St. John s Epistle. January 2018

Transcription

1 St. John s Epistle January 2018 A Newsletter of St. John s Lutheran Church LCMS 515 College Ave. W. Ladysmith, WI stjohnladysmith@centurylink.net

2 2 Arise, Shine! Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1-2) The other night as I tried to catch a walleye in the dark I focused on my fish locator. As I sat in the tent, I watched the bright red and green colors of my Vexilar blinking. The colors were so beautiful. Then out of nowhere a red dot came from the bottom of the lake, swam up to my bait, but didn t bite it. As quick as the fish came up from the bottom, it went back down. I thought to myself, I m sure glad our Lord isn t like that. In Matthew s Gospel, the Wise men saw the light of the star as they journeyed to Bethlehem to see Jesus. Those same words speak to all of us as we look at all the Christmas lights this season. Jesus, our Lord, is the Light of the world for everyone to see. He come to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and makes us His own. He even tells us that He will be with us always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20b) Isaiah wrote, For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. (Isaiah 60:2) Israel had lived in the darkness of rebellion and ended up in the darkness of heathen Babylon. Today, it is the same in our world. We suffer from sin, which tries to extinguish the marvelous light of Jesus Christ our Lord. How can we arise and shine? How can we stay out of the darkness? The answer is, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep your face turned toward Jesus Christ. God shone in this dark world by sending His Son Jesus Christ. In the darkness of Good Friday, Jesus, the Light of the world could not be extinguished. He went to the cross and died for your sins, but death did not prevail. Jesus rose from the dead and continues to shine brightly in your life. His Word and Sacraments illumine you. Drawing on the light every day, God will shine through you with the light of His Son. In His Service, Pastor Craig S Zandi

3 What Luther says; Therefore the reason why all men do not accept Christianity is to be found, not in Christianity but in man himself. The fact that Christianity is still the religion of only a minority of mankind casts no suspicion whatever on its divine origin and claims, says Luther in his comments on John 1:9. The fact that not all, nay, that but a minority of human beings are enlightened is not the fault of the Light, or our Lord Jesus Christ. For He is called and is indeed the Light of the world and of all people and is also constantly sending forth His light. Moreover, God ordained Him to do so, as He says by the prophet Isaiah: It is a light thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved Israel; I will also give Thee for Light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My Salvation unto the end of the earth (49:6). This promise began to be fulfilled rapidly in the early apostolic age (Acts 13). For the Gospel resounded throughout the expanse of the heavens and sent forth its light and radiance not only to those who were Christ s own, that is, to the Jews, to whom it had been promised and from whose fathers Christ came according to the flesh, but also to all the world. But the Light does not lose its name and honor because not all have accepted it or not all accept it now. The Light (he said above, John 1:5) shines in the darkness, that is, in all the world, which without the Light is simply stoneblind, nay, is utter darkness in matters pertaining to God; but the darkness comprehended it not. The fault then does not lie with the Light, but with those who are unwilling to accept it, who, in fact, love the darkness more than the Light (as Christ says, John 3:19). How can the dear sun help it if I close my eyes and do not want to see its light or hide myself in the earth when it beams and shines? (WLS 252,253) 3

4 4 ASSISTING FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY Acolytes: Ushers Altar Guild: Dave and Jamie Werner Finance: Joanne Phetteplace & Stu Pask Fellowship: Elders & Church Officers Worship Assistants for January Sunday Services at 9AM Sunday, Jan 7 Elder: Mark Grabowski Greeters: Ushers: Team 5: Jim Kuchta, Captain, Gary Drohman, Don Josi, Dave Thompson, Russ Thompson Sunday, Jan 14 Caring & Sharing Sunday, Jan 21 LWML Mites Ingathering Elder: Randy Scott Greeters: Janice Zandi Ushers: Team 1: Dave Scott, Captain, Dave Kuchta, Jordan Pask, Vic Plockelman Elder: Alden Hook Greeters: Ushers: Team 2: Gary Hahn, Glen Hoople, Dave Kmosena, Mike Kuchta, Stu Pask, Jim Rodd Sunday, Jan 28 Elder: Sam Barg Charity of the Greeters: Sam & Shelly Barg Month Ushers: Team 3: Dennis Flater, Captain, Bob Hauser, Alden Hook, Bill Myers

