This Week @ St.John

• MON 12/26- Office Closed
• MON 12/26-THR 12/29- Pastor on vacation, returns Friday
• SAT 12/31- 6:00pm Worship with Communion at St.Paul
• SUN 1/1- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00am Worship with Communion
• INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS- Sunday, January 8, all newly elected church officers for 2017 will be installed during worship, please plan to attend.

This Week @ St.John

• WED DEC 21- 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm Elders' Mtg.
• THURS DEC 22- Office closes at Noon
• SAT DEC 24- 5:00pm Children's Service at St. Paul's, Triple Parish
• 6:30pm Christmas Eve Worship at St.John
• 10:00pm Christmas Eve Candlight Worship at St.Luke's, Ricketts
• SUN DEC 25- BLESSED CHRISTMAS- Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!
• No Sunday School or Bible Class
• 9:00am Worship with Communion
• 10:30am Worship with Communion at Immanuel, Triple Parish
• 1:00pm Pastor preaching at Denison Care Center
• 2:00pm at Eventide
• 2:45pm at Silveridge
• MON DEC 26- Office closed
• Newly Elected 2017 Church Officers will be installed during Worship on January 1st.
• Make a New Year's Resolution to spend time in God's Word. St.John's is offering reading plans for reading through the Bible in a year on the counter in the front office. Scroll down for a Synodical resolution and other resources to encourage you on this journey.

Looking for a New-Years' Resolution?

Here's one passed by our Synod in convention this Summer-

"WHEREAS, In the 50th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 we are celebrating the triumph of the Gospel, not of Martin Luther or any other individual or church body, and that the Lutheran Reformation is"still all about Jesus"; and
WHEREAS, The source of renewal and reformation is always the Word, as the Lord Jesus says, "If you abide in My Word... you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-31);... therefore be it Resolved, That the members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod commit to growing in faith themselves, personally and corporately, by reading through the entire Scriptures in 2017..."

I encourage every member of St.John to commit themselves to reading through the Scriptures next year, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Copies of a daily Bible reading guide will be made available for those who would like a schedule. Our heritage is in God's Word- make the Word central as you celebrate our heritage in 2017.  ~Pastor Merrill

Charts for reading through the Bible in one year are on the counter in the front hallway.

FURTHER RESOURCES 

• Bibles at Concordia Publishing House (CPH)
• 'The One Year Bible' from ChristianBook.com
• BibleGateway.com Reading Plans
• The Bible App

This Week @ St.John

• TUES DEC.13- 8:45AM Circuit Pastors' Conference, Zion Denison
• WED DEC.14- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 5:00PM Sunday School Christmas Program Practice; Grades 3-8
• 6:45PM Carol Sing
• 7:00PM Midweek Advent Worship THEME- "It's About Time."
• DEC 14- "Something is about to happen" Mark 13:33-37
• DEC 24- 6:30PM Christmas Eve Worship
• DEC 25- Sunday, Christmas Day Worship, 9:00AM 
• "It's About Time," Galatians 4:4

• SAT DEC.17- 9-11:00AM Practice for Sunday School Christmas Program
• 6:00PM Worship at St. Paul
• 7:00PM LYF Christmas Party at the Beecks'
• 
  
• SUN. DEC 18- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Worship
• 6:30PM Sunday School Christmas Progra

HELP WANTED- To scoop sidewalks, snow removal from in front of the church this Winter. Please contact a trustee or the office if you're willing & able.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICES-

• WED DEC. 14- 5:00PM, Grades 3-8
• SAT DEC. 17- 9:00AM, All Grades
• SUN DEC. 18- 8:45AM Final rehearsal during Sunday School
• SUN DEC. 18- 6:30PM SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

PRAYER CHAIN- If you would like to be on the phone or email prayer chain, please let the office know. You will receive the name of the person requesting prayers, then all we ask is that you pray for them.

TRIPLE PARISH DECEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

• Dec.17- 6:00PM St.Paul
• Dec.24- 5:00PM Children's Christmas Program, St.Paul
• Dec.25- 10:30AM Christmas Day with Communion, Immanuel

