This Week @ St.John

•Pastor on vacation until Friday

•WED 12/31- No Confirmation classes this week

•THR 1/1/15- Office Closed- HAPPY NEW YEAR!

•FRI 1/2- Pastor back in office

•SUN 1/4- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class

10:00AM Worship with Communinon, 2015 Church Officers Installed

Sunday School Christmas Program tonight at 6:30PM

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

Come hear us sing & sing with us to welcome the newborn savior!

We've been practicing for weeks.

This Week @ St.John; MERRY CHRISTMAS!

•Wed Dec 24- 6:300PM Chrismas Eve Worship

•Thurs Dec25- 9:00AM Christmas Day Worship (with Communion)

Loft ice closed

•Sun Dec 28- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study

10:00AM- Worship

Want to come caroling?

Pastor invites us to join along with members of the Ricketts Triple Parish to carol at nursing homes in Denison this afternoon. The plan is to visit Eventide, the Care Center, the Reed House & Real Life.

If you'd like to join, meet up at the Denison Care a Center at 3:15PM today, Sunday, adec. 14. See you there!

This Week @ St.John; Third Week in Advent

• WED DEC 17- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 5:00PM Sunday School Christmas Program Practice (Grades 1-8)
• 6:45PM Carol Singing
• 7:00PM Advent Worship
• SAT DEC 20- 9:00AM-11:00AM Sunday School Christmas Program Practice (all children)
• SUN DEC 21- 8:45AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion 
• (Door-offering for CrawforD County Hispanic Mission/Rev. Vogel)
• 6:30PM Sunday School Christmas Program

This Week @ St.John; Second Week in Advent

• Tues Dec 9- Pastor at Circuit Pastors Conference at Triple Parish South
• Wed Dec 10- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 5:00PM 1-8 Grade Practice for Children's Christmas Service
• 6:45PM Carol Singing
• 7:00PM Midweek Advent Worship
• Sun Dec 14- 8:45AM Sunday School/Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship
• 11:00AM Finance Board Mtg.
• 11:00AM LWML Christmas Bake Sale/Lunch
• POINSETTIA ORDERS- Sign up for Poinsettias in the front walkway. Please include your name, the name of the person whom the flower is in memory of, and please mark if you'd like to keep it after Christmas. Place $8 in the envelope or give it to Linda in the office. Thank You.

2014 Sunday School Christmas Program

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

Hello Parents, 

We are ready to begin preparation for the children's Sunday School Christmas Program. 

Childrens' speaking parts were distributed today at Sunday School. If you know that you will be unable to attend, please let us know immediately. There are established times for practices, but it really helps when children take the time to practice their speaking parts with you at home too. Perhaps you could keep the part on the kitchen fridge and have your child read it to you once every day. Familiarity with the words helps the children to speak more confidently on the night of the program.

We know the holiday season is filled with many celebratory events and obligations. We love having all the children participate in this program and ask families to make this event a priority. The practices are necessary to ensure that all children know and understand their parts and places. Please also work the practice times into your family schedule. We are looking forward to celebrating with the angels the birth of the newborn King!

• WEEKLY PRACTICES Every SUN 8:45-9:00AM  before Sunday School Class
• PRACTICE: WED, DEC 10, 5:00-6:30PM
• PRACTICE: WED, DEC 17, 5:00-6:30PM
• PRACTICE: SAT, DEC 20, 9:00-11:00AM
• PROGRAM: SUN, DEC 21 6:30PM (Please have children arrive no later than 6:15PM)

---

2015 Sunday School Singing

It is such a blessing to work with your children. If you have friends or neighbors, please let them know that they are always welcome to join us. Sunday School begins at 8:45AM, so we'd like to have the children there between 8:30-8:40AM so that we can start on time. If you child is also in Confirmation, please plan on arriving at 8:30AM so that they can recite their memory work for listeners. Thank you.

Please mark the following dates on your calendar, to remind you of the Sundays when children will be singing in Church:

• JAN 18- Life Sunday
• FEB 15- Transfiguration Sunday
• MAR 29- Palm Sunday 
• APR 26- Good Shepherd Sunday
• MAY 3- Confirmation Day
• MAY 17- Last day of Sunday School before Summer hiatus

Midweek Advent Worship Schedule

Divine Interruptions: The Angels of Advent & Christmas

December means it's Advent and we will once again be having midweek services at St. John on Wednesday nights. We will see how God interrupted the ordinary lives of some of His people to do extraordinary things. How might the Saviors's coming change your routine this Advents and Christmas season? Join us Wednesday nights!

