Spring Cleanup: We had a good turnout and we focused on removing old brush and fallen limbs from the prayer garden area. Trees and shrubs around the rest of the building were trimmed. Fall Cleanup: Smaller crew but we focused on pruning trees for better foliage in the spring. Drainage: New drainage tile was successfully […]
St. John Lutheran started out 2015 with a wonderful celebration of our congregation’s 125th anniversary. We are certainly proud, not only of this accomplishment, but for our continued longevity through many decades of great, good, and sometimes not so good. It was a true testament of our congregation’s dedication to its continued generosity and resiliency […]
St. John Lutheran Church Council Meeting December 8, 2015 Present: Todd D., Pastor Bond, Scott M., Shirley M., Ted G., Ron H., Kathy S., Lorrie C., Melanie M., Greg G., Cathy P., and Tammy A. Absent: Tim B. and Judi M. Meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m. Devotions: Cathy led the opening devotions. […]
On the first Sunday of Christmas we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with […]
Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ […]
The presence of the Lord “in your midst” in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good news—and cause for exultation—for […]
Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the Baptizer’s voice in the wilderness may be the principal focus of the day, Malachi’s prophesy could as easily herald the coming Lord Jesus as forerunner of the Lord of hosts. Finally all the baptized are called to participate in the sharing of the […]
Advent is about the “coming of days”. God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David”. The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints”. Our […]
Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, they still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he […]
November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a […]