This Week @ St.John

• TUES DEC.6-  6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• WED DEC.7- 3:30PM Confirmation
• 5:00PM Sunday School Christmas Program Practice; Grades 3-8
• 6:45PM Carol Sing
• 7:00PM Midweek Advent Worship THEME- "It's About Time."
• DEC 7- "It's Time to Wake Up." Romans 13:11-14
• DEC 14- "Something is about to happen" Mark 13:33-37
• DEC 24- 6:30PM Christmas Eve Worship
• DEC 25- Sunday, Christmas Day Worship, 9:00AM
  "It's About Time," Galatians 4:4
• SAT DEC.10- 6:00PM Worship with Communion  at Immanuel
• 2:30PM Meet at St.John or St.Luke to start
• 3:00PM Carol at Denison Care Center
• 3:30PM at Reed House
• 4:00PM at Eventide
• 4:30PM at Silveridge
• 5:00PM Caroling to individual homes
• 5:30PM Supper together at Pizza Ranch

• SUN. DEC 11- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Worship
• 11:00AM Finance Board Meeting
• 3:00PM Christmas Caroling with Triple Parish
• 7:00PM Adult Instruction Class

• POINSETTIAS- Sign up for a poinsettia in the walkway. Please put your name, the names of the person(s) you want your poinsettia in name of. Mark if you want to keep your poinsettia after Christmas or not, and please include your $12 in the envelope.
• HELP WANTED- To scoop sidewalks, snow removal from in front of the church this Winter. Please contact a trustee or the office if you're willing & able.
• SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICES- 
• WED DEC. 7 & 14- 5:00PM, Grades 3-8
• SAT DEC. 17- 9:00AM, All Grades
• SUN DEC. 18- 8:45AM Final rehearsal during Sunday School
• SUN DEC. 18- 6:30PM SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
• LYF CHRISTMAS PARTY- Saturday, December 17 at 7:00PM at the home of Steve & Karleen Beeck. Plan to join us for food and fun! More information to come.
• PRAYER CHAIN- If you would like to be on the phone or email prayer chain, please let the office know. You will receive the name of the person requesting prayers, then all we ask is that you pray for them.

• VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED- To deliver meals to homes of senior citizens living within the city limits of Charter Oak Monday through Friday (no holidays or weekends). Can be done by the week or by the month. Please contact Nancy Rossburg (712) 678-  3831 or 3453 for more information. Diners 60+ of age are always welcome to dine-in with us at the Senior Center located at 38 Main Street in Charter Oak.
• ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN- The Iowa branch of the OGT has been blessed with a $5,000 matching gift challenge. Gifts given before December 15 will be matched up to a maximum of $5K. This will enable our branch to do more than we ordinarily could. Please contact Sharon Ann Irwin, Iowa West Branch Manager, OGT, PO Box 152, Early, IA 50535-0152
  
• CAN YOU HELP A VETERAN IN NEED AT CHRISTMAS?
  This is a common question for Operation Barnabas. We have the perfect opportunity for YOU to help 4 very worthy disabled Veterans this Christmas season! Operation Barnabas of Des Moines is again joining with Freedom Alliance for our Annual Presents for Patriots program, adopting wounded soldiers and their families for Christmas. We are excited to announce that we are adopting the families of Army Staff Sergeant Juan, Sergeant First Class Heath, Sergeant Demetrius and Staff Sergeant Michael this year. Given the number of children involved, Operation Barnabas is collecting Target and Walmart gift cards and monetary donations so that our adopted Veterans can experience the joy in purchasing Christmas gifts for their families. Please consider making a gift card or cash donation to these deserving families. TO MAKE A DONATION: • Attend our next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8th at 7 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale, OR • Contact Operation Barnabas through www.IowaMilitarySupport.org or by phone at (515) 664-7359 or (515) 419-1588 to make donation arrangements. ***Thank you for your support in sharing Christmas cheer with these wounded heroes and their families!*** Once all donations are gathered – Goal Date of Saturday, Dec. 10 – they will be delivered to these families.
  

Annual LWML Christmas Cookie & Candy Bazaar

Sunday, December 4

11:00am-12:30pm

Come fill your box with lots of goodies!

Just $6 per pound.

Cookie & Candy Donations Welcomed

Please bring your treats you're contributing to church by Noon On Saturday, Dec. 3

