april 20-21, 2019… · griefshare support group – if you have lost a loved one and wonder if the...
TRANSCRIPT
April 20-21, 2019
Week of April 21, 2019
With all the challenge, pain and struggle that continues to play out in our world today, what a contrast it is to come together knowing that sin, evil and death has ultimately been defeated by our God! We are so glad you are here today! May the peace of our Risen Savior bless you and your family as we gather to worship and celebrate the true reason for Easter! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
NEXT WEEKEND OUR REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE RESUMES:
TRADITIONAL PRAISE (Sanctuary) Sundays @ 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM An ageless worship celebration designed to draw you and your family into the majestic presence of Christ through the rich heritage of Lutheran liturgy and hymnody led by a traditional pipe organ, choirs, hand bells, brass, strings and other sacred instrumentation. The Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month.
MODERN PRAISE (Gymnasium) Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 10:45 AM A relaxed, come-as-you-are, band led worship celebration with guitars, keyboards, and drums. Through a relational family approach, passionately led worship and Bible focused teachings, the life-changing love of Jesus is shared through His Word. The Lord's Supper is celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. (Saturdays follow Sunday schedule) A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THOSE SERVING US TODAY: Message: Pastor Steve Grafe, Pastor Marc Schwichtenberg; Worship Assistant: Steve Wilson; Elders: Mark Heinrich, Larry Hamilton, Scott Wright (5:00 PM), Joe Gazal & Fred Vandervoord (8:00 AM), Larry Wroza & Dave Fletcher (9:15 AM), Nick Schmidt & Bob Novack (9:30 AM), Larry Wagner & James Lewis (10:45 AM), Tim Dameron & Jim Schwark (11:00 AM); Worship Tech Team: Tim Grothaus, Bev Koch, John Rawcliffe, Ryan Spencer, Virginia Spencer; Special Music: St. John Brass Ensemble (Dave Frobel, director); Choirs: Men’s Choir, Mixed Choir, Jubilate Bells; Organist/Choir Director: Nick Kwapis; Modern Praise Music: Modern Praise Band; Arrangement/Composer: Bob Maitland; Modern Praise Director: Trevor Noonan.
WORSHIP CELEBRATION
THE WEEKLY CONNECTION ONE IN JESUS…REACHING MANY!
All articles submitted to The Weekly Connection will be subject to approval and editing by the staff. Articles may
be sent via email to [email protected] and must be received no later than Wednesday at noon
the week of publication.
IMPORTANT SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE/LOCATION SHIFT As our entire campus site goes under construction this summer as the first step in our Campus Master Site Plan, onsite parking will be extremely limited for approximately two months. During this time (most likely throughout the months of June and July), all weekend worship services will be moved temporarily offsite to Lutheran High Northwest located 2 1/2 miles south on Livernois. In addition, to make the most of this opportunity to better bring our church and school family together as one during this exciting and long awaited season, we will be temporarily reducing our regular weekend schedule to two distinct worship celebrations on Sundays: 8:30AM Traditional Praise & 10:30AM Modern Praise (no Saturday worship during this time). Sermon messages during this time will also be broadcast via Facebook Live in addition to the regular uploads to our website each week. Be watching over the next few weeks for updates on specifics of when this temporary shift will officially begin, as we await final campus site work construction details. TWO UPCOMING CONCERTS AT ST. JOHN Handbell Concert: On Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM, Bellissima! Handbell Ensemble will present “Celebrating American Diversity in Music”, a full concert taking place in the St. John Sanctuary. The concert is free and open to all. A free will offering will be taken at the door. All ages are welcome. Come enjoy some beautiful, exciting handbell music!
Celebration of Christ Triumphant: On Sunday, May 5 at 4:00 PM, the choirs of Lutheran Northwest, St. Stephen Waterford, and St. John will once again present a Service of Lesson and Carols focusing on the risen and ascended Savior. This choral service will also feature brass and congregational hymnody. This is the second year this joyful, powerful service has been hosted at St. John. Please join us!
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE CLASSES will be held TODAY Sunday, April 21 as we celebrate Easter. Classes will resume next Sunday, April 28.
GET AND STAY CONNECTED! Want to know how to get connected with the St. John family as well as being informed of ongoing opportunities to grow and serve? Subscribe to email updates by visiting our St. John webpage and click on the “subscribe to email” button at the bottom. Another way is to simply “LIKE” our St. John Lutheran Church & School Facebook page to add it to your newsfeed! Why not do it right now?
