Thursday, March 29, 2018

Announcements

April 1, 2018

Easter

 

The Lilies on the Altar today were given in celebration of Short and Pat Eimers’ 65th Wedding Anniversary by their family.

 

The LYF Group will be serving Coffee and Rolls following today’s service.  Please join us!

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:  The Paschal Greeting

The Paschal Greeting, or Easter Acclamation, is a liturgical rubric as well as a common greeting among Christians in the Easter season.  As one person says: “Christ is risen” the other responds: “He is risen indeed, Alleluia.”  These words, recorded in Luke 24:34, were first spoken by the eleven disciples and it is thought that the phrase immediately became a common greeting among Christians.  Thus when we use this Paschal Greeting in church and among ourselves we are joining the apostles and 2,000 years of saints before us in proclaiming the great joy that the good news of our resurrected Lord brings to us.  

 

New Pastor:  We give thanks with Immanuel, Lotts Creek and St. Luke’s, Fairville that the Rev. Duane Miesner has accepted the call to be their pastor.  His installation date is scheduled for June 3rd.  

 

LWML Day of Prayer will be observed here on Thursday, April 5th at 1:30 p.m. Mary Gifford and Pastor will lead the program. Lunch will be served by Mary Shipler-Oleson. All ladies of the church are invited to attend.

 

Update on Our Almsgiving Project: During the season of Lent St. John’s gave $2,440 toward the Confirmation students’ almsgiving project.  This means that each student will be giving $305 to their chosen cause.  Thank you for your generous support in showing mercy to the needy in our area and beyond, and for helping our students learn the virtue of almsgiving through hands-on experience. Look for information on who our students chose to help in the next couple weeks.


Camp Okoboji Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 7th.  Kitty and Lynn Bierstedt will represent St. John’s at this meeting.  Special thanks to them!!

 

Summer Celebration Chicken and Biscuit Dinner will be held at the Burt Activity Complex on Sunday April 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Adults: $10,   children  under 10 is $3;  3 years and under free.   A Silent Auction will be held from 11-12:30 p.m.   Help us keep our Summer Celebration a free event.

St. Cecelia Presents “Music of the Heart” This benefit concert will be held Sunday, April 15 at 2 p.m. at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center in Algona.  The concert features Dr. Richard Steinbach, renowned Pianist and Professor of Piano at Briar Cliff University, along with Jonathon Chambers, Carter Nath, and the Bishop Garrigan Choir.  100% of your free will donation will go toward Haiti relief efforts.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (April 1, 2018- April 8, 2018)

Today            8:00     am       Easter Resurrection Service  (Holy Communion)                               

                      9:00     am       LYF Serving Coffee and Rolls in basement

Tuesday        9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                  

Wednesday  9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                  

                      6:00     pm       Religion School

Thursday       9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                          

                      1:30     pm       LWML World Day of Prayer

Saturday     10:00     am       Annual Meeting at Camp Okoboji

Sunday         8:00     am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                      9:00     am       Service 

                    10:00     am       Quarterly Council Meting

 

Greeters Next Week:          Duane and Ann Heyes

Acolyte:                             Nick Christensen

Head Usher:                      Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for April:              *Don Madsen, Ken McFarland & Wendell Christensen Jr.

Elder for April:                  Jeff Schutjer

 

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.

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

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) - Sunday Evening Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. in Fireside Room. We will be studying The Book of Hebrews

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Announcements

March 25, 2018

 

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:  The Palm Sunday Procession

In ancient days when a king rode into town the people would cover the dusty road with their coats or with branches from a tree in order to show their king the highest honor and respect: equivalent to rolling out the red carpet.  Today we process into church with palm branches not only to mimic our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem to conquer sin and death on the cross, but also to celebrate his triumphal entry among us as he enters our midst in Word and Sacrament to travel with us through our somber remembrance of his cross and passion and to the victorious joy of Easter.  

 

Movie:  New location and time for Paul, Apostle of Christ!  Cinema West Theatre in Mason City is now showing the new movie about St. Paul, which is great news for us!  Here are the new details: Leave from St. John's Sunday (Mar. 25) at 12:30 p.m., the movie begins at 1:55 p.m., we will be back to St. John's around 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $8.50, and free for children ages high school and under.  Sign-up in the back on the table.

