Thursday, August 31, 2017

Announcements

September 3, 2017

 

Hurricane Harvey Relief Offering - We will be taking a door offering today for Hurricane Harvey relief.  100% of the money will be sent to the Texas and Southern Districts of the LCMS who can use it where it is needed most.  Checks should be made payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Treasurer will send to Iowa District West Disaster Relief.  You may also give directly to LCMS World Relief at www.lcms.org/givenow/disaster

 

Sunday School/Adult Classes:

·         Adult Bible Class  will begin on September 10th at 8:00 a.m.  We will be doing short weekly studies:

   Sunday, September 10th:    Topic:  “What Does a Pastor Do, and Why Does He Do It?”

·         Blessing of the Classrooms:  We will begin Sunday School and Adult Bible study next Sunday (Sept.       10) at 8:00 by blessing the classrooms which we will be using for the year.  Children and adults are       both welcome to participate.  Classes will meet after the blessing is complete, at around 8:10 p.m.

 

Fellowship time – The Board of Education will be hosting a coffee and bars on Rally Sunday September 10th.  Please, join us in the church basement for refreshments and fellowship following the service. 

Pastor Chats begin this week - I have come to realize that I am having a hard time getting to know you all in the hand shake line on Sunday morning (let alone remembering your names!).  With that in mind, I would like to try to visit each family of the church individually for a casual “pastor chat”. It is my hope that through these visits I can get to know you all better and learn how I and the church can best bring Christ and all of his gifts to you.

I want to make these visits as convenient and comfortable as possible.  I will gladly come out to your house or you are welcome to stop in at church.  Each week I will put a few times that I am available to meet with you.  If the times fill up or don’t work for your schedule don’t worry!  I plan on posting a few times each week through the fall and winter until I visit every family.  Plan on fifteen minutes to an hour for our visit, depending on how “chatty” we are.  

Corrections on September -  A few new copies of the September calendar are available as you come in today.  Please be sure to pick one up as we have changes to that.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:   Kneeling at Communion

In the old days people would kneel when a king entered his throne room.  We do the same when Christ our King comes to us at the Lord’s Supper.  Pastor kneels to one knee as the Body and Blood of Jesus enter the room in the Words of Institution (the congregation can also bow at this time).  Then as we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus we show our greatest reverence to our king and kneel with both knees.

 

Thank You!   The family of Marjorie Lavrenz would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her St. John’s family! She loved her church family and always talked lovingly about you all. Thank you for all the years you have been there for her. Thank you for the prayers, memorials, food, and any assistance you gave in making her celebration of life service on Saturday August 26th go so smoothly. God truly is Good!

 The Family of Marjorie M Lavrenz

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

·         Wednesday AM Adult Bible Class – Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) Study – currently studying Revelation and meeting Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. 

·         Women’s Bible Studies during the school year on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

New Devotional Book in Library- Faith on the Farm is a devotional book written by Duane C Miesner (father of Hannah).  We have a copy in the Library for you to check out.   If you wish to have your own copy, please speak with Pastor Cowell and he will get you one. 

 

Clay Co. Fair, 100th Anniversary ,Sept. 9-17:   Traveling to the World’s Greatest County Fair? Need a place to stay when in the area? Camp Okoboji is a convenient, affordable and beautiful place to stay.  The first 100 people making 2 night min. stays will receive complimentary tickets. Call the Camp Office for availability

 

Concert - Blake & Jenna Bolerjack in Concert at the Burt Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 10th  at 6:30 p.m.  Free Will Donation  

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (September 3, 2017-September 10, 2017)

Today           9:00    am       Service              

Tuesday        9:00     am       Preschool Begins

Wednesday  9:00     am       Preschool

Thursday       9:00     am       Preschool

                      1:30     pm       Ladies Aid Meeting

Sunday         8:00     am       Sunday School and Adult Bible Class & Blessing Education Rooms

                      9:00     am       Service   ( Holy Communion)

                    10:00     am       Coffee/Bars in church basement

 

