Announcements

Announcements

March 3, 2019

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

 

Collect of the Day - O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Shrove Tuesday - Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church Tuesday, March 5th for our first annual Shrove Tuesday Partnership Pancake Supper.  We'll begin at 6:00 p.m. with corporate Confession and Absolution in the sanctuary, followed by a pancake supper in the Life Center at 6:15.  Pick up a flier on the back table for more information about the history of the Shrove Tuesday celebration. 

* If you would like to help cook the pancakes, sausage, etc. for the supper, please sign up on the back table.

 

Lenten Schedule Cards – In your box is a note that lists our service schedule for Lent and Easter. Feel free to hand deliver a note from a friend’s box or from the cards on the back table and encourage them to join you in the pew this Lent. There are also some unaddressed cards on the back table if you would like to invite someone who is not a member to join us this Lent and Easter.

 

Lent Devotion Books Available - Feel free to pick up a Lenten daily devotion book on the back table for yourself or deliver one to a friend.  You can also read or listen to an audio version of these devotions online at: higherthings.org/news/reflections-for-lent-and-holy-week-2019-now-available/.  Another daily devotion for Lent based on the Ten Commandments can be found at: https://steadfastlutherans.org/2019/02/2019-lenten-devotion-now-available/.  Don't be shy about taking the printed copies; we can always print more if needed.  

 

Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion will be March 6^th at 6:30 p.m.

 

LWML Ladies Aid Group will meet on Thursday, March 7^th at 1:30 p.m.   Barb Harms is in charge of Devotions and Pastor Cowell will lead the Bible Study.  Hostess for the day is Caradene Parsons.

 

Holy Week/Easter Choir - St. John's needs your voice!  We are planning for a choir to sing on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.  We'll be practicing in the balcony after church on March 17, 24, 31 and April 7 and 14.  All ages and experience levels are welcome to sing; the songs will be fairly simple to learn. 

 

Weekday Lenten Prayer Services - During Lent St. John's will be having a fifteen minute spoken Matins service along with prayers for those in need every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, followed by coffee for those who wish to stay.  I pray (and drink coffee) every morning during Lent anyway, so I figured you all could join me as well!  The first of these services will be Tuesday, March 12. Trinity will also be having a morning prayer service Mondays at 8:30 a.m. during Lent.

 

 

Special Lenten Bible Study - We'll be having a special Bible study following the midweek Lent services on March 13, 20, 27 and April 3 and 10 to further explore the blessings of every-Sunday Communion.  We'll begin the study in the sanctuary shortly after the service ends and go for about a half hour each night.  The study will be largely driven by your questions and comments on the topic, so if you have any lingering curiosities/concerns about the history, practice, and blessing of every-Sunday Communion this would be a great time to ask about them! 

 

 

Thrivent Choice Dollars for 2018 will be expiring soon! If you are a Thrivent member, you may be eligible to participate and direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to St. John’s. Go to www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) before March 31 and say “Thrivent choice”. Reminder: $250 Community Impact Gift Cards are also available (2 per member per year).

                                                                           

Prayer for Unity - In addition to our Sunday prayers for our LCMS congregations, we will also begin to pray for the other Christian congregations in our area.  As we pray for these congregations we remember both our common love for our Triune God as well as our desire for the pure truth of the Word to create greater unity among us.  If you would like us to add a specific congregation to our list, please let Pastor Cowell or Rosann know. 

 

Lessons on the Liturgy - Fat Tuesday

Contrary to popular belief Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, did not originate as a day of wild debauchery before the drudgery of Lent began.  The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, sometimes also called Shrove Tuesday or Carnival, was a day for Christians to clear out all the distractions from their houses so that they could focus solely on the merits of Christ’s passion for the forty days of Lent.  This meant first and foremost clearing the sins out of their hearts by receiving private confession and absolution from their pastor, setting them on the right track of repentance and faith for the season of Lent. The second task was to clear all of the fat or other foods out of the house that one would be giving up for the Lenten fast.  Not wanting to simply throw these ingredients out, the tradition of feasting on pancakes and other fattening foods came about, hence “Fat” Tuesday. As Fat Tuesday approaches, consider how the practice of private confession and absolution and the practice of fasting might be profitable to your faith during this Lenten season.

