3

Third Weekend of Advent

BULLETIN INSERT Weekend ofDecember 12 & 13, 2015

The MessengerSt. John’s Lutheran Church

2477 West Washington • Springfield, IL 62702(217) 793.3933 • www.stjohns-springfield.org

6

Serving in WorshipStewardship

Outreach and Mission 2016 Calendar CollectionThe Social Ministries Team is collecting your 2016 calendars for Prison Ministries. Please drop them off in the church office!

Queen Size Bed NeededThere is an individual in our community who is in need of a queen size bed and due to financial struggles cannot afford one. If there is anyone who has a spare queen size bed they are wanting to get rid of, please contact Pastor Ladd.

Blood Drive Adopt-a-DayOn Friday, December 18 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. St. John’s is adopting a day at the Central Illinois Community Blood Center. What this means is that everyone is welcome to schedule an appointment by calling 241.7550 or just walking into the Blood Center at 1999 Wabash Avenue to give blood. We invite you to encourage your family and friends to take part in this life saving and life giving opportunity.

United Cerebral Palsy Christmas GiftsWe invite you to make a difference in the lives of one of the UCP residents this Christmas by picking up one of their names from the table in either the narthex or PLC Lobby. Once you have their names you will see some items that they would like for Christmas. We ask you to purchase them something(s) and return your wrapped gift to the church by Sunday, December 20.

Mitten TreeIt’s that time of year when the Christmas trees will be decorated in our homes and at Church. This year you will find a mitten tree in both the narthex and PLC Lobby. These trees are decorated with the mittens, hats, and scarves that you so generously bring in to share with the children of Harvard Park Elementary School, Contact Ministries, and Dubois Elementary School. This year we are asking that you also bring in children size socks to be placed under the tree. We can’t thank you enough for the help you give with this project. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Normajean Sanders at 726.5230.

December Spiritual Gifts OpportunityA little attention gives a big boost to the students at Harvard Park Elementary School. High school juniors and older can work in the classroom with individual students or small groups, in the library, at special events and with teacher projects. Lunchtime mentors can help with homework or just be a friend. Choose which grade you want to work with, what days/times you want to come and for how long. Contact Coordinator of Spiritual Gifts Ministries Kristen Schmid Schurter to find out more about volunteering at Harvard Park or other service opportunities at 793.3933 x203 or ksschurter@stjohns-springfield.org

Thank YouThank you to the 154 disciples who turned in completed Time, Talent and Touch surveys! Your desire to serve is wonderful and we will work hard to be good stewards of your gifts. There is still time to turn in your survey.

Thank You for your Generosity!Thank you to each and every disciple who has already turned in their completed 2016 Financial Pledge Card! We have had a very positive response so far. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! However, it will take all of us working together to be able to afford the calling of a third full-time pastor in 2016. If you have not already done so, please return your completed 2016 Pledge Card as soon as possible. You may place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or drop it by in person! Your generous gift counts!

Gifts for you…God gives all of us unique spiritual gifts to share with others. Do you have a hidden talent for administration, artistry, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, hospitality, intercession, knowledge, leadership, mercy, music, pastoring, service, skilled craft, teaching, wisdom or writing? This quick survey can give you an idea of how you were created to share God’s love: http://bit.ly/ELCAspiritualgifts.

Come and let your hearts be filled with joy this Christmas at St. John’s!

Children’s Christmas ProgramSunday, December 20

10:30 a.m. | PLC

Christmas EveThursday, December 24

3:00 p.m. | PLCPlayful Praise Worship for

Preschoolers and their Families

4:30 p.m. | SanctuaryTraditional Family Service with

Communion and Candle Lighting

7:30 p.m. | PLCContemporary Service with Communion

and Candle Lighting

11:00 p.m. | SanctuaryTraditional Festival Service with

Communion and Candle Lighting

Christmas DayFriday, December 25

10:00 a.m. | SanctuaryFestival Service with Holy Communion

5 p.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeter David Rowland

Ushers Jeanne Dietrich, David Richter

Presiding Ministers Pastor Greg Busboom, Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg8 a.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeters Bob and Jane Ritter

Ushers Bob Borcherding, Michael Bowden, Casey Sheahan, Del Smith, Dick Wieties

Presiding Ministers Pastor Greg Busboom, Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg10:30 a.m. Combined ServiceGreeters Jeff and Barbara Pirmann

Ushers Dennis Bomke, Bonnie Busby, Keith HamannFlower Delivery Rhonda NeubauerPresiding Ministers Pastor Greg Busboom, Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg

Saturday, December 125:00pm Worship/Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 133rd Sunday in Advent8:00am Worship/Christmas Cantata-Sanctuary9:15am Fellowship9:15am Sunday School/Adult Forum10:30am Worship/Christmas Cantata-Sanctuary5:00pm KFC Youth Choir6:00pm Encounter6:00pm Joyseekers

