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THE MINISTRY OF ST. JOHN LUTHERAN
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Advent Midweek Services
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, and 18, 10am and 6:30pm
There’s so much going on! Our calendar is so full! I won’t be ready for Christmas! – common phrases spoken or thought in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year, hear some other phrases to help you in this season. Come and rest in the midweek Advent services as we hear phrases of an Advent Prayer, an Advent Invitation, and an Advent Assignment.
Come, Let Us Adore Him – Lutheran Hour Ministries Advent Devotions
Click here to sign up to receive electronically or read it online. If you are unable to access the devotions online, the Elders have provided printed copies - see welcome center in narthex and materials shelf in west entrance.
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Poinsettias and Wreaths
Poinsettias and wreaths to beautify our sanctuary for Christmas and Epiphany can now be ordered. Click here to order online. See pricing and payment information on order blank. Additional order forms are available in both narthexes or church office. Deadline for ordering is noon on Mon. Dec. 9.
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Nominations Being Accepted
Nominations are being accepted for the position of Seventh Grade Home Room and English Language Arts teacher. Please submit names using this linked form or by paper forms available in the church or school office by 5pm on Mon., Dec. 1.
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Charting Our Course - Governance Update
Recommendations for changes to the St. John bylaws, constitution, and articles of incorporation were presented at the Voting Assembly on Sun., Aug. 18. These recommendations were developed as a result of the Strategic Ministry Planning (SMP) goal to pursue a new governance model. The proposed governance model is based on St. John member input and feedback, review of peer congregations' governance models, and recommendations from LCMS experts on church governance. The attached document provides a summary of the recommendations. You can also find information in the November newsletter on p. 5. Feel welcome to reach out to any member of the Governance Team with your input or questions (Joel Endorf, Kurth Brashear, Melanie Wake, Ryan Foor, Stacey Parr). The final draft will presented at the January 2025 voting assembly with the opportunity for the membership to adopt the revisions..
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Commissioning of Stephen Leaders
This Sunday our congregation will commission two new Stephen Leaders, Karen Koch and Jenny Krause, to help in overseeing our Stephen Ministry program here at St. John. These new Stephen Leaders will help in leading, training, and supervising the thirty-one Stephen Ministers who provide care for those who are hurting and in need. Please join us in commissioning these gifted individuals at the 11am service as Karen and Jenny begin this new stage of their ministry. We thank God for their dedicated service to His Kingdom.
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We're Nuts About Pecans!
Fresh Georgia pecans are available for sale in the west lobby before/after worship services. Start your Christmas shopping early and support the Alaska Mission Teams serving in Akiachak and Funny River, AK. Contact Jan Bruick (janbruick@gmail.com) with any questions.
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Volunteers Needed for Breakfast in Bethlehem
Breakfast in Bethlehem will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 8-11:30am. The committee needs a great number of volunteers to help with the event. Over 300 people attend Breakfast in Bethlehem. Youth volunteers must be 5th grade or older. Volunteers must signup by November 19 to receive a t-shirt.
Food Donations:
Sign Up Link
Please notice the need for unfrosted suguar cookies (in a circle shape) on the sign-up link
Volunteer:
Sign Up Link
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Child Development Center Selling Butter Braids
The Child Development Center is selling Butter Braids to raise funds for some NEW toys for the NEW playground! Orders can be placed online or with any CDC family until Monday, Dec. 2 with delivery on Fri., Dec. 13. Just in time for Christmas! Contact Kari at kari.huntington@stjohnseward.org or 643-3122 with any questions.
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Offering Sorting & Recording after Church Services
Part of our operations as a church is counting and recording the offering after each church service. We sort envelopes and loose checks by envelope numbers to record member and non-member giving. This allows accurate giving receipts at year-end. If you are willing and able to help with this process or would like more information, please contact Joel Endorf (joel.endorf@cune.org 402-243-3035) or the church office.
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Readers for Worship Needed
Please contact the church office is you are interested in reading the scripture in worship services (402-643-2983; jeff.neuman@stjohnseward.org). Or use this Sign-up Genius link
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Bell-Ringing for the Salvation Army
St. John hopes to fill bell-ringing shifts Friday evening, Dec. 20, and Sat., Dec. 21. Volunteer with a friend or family member to cover a one-hour shift. Ninety percent of the funds raised come back to Seward County and are used to help families and individuals with financial needs. A sign-up sheet will be located in the church narthex or call Juanita Ebert (402-643-4418) to register.