 

New Pastor: We give thanks with Immanuel, Lotts Creek and St. Luke’s, Fairville that the Rev. Duane Miesner has accepted the call to be their pastor.  His installation date is scheduled for June 3rd.  

 

Holy Week Services - Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m. with Holy Communion; Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.; Easter Resurrection Service (Holy Communion) at 8:00 a.m. Coffee and rolls will be served by LYF group following. 

 

LWML Day of Prayer will be observed here on Thursday, April 5th at 1:30 p.m. with Mary Gifford and Pastor will lead the program. Lunch will be served by Mary Shipler-Oleson following the service. All ladies of the church are invited to attend.

 

Easter Flowers:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the church to use at Easter morning service, there is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church. The price is $14 per lily and please pay Cheryl Batt by today.  

 

Easter Vigil Liturgy: St. John's has been invited to attend the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday (March 31) at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Emmetsburg at 6:00 p.m.  Pastor Cowell is planning on attending, and he would love to explain the Vigil service to you if you are interested.  

 

Update on Our Almsgiving Project: After six Lenten services St. John's has given $2371.00 toward the confirmation students' almsgiving project.  Good work! 

 

Camp Okoboji Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 7th.  Kitty and Lynn Bierstedt will represent St. John’s Burt at this meeting.  Special thanks to them!!

 

A Retirement Open House for Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson will be held at the Burt Presbyterian Church today (March 25, 2018) from 2-4 p.m.  Come Celebrate with Us!

 

Easter In Lone Rock – Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Fire Station. There will be Egg Coloring and Games from 9-10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 25, 2018-April 1, 2018)

Today           8:00     am       Sunday School/Adult Bible Class

                     9:00     am       Palm Sunday Service (Holy Communion)                                          

                      1:55     pm       Paul, Apostle of Christ Movie in Mason City

Tuesday        9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                  

Wednesday  9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                  

Thursday       9:00     am       Preschool

                      6:30     pm       Maundy Thursday Service (Holy Communion)

Friday            9:00     am       Algona Nursing Home Services

                      6:30     pm       Good Friday Tenebrae Service                                                                                    

Sunday        8:00     am       Easter Resurrection Service  (Holy Communion)

                                             (No Sunday School or Bible Class)

                    

Greeters Next Week:         Jeff and  Brenda Schutjer

Head Usher:                      Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for March:           *Lucas Parsons, Roger Evans & Duane Peter

Elder for March:               Boyd Shipler

 

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.

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

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) - Sunday Evening Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. in Fireside Room. We will be studying The Book of Hebrews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Announcements

March 18, 2018

 

 

Adult Class:  March 25, 2018 - Topic:  Return from Exile Lenten Series:  The Lord Provides

 

Special Music: The choir will be practicing for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday on Wednesdays after services.  All are welcome!

 

Lenten Service will be held Wednesday March 21st at 6:30 p.m.  Remember the offering for these services will go to the 8th grade students to use as a service project they are each doing.

 

Movie:  St. John's will be carpooling to the movie Paul, Apostle of Christ, showing on Sunday, March 25th at 3:40 p.m. in Mankato, MN.  We will leave from St. John's at 1:30 p.m., eat supper after the movie, and be back to St. John's around 8:30 p.m.  Cost is $7.75 for the movie ($7.00 children and seniors), plus supper.  Please sign the sign-up sheet (recommended, but not required) in back if you would like to go, and note if you are willing to drive. 

 

Holy Week services - Holy Thursday: 6:30 p.m. with communion.; Good Friday: 6:30 p.m.; Easter Resurrection Service (Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m. with coffee and rolls following served by LYF group. 

 

Thank You! Kids of the Kingdom would like to sincerely thank everyone that helped make the recent bake sale another successful fundraiser. We genuinely appreciate your continued support and couldn't do it without you all!  Blessings!  Kids of the Kingdom Staff and Board

Easter Flowers:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the church to use at Easter morning service, there is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church. The price is $14 per lily and please pay Cheryl Batt by Sunday, March 25th.  

