Thursday, November 29, 2018

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

December 2, 2018

First Sunday in Advent

 

Collect of the Day - Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

LWML Christmas Coffee will be held today following the service in the church basement.  

 

Christmas CDs Available - Last year the faculty and students of the St. Paul's Music Conservatory in Council Bluffs produced a professional Christmas album.  These CDs are available to you free of charge thanks to a Thrivent Action Team donation.  Take one for yourself and take as many as you'd like to share this beautiful, gospel-filled Christmas music with family and friends.  If you'd like to support this ministry of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, feel free to make a donation on the back table.  Don't be shy about taking as many CDs as you'd like, we can always order more! 

 

Church Decorating – The congregation is invited to come and spend an evening of fellowship and fun as we decorate the Church for Christmas on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m.  We’ll begin with a brief Advent devotion and then get right into decorating, snacks, and activities for the kids.

 

Poinsettias – If you would like to purchase a poinsettia for the church to use during the Advent and Christmas season, there is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the church. Please sign your name and what color of poinsettia you would like to order. The colors are listed on the sheet. The cost is $18.00 per poinsettia. Please pay Cheryl Batt by Sunday, December 9th.  Thank You!

 

Advent Open House – The Cowell Family would like to invite St. John’s to their home on Sunday, December 16th from 2-5 p.m. for their annual Open House.  Address: 609 E Kennedy St. Algona, Iowa.

 

Advent/Christmas Cards – There are special notes on the back table for our newer members and members we haven’t seen in a while inviting them to our Advent and Christmas services.  Please consider delivering some of these letters to family and friends to add a personal touch to the invitation.  There are also some un-addressed letters on the table if you’d like to send one out to someone who isn’t a member at St. John’s.

 

Food Pantry Offering – Collected $357.25.  Thanks to all who so generously gave!

 

Lessons and Carols Service – Our service on Sunday, December 30th will feature a long list of Christmas hymns.  We want to make sure your favorite hymn is included!  There is a sign-up sheet in the back along with hymnals for you to write down your favorite Christmas hymn. 

 

A Special Voter’s Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 9th following the service to review and vote on the 2019 budget and nomination of officers.

Children’s Christmas Program Practice will be held on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  We will be practicing on December  8, 15th and Dress Rehearsal on the 22nd.  Be sure you are at all practices!

Adopted Family – We have adopted a family again this year.  One Adult and 4 children

·         Child one Age 17-  Female : Top XL Women and Pants size 16/17 women

·         Child Two: Age 13- Female:  Top - L Women and Pants size 14 Jr.

·         Child three – Age 9 – Male: Top size 10 Boys and Pants size 10/12 pants

·         Child four – Age 6 – Male: Top size – 12 boys and Pants size 12 pants.

Gift Cards:   Gas and Groceries

Deadline:    December 16, 2018

Cash donations and Gift Cards can be left in the church office or given to Deb Steven or Doris Blocker.

A box will be available in the back of the church for you to put your wrapped and marked gifts.

A list of all the above is on the back table in more detail.  Be sure to pick up one before you go shopping.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - Advent

“Advent” is a Latin word that means “coming.”  During Advent we prepare to celebrate the past coming of our Lord into human flesh and the future coming of Jesus on the Last Day, even as we prepare for Jesus to come to us in the present at the Lord’s Supper.  Thus the season of Advent is not only a time of preparation for Christmas, but it is a time to prepare our hearts for all of the ways in which Christ has come, comes, and will come to be our Savior.

 

Thank-You for the invitation to participate in your Reformation Service and the opportunity to share about our work among the Hispanics in Siouxland. We thank you for your prayers and  support and for the special offering given at the service (Reformation Service at Trinity). We pray that God continue to bless all of us in the sharing of His Word so that more may come to know of His Gospel message and the reformation it makes in our lives.   The offering total was $425.00.   Pastor Henry Witte

 

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you.  After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well.  Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

 

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning.  If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.   

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (December 2, 2018 – December 9, 2018)

Today               8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00  am       LWML Christmas Coffee and Cookies

Wednesday       6:00  pm       Religion School      

                         6:30  pm       Advent Meditation Service – Church Decorating

Saturday           9:00  am       Children’s Christmas Program Practice

Sunday             8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service 

                       10:00  am       Voter’s Meeting

 

Greeters Next Week:             Doris Blocker and Mary Steven

Acolytes:                             Jordan and Caelum Blocker

Ushers for December:         *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December:             Boyd Shipler

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Announcements

November 25, 2018

 

Special Offering is being taken today for the Kossuth County Food Pantry.  Place your donation in the plate at the back of the church.

 

Advent/Christmas Cards – There are special notes on the back table for our newer members and members we haven’t seen in a while inviting them to our Advent and Christmas services.  Please consider delivering some of these letters to family and friends to add a personal touch to the invitation.  There are also some un-addressed letters on the table if you’d like to send one out to someone who isn’t a member at St. John’s.

 

Lessons and Carols Service – Our service on Sunday, December 30th will feature a long list of Christmas hymns.  We want to make sure your favorite hymn is included!  There is a sign-up sheet in the back along with hymnals for you to write down your favorite Christmas hymn. 