 

Chili Dinner Fundraiser – Good Samaritan Society of Algona will hold its 7^th Annual Chili Dinner on March 10, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center, Algona. A Free will donation will be taken with the proceeds to go towards the purchase of Nu-Steps.

 

Burt Lions Club French Toast Breakfast will be held at the Burt Community Center on Saturday, March 9^th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Serving: French Toast, Sausage and Drinks.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 3, 2019-March 10, 2019)

Today               8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Transfiguration Divine Service (Holy Communion)

Tuesday            6:00  pm       Shrove Tuesday Partnership Pancake Supper at Trinity

Wednesday      6:00  pm       Religion School

                        6:30  pm       Ash Wednesday Service (Holy Communion)

Thursday          1:30  pm       LWML Ladies Aid Meeting

Sunday             8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                         9:00 am       Divine Service 

 

Greeters Next Week:           Mike and Amy Marlow

Acolyte Today:                     Breckin Borchardt

Ushers for March:               *Lucas Parsons & Chris Heyes

Elder for March:                   Boyd Shipler

 

 

ANnouncements

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

February 24, 2019

Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany

 

Collect of the Day - O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Shrove Tuesday - Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church Tuesday, March 5th for our first annual Shrove Tuesday Partnership Pancake Supper.  We'll begin at 6:00 p.m. with corporate Confession and Absolution in the sanctuary, followed by a pancake supper in the Life Center at 6:15.  Pick up a flier on the back table for more information about the history of the Shrove Tuesday celebration. 

* If you would like to help cook the pancakes, sausage, etc. for the supper, please sign up on the back table.

 

Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion will be March 6^th at 6:30 p.m.

 

LWML Ladies Aid Group will meet on Thursday, March 7^th at 1:30 p.m.   Barb Harms is in charge of Devotions and Pastor Cowell will lead the Bible Study.  Hostess for the day is Caradene Parsons.

 

Special Lenten Bible Study - We'll be having a special Bible study following the midweek Lent services (March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10) to further explore the blessings of every-Sunday Communion.  We'll begin the study in the sanctuary shortly after the service ends and go for about a half hour each night.  The study will be largely driven by your questions and comments on the topic, so if you have any lingering curiosities/concerns about the history, practice, and blessing of every-Sunday Communion this would be a great time to ask about them! 

 

Weekday Lenten Prayer Services - During Lent St. John's will be having a fifteen minute spoken Matins service along with prayers for those in need every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, followed by coffee for those who wish to stay.  I pray (and drink coffee) every morning during Lent anyway, so I figured you all could join me as well!  The first of these services will be Thursday, March 14 and every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter.  

 

Prayer for Unity - In addition to our Sunday prayers for our LCMS congregations, we will also begin to pray for the other Christian congregations in our area.  As we pray for these congregations we remember both our common love for our Triune God as well as our desire for the pure truth of the Word to create greater unity among us.  If you would like us to add a specific congregation to our list, please let Pastor Cowell or Rosann know. 

Lenten Schedule Cards – In your box is a note that lists our service schedule for Lent and Easter. Feel free to hand deliver a note from a friend’s box or from the cards on the back table and encourage them to join you in the pew this Lent. There are also some unaddressed cards on the back table if you would like to invite someone who is not a member to join us this Lent and Easter.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - The Feast of St. Matthias

While today in church we celebrate the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, February 24th is also the day designated to celebrate St. Matthias, Apostle of Christ.  The Scriptural account of St. Matthias is found in Acts 1:15-26. After the ascension of Jesus, Matthias was chosen by lot to fill Judas Iscariot’s empty spot among the Twelve.  Several traditions exist as to where Matthias carried out his ministry. Some say Ethiopia, others Armenia, and others elsewhere in Asia Minor. Matthias was martyred for his faith around 50 AD, and is said to be buried at the Church of St. Matthias in Trier, Germany.

 

Chili Dinner Fundraiser – Good Samaritan Society of Algona will hold its 7^th Annual Chili Dinner on March 10, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Trinity Life Center, Algona. A Free will donation will be taken with the proceeds to go towards the purchase of Nu-Steps.