5 5 Preschool News Our December Bible lessons focused on the coming of Jesus. Our Christmas Program was a great success! IN January, we will learn about winter and hibernation. Our letters will be N-P with some reviewing of the letters we have already learned. Our Bible lessons will be about the Shepherds worshipping Jesus and Jesus growing up. We love playing outside in the snow! We pray every day for more snow so we have huge hills to play on! We are looking forward to starting our Bible Buddies Program this month too! Please stop in to say hi or read us a story!

6 6 January 15, 2018 at 4:30PM Ladies Bible Study "Listen to the Sounds" page 16 of the Winter 2017 Lutheran Women's Quarterly. If you don't receive the Quarterly and would like a copy of the Bible Study, see Paula Hook December 2017 Mission Grant Bulletin Bytes #4 Tanzanian Sewing Center $25,000 Young girls in remote villages of Tanzania have little hope for a future. Many end up as slaves, prostitutes, or married at a very young age. Through this LWML grant, the Tanzanian Sewing Center is teaching these girls to sew, giving them a life skill. At the same time, they re learning about Jesus and sharing the Gospel with their families. Find out how the LWML is helping these girls come to know Jesus. Check out our website at under grant #4. The LWML is helping to teach young girls in Tanzania how to sew, giving them the chance to change their lives and escape poverty and destitution. At the same time, they are learning about the saving grace and love of Jesus and sharing it with their neighbors. Find out how the LWML is changing the lives of these young girls and bringing them to Jesus at: under Missions Grants for the Tanzanian Sewing Center.

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8 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT January Happy New Year No preschool Office is closed 2 3 6:30PM Confirmation 4 10:00AM Thrift Store Rice Lake :00AM Worship 10:00AM Fellowship 10:30-11:30AM Bible Study 10:30-11:30AM Sunday School 11:15AM Elder Meeting 8 7-9:00PM NWD Leadership development 9 9:00AM Quilters 11:30AM Birthday luncheon 6:15PM Evangelism- Stewardship meeting 10 1:00PM Ladies Aid 6:30PM Confirmation 7:00PM Choir 11 7:00AM Men s Breakfast & Study Caring & Sharing 8:15AM Board of Finance 9:00AM Worship+ HC 10:00AM Fellowship 10:30-11:30AM Bible Study 10:30-11:30AM Sunday school 15 4:30PM Ladies Bible Study 16 9:00AM Quilters 6:00PM Council 17 1:00PM Rachel Circle 6:30PM Confirmation 7:00PM Choir 18 10:00AM Thrift Store Rice Lake :00-12:00 Crafty Stitchers 21 LWML Mites Ingathering 8:45AM Hymn Sing 9:00AM Worship 10:00AM Fellowship 10:30-11:30AM Bible Study 10:30-11:30AM Sunday school 22 No preschool 23 9:00AM Quilters NEWS LETTER ITEMS DUE TODAY! 24 6:30PM Confirmation 7:00PM Choir 25 7:00AM Men s Breakfast & Study 1:00PM Deborah Circle 7:00PM Monthly Bible Study St John s Volunteers serve meals at the Senior Center Meal Site the week of January 22nd Stewardship Charity of the Month 9:00AM Worship+ HC 10:00AM Fellowship 10:30-11:30AM Bible Study 10:30-11:30AM Sunday school :00AM Quilters 31 6:30PM Confirmation 7:00PM Choir

9 10 Crafty Stitchers Our December meeting was rather a small group, but a very productive one! Jan finished a pretty lavender scarf and placed on the tree. Sarah finished a knitted hat and also placed it on the tree. Roberta worked on a crocheted hat which will be put on the tree when finished. Paula is still using up sock yarn making two at a time! Amy worked on a very neat log cabin knitted afghan. We may ask her to display it when she finishes it! Fifty-six pocket prayer shawls were recently given to the Vets Hospital in the cities. On Saturday, January 20 th, we will begin our fifth year of Crafty Stitchers! We will meet at 10:00 and go until noon. Come join us!