Greeters Next Week:         Tony and Stefanie Hatten

Acolyte This Week:           Ushers

Head Usher:                      Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for September:        * Mike Marlow, Lyle Karels & Terry Tieman

Elder for September:        Boyd Shipler

 

Bible Readings for the week in conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year:

      Sunday, Day 309           Jeremiah 40-42; Hebrews 2                             

      Monday, Day 310:         Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 3                 

      Tuesday, Day 311:         Jeremiah 46-48; Hebrews 4

      Wednesday, Day 312:    Jeremiah 49-50; Hebrews 5     

      Thursday, Day 313:        Jeremiah 51-52; Hebrews 6                 

      Friday, Day 314:             Lamentations 1-2; Hebrews 7

      Friday, Day 315:             Lamentations 3-5; Hebrews 8  

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Announcements

August 27, 2017

 

 

Religion School and Sunday School Students/Parents:  A meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. to meet with Pastor Cowell, the Board of Education and Elders about the Christian Education of your children.  Mark your calendars and be sure attend!   Rally Sunday will be September 10th.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:   Bowing to the Altar

The entire church building is a holy place because it has been set apart from other buildings as the place where Jesus comes to us with his Word and Body and Blood.  The altar is especially holy because that is the place where the Body and Blood of Jesus sits.  Bowing toward the altar during Communion, as well as any other time we approach it, is a way of showing reverence to the place that God regularly hallows with his bodily presence.

 

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

·         Wednesday AM Adult Bible Class – Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) Study – currently studying Revelation and meeting Wednesday evenings (not 8/16 due to council meeting) at 7:30 p.m.  Changing to Tuesday evenings in September.

·         Band of Brothers – Monthly men’s Bible study will meet Tuesday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. this month in Pastor Hauan’s garage. Will move to Sunday evening once school starts.

·         Women’s Bible Studies during the school year on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

New Devotional Book in Library- Faith on the Farm is a devotional book written by Duane C Miesner (father of Hannah).  We have a copy in the Library for you to check out.   If you wish to have your own copy, please speak with Pastor Cowell and he will get you one. 

 

Building Healthy Families   Do hurtful or disrespectful words sometimes come out of your mouth during the week as you interact with your family? If so, know that continuing this habit unchecked is damaging to your relationships in ways that you might not even know. Try memorizing this verse and call it to mind when you are tempted to snap at someone you love this week: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14     Lutheran Family Service

 

This Week at St. John’s  – ( August 27, 2017-September 3, 2017)

Today           9:00    am       Service              

Wednesday  6:30    pm       Religion/Sunday School Parents/Student Meeting

Sunday         9:00     am       Service   ( Holy Communion)

 

Greeters Next Week:         Ken McFarland & Mary Gifford

Acolyte This Week:           Ushers

Head Usher:                      Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for August:          * Clark Christensen, Harold Lavrenz & Jesse Fitzgerald

Elder for August:              Jerry Koestler

 

Bible Readings for the week in conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year:

      Sunday, Day 302:           Jeremiah 25-26; 2 Timothy 3                           

      Monday, Day 303:         Jeremiah 27-28; 2 Timothy 4               

      Tuesday, Day 304:         Jeremiah 29-30; Titus 1

      Wednesday, Day 305:    Jeremiah 31-32; Titus 2

      Thursday, Day 306:        Jeremiah 33-35; Titus 3                       

      Friday, Day 307:             Jeremiah 36-37; Philemon       

      Friday, Day 308:             Jeremiah 38-39; Hebrews 1     

 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Announcements

August 20, 2017

 

Religion School and Sunday School Students/Parents:  A meeting has been scheduled for August 30th at 6:30 p.m. to meet with the Board of Education and Pastor Cowell about the Christian Education of your children.  Mark your calendars and be sure attend!   Rally Sunday will be September 10th.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:   Hands at Prayer

The Church doesn’t know exactly how we came to fold our hands during prayer.  The important thing is that when we pray our hands are resting hands.  These resting hands are hands of faith.  As we fold our hands together and put them to rest we direct our eyes and hearts to the nail-marked hands of Jesus.  These crucified hands of Jesus are always the answer to our prayers.

