Blessings to you! Do you need some reason to witness to others? Look around as you worship today. Notice the "blossoms" that God has gathered into a "bouquet of believers" in this place. Go and tell about the grace that you see and hear in this community of God's people--about the miracles of love that are wrought among us. Rejoice and be glad! Celebrate the presence of God among us!
 

Pancake Breakfast: The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders invite you to attend a pancake breakfast today, after the 8 and 10:45 am services. The proceeds go towards defraying the cost of their trip to Washington D.C. this May. Come and enjoy fresh eggs, sausages, pancakes, juice, coffee and milk. Prices are $6.00 for adults and $4.50 for children 4-12.

A new Bible Study has begun! A new Bible Study, “The Devil,” continues today at 9:30 am. All who attend will receive a copy of “GOOD NEWS,” issue 26, which will serve as our study guide for this very enlightening look at the great deceiver and how he works in your world today. All are invited! (Today, this Bible Study will be held in the Chapel due to the Pancake Breakfast in the cafeteria, but there is time to go to breakfast before Bible Study begins!)

Sunday School: Sunday School will resume today at 9:25 am in the church lower level.

From St John’s Seniors: St. John’s Seniors will hold their first meeting of the new year 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. Todd Wooten, CSA, of Wooten Financial Services in Valparaiso will be on hand to help you understand your IRAs and RMDs, and answer other financial questions you have..

Upcoming Church Meetings: Please mark these important meeting dates on your calendar:

Tues., January 16, 7:00 PM—Church Council-MR

Wed., February 7, 7:00 PM—Voter’s Meeting-CAF

Newsletter: Please have any items for the February Newsletter turned in to the church office by Wednesday, January 17.

150th Committee Meeting: The meeting of the 150th Anniversary Committee has been rescheduled from January 17, to the new date of January 24 at 7:00 pm.

From Sue Rosselli: Do you sing in the shower? In the car? With the radio in the living room when nobody's home? That's wonderful, but we need you HERE! Singing to the Lord is a wonderful and high calling- remember David? Remember Asaph? They never missed a chance to sing to the Lord! Seriously, as with all our ministries, when some retire their faithful service and others begin service in other areas, new people are needed to continue the work that the Lord started. We are especially in need of a FEW GOOD MEN, but all ladies will also certainly be welcomed and appreciated. We meet on Mondays at 7:00 P.M. in the Music Room of the school. We are beginning to practice for the seasons of Lent and Easter, and for our 150th anniversary celebration. "Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart.: Isaiah 65:14.

“His Word, Our Joy’: Consider coming to an informal gathering of singing and praying at “His Word, Our Joy” next Sunday evening, January 21. We meet in the Music Room at 6:30 pm for about 45 minutes. We will have an activity for the children to complete while we learn some new songs. Our small group would love to welcome you into our fellowship!

From the Finance Committee: Year-end financial statements are ready and will be available in the church office for those wanting one. Contact Linda Peters or Ron Scherer with any questions.

Contribution envelopes are still available for pick-up in the church basement. Please note that your envelope number may have changed.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship: St. John's 150th Anniversary celebratory events start January 2007. Every Member Recommitment

Sunday is January 28, 2007 (this is not a football Sunday). Following the 10:45 a.m. worship service, we will have a noon potluck. Every family is asked to bring a dish or two of generous proportions to enable us to have enough food for everyone. You may bring your dishes of food to the kitchen before the service to keep cold or hot. Please bring table service for your family. Beverages will be provided.

Most importantly, it is the kick-off for St. John's 150th Anniversary. You will learn of the celebration plans during 2007 as well as the theme, logo, and anniversary hymn that best depicts this year-long celebration.

1/15/2007 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off 7:30a-W. Ex. Class-GYM 7:00p-WLC Rehearsal-MR

1/16/2007 (Tues.) 1:30p-Circle 8-LL 6:00p-Family Circle 7:00p-Church Council

1/17/2007 (Wed.) 6:30a-Men/Mission-PYO 7:30a-W. Ex. Class-GYM 8:15a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wednesday Warriors-LL 11:30a-Senior Potluck

1/18/2007 (Thurs.) 8:15a-Mothers/Others-YR 2:30p-Brownies #204

1/19/2007 (Fri.) Pastor Young’s Day Off 7:30a-W. Ex. Class-GYM

1/20/2007 (Sat.) 8:00a-Banner Com.-4th Gr. 7:00p-Worship

1/21/2007 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship/Communion 9:15a-Coffee-CAF 9:30a-Sunday School 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 10:45a-Worship

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist: Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Marilyn Boardman, Dorothy Levandoski , Ruby McMahon

Elders on Duty: 7:00 PM: Mark Jerndt, Jim Peters

8:00 AM Mark Jerndt

10:45 AM: Roger Schuster, Paul Tibbs

The flowers on the Altar were sponsored by the congregation.

ST. JOHN’S COMMUNION STATEMENT: As a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we believe Scripture teaches that the Lord's Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused, St. John’s communes only those instructed in the teachings of the LCMS and our church who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Prompted by the love for God’s Word, love for God’s people, and love for the Bible’s deep concern for doctrinal truth (Romans 16:17), guests who desire to commune are asked to speak with the pastor before service.

Distribution Hymns: LW 270 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”

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