Dear St. John‘s Family, A Wish for each of you at this Holy Season. May the true meaning of Christmas Remain in your heart throughout the The coming year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Jerry

On Saturday morning October 13th the men’s group voted to give the Green Team $200.00 for the purchase of the small freezer. Sure hope each of you can help in some way for our new refrigerator. Starting in November is our annual stewardship program. We all need to Plan for Today and Plan for the Future of St John’s. A constant in the life of the church is the need to be financially stable and able to plan for the future of the congregation’s ministry.

A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR ALL

At Christmas, the world somehow looks more beautiful, love fills our hearts, and life seems more precious.

That's why, at Christmas, this wish comes especially for all of you at St John's. For peace, for love, for joy.

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season

Peace, Jerry

A lesson from geese --

Have you ever wondered why migrating geese fly in a V formation? As with most animal behavior, God had a good reason for including that in their instincts. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation.

Like geese, people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier than those who try to go it alone.

As we start our annual Stewardship Emphasis in November we each need to look towards the future and our part in supporting St. John's.

What is a Steward? A steward is the Manager of the Affairs of God on earth. God has made each of us a Steward and has given us Abilities and Talents that are unique. We should use these abilities and talents to serve God.

What are the Rewards for Stewardship? We Seek No "Rewards" for our stewardship; we do it with the Joy of Serving God. Yet we know that God does reward stewards by filling their needs in life, by giving new opportunities to care, to share, to participate in the wholeness of life.

THANKS, to all of you that attended our Parish Forum. Thank you to Rochelle and Ricky for decorating and setting up and cleaning.

Consider these questions as you go and see what God is doing in St. John's, as it gathers for fellowship and scatters into daily life:
When have you been surprised by generosity?
Where have you served, only to discover you were being served?
What unexpected assets, abilities, opportunities or insights have you discovered in your congregation?
Where have you seen God's abundance in your household, workplace, school, or neighborhood?

Peace, Jerry

Thanks to all who attended and the helpers for another successful tailgate party.

We had 7 men who attended the first meeting of our men's group on Saturday, August 12th. Our next meeting will be September 23rd, 8.00am at 101 Main.

Evangelism can be discouraged by not looking at things in parish life to see how St John's invites people and how it doesn't. We need to take a good look at ourselves, at our facilities, at our worship, at our music and at our strategies. By taking a strong look we can see the potential and the challenges. This examination will allow each of us to consider whether we are as inviting and welcoming as we want to be. Peace, Jerry

Many thanks to all who turned out for our church picnic. Good food and fun had by all. Thanks to Rochelle, Betty and Missy for decorating and setting up.
Thanks to Judy and Andy for the sweet corn and help. Thanks to Mike for getting everything delivered and cooking.

Plan now to attend our tailgate party Wednesday August 9th after the 5:30 p.m. church service. Our Viking special guest this year is number 53, Mick Tingelhoff. All you need to bring is an appetite, lawn chair and your camera. Peace, Jerry

Sr. Warden Report:

Wow! What a fast but eventful year this has been for the vestry of St. John's. Working within a framework of mutual respect, dedication and humor we combined our variety of talents and have achieved most of the goals.

At this time, I would like to personally thank each and every vestry member for the commitment and follow-through I have witnessed at our monthly meetings. As Senior Warden, I could not have asked for a better bunch of people to work with. St. John's is fortunate to have these men and women serving in this capacity and I would appreciate a "thank you" directed their way when you see them next. They include: Mike Kolbinger-Junior Warden, Jan Mickelson, Missy Manderfeld, Jane Kearney, Nickie Van Stelten Ann Taylor-Sundstron, Linda Duckett, Gerry Schneck, and our Treasurer Bill Gray.

Sr. Warden Report:

Many thanks to all who turned out to clean the church grounds. The end results are great and we had a good time in the process.

Just in case you haven't notice the extra amount of light at the bottom of the basement steps, please take time to take it in and then please thank Mike for making the needed improvement. He added more fixtures to the ceiling and really improved the quality of light and sight, many THANKS MIKE - good job!!!

To date we have a few remaining tickets for the Twins/Cubs game on Saturday, June 24. The game starts at 6:10 p.m. and transportation to the done is included in the price of the ticket. The price of a ticket is $19.00 and includes admission, transportation, soft drink and hot dog.