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Subject: RE: Friday Blessings
 
Friday Blessings

 

 

Friday Blessings for November 20, 2009 is brought to you by Pastor Elyse Nelson Winger.

In This Issue

Thanksgiving Worship - Wednesday Evening - 7:15 PM

Giving Trees

 Preaching

Pastor Elyse is preaching at all worship services this weekend. Please join us!

 

Traditional Services are held in the Sanctuary. All other services are in the Parish Life Center.

 

Join us for worship at St. John's!

 

For More Information

St. John's Website



 

 

 

 

 

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND

 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

 Revelation 1:8

On this Christ the King weekend, we re-claim that a different kind of King is the center of our lives. This King's love, service, and way--leading to and through the cross--are the only things worth heralding. Love and servanthood are the foundations upon which the Kingdom of God is built, and thSt. John'se good news is that this Kingdom is not some other-worldly, far-out place for which we can only yearn. This Kingdom is alive here and now and we have the power to see it and be a part of it, even as we wait for its fulfillment. It is alive in ministries of reconciliation, in acts of justice for God's people, in efforts for peace, in offerings of prayer springing from family tables and bedsides. The church--including St. John's -- is called to live out a Christ-centered mission and ministry in all it does. And so, Christ the King weekend brings with it a challenge: do we center our lives in Christ's promises? And does the command to love, and share good news, and live out of mercy, grace, and justice shape the way we live our whole lives?  Join in worship this weekend as we celebrate this different kind of King and let word and sacrament do their work to revive us for the journey ahead. 

Rev. Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, has just written a letter to the whole church, and his words echo this Christ the King call. He writes: "Where does the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stand today? We stand together in God's grace, but we are not standing still. We proclaim Jesus Christ and are fully engaged in this mission by actively caring for the world that God loves. God's mission is serious work that calls for serious commitment. We bring all that we are -- especially our rich diversity, our shared tradition and even our disagreements -- in service of God's mission." For the entire letter, a video message, and more, visit: 

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Faithful-Mission.aspx

Please join your sisters and brothers for a time of prayer and celebration at St. John's Thanksgiving Eve service this coming Wednesday at 7:15 PM in the Sanctuary. St. John's Choir will help lead this service, which includes favorite harvest hymns and songs.

The trees are up for our annual "Giving Tree" social action ministry project. The need is greater this year than we've seen in past years. Please select an Angel  ornament, beginning this weekend and enjoy shopping for children and families in our community. Gifts will benefit clients of The Children's Foundation, Home Sweet Home, Mayor's Manor, The Baby Fold, Center of Hope, and Catholic Charities. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Reverend Elyse Nelson Winger
Associate Pastor, Worship and Music
 
 

 
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St. John's Lutheran Church
1617 E. Emerson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
309.827.6121 (office) 309.829.3866 (fax)

ELCA