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:  The Litany

The following is an excerpt from President Matthew Harrison encouraging us to pray the Litany:

“I've long enjoyed praying the Litany. Luther did too. The prayer has an amazing longevity in the church, having found its form by the 6th century (Gregory the Great regularized it). [...] Left to ourselves, bereft of texts as the foundation of our prayers, we are often left praying "Dear God, give me a mini-bike," as I was wont to pray as a 12 year old - and am prone to pray even today! Texts of the scriptures (Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments) and scriptural texts (Creed, Litany!) lay down God's thoughts as the foundation of prayer, the tarmac if you will, from which our meditations may gently or quickly rise, aided by the Holy Spirit. The fulsome petitions of the Litany take us out of ourselves, to pray for the church, pastors and teachers, our enemies, women with children, the poor, the imprisoned and much much more. And all for mercy, growing out of the great petitions of the blind, the lame and the ill who comes to Jesus in the New Testament, "Lord have mercy!" "Kyrie eleison!" The Lord loves to have mercy. The Lord came to have mercy. The Lord continues to have mercy.” - taken from http://mercyjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/lets-pray-litany-daily-kyrie-eleison.html

 

Easter Vigil Liturgy: St. John's has been invited to attend the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday (March 31) at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Emmetsburg at 6:00 p.m.  Pastor Cowell is planning on attending, and he would love to explain the Vigil service to you if you are interested.  

Update on Our Almsgiving Project: After five Wednesday Lenten services St. John's has given $2,026. toward the confirmation students' almsgiving project.  Good work! 

 

Camp Okoboji  is pleased to announce that Kirk Wanke has been hired to serve as its new Executive Director. Kirk has begun his duties as of February 12, 2018.  (Picture and information on him is posted on bulletin board along the ramp).

 

Under Thrivent’s Choice Program, members who meet minimum requirements are given Choice Dollars to allocate to the organization of their choice.  These dollars are given at no cost to the member.  Thrivent members who have Choice Dollars available have until March 31, 2018 to allocate dollars from 2017. Choice dollars that are not allocated by that date will be lost.  Please consider allocating your Choice Dollars to St. John’s or to the Kids of the Kingdom Preschool.  Call 1-800-THRIVENT (1-800-847-4836)

 

Quilt Show at Trinity: The Kossuth County CARE Team is hosting a Quilt Show on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center. There will be a $10 admittance charge with all proceeds going to the Kossuth C.A.R.E. team.  

 

Concert – The Algona Cornbelt Barbershop Chorus will be held On Saturday, March 24th at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center in Algona.  Show times are 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased from Ken McFarland or Browns Shoe store in Algona.

 

A Retirement Open House for Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson will be held at the Burt Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 2-4 p.m.  Come Celebrate with Us!

 

Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser at Burt Activity Complex on Saturday March 24, 2018.  All proceed go to raise Walleyes for our river System.  Sponsored by East Fork Walleye Club

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 18, 2018-March 25, 2018)

Today            8:00     am       Sunday School/Adult Bible Class

                     9:00     am       Service (Holy Communion)                                                                     

Tuesday         9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                   

Wednesday    9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                           

              6:00-6:30     pm       Religion School

                      6:30     pm       Lenten Service

Thursday        9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                           

Sunday           8:00     am       Sunday School /Adult Bible Class

                      9:00    am       Palm Sunday Service  (Holy Communion)

                     1:30    pm       Paul, Apostle of Christ Movie in Mankato

 

Greeters Next Week:           Joel Smith

Head Usher:                       Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for March:             *Lucas Parsons, Roger Evans & Duane Peter

Elder for March:                  Boyd Shipler

 

Thursday, March 08, 2018

Announcements

March 11, 2018

 

Adult Class:  March 18, 2018 - Topic:  Return from Exile Lenten Series:  The Tree

 

Special Music: The choir will be practicing for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday on Wednesdays after services.  All are welcome!

 

Lenten Service will be held Wednesday March 14th at 6:30 p.m.  Remember the offering for these services will go to the 8th grade students to use as a service project they are each doing.