 

As the Son of God Is Merciful and Forgives Your Sins, You Also Be Merciful and Forgive

Your inheritance as a child of Adam is sin and death, but in Christ you are made alive through His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:21–22). As you have died with Him in Holy Baptism, so are you raised with Him to newness of life. Therefore, “do not go on sinning” (1 Cor. 15:34). Instead of serving your desires and harming your neighbors, live as “sons of the Most High,” and “be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35–36). Deal with others as you would have others deal with you (Luke 6:31, 37–38). As Christ loved you when you were at enmity with Him, as He blessed and prayed for those who abused Him, and as He did good to those who hated Him and hurt Him, so also “love your enemies, do good” (Luke 6:27–29, 35). For God sent His Son to bear the cross and suffer death, not to condemn the guilty, but “to preserve life.” So does He provide a place for you within His Church, where He is near and deals kindly with “you and your children and your children’s children” (Gen. 45:5–10).

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (February 24, 2019-March 3, 2019)

Today              8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00 am       Divine Service

Wednesday    6:00 pm      Religion School

Sunday           8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                         9:00            am    Transfiguration Divine Service 

                    

Greeters Next Week: Cheryl Batt and Barb Harms

Acolyte:                              Jacob Haase

Ushers for February:         *Richard Knoll and Roger Evans

Elder for February:             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 – Mondays: 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

February 17, 2019

Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany

 

Collect of the Day – O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people that we who justly suffer the consequence of our sin may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Baptism – We rejoice today to witness the baptism of Maverick Joe Smith.  Maverick is the son of Alex and Kuleen (Parsons) Smith. Sponsors for Maverick are: Lucas and Jessie Parsons, Abby Smith and Teagan Smith.  Continue to keep Maverick and his family in your prayers.

* The congregation is invited to attend a reception in the church basement for Maverick following the service.

 

Shrove Tuesday - Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church Tuesday, March 5th for our first annual Shrove Tuesday Partnership Pancake Supper.  We'll begin at 6:00 p.m. with corporate Confession and Absolution in the sanctuary, followed by a pancake supper in the Life Center at 6:15.  Pick up a flier on the back table for more information about the history of the Shrove Tuesday celebration. 

* If you would like to help cook the pancakes, sausage, etc. for the supper, please let Pastor Cowell know. 

 

Prayer for Unity - In addition to our Sunday prayers for our LCMS congregations, we will also begin to pray for the other Christian congregations in our area.  As we pray for these congregations we remember both our common love for our Triune God as well as our desire for the pure truth of the Word to create greater unity among us.  If you would like us to add a specific congregation to our list, please let Pastor Cowell or Rosann know. 

 

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions Due - Those who are receiving the Lutheran Witness now and wish to continue, you may pay for those in the church office or mark an envelope and place it in the offering plate. The amount for a year subscription is $ 22.68.  If you would like to receive the Lutheran Witness or would like to cancel it you will need to let me know. Rosann, Sec.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - The Family Hymnal

If any Lutheran has only two Christian books in their home, it should be the Bible and The Lutheran Service Book.  Our hymnal has a variety of uses outside of the Sunday service. There are several forms of daily prayer, individual prayers for many situations, Psalms, a daily Scripture lectionary, Luther’s Small Catechism, and hymns divided into seasons and subject matter which are great family devotion material either sung or spoken.  This Lent consider buying a hymnal for your home and exploring its uses as a daily worship and prayer tool. Ask Pastor if you need help ordering.

 

Retirement  - The Rev. Mark Gerken, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care and Stewardship in Iowa District West (IDW) has announced his retirement at the end of February.  Pastor Gerken has served in ministry for 37 years, 32 of those years here, in IDW.  We invite you to share congratulatory letters/cards by mailing them directly to his home:    Rev. Mark Gerken,  2201 N 15th Street,  Adel IA  50003

 

Christians Live by Faith in Christ and Rejoice in the Promise of His Resurrection

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man,” for all the strength of his flesh is like the grass that fades away (Jer. 17:5). The one who turns away from the Lord may have food and money and laugh for now, but he “shall mourn and weep” in the judgment (Luke 6:24–25). But “the man who trusts in the Lord” is blessed with all that he needs, “like a tree planted by water.” When heat comes, he survives (Jer. 17:7–8). For the Lord has come in the flesh to heal the people of all their diseases, to cleanse their spirits with forgiveness, and to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God to the poor (Luke 6:18–20). As all of this is by way of His cross, it is solely by faith in the promise of His resurrection that Christians “rejoice” and “leap for joy” (Luke 6:21–23). “If Christ has not been raised,” our faith is in vain and we are most to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:14–19). But, in fact, just as “Christ died for our sins,” so has He also “been raised from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:3, 20).

