News

 

One service—March 31!  How many times have we said, “I don’t know them, they must attend on Saturday (or Sunday)”.  This is an opportunity to meet those who attend a different service.  In addition, on Sunday morning Children’s Spiritual Life and Education Ministry, assisted by the Evangelism Ministry, will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m.  We hope everyone will attend the breakfast and then attend the worship service at 10:15 and meet your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Some of our youth will be playing handbells during the service and our 1st & 2nd grade Sunday school students will be sharing with us what they are learning.  We hope this will be a special time for fellowship with everyone together for one service.   

 

 

The Living Last Supper

The men of St. John’s will be presenting the chancel drama, “The Living Last Supper” at various churches in the area. “The Living Last Supper”  follows Jesus’ 12 disciples after Jesus said “one of you will betray me.” Each of them wonders aloud “Is it I?” and shares their thoughts of faith - and doubt 8 are voiced, and observances get a strong sense of the feelings of loyalty and love that the disciples had for Jesus. Even Judas gives a deep explanation of his feelings and motives.

April 7—St. Matthews, Princeton—2:00 p.m. --  416 E. Dover Rd, Princeton, IL -- A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the Bureau County Food Pantry. Fellowship and treats follow the service.

April 14—Pr. Dale’s Church, Johnson Creek, WI 3:00 p.m.

April 18—St. John’s, Peru—7:00 p.m.

 

  

Midweek Lenten Services will be held on Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 p.m.  We will be welcoming various pastors from the South Conference/NISynod congregations.  Four pastors from our area congregations will be leading our midweek services.  This “round robin” format gives you the opportunity to hear the word of God and meditate upon the scriptures and messages.  The theme will be “What is Faith?”

This Wednesday, April 3, the Lenten Supper consists of Cheeseburgers and Hot Dogs, chips, dessert and beverage.  The simple supper will be served from 5 p.m. to 6:15ish.  Donations will be accepted with the proceeds to benefit the high school youth and their mission trips.  

 

 

 

Children’s Spiritual Life & Education would like to invite you to their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 31, from 8-10 a.m.  The menu will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, homemade sausage, fruit and beverage.Tickets may be purchased before services.  $5.00 for adults and $2.00 child ages 3-10, 2 and under Free.

 

 

 

 

Refresh & Impress - Calling all worship volunteers and would-be volunteers!  We will begin a series of short meetings following worship on Sundays to bring worship volunteers, and those interested in getting involved, together for a 15 - 20 minute refresher "course".  This will also serve as training to new volunteers.  To those already serving as greeters, ushers, readers, communion servers, acolytes and on Altar Guild, it is a joyful experience.  We invite those already serving to attend and hope to see many new faces at the sessions offered.  A brief outline of the role and responsibilities will be shared as well as comments from Pastor William.  If you are unable to attend, but would like to learn more, contact the church office.  Please consider assisting in any way you are able.  To accommodate our Saturday volunteers, these short meetings will also be held following the Saturday evening worship on the respective weekends.  We apologize for the over sight.

                              Sat.,   April 6 – Altar Guild

                              April 20/21 - Readers

 

 

 

Looking for a Green Team to assist with ideas on how St. John’s can be more eco-friendly.  To join the team or obtain more information, contact Molly Thrasher at 815-894-2619.

 

 

During the 40 days of Lent we will be joining Lutheran World Relief in A SEASON OF HOPE by collecting items for Personal Care Kits.  Around the world people suffer each day because of lack of basic hygiene.  In refugee camps and in the world’s poorest communities, a few simple items can offer hope for families coping with war, poverty and disaster.  Personal Care Kits give people around the world tools to stay healthy in life’s most challenging situations. 

Each kit includes the following: 

• One light or medium weight bath size towels (approximately 52”x27”), dark color   recommended
• Two bath-size bars of soap, any brand, in original wrapping
• One adult size toothbrush in its original packaging
• One sturdy comb
• One metal nail clippers

There will be a basket in the narthex for you to put items in throughout the Lenten season.  A monetary donation is also appreciated, so we may purchase needed items.  (Donations may be marked “Personal Care Kits” and placed in the offering plate.  If writing a check make it payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church with “Personal Care Kits” in the memo).  The season of Lent is 40 days in length—how many lives can we change in 40 days?  Watch the bulletin board in the narthex to track our progress.

