God’s richest blessings to you! Though Abraham was a wealthy man with a large contingent of servants to defend his possessions, he understood that there was a greater wealth and a more powerful defender in his life. Abraham believed the promise of God who said, "I am your shield and your great reward." God could provide him with the one thing he wanted that money couldn't buy and an army of servants couldn't acquire: a son. When God promised him offspring more numerous than the stars, Abraham believed and God counted it to him as righteousness. As we think of those things in our lives that money can't buy and the world can't provide for us, let us remember the promises of God to care for us spiritually in Jesus Christ and provide for all our wants of body and life.

Hebrews 11:1-16: This text reminds us that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. As Christian stewards we have the confidence that our lives have purpose and meaning and we live them out to bring glory to our Father in heaven and blessings to people around us.

The August potluck meeting of St. John’s Seniors will be held in the school cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15, and all senior members of St. John’s are cordially invited to attend. Please bring your own table service and a covered dish to share. Our guest speaker will be Mac Carlisle, Manager of the Kingsbury Fish and Wild Life Area. He has dealt with everything from bank robbers to the detonation of shells from World War II. Hearing about his unusual experiences should make for an interesting program.

Next Sunday, August 19, 2007, we will have a teacher rededication during the 8:00 AM service. Afterward, at Fellowship Coffee, there will be time to meet and greet your children's teachers for the coming school year. Everyone is welcome to stay for Bible Study after coffee.

We will meet in the music room tonight at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

From the Board of Parish Fellowship:

Today, the Fellowship Coffee Hour will feature blueberry treats; September 9, peach; and October 14, apple. Please be sure to come to the school cafeteria after the 8:00 a.m. worship service to enjoy these wonderful nourishing treats followed by spiritual nourishment through Bible study.

Mark your calendar now for Sunday, August 26, 2007. Our Annual Outdoor Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Family Picnic/Hog Roast at noon in the school gymnasium. Wendell Cooper, the gentleman who roasted pigs for our first hog roast will do the roasting again this year. Each family should bring one or two hot or cold side dishes of generous proportion and/or dessert to share. In addition, each family should provide its own table service. Games for children and adults are being planned with prizes for all the winners. Membership of the various Boards, Trustees and congregation are joining together to make this another enjoyable day of worship, food, fun and fellowship for our congregation.

Youth Group:

The next Youth Group meeting will be August 19, from 4-6 p.m. in the Youth Room. Grades 4-12 are all invited and there will be separate activities for the Junior and Senior Groups. Bring a friend and help us build a strong and fun group. The leaders are ready and willing to work to make this the best Youth Group ever! If you have any questions, please call Rhonda McConnell at 369-9680.

Sing unto the Lord a new song!

We have been blessed this summer with abundant sunshine, much to celebrate, and the Lord's promise of new beginnings as we continue in ministry. With that, in September, comes the new beginning of Walther League Chorus rehearsals. We practice on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the school music room, and will begin on September 10th, the week after Labor Day. We welcome you ALL to sing with us. If you used to be in chorus, maybe this is your time to return. If you have never sung with us, try it. You'll like it! We minister to our congregation in regular worship, to the community in our Christmas concert, and to one another as family as we work together. Come as you are - Just bring your voice and your love of the Lord! - Sue Rosselli

Thanks to Rhonda McConnell ……

Thanks to all who helped make the 2007 VBS successful; Pastor Young, Maria Surma, Bell Schuster, Cory Nehmelman, Nichole Scherer, Haley Alexander, Stephanie Kessler, Joan Scherer, Trudy Rule, Judy

Schreiber, Dana Alexander, Saadie Gardea, Shelby Nehmelman, Melanie McConnell, Rachel Alexander, Danielle Eigenmann, Karen Eigenmann, Zoe Surma, Curt Scherer and Taylor Baima. If I forgot anybody I apologize but, thanks for your help.

Thank you to all who donated snacks all week.

A BIG thank you to the parents for letting us teach the Word of God to your children. It was great to have about 40 children there everyday tracking evidence about Jesus and learning about his love during our adventure. Thanks to all of the children who attended and we hope to see you back next summer for a RODEO. It will be the last week of July.

Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life.
Rhonda McConnell

Dorothy V. Levandoski made a donation to the Sunday School in loving memory of her husband, Ed Levandoski, whose death date was August 13.

St. John’s Thrift Shop made a $10,000.00 donation to the General Fund.

INDIVIDUAL CHURCH MEMBERS $10.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

KAREN at 362-8070 or JUDY at 362-6390

OR DROP OFF THIS FORM AT THE

CHURCH OFFICE.

8/13/2007 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off

8/14/2007 (Tues.) 6:30p-School Board—Library

7:00p-Parish Fellowship-LL

7:00p-Stewardship-MR

8/15//2007 (Wed.) 6:30a-Men/Mission-PYO

10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wednesday Warriors-LL 11:30a-Senior Potluck

8/16/2007 (Thurs.)

8/17/2007 (Fri.) Pastor Young’s Day Off

8/18/2007 (Sat.) 6:00p-Worship/Communion

8/19/2007 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Coffee-CAF 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 10:45a-Worship/Communion

4:00p-Youth Group-YR

8/20/2007 (Mon.) School Begins — PK-8

1/2 day, No bus service

8/21/2007 (Tues) School Begins — Full Day

First Day of Preschool

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A Brauer

Organist Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Chris Adams

Marian Passafune

Sue Schoff

Elders on Duty: 6:00 PM: Jim Sherwood, Ron Scherer

8:00 AM: Ron Scherer

10:45 AM: Greg McConnell, Jim Sherwood

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR

The Altar flowers this week were sponsored by Ed and Lois Diedrich in loving memory of Robert Diedrich, grandson, whose birth date is August 10.