Blessed Epiphany to you! The Early Church always celebrated three events during the Epiphany season: The Visit of the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and the Changing of Water into Wine at Cana. Today we visit with the Wise Men; their origin unknown as well as their numbers. All we know is what Scripture foretells and tells. But do we consider their foolishness in light of what was going on in the world at that time? Do we consider how truly foolish our faith is in this world today? How do we compare to these ‘wise men from the East?’ “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:25). We need to empty our earthly wisdom for that true Wisdom, Jesus Christ, the real ‘Star’ of Bethlehem.

Ephesians 3:1-12: Who are God’s modern-day wise stewards? They are people who have been changed by God’s grace and joyfully and freely use all they are and have to be people in mission—God’s mission! (LCMS)

Just what I need!!!!! Time to begin the New Year with a plan...a wiser plan for keeping, spending, or investing my dollars....finances are a struggle...the workshop on January 26th promises to give me some pointers which I desperately need. Won't you join me?

No cost - no obligation. Ticket to admission is an RSVP to the Church Office at 219-362-3726 by January 21st.

Adult Bible Study: A new adult Bible Study begins today in the cafeteria following Fellowship Coffee. Please join us today when we begin the study of the book of Acts.

6th/7th Grade Catechism Class: The Catechism Class will resume this Wednesday, January 9, in the Ladies Lounge at 6:00 PM. Luke Vandercar will be leading the class this week while Pastor Young is on vacation.

Important Date to remember for Sunday School: Sunday School resumes, Sunday, January 13^th

From the Board of Parish Fellowship: January 13 features a “Surprise” at Fellowship Coffee. You must attend to find out what the secret ingredient is in every treat.

Every Member Sunday-Pot Luck Dinner-Paul Gerhardt Hymn Sing: Mark your calendars and plan on attending our “Every Member Sunday” the weekend of January 26-27, 2008, when we urge all our members to be in attendance that weekend. It will be a time to renew our commitment of membership at St. John’s and renew our confirmation vows. Following the 10:45 A.M. service at noon there will be a pot luck dinner to gather and fellowship with each other. Following the dinner at 1:30, we will be invited to the Chapel for a Paul Gerhardt Hymn Sing.

Do you know who Paul Gerhardt was? He was born on March 12, 1607, and the Church celebrates his 400^th birthday this year. Next to Martin Luther, Paul Gerhardt was the second most prolific Lutheran hymn writer of all time. You probably know a number of his hymns, and yet don’t realize it. “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” is one Advent hymn that we will soon sing again. But add to this other well-known hymns he wrote such as “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness,” and “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing.”

Please mark your calendar for that day of renewal, fellowship, and singing! Other churches in our circuit will be invited to join us that day!

2008 Lily Event: Please think about being a volunteer for next year’s Lily Event. The sign up sheet and job descriptions are on the bulletin board across from the church office. We need your help!

From Shadetree Mechanics: The Shadetree Mechanics are now meeting on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Anyone in the congregation who enjoys the challenge of fixing things is welcome to attend. For more details, call Luke Vandercar or Jim Peters. If you have a project for them, please call Luke or Jim.

A note for the New Year: Please prayerfully consider joining our choir. Our small, devoted choir accomplishes great things with the Lord's help. However, many wonderful, faithful people who sang in the past have gone to be with the Lord, have moved, gone to college, or had other life changes, and people are needed to carry on where they left off. We practice on Mondays at 7:00 P.M. in the school music room, and would warmly welcome new faces (and voices!)

From the Willing Servants: The Willing Servants (Funeral Dinner Committee) would like to thank all the ladies who donated either food or help this past year. Without your help we could not function at this “labor of love”. Due to a number of ladies having to withdraw from our calling list, we are looking for new participants for occasional donations of food or assistance. If interested, call either Jo Ann Borg or Louise Mellenthin. Thank you!

Dishes: There are many unclaimed dishes in the Ladies Lounge. If you have provided food for a church function recently, please check to see if you have picked up your empty dish! Thank you.

This is the organizational meeting for all boards. All board members, new and old, are encouraged to attend. We will hear from our new Congregational President, Bill Adams, and then break up into individual board meetings. During these meetings, meeting schedules will be decided and board officers will be chosen. Please attend this important meeting at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria.

Thanks: The PTL would like to thank these additional people for their donations to the Computer Fund: Betty Rademacher, Ben and Cindy Alexander, Mark and Lesa Hill, Tim and Susan Yoder and Keith Berry.

Delores Wiltfong made a donation to the Church Door Fund in loving memory of Terry Jones, whose birth date was December 25.

Peggy Droege made a donation to the Church Door Fund in thanks and celebration of her December 28th Birthday.

Marjory Barnhart made a donation to the General Fund in loving memory of husband, Ronald Barnhart, whose birth date was January 6.

A memorial donation was made to the General Fund by the estate and the grandchildren of Mary Jones, whose birth date was July 1, 1920 and death date was August 16, 2007.

Thomas and Janice Chambers made a donation to the General Fund in loving memory of Lawrence Heidel, whose death date was February 19.

Weekly Schedule

Pastor Young is on vacation this week. If you have a Pastoral emergency, please call Pastor Brauer at his home.

1/7/2008 (Mon.) 7:00a-Pastor’s Winkel-LL 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 7:00p-WLC Rehearsal-MR

1/8/2008 (Tues.) 2:45p-Daisy GS#278-YR 7:00p-ALL BOARDS-CAF

1/9/2008 (Wed.) 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 8:00a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wed. Warriors-LL 1:30p-Circle 7-LL 6:00p-7th/8th Catechism Class-LL

1/10/2008 (Thurs.) 2:30p-Girl Scout #234-YR 7:00p-Elders-L.L 7:00p-Trustees-LIB

1/11/2008 (Fri.) 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 10:30a-Bible Study-LL

1/12/2008 (Sat.) 6:00p-Worship/Communion

Next Sunday

1/13/2008 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship 9:15a-Coffee/Surprise-CAF 9:30a-Sunday School-CHLL 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 10:45a-Worship/Communion 6:30p-His Word/Our Joy-MR

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Organist Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Marilyn Boardman, Dorothy Levandoski, Ruby McMahon

Elders on Duty: 6:00 PM Mark Jerndt

8:00 AM Mark Jerndt, Roger Schuster

10:45 AM Paul Tibbs

The Altar flowers this week were sponsored by the congregation.

Charlotte Tanger returned to the Lord on December 26 and received a Christian burial on December 31.

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

Wed. Dec. 19 - 10 AM: 7; 6:30PM: 415

Sat. Dec. 22 - 4:30 PM: 10; 6:00 PM: 89

Sun, Dec. 23 - 8:00 AM: 95; 10:45 AM: 110

Mon. Dec. 24 - 4:00 PM: 196; 10:30 PM: 195

Tues. Dec. 25 - 10:00 AM: 71

Total: 1188

Sat. Dec. 29 - 6:00 PM: 70

Sun. Dec. 30 - 8:00 AM: 107; 10:45 AM: 126

Dec. 31 - 7:00 PM: 63

Total: 366