Greetings in the Name of Jesus! Amen! And Welcome to St. John’s! The Ancient Christian Church’s first ‘catechism,’ The Didache, began with these words, “Two Ways there are, one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the Two Ways.” These two ways were life and good on one side, and death and evil on the other. Moses instructed the Children of Israel in our Old Testament reading with God’s Words that would lead them to life. Jesus talks about the cost of discipleship, noting how we should consider the cost of following Jesus by picking up and carrying our cross. It is in living the sanctified life that we do carry our cross, walking in the paths of righteousness for the Savior’s sake, guided by His all-powerful hand
 

Philemon 1-21: Good stewardship encourages us to make the best use of our resources regardless of our station or position in life. Onesimus was a runaway slave who became a Christian by God’s grace and, as St. Paul said, was of even more value to his master Philemon as a Christian brother than as an ordinary slave. By God’s grace we are richly blessed so we may be blessings to others. (LCMS)
 

FROM THE BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION

Make use of Jesus’ gift of His keys today. In addition to hearing the Good News of forgiveness from your pastor on Sunday, as you need it, go to him also for private confession to hear Jesus speak through him with His living Word, which will unlock you from your slavery to sin

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Edited to remove personal phone numbers, email addresses and other personal information not for online use)
 

From the Sunday School Superintendent:

Rally Day is today, and the Sunday School Staff is very excited about bringing the Good News to the wonderful children in our congregation and neighborhood. The activity starts at 9:30 AM in the church basement. We will have a lot of fun making crafts, singing songs, playing games, and of course, eating! Please join us!

The Fellowship Coffee Hour will feature peach treats today, and apple on October 14. 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.

7th & 8th Grade Classes: All 7th and 8th grade students who do not attend St. John’s Day School, but who wish to become confirmed members of the church are invited and encouraged to attend these classes. Classes will begin on Wednesday evening, September 12, at 6:00 PM in the Ladies Lounge. They are being led by Pastor Young and last for one hour. If you would like to sign up, or have any questions, please call the church office at 362-3726.

Adult Discipleship Class to Start September 16: Pastor Brauer will conduct a Discipleship Class, an adult information class that leads to church membership at St. John’s as a communicant member. This course will run weekly until the end of November, where, at the 10:45 AM service that day, those completing the course and desiring to become members will be received through the Rite of Adult Confirmation. If you are interested in this class, or, if, like others at St. John’s, would like a ‘refresher course’ on the Catechism, please call the church office and register. There is no cost.

Sing unto the Lord a new song!

Walther League Chorus rehearsals. begin on Monday evening, September 10, at 7:00 PM in the school music room. 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

His Word, Our Joy meets tonight at 6:30 PM in the Music Room. All are welcome to attend.

The next meeting is Monday, September 10 (tomorrow), at 1:15 PM in the Ladies Lounge.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 12, in the Ladies Lounge at 7:00 PM. Please bring your questions, concerns and ideas.

All members of Circle 7 are reminded that we will meet on September 12 at 12:30 PM. This will be a potluck, with hostesses Margaret Boardman, Marilyn Boardman, Helen Smith, Dorothy Salzwedel and Mary Jo Uebele providing the meat.

Ever wonder what is available to help parents in ‘bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?’ “Parenting with Purpose” is a six-week course designed to assist parents in communication skills and fostering connections in the family. Whether your child has just escaped the playpen or is ready for driver’s education, this course is for you.

Using video interaction, this Bible study looks at ways to improve parents’ communication skills. Facilitated by Pastor Brauer, this course will run the last three Wednesday evenings in September and first three Wednesday evenings in October from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. in the school’s cafeteria. There is no cost, however, to provide each participant with materials, please call the church office (362-3726) to register. (Day School parents will be given information and registration forms in the school news.) This will be open to the community.

So please mark your calendars for September 12, 19, and 26, and October 3, 10, and 17 for “Parenting with Purpose.” Child watching service will be available for a freewill donation.

Summer leisure and eating is coming to a close, and time to exercise is back. Join us in the school gym each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 AM for an hour of fellowship and exercise to keep you fit and feeling good. (Some of our exercise equipment is missing. If you know where it might be, please let the church office know.) Thank you!

This week, September 9-14, is the last week of our $5.00 Bag Sale. Stop in and see what great bargains you can purchase for only $5.00! You will be helping yourself and our church at the same time!

On Monday, September 17, from 6:00 AM–10:00AM, we will be switching over to our fall and winter merchandise. Extra help is needed.  If you could spare a few hours, it would be greatly appreciated. Please call Mary Jo with any questions at 362-2538.

From the Newspaper Committee:

The Newspaper Committee is updating our schedule to make it more convenient for you to obtain Al’s certificates/Kroger cards. These are available on the 1st Sunday of the month in the school hall after the 8:00 AM service, the 2nd Sunday in the Narthex after the 8:00 AM service, most Sundays in the Narthex before the 10:45 AM service, and Monday-Friday in the church office. Thank you for supporting the church and school through this project. Feel free to stop and ask any questions that you may have, or call Karen.

Last week, with the purchase and arrival of four cases of hymnals, we have reached our goal of 450! All but two cases (28) have been sponsored by members of the congregation and are labeled with bookplates honoring people, the 150th Anniversary, or as a memorial to loved ones. Thank you to all who supported this project. The remaining 28 are in the church office and are available for sponsorship.

