october 3-4, 2020… · connection for listings of various groups that may be starting up. sunday...
TRANSCRIPT
October 3-4, 2020
EPISTLE READING: Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. GOSPLE READING: Luke 11:1-10 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say: “’Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Week of October 4, 2020
It has been a very difficult and challenging year. Yet considering all the ways we might respond in the face of it as God’s redeemed people, perhaps the most important way is by engaging in fervent prayer.
But how?
While we have often been taught that prayer is important, very few of us have received instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful.
With this in mind, our St. John family is engaged in a six-week study series simply called PRAYER. It has three components:
WORSHIP - Each weekend’s sermon message shared through onsite and online worship (see full schedule below) introduces a different aspect of Biblical prayer with opportunities and challenges to put it into practice throughout the week.
READ - Each St. John family has a copy of PRAYER, a book by Timothy Keller with suggested readings for each week of the series. If you haven’t received your copy, please contact the pastoral office at 248-402-8020 or [email protected].
STUDY - Each week throughout the series, a brief devotional video is released by our pastoral team as an encouragement to help go even deeper into each week’s sermon message and reading focus. In addition, on Fridays an accompanying Bible study discussion resource is shared (via email and on our website) to accompany the following week’s series readings. Use this study resource personally, in your family, or small group to engage with God’s Word and put the gift of prayer into practice. All resources for the PRAYER series are available at stjohnrochester.org/prayer-series.
MODERN PRAISE (gymnasium)
Onsite: Saturday @ 5:00PM | Sunday @ 10:45AM Online: Facebook Live @ 10:45AM. A recording of this service will also be added to the Online Worship Resources page as soon as available.
TRADITIONAL PRAISE (sanctuary) Onsite: Sunday @ 8:00AM | 9:30AM | 11:00AM
Online: Facebook Live @ 8:00AM. A recording of this service will also be added to the Online Worship Resources page as soon as available.
Our Nursery is now open during 9:30 AM worship.
THE WEEKLY CONNECTION ONE IN JESUS…REACHING MANY!
WORSHIP CELEBRATION
All those planning to worship onsite are asked to please review and follow the precautions and procedures listed on our website at https://www.stjohnrochester.org/regathering-guidelines/. These guidelines will continue to be an important part of our St. John family walk together in the love of our Savior and for each other and our neighbors.
HOLY BAPTISM – This Sunday after the 11:00 AM Traditional Praise service, we celebrate the baptism of Elise Christie Beauregard, son of Jeff Beauregard and Sarah Hillegonds. May God richly bless Elise and her family!
NEW ONSITE BIBLE STUDY INFORMATION – This past week we learned the welcome news that the governor’s most recent executive orders include allowance for groups larger than 10 to begin meeting indoors, provided there is proper distancing, masks are worn, and room capacities are within certain guidelines. This new order takes effect on Friday, October 9, which means that we will be able to accommodate indoor groups of more than 10, beginning on that date. Watch the calendar in the Connection for listings of various groups that may be starting up. SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS will begin next Sunday, October 11 at 9:30 AM in Concordia Hall on the lower level. Class will be limited to 32 people, wearing masks and at tables with social distancing. The class will resume The Truth Project study, which was the topic pre-COVID. All are welcome! CONFIRMATION: Confirmation classes for non-day school students start TODAY (Sunday) in the Youth Room or on Zoom. If you have not yet registered, please contact Steve Wilson, Director of Child and Family Ministry, at [email protected] or 248-402-8006. VISUAL FAITH - It’s time to meet up again in His name. The Visual Faith - Metro Detroit fellowship will meet on Saturday, October 10, 1:00-4:00 PM in Concordia Hall. We will have a limited number of participants, observe appropriate distancing, and masks will be required. RSVP is also required so that you receive additional details. For more information or to reserve your spot, please email Candi Schwark at [email protected].
STAFF UPDATE – Please join in welcoming Ms. Shea Burgeson to our school faculty as one of our Learning Center teachers. Shea is employed by Lutheran Special Education Ministries and is now assigned to St. John on a full-time basis. She brings valuable experience in both classroom teaching and ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching. Shea is originally from Metamora and now lives in Lake Orion. She is engaged to be married, and we look forward to meeting her fiancé Joel soon. We welcome Shea to the St. John staff!
BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
SHARED LIFE
STEPHEN MINISTRY - Are you walking through a desert time of life? Divorce, grief, job loss...There are fellow believers who want to come alongside you, to listen, be present and pray with you. You don’t have to journey through this difficult time alone. Stephen Ministers are trained to come alongside hurting people. If you are interested in having a Stephen Minister, please contact Tom Rowe at 248-420-1248 or Catherine Lick at 586-337-0023.
GRIEFSHARE – If you are mourning the death of a loved one, we invite you to join with others who understand and care. You do not have to take this journey alone. We are here to walk with you. GriefShare is a Bible based support group offering videos, workbooks and discussion.
While we are not currently able to meet together on the St. John campus due to COVID-19, we do want you to be aware of the excellent resources available to all at www.GriefShare.org. You may want to set up a login to take full advantage of all that this free website has to offer. Daily emails are available to support the grieving process, along with other valuable information. As always, St. John GriefShare leaders are also available for one-on-one support. Please call Linda Baroli 248-895-0310, Joanne Curran 248-877-7309, or Marlene Leinberger 586-365-8870.
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL NEWS Students have been enjoying outdoor playground time while the weather has been so nice. St. John has a Preschool & Young 5's playground, and a Kindergarten to 8th grade playground. This year, students visit the playground by cohort, and middle school has a rotation schedule. While on the playground, students are not required to wear masks.
The school year theme this year is Under the Big Top of Faith, based on 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Join us for weekly chapel! All are welcome to watch chapel each week, shared live on Facebook, @StJohnRochester, at 8:37 AM on Wednesdays.
St. John Lutheran School offers Preschool to 8th grade, and is accredited by Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools and National Lutheran School Accreditation. Preschool & Care Rooms are licensed by the state of Michigan. At St. John, we teach, train and nurture each child of God. For more information about our program, visit stjohnrochester.org/school or contact Beth Dameron, Director of Admissions, at [email protected].
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
SUNDAY SCHOOL 2020-2021: In our desire to help keep students as safe as possible, we are now doing an online version of Sunday School for kids until at least January 2021. A weekly video is emailed out to those who have registered for it. This will look like a chapel type of experience for kids to watch with you as a family. We also have activities you can do at home if interested. It’s not too late to sign up for online Sunday School! Just follow the link to register. rebrand.ly/SS2020-2021 LIGHTHOUSE, our Middle School Youth Ministry, will begin meeting in the gym for fellowship, fun, and time in the Word, on Sunday, November 1, 6:00-8:00 PM. Mark your calendar and plan to join us!
TRUNK OR TREAT - DRIVE THRU! Save the Date for the annual St. John Trunk or Treat, to be held Sunday, October 18, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM on our campus. This year, in order to accommodate safe distancing gathering requirements, we will host Trunk or Treat in a drive-thru format. You will remain in your vehicle, and you will drive by the decorated trunks, with trunk hosts providing candy and trinkets. Allergy aware items will be provided as well. Join us for a fun event, and invite your friends
and neighbors! If you are interested in hosting a trunk or helping with the event, please contact Steve Wilson, [email protected] or Beth Dameron, [email protected].
We also welcome donations of individually wrapped assorted candy. Candy can be dropped off at the Main Office (M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) or left outside the Main Office when you come for weekend worship. Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping make this event special for the families!
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH Tonight (Sunday) we will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Prayer Garden outside for Part Three: Learning Prayer. Looking forward to seeing you all!
On October 25, we will have a “Welcome Freshmen” bonfire at Mrs. Hammett’s house from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Everyone in youth group is encouraged to attend for dinner and s’mores! We will be blessed by a very special
speaker giving the devotion. Mark your calendar! ~Melissa Hammett, Director of High School Youth Ministry, [email protected].
ONE LEGACY INITIATIVE UPDATE
As previously mentioned, Phase 2 construction work has been paused. In the meantime, some remaining Phase I work continues this fall. The major roofing project has been completed and gutter installation is starting. Landscaping in the back areas of our campus, as well as some curb work, will soon begin. Front landscaping and final paving will be done
next year when conditions are optimal. Please continue to pray for the Lord’s leading in all of this as we seek to be wise and responsible with the blessings of God.
