March 25 Weekly News

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS have been given by the confirmands in praise and thanksgiving to God as they renew their baptismal vows through confirmation on this special day.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP:  Maundy Thursday worship with Holy Communion will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Good Friday worship will also be held at 7:00 p.m.  Next Sunday, our Easter Sunrise worship with Holy Communion will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Easter breakfast and Easter fun activities for the children, and the Celebration Worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

***Please note that NO WORSHIP will be held this Wednesday.***

EASTER LILIES may be ordered from Karen Schlehuser (812-342-6140) or persons may purchase their own lilies or spring flowers.  Please contact Karen by TODAY so adequate set-up can be prepared for the flowers.

PORTALS OF PRAYER devotion books for April-June are available in the narthex.  Large print copies are also available.

APRIL CALENDAR AND NEWS will be available from the ushers after today’s worship.

THE CHURCH COUNCIL will meet this Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  All council members are urged to attend.

LADIES AID MEMBERS are reminded of their meeting this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Jean Jack will begin an eight week Bible study/book discussion on Wednesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m., based on the book, Loving Isaac.  Contact Jean at 714-768-5731 or Becky in the church office to enroll.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Becca Garrison and Michael Sturgill on the birth of their son, EASTON JAMES LEE STURGILL, on Saturday, March 17.  Easton arrived weighing 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and measuring 21 ins.  Mother and baby are doing fine.  God’s blessings to them!

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:     Zechariah 9:9          

“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” No king ever rode to war like this.  But no king had ever come to wage battle by dying.  In His Passion, our Lord Jesus gives everything He has and is; He does this to bring us from death to life and to make us His own people.      

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

March 18 Weekly News

THE SINGING SAINTS CHOIR from St. Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri, will be presenting an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s at our last midweek Lenten service this Wednesday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m.

WE WILL WELCOME the Singing Saints choir at a pitch-in before worship this Wednesday.  The supper will begin at 5:00 p.m. to give the choir time to eat and prepare for the service.  Meat, drinks and table service will be provided.  Members are encouraged to come and bring a salad, vegetable or dessert.  A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.  Please sign up TODAY to let the committee know you are coming (so they have an approximate count) and what you plan to bring.  Come and enjoy a good meal and take the opportunity to visit with the students and their chaperones!

NEXT SUNDAY, March 25, is Palm Sunday.  Our worship will include confirmation of our five eighth grade students.  Please note that we will have only our 9:00 a.m. worship.  No Sunday School or Bible Study next Sunday.

QUESTIONING for our confirmation students will be held next Saturday, March 24, at 10:00 a.m.  Everyone is invited as these students are examined in preparation for their confirmation.

LILIES for our altar this Easter may be ordered from Karen Schlehuser (812-342-6140) or persons may purchase their own lilies or spring flowers.  Please contact Karen by next Sunday so adequate set-up can be prepared for the flowers.

PORTALS OF PRAYER devotion books for April-June will be available from the ushers after worship today.  Large print copies are also available.

APRIL CALENDAR AND NEWS ITEMS need to be given to Becky by tomorrow.

BIBLE STUDY: Jean Jack will begin an eight week Bible study/book discussion on Wednesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m., based on the book, Loving Isaac.  Contact Jean at 714-768-5731 or Becky in the church office to enroll.

THE SENIOR LEAGUE will meet this evening at 5:00 p.m. at Papa’s Grill, West Hill, for supper and will then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.

YOUTH GROUPS will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m.

“THANKS for the many kindnesses shown to us at the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Dale Burbrink.  We so appreciate the prayers, Pastor Whitmore’s comforting words, the visits at the funeral home, the flowers, and the delicious luncheon after the funeral.  We are blessed to have so many caring friends!” – Dale’s Family

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:  White Creek Lutheran School is in the process of calling/hiring two new teachers for the 2018-2019 school year.  The positions include (1) a general fifth grade teacher covering most subjects, and (2) an individual who is able to teach upper level math, including algebra and pre-algebra with the possibility of other middle school subjects.  Any interested individuals should submit their resumes to the school office by this Friday, March 23.

