1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

If you would like to put something in the
newsletter please email it to
[email protected]
or drop it off at the Church by Wed. noon.
October 19, 2014 - Visit us Online at TheNewStJohns.com
Join the Journey Through Prayer
Laity Sunday
Reflection on James 5:16, Philippians 4:4-7
James 5:16: For this reason, confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The
prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can
achieve.
Philippians 4:4-7: Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say,
be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all
people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything;
rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers
and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of
God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and
minds safe in Christ Jesus.



This week begins our 5-week stewardship series on the
vows that we take when we join the United Methodist
Church. We vow that we will be faithful to the Body of
Christ with our “prayers, presence, gifts, service, and
witness.” Over the next few weeks we hope to unpack
these vows and empower you to live them out in your
life. The series will culminate with the combined
Thanksgiving Service where we invite everyone to renew
their membership vows and “Join the Journey” of where
we are going as a congregation for the next couple of
years.
This summer we focused on prayer and introduced new
ways to pray. We are attempting to be faithful to this vow
and also give full dependence to the Holy Spirit for the life
of the Church and also our individual lives. These
scriptures remind us of the fundamentals of prayer:
confession, praise, thanksgiving, and praying for others.
Do you have a balanced prayer life? Are you praying for
your needs and desires than for others?
The benediction of this text reminds us that through prayer
we can discover the peace of God that keeps us focused on
a life of faith in Jesus. This is a key truth, as we take the
vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, we
need to be grounded in our prayer life and depend on the
Holy Spirit which keeps our mind set on living a life of
faith. It is also a prayer that can be said at any time in the
day. For the big problems and the small problems, God
will be with you. “Holy Spirit, send your peace to me in
this moment to keep my heart and mind safe from the
trials and tribulations of this life and focused on a life of
faith in Jesus Christ.”
Fall Workday
The Fall Workday will be on
Sat, Oct. 25 beginning at
10:30 am. Some of the
planned work includes
cleaning the metal filters on
the HVAC units, filling
cracks in the parking lot,
general property maintenance
and garden work. There will
be jobs for adults and
children. Lunch and childcare
will be provided. Bring work gloves and yard trimming tools,
if you have them. Please sign-up at the Servant Center so we
have a headcount for lunch. Thanks for helping to keep our
building and grounds beautiful and well functioning!
This is Laity Sunday, a day set aside in the United Methodist
Church to honor the work and mission of laity in the church
and in their homes, workplaces, and communities. On Laity
Sunday, the worship service is planned and led by lay
servants of the congregation. Lay Servants are:



Ready and desirous to serve the church
Well informed on and committed to the scriptures and the
doctrine, heritage, organization, and life of the United
Methodist Church
Equipped through specific training to develop skills in
witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken
communication, church and community leadership, and
care-giving ministries
There are local church Lay Servants who provide vital
leadership, care-giving ministry and witness of the spoken
word in their home church. There are also Certified Lay
Servants who can serve local churches other than the one they
hold membership. Presently at St. John’s we have 6 Certified
Lay Servants: Tom Finley, Michelle Babb, Trudy Vollmar,
Scott Gardner, Steve Laur and Mike Heaton. If you would
like more information on becoming a Certified Lay Servant,
please speak to Pastor Sheryl. There is a class beginning in
January that will meet from 2-5:30 pm at O’Fallon First UMC
on Jan. 18 & 25 and Feb. 1 & 8.
Why is Pumpkinfest Important?
Did you know
Halloween is the second
largest holiday in the
United States in terms
of money spent? It’s so
important that we, as
the church, embrace this
holiday as a platform to
reach out to folks in our
communities. It's a fact
that people love to dress
up their kids and have
fun. Halloween is just plain fun. Why do we have over 20,000
people come to the Edwardsville Halloween parade? Because
it's fun... and there's candy!
This is our time to tell our community who we are. Through
an event like Pumpkinfest, we are telling our neighbors that
we think that families are important, we value kids, and we
love to have fun. Preaching the gospel, not through words, but
through hospitality is the best way to show others the
character of God. So, please support this important ministry.
Bring your family, kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. Invite
friends and neighbors. Transport the elderly folks you know,
so they can see and share the joy of this festive time. Sign-up
to donate items. Grab some flyers to hand out in your
neighborhood. Share the event on Facebook. But, most
importantly, come and have fun. Being here and present is the
best way to show your support.
We also need donations! We are putting together Operation
Christmas Child boxes again this year, so we need goodies for
our boxes. We also need food donations. You can sign-up for
any of these items online through the St. John’s website
(www.thenewstjohns.com).
Prayer Requests
Servant Opportunities
This week I will pray for:


