The Broadcaster January, 2019
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THE BROADCASTER JANUARY, 2019 Following the TRUE Light in this New Year 2019 “Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’” (Matthew 2:1-2) That question is at the center of the wise men’s journey. They had been following the light of the star. It has been with them for a long time. It caused them to pack up and leave home. It kept them searching and watching. It gave meaning and purpose to their lives. It offered direction and led them to the child. “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?” This is a question that is still asked today. We may not use the wise men’s exact words but at some point, in one form or another, we’ve all asked that question. Sometimes we speak it with calm assurance. Other times it’s a frantic cry. Sometimes it’s the prayer with which we fall asleep. Other times it’s the prayer on our lips when we awake. It’s always with us. It’s the question that drives our lives even when we don’t know it. It lives deep within each one of us. “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” The question doesn’t seek information. It creates space for God’s self-revelation. It’s less about what’s going on in our heads and more about what’s happening in our hearts. It isn’t so much a question to be answered as it is a question to be followed. As we enter into this New Year, what light are you following? There are so many lights out there! This child, who later would say, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) is our guiding star. Jesus illuminates the night skies of our lives. He came to push back the darkness and points the way. “The true light, that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:9). So, where is the child who has been born king of the Jews in our Lutheran tradition? To assist in answering that question, we will be starting a new sermon series on January 13th, entitled, “Following the Light.” This series will celebrate the hallmarks of the Lutheran tradition and will be coupled with a small group Bible study. Keep an eye out for sign-up opportunities. In the studies, we will be unpacking Jesus’ teachings as we seek to follow the Light of the world as Lutheran Christians. Here is a sampling of some of the teachings we will be addressing: Jesus at the Center Hearing Jesus’ Living Voice Suffering with Jesus in Hope Jesus’ Hands and Feet I am praying for the Lutheran Church of St. John family as we look to the New Year. God will guide us with His Light. Through Him, we will do things that we had never thought possible. With Him, He will work through us in powerful ways! We will continue to be the place of Grace Overflowing! All done for His glory! God’s blessings in the New Year! 1 SERVING THE LORD IN ELDER LIST JANUARY 2019 Our church has eight Elders, and each Elder is AT LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST. JOHN assigned a portion of the congregation. The elders USHERS: assist the Pastors in the spiritual life of the 8:00: congregation. If you have a spiritual need or issue 10:30: anytime or when Pastor Steve and Pastor Kendall are out of town, you can contact your Elder listed GREETERS: below. 8:00: Doug and Carol Allen 10:30: Elder Phone Member Name Paul Johnson 217-577-3669 (A-B) ELDERS: Steve Barteau 660-349-8095 (C-E) 8:00: Aaron Clark 10:30: Matt Dietrich Rustin Otney 785-766-9776 (F-Hi) Matt Dietrich 217-653-0944 (Ho-K) ALTAR GUILD: John Schonarth 217-224-3375 (L-M) Julie Dietrich, Janet Totsch, Marilyn Humphrey Jason Watkins 217-257-2345 (N-R) Mike Happel 217-222-2858 (S-T) VAN DRIVERS: Aaron Clark 217-209-1830 (U-Z) 6 – Jim Waack Two new Elders will be coming on later in 13 – Kim Rosevold January, Doug Allen and Peter Hummel. Mike 20 – Hugh Roderick Happel and John Schonarth will be completing 27 – John Schonarth their terms. If you need to call to request a ride or cancel a ride for Sunday mornings, call 222-8579 and leave a The Lutheran Church of St. John message at extension #408 for the Van Driver. Phone number: 222-8579 Fax number 222-1182 Emails: Pastor Steve Hayden – [email protected] Pastor Kendall Meyer – [email protected] January Prayer Focus – Marilyn – [email protected] Jan – [email protected] Grace Overflowing Website: www.lcosj.org At the Lutheran Church of St. John we believe it is Church office hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8:00am-4:00pm. God’s desire to make us a place of Grace Overflowing. We see this in our worship, in our relationships with each other and in the way we reach out to our community. Pray for this continuing mission of the church. Pray for the leaders who begin their service that they would The Oasis have the wisdom and energy to faithfully following The Wednesday evening worship service begins God’s plan. Pray that God would continue to at 6:00 pm in the Oasis. This is a casual worship provide the resources that we may share His grace about 40 minutes in length. Child care is available in many ways. for younger kids and the coffee is always ready. This service is a great opportunity to introduce someone to our congregation or invite someone who doesn’t normally come to church. 2 TREASURER’S REPORT Week Two: Slow to Anger – Proverbs 16:32 Bottom Line: Think before you lose your temper. For the month as of November 30, 2018: Giving: $ 42,714.35 Total All Expenses: $ 38,307.01 Week Three: Choose Your Words Carefully Giving over expenses: $ 4,407.34 – Proverbs 12:18 Bottom Line: Choose your words carefully. Year-to-date as of November 30, 2018 Week Four: Too Much of a Good Thing Income: $ 410,368.12 – Proverbs 25:16 Total All Expenses: $ 418,742.34 Bottom Line: Know when to stop. Income short of exp.: ($ 8,374.22) God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a Godly life. Congregational Boards 2 Peter 1:3a BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION FOCUS FOR JANUARY Guatemala Mission Team The Mission offerings will assist in purchasing Come join us on Sunday morning at items to be taken with the 9:30am in the Discovery Den. We would love to Guatemala Mission Team. have you be a part our Sunday mornings. CRADLE ROLL There are twenty-four children enrolled in the Cradle Roll. Children receive materials until age 3, that parents can share with them about God’s love. If you have a child in this age range that has been baptized at St. John’s, watch your church mailbox for materials that are brought for them. If you find a note, the corresponding materials will be placed The connection between self-control and God’s on the shelf in the coat rack area, with your name character, as shown through God’s Big Story. on it. As we follow Jesus, His love transforms us. His January Birthdays: Spirit gives us the power to show self-control. We Abriana Rose Cirrincione 3 yrs. old on Jan. 5 can follow His example and choose to do what we Lucy Jo Mauck 1 yr. old on Jan. 15 should do—instead of what we want to do. Kolin Robert O’Hearn 3 yrs. old on Jan. 18 Week One: City with Broken Walls Two Removed: – Proverbs 25:28 Magnolia Lynn Dietrich 3 yrs. old on Dec. 8 Bottom Line: Doing what you should can keep Felicity Grace Otten 3yrs. old on Dec. 30 you safe. --Wilma Tieman, Nursery Roll Coordinator 3 BOARD OF CHRISTIAN CAREGIVING Our projects (TOYS, The Christmas Party, and Tree of Life) were all very successful. Because of FOOD PANTRY In November, the food pantry served 307 our generous members, many children will have a families with a total of 1208 individuals, 519 being more joyous Christmas this year. The parents were children. very appreciative and excited to pick out toys, We have been extremely fortunate to keep our receive requested gifts from the Tree of Life, and shelves stocked during the holidays and continue to attend the Christmas party. Thank you so much for request that you keep our clients in mind throughout your generosity to those among us who are not as the winter months. fortunate. We are in the beginning stages of a new Blessings, The Board of Christian Care Giving project to assist Lutheran Family Services during emergency placements for DCFS children. Often MANNA MEALS - If you or a loved one could children are placed into foster care without notice benefit from having a couple of home cooked meals and having only the clothes on their backs. Our a week during a time of illness or after being goal is to develop age appropriate necessity baskets hospitalized, please let Jim & Janet Totsch, Pastor that the Case Workers can send with these children Steve or Marilyn know and these can be arranged upon the new placement to help assure a less for 2 or 3 weeks. If you would consider taking traumatizing transition until further supplies can be meals to a church member in need, please let Jim & furnished.