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The Mission
The Journal of St John’s Reaching Farther
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School
The Obaidi Family Update
The Mayor Small Group
Written by: Nancy Mayor
February’s Mission Café donations
will be given to the Obaidi Family.
You may recall that this refugee
family came to the Chicago area in
December of 2013 through an
organization called World Relief. The
Mayor Thursday night Small Group
has visited the family regularly since
their arrival, and has provided
assistance where needed.
The family fled Iraq in an attempt to
find a better life for their three
beautiful daughters, Aeshah, Hajir,
and Maria. The parents, Dhahir and
Ibtisam, have been doing the best
they can, however they are still
struggling to make ends meet.
Dhahir is currently washing dishes in
a restaurant in the city, but the pay
is minimal and the
hours fluctuate, making it difficult to
keep up with the bills.
The family has worked hard to learn
English and to adjust to their new
life in the U.S. The girls are doing
Week of February 1, 2015
well in school, and have made some
new friends. It is our hope that they
will thrive and find happiness in their
new home here.
Please consider a monetary gift, gas
card, or gift card to assist this family.
Thank you so much,
The Mayor Small Group
Sunday Morning and Weekly Adult Study
Biblical | Challenging | Relevant
Sunday Morning Adult Studies 9:25a
Week Day Adult Studies—Various Days and Times
The Gospel of St. Mark
Early Risers Bible Class
SUNDAY’S The Heritage Room
Leader: Pastor Philip Bruening
Thursday’s The Heritage Room—6:15a
In the three year cycle we are
in for the scripture readings,
this year the focus is on the
second Gospel. The symbol for the Gospel
is the winged lion because the Gospel is a
Gospel of action. The Greek word
“εὐθὺς” (euthus) translated “immediately”
or “just then” or “straightway” is used (42)
times in the Gospel inviting us to be people
of action for Jesus Christ.
We will also be looking at the significance
that geography plays in this Gospel and the
impact that should have on us today as we
are in ministry.
Impacting Culture
SUNDAY’S The Library (2nd Floor of School Building)
Leaders: Andy and Sue Kunz
We will discuss aspects of our culture and
explore the ways in which we reach people
in our surrounding community. This week
our focus will be: From Personal Faith to
Social Action. We will explore the tension
between social justice and evangelism. We
look at Jesus' expectations of His followers
and ask some probing questions of
ourselves and our churches. Join us at
9:25a in the Library!
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
THE COFFEE POT IS ON! Come join the Early
Risers Bible Class! We meet every Thursday
morning beginning at 6:15a in the Heritage
Room. This is a great opportunity to get
into the Word before you start your busy
day. All are welcome!
Young Adult Bible Study
Kirsten Smith kismith683@gmail.com
Beginning Sunday, February 15, 2015—2:30p-4p
Leader: Kirsten Smith
Hey Young Adults! We will start our Young
Adult Bible Study on Sunday, February 15,
2015 from 2:30p—4p. On this day we will
meet, get to know one another, and pick a
Bible Study topic. I can’t wait to see you all
there!
2015
Lenten Worship & Supper
Schedule
Ash Wednesday, February 18
10:45a—Worship w/Holy Communion and
Distribution of Ashes
6p— Lenten Supper
(Hosted by: Board of Elders)
Annual Chili Dinner with all the trimmings!
7p—Worship w/Holy Communion and
Distribution of Ashes
Wednesday Midweek Lenten
Worship Services
February 25—March 25, 2015
10:45a and 7p
Wednesday Midweek
Lenten Suppers
February 18—March 25, 2015—6p
School Gymnasium
Suggested Donation:
$8—Adults; $4—Children (5-12yrs); $20—
Family
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
(Hosted by: St. John’s Choir Members)
Baked Chicken Dinner with Vegetables,
Potatoes, Salad and Dessert
More Menu Items Coming Soon!!