Weekly Prayer Focus: Our prayer this week is for the lay
servants of our congregation. We pray for the Holy Spirit
to empower them in their work in ministry and mission.
The military and their families, including from St. John’s:
Jared Meyer; Matt and Andrew Oller; Jared Kerntke; RJ
Taylor; Todd and Hope Schissel; and Joseph & Elizabeth
Traylor.

The family of Brenda Dennis, due to her recent passing.

Evelyn Bean, who is undergoing colon cancer treatment.

Cathryn Reed, who is recovering from a hip fracture.
Frances Coldren, who is recovering from a broken
kneecap and is now home.
Bob & Carolyn Pulliam’s cousin Richard who is
recovering from surgery, daughter Melissa who has a
herniated disk, and their friend Byron and sister-in-law
Marcia who are undergoing chemotherapy.


Salvation Army Dinner Today
St. John’s prepares and serves a dinner once a month for the
residents of the Salvation Army Booth House at 525 Alby St.
in Alton. This is a great servant opportunity for all ages to
provide food and comfort for some of our brothers, sisters and
children who are in difficult circumstances. The next meal
will be today, Oct. 19. If you can help please come to the
Salvation Army at 3 pm to help with food prep. We will serve
and eat with the residents at 5 pm, and should be done with
cleanup between 6 and 6:30 pm. For questions, contact Joann
Marti at 444.8516.
There are places to serve both within St. John’s and beyond
our walls. Sign up at the Servant Center table or the church
website. Please check back often to see how you can plug-in:
Serving Within the Church
 Participate in the Fall Workday on Sat, Oct. 25 (see pg. 1).

Participate in the “Dinners for 8” ministry (see left).