This Week @ St.John

• MON-SAT. NOV 27-DEC 4- 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' (for Triple Parish) on KDSN 107.1FM/1530AM, FYI-We need funding to help pay KDSN for this program. If you would like to make a donation toward 'Thy Strong Word,' please let either the office or KDSN know. Thank You.
• WED 11/30 - 3:30pm Confirmation/
• 6:45pm Carol Sing
• 7:00pm Midweek Advent Worship
• THR 12/1- 1:30pm LWML Christmas Party
• SAT 12/3- 11:00am LWML set up for Coolie Bazaar
• Noon- Please have any cookies or treats you're donating to church 
• 6:00pm Worship at St. Luke's in Ricketts
• SUN 12/4-  8:45am Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00am Worship with Communion (Mite Box Sun)
• 11:00am-12:30pm LWML Cookie & Candy Bazaar
• 1:00pm Pastor preaching at Denison Care Center
• 2:00pm at Eventide
• 2:45pm at Silveridge
• 7:00pm Adult Instruction Class
• NEEDED: Snow removal in front of Church this winter. Please contact a trustee or the church office if you're interested.
• MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP- "It's About Time." 6:45pm Carol Sing, 7:00pm Worship
• WED NOV 30
• WED DEC 7
• WED DEC 14
• ADVENT DEVOTION BOOKLETS are available in the lobby walkway on the counter
• CHRISTMAS CAROLING Dec. 11 at 3:00pm at Denison Nursing Homes with Triple-Parish members. Supper at Pizza Ranch afterward
• DECEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR TRIPLE PARISH:
• DEC 3, 6:00pm @ St.Luke
• DEC 10, 6:00pm @ Immenuel
• DEC 17, 6:00pm @ St.Paul
• DEC 24, 6:00pm Childeren's Christmas Service @ St.Paul
• 10:00pm Candlelight Worship at St. Luke
• DEC 25, 10:30am Christmas Day Worship with Communion @ Immanuel
• SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICE & PROGRAM
• WED DEC 7, 5-6pm, Grades 3-8
• WED DEC 14, 5-6pm, Grades 3-8
• SAT DEC 17, 9-11am. Grades PK-8
• SUN DEC 18, 6:00pm St.John Sunday School Christmas Program

This Week @ St.John

WED 11/23- 5:30pm Thanksgiving Eve service St.Paul, Hanover

7:00pm Thanksgiving Eve service, St. John

THRS 11/24- Office Closed, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

SAT 11/25- 6:00pm worship at St.Paul, Hanover

SUN 11/26- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Classes

10:00am Worship (in Fellowship Hall) Guest presenter Gary Thies from Mission Central 

7:00pm Adult a Information Class

This Week @ St.John

Senior Connor Beeck counts plates ahead of the
annual LYF Thanksgiving Dinner
on Saturday morning, November 12, 2016

• MON 11/14- 10:30am Earnest Ulrich Funeral
• WED 11/16- 9:00am Ladie's Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:00pm Elder's Meeting
• SAT 11/19- 6:00pm Worship at St. Paul, Hanover
• SUN 11/20- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Classes
• 10:00am Worship
• 3:00pm Installation of Rev. Chris LaBoube, St.Matthew's, Mapleton
• 7:00pm Adult Information Class

ANNUAL LYF Thanksgiving Dinner

St.Johns' LYF
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 13, 2016
11:00Am-12:30PM

Menu: turkey, potatoes & gravy, dressing,

corn, cranberry sauce, desserts, rolls & drinks.

FREE WILL OFFERING

 in the Fellowship Hall

Give Thanks, & Give with Thanks

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” ~Acts 20:35

LWML COLLECTING- The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is collecting stamps/ Please make sure they are canceled and have a 1/4 inch trim around them. Please put them in the STAMP basket in the bottom drawer in the walkway. They are collecting new underwear for men women and children and they are collecting coupons- they may even be expired for up to 6 months- the coupons are for military servicemen and women.

NOVEMBER COLLECTION FOR TEMPORARY AID PROGRAM (TAP)- November is our month to donate to Crawford County's "TAP" program. Necessities that can't be purchased with Food Stamps (SNAP or WIC) include things like: Paper towels, toilet paper, disposable diapers, personal care items like soap, shampoo & laundry detergent. Cash donations are helpful so that TAP volunteers can purchase things needed for clients which aren't donated. ITEMS THEY ARE IN NEED OF INCLUDE: Sugar, peanut butter, soups, crackers, cooking oil, tuna, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, sauce & juice, juice, macaroni, spaghetti & spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper & tuna helper meals, canned fruit, pancake mix, laundry soap, dish soap and diapers. There is a collection table in the back of the sanctuary. Sunday School children are also collecting

Results of Annual Voter's Assembly Elections

• PRESIDENT Kevin Clausen
• VICE PRES. Kyle Schultz
• COUNCIL SECRETARY Linda Nepper
• TREASURER Becky Dorale
• FINANCE SECRETARIES Roger & Patti Kunze
• ELDER Steve Kuhlmann
• BOARD OF FINANCE Rod Kunze & Carlos Castillo
• TRUSTEE Brad Bramley
• BOARD OF EDUCATION Leon Meseck
• MISSION SECRETARY Joel Kuhlmann
• STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY Byron Weiss

The Nominating Committee is looking for another candidate for Elder. We also need a Memorial Secretary to take care of the Memorial Accounts. This account receives donations from gifts at funerals & pays as families choose from their account. If you are interested but have questions, please ask the outgoing Memorial Sec. Karleen Beeck or the office. If you're interested in either of these positions, please let the office, Pastor or a member of the Nominating Committee know. Thank you.

