November 20-21, 2021
The Bible teaches that along with the bread and wine of Holy Communion we also receive the true body and blood of our Savior. Jesus’ own words, “this is my body” and “this is my blood for the forgiveness of sins” reveal His Real Presence in the sacrament (Luke 22, I Cor. 10:15-16). The Bible also teaches (1 Cor. 11:23-32) the Lord’s Supper, properly received brings great blessings, but improperly received without understanding can actually incur God’s judgment. If you are a baptized Christian who has been instructed in the Biblical teaching of communion, please feel free to commune today.
However, if you have any questions, please first speak to a pastor.
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Revelation 1:4-8
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
HOLY GOSPEL: John 18:33-37
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Week of November 21, 2021
THIS WEEKEND - What is your source of security today? Is it your family, your job, or the state of your community or country? If so, there is a high likelihood you spend a lot of your time worrying. But what if we learned to face each new day with a greater realization of who our God is and what He is like? This weekend as we celebrate Christ as our King, we also explore how to redirect our understanding of reality for today and into eternity in the care of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE
Bring your family, friends and neighbors and join us as we gather in thankful celebration and worship on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. This special family worship service is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for all that the Lord has done!
NEXT WEEKEND STARTS THE ADVENT SEASON
From brightly decorated trees to greeting cards, the Advent and Christmas seasons are full of symbols that point to the coming of a Savior. Over the years, the understanding of many of these representations has fallen into obscurity.
Others have been a claimed by a secular society seeking to mask the true “reason for the season”. This series brings many of these symbols into focus, briefly unpacks them, and connects them to the story of the Word Incarnate, born in a manger, over 2000 years ago.
In addition to our weekend services, Wednesday Advent Services will take place on December 1, 8 & 15 at 4:15 PM and 7:00 PM. Advent Dinners will be served between services each week in the Gym. Look for more details next week.
THE WEEKLY CONNECTION
ONE IN JESUS…REACHING MANY!
WORSHIP CELEBRATION
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
Praise the Lord for new members of our St. John family! Pictured are just some of those who, having completed our 8-week ONE Class, were officially welcomed last weekend in worship! We are beyond thankful for these amazing people (37 families, 61 adults, 29 children) and all that is ahead as we continue to grow and serve together in Jesus’ name!
If you are interested in making St. John your church home, the next ONE Class will be start in January 2022. Watch for more details coming in December.
GET INTO THE WORD! Check our website for the list of many bible studies taking place this fall.
Sunday morning 9:30AM classes will meet next Sunday (Thanksgiving weekend).
Sunday School for children preschool through 6th grade meets every
Sunday at 9:30 AM in the school wing classrooms. Check in at the kiosk in the school hallway. All are welcome! No Sunday School next weekend for Thanksgiving Break.
MAIN OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK: Monday & Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Wednesday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Thursday & Friday – Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.
BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
SHARED LIFE
POSITION OPENING | FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS – The Director of Operations supports the mission of St. John Lutheran Church & School: One in Jesus…Reaching Many, by proactively managing the financial, physical, and human resources. This individual is responsible for the business operations of the church including finance, human resources, and facilities management. The individual will help develop, lead, and execute a long-term strategic plan for the church. They will manage both the finance and operations personnel and will act as the liaison between the staff and the pastoral office. Other duties may include leading capital campaigns, managing building renovations and development of the human resource vision of the church and school. If interested, please contact Pastor Steve Grafe at [email protected] or 248-402-8000 for more details.
THE LUTHERAN WITNESS MAGAZINE - Now is the time to order or renew your subscription of THE LUTHERAN WITNESS for 2022! The Lutheran Witness is the official periodical of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod and is published 11 times a year. It provides stories and information that complement congregational life, foster personal growth in faith, and help interpret the contemporary world from a Lutheran Christian perspective. It also includes the Michigan in Touch supplement. The new subscription year begins March 2022 and orders need to be turned in to the Pastoral Office by Monday, December 6 to take advantage of a discounted rate of $11.60/year. Checks should be made to “St. John Lutheran Church” with “Lutheran Witness” written on the memo line. Please contact the Pastoral Office at 248- 402-8020 or [email protected] for more information.
