Welcome! Today we gather to receive from God a glimpse of the glory which he gave to his Son, and which his Son shares with the Church. That glory was manifested in the light that shone at Bethlehem and as the light that shone on the mountain of transfiguration. Nowhere does it shine more brightly than as the light that pierces the darkness of Calvary, where Christ gives Himself for us in the ultimate way.
 

“His Word, Our Joy”:

“His Word, Our Joy” will meet in the Music Room this evening, February 26, at 6:30 pm. We will be singing and praying; come see what fruit of the spirit we will focus on tonight. Plan to attend for an uplifting gathering.

Collection day for the aluminum cans and scrap iron you have been saving is March 18, the same day as Market Day. These items will be collected and transported to the recycler by our youth. Al Vollmer is overseeing this project. Place your containers of cans and scrap iron at the school entrance for transfer that morning between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Contribution statements for 2005 are available for pick up in the Narthex before and after all weekend services through this week end —February 26; thereafter they will be available in the church office.

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!

An important meeting of the Activities Committee will be held on Monday, March 6, at 1:15 p.m. in the Ladies Lounge. All Circles should be represented.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship:

National Lutheran Schools Week is commemorated between March 5 and March 10. As part of the celebration on Sunday, March 5, we will honor our school faculty and paid staff with a reception between services during the Fellowship Coffee Hour. Please come to show your appreciation for the many years of dedicated, professional service these employees have extended to our Lutheran Day School. While every school employee is being honored, special recognition will be given to Sharon Butler and Karla Eigenmann, 15 years; Julie Stelter, 20 years; Dave Wippich, 25 years; and Marlene Will, 40 years of service.

Pastor Young is beginning a new Bible study series this Sunday, February 26 at 9:30 a.m. after Fellowship Coffee. “Water, A Theme Throughout Scripture.” How many times are the words water, ground and man used in chapters one and two of the Book of Genesis? Those of us who attend will find out. Come, join us this week and every week thereafter -- bring your Bible and become a regular attendee.

Plan now for the “Mint Fest” March 12, between services, as usual. We know there must be some unusual recipes using mint. Ladies, peruse your recipes and let Linda Peters, 393-3496 or Marilyn Sawyer, 362-6069 or 362-3726, in the church office, know what you will bring that day. All donations are appreciated.

With the Lenten season upon us, it also means our Wednesday evening worship services, beginning March 8, will be preceded by the delicious soup suppers prepared and served by the ladies of Parish Fellowship. We will have a variety of homemade soups to choose from, sandwiches, fruit, a light dessert and beverages. Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. A free- will offering will be accepted to support our youth servant events.

One Board and a Circle have already offered to prepare soups, sandwiches and/or to assist our Board in any way they can. Anyone else, individual or Board, willing to help out should contact Linda Peters at 393-3496 or Marilyn Sawyer at 362-6069 or in the church office at 362-3726 to coordinate their efforts with the Board of Parish Fellowship.

Thank you, one and all, for your continued support of our Food Pantry. We just received a good supply again, which enables us to help those in our congregation who need our help. We do have a gentle request: Please be mindful of the expiration dates on the products you donate.

Thank you again for your generosity.

Our long-awaited fish fry will be March 24, 2006, 4— 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Because the price of fish has increased, our ticket prices this year are $6.75 in advance and $7.75 at the door. Tickets for children under 12 are $3.50. Carry outs will be available and as usual, pie will be available at extra cost. Tickets are available in the church office.

Much preliminary preparation work must be done, such as filling cups with cole slaw, scrubbing and wrapping potatoes for baking, wrapping tableware with napkins, breading fish, ticket sellers, ticket takers and greeters. Finally, we need clean-up people — individuals responsible for cleaning tables and folding them along with the chairs for storage; and last, but not least, vacuum the gym floor so it is presentable for the next activity on Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. Set aside some time to help with the above tasks, then call Dawn Crum at 324-2985, Paul Tibbs at 369-8658 or Marilyn in the church office at 362-3726 to ask how you can help to make this a successful fish fry. We need many hands! Volunteer today!

Delicious pies are needed from our expert bakers. Bring a couple pies to the school during the afternoon of March 24. If you have any questions, please call Annette Williams at 326-8017.

My deepest thanks and appreciation go to my entire St. John's Church family. Your prayers, calls, visits, cards and well wishes were, and still are, a blessing to me during my surgery and recovery. I want to especially thank Pastor Young and Pastor Brauer for their loving care and concern, and Marilyn Sawyer who willingly stepped up to take over the church office duties while I am off. I miss seeing you all, and hope to return to work in a few weeks. Your sister in Christ, Linda Woodruff

Louise Mellenthin made a donation to the school HVAC Fund in loving memory of her husband, Harold, whose death date is March 3

The family of George Mellenthin made a donation to the General Fund in loving memory of George whose death date is February 28.

National Lutheran Schools Week, March 5 — March 10

Soup Suppers Wednesdays, March 8 through April 5, 5:30 pm

PTL Disco Dance, March 17, 6 pm

Market Day, March 18, 9:30 am

Aluminum Can/Scrap Iron Collection, March 18, 9:30-10:30 am

Fish Fry, March 24, 4-7 pm

Steven’s Puppets, March 28, 1 pm

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist: Susan Rosselli

Director of Music Matt Nelson

Altar Guild: Dawn Crum, Deanna Murray and Pauletta Schuster

Elders on Duty: 7:00 PM: Ron Scherer and Greg McConnell

8:00 AM: Ron Scherer

10:45 AM: Dave Surma and Jim Sherwood

Acolytes: 7:00 PM: Stephanie Pavlak

10:45 AM: Kerry Cooley

The flowers on the Altar this weekend were sponsored by St. John’s Congregation.

Funeral: Lawrence Heidel returned to the Lord on February 19, 2006 and received a Christian burial on Thursday, February 23, 2006.

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR