Announcements

December 30, 2018

First Sunday After Christmas

Collect of the Day – O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

New Year’s Eve Service at Trinity Lutheran, Algona will be held at 7:00 p.m.

 

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups start working on your year-end articles for the Annual Report.   January is the month I will be working on them.  Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office.  Rosann

 

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove today.

 

Installation of Officers will be held next Sunday, January 6^th during the service.

 

The First Quarterly Council Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 13^th following the service. Voter’s Meeting on Sunday January 20^th.

 

Thank You from the Hauan Family:   (Thank you card posted on bulletin board)

*Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Thank you for the kind Christmas gift, and most especially for our partnership in God’s mission. It is my pleasure to be one of your pastor’s, and enjoy all the time I get to spend with you. God’s blessings this Christmas season.    Pastor Hauan

*Thank You so very much for the generous gift of money you gave us. We really appreciate your generosity and Kindness. We are thankful for your partnership and look forward to seeing what God has in store for us all. Thanks again for remembering us this holiday season.  Jill, Julia, Cal & Hazel Hauan

 

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.   

 

Stewardship Corner - The new year brings a new resolve, but so often that resolve fades before the first week is ended.  The Apostle Paul advised the Corinthians, “A year ago [you] started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.  So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have” (2 Corinthians 8:10,11).  By ourselves, we grow tired or bored or just plain lazy.  Let us ask the Lord to give us the desire to give generously, to serve joyfully, and to expend our time eagerly in response to what God has given to us and done for us.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - The Incarnation

The moment of God becoming man begins the climax of salvation history.  While everyone has a favorite Christmas hymn, O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is (LSB 372) is among the best at communicating what the birth of Jesus means for us in beautiful poetic style fit for such an occasion.  Here are the first four verses:

  1        O Jesus Christ,/ Thy manger is/ My paradise at which my soul reclineth

For there, O Lord,/ Doth lie the Word/ Made flesh for us; here-in Thy grace forth shineth.

  2        He whom the sea/ And wind obey/ Doth come to serve the sinner in great meekness.

Thou, God’s own Son,/ With us art one,/ Dost join us and our children in our weakness.

  3        Thy light and grace/ Our guilt efface,/ Thy heav’nly riches all our loss retrieving.

Immanuel,/ Thy birth doth quell/ The pow’r of hell and Satan’s bold deceiving.

  4        Thou Christian heart,/ Who-e’er thou art,/ Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!

For God’s own Child,/ In mercy mild,/ Joins thee to Him; how greatly God must love thee!

 

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.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (December 30, 2018- January 6, 2018)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Lessons and Carols Divine Service (Holy Communion)         

Monday                               New Year’s Eve – Service at Trinity at 7:00 p.m.                      

Sunday            8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00 am       Divine Service  (Holy Communion)    (Installation of Officers)

                    

Greeters Next Week:         Melvin and Donna Haase

Acolytes:                             none-assigned

Ushers for December:     *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December:          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.

·         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.

 

 

Announcement

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

December 23, 2018

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Collect of the Day – Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Baptism - Graham Harvey Dean Heyer, son of Rachel Feuring and Jesse Heyer, will be baptized into Christ following the service today.  Sponsors for Graham are Josh Heyer and Renee Blomstrom.  You are invited to stay and participate in the baptismal rite.

 

Lutherans In Africa Fund is still available now and in future years.  If you mark your envelope for an amount to be given to Pastor May the money will still be sent there.  Sorry I forgot to announce that at the Budget Meeting last week.  Thanks, Pam Reimers

 

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! 

 

Up-Coming Services at St. John’s - Children’s Christmas Eve Program will be held on Monday, December 24^th at 4:30 p.m.   Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion will be at 9:00 a.m. on December 25^th.

 

New Year’s Eve Service - St. John's is invited to give thanks for the past year and pray for the year to come with Trinity, Algona at their New Year's Eve Divine Service.  The service at Trinity will be Monday, Dec. 31 at 7:00 pm. 

 

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups start working on your year-end articles for the Annual Report.   January is the month I will be working on them.  Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office.

 

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.   

 

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove by December 30^th.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - Phos Hilaron

The Phos Hilaron, or, Hymn of Light is a hymn composed in the 3rd Century which still sung by Christians today.  We sing this hymn during Evening Prayer (LSB 244). When we sing this hymn as the sun is setting we remember and praise the Joyous Light of Glory, Jesus Christ, who is the Light no darkness can overcome, who led Israel by a pillar of fire by night and who leads us by his Word which is is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  The words of the hymn are easy to learn by heart and make a great spoken or sung prayer every evening, especially in these darkest days of winter:

            Joyous light of glory: of the immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.  

We have come to the setting of the sun, and we look to the evening light.  

We sing to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.  

O Son of God, O Giver of life: the universe proclaims Your glory.

