Welcome to St. John s Lutheran Church Good morning and a blessed welcome to you! It truly is an honor to have you worshipping with us this morning and it is our prayer that you find great comfort and peace in Jesus Word of love, mercy, and forgiveness! If you are visiting with us today, please take one of the visitor gift bags from the visitors center. At St. John s we are pleased to offer a variety of service formats on Sunday morning. In our 8:30 a.m. traditional service we offer familiar hymns and rich, traditional worship forms in a meaningful and inspirational setting. Our 11:00 a.m. contemporary service includes the same message as our 8:30 a.m. service but in an informal style, enhanced with contemporary music. We encourage you to try both worship styles! Thank you for worshipping with us; we would love to have you join us again! (If you need any assistance or need a hearing aid device, please see one of the ushers.) Contact Us 2727 North Union Boulevard Decatur, IL 62526 Phone: (217) 875-3656; website: www.stjohnsdecatur.com Church office hours: 8:00 am 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Members of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod & Lutheran School Association. St. John s Staff Rev. Adam M. Ray, Lead Pastor... pastoradam@stjohnsdecatur.com Rev. Jonathan Torreson, Assoc. Pastor... pastorjon@stjohnsdecatur.com Malinda Standerfer, Dir. of Christian Ed... dcemalinda@stjohnsdecatur.com Brian McLane, Audio Visual/Praise Team Director... bmclane10@gmail.com Jerome C. Pelz, Director, Northeast Community Fund & Administrative Assistant Georgia Newman, Office Manager... georgian@stjohnsdecatur.com Carol Reynolds, Financial Secretary... carolr@stjohnsdecatur.com Columbus Miles, Custodian Marilyn Roemelin, Prayer Chain... 428-8081 LSA Faculty & Staff Members of St. John s Lutheran Church Misty Grinestaff-Balvanz Judy Gross Irene Helfer Andi Livingston Angela Martinek Brenda Olsen Jeff Salefski Brenda Salogga Melissa Saurmann Tricia Summers Rachael Tavarczky Lindsay Tipsword
Last Sunday of the Church Year November 25, 2018 8:30 a.m. Our Vision: Grounded in Christ, Growing in Faith, Branching Out to Others PRE-SERVICE MUSIC AND A TIME FOR PRAYER Good morning and a blessed welcome to you! It truly is an honor to have you worshiping with us this morning and it is our prayer that you find great comfort and peace in Jesus Word of love, mercy, and forgiveness! Thank you for worshiping with us; we would love to have you join us again! RINGING OF THE BELLS WELCOME/GREETING OF ONE ANOTHER Please take time to complete the appropriate side of the attendance registration cards. Once completed, pass the cards toward the center aisle. They will be collected during the offering. OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment LSB 511 INVOCATION OPENING SENTENCES CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY LISTENING TO GOD SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS WORD Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 9 I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, 10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. 13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. (NLT)
L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. LISTENING TO GOD SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS WORD Revelation 1:4-8 4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end, says the Lord God. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come the Almighty One. (NLT) L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA AND VERSE HOLY GOSPEL John 18:33-38 L: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighteenth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. (sung) 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. 37 Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. 38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him. (ESV) L: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. (sung)