Thank you to these volunteers for allowing their names to be placed on the ballot and thank you to those who have served the Lord with gladness this year.

This Week @ St.John

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim 2:1-4

Sunday School girls help Pastor illustrate the servanthood mentioned in Philippians 2:3-4, "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

• TUES 11/8- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• WED 11/9- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• THURS 11/10- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• FRI 11/11- VETERANS' DAY
• SAT 11/12- 9:00AM LYF sets up for Thanksgiving Dinner
• 6:00pm Worship with Communion at St. Paul, Hanover (Triple Parish)
• SUN 11/13- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion
• 11:00AM Finance Board Mtg.
• 11:00AM Annual LYF THANKSGIVING DINNER
• 7:00PM Adult Information Class

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Tim 2:3-7

This Week @ St.John

• TUES 11/1- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• WED 11/2- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• THURS 11/3- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• SAT 11/5- 6:00PM Worship at St. Paul, Hanover (Triple Parish)
  REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK SO YOU AREN'T LATE FOR CHURCH!
• SUN 11/6- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion- Mite Box Sunday, Quilt Dedication
• 7:00PM Adult Information Class

This Week @ St.John

• TUES 10/25-  1:00pm Quilting
• WED 10/26- 9:00am Ladies Bible Study
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 8:00pm Elders' Meeting
• SAT-SUN 10/29-30- Junior High Youth Gathering, West Des Moines
• SAT 10/30- 6:00pm Confirmation Service, Immanuel, Charter Oak (Triple Parish)
• SUN 10/31- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Classes
• 10:00am Reformation Worship
• 1:00pm Pastor preaching at Denison Care Center
• 2:00pm Pastor at Eventide
• 2:45pm Pastor at Silveridge
• 7:00pm Adult Information Class

This Week @ St.John

• TUES OCT 18- Pastor returns from vacation, will be in the office
• 1:00pm Quilting
• WED OCT 19- 9:00am Ladies' Bible Study, Every Wednesday until Thanksgiving.
• 3:30pm Confirmation
• 7:30pm Voter's Meeting
• SAT OCT 22- 6:00pm Worship with Communion at Immanuel (Triple Parish)
• SUN OCT 23- 8:45am Sunday School & Bible Study
• 9:30am Fellowship Hour; Coffee & Donuts
• 10:00am (5th Sunday) Contemporary Worship 
• 5:00pm-7:00pm LWML Soup Supper at St. Luke's, Ricketts (Triple Parish)
• 7:00pm Adult Information Class
• THRIVENT MEMBERS- Help us accomplish some mission projects. Please let the office know if you are a Thrivent member so that we can apply for "Team Thrivent" & receive $250 to complete projects
• ADULT INFORMATION CLASS- 12-Session class beginning Sunday, October 23 at 7:00pm. This class is for those interested in becoming members as well as for those members who'd like a review of Lutheran teaching. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Pastor Merrill.
• ST.LUKE'S SOUP SUPPER- Sun Oct. 23, 5-7pm serving vegetable beef, chili & their famous German cherry soup! Egg salad & cheese sandwiches on home made bread, desserts & beverages. Adults $7, Children 4-10yrs old $5, Children under 4 are free. 

This Week @ St.John

• TUES 10/11-  8:15AM Pastor at Pastor's Conference 
• 1:00PM Quilting
• WED 10/12- 9:00AM Women's Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• 7:30PM Church Council Meeting
• THR 10/13- 2:00PM-4:00PM at St. Paul, Ida Grove; Volunteer to help assemble Health Kits with the  LWML 
• FRI 10/14- Pastor leaves for vacation, will return Oct. 18
• SAT 10/15- 6:00PM Worship at Immanuel (Triple Parish)
• SUN 10/16- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion, Guest Preacher Rev. Gerkin from IDW Office
• LADIES BIBLE STUDY HAS BEGUN for the Fall and will continue meeting every Wed. at 9:00AM until Thanksgiving
• TRIPLE PARISH WORSHIP- for October will be held at Immanuel, Soldier Township, every Saturday evening at 6:00PM
• ADULT INFORMATION CLASS- Pastor will be begin a twelve-session class adult-instruction class on Sunday, October 23 at 7:00PM. This is a class for those interested in membership as well as a review of Lutheran teaching for those who are already members. If you or someone you know would be interested in the class, please contact Pastor.
• LWML SOUP SUPPER- Sun. Oct. 23., 5:00PM-7:00PM at St. Luke's (Triple Parish) in Rickets. Serving; Vegetable Beef, Chili and their famous German Cherry Soup, Egg Salad on Homemade Buns, Cheese Sandwiches on Homemade Rye, Deserts & Drinks. Adults, $7, Children 5-10, $5, Preschoolers FREE. Carry-Outs available.