REQUESTS FROM TLHS CALL COMMITTEE:  Trinity Lutheran High School’s principal, Ben Stellwagen, has accepted a call to serve at Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, Nebraska.  As a result, a call committee has been formed and is seeking potential candidates for the school’s next principal.  Please contact Larry Haak at larry.haak@pax-domini.org or 812-565-9050 with the names of those you believe may be suitable for the position.  The call committee also asks for prayers of guidance and wisdom as they conduct their search.

CLARITY PREGNANCY SERVICES will be offering Ministry Orientation on Monday, April 2, 6-9 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, Columbus, and Volunteer Training in Seymour at The Point this Wednesday March 21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and in Columbus at Memorial Baptist Church on Monday and Tuesday, April 9 and 10, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  For general information about the benefits of volunteering, please talk to Janeen Blomenberg.  To register for ministry Orientation or Ministry Orientation and Volunteer Training, contact Angie Burton at angie.burton@claritycares.org or complete the onlione registration form at http://claritycares.org/volunteer-training-registration.  One person can make a difference!  Male or female, young or old, there are ways for you to be involved with Clarity.

THE CHURCH OFFICE HOURS will be flexible yet this week   during the school spring break.  Please call before you come to make sure someone is in the office.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Mark 10:45          

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus gives everything He has: He gives Himself.  That self-giving is the model for our giving in all aspects of our lives.  In our family, in our church, and in the world at large, Jesus calls us to follow His example in self-giving.  We can only do this if we are connected to His self-giving in faith.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

March 11 Weekly News

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP continues this week at 7:00 p.m., following the fourth tenet, Christ Alone.  May God bless you as we continue through this penitential season of Lent.  Please note that NO supper will be served before the service this week.

THE SINGING SAINTS CHOIR from St. Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri, will be presenting an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s at our last midweek Lenten service on Wednesday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m.

WE WILL WELCOME the Singing Saints choir at a pitch-in before worship on March 21.  The supper will begin at 5:00 p.m. to give the choir time to eat and prepare for the service.  Meat, drinks and table service will be provided.  Members are encouraged to come and bring a salad, vegetable or dessert.  A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.  Please sign up to let the committee know you are coming (so they have an approximate count) and what you plan to bring.  Come and enjoy a good meal and take the opportunity to visit with the students and their chaperones!

THE STAFF OF the Indiana District meets for prayer and Bible study on Monday mornings.  At this time they pray for the congregations and schools of the district.  This week our congregation will be in their prayers.  Continue to remember them in your prayers as they carry out the work of the Kingdom.

AT LAST SUNDAY’S SPECIAL MEETING, the voters voted to extend a call to Mrs. Whitney Vandercar to serve as principal.  The Board of Education was also given approval to call a replacement teacher for Mrs. Vandercar and an additional teacher to meet our needs for next school year.  Please keep Mrs. Vandercar, the call committee, and our congregation in your prayers as we move forward in our ministry here at White Creek. 

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:  White Creek Lutheran School is in the process of calling/hiring two new teachers for the 2018-2019 school year.  The positions include (1) a general fifth grade teacher covering most subjects, and (2) an individual who is able to teach upper level math, including algebra and pre-algebra with the possibility of other middle school subjects.  Any interested individuals should submit their resumes to the school office by March 23.

LILIES for our altar this Easter may be ordered from Karen Schlehuser (812-342-6140) or persons may purchase their own lilies or spring flowers.  Please contact Karen by Sunday, March 25, so adequate set-up can be prepared for the flowers.

THE BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP will meet this Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m.

THE SENIOR LEAGUE will meet next Sunday, March 18, at 5:00 p.m. at Papa’s Grill, West Hill, for supper and will then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.

YOUTH GROUPS will meet next Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Jean Jack will begin an eight week Bible study/book discussion on Wednesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m., based on the book, Loving Isaac.  Contact Jean at 714-768-5731 or Becky in the church office to enroll.

CLARITY PREGNANCY SERVICES will be offering Ministry Orientation on Monday, April 2, 6-9 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, Columbus, and Volunteer Training in Seymour at The Point on Wednesday March 14 and 21, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and in Columbus at Memorial Baptist Church on Monday and Tuesday, April 9 and 10, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  For general information about the benefits of volunteering, please talk to Janeen Blomenberg.  To register for ministry Orientation or Ministry Orientation and Volunteer Training, contact Angie Burton at angie.burton@claritycares.org or complete the online registration form at http://claritycares.org/volunteer-training-registration.  One person can make a difference!  Male or female, young or old, there are ways for you to be involved with Clarity.