 

A Great Big Thank You to all the volunteers who helped us with Treasure Trek VBS and made it such a success.  It was such a joy to share the stories of Jesus with all the children.  Special thanks to the students and their parents/grandparents who brought them, and the many many volunteers who helped organize, set up, take down, work on crafts, snacks, music, advertisement,  barbeque and those who served the picnic.  Heartfelt thanks to Pastor Cowell & Hannah for your support ! Working together has made this job a whole lot easier for us. Thank you also, to the congregation for their generosity in supporting us with your monetary donations and the many prayers said for us this week.  Our Offering went to Pastor James May:  $243.00 to help with to teach Pastors in Togo, Africa.                      Board of Education & Shirlee Alt

·         Also, a huge thank you to the committee who put this whole VBS on and stepped up big time to help. A heartfelt thanks to Sunday School Supt. Karla Schutter who wrote the curriculum and implemented it for this year’s VBS. 

 

Farewell Service – Members from St. John’s are invited to Pastor and Jane Bergquist’s Farewll Service on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lone rock. Our Joint Worship Service with St. Luke’s will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a meal to follow.  

 

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

·         Wednesday AM Adult Bible Class – Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) Study – currently studying Revelation and meeting Wednesday evenings (not 8/16 due to council meeting) at 7:30 p.m.  Changing to Tuesday evenings in September.

·         Band of Brothers – Monthly men’s Bible study will meet Tuesday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. this month in Pastor Hauan’s garage. Will move to Sunday evening once school starts.

·         Women’s Bible Studies during the school year on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

 

“Nailed It”  is the theme of the Iowa District West Youth Gathering to be held in Des Moines at the Sheraton on Saturday, October 21-22, 2017.  All 6, 7th & 8th student member of a LCMS church are invited to attend.  Cost: $150.  Talk to Pastor Cowell or stop by the church office for more information.

 

Building Healthy Families In addition to pervasive sadness, feeling hopeless and disconnected from others, another sign of depression is distorted thinking. Examples include overgeneralizing - “Things never go right for me,” after one thing goes wrong; exaggerated responsibility for others - “Why aren’t you happy? It must be because of something I did or didn’t do.”; and negative labeling – “I didn’t get up in time to exercise today – I’m lazy and a failure”. Unchallenged, these false negative messages to self only deepen the despair. Depression is not a lack of faith or a character flaw, but a serious illness which when left untreated can destroy a life, a marriage and a family. It is treatable and you can feel better. See your medical doctor first and remember that your pastor and LFS counselors are also here to help.  Lutheran Family Service

 

Lone Rock  FUN DAY  is being held on Saturday, August 26th with Garage Sales to begin the day at 8:00 a.m., Kids games and Bingo in the afternoon and a Pork Loin Dinner will be served  from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Fire Station.  Dance in the park with “Galaxy’ from 8 to 11 p.m.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – ( August 20, 2017-August 27, 2017)

Today           9:00    am       Service (Holy Communion)                                                     

Sunday         9:00     am       Service

                                

Greeters Next Week:         Wendell and Esther Christensen Sr.

Acolyte This Week:           Ushers

Head Usher:                       Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for August:          * Clark Christensen, Harold Lavrenz & Jesse Fitzgerald

Elder for August:              Jerry Koestler

 

 

 

VBS Offering-Pastor May

   $243.00

 

Bible Readings for the week in conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year:

      Sunday, Day 295:              Jeremiah 7-8; 1 Timothy 2    

      Monday, Day 296:            Jeremiah 9-10; 1 Timothy 3              

      Tuesday, Day 297:            Jeremiah 11-13; 1 Timothy 4

      Wednesday, Day 298:       Jeremiah 14-16; 1 Timothy 5

      Thursday, Day 299:           Jeremiah 17-19; 1 Timothy 6            

      Friday, Day 300:                Jeremiah 20-22; 2 Timothy 1

      Friday, Day 301:                Jeremiah 23-24; 2 Timothy 2

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Announcements

August 13, 2017

 

Religion School and Sunday School Students/Parents:  A meeting has been scheduled for August 30th at 6:30 p.m. to meet with the Board of Education and Pastor Cowell about the Christian Education of your children.  Mark your calendars and be sure attend!