Midweek services will be held December 3, 10, and 17 at 7:00PM. As in past years, we will have a time of carol singing before each service at 6:45PM. We invite you to take time out of your busy schedules to journey to Bethlehem with us this season.

• DEC 3- Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah: Just Another Day at the Office? 
• DEC 10- Luke 1:26-38 Mary: You're Not a Kid Anymore
• DEC 17- Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph: A Difficult Decision
• DEC 21- 7:00PM Sunday School Christmas Program
• DEC 24- Luke 2: 18-25 Shepherds: Life Will Never Be the Same
• DEC 25- 9:00AM Christmas Day Worship

This Week @ St.John; First Wk in Advent

• TUES DEC 2- 6:30AM Men's Bible Class
• WED DEC 3- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 6:45PM Carol Sing
• 7:00PM Midweek Advent Worship
• Luke 1:5-25 "Zechariah: Just Another Day at the Office?"
• THUR DEC 4- 1:30PM LWML Appreciation Christmas Party
• SUN DEC 7- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion, Mite-Box Sunday
• Board of Trustees Picture after Church, Building Committee Picture re-take
• SUN DEC 14- Mission Central Director Gary Thies to speak at Adult Bible Class and during Worship about LCMS world missionaries
• LWML Christmas Bake Sale & Cookie Bazaar, 11:00AM-12:30PM, serving a light lunch of taverns, beans, chips & cupcakes for a free-will donation

ADVENT; Tree Raising

Members of the St.John Board of Education and Pastor use a 20ft ladder to check the lights on the church Christmas tree Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2014.

This Week @ St.John

•Mon-Sat Nov. 24-29: Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' on KDSN 1530AM

•Wed. Nov.26- 7:00PM Thanksgiving Eve Worship

•Thurs Nov.27- Give Thanks! Office closed

•Sun Nov.30- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study

10:00AM Worship

•Group pictures of Church Organizations/Committee/Officers for the new directory will be taken after church next Sunday, Nov.30.

•LWML Christmas Cookie Bazzaar & Bake Sale- Sun Dec 14. 11:00AM-12:30PM; Light lunch for a free will offering; taverns, beans, & chips

Above & below; members prepare for fifth-Sunday Contemporary Worship on Sunday, November 23 in the Fellowship Hall.

Pictures for New Church Directory

Saint John Lutheran, Charter Oak

will be updating our Church Directory

We want you to be in it!

Lifetouch Family Photography will be offering free portrait sittings at St. John

November 19-22

2:00pm-9:00pm Wed-Fri, Nov. 19-21

9:30am-4:00pm Saturday, Nov. 22

SIGN-UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE HERE

Or sign-up in the church lobby before/after worship beginning Sunday, October 19

Look for more information in Sunday's bulletin and the November newsletter.

If you'd consider volunteering as a host for 2-3 hours on any or all of the four days of shooting, please let Ted Mallory, Pastor, or Linda Kuhlmann know. Thank you for your help!

This Week @ St.John

• WED NOV.19- SAT NOV.22- Lifetouch Portrait Sittings for new Church Directory
• WED NOV.19- No Ladie's Bible Study this week
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• 7:00PM Elders Meeting
• SUN NOV.23- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00AM Contemporary Worship (in the Fellowship Hall),
  Donuts & coffee at 9:30AM
• WED NOV.26- 7:00PM Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

If you'd like to serve as an usher or greeter in 2015, please let Linda know so that she can add you to the lists.

NEEDED: Men's gent;y used winter coats & sweatshirts, being collected the next two weeks for homeless veterans

St.John's LYF Thanksgiving Dinner

St.Johns' LYF
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 16, 2014
11:00Am-12:30PM

Menu: turkey, potatoes & gravy, dressing,
corn, cranberry sauce, desserts, rolls & drinks.

FREE WILL OFFERING

 in the Fellowship Hall

LYF MTG MOVED

The Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) meeting scheduled for tomorrow night (Sun 11/16) has been changed to next Sunday, November 23, at 7:00PM at the Parsonage.

