1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The Mission
The Journal of St John’s Reaching Farther
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School
Witnessing
Pastor W Philip Bruening [email protected]
708-354-1690 x 213
“Growing in Our Ability to be Effective
Witnesses to Our Faith”
Summary of Our Focus on Witnessing:
1) Always begin with prayer.
2) List the unchurched people about
whom you are concerned and lift their
names daily in prayer.
3) Practice speaking your personal
testimony about what Jesus means to
you.
4) Check your testimony to make certain it
gives glory to Jesus and is not just a
recitation of all that you have done.
5) Let a trusted fellow Christian listen to
your testimony and allow them the
opportunity to give you feedback both
on the content and presentation.
6) Be aware of the timing of your
approach. If they are going through a
time of difficulty, let them share with
you what they are experiencing and
then tell how your faith has helped you
through your times of difficulty.
Week of January 18, 2015
7) Rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the
right words say. Remember Jesus’
promise: “When you are arrested [or
are in a difficult situation], don’t worry
about what you will say. You will be
given the right words when the time
comes. But you will not really be the
ones speaking. Your words will come
from the Holy Spirit.” Pray silently:
“Holy Spirit, help me. Give me the
words to say.”
8) Learn from the personal witness of the
man born blind who remained
persistent - “All I know is that I once
was blind and now I see and Jesus gave
me my sight.”
9) Be aware that we take risks when we
share our faith. It may not be received
well and may be rejected.
10) Always remember that your strength
comes from Jesus Christ and guidance
comes from the Holy Spirit.
11) While witnessing involves some risk, we
all have the assurance of God’s love
and forgiveness and a confidence in our
eternal destiny in heaven.
Sunday Morning and Weekly Adult Study
Biblical | Challenging | Relevant
Sunday Morning Adult Studies 9:25a
Week Day Adult Studies—Various Days and Times
The Gospel of St. Mark
Early Risers Bible Class
SUNDAY’S The Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Philip Bruening
Thursday’s The Heritage Room—6:15a
In the three year cycle we are
in for the scripture readings,
this year the focus is on the
second Gospel. The symbol for the Gospel
is the winged lion because the Gospel is a
Gospel of action. The Greek word
“εὐθὺς” (euthus) translated “immediately”
or “just then” or “straightway” is used (42)
times in the Gospel inviting us to be people
of action for Jesus Christ.
We will also be looking at the significance
that geography plays in this Gospel and the
impact that should have on us today as we
are in ministry.
Impacting Culture
SUNDAY’S The Library (2nd Floor of School Building)
Leaders: Andy and Sue Kunz
We will discuss aspects of our culture and
explore the ways in which we reach people
in our surrounding community. This week
our focus will be Culture: Love It, Leave it
or Transform it. Our culture is becoming
less and less "Christian." So what does that
mean for us? What goodness does our
culture reflect? What evil or darkness
permeates it? Join us at 9:25a in the
Library!
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
THE COFFEE POT IS ON! Come join the Early
Risers Bible Class! We meet every Thursday
morning beginning at 6:15a in the Heritage
Room. This is a great opportunity to get
into the Word before you start your busy
day. All are welcome!
Young Adults Needed!
Kirsten Smith [email protected]
If you are of college age or in your 20s and
missed the meeting last week and you are
still interested in this, it is okay. Please just
sign-up with your email on the welcome
desk. An email with more information will
be coming out this week.
Music Ministry
Gerald Kuker [email protected]
708-354-1690 x 222
Sunday, January 25, 2015
4p—7p
Holiday Inn William Tell Banquets
6201 Joliet Rd
Countryside, Illinois
$25 per person
$50 per Family of Four
We welcome everyone to join us as we
continue to support BEDS Plus in our
community and assist in their Mission to
help individuals stabilize their lives through
housing and supportive services.
Their Soup and Bread Event is a great way
to show your support! Join us for this
cozy, family friendly gathering featuring
live acoustic music by Mark Dvorak and
Sharon Speziale and The Acoustaholics,
craft beer tasting and great local food.
