E-Vine December 31, 2015

This Week’s Memory Verse

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~Colossians 3:12-14

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              This Sunday:  The Magi came a great distance to worship the Christ child. They are presented by Matthew in many ways as a model of God’s intention for all people.   He desires that all are drawn to the Son and come to worship Him.  But what else can we learn from the Magi?  As we begin a new year, we consider the example of the Magi and what wisdom we can learn as we seek to follow our Savior.

• First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
• Second Reading Ephesians 3:1-12
• Holy Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

• New Year’s Eve – 7:00 PM Communion Service

• Why Give Devotion Book: Please pick up a copy of the devotional book “Why Give.” This book will be used in our upcoming Epiphany Worship Series, which starts next Sunday.  The books are available in the church entryway.

• Children’s Church Teachers on Sunday, January 3:  Janet Gates and Sarah Santora

• Love and Logic:  Beginning January 15^TH, we will be offering a parenting class called “Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun: Creating Happy Families and Responsible Kids” This is a video/discussion type class for parents of young children.  “When parents start Love & Logic in their children’s early lives, they dramatically up the odds that the teenage years will be fun instead of frantic. Parents will learn a practical set of tools to help raise super kids!  We will meet on January 15, 22, 29, February 5 from 8:35-10:15 AM.  Pre-registration is necessary because we have to order a workbook for each parent/couple participating. The cost is $15 payable to St. John’s Lutheran School. We would like to limit the class to 15 people so space is available to the first 15 to pre-register with Janis King.

• Offering Envelopes:  ease pick up your 2016 offering envelopes in the Narthex after December 6^th.   Note the change in color.  Once 2015 is over, please dispose of your 2015 envelopes as the numbers may change in 2016.  Please remember to use your envelopes each Sunday to assist our wonderful counting team as they process our tithes and offerings.   If you would like offering envelopes and are not currently assigned them, please call Christy in the Church Office.  Thank you!

• Best Practices Conference:  You are invited to join Pastor Mike, Pastor Mark, Janis King, Sam Troemel and Tim & Christy Kramer in attending the 2016 Best Practices for Ministry Conference at Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix.  What is the conference about? This is a conference for both church workers and lay people.  It focuses on sharing practical info on what works along with transparency on what doesn’t work in parish ministry, in addition to uplifting worship, fellowship and encouragement. For a list of planned speakers, topics and sessions, please check out the conference website. http://www.cclphoenix.org/bpm_az.html.  This is a “free” conference, meaning that there is no registration fee. The host congregation provides free meals for the duration of the conference.  We have some funds available to defray some of the cost on transportation and lodging.  If you are interested in participating in this conference, or would like additional information, please contact the Church Office.   We encourage you to do so soon because the conference is quickly filling up.

• Aaron Comfort Dog Visits:  If you would like to request a visit from Aaron, please contact Tim or Christy Kramer @ 255-0119.  For an update on his activities, please check out his Facebook page at AaronComfortDog.

• Chili Cook-Off…  Don’t miss the first Annual Chili Cook-Off on January 31^st!  This event will be sponsored by the high school youth group in an effort to raise funds for the 2016 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA.  Congregation members, friends, and family are invited to enter their chili into this contest.  Please contact Youth Ministry Director, Sam Troemel, for more information on rules and registration.  He can be reached via e-mail at Samuel@stjohnslutheran.net.

• Campus Security:  Please remember to check that doors are properly closed and locked as you leave the room you are using.  Thanks for helping us take care of our campus.

• Mission India:  Please keep our Mission India Literacy trainer in your prayers.  As announced in church, we have met the goal for financially supporting our trainer for this year.  But we are still collecting support for Mission India, which will go toward supporting other literacy trainers.  To support this ministry financially, please make out your check to St. John’s.  You can use the designated offering envelopes or write on your check that it is for Mission India.  For more information about our partnership with Mission India and the opportunity to change lives and draw them to Christ, see the display in the church entryway.

• Abide Daily Devotion: How do I let Scripture guide my prayer life?  How can I let Jesus direct what I pray for each day?  The Abide Devotion, written by Pastor Mike, is a daily devotion designed to address these concerns.   You can click here for more information and to subscribe to receive the devotion in your email each morning.