THE GRANDVIEW UNIVERSITY CHOIR will be presenting a concert this evening at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul, Borchers.  Everyone is invited.  A free-will offering will be received.

DEPOSITS OF $164.00 (church), $1,321.00 (Foundation), and $6,243.00 (school) have been made on behalf of Thrivent Financial’s Thrivent Choice program.  A listing of those directing their choice dollars is posted on the bulletin board in the front hall of school.

THE CHURCH OFFICE HOURS will be flexible this week and next during the school spring break.  Please call before you come to make sure someone is in the office.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Eph. 2:10           

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Even the good we do in this world is a gift from God, prepared beforehand for us to do.  And this too is a gift!  For isn’t doing good also a good thing for the one who does it?  So from first to last, from the Lord’s free salvation given to us to the good works He’s prepared for us to walk in, it is all a gift of God’s grace.   T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

March 4 Weekly News

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP continues this week at 7:00 p.m., following the third tenet, Scripture Alone.  May God bless you as we continue through this penitential season of Lent.  The Youth will be serving fried chicken before worship, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

A SPECIAL VOTERS’ MEETING will be held today after church for the purpose of extending a call to a principal and assessing our teacher needs for our school.  All members are urged to attend. 

BOARD OF ELDERS will meet this Wednesday after worship.

BOARD OF EDUCATION will meet this Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

HOST FAMILIES are needed to provide a night’s rest and next morning breakfast for the “Singing Saints” choir and its chaperones on Wednesday, March 21 (our last midweek Lenten service).  Please sign up after church today if you would be able to provide accommodations for one or more choir members and/or chaperones.

LENTEN ORGAN RECITAL: Daniel Mau, organist at St. Paul, Clifty, will be presenting an organ recital this Wednesday, March 7, at 12:00 noon.  Everyone is invited.

THE TRINITY RESALE SHOP in Seymour (Cougar’s Den) will be having a sale March 5-10.  Most items will be half price.  A special  $5.00 bag sale will be held March 9-10.  The store will be closed March 12, 13, and 14 to put out spring items.  Please note that no donations will be taken during March 12-17.

THE GRANDVIEW UNIVERSITY CHOIR will be presenting a concert next Sunday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul, Borchers.  Everyone is invited.  A free-will offering will be received.

MANY THANKS TO those who donated bath towels for the hygiene kits that were put together for the Orphan Grain Train.  A total of 96 kits were assembled at our recent Winter Olympics at White Creek Lutheran School!

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       John 2:16          

“And he told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.’” The Lord’s House is not a place to sell, but a place to receive and a place to give.  It’s not a place for our schemes and plans.  Instead the Church is a place for the Lord’s gracious giving and our faithful sacrifices in response.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

February 25 Weekly News

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP continues this week at 7:00 p.m., following the second tenet, Faith Alone.  May God bless you as we continue through this penitential season of Lent.  The Youth will be serving pulled pork barbecue sandwiches before worship, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

RETURN FROM EXILE: A LENTEN JOURNEY daily devotions are available in the narthex.  Please help yourself.

MARCH CALENDAR/NEWS will be available from the ushers after today’s worship.

CHURCH FOUNDATION will meet after worship today.  Please meet in the front church pews.

A SPECIAL VOTERS’ MEETING will be held next Sunday after church for the purpose of extending a call to a principal and assessing our teacher needs for our school.  All members are urged to attend. 

HOST FAMILIES are needed to provide a night’s rest and next morning breakfast for the “Singing Saints” choir and its chaperones from Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, MO, after they present an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s on Wednesday, March 21 (our last midweek Lenten service).  Please sign up after church today if you would be able to provide accommodations for one or more choir members and/or chaperones.

LADIES AID will meet this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.  Mite boxes will be collected.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Jared & Amy Rutan on the birth of their daughter, ADA KATHRYN.  Ada arrived weighing 7 lbs. 7ozs. and measuring 20 ins.  God’s blessings to them!

COPIES OF The Smalcald Articles and the Power and Primacy of the Pope books are available in the narthex.  Please help yourself.