Tickets are available online at www.bedsplus.org or call, (708) 354-0858 x2
Calling All Singers!
Our Senior Choir is starting another
semester of singing praises to our Lord
and Savior. If you have given any thought
to joining in the music making and
fellowship that goes along with it, be sure
to join us this Wednesday at 7p in the
Music Room, 2nd floor of the school.
It's not too late. This Choir is open to all
High School youth and adults, St. John's
member or non-member. Don't wait for a
personal invitation.
Just show up for our
rehearsal and join in
the fun. We know you
won't regret it. Talk
with Director Jerry
Kuker if you have any
questions.
Handbell Refurbishing
The refurbishing of our Handbells is
scheduled to be completed this week and
returned to us shortly. This means we will
be receiving the final invoice. As we noted
in last week's Mission, we received word
that five of the large brass castings were
cracked and needed to be replaced at an
additional cost of $2,500. Any additional
contributions to this cause will be greatly
appreciated. Place your donations in any
envelope and designate "Handbells" on
the front and place it in the offering plate
or bring to the Church Office. If you have
questions, please address them to Jerry
Kuker. Thank you.
Meet! Experience! Live !
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Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry
Sherrie Smith [email protected]
708-354-1690 x 212
Kirsten Smith [email protected]
Emily Jung [email protected]
Sunday School
Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, January 18, 2015—9:25a
School Classrooms
Sunday, January 18—9:25a; Youth Room
Leader: Emily Jung
Today in Sunday School we study the
calling of Jesus’ first disciples with “Jesus
Calls Philip and Nathanael.” In Jesus, access
to heaven is given to all who believe. You
might discuss, “How did Philip and
Nathanael know that Jesus was the Christ?
How do we learn that Jesus is the Christ?”
We resume TODAY! Come join us for a
New Year’s Study and Discussion! We will
also be talking about what topics we will be
studying this new year! Can’t wait to see
you all!
Children’s Message
Did you ever wear a name tag? Name tags
are important because our names are
important. It makes us feel good when
someone remembers our name.
God knows our names. Our names are
important to Him because we are
important to Him. There are stories in the
Bible about God knowing names. One of
my favorite stories about God knowing
someone's name is in our Old Testament
lesson today. This story is about God calling
Samuel. Samuel was a child who had been
an answer to his mother's prayer. She
brought him to God's house so he could
serve God all his days. One night as Samuel
was sleeping, God called him. It took four
times for Samuel to realize it was God
calling him. God did not give up on him.
Samuel answered God's call by saying,
"Speak for your servant hears."
God is calling us just as He called Samuel. He is
calling us to follow Him. May we respond as
Samuel did. Speak for your servant hears.
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
Youth Group
Sunday, January 18—6p
Leader: Kirsten Smith
Hey Youth! Join us TONIGHT for some
ultimate Frisbee in the Gym and we are also
starting a new Bible Series called, “Choose”.
Homework time start at 5p and Youth
Group starts at 6p. See you all there!
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, February 13 to February 14
A Lock-In for Jr. and Sr. High Youth will be
held on February 13-14. Think about a
friend you would like to invite and put this
date on the calendar. More details to
come!
St. John’s School
Lynn Kahl, Principal
[email protected] 708-354-1690 x 218
Returns
Lynn Kahl, Principal
“I want them back, every last one who
bears My name, every man, woman, and
child whom I created for My glory, yes,
personally formed and made each one.”
Isaiah 43: 7 The Message.
Christmas spending has calculated into the
billions of dollars. By now all we are left
with are the bills and the returns. Do you
exchange your gifts on December 26th, or
do wait a couple of weeks until the crowds
are gone? Years ago I was a seasonal
worker at Marshall Fields. Being the new
hire, I was assigned to work the first shift
on the day after Christmas. When 200
people were waiting outside the door
before the store opened, I knew it would
be chaotic. I had never shopped or made
returns on that day, so I was totally
unprepared for the chaos that ensued.
