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Pastor's Message | Church News | Announcements & Upcoming
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the Lord
“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” 2 Timothy 1:6-8
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What joy we have in knowing the gift of God! The gift of God in Jesus our Lord and Savior calls us to faith, equips us for every challenge of life and prepares us for life everlasting! This gift of God is ours in baptism, is renewed by the hearing and absorbing of the Word of God and continues to give salvation through the forgiveness of sins in the Lord’s Supper! The gift of God takes shape as we serve Him, as we love our neighbor and as we confess the Christian faith. The gift is on fire at St. John. What joy we have in fanning into flame the gift of God!
SATURDAY WORSHIP - The gift is on fire as we see 80 people (and 310 for the weekend) attend our first Saturday night worship service on April 19! I was surprised! But by all reports people had been looking forward to this service and came away encouraged and inspired by the hearing of God’s Word and the tremendous singing of God’s people! Others are looking forward to future Saturday night services.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY – SPRING TEA – Over 100 women gathered on April 19 around the Word of God to celebrate the “marriage” of the church to Christ and to remember weddings past. May God continue to bless this important ministry!
CONFIRMATION - The gift is on fire as 12 young people “testify about our Lord” at their confirmation! On the April 27th they will read their own personal confession of faith. On May 4th they will confirm for themselves the faith confessed for them at their baptism. These confirmands are: Jordan Armstrong, Ryan Bartels, Meranda Brashears, David Brown, Tyler Brown, Connor Hickey, Kendra Johnson, Greg Lampkins, Samantha Luscher, Rachael Martin, John Mathey, and Jake Schroeder. Please keep these confirmands in your prayers now and in the weeks to come.
FAN INTO FLAME - The gift is on fire as we hear of the worldwide mission of Christ through the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod! What an exciting opportunity to reach out to 100 million new people in the next 10 years for Christ! We look forward to Rev. Keith Haney, Northern Illinois District Mission Facilitator, preach and share the Word of God on April 27. Each of you will have opportunity to make a gift and/or a pledge “above and beyond” your current giving to the Fan into Flame/Ablaze movement. Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to step out in faith by supporting the proclamation of the Word of God across the world. May 11th has been designated as “Commitment Sunday” as we bring our gifts to God for His glory and for His blessing.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL – We thank God for the opportunity to have our children involved in Sunday School this summer beginning the first weekend in June through July. This will an “activity oriented, come when you can” opportunity for our young people to grow in the Word. More info to come.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS CONTINUES through the summer also. We will finish the book of Revelation and then perhaps look at controversial subjects in the Christian faith.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – July 21 – 25 are the dates for another great and fun time to learn about Jesus our Savior. Look for more information about Sunday School and VBS in the weeks to come.
In today’s world we may become complacent and lose sight of the gift of God in His Word but at St. John we have much to be thankful for as we fan into flame His Gift.
In Christ,
Pastor Weinhold
For more information about our church and its programs, please call us at 815-895-4477 or e-mail us at office@stjohnsycamore.org
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