MANY THANKS TO those who supported the aluminum can drive last weekend.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Mark 8:32          

“And he said this plainly.  And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” Anytime we sin we are acting like Peter: thinking we know better than the Lord.  But as Jesus says, such acts stem from Satan.  So let us repent: let us trust our Lord Jesus and follow Him.  For certainly He has earned our trust with His gracious sacrifice for us.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

February 18 Weekly News

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP continues this week at 7:00 p.m., following the first tenet, Grace Alone.  May God bless you as we continue through this penitential season of Lent.  The Jr. High Youth will be serving sloppy joe/hot dog/coney sandwiches, green beans, salad, and dessert before worship, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS are still available in the narthex.

SENIOR LEAGUE will meet this evening at Bob Evans restaurant at 5:00 p.m. for supper and will then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.

YOUTH GROUPS will meet this evening at 7:00 p.m.

MARCH CALENDAR/NEWS ITEMS need to be given to Becky by tomorrow.

BOARD OF EVANGELISM will meet this Thursday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m.

CHURCH FOUNDATION will meet after worship next Sunday, February 25.  Please meet in the front church pews.

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore will begin an adult instruction class tomorrow (Monday, February 19) at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Room.  Confirmed members are also invited to attend any of these classes for a review of our Lutheran teachings.

HOST FAMILIES are needed to provide a night’s rest and next morning breakfast for the “Singing Saints” choir and its chaperones from Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, MO, after they present an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s on Wednesday, March 21 (our last midweek Lenten service).  Please sign up after church today if you would be able to provide accommodations for one or more choir members and/or chaperones.

PRE-ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN at White Creek Lutheran School for the 2018-2019 school year.  A discounted pre-enrollment fee of $90 per student is available if received by February 28.  After that date, the full pre-enrollment fee of $140 per student will be due.  Contact the school office for more information. 

OUR WCLS STUDENTS AND STAFF will be celebrating the Olympics with our own White Creek Winter Olympics at school this Friday, February 23.  One of the stations will be a service project assembling hygiene kits for the Orphan Grain Train.  Our students will be bringing in various items for the kits, and we ask that congregation members please donate dark colored, regular size, new or gently used bath towels to wrap the hygiene items in.  All towel donations may be left in the box in the narthex by this Wednesday, February 21.  Our goal is to make 65 kits.

  

THE ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE continues yet today.  A trailer is parked on the school grounds to receive items.

JOIN OTHER MEN in Christian fellowship on April 6-8 at Lakeview Villages as we explore the topic of “Woman and Man According to God’s Plan” with Dr. Joel Biermann.  Get away and enjoy God’s great creation, eat like a king at our hog roast and fish fry, and join in the Medieval Challenge, Archery Tag, and much more.  Visit www.mensgathering.us for info and registration.

RETIREMENT:   Mrs. Karen Kruger, longtime preschool teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Early Childhood Ministry, plans to retire at the end of this school year.  If your child had Mrs. Kruger as a preschool teacher, you are invited to participate in recognizing her years of service.  St. Paul is putting together a video presentation of pictures of Mrs. Kruger with her former students as well as pictures of her former students.  If you have a picture that could be included, please email it to director@stpaulcolumbus.org with ‘Mrs. Kruger’ in the subject line.  Everyone is invited to a recognition for Mrs. Kruger at the 8:00 a.m. service at St. Paul (Clifty) on May 20th with a reception to follow. 

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Mark 1:13          

“And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” God the Father cares for Jesus even in the midst of his temptation in the wilds.  God cares for us in every situation as well.  Jesus realized this and always acted from the basis of trust in God the Father’s provision.  This is likewise the basis for our life lived in Christ:  God cares for us, so we need not act out of fear or greed.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T

February 11 Weekly News

LENT:  The theme for our midweek Lenten services, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, is from the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation.  During our midweek Lenten services, we will be taking a closer look at each of the tenets of the Reformation theme – taking up one tenet each week until the last midweek service when the Saint Paul Singing Saints of Concordia, MO will be sharing the Word of God in song.  May God bless you as we head into the season of Lent, beginning this Wednesday with Ash Wednesday worship at 7:00 p.m.  This service will include the Imposition of Ashes to mark the beginning of this penitential season.  The Guild will be serving ham, rolls, and various salads and desserts before worship, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS will be available from the ushers after today’s worship.