Of course people wanted to buy Christmas
decorations that were half off. Because of
the mad rush down the escalators to grab
anything remotely related to Christmas,
within an hour all that was left were the
ground glass ornaments in the carpet. In
their frenzy, people even tried to buy the
store display containers.
usually with snarky comments about the
gifts themselves or remarks about the
amount of the return which they assumed
would be much higher.
After Christmas do you ever see ads for you
to return merchandise? All the ad dollars
spent getting you to shop there are never
spent getting you to bring things back. That
would affect a store’s bottom line for the
year and perhaps put them out of business.
God is different. He wants us returned to
Him. It does not matter if we are too big,
too small, or even broken. Not only does
He want us returned to Him, but He pays
full price for us—the death of His Son,
Jesus. Christmas spending has gotten
perverted from the real reason we give gifts
at Christmas, but may we always
understand that our greatest gift is that
God wanted us returned to Him, and was
willing to pay all He had to get us back.
Many happy returns!
Then came people with returns. All the
gifts that had been so lovingly purchased
by aunts and grandmothers came back
Meet! Experience! Live !
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Congregational Directory
Michelle La Velle—Church Office Manager
[email protected] 708-354-1690 x 210
Advertising Opportunity
We have contracted Guide Book
Publishing to publish a Guide Book and
Directory for St. John’s that will be
updated and delivered directly to your
homes annually. This book is being
provided at no cost to the Church. Local
businesses are being solicited to advertise
in our book, please call the Church Office
at (708) 354-1690 x210.
Update Membership Information
Does our Church Database have YOUR
family membership record correct? Here
is your chance to update YOUR record for
our annual Guide Book and Directory (if
you haven’t already done so). It is time for
us to update our database with any
changes, additions, or deletions that may
have occurred in YOUR family over the
past
year/s. Have you changed
your phone number? Have you moved?
Are you preparing to move soon? Are all
of your children still at home and are they
all included in your membership record?
Do you want your record published? If
you have not already informed the Church
Office about changes to your records,
please call the Church Office so our Guide
Book
is
accurate.
You’re
cooperation
is
greatly appreciated!
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
Church Offering Envelopes
Michelle La Velle—Church Office Manager
[email protected] 708-354-1690 x 210
Many of you should have received your
2015 First Quarter Offering Envelopes
delivered directly to your home from
Church Budget Envelope Company. You
may have noticed that your envelope stack
is smaller than in previous years as this
mailing will cover only January—March,
and the next quarter you will receive for
the months of April—June, and so on. By
switching from yearly boxed sets to
quarterly direct mail, the church saves
money as well as obtaining the ability to
keep our member records up to date on a
more consistent basis as we are notified
early on when someone has moved.
Should you have any questions, or concerns
regarding your Offering Envelopes, please
contact Michelle La Velle in the Church
Office.
Articles for The Mission are due Wednesday
by Noon and can be submitted to Michelle La
Velle, [email protected] or by calling
the Church Office (708) 354-1690 x210
Upcoming 2015 Events
Annual Woman’s Retreat
Rebecca Schiltz [email protected]
708-354-1690 x 210
Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, 2015
Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge
1200 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge IL 60527
It is time to start making plans for
2015! Don’t forget to sign-up for the 15th
Annual Women’s Retreat to be held on
February 6—7 at the Marriott Hotel in
Burr Ridge, IL. Make a resolution to join
us
for
this
great,
fellowship
weekend!!!
Registration forms are
available in the Church Narthex or on line
at www.sjlagrange.com. Just click on
Women’s Retreat to register.
Winter Jam Tour
Kirsten Smith [email protected]
Jamtour.com
[email protected] or Jamtour.com
Friday, January 30, 2015—7p
Allstate Arena
If you love Christian contemporary music,
then this is the event just for you. It's the
one night out of the year where you can
see 10 Christian bands for just $10.00 at
the door.