LIGHTHOUSE – Middle School Ministry | Grades 6-8 &
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY | Grades 9-12
We would love to have you join us! Middle School will meet Sunday (11/21) from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Gym. No High School Youth this week.
Next Week (11/28) - No Middle School or High School Youth. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break!
SCHOOL NEWS
Congratulations to our St. John 5th-6th grade Girls Basketball Team on taking 1st place at the Lutheran Northwest Elementary Girls Basketball Tournament on Saturday! Thank you to coaches Bill Sheldon and Sara Jung and great job to the girls for their hard work. To God be the Glory. Go Eagles!
Preschool to 8th grade will be off from school this week as the teachers will be attending the Connection Conference in Fort Wayne, IN on Monday & Tuesday, and Wednesday – Friday will be Thanksgiving Break. Happy Thanksgiving from St. John Lutheran School!
CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES
FOOD COLLECTION ENDS THIS WEEK - Help bless struggling families in our community. Grocery bags with an attached shopping list are available in the South Church Lobby and in the Atrium. You can also get the shopping list by visiting
www.stjohnrochester.org/neighbor-to-neighbor-food-drive.
Feel free to pick and choose which items on the list you’ll buy, and in what quantity. All of it will be a blessing! The food items will be delivered to Rochester Area Neighborhood House and God’s Helping Hands this week.
GIFTS FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN (GFAGC) Gift Giving Opportunity – We are once again partnering with GFAGC, one of our St. John Mission Partners, to supply Christmas gifts for at-risk children in local urban areas.
Here are the ways you can support this mission partner and share the love of Jesus with those who need hope this Christmas:
• Sponsor a child – This entails buying 5 gifts from a child’s list of needed items and bringing the wrapped gifts to St. John the weekend of December 4/5.
• Donate a single gift(s) – Purchase an item from a list of items needed at the GFAGC workshop and bring it in a gift bag to St.
John the weekend of December 4/5.
• Make a financial donation to GFAGC organization.
Look for the email message sent out this week or check our website to get all the details on how to participate in this giving program. Contact the Pastoral Office, 248-402-8020, with any questions.
COMPASSIONATE SERVICE
SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY
FINANCIAL UPDATES
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing!” 2 Thessalonians 1:3
GENERAL MISSION & MINISTRY OFFERINGS (as of 11/14/21) Offerings for week ending November 14………$ 44,936 As of 11/14/21 Y.T.D. Budgeted Offerings: $ 873,414 As of 11/14/21 Y.T.D. Actual Offerings: $ 936,881 As of 11/14/21 Y.T.D. Variance to Budget: $ 63,467
(St. John’s fiscal year is 7/1/21 through 6/30/22.)
Budget to Actual (Week of November 14) = 75.1%
Year-to-Date Offering Budget to Actual = 107.3%
WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR WHATEVER IS ON YOUR HEART. To submit a prayer request, please text or email it to [email protected] at any time or submit a prayer request on our website.
Healing & Peace: Larry Walsh / Jeanne Robinson – COVID / Mark Dunn (son of Mike & Melodee) - hospitalized for potential blood clot to kidney / Tony Barton – hospitalized /
James Boeder (stepfather of Christine Wissbrun) – lung cancer complications / Judy Stoll – hospitalized / Ann Danielson / Lisa Stewart (daughter-in-law of Lenore Caruso) – surgery this week
Bereavement: – “for the family & friends of” Rose Morton (mother of Tracie Rader), Graham Edwards Sr, William Saunders
Strength & Guidance: Judie Boeder / Brendan Santo – still missing / Sharon Hardy & family – safe travel Gospel Impact: Prayer Seminar
Thanksgiving: For all the blessings throughout the past year, Food donations received
CONSTANT PRAYER
Worship Celebration Schedule
Traditional Praise: Sundays @ 8:00 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE), 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM
Modern Praise: Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 10:45 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE) 1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | 248.402.8000 | stjohnrochester.org
