A message from The pastor St. John Journey december 2012 "In those days a decree went out….." We hear these words and for many of us immediately our thoughts turn to the Christmas Story. A man "Joseph", betrothed to a pregnant young girl "Mary" make their way to the town of Bethlehem to be registered. The way of travel was by donkey or on foot and for Mary and Joseph, it was just this way. Upon arrival in Bethlehem all the places to spend the night were taken and they ended up in the Barn. Then a birth occurred in Bethlehem that changed the world from then until this very present moment. "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy….." The shepherds heard the words of the Angelic host and traveled to see this site in Bethlehem. There they found the baby, in the feed trough. I know "manger" sounds better but it was a barn. Here in the unlikely place they found the Savior of the world, an infant. God had chosen to send God’s Son into the world in a way that would confuse the world and turn the world upside down. The Savior of the world came into being in the humble form of an infant. Today we gather in worship, around the table of our Lord, and we sing songs and we lift up Prayers. We are nour- ished with Holy Communion. Today the Savior Jesus comes into our lives and a change takes place. We are forgiven and made whole by this Savior Jesus. Follow the star and you will be led to a Savior, but not just any Savior, the Savior of the world. This Christ will turn your world upside down. Peace be with you. Robin and I would like to wish all of you a Blessed Christmas. Our Prayers and thoughts are with all of you as you enter into the New Year. Pastor Scott
Transcript
A message from The pastor
St. John Journey
december 2012
"In those days a decree went out….." We hear these words and for many of us immediately our thoughts turn to the Christmas Story. A man "Joseph", betrothed to a pregnant young girl "Mary" make their way to the town of Bethlehem to be registered. The way of travel was by donkey or on foot and for Mary and Joseph, it was just this way. Upon arrival in Bethlehem all the places to spend the night were taken and they ended up in the Barn. Then a birth occurred in Bethlehem that changed the world from then until this very present moment.
"Behold I bring you tidings of great joy….." The shepherds heard the words of the Angelic host and traveled to see this site in Bethlehem. There they found the baby, in the feed trough. I know "manger" sounds better but it was a barn. Here in the unlikely place they found the Savior of the world, an infant. God had chosen to send God’s Son into the world in a way that would confuse the world and turn the world upside down.
The Savior of the world came into being in the humble form of an infant. Today we gather in worship, around the table of our Lord, and we sing songs and we lift up Prayers. We are nour-ished with Holy Communion. Today the Savior Jesus comes into our lives and a change takes place. We are forgiven and made whole by this Savior Jesus. Follow the star and you will be led to a Savior, but not just any Savior, the Savior of the world. This Christ will turn your world upside down. Peace be with you.
Robin and I would like to wish all of you a Blessed Christmas. Our Prayers and thoughts are with all of you as you enter into the New Year.
Pastor Scott
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Secret Pals for 2013
The women of St. John enjoyed their annual Secret Pal Luncheon on Sunday, December 2. If
there are any ladies in the congregation who were unable to attend and wish to participate,
please contact Joan in the church office to fill out a Secret Pal form and we will get you in-
volved in the fun!
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Thank You for ALS Donations
Sherry and I are so thankful to our St John Lutheran Church Family for their donations to the ALS Walk this
past October 13th. The ALS Association received donations over $113,000 for the Walk. With your help,
Sherry and I sent in $1730.00 to the ALS Association. We are so thankful for your kindness to us and your
support of the ALS Walk. We are truly grateful to be a part of St John Lutheran Church.
Roger Nipper
Food Pantry St. John will be serving at the Food Pantry the week of December 23rd through 28th. Due
to the Christmas holidays, distribution will take place only on Friday, Dec. 28th. If bagging
is necessary, that date will be set for that as well. Please sign up to help with distribution on
Noisy Offering There are five Sundays in December, so Sunday December 30th is Noisy Offering Sunday.
Please start saving all of your loose change to bring in on that day to make a joyful noise unto
the Lord and help out a very worthy organization., Ecumenical Faith in Action.
St. John Ladies’ Book Group
St. John Ladies’ Book Group will meet in January (date to be determined) at the home of Joan Shaver.
Our selection is a new book by a local author, Barbara Kingsolver—Flight Behavior.
All women are invited to come and enjoy food and fellowship while we discuss the
book!
