Second Sunday in Advent - December 5, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.

The following represents the current schedule for upcoming Worship Services. Advent Matins Worship Service; December 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. - Live Streamed Advent Vespers Worship Service; December 1, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. First Sunday in Advent Worship Service; November 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. - Live Streamed Adult Bible Class at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings after Worship

The Church Year Journey Begins in Advent

November 27, 2021 - When Advent begins on November 28 this year, so does a new church year for liturgical congregations. The church seasons, which correspond to key events in Jesus’ life, begin with the four-week Advent period of preparation for our coming Savior at Christmas. After the 12-day season of Christmas is Epiphany, which begins January 6 and continues through Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. That period of preparation culminates in Holy Week, and then Easter marks the pinnacle of every church year. Forty days after the Resurrection we celebrate Ascension, and 10 days after that, the Pentecost season begins; it lasts until Advent, when the cycle begins again. “Like a great waterwheel,” writes Joan Chittister, “the liturgical year goes on relentlessly irrigating our souls, softening the ground of our hearts, nourishing the soil of our lives until the seed of the Word of God itself begins to grow in us, comes to fruit in us, ripens in us the spiritual journey of a lifetime.”

Our Advent Worship Services will be held each Wednesday through Advent with a Matins Service at 10:30 a.m. and a Vespers Service at 7:30 p.m. We pray each of us may find time to attend at either opportunity to look forward to the celebration of Christ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day too!

• December 1: "Advent Silence - Zechariah's Story" (Luke 1)
• December 8: "Advent Expectation - Elizabeth's Story" (Luke 1)
• December 15: "Advent Faith - Mary's Story" (Luke 1)
• December 22: "Advent Action - Joseph's Story" (Matthew 1)
• Christmas Eve Service - 6:00 p.m.
• Christmas Day Service - 9:00 a.m.

Opportunities for Further Growth in December

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

• Sunday School has returned from a summer break.
• There will be Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Catechesis & New Membership

Catechesis means "Instruction in the Christian Faith." Catechesis begins when one inquires about membership in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church and continues in various forms throughout the life of a Christian.

Those desiring membership at St. John are asked to speak with the pastor. In order to receive the Lord's Supper, instruction in the Christian faith according to the Scriptures and Luther's Small Catechism is necessary. There is no fee or obligation for instruction.

Those who are already members of St. John mature and deepen in their understanding of the faith and their love for the Lord and neighbor by attending Divine Service and, as schedules permit, partaking of one or more of the following forums for ongoing catechesis:

• Adult Bible Class, held Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
• Midweek School, for Grades 4–8 preparing to receive the Lord's Supper; meets Wednesdays during the school year from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. in the basement.
• Adult Catechesis (new member instruction) contact the pastor for the current schedule or to schedule a time.

Visitation of the Hospitalized and Homebound - From the Pastor

There are circumstances in life that might land someone in the hospital. As your pastor, I consider it a high priority to visit when one of our members is in the hospital. But I might not always get the message. Sometimes people forget. Sometimes you might assume that someone else will let me know. If I should know that someone is in need of a pastoral visit in the hospital, please let me know. I would rather get five calls or messages letting me know than none. Thank you, Pastor Toensing