January's Mission Cafe donations will go
towards a great organization called "Phil's
Friends. "Phil’s Friends", is a faith-based
charity that seeks to provide “the hope” we
all need.
One of the main ways they are able to bring
this sense of ease into one’s life is by
delivering God’s Word. People are diagnosed
with cancer every day. People with cancer
often experience support needs. Many have
no place to turn. We all need comfort, peace,
and joy.
So, what can we do? In addition to prayer,
"Phil's Friends" reaches out to cancer
patients by delivering care packages. Care
packages are gender specific and are filled
with spiritually encouraging and physically
comforting gifts.
They also provide blankets for people who
are going through cancer treatment. The
children from St. John's are putting together
these blankets to send to "Phil's
Friends". We can help them financially by
giving a donation to support this ministry of
care packages and blankets.
Skillet, For King and Country, Jeremy
Camp, and Francesca Battistelli are just a
few of those bands. It is on January 30th at
7p at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont,
Illinois. If you would like more information
or if you would like help getting there
email Kirsten Smith.
Meet! Experience! Live !
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Offerings of the People
This Week At St. John’s
Preacher: Reverend W. Philip Bruening
Organist: Gerald Kuker
Children’s Message: Sherrie Smith
Altar Guild: Sharon Broz
Altar Flowers: The Altar Flowers are given to
the Glory of God at the Altar by Tom and
Lynn Braun in honor of all the blessings
received.
January 18—January 25, 2015
Coffee Hour Host: Laura Stephens
Serving at 8:00a
Prayer Partner: Laurie Dorgan
Acolytes: N/A
Lay Readers: Holly Hackelberg and Harlan
Hirt
Elder: Dick Seeman
Communion Assistants: George
Birmingham, Rick Lange and Jim Paulsen
Ushers: *Ken Fukar, Wayne Kardatzke,
Mark Kenning and Tim Walsen
Serving at 10:45a
Acolytes: Kylie Strasser and Savannah
Strasser
Lay Reader: Tom Braun
Elder: Randy Gunn
Communion Assistants: Jeff Baker, Marty
Haugen and John Zylstra
Ushers: Dave Meador, *Rick Noerenberg,
Glenn O’Brien, Matt Strubbe and Frank
Vondra
Worship Attendance:
Last Week Sunday [01/11] = 240
Sunday
8:00a Worship w/Holy Communion
9:25a Adult Bible Study—The Gospel of Mark
9:25a Adult Bible Study—Impacting Culture
9:25a Sunday School
9:25a Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
10:45a Worship w/Holy Communion
2:15p Varsity Boys/Girls BB Tournament
5:00p Youth Group
Monday
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY
Church/School Offices Closed
Tuesday
7:00p Church Council Meeting
7:30p Basketball Group
Wednesday
7:40p Children’s Prayer Ministry
8:20a School Chapel Service
9:50a ECH Chapel Service
3:15p School Bread Baking Class
7:00p Senior Choir Rehearsal
Thursday
Parent/Teacher Conferences
6:15a Early Risers Bible Class
7:00p Men’s Study—Book of James
7:15p Volleyball Practice
Friday
Parent/Teacher Conferences
7:30a School Band Rehearsal
7:00p Recovery Group Meeting
Saturday
Sunday
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
8:00a Worship Service
9:25a Adult Bible Study—The Gospel of Mark
9:25a Adult Bible Study—Impacting Culture
9:25a Sunday School
9:25a Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
10:45a Worship Service
12:00p All School Open House (PreK3-8th)
4:00p BEDS Plus Bread & Soup Fundraiser
(Offsite)
6:00p Youth Group
“The Mission” is the weekly journal of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School. Our mission is to engage the people
we live, work with and meet along our way in such a way that they,
Meet Jesus, Experience the support of a church, and Live as disciples!
St John’s Lutheran Church and School | 505 S Park Road, La Grange IL | 708-354-1690
www.sjlagrange.com | Facebook: sjlagrange