ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
November 2023 Friendship Circle News
Our next meeting is November 15th at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Memorial Hall.
THEME: Thanksgiving - 2 Corinthians 8:9
HYMN: LSB 806 - Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
DEVOTIONS: The Oliver Special, Please! - Gayle G.
ROLL CALL: What are you grateful for?
BIBLE STUDY: Treasured by God - by Gayle Grimm
BUSINESS: Election of officers; Christmas Stocking Project; invite guests to our Saturday, December 9th brunch meeting; plan shut-in delivery; donation to school lunch program.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 9th brunch meeting – 10:00 a.m. at St. John Memorial Hall. Come and share the upcoming Christmas season by celebrating with friends and neighbors. Brunch will be served at 10:00 a.m., and a season-related program will follow. Put this date on your calendar and join us for this event.
2023-2025 MISSION GRANT NUMBER 2 is the focus for November. To provide a special Chapel – Offering Hope and Healing for At-Risk Children.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we bring to You the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Bismark campus, asking that You bless the efforts of all those involved in designing a specialized chapel that will serve as a healing space for the vulnerable and broken children being served. Let Your love, mercy, and healing be shown to everyone involved in the building of the chapel. Let all who enter this special building come to know You as their Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE NEXT NOISY SUNDAY is scheduled for Sunday, December 31, 2023. Save your coins and currency to put towards the LWML Mission Grants.
LUNCH BUNCH: We are meeting at the Barleycorn in Wamego for our next Lunch Bunch on Sunday November 12th at 11: a.m.
LUTHERAN CHURCH EXTENSION FUND: Jeff Maltz would love to talk with you and offer a 4.5% fixed rate six-month investment. Since 1978, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has been The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod based financial partner to help make the Gospel of Christ heard. You can feel good partnering with LCEF because we share your Lutheran beliefs. We also share your love for the Church. Always have. Always will. Go online to see how this works at LCEF.org.
The LCEF is a nonprofit ministry of the church. It is blessed by strong investors and faithful borrowers. It is a partnership that is working and through the continued blessings of our Lord, LCEF was pleased to make available $32,000 in Outreach Ministry Grants to congregations, schools, and other LCMS organizations within the Kansas and Oklahoma Districts.
Over 46 grant applications totaling $44,500 were received. St. John Lutheran Church has been awarded $500 for use in the school remodeling.
ALMA COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: The women of the churches of Alma have united in an effort to provide a Thanksgiving meal for those in our community without family or the means to celebrate this annual holiday meal that so many of us take for granted. This will be held on Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church. The menu will consist of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, and a dessert. You are invited to come to the hall to dine in and visit with fellow community members. Carry outs will also be available as well as “in town” deliveries. Please make your reservation by Wednesday, November 15 by calling or texting Ruth Wille at 785-499-3740 or Patty Stuewe at 785-556-4641. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help in anyway please give Ruth a call.
JUBELLATION: Handbells will practice November 1st through the 15th at 6:45 p.m. There will be no practice on November 22nd. Beginning November 29th, practice will start at 6:00 p.m. during Advent.
CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE
Genesis 1:26, 27 talks of the creation of mankind, humans being created “in our (God’s) image.” God is referred to as plural, “our image.” God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all in one person. When I think of us being in His image, I think of the “whole person,” mind, body, spirit (or soul), that comprises each human being. God of course, is perfect, sinless, and almighty. Humans should reflect God’s character of love and caring while recognizing that we are still sinful, vulnerable to diseases of the body and mind, and are often weak in spirit. People struggle with various mental and emotional illnesses caused by such things as chemical imbalance, overload of stress, abuse of drugs or alcohol, or brain injuries. While our minds experience the emotions of daily living, our bodies are right there, also affected by those feelings and thoughts and experiences which then often contribute to physical symptoms. Our physical bodies are vulnerable and susceptible to many difficulties including short-term illness, injury, chronic diseases, ongoing pain that can affect our “whole being,” even feeling weak in spirit. But there is hope! We are created in God’s image! God is love. His greatest gift of love to us is grace, given through the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus. We are loved; we are forgiven. We belong to Him. Our souls are eternal and live with God forever! We know through all things, earthly wars, disasters, personal physical, mental or spiritual struggles, that God loves us and will never forsake us. The Bible reminds us that because we are made in God’s image, we can know love. We can love God, and we can also love and serve others as He commands. “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14
Dottie Simon, RN, Parish Nurse, retired: LPNI.org
Vaccination Reminder
October through November are the ideal months to be vaccinated against the influenza virus. The vaccine is recommended for people six months through elderly adults. The type of vaccine and dosages to be given vary with age, previous vaccination record, contraindications, and availability of the vaccines. Influenza typically peaks in January and February after crowds have gathered for holiday celebrations and as the cold weather causes people to spend the majority of their time indoors. Vaccination in advance of these conditions helps the body to develop immunity to influenza before being exposed to the live virus. It is wise to consult your personal physician of you have questions regarding influenza vaccination. The vaccine is available from your physician’s office, your pharmacy, and the local health departments. Be safe. Get vaccinated!MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN UPDATE: Annually October 15th through December 7th is the time to review and compare the best coverage for Medicare prescription drug coverage. It is recommended to compare your current drug plan with other offers to get the best coverage for the least expense throughout the year 2024. You can do so with the help of Medicare assistants from the Wabaunsee County Research and Extension service by making an appointment. Certified assistants are available to walk you through the process. You will need a current list of all of your prescription drugs in order for them to make the comparison for you. To make an appointment, call 785-765-3821. (Previous participants should have received a letter regarding this year’s appointment process.
HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will be available after the service on October 8th to check blood pressures and address any health-related concerns. This is a free service and available for anyone.
Janet Wertzberger, RN, Parish NurseIn This Month's
St. John Witness
NOVEMBER WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