INVITATION TO THE CONGREGATION - THE ADDICTION EPIDEMIC Please join the Stephen Ministry team on Monday, April 29 at 7:00 PM in Concordia Hall for an important presentation on Addiction. So many of us are affected by this escalating disease. Our speaker is Alan Briscoe, MA, LPC from Perspectives
Counseling Center of Troy. Among his many areas of counseling expertise are substance abuse, family
BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
SHARED LIFE
issues and Christian counseling. He will be sharing information on substance abuse and addiction, (alcohol, drugs, opiates, marijuana - name your poison, there are so many to choose from these days) recognition, treatment and recovery support. Please invite family and friends. Refreshments will be served.
If you or someone you know would like someone to walk beside you in a difficult time, our Stephen Ministers can help. Please contact Pastor Steve Grafe at 248-402-8020 or by email at [email protected]. GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP – If you have lost a loved one and wonder if the feelings, frustrations, hurts, and loneliness you are experiencing are just you or whether others are going through the same things, then this study is a journey you need to be a part of. Using video, discussion, and prayer you will meet others with the same emotions and hardships who are trying to work through the grieving process. Our current session of GriefShare meets on Saturday mornings through May 18, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Church Library. Join us any time, as all are welcome! For more information, please contact Linda Baroli at 248-895-0310.
ST. JOHN DAY SCHOOL: We welcome your visit!
St. John Lutheran School offers Preschool through 8th grade in a Christ-centered setting. Preschool includes 3’s and 4’s half and full day options, and a Young 5’s class with half and full day options as well (new!). Preschool Before and After Care will also be offered as a new option. Kindergarten includes half and full day options as well as a half-to-full day progression option. Established in 1943, St. John Lutheran School is accredited by Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools and by National Lutheran Schools Accreditation. You are warmly invited to schedule a personal tour of our campus to learn more and to obtain enrollment information.
The Oakland University Grizzly Invitational Track Meet is this Wednesday starting at 2:00 PM. You are invited to attend and cheer on the St. John Track team (grades 4 – 8). The Oakland Meet provides the opportunity for St. John students to compete on an NCAA Division Track and Field. Go Eagles!
Showcase Night will be Tuesday, May 7, at 6:00 PM and you are invited to attend! Visit the classrooms, view student projects and presentations, take in a bit of history at the 6th Grade ‘Wax Museum’ and enjoy musical performances from various grade levels in the gymnasium.
Student Shadow Visits are available and encouraged for students new to St. John entering 1st to 8th grade. Half or full day visits help new students prepare for the upcoming school year by meeting future classmates and teachers while spending time on our campus.
For more information, or to schedule a campus tour, contact Beth Dameron, Director of School Admissions, at 248-402-8012 or [email protected], or visit stjohnrochester.org/school.
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR VBS 2019: This year’s Vacation Bible School will be June 24-28, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. We are currently at 220 students. We will be capping our numbers at 500 this year. If you have a child who is 4 years old through entering 6th grade please register them today. VBS is an amazing week
of fun and joy. **Please note that this year’s VBS will be led by St. John as always,
but will be hosted at Lutheran High Northwest due to the building and renovation project on the St. John campus this summer. Many thanks to Lutheran High for hosting us this year! To register for VBS, visit www.stjohnrochester.org/VBS.
LIGHTHOUSE – MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY GRADES 6-8 Lighthouse is a place where Middle School students can feel safe and at home. It is also a place for students to bring their friends to share Jesus. Our activities include students in grades 6-8, and all are welcome! Lighthouse meetings are on Sundays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. For more information, please contact Steve
Wilson, Director of Child and Family Ministry, at 248-402-8006 or [email protected]. FIRST COMMUNION UPDATE - Praise God for the 30+ students and families who participated in the Rite of First Communion on Maundy Thursday. Students and their parents spent four weeks during Lent going through communion instruction. We give thanks to God for the gift of grace these students and families received this past week!
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH - High School is a defining part of a person’s life. Students begin to really settle into their beliefs about the world, God, their purpose, etc. During this influential time, we want students to be surrounded by people who know and love Jesus. We also give them the skills and the support groups they need to make wise decisions at this critical time in their lives.
Next Sunday, April 28, we will meet at St. John at 6:00 PM for our annual walk to Dairy Queen and devotion in the park. We will wrap
up by 8:00 PM. Bring a friend and come for a great time being together! Happy Easter!
