SERMON: by Pastor Kurt Mews
based on the text: Luke 10:25-37
ALTAR FLOWERS
The altar flowers are given by Jerry and Nancy Call In celebration of Wilhem & Abby Weissheimer’s anniversary on November 11th.
2026 ALTAR FLOWERS
We still have one weekend in December open for 2025. If you are interested in signing up for the altar flowers for (in) 2026 please contact Krystle. After speaking with Kirchers, the price will be increased to $25.00 a week.
BLUE CHRISTMAS
St. John Lutheran Church will be offering a Blue Christmas service during the Advent season. Blue Christmas is traditionally held on December 21st (which is the longest night of the year) to symbolize the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss. For some, the Christmas season can be one filled with joy and cheer, but for others, Christmas can be a painful reminder that the world is still deeply broken and longing for Jesus to come again. We grieve with those who have lost jobs and relationships. We mourn with those who have seen dreams deferred and celebrations canceled. We take time this Advent season to approach God in our sorrow, knowing we have a Savior who says, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NIV). We are planning a Blue Christmas service on Tuesday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 419-782-5766.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The new church office hours are from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The building will be locked before and after these designated hours.
CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Congregational Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. The menu consists of chicken breast w/honey sauce, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, tossed salad, applesauce and cottage cheese, and an assortment of pies. If you would like to sign up, there are flyers in the cafeteria. Please drop your RSVP in the designated box in the cafeteria.
POINSETTIA FLOWER ORDERS
Please see the flyer included in this week’s bulletin. Poinsettias will decorate the church during the Christmas services. Proceeds will benefit the Angel Tree Project. Fill in the order form and drop it off in the church office or in the designated box in the narthex. Please make checks payable to St. John Lutheran Church.
SPECIAL INVITATION OR MESSAGE
During the month of November the St. John Lutheran Food Pantry will be distributing Thanksgiving food items to the clients who visit the food pantry.
If you or your children would like to color or share the message of Jesus Christ with the food pantry clients please drop off your invitations and/or messages as soon as possible. Each food pantry client will receive an invitation to attend our church services. Thank you for sharing Jesus Christ with others.
CLOTHES CLOSET
The St. John Lutheran Clothes Closet is looking for volunteers to work on Thursdays and Fridays If you can even serve for a few hours, please contact Nancy Eickenberg at 419.785.4269 or Linda Hageman at 419.439.3284.
THE MARVEL & MIRACLE OF ADVENT
The Marvel & Miracle of Advent, by Christine Cane & Lisa Harper is being offered multiple times throughout the week. If interested in attending, check the hallway and sign up on the sheet across from the lunchroom.
ACT (ADULT CROSS TRAINING STUDY) ADVENT STUDY
“Have you ever received everything you wanted for Christmas?” This is the question Lisa Harper asks us in the introduction to our 2025 Advent Series “The Marvel and Miracle of Advent”. Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Adult Ed A classroom as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus as our Savior. Our discussions will continue on December 3 and 17. All are welcome to join us for this exciting preparation for Jesus’ birth. Other classes are forming for this special Bible study. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the bulletin board across from the cafeteria.
PULLED PORK THANK YOU
Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Thank you to everyone who made a donation or purchased a ticket(s) for our pulled pork dinner. Because of you, 41 Defiance County children will be able to Shop With a Cop on December 9 or 10 at Walmart. It warms our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver!
– Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
PRISON FELLOWSHIP ANGEL TREE MINISTRY
Prison Fellowship® partners with churches to deliver a Christmas gift and personal message to local children on behalf of their incarcerated parent through Angel Tree. A simple gift could spark hope and healing for families and become the launching point for relationships between local families and your church. Christmas is just the beginning. Engaging with Angel Tree families year-round can be as simple as inviting them to participate in programs and events your church is already offering, including small groups, Vacation Bible School, holiday services, and summer camps. We will soon be organizing our Angel Tree for this Christmas season. Please contact Tami Rohlf at 419.438.5860 if you are interested in serving with our Angel Tree ministry team.
LENTEN MEALS
As we are preparing the 2026 calendar, and with the Epistles getting printed bi-monthly now, we would like to get your group scheduled for the Lenten meals. Please contact the church office at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
GREETERS NEEDED
We are looking for greeters to serve at our church services. We are especially in need of members who can greet at the 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. church services. If you attend one service on a regular basis, could you serve as a greeter prior to that service at least once per month? If interested, please call Debbie Wagner in the church office.
WHO BROKE MY CHURCH?
The “Who Broke My Church?” book study has been postponed until March 12, 2026.
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The Joy of Sharing God’s Blessings
ATTENDANCE CHURCH SERVICES
November 8 47 5:30 PM
November 9 98 9:00 AM
TOTAL: 191