 

Picture HistoryWe thank Bev Skadburg, Shirlee Alt, and Vern Koestler for their work on the pictorial history of our church and pastors displayed in the back of the church.  This project was initiated by our LWML and matches the pastors with the church building in which they served.  The picture will be hung somewhere in the church. 

 

Update on Our Almsgiving Project: After four Wednesday Lenten services St. John's has given $1,586 toward the confirmation students' almsgiving project.  Good work!  This means that so far each of our eight students has $200 to give toward the need of their choice.  The students will give us a brief description of who our alms are going to help shortly after Easter.  On the list is area fire departments, the food bank, St. Jude's, aid for a family whose house burned down, an Iowa Hispanic mission church, and an Iowa music ministry for children.  I'm excited about the wide range of causes that the students chose to help and I'm proud of the gifts St. John's has provides so far for this project.  You have two more Wednesday services to give toward the project (Mar. 14 and 21), or if you are unable to attend on Wednesday you can designate money toward this project on your Sunday envelope in addition to your regular weekly tithe.  

 

Easter Flowers:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the church to use at Easter morning service, there is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church. The price is $14 per lily and please pay Cheryl Batt by Sunday, March 25th.  

 

Lessons on the Liturgy:  The Word “Lent”

Our word “Lent” derives from a Germanic word meaning “springtime.” As the earth comes to life again after its long winter sleep, so Christ bursts from the tomb radiating the promise of eternal life. He reveals what we are called to be. During Lent we clear the debris of our lives in order to allow the mercy of God to fall upon them. Christ hallows the dust of our humanity with his own blood. What I am to be is presented in the wounded body of the glorified Christ. Lent begins with ashes and ends with the fire, the Paschal fire of the Resurrection-the assurance of what we shall be. - Father Allan James White, Magnificat (Wed., February 18th, 2015), p. 274

Lock-In for 6-8th graders will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 9 p.m. till 6 a.m.  Contact Trinity at 295-3518 to reserve your spot.   Lots of fun things planned for the evening!!

Chili Dinner Fundraiser featuring Good Samaritan Society’s famous chili recipe is being held today (March 11) from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center, Algona.  Cost of this event will be a “free-will offering” with proceeds going towards a blanket warmer for the Special Care Unit and other nursing equipment.  Good Samaritan management and staff members will be hosting this fundraiser. Come join us!!

 

Camp Okoboji  is pleased to announce that Kirk Wanke has been hired to serve as its new Executive Director. Kirk has begun his duties as of February 12, 2018.  (Picture and information on him is posted on bulletin board along the ramp).

 

Quilt Show at Trinity: The Kossuth County CARE Team is hosting a Quilt Show on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center.. There will be a $10 admittance charge with all proceeds going to the Kossuth C.A.R.E. team.  We are limiting ONE quilted item per person in an effort to showcase more talent.  If you are interested in displaying a quilt or if you would like to help, please contact Brenda Bormann - bormann@ncn.net or text her at 515-341-6982 or Jane Dreyer - janedreyer95@hotmail.com or text her at 515-320-0490. Please notify Jane or Brenda by Wednesday, March 14th, if you plan on sharing an item. 

 

Concert – The Algona Cornbelt Barbershop Chorus will be held On Saturday, March 24th at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center in Algona.  Show times are 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased from Ken McFarland or Browns Shoe store in Algona.

 

A Retirement Open House for Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson will be held at the Burt Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 2-4 p.m.  Come Celebrate with Us!

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 11, 2018-March 18, 2018)

Today            8:00     am       Sunday School/Adult Bible Class

                     9:00     am       Service                                                                                       

Tuesday         9:00     am       Preschool           

                      8:30     pm       Pastor at Circuit Winkel

                      6:00     pm       Preschool Board Meeting

Wednesday    9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                           

              6:00-6:30     pm       Religion School

                      6:30     pm       Lenten Service

Thursday        9:00     am       Preschool           

Friday    6:00-9:00     pm       Lock-In for 6-8th graders at Trinity                                                                      

Sunday           8:00     am       Sunday School /Adult Bible Class

                      9:00    am       Service  (Holy Communion)

 

Greeters Next Week:           Gene and Marcia Hanna

Acolyte:                              Cameron Haase

Head Usher:                       Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for March:             *Lucas Parsons, Roger Evans & Duane Peter

Elder for March:                  Boyd Shipler

 

Thursday, March 01, 2018

Announcements

March 4, 2018

 

Adult Class – March 11, 2018 - Topic:  Return from Exile Lenten Series: Water

 

Special Music: The choir will be practicing for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday on Wednesdays after services.  All are welcome!