Help with Children’s Church at the 11 am service.
Serving Beyond the Walls
 Knit hats or scarves for the residents of the Alton Salvation
Army.
 Donate candy or walk with the St. John’s float in the
Edwardsville Halloween parade.
 Donate food or Operation Christmas Child items for the
Pumpkinfest on Sun, Oct. 26 (see page 1).
 Do construction work between 8 am-12 pm on Saturdays
at the Faith Coalition house at 922 Grand Ave in
Edwardsville, or the Habitat for Humanity build at 238
McKinley, Worden, IL.
Attention Crafters & Vendors
The United Methodist Women are looking for vendors for
their Holiday Marketplace on Sat, Dec. 6 from 8:30-1 pm.
There is a vendor agreement form in the church office to
participate in the event. For information call Jan Denby at
363.5866. Also, if you have gently used Christmas
decorations you would like to donate to be sold at the Holiday
Marketplace, please contact Jan. All proceeds from the event
go toward UMW Missions.
Dinners for 8
“Dinners for 8” is a ministry to invite new members and
frequent visitors into your home for a meal and fellowship.
The purpose of the ministry is to assist in connecting new
people to St. Johns. The requirement is to provide a meal once
a quarter for new member or frequent visitor and invite 4 or 5
other people. Studies have shown if people do not have a
strong connection within the church, they will stop attending
church or go elsewhere within 2 years. Please call Sandy Fink
at 977.4700 with questions. You can sign-up at the Servant
Center.
Think Pecans
The United Methodist Women will be selling 16 ounce
packages of large, fresh pecans again this year. This year's
crop is currently still hanging from trees, but will be picked
and ready to ship to us the first week in November. More
details will be coming soon! Pecan fact: According to a
study conducted at Loma Linda University in California,
pecans are the nuts containing the highest levels of
antioxidants.
Casseroles for Missions
Too Busy to Cook? Let the Missions Team help you! They are selling homemade frozen casseroles.
Order your casserole by Sun, Oct. 26 and they will be available for pick up on Sun, Nov 2. Four varieties in two sizes are
available (see below). Payment will be made at the time of pick up. To place an order, complete this tear off and place in the
offering plate, or contact Amy Kerntke at [email protected] or 659.8508. All proceeds go to benefit missions outreach.
9x9” Pan
$12 Each
9x11” Pan
$16 Each
Vegetarian Lasagna
_________
_________
Meat Sauce Lasagna
_________
_________
Mexican Lasagna
_________
_________
Chicken Tetrazzini
_________
_________
Total $
__________
__________
Middle School Youth
Coming Up...
Oct. 19
Movie Night @ Youth Group, 6-8 pm. Bring
your friends and a snack for an evening of movie
viewing at St. John's.
Oct. 26
Pumpkinfest, 2-5 pm. We are in charge of the
Spook Rooms! We'll turn the Youth Rooms into a
scary, spooky maze for kids to enjoy at our new
Halloween event. Please come at 2 pm for set-up.
The event begins at 3 pm.
Nov. 2
XP3 Discussion @ Youth Group, 6-8 pm.
Nov. 7
Laser Tag Lock-In, 8 pm - 8 am. Cost is $10.
Friends are welcome. Please fill out the
permission form on the Youth page of our
website (www.thenewstjohns.com) and RSVP
to [email protected] by Sun, Nov.
2. We will leave at 8 pm for laser tag, then come
back to the church for snacks, XP3 discussion,
games, and a movie.
The Parent Cue Blog
The Parent CUE Blog isn't
an encyclopedia on
everything parents need to
know. It’s not an exhaustive
training course to make sure
kids “turn out.” It’s not a
counseling hotline one can
call when they have a help-I-can’t-believe-my-child-just
crisis. This blog is a cue. It’s a prompt. Because really, we
know you are already incredibly busy doing all the things you
should do to invest in your kids and to help them on their way
to adulthood—and hopefully out of the house. But just
because you are really busy doing great things doesn’t mean
it’s easy to stay focused on what’s important. That’s where
Orange comes in. We want to make it easy for you to
remember what’s important. Take a moment a check out this
great blog website: http://theparentcue.org/!
JOMAs Fall Schedule
Insert New
Name Here!
High School Youth
JOMAs stands for Just Over Middle Agers and includes those
50 and above who are interested in joining in the fun and
fellowship of various activities. The schedule for the fall is as
follows:

(Good idea for a name? Text 975-5352)
Coming Up...
Oct. 19
Movie Night @ Youth Group, 6-8 pm. Bring
your friends and a snack for an evening of movie
viewing at St. John's.
Oct. 22
Growth Group @ Denny’s, 6:30 pm.
Oct. 26: Pumpkinfest, 2-5 pm: We are in charge of the
Hay Rides! Please text 975.5352 if you can help,
and come at 2 pm for set-up. The event begins at
3 pm.
Nov. 2