P. S. You do not have to read the book to come and enjoy the fellowship!
(but, I have not been able to put it down!!! Joan)
Heifer International Gifts
In addition to providing Poinsettias for Christmas Eve, we are also offering the option to donate that
amount to Heifer International, also in memory of, or in honor of, loved ones. More information about
this program is available on the church bulletin board.
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The St. John Quilters will meet Tuesday, December 4th. On Tuesday December 11th they will meet to enjoy lunch at Bonefire Smokehouse at 11:45AM. Regular quilting will resume on January 8th. They have put a Christmas Quilt up for auction for the month of December—minimum starting bid is $50, and the auction will close after the 11:00 worship service on Sunday, December 23rd.
Monday Evening and Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study Monday Evening Bible/Book Study will finish up on Monday, December 3rd. Watch for announcement for a
new time in January.
Tuesday afternoon Bible Study will meet Tuesday, December 4th, and resume on January 8th.
.
Holiday Gathering: Saturday December 15th
Jim & Dianne Suhrbier will host an adult Holiday Gathering, on Saturday,
December 15, beginning at 7:00 PM. Take a break from hectic holiday
schedules and enjoy a relaxing evening of fellow-ship, please bring an appetizer
or dessert to share. The Suhrbiers live at 17746 Old Jonesboro Road, in
Abingdon. See Jim or Dianne or call 628-1311 for directions.
St. John Choirs
St. John’s Choirs will be having combined rehearsals on
Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM for the month of December
in order to prepare special music for Christmas Eve.
Musicians are asked to arrive at 6:30PM. Rehearsals will be
held on Dec. 5th, 12th, and 19th, and then we will take a
break until after the first of the year.
All interested singers are welcome—no experience (or ability to read music) is required—just come and
make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!
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St. John “Housekeeping Notes”
RECYCLE – As most of you know, we try to recycle as much of the church office paper as possible. Joan
has a large blue container in her office. Recently, a smaller blue container was given to the church and is
located next to the table in the narthex. Please use this new bright blue container for your unwanted church
bulletin as you exit the service.
ENERGY SAVINGS AND FIRE SAFETY – Just a reminder – Please be sure that all the hall doors and ma-
jor room entrance doors get closed when we all exit the building. With all the different heating systems,
they are more efficient if the doors are closed.
Edith Hiltebeitel
System Analyst, Distribution Systems
K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc.
276-623-5000, ext 5050
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St. John’s Financial Summary
St. John’s projected surplus shrunk a little in October, due to higher than normal expenses. We are now projecting about a $18K surplus for the year. Please continue to give generously!
St. John's Financial Summary
October 2012
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
125,000
150,000
175,000
200,000
225,000
250,000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
$
Income to Date Expenses to DateProjected Income Projected Expenses
Budgeted Income = $207,000
Budgeted Expenses = $227,600
Carry-over from 2011 = $16,300
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december Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
Dec. 2
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-
13
Luke 21:25-36
Dec. 16 Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Dec. 23 Micah 5:2-5a
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
person and call the office to let the secretary know.
St. John Journey
Dec. 30
1 Samuel 2:18-20,26
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
Dec. 9
Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
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Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30
Assistant
Minister Ray Whitner Ray Whitner Charles Sansing Charles Sansing
Charles
Sansing
Lector Joel Rosen Dave Morris Charlie Garnett Debbie Kluttz Joel Rosen
Usher Cheryl Carrico Cheryl Carrico Christine Fields Bob Wolfe Christine
Fields
Altar Guild Louise
Sansing
Carole Ann
Rosen Jean Harley Dianne Suhrbier Kelly Read
9:00AM service
11:00AM service
Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Dec. 30
Assistant
Minister Joan Shaver Ed Davis Beth Hiltebeitel Ken Croghan Joan Shaver
Lector Bill Spencer Linda Brumleve David Bonham Helen French Richard
Brumleve
Acolyte William Gifford Julie Kroll Reagan Honaker Henry Davis Chris Dixon
Reception The Bonhams Linda Brumleve The Spencers Joan Shaver Edie
Hiltebeitel
Counters
HelenFrench
David
Henninger
David Bonham
David Henninger
David Henninger
Jim Kroll
Gary Halverson
David Bonham
Helen French
Jim Kroll
Ushers The Krolls The Spencers
The Meachams
The Giffords
The Keens
Altar Guild Carol Halverson Betsy Bonham Edie Hiltebeitel Helen French Helen
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