St. John’s Prayer Chain
Caroline Craig
carolinecraigsjlc@gmail.com 708-372-7758
A Prayer Chain is a way for
people to gain assistance in
prayer for any problem. It is
also a way for any person to act
on God's command to love one
another (John 13:34-35). Prayer is a
way for us to reach out of
ourselves, to put aside our
loneliness and pain for the sake of another.
Our mission is to partner with the Holy
Spirit and each other through prayer to
impact our church, our community and the
world for Jesus Christ. I am looking to start
a Prayer Chain. For those of us who are
more comfortable with technology, prayers
will be shared via email or texting; for those
whom technology is too impersonal, a
phone tree will be created. When a
parishioner wishes to start a prayer
request, she/he can contact Caroline Craig
@ 708-372-7758 (texting is OK), or email
carolinecraigsjlc@gmail.com. Prayers from
Daily Requests or given to Michelle LaVelle
will also be included unless labeled
confidential. Once you contact me, I will
share some general information regarding
prayer chains. Prayers do NOT need to be
for Members of St. John’s only. Prayer
requests will be as specific as the person
requesting the prayer. Jesus teaches us that if we
agree on anything and ask in faith it will be granted
(Matthew 18:19). "I tell you, ask and you will
receive..." (Luke 11:9, Matt. 7:7).
If you have any questions, please contact
Caroline Craig (708) 372-7758 or
carolinecraigsjlc@gmail.com
Meet! Experience! Live !
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Children’s Ministry
Youth Ministry
Sherrie Smith s.smith@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 212
Kirsten Smith kismith683@gmail.com
Emily Jung crf_jungea@cuchicago.edu
Sunday School
Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
Sunday, February 1, 2015—9:25a
School Classrooms
Sunday, February 1—9:25a; Youth Room
Leader: Emily Jung
The Sunday School lesson for this week
focuses on the story of “Jesus and the Little
Children.” In our sin, we are like small
children: helpless, dependent, and
needy. Jesus came to bestow His love and
eternal gifts upon us. Parents could
discuss, “How did Jesus show His
compassion to these little children? How
does Jesus shower His compassion on us?”
Come join us for a New Year’s Study and
Discussion! We will also be talking about
what topics we will be studying this new
year! Can’t wait to see you all!
Pastor Bruening will be giving the
Children’s Message today!
Confirmation Students
Sherrie Smith s.smith@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 212
Confirmation Session
TODAY, February 1, 2015—Noon (This is a date change)
Heritage Room
Confirmation is TODAY!! We will meet at
12p in the Heritage Room. The topic is
“Prayer”. Come to hear the details of the
Confirmation Retreat.
First Communion Class
February 15, 22 and March 1, 2015—9:30a—10:30a
School Classroom 202
This class is open to any 7th or 8th Grader
with a parent. Please let Sherrie Smith or
the Church Office know if you will be
attending these sessions.
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
Youth Super Bowl Party!
TONIGHT, February 1—5:30p
Location: Kirsten’s House
Join us TONIGHT as
we cheer on the
Patriots
or
the
Seahawks.
Kickoff
starts at 5:30p. We
will meet at Kirsten's house (Email for
address). No worries there will be snacks.
Bring friends!
SAVE THE DATE! - LOCK-IN!
Friday, February 13 to Saturday, February 14
Leader: Kirsten Smith kismith683@gmail.com
A Lock-In for Jr. and Sr. High Youth will be
held on February 13-14. Join us for Bible
Studies and games led by a Concordia
Youth Ministry Team. The theme is "Killing
with kindness". It will start at 7p in the
School Gym on Friday, February 13 and end
at 8a on Saturday, February 14. There will
be a $5 fee for each child to help cost for
food. Signup sheets are in the Youth file on
the back wall in the Narthex. Turn them
into the Youth Ministry mailbox in the
Church Office or to Kirsten Smith. Can't
wait to see you all there!