XP3 Discussion @ Youth Group 6:00-8:00

Baptism
Last Sunday at the 11 am
service Pastor Sheryl
baptized Olivia Childs
Pigeon. Olivia was born
on April 17 in St. Louis.
She is the daughter of
Drew and Jenna Pigeon
and little sister to 2-yearold Alexis.
Fri, Nov. 14 - EHS drama production of
"Celebration": The play will be held in the EHS
auditorium at 7 pm. Tickets are free and they have 20
reserved. Just let Nancy Hoffman know if you are going
(656-4740 or [email protected]). The Hoffman’s are
hosting a dessert fellowship before the play at 6pm (5245
Springfield Drive, Edwardsville
Sat, Nov. 15 - Estate planning discussion: The
discussion is entitled "My Legacy" and will involve the
importance of having a will and what kind of legacy you
want to leave. It will be held at St. John’s, and there will
be more information upcoming in the newsletter.
Sun, Dec. 7 - Edwardsville Muny Band Christmas
concert: The concert is in the EHS auditorium at 7 pm.
The group will meet at Culver's afterwards for ice cream.
Sun, Dec. 14 at 5pm - Holiday Pot Luck Dinner: Jeanne
and Steve Laur will be hosting the dinner at their home at 5
pm (2608 Sandstone Drive, Maryville). Meat and beverage
will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share and $2
per person for the meat and beverage expenses. RSVP to
Charlotte Blackledge (692.4270), and let her know what
you plan to bring.
Church Dine to Donate
If you go to Texas Roadhouse in Edwardsville after church on
any Sunday, be sure to take a copy of our church bulletin.
Give it to your server and St. John’s will receive 10% of your
total bill. It’s an easy way to help raise a little extra funds for
St. John’s!
St. John’s UMC
Our Purpose
Our Vision
Our Core Values
7372 Marine Rd, Edwardsville
To lead people into a
growing relationship with
Jesus Christ.
To be a beacon of faith and
service, focusing our
passions and gifts to reflect
Christ’s love to the world.
Knowing, loving and serving
God.
618.656.1853
thenewstjohns.com
Join us for worship at 9 or 11 am
Book Discussion Group
Upcoming Birthdays
Oct. 19 Dale Landolt
Oct. 25 Megan Kalb
Betty Richards
Oct. 26 Eliot Riechmann
Oct. 20 Tiffany Dillon
Oct. 27 Taylor Schonlau
Dan Heimos
Oct 28
Karen Barker
Marcus Horton
Oct 29
Paul Lancaster
Becki Shepherd
Oct 30
Julie Simmons
Larry Wheeler
Oct 31
Jeff Daniels
Nov 1
Donna Gardner
Oct. 21 Sean Douglas
Leah Gaughan
Bill Nicholl
Mark Motley
Sarah Rankin
St. John's Book Group has chosen the next three books for
discussion. First is the memoir, Orange is the New Black, a
New York Times bestseller and now a series on Netflix. The
book follows the experience of a young woman through her
conviction and sentence of 15 months at a federal correctional
facility. Her story offers a rare look into the lives of women in
prison. The group will meet on Sun, Nov. 2 at 5:30 at the
home of Jeri Lampman. If you are planning to attend, please
let Jeri know at 531.3183 or [email protected].
The next two books will be Orphan Train, a fiction based on
real events in our history, and The Faith Club, the story of
three women of different faiths who search for understanding
and mutual respect for their different religions. Watch for the
announcement of the dates of those discussions.
Oct. 22 Robert Buchanan
Allison Naylor