 

 

Communion Renewal

During some recent Small Focus Group conversation there was discussion about communion practices and what people might like to see happen here. So, taking those comments into account we can look forward to the following:

Communion at the Rail

Some of you miss gathering at the rail for communion, so once a month, we will commune together as a group at the rail. This will occur on the first Sunday and preceding Saturday of each month.

○ Ushers will guide groups of about six from each side of the center aisle to the rail.

○ After the group has communed and received the blessing, they will return to their seats via the side stairs and side aisles.

○ We’ll use individual cups for receiving the Blood Christ; in the form of either wine or grape juice.

○ For those unable to come forward or ascend the steps, we will continue the practice of communing you at your seats after all who are coming forward have received communion.

Communion Wafers
Some of you miss using the unleavened bread (round wafers,) so once a month we will use the wafers instead of a loaf of bread. This will occur on the third Sunday and preceding Saturday of each month.

We appreciate these new practices are more work for Altar Guild, and express our appreciation for them as they serve the Lord by serving us.

Some notes about Communion Etiquette:

1.    Please be careful when dipping the Body of Christ into the Blood of Christ. Please do not immerse your fingers.

2.    Should you lose hold of your piece of bread, it is quite appropriate to ask Pastor for another.

3.    Communion servers hold a Purificator (napkin) between you and the chalice (cup;) this is to catch any drips – it’s ok to drip on it, that’s its job.

4.    People have many different customs when receiving communion. Please consider that others are doing what is meaningful to them, just as they consider how their practice impacts those around them. 

5.    There is no “right” response to the words; “The body/blood of Christ given for you” – your heartfelt response is to God alone.

6.    There is no “right” posture or presence; while some receive solemnly, others receive joyfully – your heartfelt posture or presence is to God alone..

 

 

Prayer Request Bulletin Board – If you are in need or someone you care about is in need of prayers, please fill out a prayer request and place it on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Congregation members: please read the prayer requests and prayers for those in need.  

 

Name Tags

What’s up with having to use name tags every week? Everyone knows my name, don’t they?

 Well, we wear them because…

• …it’s an easy way to learn names of those with whom you worship, sing, and eat (communion.)
• …it’s a good way to show a welcoming attitude to all who come here; including guests.
• …it’s healthy to get to know everyone.
• …it’s fun to be called by name.
• …it’s a painless way of participating.
• …it’s amusing to the wait staff when we leave them on when we go out to a meal afterward. They’ll know you went to church and watch your behavior towards them and others – that’s called evangelism.

 So, please give it a try, as pastor likes to say; “As long as no one gets hurt, it’s OK.”

 

St. John's Youth are planning their 2019 mission trip to the Covered Bridge Workcamp in Princeton, IL for a week of fun and serving.  The dates are July 28 to August 3, 2019. The operational partner is Workcamps which is a mission of Group Cares.  At Workcamps, teenagers come together to serve individuals and communities while building strong, long-lasting relationships with their friends and youth leaders.  In six short days, hundreds of teenagers from across the county repair and transform homes. Click here for information about 2019 Covered Bridge Workcamp Mission Trip

  

   

Good news! Our new Lifetouch mobile directory is ready!

Our mobile directory contains contact information for all the families of St. John’s Lutheran Church and is an easy-to-use tool to help you stay connected. PLUS, you will see portraits of all our families that participated in our recent photography event. What a great way to connect names and faces!

To access the mobile directory, call  or email the church office for more information: 815-223-1144 or stjohnsperu1@gmail.com.

 

 

The Blessing Box

In the fall of 2017, Children’s Spiritual Life & Education Committee recommended to Council the idea of a Blessing Box outside the Sunday school entrance which would have food for the needy that could be accessed at all times.  Council approved and the Blessing Box was placed in September 2017.

The fourth Sunday of each month has been designates as “Blessing Box Sunday” and any donations you could bring would be greatly appreciated.  We try to keep it filled with soups, canned meals, instant meals, etc., but are grateful for whatever you can bring.

Some suggestions for donations are individual pasta meals, soup, applesauce, fruit cups, jello, tuna kits, instant potatoes, snack crackers.  Donations may be placed directly into the Blessing Box, in the box near the Sunday school entrance or left in the church office.  Monetary donations are also accepted.