Monday, December 1410:30am Stephen Minister Peer Support4:30pm Preschool Board 5:30pm Personnel Committee7:00pm Finance Committee

Tuesday, December 159:00am Men’s Bible Study9:00am Women’s Bible Study9:00am Staff Meeting1:00pm Adult Ministries Team 6:00pm Preschool Christmas Program

Wednesday, December 1612:00pm Advent Soup and Song1:00pm Friends in Christ at Concordia5:30pm Encounter Band Practice6:00pm Preschool Christmas Program8:00pm Worship Band Practice

Thursday, December 1712:30pm Preschool Christmas Program5:30pm Bells of Glory6:40pm Chancel Choir

Saturday, December 18Blood Drive Adopt-a-Day6:00pm Dual Piano Christmas Program/ Dinner Night Out6:15pm Parenting the Early Years

Saturday, December 189:00am Christmas Program Practice5:00pm Worship/Communion-Sanctuary

Sunday, December 194th Sunday in Advent8:00am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary9:15am Fellowship9:15am Sunday School/Adult Forum10:30am Worship/Communion/ Christmas Program-PLC4:00pm Blue Christmas Service at Atonement6:00pm Parents in Christ Small Group

Eunice Avart, Dorothy Beach, Kathy Beall, Clarence Bomke, Marie Bomke, June Ann Deaner, Marla Fox, Don Gleason, Nathaniel Harney, Bud Herter, Evelyn Kluckman, Keith Larson, Mark Lohnes, Betty Lunik, Connie Marzinzik, Judy Nika, Sheldon Nordstrom, Terry Pencek, Gene Poehlman, LaMarcus Pool, Priscilla Rademaker, Debbie Renner, Tom Ryan, Liz Saner, Pat Sriner, Sandra Stoye, Bill Stuemke, Maude Tatman, JoAnn Thrasher

Welcome to St. John’s Lutheran Church this third weekend in Advent as we share together in our Christmas Cantata Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria! We are glad you are here! If you do not yet have a church home in Springfield and are interested in becoming part of St. John’s, we invite you to visit with one of our pastors. The coming of Jesus at Christmas is good news - and cause for exultation - for us who are being saved. In anticipation of Christ’s coming among us, we worship together with great joy!

Encounter - “Least of These”THIS Sunday, December 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All 7th-12th graders and friends are welcome to join in worship, fun, and community as we have our second lesson on poverty. This week Pastor Greg will lead us in discussion as we ask, “Where is God?” When we look at how God spoke to His people, Israel, we see a God who was deeply concerned about the plight of the poor. All throughout the Old Testament, we learn that God heard the cries of those in need. He knew of their struggles. And He went the extra mile to help His children understand that their attitude toward the poor should be the same as His. We are called to share God’s concern for the poor. We cannot separate our discipleship from our love for the “least of these.” No Encounter on December 27. Encounter will resume on January 10.

UCP Christmas Gift Shopping - Wednesday, December 16There will be NO Wednesday night Bible Study this week! Instead, join us at Target from 6:00-7:30 p.m. as we shop for 10 UCP friends! We will be purchasing Christmas gifts, wrapping them, and then discussing the upcoming January Youth Service and enjoying hot chocolate at Starbucks! Please bring $$ for Starbucks!

Senior High Sweet 16 Dance PartySunday, January 36:00 p.m. - Dinner at Chili’s on 2891 South Veterans8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Dance Party in PLC featuring DJ Diabeats (Noah Schlosser!)Come wearing New Year’s gear and be ready to DANCE!

Why is Grace So Amazing?Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday morning from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Parlor for the Adult Forum as we explore the question, “Why is Grace So Amazing?” Pastor Greg, Pastor Ladd, and St. John’s disciple Reggie Wagner co-lead this engaging Bible study looking at key texts that help us more fully understand this core teaching of our Lutheran faith. All are welcome!

Men and Women’s Bible Study continue every Tuesday morning at9:00 a.m. The women meet in the Adult Meeting Room with Marilyn Witkop and the men meet in the Parlor with George Lambert. Please feel welcome. Classes will not be held on December 22 or December 29 but will resume on January 5.

Knitting and Crocheting Ministries meet every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Life Center Lobby. If you are wanting to learn, they will help you and if you need yarn, they have some for you to use. Call Lynne Ewan at 546.9632 and she will answer any questions you may have. DISHCLOTHS ARE NEEDED AT THE PRESENT TIME!!!!