 

Lenten Service will be held Wednesday March 7th at 6:30 p.m.  Remember the offering for these services will go to the 8th grade students to use as a service project they are each doing.

 

Pastor Chats - I will continue to post my available times on the back table for the week ahead for a visit with me.  I will continue to post times until I am able to visit every family.   

 

Kids of the Kingdom Fundraiser Bake Sale will be held during the Burt Lions French Toast Breakfast on Saturday March 10th from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.   Come support both groups.  Donations for the bake sale can be brought on that morning call Jessie 515 320-0501.

 

Lenten Devotionals are available on the back table.  Please feel free to take one home.

 

Thank You For Your PartnershipJust as a congregation is dependent on the financial gifts of their members, so Iowa District West is dependent on the gifts we receive from our partner congregations.  Last year you provided just over $1.5 million to help us support Christ’s mission.  Those funds enabled us to support 5 missionary partners in IDW, support over 30 congregations with mission grants, provide workshops and resources in a variety of areas, support the work of the LCMS, and work with you as you carry out Christ’s mission in your community.  As a result, hundreds of individuals came to faith just in IDW, thousands were strengthened in their faith, and a new congregation was planted (The Gate, Ankeny)!  Thank you again and may God richly bless our partnership in 2018.  Pres. Steve Turner and the staff of IDW

Lessons on the Liturgy:  Purple Paraments

Purple, like black, is a penitential color, in contrast to a festive one.  Purple was a very cherished and expensive color in the world Jesus lived, as the dye used to make the color was painstakingly acquired from a Mediterranean shellfish.  Thus purple clothes were worn exclusively by royalty.  As the soldiers mocked and tormented Jesus at his crucifixion they placed on him a purple garment in order to ridicule him and belittle the claim that he was the King of the Jews.  Therefore, purple is used during this penitential season of Lent as a reminder of the contempt and scorn Jesus endured, and the sacrifice he made for our eternal salvation as our eternal king.

Lock-In for 6-8th graders will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 9 p.m. till 6 a.m.  Contact Trinity at 295-3518 to reserve your spot.   Lots of fun things planned for the evening!!

 

Chili Dinner Fundraiser featuring Good Samaritan Society’s famous chili recipe is being held on Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center, Algona.  Cost of this event will be a “free-will offering” with proceeds going towards a blanket warmer for the Special Care Unit and other nursing equipment.  Good Samaritan management and staff members will be hosting this fundraiser. Come join us!!

 

Thrivent Action Card - Kids of the Kingdom is looking for anyone who is a Thrivent member and would like to donate an Action Card to the preschool.  The Action Cards are in place of the matching funds we used to get and we have been using the cards to purchase ingredients for our soup dinner and bake sales.  We have been very successful with these fund raisers and they have enabled us to continue to provide a Christian preschool here at St. John’s.  Please contact Allison Christensen and she can give you the information how you can apply.  It does take some time to process and our next bake sale is in March.  Thank you for your continued support.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 4, 2018-March 11, 2018)

Today           8:00     am       Sunday School/Adult Bible Class

                     9:00     am       Service (Holy Communion)                                                                 

Tuesday        9:00     am       Preschool          

Wednesday  9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                          

              6:00-6:30     pm       Religion School

                     6:30     pm      Lenten Service

Thursday       9:00     am       Preschool                                                                                                          

Sunday         8:00     am       Sunday School /Adult Bible Class

                      9:00    am       Service 

 

Greeters Next Week:         Mike and Amy Marlow

Acolyte:                             Peyton Marlow

Head Usher:                      Roger Lavrenz 

Ushers for March:           *Lucas Parsons, Roger Evans & Duane Peter

Elder for March:               Boyd Shipler

 

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.

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

·         BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) - Sunday Evening Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. in Fireside Room. We will be studying The Book of Hebrews