E-Vine October 29, 2016

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  This Week’s Memory Verse

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  ~Romans 6:12

As We Gather

Jesus is Lord of All.  One of the ways in which this is seen in His ministry are the signs He performed, His miracles. He shows that He is Lord over creation, over sickness, over evil, and even over death. But there is much more going on than merely a demonstration of divine power.  We continue our worship series on the miracles of Jesus, seeking to know Him more and follow Him more closely through what these miracles teach us and show us.

Jesus healed a paralyzed man after his friends lowered him through the roof to Jesus. But this was not the only miracle Jesus performed for the man.  He also forgave him his sins.  Do we see this as a miracle which touches our lives each day?  On this Reformation Sunday, we rejoice in the miracle of forgiveness and salvation as a free gift by grace, received through faith.

• Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55:1-11
• Psalm Psalm 46
• New Testament Reading Colossians 2:9-14
• Holy Gospel Mark 2:1-12

• Trunk or Treat is a fun Halloween event for children and their parents to attend together.  Please keep the costumes and car decorations appropriate and not too scary for young children. We also ask that you keep this an alcohol-free event for everyone’s safety. Thank you so much! See you on Sunday, October 30^th from 5-7pm rain or shine!

• Built on the Rock Construction Begins.  Setup for Sunday worship in the Parish Hall is on Saturday evenings at 6:00 PM.  We have set up an online tool for signing up to help.  Please contact Kathy Fitzgerald at kathyfitzgerald@sbcglobal.net to add your name to the list.

• Built on the Rock Update . . . Through October 16, $77,206 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $108,794 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Donations Needed for Hurricane Matthew Relief:  As the Southeast coast of the U.S. braces for the landfall of Hurricane Matthew, please pray for those whose homes and churches are in the path of the storm, the fiercest storm to strike in decades.  The storm has already caused much damage, devastation, and loss of life in islands in the Caribbean.  Lutheran Church Charities in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Haiti is already raising support after Hurricane Matthew left over 1000 people dead and the death toll is expected to climb.  Please open your hearts to so many affected by this storm and continue to offer up prayers for safety, protection, and mercy as they face all the challenges brought about by such devastation.  If you would like to support relief efforts, please make your check out to St. John’s Lutheran Church with “Hurricane Matthew Relief” on the memo line.

• NEW St. John’s Facilities Online Calendar:  Looking for a room for a meeting or event?  You can now view this calendar online.  Go to https://teamup.com/ks059311afd6a21c57   If you would like to book a room/location on campus for an event/meeting, please contact Christy Kramer at the church office to be added to the calendar.  Please note:  You may only use the facility if you have pre-reserved your requested room/location with Christy Kramer.    

• Choir Rehearsal…    Join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in Room 5!

• Aaron Comfort Dog… New team members are always welcome!  Come join us and observe how this amazing ministry works.  Please contact Tim or Christy Kramer if you would like to “shadow” during one of our events!

• Mission India:  Please keep this year’s Mission India Literacy trainers in your prayers.  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 www.missionindia.org.

• Children’s Church Teachers: Janet Gates & Sarah Santora
• Amelia Arnold Mission Trip:  “Hi, I’m Amelia Arnold. I’ve been a member at St. John’s Lutheran since I was 5 and currently I’m a student at Concordia Irvine. Concordia recently started an ongoing mission project where we are partnered with a village in Guatemala, El Progresso. We go several times a year to give support in whatever way we can. Recently, I have been given the opportunity to go on the mission trip over Thanksgiving, however I need some help. It’s going to cost about $1,500 dollars to get there and whatever you can contribute I would appreciate. This is a chance for me to share Christ’s love and I would be very thankful for anything you can give to help me get there. Here’s my GoFundMe campaign link: https://www.gofundme.com/amelia-guatemala-mission-trip-2va9ad7w
• Shop and Donate at Copperfields: Copperfields Books is hosting a fundraiser for St. John’s Lutheran School on November 5-6, 2016. Bring the attached flyer and 20% of your purchase will be donated to the school!

• American Kennel Club Recognizes LCC Comfort Dogs:  There is a great article about Golden Retrievers from the American Kennel Club mentioning the Comfort Dog Ministry and Lutheran Church Charities.  To view, click here

• Aaron Comfort Dog Contact Info:  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, Instagram, and Twitter pages at AaronComfortDog.

• 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.

• 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.