This Week @ St.John

• TUES 11/11- 8:45AM Pastor at Circuit Conference, Manilla
• WED 11/12- 9:00AM Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• SAT 11/15- 9:00AM LYF decorate for Thanksgiving Dinner
• SUN 11/16- 8:45AM 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM LYF Thanksgiving Dinner
• 7:00PM LYF Meeting
• NEEDED- Someone to remove snow from walkways & church steps. If interested talk to the Trustees: Adam Dorale, Melvin Neddermeyer, or Dan Kuhlmann
• TEMPORARY AID PROGRAM (TAP)- To meet the needs of people in Crawford County they depend on the regular contributions of basic food items & children's clothing. None of the necessities can be purchased with Food Stamps. Cash donations are also very helpful as that enables them to buy in quantity. Donations can be sent to PO Box 121, Denison, IA. 51442. At this time we are in need of: sugar, peanut butter, crackers, soups, cooking oil, tuna, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, macaroni, spaghetti & spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper, tuna helper, complete pancake mix, pancake syrup, laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo & diapers. TAP is located at 210 South 25th Street, just North of the new El Jimador. It is open & staffed by volunteers Monday & Thursday from 9:00AM-Noon. At other times, call Connie 263-3538.

This Week @ St.John

•TUES 11/4- 6:30am Men's Bible Study

•WED 11/5- 9:00am Ladies' Bible Study

3:30pm Confirmation

•THR 11/6- 1:30pm LWML mtg.

•SUN 11/9- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study

10:00am Worship, Veterans Day recognition

11:00am Finance Board Mtg.

This Week @ St.John

•TUES 10/28- 1:00PM Quilting

•WED 10/29- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study

3:30PM Confirmation

6:30PM Quilting

•SUN 11/2- 2:00AM Daylight Savings Time ends, "Fall back"

8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study

10:00AM Worship with Communion, All Saints

Dedication of quilts & quilt rack.

German Heritage Tour Presentation & Pot-Luck

Pastor on Streaming Lutheran Internet Radio

Pastor Merrill has been invited to be a guest on the "His Time" radio program on KFUO AM, the Synod's radio station. The program will be aired on Monday, October 27. Pastor will be interviewed for "The Daily Lectionary" Bible Study segment which airs from 8:04am-8:40am and will have the sermonette for the daily Matins service broadcast from 9:05am-9:30am. The text for that day will be Matthew 18:21-35. You may listen to the streamed broadcast at http://www.kfuoam.org/category/his-time

This Week @ St.John

•TUES 10/21- 1:00pm Quilting

•WED 10/22- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study

         3:30pm Confirmation

         8:00pm Elders Meeting

•SUN 10/26- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study

         10:00am Worship

If you would like to serve as an usher or greeter in 2015, please let Linda know on the office.

Don't forget about the 8-Week Challenge!

Hi from Ted (not Pastor), 

At last night's Voters Meeting, Pastor used John 1:1-5&14 to remind us that one of the things that make Lutherans distinctly Lutheran is that we believe that God is with us. Jesus comes to us and dwells with us TODAY, here and now in His Word and sacraments.

In Matthew 18: 20 Jesus tells us that "whenever two or more of you are gathered together in My name, I am with you." So that means He is with is when we read the Bible and pray, He is with us in baptism and holy communion, AND He is with us when we come together to worship Him, study His Word together and seek Him in prayer together.

Pastor has been encouraging us to take up an 8-Week challenge to develop good spiritual habits like personal devotion time, Bible reading, prayer, and church and Bible study attendance. I'd like to take advantage of being St.John's Webmaster to encourage you too.

James 4:8 tells us that if we "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

If you'd like God to become real in your life, ask Him.

Our family has been trying to hold devotions after supper together. We're busy, so we haven't been perfect about it, but we're trying. Its given us wonderful opportunities to talk about our faith during the week (not just Sunday, not just during Advent).

I try (not always perfect about it, but I try) to make personal time for God every morning. So when Pastor issued his 8-Week challenge, I wasn't sure what more to do. I personally re-committed to praying for others, not just for my own needs and worries and I committed to deliberately find things to be grateful and thank God for. This really has been a challenge, because by nature, I'm pretty negative and whiney.