For more information, contact Melissa Hammett, Director of High School Youth Ministry, at [email protected]. POSITION OPENING FOR PART-TIME LSEM TEACHER - Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) employs teachers across the country to work in non-public schools to offer education and support for the needs of students with disabilities. At St. John, we are privileged to have a full time LSEM teacher, Mrs. Shane Schwichtenberg, and a part time LSEM teacher, Mrs. Annalisa Toth. Mrs. Toth is following God’s call on her life to pursue other career options and complete her doctorate degree next school year. Please pray for her in her transition and thank her for her dedication and excellence while working with our teachers and students at St John. At this time LSEM is accepting applications for the part time position at St John. You may go to the website www.luthsped.org, click on About, and scroll to Jobs. The St John position is not listed. However, the application for employment is there for you to fill out. Please pass on this information to any family member or friend that has a current teaching certificate and a heart to work with students. Special education experience is preferred.
IMPORTANT CAMPUS RENOVATION AND EXPANSION UPDATE On March 24, our St. John congregation voted by an overwhelming majority (98%) to approve the release of $1.5 million of ONE Legacy Initiative funds to allow for campus master plan site work and renovation-related technology upgrades to occur on our campus this summer (2019), with initial work beginning as early as May.
What about the proposed renovations and new construction? Based on recommendations from our construction management firm and others, renovation and new construction will be delayed until early spring of 2020, allowing for work to be re-bid during a more competitive bidding timeframe this coming October, as primary bids for all but the site work came in this past week at approximately twice of what was expected. The proposal to move ahead only with the competitively priced site work at this time along with planned upgrades to classroom technology for the coming school year was met with great agreement from those in attendance at the meeting.
What does this mean for 2019-2020 school enrollment? Enrollment is well underway for the 2019-2020 school year, including 60 students new to the school. To accommodate all students already enrolled, a proposal was discussed and strongly supported by the congregation members present at the meeting to use the two existing Preschool classrooms, license two other classrooms for Preschool and Young 5 enrollment needs, and move other classrooms as needed. We will also pursue renting a double portable classroom unit for one year.
What does this mean for the summer and for next school year? There will be extensive equipment on our campus for the summer as site work proceeds including the moving of underground utilities, rerouting of drainage systems, parking lot reconfiguration and expansion (see illustration). Parking and building access will be affected at various times. Plans already announced to hold VBS offsite and to
delay the first day of school until September 9 will still be in effect. Given the very limited access to parking, weekend worship will also likely be held offsite for a period of time this summer to be finalized
SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY
very soon. Please see the related article in the Worship Celebration section of this issue of the Connection. Please keep praying and responding as the Lord leads! Throughout the ONE Legacy Initiative process we have been praying “Lord, what would you have us do?” and He has answered us with great clarity. These are exciting days as work is finally about to begin. While portions of the project are seemingly delayed, we have been reminded once again that this entire process is all about learning to trust in the Lord’s timing and provision for all that is ahead. Please keep praying for His guidance, financial provision and direction as we take these important steps together for the future, One in Jesus...Reaching Many.
THE POWER OF THE SHARE BUTTON! Have you ever been in worship and wished someone you know could have heard the message from God’s Word that day? If so, did you know it’s actually really easy to share weekend sermon messages with others via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.? Simply visit our St. John webpage at www.stjohnrochester.org, and click on the MESSAGE icon to go to our video and audio sermon message archive. Select the sermon message you want to send out and simply click the share button, select how you want to share, type a personal
message of introduction and send it! It’s pretty much that simple! Imagine how the Lord might use that simple step of relational witness!
RELATIONAL WITNESS
SIGN-UP IS NOW OPEN for "The Church has Left the Building" Serve Day on Saturday, May 4! Make plans now for you and your family to reach out with the love of Jesus in Rochester, Pontiac or Detroit through one of our 17 work sites. What an exciting opportunity to join together to make a difference in our community! Imagine the impact of hundreds of people of all ages and abilities going out to serve those in need with compassion in Jesus’ name! A wide variety of serve opportunities are available. There is truly something for everyone!
If you haven’t already signed up to be part of this amazing day of service to others, you are encouraged to do so by way of the hard copy form distributed at worship this weekend. Completed forms may be put into the offering plate or handed to an usher as you exit. You are also welcome to sign up online by way of our St. John website (look for a homepage rotator with the graphic you see here). For more information, please contact Pastor Jon Trinklein or Jennie Eller at 248-402-8000.