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (February 17, 2019-February 24, 2019)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00  am       Reception for Maverick’s baptism in church basement

Wednesday     6:00  pm       Religion School

Sunday            8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                         9:00 am       Divine Service 

                    

Greeters Next Week:         Gordon and Mary Oleson

Acolytes:                             none assigned

Ushers for February:                  *Richard Knoll and Roger Evans

Elder for February:             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 – Mondays: 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

 

 

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

February 10, 2019

Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany

 

Collect of the Day – O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Shrove Tuesday - Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church Tuesday, March 5th for our first annual Shrove Tuesday Partnership Pancake Supper.  We'll begin at 6:00 p.m. with corporate Confession and Absolution in the sanctuary, followed by a pancake supper in the Life Center at 6:15.  Pick up a flier on the back table for more information about the history of the Shrove Tuesday celebration. 

* If you would like to help cook the pancakes, sausage, etc. for the supper, please let Pastor Cowell know. 

 

Prayer for Unity - In addition to our Sunday prayers for our LCMS congregations, we will also begin to pray for the other Christian congregations in our area.  As we pray for these congregations we remember both our common love for our Triune God as well as our desire for the pure truth of the Word to create greater unity among us.  If you would like us to add a specific congregation to our list, please let Pastor Cowell or Rosann know. 

2018 Annual Report is available along the east wall.   Please, take one per family.   

 

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions Due - Those who are receiving the Lutheran Witness now and wish to continue, you may pay for those in the church office or mark an envelope and place it in the offering plate. The amount for a year subscription is $ 22.68.  If you would like to receive the Lutheran Witness or would like to cancel it you will need to let me know.  Rosann, Sec.

 

Lessons on the Liturgy  - Pray without ceasing

We know that our Father delights to hear and answer our prayers and that the whole world is in constant need of our intercession in the name of Jesus, but do you ever feel overwhelmed when you think of what and who you could be praying for?  Page 294 in our hymnal has a division of topics for prayer spread across the seven days of the week. This list might help you be more specific in your daily prayers and help you to pray for a wider range of needs in the world and your own life each week.  Take a picture with your phone or ask Pastor to photocopy this page for your use at home.

 

Retirement  - The Rev. Mark Gerken, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care and Stewardship in Iowa District West (IDW) has announced his retirement at the end of February.  Pastor Gerken has served in ministry for 37 years, 32 of those years here, in IDW.  We invite you to share congratulatory letters/cards by mailing them directly to his home:    Rev. Mark Gerken,  2201 N 15th Street,  Adel IA  50003

 

Jesus Comforts His People and Builds Up His Church by the Ministry of His Gospel -

When Isaiah “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up,” he was overcome with an awareness of his sin and “unclean lips” (Is. 6:1, 5). But the Lord atoned for his sin, took away his guilt and sanctified his lips with “a burning coal” from the altar (Is. 6:6–7). Not only was he rescued from death, but he was called and sent as a prophet of the Lord’s Word (Is. 6:8–9). Similarly, when Simon Peter and his companions “enclosed a large number of fish” at the Word of Jesus, he humbled himself and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:4–8). But Jesus comforted Simon, called him to discipleship and declared that he would be “catching men” (Luke 5:10–11). So in the Office of the Ministry, the Church remains the little boat from which Jesus teaches His people (Luke 5:3). Thus are we instructed in the faith, so that we say “Amen” and return thanks with heart, mind, tongue and life. For the preaching of Christ Jesus is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, by which He builds up His Church on earth (1 Cor. 14:12–19).

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group will be held February 14^th from 3-4 p.m. in the activity room at Van Buren Terrace of Good Samaritan Home, Algona.  We will have a guest speaker Gregg Woods from the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (February 10, 2019-February 17, 2019)

Today              8:00  am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00  am       Divine Service

Tuesday          8:30  am       Circuit Meeting at Immanuel Livermore

                                             Pastor at “LCMS Pastor’s Day” on the Hill

Wednesday     6:00  pm       Religion School

Sunday            8:00 am       Sunday School/Adult Class

                         9:00 am       Divine Service  (Holy Communion)

                    

Greeters Next Week:         Terry and Vicki Briggs

Acolyte:                              Jacob Haase

Ushers for February:                  *Richard Knoll and Roger Evans

Elder for February:             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 – Mondays: 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.