St. John Lutheran Church January 2018________________________________________________________________________

Church Office: 563-242-5588Pastor Dan Pool: 321-6757, home

e-mail: dpool@stjohn-clinton-ia.orgWeb Site: www.stjohn-clinton-ia.org

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Pastor Pool’s Sunday Bible StudyThe Big Story: Genesis to Revelation

We are beginning a new study in January and we hope you will join us. The Big Story is a unique study exploring the major themes, events, and people that are brought to life throughout the Bible. Our goal is to energize your study of the Bible and

provide you with an overview of the whole of the Scriptures. This study will improve your ability to read, understand, and apply Scripture to your life. We will finish up our Ecclesiastes study on January 7, with The Big Story beginning on January 14. Join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

January 7: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14: The End of the MatterJanuary 14: What is the Bible All About?January 21: Bible Study According to JesusJanuary 28: Genesis: The Book of Beginnings

Epiphany and Your Bible

In January, following the 12 Days of Christmas, the Church moves into the season of Epiphany. The Feast of Epiphany is always January 6. The season extends all the way up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Epiphany is the season of light, marking the Word of God coming to the Gentile world. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was never intended to be limited to the Hebrew people. All nations were to stream to the brightness of Christ (Isaiah 2:2). They still are.

We see this as the pagan Magi are drawn by God to Bethlehem to greet the Christ child. There is great conjecture about whether it was just the star that caught their attention (Matthew 2:2) or they had access to the Scriptures that promised the coming of Christ (Numbers 24:17). We don’t know. But we are glad to be included among those who have been enlightened by the good news of God’s Word.

In light of this season, and aligned with what so many of us attempt with New Year’s resolutions, I am encouraging you to dig into God’s Word with renewed vigor this year. Maybe you have never really read the Bible. Maybe you read it, but only occasionally. Regardless of where you are, I encourage you to take a step forward and give His Word more time. Let God’s Word shape your life.

The LCMS has produced a new daily three-year Bible reading plan and I encourage you to use it. We have the readings for 2018 available in the Fellowship Hall. The plan provides a guide that will take the reader through the entire Old Testament one time in three years, with the exception of Psalms, which are read twice each year. The New Testament will be read twice in the three years. A reading from the Old Testament, a psalm and a reading from the New Testament is assigned for each day.

In Proverbs 8, we are reminded of the value of hearing God’s Word daily, “Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” Will you join me in reading God’s Word every day? You might just find that the Bible has something to say to you.

Blessed Epiphany, Pastor

Revelation Bible Study with Pastor

We have been working our way verse by verse through Revelation. Join us for this small group Bible Study on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at either

9:30 a.m. (Classroom 1) or 7:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall). This study is for men, women, and teens. No previous Bible study experience is necessary. Bring your Bible.

January 2: The 144,000: Revelation 7:1-17January 16: The Seven Trumpets: Revelation 8:1-13

New Altar Flower Chart

The 2018 Altar Flower Chart is on the bulletin board in the church entryway. You may reserve a Sunday to place flowers on the altar by signing the chart. This may be done in memory of someone; in celebration of a birthday, wedding or anniversary; or as a gift of love. If you would like information on cost and how to go about ordering flowers for church, please call Angie at the church office.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, January 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Elders

The Board of Elders will meet on Monday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Stewardship

The Board of Stewardship will meet on Monday, January 15 at 6:00 p.m.

Board of Education

The Board of Education will meet on Monday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Board Meetings

Board of Evangelism

The Board of Evangelism will meet on Tuesday, January 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Voters’ Assembly

Our Voters’ Assembly will meet on Monday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. All are invited to the Voters’ Assembly. Come and get involved in the work of the Church.

Ladies Aid

Ladies Aid will not have a regular meeting in January. The next meeting will be Friday, February 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Mary Martha

Mary Martha will not have a meeting in January or February.

Quilting Bee

The Quilting Bee will meet on Thursday, January 18 at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Ladies can choose to cut squares or tie quilts. If you are especially talented and would like to sew tops together that would be greatly appreciated!

Food Pantry Collection January 7

Donations of nonperishable food items, paper, and soap products may be brought to the fellowship hall on Sunday, January 7, for the food pantry collection at the Victory Center. These items will be distributed to the unemployed of the community.

Offering Envelopes

January 7 is the last Sunday that the 2018 offering envelopes will be available in the fellowship hall. After January 7 the offering envelopes will be placed in the bulletin slots. If anyone would like envelopes and did not receive them, please call the church office, 242-5588.

Check It OutIn Our Church Library

The Idea That Changed the WorldDVD

If you missed seeing the movie of Martin Luther, we now have the DVD in our church library. Stop in and check it out. It is well worth seeing.

Little House on the FreewayBy Tim Kimmel

Little House on the Freeway takes a look at the breakneck speed at which we live and reveals how to not only put on the brakes, but get off the freeway altogether. With a special section entitled “101 ways to give rest to your family.”

Duty Honor DeceitBy J. Lissner

[fiction]

Orphans are often considered social outcasts. Zeus Malone is the first orphan accepted to Officer’s Training School, an elite military academy. Survival is his greatest asset.

Lutheranism 101

Are you interested in becoming a member at St. John? Do you have a friend who would like to know more about what it means to be Lutheran? Are you able to tell people what you believe and why you believe? Pastor Pool is offering a new basics of the faith class leading to membership very soon. The class typically lasts

about 10-12 weeks and can be scheduled according to your needs. Please contact the office at 242-5588 to register.

2018 Church Directory

There is a rough draft of the 2018 Church Directory in the Fellowship Hall. We would encourage you to verify your information is correct so we can print copies for everyone by the end of January.

Luther’s Small Catechism - 2017 edition

Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, 2017 edition is being offered at a special introductory price of $14.49 by CPH. If you are interested in ordering a copy to have in your home, add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. We will place our order at the end of January so sign-up and get your payment into the office by January 28.

January Birthdays & AnniversariesC O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

Happy Birthday to: Carol Hill, who will be 81 on Jan. 7.Shirley Gray, who will be 83 on Jan. 15.

Happy Anniversary to:Craig & Julie Miller, 15th wedding anniversary on January 3.

We list birthdays 80 and above and anniversaries for year one and every five years thereafter unless we receive a request not to do so.

Private Communion Calls

Pastor Pool makes his visits to those in nursing homes throughout the month. Those at home who would like to receive a communion visit are asked to call Pastor at the church office, 242-5588, to schedule a convenient time.

THOSE WHO SERVE IN JANUARY

Early

Elders: Bill Ross Dave Reynolds

Ushers: Daniel Stewart Matthew Stewart Donivan Sirna Parker Sirna

Nursery Attendants (Late)7 – Tara Sirna

14 – Heather Becker

21 – Barb Bialas

28 – Sandy Bovis &Moriah Stewart

Recording 7 – Darlene Paysen14 – Paul Wenzel21 – Darlene Paysen28 – Paul Wenzel

Late

Elders: James McHugh Tom Hardersen

Ushers: Pete Sirna Dale Schroeder Stephen VanVuren

Acolyte Schedule7-Early – Maya Murtha7-Late – David Graham

14-Early – Ben Poland14-Late – Kaleb Bovis

21-Early – Sam Reynolds21-Late – Aaron Becker

28-Early – Zac Poland28-Late – Elder

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: JAN. 20If you would like to put any information in the newsletter, contact Angie Stewart, and get her the information by January 20.