A CONFIRMATION MEETING for parents of our 8^th grade students will be held after the Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday.

SENIOR LEAGUE will meet next Sunday evening, February 18, at 5:00 p.m. for supper and will then return to the Fellowship Room for socializing.

YOUTH GROUPS will meet next Sunday evening, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.

CHURCH FOUNDATION will meet after worship on Sunday, February 25.

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS:  Pastor Whitmore would like to begin another adult instruction class soon.  If you are interested (or someone you know is interested) in learning about (or reviewing) our Lutheran teachings and becoming a communicant member of our congregation, please contact Pastor (pastorwhitmore@whitecreek.org or 812-799-6579) or call the church office (812-342-3516).

THE SINGING SAINTS choir from Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, MO, will be presenting an evening of sacred Christian music here at St. John’s on Wednesday, March 21 (our last midweek Lenten service).  Host families are needed to provide a night’s rest and next morning breakfast for these students and their chaperones.  Please sign up after church today if you would be able to provide accommodations for one or more choir members and/or chaperones.

PRE-ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN at White Creek Lutheran School for the 2018-2019 school year.  A discounted pre-enrollment fee of $90 per student is available if received by February 28.  After that date, the full pre-enrollment fee of $140 per student will be due.  Contact the school office for more information. 

“I WANT TO SAY “Thank you” to the White Creek family for your prayers for my broken ankle and heart condition.  Thanks also for the food and cards and a special thanks to Pastor Whitmore for his visits.  Sincerely appreciated!” – David Mensendiek

THRIVENT CHOICE: It’s time to sign your Thrivent Choice designation forms for any funds you may have available. Please stop at the table in the narthex or contact Jan Buss to direct your choice dollars to the church, the school, or the church foundation.  (WCLS received $9,780 from Thrivent Choice in 2017.)

DEPOSITS OF $228 (school) and $139 (foundation) have been made on behalf of Thrivent Financial’s Thrivent Choice program by the directed choice dollars of Mark W. Bushur, Jan Buss, Ernie & Donna Dettmer, David Mensendiek, and Brian Schultz.

OUR WCLS STUDENTS AND STAFF will be celebrating the Olympics with our own White Creek Winter Olympics at school on Friday, February 23.  One of our stations will be a service project assembling hygiene kits for the Orphan Grain Train.  We will be collecting the following items during February for the kits:  wash cloths, bath-size bars of soap, adult-size toothbrushes, sturdy combs, stick deodorant, band-aids.  If you would like to donate to this cause, items may be brought in and left in the narthex any time before February 23.  Our goal is to make 65 kits. 

TRINITY DUES:  Please use the high school envelope to support Trinity, but write your check to St. John’s Lutheran Church so your contribution can be processed through our books.  Checks written to Trinity require extra processing.

OPEN HOUSE: Trinity Lutheran High School invites students and their families to its final open house next Saturday, February 17^th from 10:00 to 2:00 P.M. All interested eighth grade students will also receive a $75 voucher that covers half of the registration costs Trinity for the 2018-2019 school year. Please enter through the commons.

AN ALUMINUM CAN DRIVE will be held next weekend, February 16-18.  A trailer will be parked on the school grounds to receive items.

TURKEY/HAM DINNER:  Zion Lutheran Church, Seymour, will hold their annual Turkey & Ham Dinner this evening from 4-7 p.m.  Carry-out will be available.  There will be a free-will offering, with monies raised to support various mission activities.  Everyone invited.

JOIN OTHER MEN in Christian fellowship on April 6-8 at Lakeview Villages as we explore the topic of “Woman and man According to God’s Plan” with Dr. Joel Biermann.  Get away and enjoy God’s great creation, eat like a king at our hog roast and fish fry, and join in the Medieval Challenge, Archery Tag, and much more.  Visit www.mensgathering.us for info and registration.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:       Mark 9:6          

“For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.”  Soon enough, the disciples’ terror turned into joy for when Jesus is with us, there is no need to fear.  He loves us and cares for us and will never abandon us.  That assurance is the basis of all generosity – for only those who are set free from worry can learn the joy of giving.

T BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! T