The 150th Anniversary Committee will have it’s “wrap-up” meeting on Thursday, September 20. They will discuss the money collected and present their proposals to the congregation at the next Voter’s Meeting, November 7.

The day school is in need of an assistant cook from Monday-Friday, from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. We currently pay $6.00 per hour for this position. Please call the school office at 362-6692 for details, or stop in the office for an employment application. The position is open immediately.

A donation was made to the Hymnal Fund by Dan and Linda Tarnow in loving memory of their son, John, whose birth date was September 9, and by John’s sons, Daniel and Dwight, in loving memory of their dad.

The Newspaper Stuffers made a $1000.00 donation to the General Fund.

OCTOBER 18, 2007—9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS BOOTH SPACE FREE

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.

NAME ___________________________________

PHONE __________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF ITEMS __________________

The Board of Parish Fellowship is having its Fall Progressive Dinner Friday, October 12, 2007.

We will meet in the Ladies Lounge at 6:00 p.m. for hors d’oeuvres.

We have a "new twist" this fall. At 6:45 p.m., we will "journey through the hallway" to the school cafeteria with the host families for the entree for groups of eight people. The host may choose whatever he/she wishes to prepare and bring it to the school cafeteria. The host

arranges with other members of the group to provide the appetizer, salad, rolls, butter and dessert. Each host will have a table for his/her guests; and, table service will be provided.

Depending on the number of guests, we will either stay in the cafeteria or return to the Ladies Lounge for dessert and more fellowship.

This is always an enjoyable evening, and not a "couples only" gathering. Groups will consist of a mixture of old friends with a chance to meet and make new friends.

Please complete the following to indicate your willingness to attend and/or host a party of eight in the school cafeteria for the entree.

*******************************************************

NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS PLANNING TO ATTEND:

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

TELEPHONE:___________________________________________

WILLING TO HOST: YES______

Reading the Psalms with Luther : The church has been offered an introductory price ($10.99 on the new book, Reading the Psalms with Luther. It is a 368 page, hard cover book, containing all 150 Psalms with introductions by Luther on each one. It also contains prayers, written by Luther, after each Psalm, making it a great book for individual or family devotions. Check the flyer in this bulletin for more details and an order form. Orders and money need to be in by October 31, Reformation Day. If you have any questions, or would like to see a small sample of the book, please contact or come to the church office.

Sale $10.99 each! (Introductory sale price-Will be $14.99)

Concordia Publishing House offers you Luther’s introductions in the beautiful Reading the Psalms with Luther. Enjoy each of the 150 psalms in the English Standard Version®, classic prayers, and Luther’s perceptive commentary. Familiarize yourself with this beloved book of the Bible as you deepen your understanding of the psalms and Luther’s perspective on them.

Open Reading the Psalms with Luther today for a fresh look at one of Luther’s favorite Old Testament books.

9/10/2007 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 1:15p-Activities Committee-LL 7:00p-WLC Rehearsal-MR

9/11/2007 (Tues.) 1:30p-Circle 8-LL 2:45p-Daisy GS#278-YR 6:30p-School Board-LIB 7:00p-Stewardship-MR 7:00p-Parish Fellowship-LL

9/12/2007 (Wed.) 6:30a-Men/Mission-PYO 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 8:05a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wed. Warriors-LL 12:30p-Circle 7 Picnic-LL 6:00p-7th/8th Catechism Class-LL 6:30p-Parenting with Purpose-CAF 7:00p-Altar Guild Meeting-LL

9/13/2007 (Thurs.) 1:00p-Evening Circle-LL 2:30p-Brownies #204-YR 7:00p-Elders Meeting-L.L 7:00p-Trustees Meeting-LIB

9/14/2007 (Fri.) Pastor Young’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 10:30a-Bible Study-LL 1:30p-Ladies Aid-LL

9/15/2007 (Sat.) 8:00a-Banner Committee-4th Gr. 9:30a-Market Day-CAF 10:00a-Newspaper Stuffers.-HA 6:00p-Worship

9/16/2007 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship/Communion 9:15a-Coffee-CAF 9:25a-Sunday School-CHLL 9:30a-Adult Discipleship Class-LL 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 10:45a-Worship

4:00p-Youth Group-YR

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A Brauer

Organist Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Ellen Heidel, Edith Hoeppner, Dorothy Wolfe

Elders on Duty: 6:00 PM: John Schulz, Luke Vandercar

8:00 AM: Jim Woodruff

10:45 AM: Luke Vandercar, Dean Ebbott

The Altar flowers this week 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.

Opening Hymn: LSB 906 “O Day of Rest and Gladness”

Introit (See insert), Kyrie

Gloria In Excelsis (Sung by Pastor Brauer/Susan Rosselli)

Gospel Reading (Please rise for the Gospel reading)

Hymn Of The Day: LSB 705 “The Man is Ever Blessed”

Sermon: “The Two Roads” Text: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1

Distribution Hymns: LSB 616 “Baptismal Waters Cover Me”

LSB 688 ““Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake”

LSB 427 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
Nunc Dimittis, Collect, Benedicamus and Benediction

Cl. Hymn: LSB 707 “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways”

Order of Matins (page 219)

http://www.stjohns-lpin.org - copyright 2000-2008 - St. John's Lutheran Church, La Porte, IN. All rights reserved. Contact the church at: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 111 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350, or call us at 219-362-3726.  For questions, updates or comments regarding this web site contact St. John's Web servant, debra@dreamercreative.com.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.  NIV ®.   Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society ®.  Used by permission.   All rights reserved world-wide.