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:   Do you notice during the Invocation, Absolution, and Benediction that Pastor’s fingers are bent in a strange way?  That’s because he is using his fingers to spell an abbreviation of “Jesus Christ.”  In the early Greek language common words were abbreviated with the first and last letter of the word.  So, “Jesus Christ” in Greek is “IC XC.”  Therefore you are literally blessed with the name of Jesus Christ during the Divine Liturgy!

 

Farewell Service – Members from St. John’s are invited to Pastor and Jane Bergquist’s Farewll Service on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lone rock. Our Joint Worship Service with St. Luke’s will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a meal to follow.  

 

“Nailed It”  is the theme of the Iowa District West Youth Gathering to be held in Des Moines at the Sheraton on Saturday, October 21-22, 2017.  All 6, 7th & 8th student member of a LCMS church are invited to attend.  Cost: $150.  Talk to Pastor Cowell or stop by the church office for more information.

 

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

·         Wednesday AM Adult Bible Class – Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) Study – currently studying Revelation and meeting Wednesday evenings (not 8/16 due to council meeting) at 7:30 p.m.  Changing to Tuesday evenings in September.

·         Band of Brothers – Monthly men’s Bible study will meet Tuesday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. this month in Pastor Hauan’s garage. Will move to Sunday evening once school starts.

·         Women’s Bible Studies during the school year on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

Building Healthy Families So often we slip into the habit of living for the approval of others, which leads to frustration, disappointment and disillusionment in life and relationships. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to do things for the approval of men. He then goes on to assure us that our Father who sees and knows us inside out is the One who can and will meet all our needs, including our need to be recognized, valued and loved. Whew! What a relief! Life begins to look different (and much better) when seen through the eyes of faith in our loving, gracious, living and forgiving God. Fix your eyes on Jesus - not your boss, co-worker, spouse, child or neighbor - and live in the light of His great love this week!   Lutheran Family Service

 

Lone Rock  FUN DAY  is being held on Saturday, August 26th with Garage Sales to begin the day at 8:00 a.m. Kids games and Bingo in the afternoon and a Pork Loin Dinner will be served  from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Fire Station.  Dance in the park with “Galaxy’ 8 to 11 p.m.

This Week at St. John’s  – ( August 13, 2017-August 20, 2017)

Today           9:00    am       Service              

                                             New Pastor’s Orientation Camp Okoboji

Tuesday         6:00    pm       Preschool Board Meeting                                                                    

Sunday         9:00     am       Service (Holy Communion)

 

Greeters Next Week:         Craig and Deb Steven

Acolyte This Week:           Ushers

Head Usher:                       Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for August:          * Clark Christensen, Harold Lavrenz & Jesse Fitzgerald

Elder for August:              Jerry Koestler

 

Bible Readings for the week in conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year:

      Sunday, Day 288:           Isaiah 56-58; 1 Thessalonians 3           

      Monday, Day 289:         Isaiah 59-61; 1 Thessalonians 4                                   

      Tuesday, Day 290:         Isaiah 62-64; 1 Thessalonians 5           

      Wednesday, Day 291:    Isaiah 65-66; 2 Thessalonians 1

      Thursday, Day 292:        Jeremiah 1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2                     

      Friday, Day 293:             Jeremiah 3-4; 2 Thessalonians 3         

      Friday, Day 294:             Jeremiah 5-6; 1 Timothy 1       

     

 

Thursday, August 03, 2017

Announcements

August 6, 2017

 

Vacation Bible School

·         “Treasure TrekVBS will begin this week so be sure and get signed up.  Come with us on a Treasure Trek Discovering the TRUTH about Jesus in the Bible!  Five fun-filled days learning Truth is a Treasure!  We will begin our treasure hunt on Monday, August 7 thru the 11th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Students 3 yrs-6th grade are invited to come along. You can register all children on our Webpage at stjohnsburt.org by clicking on the logo Treasure Trek and submitting an email or call church office 515-924-3344.

