December 15 & 16 2018
 
HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated this weekend in the Church with individual cups. Here at St. John Lutheran Church, we believe, teach and confess that the bread and wine we eat and drink at Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus. Jesus is truly present in this meal giving us the benefits He won for us on the cross: forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Holy Communion is also a meal that expresses unity in faith and belief among those who partake in it. Because of this, and because those who eat and drink unworthily do so to their great harm, we ask those of you with us who are guests and visitors to this church to please speak to one of the pastors or elders before communing. Please leave the grape juice for those with special medical needs and have spoken to pastors. Thank you and may God bless you in worship today!
 
 THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given in loving memory of Tony Homan, given by Shirley Homan.
 
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – We are having a congregational meeting on Sunday, December 23 at 2:00p.m.  At this meeting we will decide on one of two candidates the Call Committee has suggested. The congregation will vote on the Pastor that would best fit our needs at St. John. Please plan to attend.
 

CHRISTMAS VACATION – The last day of school for the 2018 year is December 20th! It doesn’t seem possible.  School will resume on January 3rd.  The Tigers Den will be open for your child care needs.  It will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. REGISTRATION FOR 2019 – 2020 SCHOOL YEAR – Registration for next year begins January 18 for current students and members.  If you are interested in our school, K – 8 or preschool information will be outside the school office the 1st of January.  

ANGEL TREE – Our Angel Tree deliveries will be on Sunday Dec. 16, 2018.  We will provide a light lunch at noon and deliveries start at 1:00 p.m.  Please join us in sharing the joys that these gifts bring. Sign up on the youth bulletin board or let Angie Morris or Jenny George know if you can help. A big Thank you to all those that donated gifts and money to support the Prison Fellowship ministries.
 

CHRISTIAN CRAFTERS The Christian Crafters will meet Thursday, December 20 at 2:00 until 4:30 p.m. Bring your knitting, stitching or other projects and spend some time with other crafters, everyone is welcome.   RMD ISSUES (Required Minimum Distribution for IRA’s) – If you own an IRA and you’re over 70 1/2 years old you must take out an amount each year based on your life expectancy. This is the required minimum distribution (RMD). If you find yourself short of the RMD our Endowment Fund has a suggestion. You can instruct your custodian bank or brokerage company to distribute the shortage directly to the SJL Endowment Fund. This will avoid the underpayment penalty and taxation plus meet the RMD. It also allows you to leave a permanent legacy to your church. Our Fund has distributed over $500,000 for various church and school needs over the years while striving to preserve principle. Dave Memmer, Endowment Committee   MEIJER’S TO FEATURE ST. JOHN FOOD PANTRY You still have time till December 29 for their Simply Give program November 18 to December 29. Thank you for supporting St. John Food Pantry.  You may pick up cards at the church office or at Meijer’s when you check out during this Simply Give program.   HERE WE GO A CAROLING – Caroling is scheduled for Sunday, December 16, 3:00-5:00 p.m.  Young and old are invited to join us.  Mark your calendars.  Please call the church office at 419-782-5766 or email sjl@defnet.com if you are interested in joining us. More details later.  

ALTAR FLOWERS – are still needed for Dec 22/23 of this year. We are also filling 2019 dates for Altar Flowers. Dates available for January are:  Jan 5/6, 12/13, and 19/20.  The cost is $18.00 per Sunday.  Checks should be written to Kirchers Flowers and returned to the church office.
 

THE “ANGELS OF CHIRSTMAS” – The Senior Choir is inviting you to the Candlelight Service on Dec 22 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec 24 at 10:30 p.m. Come and worship our King! Other family candlelight services are at 3:30, 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. on Dec 24.  All worship services are on our web page.

 

GOD WITH US  – The Advent series focuses on the ways in which God is with us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wednesday, December 19 – 1:00 & 7:30 p.m. Week 3:  Our Living Branch (Isaiah 11:1):  God is with us as our  living branch who died and rose to give us eternal life.

 
Dec. 8 & 9,  2018
 
6:30 p .m.  51
8:00 a.m.  54
9:30 a.m.  107
11:00 a.m.  71
        Total:  283