This Week @ St.John

• MON-SAT. OCT 3-8- 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' (for Triple Parish) on KDSN 107.1FM/1530AM, FYI-We need funding to help pay KDSN for this program. If you would like to make a donation toward 'Thy Strong Word,' please let either the office or KDSN know. Thank You.
• TUES 10/4- 6:30AM Men's Bible Class
• 1:00PM Quilting
• WED 10/5- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• 6:30PM Board of Education Meeting
• 7:30PM Budget Meeting
• THURS 10/6- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• SAT 10/8- 6:00PM Communion Service, Immanuel, Charter Oak

  

  Sunday School kids act out the story of the
  Good Samaritan as Pastor reads it.

• SUN 10/9- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
• 10:00AM Worship (LWML Sunday)
• 11:00AM Finance Board Meeting
• 1:00PM Pastor at Eventide
• 2:00PM Pastor at Denison Care Center
• 2:45PM Pastor at Silveridge
• 6:30PM LYF Meeting

This Week @ St.John

• MON & TUES 9/26-9/27-  Pastor at the District Pastor's Conference at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale
• WED 9/28- 9:00AM Women's Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• 6:30PM LYF Reorganizing Meeting & Pizza Party
• SAT 9/29- 6:00PM Worship Service at Immanuel, Charter Oak (Triple Parish)
• SUN 9/30- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion (Mite Box Sunday)

IMPORTANT DATES UPCOMING IN OCTOBER-

• SUN 10/2- 11:00AM Estate Planning Worshi
• WED 10/5- 7:30PM BUDGET MEETING-  Church Council & Finance Board Members, please attend to help prepare the 2017 budget
• SUN 10/9- LWML SUNDAY
• WED 10/12- 7:30PM Church Council Meeting
• WED 10/19- Quarterly Voters' Meeting
• SUN 10/23- 5th Sunday Contemporary Worship
• 7:00PM Adult Instruction Class Begins
• SAT&SUN 10/29-30- Junior High Youth Gathering, West Des Moines
• SUN 10/30- 7:00PM Adult Instruction Class
• MON 10/31- REFORMATION; 499th Anniversary of Martin Luther posting the 99 Theses 

Pictures from the 25th Anniversary of Pastor's Ordination

Here is a gallery of pictures from Pastor's 25th Anniversary Celebration on Flickr.
Use the arrows to scroll through the album.
You may also see them and leave your comments on Facebook.

Quilting Season Begins

Calling all quilters. Meet each Tuesday in October from 1:00pm-4:00pm with a coffee break at 2:30pm. Quilting begins Tuesday, October 4th.  

Thank you to all our past quilters as well as to St.John members for donating materials and Thrivent Choice Dollars.

Hope to see you there! ~Joan, Letha & Lois.

Help Wanted

Volunteers are needed to put together the monthly church newsletter. This takes an hour to an hour and a half at 9:00AM once a month at the end of each month. Please let Linda know if you'd be interested in helping.

LYF Meeting WED SEP 28 at 6:30pm

https://stjohnlyf.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/important-meeting-with-pizza/

LYF is reorganizing for the 2016-17 School Year. HS Youth (grades 9-12) are invited to a pizza party in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday September 28 at 6:30pm. Parents are invited too! Bring your ideas for the new year! (Parents) We are looking for counselors/coordinators for the coming year- please talk to Pastor if you are interested.

• Some of what we need to consider : Where Do We Go From Here?
• Dates & Events to keep in mind: LYF Annual Calendar

This Week @ St. John

• •WED 9/21- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study
• 3:30PM Confirmation
• 8:00pm Elders Meeting
• SAT 9/24- Sorry, No service at St. Luke, Ricketts- Triple Parish members are invited to join us to celebrate 25 ears of ministry for Partor Merrill Sunday
•  SUN 9/25- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Study
•  10:00AM WORSHIP- Guest preacher, IDW President Rev. Turner
• 11:00AM Celebrate Pastor Merrill's 25th year in Ministry. BBQ Pork dinner in the Fellowship Hall
• 5:00PM Soup Supper at Immanuell (Triple Parish)

New LYF Website

Visit our new LYF Website at https://stjohnlyf.wordpress.com
There will be news and announcements through out the year. LYF members & their parents are invited to "bookmark" it in your browser so that you can check back periodically to see what's up.