Music Ministry
Gerald Kuker g.kuker@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 222
Festival Handbells
It is time to make plans for the Festival
Handbells to ring for Easter. For this
season, we will rehearse on Thursdays
from 6:30—7:30p. This ensemble is open
to all High School age youth and
adults. Reading music is a prerequisite
and you must be available for all four
rehearsals, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. We
will not rehearse during the week of
Spring Break which is also Holy Week, but
will rehearse at a mutually agreed upon
time the day before Easter Sunday, April
5th. Please contact Director, Jerry Kuker
with your questions and to express your
interest in participating. Jerry needs to
know by February 15th who is
participating.
Calling All Singers!
Our Senior Choir is starting
another
semester
of
singing praises to our Lord
and Savior. If you have
given any thought to joining in the music
making and fellowship that goes along
with it, be sure to join us this Wednesday
at 7p in the Music Room, 2nd floor of the
school. It's not too late. This Choir is open
to all High School youth and adults, St.
John's member or non-member. Don't
wait for a personal invitation. Just show
up for our rehearsal and join in the fun.
We know you won't regret it. Talk with
Director Jerry Kuker if you have any
questions.
Upcoming 2015 Events
Annual Woman’s Retreat
Rebecca Schiltz r.schiltz@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 210
Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, 2015
Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge
1200 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge IL 60527
The 15th Annual Women’s Retreat is days
away! Registration will close on February
2nd. It is not too late to register! There are
registration forms in the
Church Narthex or you
may
go
to
www.sjlagrange.com to
register online! Please
contact Rebecca Schiltz if
you have any questions.
Christmas Concert DVD’s/CD’s
Gerald Kuker g.kuker@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 222
We have 3 DVD’s and 5 CD’s remaining for
purchase at $15.00 each. If you would like
to purchase any of these, please see Jerry
Kuker.
Articles for The Mission are due Wednesday
by Noon and can be submitted to Michelle La
Velle, m.lavelle@sjlagrange.com or by calling
the Church Office (708) 354-1690 x210
The Church Office reserves the right to edit
submissions for length and/or writing style.
Meet! Experience! Live !
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St. John’s School
Lynn Kahl, Principal
l.kahl@sjlagrange.com 708-354-1690 x 218
Praise God for Volunteers
How can we thank God enough for you in
return for all the joy we have in the
presence of our God because of you?
I Thessalonians 3: 9
St. John’s is very blessed. Besides having
wonderful teachers who give their time
and energy far beyond any requirement,
we are blessed with exceptional
volunteers. Many parents volunteer to
help with their children’s classrooms by
helping with Accelerated Reader tests,
grading Rocket Math, running the PTO
with all its events, or being Room Parents,
but we have so many more volunteers.
The school no longer has a paid librarian.
Instead the library is completely staffed by
parents and congregation members. Led
by Mrs. Willig, the staff includes Debbie
Cloutier and Natercia Medrano whose
children attend the school. Congregation
members include Chris Kirchenberg, Nancy
Mayor, Marie Fukar, and Jim and Barb
Paulsen. These members’ children all
attended St. John’s many years ago.
Besides working with children, these
volunteers have completely redesigned
the library including purchasing new
carpets and implementing new library
software. What a blessing.
The Athletic program has also been
blessed by volunteers. Patrick Mannes,
husband of our Kindergarten teacher, has
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St John’s Lutheran Church and School
helped his wife and Ms. Pece, the coach,
with the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team. The
Varsity Boys’ Basketball team has also been
coached by parents. The unusual thing
about that is that the two dads that are
coaching, Al Stradal and Jeremy Daugherty,
have no children old enough to play
basketball yet.
Their children are in
Preschool, Kindergarten, and 2nd Grade.
What a blessing.
At the St. John’s
Invitational Tournament, it was amazing to
see all the parent volunteers including
many whose children were too young to be
involved in athletics. They did not wait until
their children were involved in sports, but
volunteered to help now. This spirit of
unity to further the mission and vision of
our school and church is a wonderful
blessing. I thank not only all these adult
volunteers, but God for moving them to His
service.
More School News!
Meemic Grant Received
St. John’s Students, Grades First through
Third received a $500.00 grant from the
Meemic Foundation to cover the program
fees for a field trip to Robert Crown Center
for Health Education in Hinsdale. A
representative
from
the
Meemic
Foundation presented the check at a
recent faculty meeting. Thanks Meemic!
