all moves,” moving a museum! All senior members of St. John’s are cordially invited to attend the February 15, 2006 potluck meeting of St. John’s Seniors when one of the Curators of the La Porte County Historical Society, Inc. will be on hand to talk about their recent move to their new location. Just bring your own table service and a covered dish to share at 11:30 a.m. on the Wednesday, February 15 in the school cafeteria. See you there.

The Youth Group plans to see a Christian concert by “Casting Crowns” at Lisle, Illinois on Friday, March 24 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $17.00 each. We will meet at the school at 4:30 pm, transportation will be provided and everyone must bring his/her own spending money. Sign-up and ticket payment deadline is 6:00 pm. February 15, which is the next meeting night. Please bring your Bible and a friend.

The Sunday School will host the Second Annual “Chili Challenge” February 19 at noon in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $5.00 per person for all you dare to eat. (Hot dogs for kids.) The Sunday School challenges all groups or boards to a chili challenge! Awards will be given and FUN for all!!! Desserts are needed — bakers are encouraged to prepare and donate something delicious to top off the chili. Come join the FUN and B.Y.O.R. (Bring your own Rolaids.) See Rhonda McConnell or any Sunday School teacher to purchase tickets today. All proceeds go for teaching materials

Building Bridges of Friendship, a program of member conservation. The Board of Elders cordially invites you to attend a 20-minute presentation of this new program Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 pm in the school cafeteria.

This program is designed to minister, in a practical manner, to members when they become lax in their attendance at worship services. The key is to become aware of a member’s absenteeism at an early stage. Volunteers are needed for lay staff coordinators, volunteers for the printout and mailing of post cards, volunteers for telephoning and personal contact callers. Following the presentation, you will be welcomed to assist in any area of your choice. Training would follow thereafter at a later date. No strong-arm tactics will be employed. This is simply an invitation to come and listen.

The Board of Social Ministry is requesting the following items for the food pantry so we can continue to help those in need in our congregation. We especially need the following items:

Cereal           Paper towels

Macaroni and cheese           Pine Sol or other cleaning products

Box meals           Comet or other scouring powders

Crackers           Laundry soap

Toothpaste           Fabric softener

Dish soap           Bath soap

Thank you for your continued support.

The deadline for submittal of Newsletter items is 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2006. Thank you very much.

Praise the Lord! A total of $12,593.00 was collected for the Missions of St. John’s Lutheran Church in 2005. $12,000 of which was given equally to the following local, regional and global missions.

Duneland Lutheran High School

The remaining balance will be given to St. John’s Lutheran School which is one of our most important Missions.

Thank you all for your generous support of not only our church, but also helping to spread the Good News to those outside of our church. Jesus came to earth in order that everyone may be saved and have eternal life with God. It is so important that everyone hears that message. Thank you for doing your part!

Contribution statements for 2005 are available for pick up 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 Narthex.

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

Lastly, please be sure to put your NAME and your NEW ENVELOPE NUMBER on the outside of your “Sowing Seeds” envelopes. With the new year and most people having new envelope numbers, we want to make sure all pledges are credited to the correct account. Thank you!

A very special thank you to Pastor Young and Pastor Brauer for your prayers and words of encouragement before, during and following my surgery. I also wish to thank the many of you who have prayed that the surgery would be successful, and that God would bring about healing. I also wish to thank all of you, who through your generosity, sent cards and letters of encouragement. A simple thank you seems rather shallow, but I want you to know that what you have said or done has meant more to me than words can possibly express. I look forward to being able to return to church, and join you in fellowship very soon. Diane Jerndt

LILY Event, February 17; Ash Wednesday, March 1; National Lutheran Schools Week March 5 - March 10; Soup Suppers March 8 - April 5, 5:30 p; Weekly Lenten Services continue March 8 - April 5, 7p ; PTL Disco Dance, March 17; Fish Fry, March 24; Steven’s Puppets, March 28.

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist: Susan Rosselli

Director of Music Matt Nelson

Pauletta Schuster

Elders on Duty: 7:00 PM: Jim Sherwood and David Surma

8:00 AM: Ron Sherer

10:45 AM: Greg McConnell and Ron Scherer

Acolytes: 7:00 PM: Sean Kalsow

10:45 AM: Shelby Nehmelman

The flowers on the Altar this weekend were sponsored by Clara Haack in loving memory of her sister, Hulda Duchossois, whose death date was February 7.

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR

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