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Community Memorial Ceremony
Mon, Dec. 9, 6pm, Seward North Cemetery (Highway 15 & Waverly RD)
As the holiday season is upon us, the City of Seward, along with Volzke Funeral Home and Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home, will again be sponsoring a Candlelight Memorial Ceremony to remember and honor those who have gone on before us. Bring an ornament (no larger than 3”x5”) in memory of your loved ones to place on the Memorial Tree which is planted directly north of the cemetery office. This service is for anyone who has suffered a loss no matter where the burial was held, and you do not need to bring/place an ornament to attend. If you have questions, contact Seward City Hall at 402-643-2928.
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The LCMS Marches for Life
Jan. 24, 2025, 1pm, Washington DC
Join LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison and other Lutherans at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 24, 2025. By marching for life, we stand boldly together in the public square and confess our beliefs about the sanctity of life. Your presence will help us provide a public witness to our Lord’s creation of life and His design for marriage and the family. Help us share Christ’s love and mercy with all people. Every year on the morning of the March for Life, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, hosts Lutherans from all over the country for a Divine Service. You are welcome to attend! The Divine Service begins at 9am, followed by brunch in the church fellowship hall. Afterwards, everyone will make their way into D.C. for the March for Life. Click here to register.
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CUNE’s Saturday (Art) School Sessions for
Elementary & Middle-School Students – click here for details
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Christmas at Concordia Weekend and Buffet
click here for information and tickets
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Beef for Sale!
The St. John School Beef in Schools program has steaks for sale! First come first served. We have t-bones ($11.99/lb), ribeyes ($14.99/lb), and filets ($16.99/lb) available. Liver, heart, tongue, and tail are free. Pick-up steaks from St. John School between 8am-2pm, Monday-Friday. Payments can be made in the school office at the time of pick-up.
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Service Opportunities!
Interested in Helping with St. John Weddings?
Would you like to help coordinate? This involves all the details of the special day (we will train). Bless these brides and families by contacting the church office for more information (402-643-2983; jeff.neuman@stjohnseward.org).
Quilt Top Sewers Needed
The women who tie quilts for the comforters meet weekly and complete 4-6 quilts each Tuesday. They are in need of simple quilt tops that measure 84" x 64". Fabric is available at the CDC quilt room. If you are willing to sew tops and need further directions, check in with them on Tuesday mornings at the quilt room from 10am-12pm or contact Glenda Dobbertein at 402-643-9394.
Communion Set-up & Clean-up and Linen & Vestment Laundering
Help is needed in all three of these areas. If you would like to assist with these "altar guild" duties, please contact the church office (402-643-2983; jeff.neuman@stjohnseward.org).
Drivers for Out-of-Town Appointments
St. John provides rides to medical appointments, church and special events. We currently need more volunteers who can drive to Lincoln. Call Sue Wickersham at 402-643-6287 if you would like to serve in this way.
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When Bad Weather Hits . . .
When weather or disaster dictates that worship services need to be cancelled, the church office will inform the community through the following means:●church Facebook page; ●Channel 8 website – www.klkntv.com (community cancellations); and ●Channel 10/11 website – www.1011now.com (community cancellations). When there is bad weather in the area, please use common sense and do not put yourself in harm’s way. If services are held and you are unable to attend, you may always get a copy of the service on DVD or live-stream. [Livestream option: Click here for our YouTube channel, which also includes archived services.]
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Questions about: Charitable Contributions
If I make a contribution in early January, can I claim it on the previous year’s taxes?
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No, charitable contributions must be claimed in the year in which they are delivered.
If I mail a contribution in December, but it doesn’t reach my church until January, which year should I claim it?
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A check that is mailed to a charity is deductible in the year the check is mailed (and postmarked) even if it is received in the next year.
Can I deduct the value of volunteer work I did for the church?
- No, the value of personal services is never deductible as a charitable contribution; however, unreimbursed expenses you incur in performing services on behalf of the church may be.
Can I designate my contribution to the church benevolence fund (i.e. Hope Fund) to a specific person?
- No, you can not specify your contribution to be applied to a named individual.
This has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisors before engaging in any transaction.
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Offering Envelopes
Do you give online? Do you still use your offering envelopes? To be taken off of the offering envelope list reach out to brenda.rief@stjohnseward.org.
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Church Office Hours
The church office is opened to the public Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm.
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St. John Is a Stephen Ministry Congregation
If you need someone to help you through a difficult time, call any of the following:
●church office (402-643-2983)
●Deanna Dowding (402-643-3148)
●Mary Ann Steinbeck (402-499-6618)
●Lana Urban (402-641-3099)
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