As we continue to receive ONE Legacy Initiative gifts, we praise God for the ongoing generosity of His people! Every dollar given is a dollar less needed to borrow from our lender. Thank you so much for your faithful and sacrificial (over-and-above your regular offering) giving to the ONE Legacy Initiative! The final stretch of the three year pledge period was set to conclude in November; however, we have extended it to through to the end of December.
ONE LEGACY INITIATIVE As of 9/27/20 Amount pledged………………………………..$3,526,723.00
As of 9/27/20 Amount received…………… …………....….....$2,592,266.95 FINANCIAL UPDATE: HOW ARE WE DOING? These are difficult times and we know some of our families are struggling while others are holding steady. Through ongoing up and down weeks of offering levels, as a family we continue to have much to be grateful for! Thank you so much for your faithful giving!
GENERAL MISSION & MINISTRY OFFERINGS Offerings for week ending September 27………..…..............$34,943.00 As of 9/27/20 Y.T.D. Budgeted Offerings : $ 536,000.00 As of 9/27/20 Y.T.D. Actual Offerings: $ 548,829.91 As of 9/27/20 Y.T.D. Variance to Budget: $ 12,829.91
(St. John’s fiscal year is 7/1/20 through 6/30/21.)
Budget to Actual (Week of September 27) = 72.8% Year-to-Date Offering Budget to Actual = 102.4%
As in all things we need to continue praying, “Lord, what would you have us do” and “cheerfully” respond. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) Thank you beyond words for doing so in amazing ways, St. John family!
SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY
PLEASE KEEP RESPONDING WITH YOUR GIFTS! Your continued financial support and partnership is critically needed and appreciated now more than ever in the present new reality we all face together. The opportunities to share the eternal love of Jesus through ongoing ministry within our community are only increasing in these days. We know times are difficult for many, but if you are prayerfully able to step forward for those who can't, please do so.
There are 3 simple ways to continue giving to the Lord's ongoing work through the ministry of St. John Lutheran Church & School.
Give through your bank.
Give with your St. John offering envelope.
Give electronically.
For details and further information on the various ways to give, visit our website at https://www.stjohnrochester.org/celebrate/giving-options/.
MISSION PARTNER UPDATE - What a great God we serve! The Lord has been so faithful to our Mission Partners through the use of His people here at St. John. Our Mission Partner, East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit and Pastor Asaph James, has extended thanks to St. John for the continued support and partnership. St. John recently helped with replacement of a leaking roof in the East Bethlehem sanctuary and some electrical upgrades that now allow the ministry to continue safely. We are so blessed by the opportunity to be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ!
CLICK TO SHARE THE ETERNAL LOVE OF JESUS! Did you know it’s actually really easy to pass along sermon messages to family, friends, neighbors and coworkers? Simply visit our St. John website and visit the sermon message archive. From there, click to share video or audio of any message via email, Facebook, Messenger, etc.
WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR WHATEVER IS ON YOUR HEART. To submit a prayer request, please text or email it to [email protected] at any time or click on one of the prayer request links on our Online Worship Resources webpage. These requests are received by our pastors and are passed along when requested to be included in the weekly prayer list that is sent out to our prayer warriors and included in weekend worship.
