From Pastor Brauer: Welcome to St. John’s this Lord’s Day! Last Sunday, we heard how Jesus prepared a table for us before our enemies. Our Gospel reading today tells that Jesus is preparing a mansion for us in His Father’s house in heaven. But we also hear today that Jesus provides for us a place on earth to reside: It’s in His Church. That Church is built of stones, not the lifeless stones of earth, but living stones—you and me! And those living stones need the food God provides in the simple food of His saving Word and precious Sacraments. Built on the Rock of Christ, the Church stands firm. However, the faithful of the Church will face persecution as Stephen in our First Reading did. May we always have the prayer to forgive those who persecute us for the Gospel’s sake, and may we be lead by Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

1 Peter 2:2-10: St. Peter reminds us in this text that at one time we were “no people” (that is, people without Christ), but now we are the people of God who are equipped for every good work. Among other things, that means using all we are and have for God’s purposes. That’s at the heart of Christian stewardship. LCMS

Youth Group meets today, Sunday April 20^th from 4:00-6:00 PM. Please come and invite a friend to join the fun. If you have any questions, call Greg or Rhonda McConnell.

Our first fish fry of the year is this Friday, April 25, between 4:00 and 7:00 PM, and is sponsored by the congregation, directed by Dawn Crum. We are looking for sponsors to offset the cost, and our goal is as follows:

15 sponsors who donate $100.00 each for a box of fish, will receive 4 free dinner tickets and 15 sponsors who donate $50.00 each to help provide potatoes, baked beans, and miscellaneous items, 2 free tickets.

If you can help with a donation or services, contact Linda in the Church Office at 362-3726 or Cindy in the School Office at 362-6692.

We will also need pies for dessert. Anyone wishing to donate pies should have them at the school gymnasium by 4 p.m. the day of the fish fry. Please call Annette Williams with any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!

Tickets are available in both offices. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Proceeds will be divided between the Church Door Fund and Roof Repair Fund.

The new computer lab is up and running! Students and teachers are very excited to be able to use the new technology. The dedication for the lab will be held this Friday, April 25, at 4:00 PM.

The lab will be open from 4PM-7PM (during the Fish Fry) for everyone to see the new equipment. A sincere thanks again to everyone who contributed to this project. Please stop by Friday and check out the new computer lab!

We are looking for auction items for this year’s LILY Event. Please check the bulletin board across from the church office if you would like to sponsor a basket, co-sponsor a basket, or donate an item or two. If you have any questions, please contact Jesica Watson.

This year the LILY Event will be May 9, from 6:00 PM-12:00 AM at the Silver Palace and the theme is “Spring Fling.” In addition to auction items, this year, door awards will be awarded throughout the evening.

Tickets are available now at the church, school and bookkeepers offices and are $25 each. They will also be available in the Church

Narthex after the Saturday evening service and between Sunday services. Donations and items for auction may also be dropped off at these times.

Please help us support our school and have a fun evening out!

It’s not too early to think about what to do this summer! Why not sign up for some fun summer enrichment classes held right here at St. John’s School? The classes are for all children in grades K-5, and will be held M-F mornings (9 AM-12 PM) during the weeks of June 16-20 and June 23-27. Classes offered for students in grades 3-5: “Oh! The Possibilities of Paper!” (Week 1). “Konnichiwa” (Week 2), and “Cool Chemistry” Week 2). Classes for students in grades K-2: “Nature Explorers” (Week 1) and “Arthur’s World” (Weeks 1 and 2). The fee for each class registration is $100, and $75 for each additional registration per family. Class sizes are limited and fill up quickly! Registration forms can be picked up in the School office and in the Church basement. Any questions please contact Maria Surma. Sign up for summer fun!

The Board of Social Ministry would like addresses and birth dates of our men and women serving our country. Along with the prayers offered for them in church weekly, the Board of Social Ministry would like to begin a “Birthday Card Ministry” for them. In the near future we will publish their birth dates and addresses so congregation members can remember them with cards. If you have a birth date and address, please call Sherrill Lee or the Church Office.

The next can collection date, May 24, coincides with the May Market Day. Save your pop cans, steel cans and scrap metal to turn in between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Also, please remember that we have yellow recycle bins in the parking lot for paper. The school does receive money for the recycled paper.

Our Thrift Shop is in need of workers, as well as men to open and close the building and take on a few extra duties. Our Thrift Shop has been an asset to the community and our church for nearly 38 years, and has had many dedicated workers making it successful. If you can volunteer three hours a week, or open and close for a week or two, please contact Mary Jo Uebele. We will be happy to explain our needs and train you. Thank you for your consideration. Mary Jo

4/21/2008 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off 7:30a-Wom. Ex. Class-GYM 7:00p-WLC Rehearsal-MR

Pastor

Rev. Ronald A. Brauer

Susan Rosselli

6:00 PM: Roger Schuster

8:00 AM: Jim Peters, Mark Jerndt

10:45 AM: Jim Peters

Altar Guild

Karen Piper

Lois Scott

Sherry Waters

The Altar Flowers this week were sponsored by the congregation

Lois Schroeder returned to the Lord on Thursday, April 10 and received a Christian burial on Saturday, April 12

Clara Haack returned to the Lord on Sunday, April 13 and received a Christian burial on Wednesday, April 16.

(Omitted from online version.)

Wed., 10:00 AM: 8

Sat., 6:00 PM: 95

Sun., 8:00 AM: 107

Sun., 10:45 AM: 127

TOTAL 337

Offerings Received For Home and Missions $ 10,844.50

Memorials $ 00.00

Other $ 497.00

TOTAL $ 11,341.50

Needed weekly $ 19,015.05

Difference ($ 7,673.55)

YTD Collected $ 233,300.85

YTD Budget $ 285,225.70

Difference ($ 51,924.85)

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 912 “Christ is Our Cornerstone”

Opening Versicles (page 260)

Readings (Please rise for the Gospel reading)

Christus Chorus Ensemble “Shout to the Lord” (6:00 pm)

Sermon Hymn: LSB 646 “Church of God, Elect and Glorious”

Sermon: “Baby Food and Building Blocks” Text: 1 Peter 2:2-10

New Testament Canticle

Closing Hymn: LSB 861 “Christ be my Leader”

Opening Hymn: LSB 912 “Christ is Our Cornerstone”

Introit (See insert), Gloria Patri, Kyrie

WLC "We Are More Than Conquerors" by Mark Hayes.

Gospel Reading (Please rise for the Gospel reading)

Hymn Of The Day: LSB 646 “Church of God, Elect and Glorious”

Sermon: “Baby Food and Building Blocks” Text: 1 Peter 2:2-10