This Week at St. John

• WED 9/14- 9:00AM Ladies' Bible Study

•3:00PM Confirmation

•THR 9/15- LWML Fall Rally; 9:00AM Registration, 9:30AM Rally

•SAT 9/17- 6:00PM Worship with Communion at St. Luke, Ricketts

•SUN 9/18- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Classes

•10:00AM Worship with Communion; Offering for Rev.Vogel

Play Ground Re-Dedication Picnic | RALLY SUNDAY

St.John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak will be hosting an open house to celebrate the re-dedication of their playground on the corners of Birch Street and First Avenue in Charter Oak on Sunday, September 11, from 11:00AM, after worship services until 1:00pm.

St.John will serve hot dogs and root beer floats and host a free throw contest on their basketball court in addition to other games and miniature train rides.

The playground re-dedication is part of St.John’s “Rally Sunday,” where they will install their Sunday School and Confirmation teachers during worship which begins at 10:00am. Children are invited to Sunday School beginning at 8:45am.

Last year, St.John members formed a committee to find ways of improving their playground. Since it was formed, St. John has cleaned and refurbished existing equipment and added new playground equipment as well as a bench, a sign and shade trees.

While the town has a school playground across from Charter Oak-Ute School and the Ortner playground at the City Park, North of highway 141, St.John members hope to provide a safe place to play for children on the West side of Charter Oak. Many kids have already begun to enjoy the new equipment this Summer, especially before and after St.John’s Vacation Bible School in early August.

Members Bob & Annie Kroll built and installed a sign at the entrance to the playground. Annie, a master gardener, selected two young oak trees for the playground that were planted by the committee on either side of a new swing set in the shape of a cross, built and installed by Adam Dorale and his family.

This Spring, Adam’s father Ralph designed a monkey-bar, climbing set in the shape of Noah’s Ark. The ark is a nod to the Noah’s Ark Pre-School once held in the old Lutheran school building on the site of the current playground. Dorale will be installing a teeter-totter before the open house and has plans for a climbing wall in the shape of the Ten-Commandments.

Originally the playground was part of the Lutheran elementary school, then Noah’s Ark Pre-School. Much of the original equipment, including a wooden climbing fort with a slide, bridge and sliding pole, were part of a memorial honoring Mary Schoenfeld and her daughter, Cecelia, St.John members who were killed in 1986.

This Week @ St.John

• MON 9/5-  LABOR DAY- Church Office Closed

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters 

~ Colossians 3:23

 

For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 

~1 Timothy 5:18

• TUES 9/6- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study

• WED 9/7-3:30PM  Confirmation Classes Resume
• THR 9/8- Happy Birthday Pastor Merrill!- Join us for cake in the Fellowship Hall 9:00AM-11:00AM

• SAT 9/10- 6:00PM Worship with Communion at St.Luke's, Ricketts (Triple Parish)
• SUN 9/11- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Classes
• 10:00AM Worship- RALLY SUNDAY
  First Graders will receive Bibles
  Fifth Graders will receive Chetechisms
  Sunday School & Confirmation Teachers & Volunteers will be installed
• 11:00AM-1:00PM Playground Open House & Re-Dedication

This Week @ St.John

• MON 8/29- Pastor's Golf Day
• 7:00PM Playground Committee
• WED 8/31- 7:00PM Confirmation Orientation
• THR 9/1- 1:30pm LWML Mtg.
• SAT 9/3- 6:00PM Triple Parish Worship at St. Luke's, Ricketts
• SUN 9/4- 8:45AM Sunday School & Bible Class RESUME
• 10:00AM Worship with Communion, (Mite Box Sunday)

RALLY SUNDAY / PLAYGROUND OPEN-HOUSE & RE-DEDICATION- Everyone is invited to this special event on Sunday, September 11 following Worship. Many new items have been added to St. John's Playground. Hot dogs & root beer floats will be served. There will be a free-throw contest, train rides, games & fun. Be sure to invite your neighbors & friends to enjoy the afternoon. 

Please plan on attending "Rally-Day" Sunday beforehand, when we will install our Sunday School & Confirmation staff and when First graders will receive their Bibles and Fifth graders their Small Catechisms. 

