Greetings in Christ Jesus! The resurrection of our Lord is not merely an event but the core and central proclamation of the Christian faith and the lifeline of God. Because Jesus is raised we not only have hope of eternal life in heaven, we also have power to live new lives today. As we find ourselves connected to one another by the Branch, may His name be glorified as we bear fruit as His true disciples!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

From St. John’s Seniors: St. John’s Seniors will celebrate their 13th Anniversary at the May 17 meeting when a potluck dinner will be served at 11:30 am in the school cafeteria. All senior members of St. John’s are cordially invited to attend. Please bring your own table service and a covered dish to share. The committee will be providing ice cream and cake, so it is requested that no desserts be brought for this meeting. Our guest will be woodcarver, Doris Kroening.

News from Sunday School: The Fun Fair will be June 4 from 1-2:30 pm and it promises to be lots of fun for all children of the Congregation! We need volunteers to bring baked goods for the Cake Walk and to help at the games and activities. Sign up sheets are in this bulletin and the back of the church. They can be placed in the boxes in the church, church office, or church basement. Any questions? Call Maria Surma (324-9711), Stephanie Kessler (324-3741) or contact any Sunday School Teacher.

Annual Parking Lot & Church/School Rummage Sale: Start making plans now for the Annual Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, June 17 from 8 am–1 pm. For $7 you may rent a space to sell your garage sale items, crafts, plants, etc. Space rental proceeds go for advertising and to the church and school. You keep the profits from selling your wares!

An added feature this year will be a St. John’s Church/School Rummage Sale held outdoors at the same time as the parking lot sale. We need your help with this. Please look through your closets and basements for any items you could donate to the rummage sale. Proceeds from this sale will be shared equally between the church and school. We are looking for clean, sellable items that can be carried by one person—please, NO LARGE FURNITURE, LARGE APPLIANCES, and NO CLOTHING! Most importantly, bring your donations to the school after school is out for the summer (June 7-16). With your help, this can become an annual project to help your church and school.

Any group or class interested in selling refreshments at this sale, for their own profit, please call Ellen Heidel at 362-5694 for more information.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship: On Sunday, May 21, between services in the school cafeteria, we will be having a “Send-Off” for Bill Trowbridge. Bill will be leaving for the St. Louis Seminary in June. While Bill contributed much to our congregation, his beautiful voice will be greatly missed within the Walther League Chorus. Please join us as we wish him success in his new career. A basket for gift cards will be available that morning.

Then on Sunday June 4, the School Board and Board of Parish Fellowship will be honoring Mrs. Marlene Will for her 40 years as a Lutheran School Teacher with a Retirement Open House between 4:00 and 7:00 pm in the school gymnasium. Beginning at 4:00 pm, special recognition, gifts and awards will be presented to her. Please join us in thanking her for her many years of service and to give her a great send-off on the beginning of her new life of retirement.

A Retirement Gift Fund has been established for Mrs. Will. Anyone wishing to give a love donation for that purpose may do so by mailing or bringing a check to the church office. Checks should be payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church marked “Will retirement” on the memo line. Please submit your donations by May 18, 2006. We have another option: A collection at all 3 services on the week-ends of May 20/21 and May 27/28 will take place if you would rather contribute in this manner. This is separate from our regular weekly tithes and offerings.

Thank you for your gifts of love, and we look forward to seeing you on June 4 between 4:00 and 7:00 pm in the school gymnasium. A basket for retirement gift cards will be available at the Open house.

If you have any questions or would like to help with hors d’oeuvres, please contact Julie Sinclair at 326-0585.

Also, on Sunday, June 11, it will be Strawberry Shortcake Day. The Board of Parish Fellowship will prepare and serve this seasonal treat between services during Fellowship Coffee. A $2.00 donation per family is requested to defray costs of the upcoming annual Hog Roast/Family Picnic which will be Sunday, August 27, 2006. Mark your calendars now!