Its not too late to take up the challenge. Just because you start now, instead of back when we kicked it off, God can still use it grow your faith and your relationship with Him. If you don't hold to it perfectly each and every day, so what? Each day is a new chance to start over. 

Finally,  I don't just want to encourage you to take up the challenge, I want to encourage you to find ways to encourage each other. You can remind each other about and invite each other to worship, bible-study, and other church events. Remind each other and invite each other to pray for one another. Offer to pray for specific needs or worries. Ask each other- "Is there anything I can pray about for you?"

As long as you've been reading this anyway, don't forget that October is Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month. How can we encourage Pastor Merrill? You may want to send him a note, say a kind word, or even consider a gift for him. Can I give you another challenge? Would you please make it a habit to pray for our pastor every day? Ask God to protect him, bless him, provide for him and and guide him.

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25New Living Translation (NLT)

2015 Church Officers

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25New Living Translation (NLT)

Everyone is invited to attend voters meetings each January, April, July and October. Watch this Website, monthly newsletters and weekly bulletins for announcements about voters meetings. Fourteen (14) voters attended last night's Quarterly Voters Meeting (out of 422 communicant members). These members approved a $183,760 budget for 2015, a 4% increase over this year. These members also elected the following members to church offices for 2015:

PRESIDENT:

• Ted Mallory 

VICE PRESIDENT:

• Kevin Clausen 

SECRETARY:

• Linda Nepper

TREASURER:

• Becky Dorale 

BOARD OF ELDERS (2):

• Colin Gierstorf
• Ralph Dorale

FINANCE SECRETARY:

• Otto & Jane Kunze

ASSISTANT FINANCE SECRETARY:

• Roger & Patty Kunze

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

• Gary Schau

BOARD OF EDUCATION:

• Bethany Mallory

BOARD OF FINANCE (2):

• Craig Brodersen
• Lee Kuhlmann

STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY:

• Byron Weiss

MISSIONS SECRETARY:

• Don Friedrichs 

This Week @ St.John

• TUES 10/14- 8:45AM Circuit Pastors' Conference at St. Paul, Ute
• 1:00PM Quilting (*see below)
• WED 10/15- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation (7&8th till 5:45PM)
• 4:45PM-6:30PM LYF helping with food distribution at Open Cupboard in Mapleton. Drivers needed, please call Valeta Pautsch or Karleen Beeck to let them know if you're participating.
• 7:30PM Third Quarter Voters' Meeting
• SUN 10/19- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion
• 7:00PM LYF Meeting
  
• QUILTING- We are quilting every Tuesday in October. We gather in the Fellowship Hall at one o'clock, have a coffee break at 2:30PM and then continue quilting until around 4:00PM. We appreciate all you special ladies who gather with us to help tie the quilts. We enjoy the fun, food, & fellowship. Last Tuesday we tied 30 quilts with 14 people attending. Five people tied five quilts on Wednesday night. Join us if you can.
  
  October 29th at 6:30PM will be our last evening quilting. Everyone is welcome- all ages. This is a valuable mission project. There are many men, women, and children who could use the warmth, comfort and security of a quilt made by your loving hands.
• LUTHERAN HERITAGE TOUR OF GERMANY- Pastor Merrill, Marge & Allan Neddermeyer and Annette & Bob Stoltze will share many of their memories and experiences with us at an "Oktoberfest"/Reformation Pot-Luck on Sunday, November 2, All Soul's Day
• CHURCH DIRECTORY PICTURES-  Lifetouch Photography will be shooting family portraits Wednesday through Saturday, November 19-22. Sittings are free but portrait packages will be for sale. Appointments will be available 2:00PM-9:00PM Mon-Fri and 9:30AM-4:00PM Saturday. Please watch the church Website and Sunday Bulletins for further information coming soon!

2015 Ballot | Wed. Oct. 15 Voters' Meeting

Please join us at Wednesday night's Voter's Meeting. We'll be voting for next year's officers and approving the 2015 church budget. If you haven't been to a Voter's before, all you need to do is be a confirmed member and sign your name.

We hope that God's Spirit, and all St. John members (including you) will help guide us in our decision making so that we'll be sure to continue offering the love of Jesus with open arms!

Ballot of candidates for 2015 Church OfficerNames not currently on the ballot for officers can be nominated at the Voter's Meeting before the vote is taken.