COMPASSIONATE SERVICE
RELATIONAL WITNESS
CONSTANT PRAYER
THIS WEEK: Thanksgiving: George & Irma Flemming - 50 years of marriage / Baptism of Elise Christie Beauregard, daughter of Jeff Beauregard and Sarah Hillegonds Hope & Guidance: Our new series on Prayer – blessings on readings – online groups – our leading as a people in a strengthened prayer life – impact of the Gospel / Current One Class Healing & Peace: Paul Kienman – knee replacement / Judy Bradley – medical procedure / Sandy Tomlinson (friend of Judy Bradley) – cancer recurrence / David (brother of Myron Lick) – open heart surgery / Roy Kaiser / Brad Miller – in need of heart transplant / Gail Whitney - hip replacement / Cal (grandson of Carol Johnston) – knee replacement / Lois Miller (Roger Miller's sister-in-law & Sandy Carr's stepmom) - heart valve replacement / Matthew Hammett’s father
LAST WEEK: Thanksgiving: Birth of Madelyn Grace to Jennifer (Willner) & Steve Carlton (granddaughter of Chris & Sue Willner) / Birth of Everett Maurice Nicholas to Renee & Trevor Nicholas (grandson of Myron & Catherine Lick) / Baptisms of Wesley Andrew Kidder, son of Andrew & Alyssa, and Brinley Bea Klida, daughter of Jeffrey & Cathy Healing & Peace: Mallory (daughter of Carol Schirr) and Dustin for a healthy successful pregnancy and delivery / Jordan (niece of Carol Schirr) and Seth for a healthy successful pregnancy and delivery / Carol Wilkins (mother of Yvonne Prokes) – COVID / Curtis Reynolds – heart attack / Paul Briggs – thanksgiving for full recovery from COVID Bereavement: – “for the family & friends of:” Jane Trinklein (sister-in-law of Tim & Linda Emeigh and aunt of Sarah Bess)
PRIOR WEEK: Thanksgiving: Baptism of Ella Grace Balent daughter of Bill & Bailee / Ginny Schmidt’s birthday / Wedding of Alex Behounek & Alyssa Spencer last Saturday Hope & Guidance: Cindy Barnett & Hayse Bradley (daughter & grandson of Judy Bradley) – protection from wildfires & hurricanes / Nancy – calm & strength / Jacob Rose - direction Healing & Peace: Roger Miller – recovering from procedure / John – cancer treatment / Julie – broken hand / Dave – recovering from back surgery / Ryan Jankovich – pain management / Debra Jankovich – broken toes / Morgan Jankovich – high risk pregnancy / David Nelson (brother of Gary) – hospitalized for infection & heart condition / Jill (daughter of Henry & Mailynn Meyer) – hip replacement Bereavement: – “for the family & friends of:” Robert Miller / Tom Dameron (Tim's uncle) / George (Chuck Bartley's brother)
ON GOING: Church Work Students: Abby Schwichtenberg / Mackensi Wilson Those in Military Service: Mark Anderson / Aaron Byers / Devin Deck / Tyler Doebler / Troy Glover / Alex Holzke / Earle Leighton IV / Alex Lindsay / Erich Mammen / Matthew Neumeyer / Adam & Tina Novack / John Paulson / Michael Pesamoska / Vance Kernes / Christian Petty / AJ Sampson / Jon Taykowski / Jonah Toy / Brad Ziegler / Kayla Pfund / Tim Pfund / Austin Wheeler Wells / Bryan Mullins / Tyler Wetzel / Joey Prokes / Jack Sinko Pregnancy: Heather (Harker) Sanders / Allie (Grafe) Genova / Morgan Jankovich / Sarah Bartley / Claire Wellhousen / Ryann Foley / Mallory (daughter of Carol Schirr) / Jordan (niece of Carol Schirr)
Home Bound or Nursing Home Residents: Dan Albertson / Vernette Wendler / Henry & Helen Lind / Gloria Trudeau / Wanda DeLorme / Frances Schuessler / Roy & Joann Juhl / Marlys Koch / Jack & Ella Pierce / Lucille Hagemann / Linda Madson / Jim Madson
OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM Traditional Praise Worship – Church Sanctuary 9:30 AM Traditional Praise Worship – Church Sanctuary 10:45 AM Modern Praise Worship – Gymnasium 11:00 AM Traditional Praise Worship – Church Sanctuary 6:00 PM High School Youth Bible Study – Prayer Garden
Monday 7:00 PM The ONE Class – Online
Tuesday 6:30 PM American Heritage Girls – Room 101 and Outdoors
Wednesday 8:37 AM School Chapel – Live Streamed on Facebook Live 1:00 PM Book of James, Leader Study – Church Library
Thursday 10:00 AM Men’s Small Group (Fedototszkin) – Room 101
Friday 8:00 AM LCEF Stamp Sales – Atrium 7:00 PM Friday Night Bible Study – Luther Hall
Saturday 1:00 PM Visual Faith – Concordia Hall 3:00 PM Saturday Afternoon Bible Study – Luther Hall 5:00 PM Modern Praise Worship – Gymnasium
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN
Weekend Worship Celebration Schedule
Traditional Praise: Sundays @ 8:00 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE),
9:30 AM & 11:00 AM
Modern Praise: Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 10:45 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE)
1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | 248.402.8000 | stjohnrochester.org