COMPASSIONATE SERVICE
ROCHESTER AREA PRAYER BREAKFAST - Two St. John tables have been reserved for this year's Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 7:00-9:00 AM at Oakland University's Athletic Center O'Rena. This year's presenter is Rebekah Gregory, a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist bombing, who experienced extraordinary trauma and will relate her story of recovery and peace experienced when trusting God with every part of her life. Tickets are $30 per person and can be reserved by contacting Roger Guetzkow at 248-377-9048 or [email protected]). WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR WHATEVER IS ON YOUR HEART. To submit a prayer request, please text or email it to [email protected] at any time or fill out a Prayer Request Card and hand to an usher during worship. These requests are received by our pastors and are passed along when requested to be included in the weekly prayer list that is sent out to our prayer warriors and included in weekend worship.
THIS WEEK: Thanksgiving: All those involved in worship, decorating, and music for an astounding Holy Week Guidance & Strength: Ongoing teacher search and call process / Preparation for upcoming “Church has Left the Building” Serve Event / 8th Grade Class & Chaperones – Washington, DC trip Hope & Healing: Dave Olson (brother of Don)–broken neck / Marilynn Meyer – knee surgery on Tuesday / Continued healing for: Jack Parish / Ellen Hohnstadt / Marilyn Miller / Jerry Bantin / Hailey Noonan / Sarah Leinberger / Linda Madson / Jim Madson / Raymond Pauli / Linda Glisman / Al Lucas Bereavement: (for the family of...) Bill Karam / Mike Hofmeister (son of Dave and Pat) LAST WEEK: Thanksgiving: Henry Lind’s birthday / Incredible Easter Egg-stravaganza outreach event Guidance & Strength: All students taking First Communion on Thursday / Jacob Rose and John / Katie - faith Hope & Healing: Morgan Wright – surgery / Maddy – brain infection (coworker of Marcy Beckett) / Leah Appold – issues with recent cancer testing / Debra Jankovich Bereavement: (for the family of...) Staeb Family – loss of husband & father (friends of Samantha Wright) / Becky Hooper (wife of Pastor Will Hooper) PRIOR WEEK: Thanksgiving: New Stephen Minister Elaine Keller / Birth of baby girl Nora, to Jillian and Andrew Schaibly / Safe return of Mexicali mission group Guidance & Strength: Jacob Rose / John / Leader nomination process Hope & Healing: Kay Yuhasz (sister-in-law of Curt Dressler) recovering from liver surgery / Bill Karam – nursing home / Darlene Schwartz – chemo / George Bartly / Nate Grafe – surgery Bereavement: (for the family of...) Carter Jankovich (newborn son of Ryan & Morgan Jankovich, grandson of Debra Jankovich, great grandson of Marie Schwartz) / Dick Lorenz (former member) / Martha Rosas (resident in Mexicali of San Juan Lutheran Church)
CONSTANT PRAYER
OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
FACILITY HOURS THIS WEEK Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 AM-9:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday EASTER SUNDAY! HE IS RISEN!
Monday Facility is Closed
Tuesday 9:00 AM Apples of Gold - Offsite 11:30 AM International Bible Class – Room 128 1:00 PM ESL Class – Concordia Hall 8:00 PM Bibles & Basketball - Gymnasium
Wednesday 8:45 AM School Chapel – Sanctuary 12:30 PM Women’s Bible Study (The Faithful) – Church Library 1:00 PM Women’s Bible Study (The Shepherd With Me) – Concordia Hall
Thursday 9:00 AM MOPS – Luther Hall 9:00 AM Gleaners Quilting – Concordia Hall 10:00 AM Men’s Small Group (Fedototszkin) – Church Library 8:00 PM Alcoholics Anonymous – Concordia Hall
Friday 8:00 AM LCEF Savings Stamp Sales - Atrium 9:00 AM ESL Class – Concordia Hall
Saturday 8:00 AM Bibles & Basketball - Gymnasium 10:00 AM GriefShare – Church Library 3:00 PM Saturday Afternoon Bible Class – Luther Hall 5:00 PM Modern Praise Worship – Gymnasium
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN
* The facility may be closed on Saturdays when no daytime events are scheduled.
Worship Celebration Schedule Traditional Praise: Sundays @ 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM Modern Praise: Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 11:00 AM
1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | 248.402.8000 | www.stjohnrochester.org
Worship Celebration Schedule Traditional Praise: Sundays @ 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM Modern Praise: Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 10:45 AM
1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | 248.402.8000 | stjohnrochester.org