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Friday Blessings for January 15, 2010 is brought to you
by Pastor Elyse Nelson Winger.
In This
Issue
"Share the
Vision" Global Mission Weekend
Haiti Disaster
Relief
Preaching
Pastor Gary Hansen, Associate for Global
Mission Partnerships with the ELCA, will be preaching at all
worship services this weekend.
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
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"Share the Vision" Global Mission
Weekend
God's mission in
the world is always more than we can
do ourselves. We need each other -- throughout
St.
John's, throughout the ELCA,
across denominations, throughout the world -- to
live out God's Great Commandment and Great Commission. This year's
"Share the Vision" mission weekend is about just that. We will
gather for worship and praise, even as we pray for relief for those
devastated by the earthquake in
Haiti. ELCA Domestic Disaster
Response is mobilized to take part in the ecumenical, inter-faith,
and multi-national relief efforts, and you can learn more by
visiting these websites:
For a message from
Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, click here:
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Presiding-Bishop/Messages-and-Statements.aspx
You can also make
a direct contribution to those in need by clicking here:
https://community.elca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=538
One hundred percent of
donated funds go directly to immediate and long-term relief efforts
in Haiti. You may also write a
check to St.
John's
Lutheran
Church, with "Haiti Relief" in
the memo line, and we will send those funds directly to ELCA
Disaster Response through the Central-Southern Illinois Synod.
(Gifts sent through St.
John’s will be recorded on your
quarterly giving reports. Gifts sent directly to the ELCA will not
be recorded on your St.
John’s reports.)
At worship this
weekend:
- Hear Pastor Gary Hansen preach! Pr.
Hansen, former bishop of the Northwest/Lower Michigan Synod,
now serves as an Associate for Global
Mission Partnerships with the ELCA, with a particular focus
on providing opportunities for ELCA Members to serve globally
through Habitat for Humanity International.
- Celebrate
the kick-off the 2010 “Buy A Brick, Build a Church” campaign for
our annual short-term mission trip to
Ecuador.
- Give
to the “Bee the Change” special offering at all
services, and bring in your Pig penny banks (if you've had one)
and your loose cash and change as Joy Zone kids buzz
around collecting money for New Horizons Orphanage in Zambia
and the Aypud School Fund in Ecuador.
- Sing
global and mission-minded songs, and prayers will be
offered.
- Pray
for God's mission in the world, as we offer petitions that
have been written by our Genesis Junior High youth.
- Visit displays on the balcony and
Atrium areas detailing the many projects of Open Door
Missions and the ways you can participate in, pray and provide for
these varied
ministries.
Together we
pray:
Loving
God,
in the communion
of Christ, we are joined with the trials and sufferings of
all.
Be with those who
endure the effects of the earthquake in
Haiti.
Protect those in the path of danger.
Open the pathway
of evacuations.
Help loved ones
find one another in the chaos.
Provide assistance
to those who need help.
Ease the fears of
all and make your presence known in the stillness of your
peace;
through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
(Prayer provided by ELCA
Worship)
Alive in
Christ,
The Reverend
Elyse Nelson Winger
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