Welcome to the 2020: The Year of Mission
Sent by the Crucified and Risen Jesus to Make Disciples, Equip Leaders, Strengthen Parishes, and Launch New Communities for the Renewal of Northwestern Ohio and the World.

We celebrate with Tavilynn Dillender as she starts her Catechism studies. Our youth receive a Bible from St. John’s congregation to help them with their upcoming studies.

As part of a baptism, our congregation promises to help the baptized grow in the Christian faith and life. Today, we celebrate that Tavi begins the next part of her faith journey, joining Cole, Cassidy, Wade, and Joshua in catechism each week. There are so many ways that they grow during this time, as Jesus' love becomes (hopefully) more evident and meaningful. Please keep them in your prayers. As part of this journey, they are also encouraged to complete a variety of activities and keep track of their points. Many of you are involved in activities that can help them acquire points--serving in the community, attending a team meeting, singing in the choir, etc. Please invite these young people to join you!

Fellowship Hour: For the next few months, there will be fellowship on the 1st Sunday of the month at 9:45 instead of after worship. Please join us during this special time! Continental breakfast is provided. February 2nd fellowship is at 9:45 before worship. It will be your opportunity to ask property team all of your questions! Please join us for coffee and breakfast.

Sunday School teachers: January 19 –
Younger students: Yvonne Semon
Older students: Chuck & Heather Ruggles
Adult Class: Deacon Erin Bodenstab

Cold and Flu Season is here! During “Sharing of the Peace”, feel free to give a “peaceful SMILE or WAVE” if you have a cold or just do not enjoy this “hand-shaking tradition”.  Hand sanitizer is available in each pew near center aisle and on window ledge at back of sanctuary, should you wish to use it. God’s Peace to you. 

Attention Thrivent Members: If you are a Thrivent member, please contact Peg Kingsley. Peg would like to share information about Thrivent’s Action Team program.

Have you ever wondered about giving to St. John's? A small stewardship team has put together a booklet looking at where giving goes, the ministry of the St John's family, and a variety of ways to give. Please pick up a booklet at the back of the church and enjoy the pictures and descriptions. A special thanks to Grace Lutheran of Apple Valley for sharing some of the ideas for the booklet.

Sandwich making event: Tomorrow, Monday the 13^th, at 11 AM at St. John's we will make 100 lunches to take to Care and Share. This is an easy service project and everyone is encouraged to help!

Book Club meets: We meet the third Tuesday of the month at 10 am here at the church in the Upper Room on January 15^th. We are reading “Holy Envy”.

Servant Events: The winter months can be difficult for people who experience food scarcity. We will be raising awareness about hunger in our community during the months of January and February. Please join us January 19 after worship as OHgo presents their unique plan to helping those who are hungry in our neighborhoods. Then, you're invited February 2 for inter-generational Sunday School at 9 AM as we talk about hunger. That Sunday, we will also do the Souper Bowl of caring during worship, where we join with Lutherans around the country and take donations/offering to be given to combat hunger. Also watch for a date where we make sandwiches for Care and Share, thanks to help from Thrivent! 

Sunday School is collecting food items for OHgo beginning February 2nd. Please take a bag they have decorated and fill it with food

Newsletter deadline: Sunday, January 19^th have information to Sandy Thompson to be included in the February newsletter.

Calling all women! You are invited to a Bible Study on the third Tuesday of the month at noon at Vine and Olive. We will be doing the Bible Study in the Gather magazine published by the ELCA. A one-year subscription is $20. Please see Pastor Stacy to sign up. We begin on the third Tuesday of February.

Second Tuesday Small Group: Our young family winter get-together has been rescheduled! You are invited to Chet and Matt’s on January 14th at 5:30 for dinner. Kids get to bring a less than $5 gift to exchange. Parents are invited to bring a white elephant gift (something you found around the house). Buffet is $12 for adults (kids are much cheaper) and we have the banquet room reserved. 

The adult 2nd Tuesday group will meet on the 14th, 5:30-7pm, at the home of Ron and Melinda Zorn: 1909 Lake Forest Dr., Huron. (Pine Lakes Condos) 

Teams and Committees: Team/committee reports for 2019 annual congregational booklet due TODAY to Sandy Thompson.

Mark your calendars: St John's 2019 Annual meeting is February 9, 2020, after worship with potluck following.

We continue to have an active prayer chain. If you are willing to be a part of the chain and pray for others during their time of need, please let Pastor Stacy know. As a part of the chain, you receive a phone call and then call the next person. And you pray. Thank you!

In our prayers: Prayer is one of the most beautiful and meaningful gifts we can offer one another. Occasionally there are folks in this congregation, or friends of relatives of members, in need of prayer for various reasons. Your prayers needed for:
Caitlin Berg - friend of Samantha Lane
Aileen Wilson - prayers for comfort and healing.
Donna Morrissey - Healing prayers - friend of the Voights
Larry Schlessman – Continued prayers for comfort and healing. 
Mike Van Slambrouck – Lisa Wilson’s brother-in-law recovering from heart surgery.
Connie Deehr – in need of our prayers.
Congregational Council requests St. John’s congregation pray for our elected officials and our military in this time of unrest.

Happy Birthday wishes to Sandy Thompson. Belated birthday wishes to Marcia Dawson.

ST. JOHN’S CALENDAR JANUARY 12^th THRU JANUARY 26^th

Constitution Meeting: Changes required by 2016 and 2019 ELCA Model Constitution caused our Constitution, By-Laws and Continuing Resolutions to be consolidated into one new document. Any item with an asterisk (*) cannot be changed per ELCA directives.

Now we need some “new eyes” reviewing this document. Please come to a Constitution meeting with Council on Wednesday, January 15 at noon in St. John’s fellowship hall. 

Please bring your computer or your hard copy which you have reviewed and your questions. If you do not have a printer, some copies will be available this Sunday, January 12 at worship for those willing to review draft and assist the Constitution Committee and Council.

For questions, contact Kevin Young at kayoung@buckeye-express.com or Ann Voight at annsvoight@bex.net. Do join us on Wednesday, January 15^th at noon.

Nominating Committee and Council recommended slate for 2020 Elections at Annual Meeting
Pastor Stacy Lauer-Scovanner - Permanent Ex-officio Member
Ann Voight - Immediate Past-President - Ex-officio member - one year

Council Positions to be elected for one year:
President – Kevin Young
Vice-President - Heather Ruggles

Council Positions to be elected for two years:
Treasurer— Ron Zorn
At - Large Representative - Jerrie Krawetzki
Worship Team Representative – Sandy Thompson
At – Large Representative - Vacant

Council Members continuing with second year of two-year term 
Secretary - Peg Kingsley
Faith Life Representative – Paula Hoffman
Financial Team Representative – Ron Zorn
Property Team Representative – Jeff Justi

Council Members Completed Terms
Immediate Past-President – Bob Krawetzki
Treasurer – Colleen Shupe
At - Large Representative – Barry Laird
At – Large Representative – Bonny Ambos
Young Adult Representative (up to 30 years) – Jenna Stacy

Endowment Committee Members to be elected for three years:
Mary K Schlessman and John Miller 

Go in peace to love and serve God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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