PRESIDENT:

• Ted Mallory (i*)
• Dean Berens

*incumbent

VICE PRESIDENT:

• Kevin Clausen (i)
• Randy Steffen

SECRETARY:

• Linda Nepper (i)
• Sheli Pester

TREASURER:

• Becky Dorale (i)

BOARD OF ELDERS (2):

• Colin Gierstorf (i)
• Ralph Dorale

FINANCE SECRETARY:

• Otto & Jane Kunze (i)

ASSISTANT FINANCE SECRETARY:

• Roger & Patty Kunze (i)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

• Gary Schau

BOARD OF EDUCATION:

• Bethany Mallory (i)
• Kay Galvin

BOARD OF FINANCE (2):

• Larry Krapfl (i)
• Craig Brodersen
• Steve Gonnerman
• Lee Kuhlmann

STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY:

• Byron Weiss (i)
• Verdell Henningsen

MISSIONS SECRETARY:

• Don Friedrichs (i)
• Bob Stoltze Jr.

This Week @ St.John

•8Week Challenge

•Tues 10/7- 6:30am Men's Bible Study

1:00pm Quilting

•Wed 10/8- 9:00am Women's Bible Study

3:30pm Confirmation

6:30pm Quilting

7:30pm Council Meeting

•Sun  10/12- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study

10:00am Worship, LWML Sunday

1:00pm Pastor preaches at Denison Care Center

2:00pm Pastor at Eventide

2:45pm Pastor at Siveridge

This Week @ St.John

• Thursday Oct 3-  1:30pm LWML mtg.

• Sunday Oct 6- 8:45am Sunday School/Bible Study

•10:00am Worship with Communion

8-Week Challenge Begin

3:30pm LYF Hayride hosted by Triple Parish/Ricketts

This Week @ St.John

•WED 9/24- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study

•3:30pm Confirmation

•7:30pm Card Creations

•8:00pm Elders Meeting

•Sun 9/28- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class

•10:00am Worship

•4:00pm Circuit Forum

•7:00pm LYF Meeting

8 Week Challenge begins October 5

This Week @ St.John

Sunday School children prepare to sing on 'Rally Day.'

• MON 9/15- Office will close at 11:30am
• WED 9/17- 3:30pm 5/6 Confirmation (7/8 recite memory work & go home)
• SAT 9/20- Sorry, no Sat. Evening Worship this week
• SUN 9/21- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible class
• 10:00am Worship with communion
• Sept. 24- Ladies' Bible Study resumes. We'll be beginning a study entitled, "Places of the Bible," and all women are ivited, not just LWML members.
• The 'Card Creations' workshop on Sept. 24th has been moved to 7:30pm due to the CO-U Homecoming parade that day. Please join us as we "up-cycle" donated greeting cards. There will be lots of creative ideas for all ages.
• The LWML is collecting used denim jeans for making jean quilts for homeless veterans. Bring them in no matter what shape they're in!
• The LWML is also asking for your old or extra Bibles & hymnals. We will have a work day Sept. 29 beginning at 9:00am, to sort through & repair old Bibles & hymnals which will be taken to Trinity Lutheran Churxh in Jefferson for delivery to missions in Nigeria.
• LYF MEETING- Sun. Sept. 28 at 7:00pm at Pastor's house. This meeting is at a rescheduled time due to Homecoming.
• Soup Supper at Immanuel Lutheran, Soldier Township (Ricketts Triple-Parish) Sun. Sept. 28, 5:00-8:00pm. Chili, potato, & vegetable soups, sandwitches & deserts. $7 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 & free for kids 5 & under?

  

Above; We missed it, Pastor's birthday was actually September 8- he got to celebrate it this year in Germany! But the Sunday School children want him to know how much he's missed, so they made him this card that he'll get when he comes home.

Below; After music, offerings & prayer children enjoyed a variety of games, Christian music, donut holes & juice to celebrate the opening of a new year of Sunday School.

German Heritage Trip

Pastor won't be in the office until Sept.20 while he is in Germany on the Lutheran Hour Ministries Heritage Tour. Keep he and Allan & Marge Neddermeyer & Bob & Anette Stolze as they visit the "Luther Lands" this month. Follow the tour at facebook.com/LutheranHourMinistries

Meanwhile, please keep these travelers in your daily prayers.