THANKING GOD FOR 25 YEARS OF MINISTRY- Remember, we will be honoring Pastor Merrill on September 25th for his twenty-five years in the ministry. Please join us for dinner following the special worship service. For more information, look for the green sheet in your newsletter which you will receive in the mail later this week.

This Week @ St.John

• Pastor Merrill returns from vacation, FRI. AUG 19- Until then, Elders & Pastor Manley at St.Paul, Ute are available for pastoral needs.
• MON. AUG 15- Office closing at 2:00PM
• SAT. AUG 20-  6:00PM Worship with Communion
• SUN. AUG 21- 9:00AM Worship with Communion
• 10:30AM Triple Parish Worship at St.Paul, Hanover
• CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION- WED. AUG 31 at 7:00PM for all 5th-8th graders and their parents. This meeting is mandatory; we will be distributing materials and schedules.

This Week @ St.John

• SUN JUL 31-THRS AUG 4 - (5:45pm VBS Snacks) 6:00PM- 8:30PM Vacation Bible School
• TUES AUG 2- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study
• THRS AUG 4- 1:30PM LWML Meeting
• 8:00PM VBS Closing Service
• SUN AUG 7- 9:00AM Worship with Communion
• 10:30AM Worship at St.Paul (Triple Parish)
• 1:00PM Pastor preaches at Denison Care Center
• 2:00PM Pastor preaches at Eventide
• 2:45PM Pastor preaches at Silveridge

LYF NYG2016

Register for 2016 VBS

You’re Invited!

St John Vacation Bible School, Charter Oak

Sunday, July 31-Thursday, August 4 6:00-8:30 PM (Free sack lunch @ 5:45)

All children Preschool – Grade 6 (completed) are invited

Register online: https://vbsmate.com/stjohn

or call Linda @ St John church office – 678-3630 

or Bethany at 678-3397

This Week @ St.John

• MON 7/25- 7:00pm Playground Committee

• WED 7/27- 8:00pm Elders' Meeting

• SUN 7/31- 8:00am Adult Bible Study

9:00am 5th SUN Contemporary Worship

• Summer Lunch Program while CO-U School is closed for cleaning;  Mon 7/25-Fri 7/29

•VBS July 31-Aug 4

This Week @ St. John

Good luck this week (July 10-13) at Charter Oak Achievement Days;
4-H Boosters, 4-H Achievers, & CO-U FFA participants!

MON 7/11-SAT 7/16 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' on 1530AM KDSN

• THUR 7/14- 7:30PM QUARTERLY VOTERS' MEETING
• SAT 7/16- 6:00PM Worship with Communion
• FRI 7/15-THUR 7/21- LCMS 2016 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA; Please keep us in your prayers- Ellen & Grace Mallory, Skyler Kelm, Madison Young, & Kaitlyn Conto and Counselors Bethany & Ted Mallory.
• SUN 7/17- 8:00AM Adult Bible Study
• 9:00AM Worship with Communion
• 10:30AM Worship at Immanuel
• SUN 7/17 (after Church) -SAT 7/23-  PASTOR GONE to Concordia Cub Week at Camp Okoboji. Pastor Manley of St.Paul, Ute available if you need pastoral services.
• SCHOOL SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM- Interested in filling a need in our community? Last year St.John provided lunches for the children of Charter Oak while the school was closed for cleaning. We have the opportunity to do it again. This year there are 8 days the school will not be open for lunches- July 20-22 and 25-29. If we can get enough volunteers, we can help cover this time again. We would also have the opportunity too invite the children of our community to our VBS July 31-August 4. If you would be willing to help with a meal for a day, sign up on the counter in the walkway or talk to Linda in the office. 
• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL- 'Barnyard Roundup' VBS will be held July 31-Aug. 4, 6-8:30pm (5:45pm free sack lunch). Registration information is in the front walkway. Volunteers are needed. Call the Church office at 678-3630 or Bethany MALLORY at 3397. We plan on having a door offering for VBS some Sunday before it begins, but this year Bethany will be at the Youth Gathering and then at County Fair right up until VBS starts, so if you'd like to make a donation ahead of time, please leave it with Linda in the office- thank you.
Now you can REGISTER YOUR CHILD OR VOLUNTEER TO HELP ONLINE!

This Week @ St.John

•MON 7/4- Office Closed, Happy Independence Day!

•TUES 7/5- 6:30am Men's Bible Study

•WED 7/6- 7:30pm Council Mtg.

•THR 7/7- 1:30pm LWML Mtg.

•SUN 7/10- 8:00am Adult Bible Study

9:00am Worship

10:00am Finance Board Mtg.