10 These pots and cookers were some of the items purchased from the Lisa Johnson memorial fund. A great addition to our kitchen tools. 11

11 12 STEWARDSHIP A godly attitude in using our time, talents, and treasures for Christ and His Kingdom. January Charity of the Month On November 26th, our charity will be Dakota Boys Ranch. Please use the designated envelope from your packs and mark on them the charity for that month. Only monies that are specifically designated will go to that charity. If you have any questions about the Charity of the Month, please speak with a member of the Stewardship Board. Members are: Lois Hoople Marie Perenchio Paul Teska Dana Woebbeking the month. ITEMS FOR BULLETINS are due on Tuesday by close of day each week (unless indicated otherwise in bulletins due to holidays). Newsletter items are due in the office no later than close of day on the Tuesday preceding the last Sunday of E mail to: stjohnladysmith@centurylink.net (preferred method). Don t forget that LARGE PRINT bulletins and newsletters are available for those who need them. Contact the office to get your name on the list!

12 13 The Next Caring and Sharing Sunday is January 14th This is your opportunity to show you care for the hungry in our community by making a donation to the Hope Food Pantry or show your concern for the hungry children in our community by making a donation to the Back Pack Program. Dish Cloths If you are interested in purchasing Dish Cloths, please contact Bonietta Bruner at All proceeds go to the St. John's Ladies Aid. They are on hand! Christmas Cards If you are interested in purchasing Boxed Christmas Cards, please contact Bonietta Bruner at All proceeds go to the St. John's Ladies Aid. Rada Knives If you are interested in purchasing Rada Knives, please contact Lorraine Flohr at All proceeds go to the St. John's Ladies Aid. Orders are processed quickly! They make great wedding gifts.

13 14 Birthday Tuesdays! The January birthday luncheon will be on Tuesday, January 9th, 11:30 a.m. at the Ladysmith Restaurant. All are welcome! Men s Breakfast and Study Backdoor Café Thursdays, January 11th & 25th At 7:00 AM Please, when leaving your aluminum cans, that is all we can recycle! We cannot take aluminum foil, plates, etc.; aluminum cans only! Thanks for your assistance. ONGOING COLLECTIONS Aluminum cans for Preschool Canceled Stamps (LWML) Paper for recycling Greeting cards Milk Moola TM caps and bag tops Used eye glasses RECYCLING PAPER We have an ongoing paper recycling project for the congregation with help from the Deborah Circle. Items to be recycled: Stationery, envelopes, mail, notebook paper - no newspaper material! Bundle or bag magazines. Paperback books are also recyclable. Keep magazines separate from the other paper items. Thank you for helping!

14 15 1 Jean Seifert 2 Andrew Fredrick, Kelli Grotzinger 4 Bob Hauser 5 Cheri Lee 6 Brady Bishop 7 Christine Rosolowski 9 Theresa Morgan, Kayla Schewe 10 Janet Witt 12 Bob Fry 14 Kathy Silvernale 15 James Bachar, Dallas Zunker 19 Gary Drohman, Mary Jones 20 DeDe Bishop, Mark Grabowski 21 JoAnna Espique 22 Lynn Fry, Randy Scott 24 Demitri Graziano, Dana Hauser 25 AJ Golat 27 Lisa Gleason 28 Deb Zillmer 29 Michael Naczas, Derek Syples 30 Marlene Hanson 31 Toni Hayes 5 Katie (Breyen) Canfield 8 Chuck & Marie Perenchio

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