 

A Special Voter’s Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 9th following the service to review and vote on the 2019 budget and nomination of officers.

 

LWML Christmas Coffee will be held on Sunday, December 2nd following the service.

* All LWML members are to bring 2 dozen cookies for the coffee and to share with our shut-ins.

 

Children’s Christmas Program Practice will be held on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  We will be practicing on December 1st, 8, 15th and Dress Rehearsal on the 22nd.  Be sure you are at all practices!

 

Church Decorating – The congregation is invited to come and spend an evening of fellowship and fun as we decorate the Church for Christmas on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m.  We’ll begin with a brief Advent devotion and then get right into decorating, snacks, and activities for the kids.

 

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you.  After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well.  Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

 

 

 

Adopted Family – We have adopted a family again this year.  One Adult and 4 children

·         Child one Age 17-  Female : Top XL Women and Pants size 16/17 women

·         Child Two: Age 13- Female:  Top - L Women and Pants size 14 Jr.

·         Child three – Age 9 – Male: Top size 10 Boys and Pants size 10/12 pants

·         Child four – Age 6 – Male: Top size – 12 boys and Pants size 12 pants.

 

Gift Cards:   Gas and Groceries

Deadline:    December 16, 2018

Cash donations and Gift Cards can be left in the church office or given to Deb Steven or Doris Blocker.

A box will be available in the back of the church for you to put your wrapped and marked gifts.

A list of all the above is on the back table in more detail.  Be sure to pick up one before you go shopping.

 

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning.  If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.   

 

Lessons on the Liturgy Christ’s Return for Judgment

Here’s what Article XVII of our Augsburg Confession says about the Last Day:

Our churches teach that at the end of the world Christ will appear for judgment and will raise all the dead.  He will give the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, but He will condemn ungodly people and the devils to be tormented without end.  Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils.  Our churches also condemn those who are spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed.

These are harsh words indeed, but they are words of supreme comfort for the “godly and elect” who have been chosen by God in Baptism and look to Christ alone as their righteousness before the Father in heaven.

 

Burt Lions Club Santa Day will be held on Saturday, December 1st at 1 p.m. at the Burt Community Center.  Fire Engine Rides, coffee and cookies will be served

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (November 25, 2018 – December 2, 2018)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service                                                                                       

Wednesday   6:00   pm       Religion School

Saturday         9:00  am       Children’s Program Practice

Sunday            8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                        10:00 am       LWML Christmas Coffee/Cookies following service.

                      

Greeters Next Week:           Duane and Linda Peter

Acolytes:                             Jordan Blocker

Ushers for November:     *Lynn Bierstedt, Darrel Schmidt & Dave Kerkove

Elder for November:         Jerry Koestler

 

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) – Tuesday Evenings Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. at parsonage.

·         Women’s Bible Study Monday’s: 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Announcements

November 18, 2018

 

Flowers on the Altar today were given in celebration of Wendell and Esther Christensen’s 62nd Anniversary on November 23rd by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Special Offering is being taken today for the Kossuth County Food Pantry.  Place your donation in the plate at the back of the church.

 

Adult Bible Study – Our theme for adult Bible study for the rest of the year will be prayer. Feel free to join us at any time!

 

Funeral Services for EuClaire Meyer will be held Monday, November 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be held before the service from 9:30 till 11:00 a.m.   Lunch will be served following in the church basement with the committal at East Lawn Cemetery in Algona.

 

Thanksgiving Service will be held Wednesday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. with Holy Communion.

 

Council Meeting will be held immediately following the service today. This meeting is to review and vote on the 2019 Budget and Nomination of 2019 Officers.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You to my church family for all get well wishes, cards and the flowers I received from the congregation during my knee replacement.  Special thanks to Pastor for the visit to the hospital!  Also, big thanks to Ann Heyes who picked up the slack at the office while I was gone.  God bless you all!  Rosann Shipler

 

LWML Christmas Coffee will be held on Sunday, December 2nd following the service.

*  All LWML members are to bring 2 dozen cookies for the coffee and to share with our shut-ins.

 

Children’s Christmas Program Practice will be held on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  We will be practicing on December 1st, 8, 15th and Dress Rehearsal on the 22nd.  Be sure you are at all practices!

 

Church Decorating – The congregation is invited to come and spend an evening of fellowship and fun as we decorate the Church for Christmas on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30 pm.  See you there!

 

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning.  If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.   

 

Lessons on the Liturgy – The Antichrist

One sign that we are living in the end times is the appearance of antichrists among us.  Antichrists are not the devilish creatures with flames and pitchforks that we often imagine them to be.  An antichrist is anyone who lives in direct opposition of Christ (hence “anti” Christ). The Power and Primacy of the Pope of our Lutheran Confessions identifies the pope as an antichrist among us:

      It is clear that the Roman pontiffs, with their followers, defend godless doctrines and godless services.  And the marks of Antichrist plainly agree with the kingdom of the pope and his followers.  For Paul, in describing Antichrist to the Thessalonians, calls him an enemy of Christ, “Who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).  He is not speaking about heathen kings,  but about someone ruling in the Church.  He calls him the enemy of Christ, because he will invent doctrine conflicting with the Gospel and will claim for himself divine authority.