28 Day Challenge

All members of St.John are invited to participate in the "Eight Week Challenge" beginning October 5.

Each family or individual is encouraged to start one new "habit" for spiritual growth or service. Examples: establishing regular church attendance, attending Bible Class, reading the Bible daily, having a family devotion time, daily prayer, praying for a missionary, tithing, volunteering, helping in Sunday School.

Whatever you choose, you are encouraged to commit to it regularly for eight weeks- studies show it takes eight weeks to establish a habit.

Christians want to practice good habits that help them grow in faith and love toward their neighbor.

Pastor will have more information about the 8wk challenge when he returns.

This Week @ St.John

FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014-15!

• Pastor won't be in the office until Sept.20 while he is in Germany on the Lutheran Hour Ministries Heritage Tour. Keep he and Allan & Marge Neddermeyer & Bob & Anette Stolze as they visit the "Luther Lands" this month. Follow the tour at facebook.com/LutheranHourMinistries
• WED 9/10- 3:30pm 5/6 Confirmation, 7/8 just recite memory work
• SUN 9/14- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship- RALLY SUNDAY
• 1st Graders receive Bibles, 5th Graders receive Catechisms, teachers & volunteers installed
• We're celebrating Rally Sunday this year, if you can bring muffins or rolls to help us celebrate, please call Peggy Sue Henschen or Bethany Mallory! Thank you!
• New LYF Officers: Co-Presidents Tristan Kunze & Korey Kuhlmann; Secretary Hallie Neddermeyer; Treasurer Ryan Vogt.
• REMINDER: There won't be a Saturday Night Worship Service September 20 since that's the day Pastor will be returning from Germany and it uncertain when he'll get in.

This Week @ St.John

After worship on Sunday, August 31, Pastor Merrill & the members of the Board of Elders participated in the ALS Ice-Bucket Challenge. This Sunday, a free-will offering was collected for the family of Aaron Brodersen, a member of St. John who has been stricken with ALS. Please plan to attend the Brodersen Family Benefit dinner & auction in Charter Oak 5:00-8:00PM this upcoming Saturday, September 6. Please also keep the Brodersens in your prayers.

• MON 9/1- Offices closed for Labor Day
• TUES 9/2- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• WED 9/3- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 6:30PM LYF Meeting/Cookout at Charter Oak City Park
• THUR 9/4- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• SUN 9/7- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class Resume
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion (LWML Mite-Box Sunday)

NEEDED- 5/6 Grade Sunday School Teacher(s), & Memory Work- Listeners, please let Pastor, the office, or Peggy Sue Henschen know if you can help!

Why we teach Confirmation classes

We will not hide them from their children, 

telling the next generation the praises of Yahweh, 

and his power and his wonders that he has done. 

Psalm 78:4

Needed: 5/6 Grade Sunday School Teacher(s)

Please contact Peggy Sue, Pastor, or the Office if you can help. Thank You!

This Week @ St.John

• WED 8/26- 7:00pm Confirmation Orientation Meeting
• SUN 8/31-This will be the last Sunday at Summer 9:00am Worship Time- returns to 8:40 Sunday School & 10:00am Worship beginning Sept.7.
• 8:30am Fellowship Time w/ Coffee & Donuts Etc.
• 9:00am Contemporary Worship in the Fellowship Hall
• Following: Pastor Merrill & the Board of Elders face the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!
• WED 9/3- 6:30pm LYF Organizational Meeting (rescheduled from Sun 8/24)
• SAT 9/6- Brodersen Family Benefit Dinner (5-8pm) & Auction (6pm) at the Charter Oak Community Building
• For questions or to donate items to the auction, please call Joanne at 269-1350 or Ken at 515-490-7251

This Week @ St. John

• Tues 8/19- Pastor Merrill at Circuit Visitors Meeting
• Wed 8/20- 2:30pm Pastor leads worship with Communion at Eventide
• 6:00pm Elders Meeting at parsonage
• Sun 8/24- 9:00am Worship, free will offering for tornado recovery in Pilgar, NE
• 6:00pm Organizational LYF Meeting

THY STRONG WORD- $57 is due from our account supporting the LCMS Radio program 'Thy Strong Word,' if you can, please help with a donation.