CHILDREN S MESSAGE Jerry Pelz SERMON HYMN Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying LSB 516 SERMON The Truth of Jesus John 18:33-38 Pastor Jonathan Torreson APOSTLES CREED GIVING TO JESUS THANKFULLY FROM THE HEART (Offerings & Tithes) MINISTRY IN MUSIC Bell Choir Special Directed by Taylor Torreson How Great Thou Art OFFERTORY HYMN We Give Thee But Thine Own (Vv. 1 & 2) LSB 781 PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH The Leader will conclude every prayer with: Lord, in Your mercy. People respond with: hear our prayer. LORD S PRAYER BLESSING ANNOUNCEMENTS SENDING HYMN Almighty Father, Bless the Word LSB 923 Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting Five from Lutheran Service Book Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Last Sunday of the Church Year November 25, 2018 11:00 a.m. Our Vision: Grounded in Christ, Growing in Faith, Branching Out to Others Please take time to complete the appropriate side of the attendance registration card. Once completed, pass the cards toward the center aisle. They will be collected during the offering. WELCOME & GREETING OPENING PRAISE SONGS Only King Forever The King is Here What a Beautiful Name CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION SCRIPTURE READING John 18:33-38 GIVING TO JESUS THANKFULLY FROM THE HEART Holy Spirit CHILDREN S MESSAGE Jerry Pelz MESSAGE The Truth of Jesus John 18:33-38 Pastor Jonathan Torreson APOSTLE S CREED PRAYERS LORD S PRAYER ANNOUNCEMENTS SENDING SONGS The Rock Won t Move The Church Is Alive BLESSING
Sunday Servants Preacher... Pastor Adam Ray Worship Leader... Pastor Jon Torreson Reader... 8:30 a.m. Steve Funk Lay Minister... 8:30 a.m. Troy Harrison 11:00 a.m. Marty Maxey Greeters... 8:30 a.m. Mike & Sharon Colbeck 11:00 a.m. Tom & Cindy Schollenbruch Organist... 8:30 a.m. Sharon Cripe Ushers... 8:30 a.m. Dave Vanskike/Ron Koopman Acolytes... 8:30 a.m. Olivia Boyles 11:00 a.m. Taylor Wilkerson/Zachary Balvanz Thank You for Your Service! Praise Team Vocals... Brian McLane, Melissa Saurmann, Janice Wright Acoustic Guitar... Malinda Standerfer Guitars...Brian McLane Keys... Bill Taraszewski St. John s Lutheran Church 2727 North Union Boulevard Decatur, IL 62526 Phone: (217) 875-3656; website: www.stjohnsdecatur.com Church office hours: 8:00 am 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Members of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod & Lutheran School Association. Our Mission We are restored to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. As a family of Christians, we are dedicated to the love and forgiveness of Christ as we reach out, preach and teach the truth of God s Word to each other, our Community and the world.
CHURCH CHATTER In Need of Prayer: If you would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office. If you would like your request on our prayer chain, please call Marilyn Roemelin at 217-428-8081. Please call the prayer chain with an update of your prayer request. Hospital: DHM: Kathleen Hall In the Military: Laura Byers, Bryon Chaney, Kimberly Chaney, Kristel Chaney, Travis Chaney, Dan Cheney, Tristin Comer, Randy Edwards, Austin Highcock, Destiny Little, Aaron Lung, Andrew Nailer, Caleb Pinney, Jared Pinney, Caitlin Salefski, Tyler Salefski, Jacob Thornell Thank You: A BIG thank you to all of our AMAZING volunteers who helped with Living Nativity this past weekend. We couldn't have done it without you!! We were able to share the story of Jesus with 2,000 people! Thanks be to God!! Thanks to all our volunteers, including several St. Johns Youth, who served lunch to 171 individuals at the Good Samaritan Inn last Sunday. We had some great potato peelers.! Congregation News Decatur Christmas Parade is December 1st and we will be bringing Living Nativity to the parade! Line up starts at 3:30 PM and the parade starts at 5:30 PM. We will need some specific characters (Mary, Joseph, Wisemen), as well as lots shepherds. Please bring a flash light to help light up our float since the parade is in the evening. Sign-ups are by the sanctuary doors or reach out to Katie Salogga 217-853-5208. Christmas Brunch: Plan to join us in the fellowship hall on Sunday, December 16, from 9:30 to 11:00 am for a Christmas Brunch. We will be serving brunch egg dishes, biscuits and gravy, fruit and pastries. There is no cost for the meal but we are asking for donations for children whose mothers are incarcerated at the Decatur Correctional Center. Gifts can be for children from infancy to age 18, but there is a great need for gifts for children ages 6-12.