Therefore beware of teachers in the church who may appear outwardly pious and charitable, but who seek to replace Christ and His saving work with their own authority and unbiblical teachings.

 

FlockNote – is an email and text message service that will allow St. John’s to send you announcements and other resources all from one place.  Please pick up the Flocknote flier on the back table for more information and instructions on how to sign up.  Feel free to sign up for as many or as few options for communication as you would like, but we ask that all members sign up for the “St. John’s Cancellations” option.  Please indicate on the sign-up sheet if the phone number listed is a landline.  Feel free to ask Pastor any questions about this new tool, or to have him help you with the sign-up process.    

 

Burt Summer Celebration Fall Festival Luncheon – We will be serving a Vegetable Beef Soup Meal today, November 18th from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Burt Activity Complex.   Free Will Donation. 

 

Gift of Life Fundraiser for Organ Donor Abbie Buscher and Organ Recipient Charlie Murphy will be held on Saturday, November 24th from 8-2 p.m. at the Algona Senior Center in Algona. Come get some Christmas shopping done and snack o some bake sale goodies while supporting a good cause!!

 

Burt Lions Club Santa Day will be held on Saturday, December 1st at 1 p.m. at the Burt Community Center.  Fire Engine Rides, see Santa, coffee and cookies will be served.

 

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

Today               8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00  am       Council Meeting  - Review Budget and Nominations

Wednesday       6:00  pm       No Religion School

                         6:30  pm       Thanksgiving Service  (Holy Communion)

Friday               9:00  am       Pastor at Algona Nursing Homes

Sunday             8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service 

                      

Greeters Next Week:             Wade and Devyn Briggs

Acolytes:                             Peyton Marlow

Ushers for November:        *Lynn Bierstedt, Darrel Schmidt & Dave Kerkove

Elder for November:            Jerry Koestler

 

 

 

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Announcements

November 11, 2018

 

Kossuth County Food Pantry – We will be taking a special door offering for the food pantry this week and next as a way of giving thanks to God this Thanksgiving for all of the earthly and eternal blessings He has given to us.

 

Adult Bible Study – Our theme for adult Bible study for the rest of the year will be prayer. Feel free to join us at any time!

 

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning.  If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.   

 

Council Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 18th following the service to review the budget and the list of nominating officers.

 

Thanksgiving Service will be held Wednesday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. with Holy Communion.

 

FlockNote – is an email and text message service that will allow St. John’s to send you announcements and other resources all from one place.  Please pick up the Flocknote flier on the back table for more information and instructions on how to sign up.  Feel free to sign up for as many or as few options for communication as you would like, but we ask that all members sign up for the “St. John’s Cancellations” option.  Please indicate on the sign-up sheet if the phone number listed is a landline.  Feel free to ask Pastor any questions about this new tool, or to have him help you with the sign-up process.    

 

Lessons on the Liturgy – The Tithe

In the Old Testament God’s people were required to tithe (give ten percent of their goods) for the support of the priests as well as poor and needy among them.  On the cross Jesus set us free from the law of the tithe. We no longer give to God and those in need under compulsion, but we give freely from our redeemed hearts.  The widow’s mite in today’s Gospel lesson is a good example of a person who gave by faith and not under compulsion. When you consider how much to put in the offering plate think not only about how Jesus has freed you from the requirement of the tithe, but how he has freed you to give even more than ten percent of your income, time, talent, and prayer - from a willing and joyful heart - to the service of the church and those in need.  Putting ten percent of your paycheck into the offering plate is only the beginning of the works of love Christ has freed you to pursue in his name.

VFW Breakfast will be held today from 8-12:30 p.m. at the Burt Community Center. Menu: Eggs, sausages, pancakes juice and coffee.  Free Will Donation

 

Soup Fundraiser – Sentral Volunteer Ambulance will be holding their Annual Soup Fundraiser today from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fenton American Legion.

 

Burt Summer Celebration Fall Festival Luncheon – We will be serving a Vegetable Beef Soup Meal on Sunday, November 18th from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Burt Activity Complex.   Free Will Donation. 

 

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

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service                                                                           

Tuesday          8:30  am       Circuit Winkel Meetings at Trinity, Algona

                        6:00  pm       Preschool Board Meeting

Wednesday     6:00  pm       Religion/Confirmation Classes

Sunday            8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service  (Holy Communion)

                     10:00  am       Council Meeting to Review the Budget and Nomination of Officers

                      

Greeters Next Week:           Steve and Vickie Madsen

Acolytes:                            None Assigned

Ushers for November:     *Lynn Bierstedt, Darrel Schmidt & Dave Kerkove

Elder for November:         Jerry Koestler

 

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) – Tuesday Evenings Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. at parsonage.

·         Women’s Bible Study Monday’s: 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.