QUILTERS- Need more sheets. Please bring your clean used or lightly used (or new if you're so inclined) sheets to the church office to help the LWML Quilting Ministry team. Thank you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED- We're still looking for teachers to share PK, 5/6 and for memory work listeners. Please let Sunday School Superintendent Peggy Sue Henschen, Pastor or Linda in the office know if you'd be interested in helping.

CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION MEETING- August 27 at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. All Confirmation students and their parents are asked to attend. If you are unable to make it, please call Pastor to let him know. Confirmation classes begin on September 3rd.

This Week @ St. John

Pastor on Vacation until Saturday

• SAT Aug 16- 6:00pm Worship with Communion
• SUN Aug 17- 9:00am Worship with Communion
• Adult Bible Study Class on hiatus during August, Sunday School resumes September 7.

Vacation Bible School 2014

 Thanks for praying for us all week. Please come and join us Thursday night, July 31, at 8:00PM for our closing worship service.

You're invited!

Don't stop learning about God's AMAZING Grace! St. John Sunday School resumes Sunday, September 7. Join us for "Rally Sunday," September 14.

Gangway to Galilee

Melvin Neddermeyer & Kevin Clausen saw carpet rolls which will become docks along the harbor for this week's VBS. please pray for our leaders and students as they set sail on an Amazing Grace Adventure!

This Week @ St. John

• Mon-Sat 7/21-7/26 Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' at 6:25am on KDSN
• Wed 7/23- 8:00pm Board of Elders Meeting
• Sun 7/27- 8:00am Bible Study
• 9:00am Worship
• 5:30pm VBS begins

VBS- If you can bake a pad of bars, cookies, or snacks for VBS, please sign up for a night to do so, in the church lobby. Thanks you. Be sure to call the office or Bethany to register your children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews, neighbor kids, or anyone PK-6th grade who'd like to come! See you next week!

Happy Campers

Area children; four from St. John, one from Ute & one fro Ricketts attended Concordia Cubs Week at Camp Okoboji with Pastor Merrill July 13-19, 2014. Thank you St. John members for your prayer and financial support.

Brodersen/ALS Volunteer Meeting

Julie Meseck

Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter on behalf of Aaron Brodersen and his family. We all know Aaron has been diagnosed with ALS. What most people don’t realize is there are an overwhelming number of tasks involved in caring for someone with this debilitating illness. His family has daily challenges as they take on responsibilities to care for Aaron while trying to maintain their own day to day lives. It is hard for most of us to realize that he now needs help for basic daily needs that seem so simple to all of us.

So many of us have thought to ourselves or said to them, “what can I do to help”. We can do so much. Together we can form a Care Connection team. This team is based on the book, Share the Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who is Seriously Ill. I am organizing a group of volunteers, especially those who have asked what they can do to help. The family is so thankful for those who are already offering help and support. This is just a way to organize the helpers and let the family know when someone plans to help them. I sat down with them and made a list of easy tasks such as: making a meal, sitting with Aaron while Tani is at work, walking Buddy (their dog), helping with the cleaning and laundry. As you see there are tasks for everyone. I am in the process of setting up a web page where volunteers can sign up for tasks. The family will also have access to this to see who has already signed up for specific tasks.

By using Care Connection, volunteers can pick and choose what tasks they would like to help with. Nobody is asked to sign up for something they do not want to do. If we all pitch in with these small things, the Brodersen’s will notice a tremendous difference in their lives. If you can only help once a week or once a month, it will make a difference!

Please give this some thought. Right now I am gathering contact information including names, phone numbers and e-mail (if available) of those wanting to help. I am organizing a meeting on Wednesday, July 16th, at St John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. It will be at 7PM in the fellowship hall. Aaron and Tani won’t be present at the meeting. It will be a time to learn about ALS and specifically what needs Aaron and his family have at this time. We will fill out individual data sheets that list what tasks you feel comfortable performing and when you are available. There will also be a needs list available for everyone to review.

Please feel free to contact me by phone, email or Facebook if you want to sign up as a volunteer or have any questions. No family should face ALS alone. Let’s show them what small town support can do!

Thank you for your time and consideration of this opportunity.