·         Needed -  Still looking for volunteers to fill the staff.  There is a sign-up sheet on the north table. Please consider helping us out this year. We would LOVE to have you join in on the FUN!   To also help with expenses we are taking monetary donations.  You may get those donations to Brenda Schutjer, Karla Schutter or place them in the offering plate marked VBS.

·         Picnic/Program will be held Friday, August 11th at 6:30 p.m.

 

Iowa District West Publishes a District newsletter “The Messenger” each month.  A Copy of the August Edition  is on the table in the back east wall for you to take .  If you wish to read this online go to the following website:  http://www.idwlcms.org/publications.php

 

Religion School and Sunday School Students/Parents:  A meeting has been scheduled for August 30th at 6:30 p.m. to meet with the Board of Education and Pastor Cowell for the Christian Education of your children  Mark your calendars and be sure to all be there!

 

Farewell Service – Members from St. John’s are invited to Pastor and Jane Bergquist’s Farewll Service on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lone rock. Our Joint Worship Service with St. Luke’s will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a meal to follow.  

 

“Nailed It”  is the theme of the Iowa District West Youth Gathering to be held in Des Moines at the Sheraton on Saturday, October 21-22, 2017.  All 6, 7th & 8th student member of a LCMS church are invited to attend.  Cost: $150.  Talk to Pastor Cowell or stop by the church office for more information.

 

Building Healthy Families “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can….” Remember this repeating line from the children’s book The Little Engine That Could? Yesterday and still today the story lines and themes of popular books, songs, movies or TV shows give us ample opportunity to begin a conversation with a young person that will influence their faith development. “I think I can…” provides a great opening for sharing how I can’t, but “All things are possible with God.” One episode of “The Bachelorette” provides plenty of opportunity to talk with your teen about how to choose a spouse and what’s really important in a marriage partner. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to share faith and God’s good design for life and marriage with those in your family this week!   Lutheran Family Service

 

Serving IDW CongregationsCamp Okoboji  is committed to reaching out to and serving the congregations and members of Iowa District West. Camp Okoboji is your lake-front property in the beautiful and entertaining Okoboji area. Take advantage of it! Many programs are planned and organized so that all you have to do is sign-up. Afternoon events, weekend retreats, week-long camps offer something for everyone. Camp Okoboji hopes to see you soon!

 

This Week at St. John’s  – ( August 6, 2017-August 13, 2017)

Today           * 9:00   am       Service (Holy Communion)                                                                             

Monday       6-8:00  pm       Vacation Bible School

Tuesday         10:00 am       Pastor at IDW Orientation in Fort Dodge

                     6-8:00  pm       Vacation Bible School

Wednesday  6-8:00  pm       Vacation Bible School

Thursday      6-8:00  pm       Vacation Bible School

Friday           6-6:30  pm       Practice Program VBS

                        6:30  pm       Program and Picnic

Sunday            9:00  am       Service

                                             New Pastor’s Orientation Camp Okoboji

 

Greeters Next Week:         Paul and Bobbie Jahnke

Acolyte This Week:           Ushers

Head Usher:                       Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for August:          * Clark Christensen, Harold Lavrenz & Jesse Fitzgerald

Elder for August:              Jerry Koestler

                       

Bible Readings for the week in conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year:

      Sunday, Day 281:           Isaiah 39-40; Philippians 4       

      Monday, Day 282:         Isaiah 41-42; Colossians 1                    

      Tuesday, Day 283:         Isaiah 43-44; Colossians 2        

      Wednesday, Day 284:    Isaiah 45-47; Colossians 3

      Thursday, Day 285:        Isaiah 48-49; Colossians 4                    

      Friday, Day 286:             Isaiah 50-52; I Thessalonians 1

      Friday, Day 287:             Isaiah 53-55: 1 Thessalonians 2