 

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.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (December 23, 2018 – December 30, 2018)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service   

                       10:00  am       Baptism of Graham Heyer

Monday          4:30  pm       Christmas Eve Children’s Program

Tuesday          9:00 am       Christmas Day Divine Service (Holy Communion)                 

Sunday            8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00 am       Lessons and Carols Service (Holy Communion)

                    

Greeters Next Week:           Roger Lavrenz    

Acolytes:                             Peyton Marlow

Ushers for December:     *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December:          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.

·         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.

 

 

Announcements

December 16, 2018

Third Sunday in Advent

Collect of the Day – Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lutherans In Africa Fund is still available now and in future years.  If you mark your envelope for an amount to be given to Pastor May the money will still be sent there.  Sorry I forgot to announce that at the Budget Meeting last week.  Thanks, Pam Reimers

 

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

 

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.

 

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! 

 

Children’s Christmas Program Practice - Saturday, December 22^nd at 9:00 a.m. is our final Dress Rehearsal practice for all Preschool-High School Students.

 

 

 

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove by December 30^th.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - The Great O Antiphons

The beloved Advent hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel finds its origins in a seven-day prayer dating back to at least the 8^th century. The prayer begins on Dec. 17th and ends on Dec. 23rd. Each day has a different “O antiphon” which features a particular name of Jesus and a prayer focusing on the salvific attributes of each name.  The antiphons include O Wisdom, Adonai, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of the Nations, and Emmanuel. The prayer is printed in the hymnal following O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB 357).  Take a picture with your phone or ask Pastor to make a copy for you and pray these prayers with the Church of all ages in the week ahead.

 

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.   

 

“A Musical Christmas” – The Algona Cornbelt Chorus and Glen Henriksen will hold a Christmas Concert at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center today  at 3:00 p.m.   This concert will feature the Algona High School Chamber Singers; Bishop Garrigan High School Choir along with the Cornbelt Chorus.  Free Will Donation will be taken with proceeds to go to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (December 16, 2018 – December 25, 2018)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                     2-5:00  pm       Cowell Advent Open House

Wednesday     6:00  pm       Religion School                                                                        

                         6:30  pm       Advent Service                                                                            

Saturday         9:00 am       Children’s Christmas Dress Rehearsal Practice

Sunday            8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00 am       Divine Service

Monday          4:30  pm       Children’s Christmas Eve Program

Tuesday          9:00  am       Christmas Day Service (Holy Communion)

                    

Greeters Next Week:           Karla and John Schutter    

Acolytes:                            *none assigned

Ushers for December:     *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December:          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.

·         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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

December 9, 2018

Second Sunday in Advent

 

Collect of the Day – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

LWML Christmas Coffee will be held today following the Voter’s Meeting in the church basement.  

 

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

 

A Special Voter’s Meeting will be held following the service today to review and vote on the 2019 budget and nomination of officers.

 

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 today.  Thank You!

 

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! 

 

Children’s Christmas Program Practice will be held on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  We will be practicing on December 15^th and Dress Rehearsal for Preschool-High School on the 22^nd. 

 

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.

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

 

Lessons and Carols Service – Our service on Sunday, December 30^th will feature a long list of Christmas hymns.  We want to make sure your favorite hymn is included!  There is a sheet in the back for you to write down your favorite Christmas hymn. Please write down your favorites today; we’ll begin creating the service next week. Thanks!

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - The Nunc Dimittis

The Nunc Dimittis, or, Song of Simeon makes a great bedtime prayer.  It also makes a great Advent prayer, especially as it is sung in Compline (LSB 258-9) with the additional antiphon:

            Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping

            that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.

            Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled.  

            My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping

that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.

 

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.   

 

Celebrate the Season – The 2^nd Little Foundation Christmas Celebration will be held at the Lone Rock Presbyterian Church tonight at 6:00 p.m. There will be special music, guest singers and a Sing Along.

 

“A Musical Christmas” – The Algona Cornbelt Chorus and Glen Henriksen will hold a Christmas Concert at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 16^th at 3:00 p.m.   This concert will feature the Algona High School Chamber Singers; Bishop Garrigan High School Choir along with the Cornbelt Chorus.  Free Will Donation will be taken with proceeds to go to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (December 9, 2018 – December 16, 2018)

Today               8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00  am       Voter’s Meeting

                       10:15  am       LWML Christmas Coffee and Cookies

Tuesday            8:30  am       Circuit Winkel at Trinity, Mallard

                         6:00  pm       Preschool Board Meeting

Wednesday       6:00  pm       Religion School   

                         6:30  pm       Advent Service      

Saturday           9:00 am       Children’s Christmas Program Practice

Sunday             8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00 am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                     2-5:00 pm       Cowell Advent Open House

 

Greeters Next Week:             Larry Manus and Harold Lavrenz

Acolytes:                             Breckin Borchardt

Ushers for December:         *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December:             Boyd Shipler