Julie Meseck
712-263-7579
ljmeseck@hotmail.com

Fall Bible Sale

Concordia Publishing House is having a Fall Bible Sale thru September 30. They have discounts up to 30%. There is a sign-up sheet in the church lobby. Find out more at http://www.cph.org

This Week @ St. John

• Sun 7/13-Sat 7/19 Pastor at Cub Week, Camp Okoboji
• Sat 7/19- 6:00pm Worship with Communion
• Sun 7/20- 8:00am Bible Study
• 9:00am Worship with Communion
• 7:00pm VBS Staff Meeting

Minutes; July 10, 2014 Voters Meeting

Click here to see the minutes of the Quarterly Voters Meeting, Thursday, July 10, 2014

This Week @ St. John

Missionary Mark Wolfram speaks to Bible class about teaching English and Bible classes at Concordia Lutheran school in Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Wolfram visited Sunday, July 6 with his wife Lucy & his parents.

•THRS 7/10- 7:30pm Voters Meeting

•FRI 7/11- 3:00pm IPTV's Dan Wardell in the Fellowship Hall, sponsored by the Charter Oak Public Library

•SUN 7/13-8:00am Bible Class

9:00am Worship

10:00am Finance Board Meeting

Vacation Bible School 2014

Registration is open for ages preschool – 6^th grade who will attend VBS from Sunday, July 27 to Thursday, July 31, 6-8:30 PM. Don’t miss the boat! Set sail with us to sing fun songs, do crazy crafts, eat yummy snacks, play awesome games, and more. Plus, you’ll learn all about Jesus our Savior and His amazing grace! Can’t wait to see you there! To register, call the church office at 678-3312 or Bethany at 269-5970.

Connect Children with God’s Eternal Good News at VBS: Every child needs to hear the Good News that Jesus their Savior calls us, teaches us, keeps us safe, saves us, and provides all we need by His amazing grace through faith. At Gangway to Galilee VBS, you will connect children with the most important message of their lifetime: the miraculous story of what Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. If you can help full or part time, we have many ways to be involved to suit your schedule and interests. We need helpers for the crafts department: Can you help by cutting and/or sorting materials prior to VBS or before the kiddos arrive each evening? We need on-sight helpers each evening too.  We also need food workers for helping to pack the sack lunches and then helpers for distributing the lunches and clean up each evening. Call Bethany at 269-5970 or e-mailbethany.mallory@gmail.com, for more information. Join us for an Amazing Grace Adventure!

VBS Meeting July 20 @ 7 PM in the church for site leaders and group leaders.  This is our opportunity to talk about the VBS plan for our children and make any last minute preparations.  Thank you!

Supplies needed for seaside decorations for VBS:  (to be returned to owner)  wicker laundry baskets, casting fish nets, palm trees, life preservers, life jackets.  Contact Bethany at 269-5790 if you can help.  Thank you for the cardboard tubes and pallets!

Free Will Donation will be collected each Sunday in July to help with expenses for VBS.  Thank you for your support!  Next week we will have a plan for the sack lunches for those who have asked to help with this aspect of the VBS ministry.

This Week @ St.John

Pastor leads contemporary worship in the Fellowship Hall, Sunday, June 29

• MON 6/30- 6:00pm Board of Education Mtg.
• TUES 7/1- 6:30am Men's Bible Study
• WED 7/2- 7:30pm Church Council Mtg.
• THR 7/3- 1:30pm LWML
• FRI 7/4- Office Closed

Happy Independence Day

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." -2 Corinthians 3:17

• SUN 7/6- 8:00am Mark Wolfram speaking at Bible Class
• 9:00am Worship with Communion
• 10:00am Pastor at St. Paul, Ute
• 1:00pm Pastor at Denison Care Center
• 2:00pm Pastor at Eventide Lutheran Home
• 2:45pm Pastor at Silveridge

JOB OPENING... Needed; an assistant part time custodian. If interested or have questions, please call one of the trustees: Adam Dorale, Melvin Neddermeyer, Dan Kuhlman, or the church office 678-3630. Thank You.

'WE CARE TUBS'... are being assembled, the IDW office will distribute them. First, tubs will be given to those who were affected by the flooding in Rock Rapids. Later, tubs will be given to families affected by tornadoes in Nebraska. A list of items needed for We Care Tubs is on the bulletin board in the front entryway. More information to come.