Thursday, March 28, 2019

Annoiuncements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

March 31, 2019

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

Collect of the Day – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Flood Relief Offering – Thanks to your incredible generosity St. John's shipped a pallet of bottled water (that's 1,920 bottles) to Trinity Lutheran in Glenwood, Iowa last week.  It's still unclear as to when the town's water plant will be fully operational, so this bottled water will be put to good use. For instance, one news report said the school district (which is still operating) uses 150 cases of water a day.  Additional donations collected the next two weeks will be sent to Iowa District West’s flood relief fund.  You can also visit www.ndlcms.org/disaster-response/ to give electronically toward the Nebraska District’s flood aid.  We'll discuss at our next council/voters meeting about more long-term ways we can help.   

 

Easter Flowers – If you would like to purchase an Easter lily for the church to use on Easter Sunday, there is a sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the church for you to place your order. Each lily is $13.00 and you may pay Cheryl Batt by Sunday, April 14th. Please feel free to take your lily home after the Easter morning worship service. Thank You!

 

Lenten Service will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Bible study on the blessings of weekly Communion.

 

Holy Week/Easter Choir - St. John's needs your voice!  The choir will sing on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.  We'll be practicing in the balcony after church March 31, April 7 and before the Holy Thursday service if we need to.  All ages and experience levels are welcome to sing!

 

Weekday Lenten Prayer Services - During Lent St. John's will be having a fifteen minute spoken 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. 

 

Partnership Holy Week Services - There is a sheet on the back table with more information on our two partnership worship opportunities during Holy Week.  In addition to our individually scheduled services, St. John's and Trinity are coming together to pray the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday (Apr. 19) at 8:30 a.m. at St. John's, and to celebrate the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday (Apr. 20) at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity. 

 

Almsgiving Projects – St. John’s has the opportunity again this year to help our Confirmation students learn the value of showing mercy to those in need.  Each student has chosen an organization to which our offering from our Wednesday Lenten services will be given.  Pick up a sheet on the back table for more information on the students’ almsgiving project and the organizations they have chosen.

LWML Day of Prayer will be Thursday, April 4th at 1:30 p.m. in the church basement. All ladies of the church are invited to attend.  Our offering will go to Missionary Andrew Schlund and family, of Mexico City, Mexico.

 

In-Gathering Outreach- The LWML is collecting items for the IOWAY Outreach.  We are asking the congregation to help with this project.  We will be collecting the following items; Men’s colored briefs and boxers and men’s socks, and children’s underwear and socks.  You can bring these items to the church and place them in the box provided in the back.  Questions contact Bev Skadburg

 

Trinity Bible Study on Facebook Live - Join Pastor Schlund at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday nights during Lent on Trinity's Facebook page for a Bible study based on their Lent theme “Behold the Man”.  You’ll be able to ask questions and participate in the discussion if you’d like, but you won’t need to leave home. Visit facebook.com/TrinityAlgona on your computer or use the Facebook App on your smartphone or tablet on Sunday nights to join the study.

 

Lessons on the LiturgyMea Culpa

The confession of sins in the order of Compline (LSB 253-259) uses a phrase that has been used in liturgies of confession for over 1,000 years: “I have sinned [...] by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault (mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa).” In some traditions as Christians confess this three-fold apology they tap their chest three times with a closed fist to symbolize the “beating of the breast” that accompanies repentance in Scripture in places like Luke 18:13 when the tax collector beat his breast and prayed “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”  When you confess your sins, either to God in prayer or to your neighbor, consider using this sincere three-fold mea culpa confession.

                    

Silent Quilt Auction is being held at Trinity during the Lenten season. Quilts can be viewed in the office lobby.  All proceeds go to Camp Okoboji’s 2019 quilt auction projects.  Winners will be announced on April 10th.  (Poster with more information is on the bulletin board along the ramp).

 

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

 

Chicken and Biscuit Meal will be held on Sunday, April 7th from 10:30-1:00 p.m. at Burt Complex.  Donations are being taken for the Silent Auction and a sign-up sheet is in the back for furnishing bars.  All proceeds go to Burt Summer Celebration to keep this a free day!

 

Biscuits and Gravy Meal will be held on Saturday, April 13th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Burt Community Center.  Free Will Donation for the upkeep of the Burt Community Center. Sponsored by the Burt City Council and Employees

 

This Week at St. John’s  – (March 31, 2019-April 7, 2019)

Today               8:00   am        Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00   am        Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00   am        Choir Practice

Tuesday            8:30   am        Morning Prayer

Wednesday       6:00   pm       Religion School

                        6:30   pm       Lenten Service

                        7:00   pm       Bible Study on Communion

Thursday           8:30   am        Morning Prayer

                        1:30   pm       LWML Day of Prayer

Sunday              8:00   am        Sunday School/Adult Class

                        9:00   am        Divine Service (Holy Communion)

                       10:00   am        Choir Practice      

 

Greeters Next Week:      Pastor, Hannah and Penny Cowell

Ushers for March:          *Lucas Parsons & Chris Heyes

Elder for March:            Boyd Shipler