February’s Mission Cafe donations will go
towards the Obaidi Family. You may recall
that this refugee family came to the Chicago
area in December of 2013 through an
organization called World Relief.
2015 Coffee Hour Hosts
Rebecca Schiltz r.schiltz@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 210
Rebecca Schiltz r.schiltz@sjlagrange.com
708-354-1690 x 210
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for the
Mission Cafe.
Hosting is a great
opportunity to meet people, catch up with
old friends and spend an hour giving time
to St. John's.
Your help is greatly
appreciated by many.
PTO
pto@sjlagrange.com 708-354-1690 x 253
Market Day
Amy Strombom snipsnsnails05@gmail.com
708-863-4194
Our next Market Day pick up will be
Saturday, February 14 at 10:45a. Thank
you for your continued support of this
program.
Meet! Experience! Live !
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Offerings of the People
This Week At St. John’s
Preacher: Reverend W. Philip Bruening
Organist: Gerald Kuker
Choirs: Senior Choir—8a; Junior Choir, Jubilee
Handbell Choir and Echoes of Praise—10:45a
Flautist: Christina Lass-Moore—8a
Children’s Message: Pastor Bruening
Altar Guild: Sharon Broz
Altar Flowers: The Altar Flowers are given to the
Glory of God at the Altar in thanksgiving for many
blessings received, and in memory of Tommy
D’Amico’s 27th birthday on February 4th, given by
Tom and Sherry D’Amico and family.
February 1—February 8, 2015
Sunday
8:00a Worship w/Holy Communion
9:25a Adult Bible Study—The Gospel of Mark
9:25a Adult Bible Study—Impacting Culture
9:25a Sunday School
9:25a Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
10:45a Worship w/Holy Communion
12:00p Monthly Confirmation Session
5:30p YOUTH SUPER BOWL PARTY (Offsite)
Monday
3:30p SJLS Variety Show Auditions
7:00p Board of Worship Meeting
Tuesday
7:25a Jubilee Handbell Rehearsal
3:30p SJLS Variety Show Auditions
7:30p Basketball Group
Coffee Hour Host: Jim and Barb Paulsen
Serving at 8:00a
Acolytes: Sydney Jones and Carly Lundeen
Elder: George Birmingham
Communion Assistants: Mark Behnke, Dick
Herman and Tom Wykert
Ushers: *Pat Mallahan, John Babirak, Otto
Osterland, Jerry Safranek and Art Schroeder
Wednesday
Serving at 10:45a
Acolytes: Carolyn Euwema and Madeline
Wilkins
Elder: Herb Marohn
Communion Assistants: Randy Gunn, Pete
Johnson and Bruce Smith
Ushers: Chuck Enokian, Jim Moriarity, Wally
Pidde and Denise Setzke
Thursday
6:15a Early Risers Bible Class
7:15p Volleyball Practice
Friday
ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT (Offsite)
7:30a School Band Rehearsal
7:00p Recovery Group Meeting
Worship Attendance:
Last Week Sunday [01/25] = 248
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL WONDERFUL
WEDNESDAY OPEN HOUSE
(During Regular School Hours—8:15a)
7:25a Joy Handbell Rehearsal
7:40p Children’s Prayer Ministry
8:20a School Chapel Service
9:50a ECH Chapel Service
7:00p Senior Choir Rehearsal
Saturday
Sunday
ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT (Offsite)
8:00a Worship Service
9:25a Adult Bible Study—The Gospel of Mark
9:25a Adult Bible Study—Impacting Culture
9:25a Sunday School
9:25a Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study
10:45a Worship Service
6:00p Youth Group
“The Mission” is the weekly journal of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School. Our mission is to engage the people
we live, work with and meet along our way in such a way that they,
Meet Jesus, Experience the support of a church, and Live as disciples!
St John’s Lutheran Church and School | 505 S Park Road, La Grange IL | 708-354-1690
www.sjlagrange.com | Facebook: sjlagrange