Faith in Action Breakfast
Bill Simpson
Oct. 23 Caleb Gholson
Faith in Action Edwardsville/Glen Carbon invites you to
attend their 16th annual Community Breakfast. The breakfast
will be held on Thu, Nov. 6, 7:30 - 9:00 am in the Eden
Village Atrium at 200 South Station Road in Glen Carbon.
The guest speaker will be Mayor Hal Patton of Edwardsville.
Tickets are currently on sale for $10. Please contact Faith
in Action at 692.0480 or e-mail [email protected] to reserve
your tickets.
Sean Hill
Lisa Markowitz
Nicholas Marshall
Oct. 24 Georgia Gaughan
Isabel Ring
St. John’s Calendar: October 19 - November 1
Sunday
19
Coffee Fellowship, FH,
8:30-11am
Traditional Worship,
MC, 9am
Sunday School, Whole
Church, 10:05am
Children’s Choir, Rm
114, 10:55am
Contemporary
Worship, MC, 11am
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Orange Conference in Kansas City
Open Walking, MC, UMW Faith Circle,
8am
Rm 105, 10am
Library Team,
Library, 9:30am
Prayer Team, MC,
10am
Boy Scouts, FH,
7pm
Board of Trustees,
Rm 127, 12:15pm
Alton Salvation Army
Meal, 525 Alby, 3pm
OMG Cookout, Pastor
Sheryl & Mike’s
Lake House, 4pm
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
Saturday
24
25
Staff Meeting, Rm 107, Open Walking, MC, Pastor Sheryl’s
1:00pm
7:30am
Day Off
Men’s Small
Group, LM, 8am
Faith Coalition
Renovation, 922
Robotics Team,
Grand Ave in
Education Wing,
Handbell Choir
World Religions
Girl Scout Founders Edwardsville,
Party, Whole
5:30pm
Practice, MC, 6:30pm Study, Rm 105,
8am-12pm
8:45am
Church, 4pm
Congregational Care Growth Group,
Habitat for
Team, Rm 127,
Bible Study, Rm 105, Narcotics
Denny’s, 6pm
Humanity, 238
Anonymous, FH,
7pm
9:30am
McKinley
Mission Team, Rm
8:15pm
Worden, 8:30amWomen 2 Women,
Robotics Team,
127, 7pm
1pm
Education Wing,
Rm 201, 7pm
Al-Anon, Rm 105,
5:30pm
Fall Workday,
Today’s Walking
7:30pm
Church Grounds
Wounded, Library,
Admin Council, Rm
& Building,
Choir Practice, Rm
7pm
127, 6:30pm
10:30am
130, 7:30pm
Praise Band Practice,
MC, 7pm
Quilting for God, Rm
203, 6pm
Changing Habits, Rm Mom 2 Mom, Rm
105, 8am
202, 9:30am
29
30
Men’s Breakfast, FH,
7:30am
Open Walking, MC, Pastor Sheryl’s
7:30am
Day Off
Robotics Team, Rm
130, 3pm
Youth Group, Whole
Church, 6pm
26
27
28
Coffee Fellowship, FH, Open Walking, MC, Staff Retreat, 9:30am
8:30-11am
8am
Robotics Team,
Traditional Worship,
Prayer Team, MC,
Education Wing,
MC, 9am
10am
5:30pm
Sunday School, Whole Boy Scouts, FH,
Church, 10:05am
7pm
31 Halloween 1
Staff Meeting, Rm 107, Changing Habits, Rm Mom 2 Mom, Rm
1:00pm
105, 8am
202, 9:30am
Men’s Small
Group, LM, 8am
Faith Coalition
Renovation, 922
Grand Ave in
Edwardsville,
8am-12pm
Today’s Walking
Handbell Choir
World Religions
Edwardsville
Wounded, Library, Practice, MC, 6:30pm Study, Rm 105,
Halloween
Parade,
7pm
8:45am
Children’s Choir, Rm Girl Scout Troop
Children & Family
Habitat for
Downtown,
Ministry Team, Rm
Bible Study, Rm 105,
114, 10:55am
#211, FH, 5:15pm Boy Scouts
Humanity, 238
6:30pm
Committee Mtg,
107, 7pm
9:30am
McKinley
Contemporary
Narcotics
Rm 104, 7pm
Worden, 8:30amAl-Anon, Rm 105,
Robotics Team,
Worship, MC, 11am
Anonymous, FH,
1pm
Education Wing,
7:30pm
8:15pm
PumpkinFest, Whole
5:30pm
Choir Practice, Rm
Church, 3pm
Praise Band Practice,
130, 7:30pm
MC, 7pm
FH - Fellowship Hall
MC - Ministry Center