Cemetery Plots Available: There are two cemetery plots available at St. John s Cemetery for $200 each. Please call 816-229-3494 if you are interested. Attention Parents of Sunday School Children: Sunday School classes are collecting packages of cookie mix during the month of December. Next Sunday we will observe baptismal birthdays for the Month of December, for children up through high school. This will take place in both services. A note to parents of young children: Did you know that when your child reaches age 3, he or she is welcome to start Sunday School? Last Week s Giving General Fund... $8,842.75 LSA Assessment... $700.00 Amount Needed To Meet Budget... $16,172.00 Last Week s Attendance 8:30 a.m.... 175 11:00 a.m.... 74 Total... 249 Nursing Home Services Generations at McKinley Court... 10 Generations at McKinley Place... 17 Decatur Rehab... 17 Heartland... 11 Total 55 Mt. Calvary s Heavenly Holidays Bazaar, presented by the Mt. Calvary Ladies Guild, will be held on December 1st from 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the church. A luncheon will be served from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM, with carryout available. The bazaar will include homemade treats and cookies sold by the pound, as well as handcrafted items, both Christmas and everyday items. Be sure to mark your calendar!
Pro-Life Corner: God is the ultimate Designer. He designed the greatest good the world has ever seen to come from the most heinous evil mankind has ever produced. You are never too stained for God to love. When you are feeling weak and foolish, give thanks to God for that, because that s exactly the kind of person that God likes to use. Rev. Dan Larsen is pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Wabasso, Minnesota, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Sanborn, Minnesota LSA News Substitute Teachers: LSA is in need of substitute teachers for all grades. If you are interested, please call our offices 233-2000 or 233-2001. Box Tops for Education: LSA is collecting Box Tops labels. Coordinator, Steve Walcher, has already submitted the first set of Box Tops for a total of $67.50. Each label is worth ten cents. If you have Box Top labels, please check to make sure they are not expired. You may bring them to the church office, and we will send them on to the LSA. Mon., Nov. 26 6:00 pm HS Girls Basketball vs. Maroa-Forsyth Away Tues., Nov. 20 6:00 pm JH Boys Basketball vs. Arcola Away 6:00 pm HS Boys Basketball vs. Meridian Home Thurs., Nov. 29 6:15 pm HS Girls Basketball vs. Springfield Lutheran Away Fri., Nov. 30 6:00 pm JH Boys Basketball vs. Arthur Home HS Boys Basketball vs. Central A & M Away Mon., Dec. 3 6:00 pm JH Boys Basketball vs. Trinity Lutheran Away 6:00 pm HS Girls Basketball vs. Meridian Home
Sermon Notes
THE LORD S WORK Sunday, November 25 8:30 a.m.... Traditional Service 9:45 a.m.... Education Hour 11:00 a.m.... Contemporary Service 6:00 p.m.... All Youth Groups Monday, November 26 6:30 a.m.... YMCA Before/After School Program 9-11:00 a.m.... YMCA Preschool 6:30 p.m.... Boy Scouts Tuesday, November 27 6:30 a.m.... YMCA Before/After School Program 1:00 p.m....staff Meeting 3-5:00 p.m.... YMCA Preschool 6:00 p.m.... Worship Planning Meeting Wednesday, November 28 6:30 a.m.... YMCA Before/After School Program 9:00 11:00 a.m.... YMCA Preschool 6:30 p.m.... Thanksgiving Eve Service Thursday, November 29 3-5:00 p.m.... YMCA Preschool 5:30-8:00 p.m... Girls Scouts (FH) 5:30 p.m.... TOPS 6:30 p.m.... Worship Practice Friday, November 30 6:30 a.m.... Cub Scouts (FH) Saturday, December 1 No church activities scheduled. Sunday, December 2 8:30 a.m.... Traditional Service 9:45 a.m.... Education Hour 11:00 a.m.... Contemporary Service 1:30 p.m.... Voter s Meeting 6:00 p.m.... Sr. High Youth Groups