10:30am Worship at Immanuel, Triple Parish

This Week @ St.John

•NEXT SUNDAY (July 3)-

8:00am Adult Bible Study

9:00am Worship w/ Communion (Mite Box Sun.)

10:30am Worship at Immanuel

Vacation Bible School- 'Barnyard Roundup' VBS will be held July 31-Aug. 4, 6-8:30pm (5:45pm free sack lunch). Registration information is in the front walkway. Volunteers are needed. Call the Churxh office at 678-3630 or Bethany MALLORY at 3397.

National Youth Gathering- July 16-21 in New Orleans. We will leave from Denison with other kids from IDW on a bus July 14 and return July 21. Please keep start praying that God will use this event to transform the hearts and lives of theses youth & to keep us all safe on during this adventure.: Grace & Ellen Mallory, Skyler Kelm, Madison Young, and Kaitlyn Conto, with counsellors Bethany & Ted Mallory.

QUARTERLY VOTERS' MEETING- Organizations & Committees, please have your quarterly reports in to the office by July 5. Dates have been adjusted to accommodate the Achievement Days cattle show: Church Council Meeting is Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30pm. The Voters' Meeting is Thursday, July 14 at 7:30pm.

This Week @ St. John

•MON June 20- Offices close at Noon

•THURS- SAT June 24-26 LWML District Convention at Camp Okoboji

•SAT June 26- Pastor rides in the Camp Okoboji Bike-a-Thon

•SUN June 27- 8:00am Adult Bible Class

9:00am Worship

10:30am Worship with Communion at St. Luke, Ricketts

1:00pm Pastor at Denison Care Center

2:00pm Pastor at Eventide

2:45pm Pastor at Silveridge

Come Celebrate This Week @ St.John With Us!

Hebrews 13:8 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.'  135 Years of Offering With Open Arms,
the Love of Jesus

MON 6/6-SAT 6/11 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' on 1530AM KDSN

• MON 6/13- 6:00PM 125th Set-Up (Everyone welcome)
• WED 6/15- 8:00PM Elders' Meeting
• FRI 6/17- 3:30PM Opening Ceremony of Charter Oak's 125th at Veterans' Memorial South of HWY 141
• SAT 6/18- 10:00AM-6:00PM Food Service in Fellowship Hall
• 11:00AM 125th Parade Begins
• 2:00PM Shriners' Men's Chorus perform at St.John
• BE HERE FOR THE PARADE- Watch for St. John's float, catch a Frisbee, later have your picture taken by the float as it will be parked outside the church and maybe on Sunday too, if weather permits. Some bleachers will be available or you may bring a lawn chair to watch the parade. Pastor & Steve Beeck will be announcers as the parade passes by St. John on Birch Ave.
• VISIT OUR ARCHIVE WALL & SEE OTHER HISTORY- On display. In addition to our 'Archive Wall' in the Fellowship Hall, Don & Nadine Friedichs will have an additional display of Charter Oak memorabilia.
• COME DINE WITH US- Saturday June 18th we will serving BBQ pork & plain pork sandwiches, hot dogs, beans, chips, fresh baked pies, ice cream, pop & coffee. Tickets may be purchased at the church.
• SUN 6/19- 8:00AM Adult Bible Class (Acolytes: Taryn and  Ellen)
• 9:00AM Worship/St.John's 135th Anniversary Celebration
• Pastor will deliver a message based on Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow." The Kuhlmann Sisters will sing, a chimes choir will perform, as will other instrumental accompanists. 
• Following worship, commemorative fluted cup will be given out to those in attendance, with a picture of the church on one side and the 'Witness, Mercy & Life Together logo on the other, filled with a pen, bookmark and candy.
• Be sure to stop by a table in the Fellowship Hall to pick up a copy of "Sowing Seeds of Salvation Through Stained Glass,'  a booklet on the history of St. John's stained glass windows.
• CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ST.JOHN LUTH.CH.

This Week @ St.John

MON 6/6-SAT 6/11 6:25AM Pastor Merrill hosts 'Thy Strong Word' on 1530AM KDSN

• MON 6/6- 7:00PM Playground Committee
• TUES 6/7- 6:30AM Men's Bible Study

• SUN 6/12- 8:00AM Adult Bible Study, led by Rev. Daniel Vogel of Amigos en Cristo Lutheran Church in Denison & former Missionary for IDW Hispanic Ministry in Denison, Storm Lake, & Des Moines
• 9:00AM Worship, Guest Preacher, Rev. Vogel (Acolytes; Taryn & Ellen)
• 10:00AM Finance Board Meeting