E-Vine September 8, 2016

This Week’s Memory Verse

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. ~2 Corinthians 9:11 

As We Gather

• What does grace look like?  Does it have a shape?  Can we see it?  Grace is undeserved love and favor.  Grace is a gift.  Grace is the unconditional gift of love, impossible and unnecessary to earn, that is displayed in God’s giving of Himself in Jesus Christ on the cross and in the empty tomb.  We are children of God by grace. We are forgiven by grace.  We have been given the Kingdom by grace.  We look forward to the resurrection by grace.  Everything by grace.

God invites us to follow Him in a generous life.   And when we do so, we find his blessings even more generously poured out in our lives.  We are blessed as through our generosity we partner in God’s mission. We are blessed as we share in His joy.  We are blessed as our generosity witnesses to others.  We are blessed as God’s grace is made visible through us.

• Old TestamentMalachi 3:6-12
• Psalm Psalm 112
• New Testament 1 Timothy 6:17-19
• Holy Gospel Matthew 6:19-24

• Built on the Rock Construction Begins:  The work on the sanctuary will begin the week of September 19.  Sunday September 18 will be the last Sunday that we will worship in the sanctuary.  Beginning on September 25 we will be worshiping in the Parish Hall (Gym).  Setup for Sunday worship in the Parish Hall will be on Saturday evenings after 6:00 PM.  We will be looking for people to help set up on Saturday evening, and also a tear-down team to put things away after the 10:15 service on Sunday morning.  Watch for more information.

• Built on the Rock Update:   Through August 28, $51,551 has been offered for “Built on the Rock,” the Earthquake Repair and Seismic Upgrade.  We need $133,449 more to reach the goal of $186,000.

• Wednesday Morning Bible Class:  This class, led by Pastor Mark, will begin again on Wednesday, September 7^th.  This year we will be studying the book of Romans.  This is a detailed study as we work our way through this book verse by verse.  All who are available on Wednesday mornings are welcome to join us.  Class meets most Wednesday mornings in Room 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM.

• 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:  Summer is ending, which means choir rehearsal begins!  Join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in Room 5!

• New Bible Study:  Ladies, are you interested in an inductive Bible study on the book of Luke?  This method of study begins with observing, then interpreting and applying the discovered truths of Scripture.  The study will begin early to mid-September and will be held on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 – 11 AM or evenings from 7-8:30 PM.  There also is a coed meeting on Sunday evenings from 5:30 – 7 PM.  Call Steve or Pam Backe at 501-8245 for more information or to sign up.

• 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!

• We are looking for Volunteers to help with Children’s Church:   You do not have to have children in the program to volunteer! Do you like to share the word of God with children, but not quite sure how to do it? The lessons are all laid out for you and you would only be teaching once a month. This position would begin in September. We have openings in two different age groups: Preschool-1st Grade and 2nd-4th Grade.  Please consider if God is nudging you to serve in this way and helping to grow our youngest disciples! You may contact Janis King for more information! Thank you and God bless!

• 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: Jenny Gass & Janet Gates

• 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.