Dinner and a ShowFriday, December 18 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, we have tickets for the Dual Piano Christmas Program with Mark Gifford and Damien Kaplen. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. for $15.00 and the program will be at 7:30 p.m. for $14.00. Those who enjoyed this duo at their Lemonade in the Lobby performance will not want to miss this special holiday program. Call Loretta Johnson at 546.8233 or Mary Lou Booker at 546.2422.

The altar flowers are given to the glory of God by the disciples of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Altar Flowers

Welcome

Calendar

Discipleship Adult

Discipleship Youth and Family

Remember in Prayer

GRACE FOODPANTRY500CLUB

DecemberFood Item:

Canned Fruit

4

Discipleship Children and FamilyKey Verse for December“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Key verse magnets are at the Welcome Centers. Please share them with a friend!

It’s Almost Time For Our Christmas Program! Saturday, December 19, 9:00-11:00 a.m. in Parish Life Center: required rehearsal for all children. Families, please bring 2 dozen cookies on Saturday morning for a cookie reception on Sunday, December 20. Sunday, December 20, all children will meet in the Parish Life Center at 9:15 a.m. for rehearsal. Contact Alicia Huntley, Carla Wilson, Kate Baima, or Kathy Lasley if you need help or have any questions.

Christmas in the NurseryIf you would like to shop for our St. John’s nursery this Christmas, a “wish list” is posted outside of the nursery door. Please speak to our nursery staff if you have any questions about the requested items. Thank you!

Baptismal Blanket Tie Party!Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 29. We will meet in the Parish Life Center Lobby at 10:00 a.m. to cut and tie blankets for our Baptismal gift bags. Donations of fleece are also needed. Please bring fabric in a minimum of two yard lengths all of the same color or two coordinating colors. Fabric can be brought to church any time and labelled “Baptismal blankets.” If you have fabric scissors and/or electric scissors, please bring them on December 29. Contact Aimee Johnson or Maressa Busboom if you have any questions. Thank you!

Preschool 25th Anniversary CommemorationTo help celebrate the 25th anniversary of our St. John’s Preschool, we are creating a Wall of Art. Alumni and friends of the preschool may purchase a personalized commemorative tile to be included in the permanent display. Tiles are $50 each. Order forms are available at the Welcome Centers or from the preschool office. All proceeds will benefit the playground refurbishment project. Orders are due by December 15.

52

A special thank you to all those participating in this year’s Christmas Cantata, including the vocalists, instrumentalists, and readers. Special thanks also to David Brent for providing the special lighting for this weekend’s services. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us as we celebrate the coming of Christ into our hearts this Christmas.

Thank You

Stephen Ministry... people caring about people, if you are interested in talking with a Stephen Minister, please contact one of the Pastors at (217) 793.3933.

Worship and Music Advent Soup and Song - Join us for homemade soup, dessert, and a concert this coming Wednesday, December 16 for our final Advent Soup and Song of the season as we welcome the Jane Hartman Trio! Lunch begins at noon and the concert is from 12:15-12:45 p.m. Bring a friend!

Christmas Eve Prelude Concerts - Our tradition at St. John’s is to invite disciples to share their musical gifts as part of a prelude concert before the 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship services.If you or your child would like to sing or play during any of the half hour concerts, please contact Royce Hubert by December 15. The concerts will begin at 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. respectively. Christie Lazarides Purdy will coordinate the 7:00 p.m. prelude concert and Royce Hubert will coordinate the 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. prelude concerts.

Children’s Christmas Program - All are invited to join us next Sunday, December 20 at our combined 10:30 worship service in the Parish Life Center as the children of St. John’s share with us their annual Christmas program. Come and be reminded of the true meaning of the season as God’s children share with us the good news of Jesus’ birth in both story and song.

Blue Christmas Worship Service - The pastors of the ELCA Springfield Cluster congregations will once again host a Blue Christmas Worship Service on Sunday, December 20 at 4:00 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church (2800 West Jefferson Street, Springfield). This service is designed for all those who are grieving loss of any kind during this holiday season. This service is made up of a combination of music, prayers, Scripture readings, short reflections, candle lighting, and communion so that all may experience the hope and comfort that comes in the coming of the Christ Child.

Christmas Worship at St. John’s - Come and worship Christ this Christmas here at St. John’s on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Worship times are as follows:Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24)3:00 p.m. (Parish Life Center)Playful Praise Worship designed especially for preschoolers and families4:30 p.m. (Sanctuary)Traditional Family Service of Communion and Candle Lighting7:30 p.m. (Parish Life Center)Contemporary Service of Communion and Candle Lighting11:00 p.m. (Sanctuary)Traditional Festival Service of Communion and Candle LightingChristmas Day (Friday, December 25)10:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)Festival Service of Holy CommunionCome and join us as our hearts are filled with the joy at the coming of the Christ-child!