Weekly E-news for the People called Saint John’s
email: office@stjohnsmexico.org
Website: www.stjohnsmexico.com
Pastor’s Note:
Nobody Should Leave This World Without Jesus In Their Life
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Eph 2:4-5
* The Christian Church exists basically for two reasons: A. To be instrumental in bringing people to Christ as their Savior; B. Help those who were brought to Christ to walk with Him on a daily basis. All of its activities, events, boards, council, committees, members need to be aware of these facts. Are we as St. John’s Lutheran Church consciously pursuing these two goals? Are we bringing people to Christ as if it were the most important thing we can do in this life? (After all, together with mentoring people to walk with Christ, it is the most important thing we can do in life!)
* Let me tell a story I shared in the church council meeting this week... (those who already heard the story will have to bear with me...) After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon, he briefly introduced a guest Minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest Minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.
* With that, the elderly gentleman stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak: "A father, and his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific coast when a fast storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized." The old minister hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were for the first time paying attention in the service, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story...
* "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the end of the life line? He had only seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian but he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.
* As the father yelled out 'I Love You, Son!' he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black night. His body was never recovered," the old man said sadly.
* By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old Minister's mouth.
* He continued, "The father knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us? Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."
* With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon. Within moments after the service ended, the two boys were at the old Minister’s side: "That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other would become a Christian."
* "Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. As a big smile broadened his narrow face, he looked up again at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm here today to tell you this story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only Son for me. You see...I was that father, and your pastor is my son's friend."
* How many people do you know that need the life line Jesus offers? What are you doing about it? Do you know how many people are leaving this world daily without Jesus in their life?
Rev. Don Sonntag
Kingdom Quest Sunday School
Children’s Ministry at Saint John’s
Come join us as we learn that Jesus is our priest. He is our bridge builder to God!
Bible Event: Matthew 6:9-13, The Lord’s Prayer
Key Verse: Hebrews 4:14, 16: “We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.”
We will help kids know:
- Because of Jesus, we have a “bridge builder” or a connection with the Father.
- The master of prayer, Jesus, taught us how to pray.
- The Lord’s Prayer is a model of prayer for our lives.
We will help kids feel:
- Reassured that they can go straight to the throne of God with their prayers.
- Confident in their ability to pray as Jesus has taught us.
- Peace knowing that God cares about them and listens to each of their prayers.
We will help kids do:
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer both by memory and with understanding.
- Keep a prayer journal.
Today is Thursday, February 5, 2015
BREAKFAST BEFORE CHURCH - The Saint John’s Relay For Life Team will be serving breakfast before church on Sunday, February 8, in the FLC from 8:00-8:30 and9:30-10 am. We will serve pancakes and sausage. Please plan to join us for a hot breakfast!
Voters’ Meeting – next Sunday, February 15, right after Divine Service.
Pastor’s Cell Phone is 573-253-1594 - Please call Pastor Sonntag if you would like him to visit.
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST? If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member, please speak with Pastor Sonntag.
Midweek Worship Wednesday nights - 7 p.m.
The season of Lent - begins this year on February 13th. Saint John’s offers midweek worship services as an opportunity for personal reflection and renewal. Please join us in worship on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and also on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.
LENTEN MEALS - *starts Feb. 18th *sign up sheet in hallway *please sign up to bring food!
Confirmation Project - Garage Sale for a poor family in Peru! Mason Carver and Patrick McClarey are having a garage sale to raise money to buy a cow for a poor family in Peru. The organization that does this each year is called Lutheran World Relief. We are asking for volunteers to donate items for the sale as well as help the day of the event. We are hoping to raise $375 which is the average price for a cow. Any profit over that amount will go towards buying a goat. So please come help a family in Peru. We will also have a small donation box in the back of the sanctuary for loose change. Location: Family Life Center, Date: Feb. 14, 2015, Hours 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. We are asking for any volunteers to help load items for buyers the day of the event. All donations are welcome and all money raised will go toward purchasing the cow.
Polar Plunge after party - Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 pm. Saint John's Lutheran Church hosts this event each year. Anyone participating in or watching the brave plunging souls may come to the church for free hotdogs, chili, and hot beverages! We need lots of help. Our friends that attend the JIG events always seem to enjoy participating in the preparation, serving, and cleanup for the after party. There are sign up sheets in the hallway by the church office. This is a wonderful way to share our time an talent to serve our community and honor God. Thank you! Saint John's Evangelism
Mission News from Katie Blaue - We (Nancy Blaue, Ryan Nelson, and Kathy Gilman, and me, Katie Blaue) are going to Nicaragua March 22-29 with a group of 11 from Campus Lutheran church in Columbia Mo. The trip is coordinated and overseen by MOST Ministries (Mission Opportunities Short Term). We are in staying in Chinandega and will be teaching the Gospel in El Realejo as we visit with people in their homes , install water filters and speak about the importance of drinking clean water and washing hands. There will be a blog post daily while in Nicaragua and a website. We are needing small hotel-sized soaps and hand towels to take with us. We greatly appreciate the congregations love and support and ask for continued prayers leading up to and during the trip.
LIVE LUTHERAN MORNING CHAPEL SERVICE...You can listen to morning chapel from Kramer Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN at 9 a.m. weekdays at www.issuesetc.org.
GREETING OF PEACE - We greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, "Peace be with you," as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:1-3. During this cold/flu season, please greet each other in the name of the Lord, saying “Peace be with you”, and elbow bump, salute, or bow, out of respect for others and not wishing to spread any germs, even if you are well. God bless you and stay healthy!
News from the Saint John’s Visitation Ministry Team
St. John's Visiting Team is still working hard. We have lost some of our team members so we are looking for anyone who is interested in joining us. There are also cards in there to fill out so we know who was visited. If you know of someone who is in need of a visit, please call me (Jenni Shoemaker 473-0477),Pastor Sonntag, or Julie at St. John's office.
You don't have to be on the team just to visit someone in need. The team is in place to make sure no one is left out. There are binders in the foyer of church with Bible passages for words of encouragement. If you are visiting people on your own and would like one, please take one. If visiting isn't for you but you want to help, consider sending cards or make phone calls. This is another way to keep people connected to the church family and let them know they are remembered.
This Sunday, February 8
8:30 am- Preschool – 4th grade – for more information contact Nancy Blaue at blauefamily@alsatwireless.com
8:30 am - Junior High Class – for grades 5 – 8th, for more information contact Jayne Wehmeyer at jaynewehmeyer@gmail.com
8:30 am – LFY – High School – meets in basement in the “Red Room”. For more information contact Martin & Dana Keller at danaevanskeller@gmail.com
8:30 am – Adult Bible Class – meets in the FLC gym and is led by Pastor Sonntag. All are welcome!
9:30 – 10:00 am – coffee & donuts in the FLC gym for fellowship before church.
10:00 am –Worship led by Pastor Donaldo Sonntag. Music by Praise Band.
Theme: “Keep Running!”
Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Mark 1:29-39
Prayers –
Prayers for Melania Palmer, who will have surgery on Friday.
Merciful Father, whose guiding hand has brought us to the completion of this day, we humbly pray You to stay with us and shelter us in quiet hours of this night that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this passing world, may rest in Your changeless peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
To send Prayer Requests email: office@stjohnsmexico.org