St. John’s HELPER
St. John’s United Church of Christ
1513 West Street
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Church Office: 281-342-5159 Fax: 832-759-5548 Church Email:
Church Website: www.stjohnsunitedchurchofchrist.org
Rev. Daniel Haas, Minister Cell phone #801-368-1180
March 22, 2017 Rev. Donald Kolkmeier, Pastor Emeritus
No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at St. John’s United Church of Christ
“Free Children’s Ministries in Rosenberg”
St. John’s United Church of Christ is a great place for children with lots of programming year-round. Every week our worship there includes a special children’s moment to help the kids relate to what the grownups are about to hear in the sermon. After that the children are invited to our well-equipped and friendly-staffed nursery for Children’s Church. All local activities are free of charge.
During spring break we offer a fun day for kids. This year it had a St. Patrick’s Day theme and the weather cooperated so we could play tons of outside games, on top of all the crafts and snacks that were going on inside. From spring break to Easter St. John’s United Church of Christ Children’s Choir rehearses beginning Wednesday, March 22, 2017 6:00-7:00 p.m. Choir will also rehearse on March 29, April 5 and April 12th Children will sing during the worship service on Easter morning, April 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Children of all ages are welcome.
In the summer we encourage all children and youth to attend summer camp at Slumber Falls in New Braunfels, Texas. Camps are typically a week long and have approximately 40-60 campers. Slumber Falls intentionally keeps the numbers low to provide each child with the opportunity for lots of individual care and attention. Over the years, Slumber Falls Camp has been known for creating lasting friendships. With small cabin groups, team building, and spiritual enrichment, it is easy for campers and counselors to form those lasting relationships that model our relationship with God. Activities include group games, team building exercises, engagement with scripture, singing, skits, swimming, hiking, volleyball, basketball, star gazing, campfires, talent shows, nature exploration, river wading and so much more. Sign up early to get discounts and don’t hesitate to ask for scholarships.
Another summertime favorite is Vacation Bible School. Every summer we offer a week long program full of songs, crafts, games, and snacks that attracts dozens of youngsters. From younger children to teenagers everyone will have something to do that is fun and meaningful. Faith and community can enrich everybody’s summer experience. In 2017 please plan to join us August 7-11.
November comes with the celebration of St. Martin’s Day, a cherished German holiday tradition. Every year around November 11, St. Martin is coming to St. John’s on horseback. We start by making paper lanterns with the kids. After a shared meal we will follow horse and rider into the street for a lantern procession. Great fun for young and old!
Every December St. John’s welcomes a special visitor: Santa Claus! The children get to enjoy games, crafts, and snacks. Saint Nick is available for photos. Also the children have a chance to create their own gifts for people they care about. This is a morning full of holiday cheer!
Leading up to our Christmas Eve service the children practice for the Christmas Pageant. Do you want to be Joseph or Mary, a shepherd or an angel? If you don’t want a speaking part you can always be a sheep. It’s important to show up at the manger, no matter how old or young you are. But as a child you get to actually participate and celebrate the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ. Grownups just get to watch.
On top of Sunday activities and the seasonal highlights, boys ages 10-18 are also welcome to our Boy Scout Troop 309. They meet every week and go on lots of fun trips. All in all your child has up to 258 hours of quality programming available every year. That equals about an hour every weekday. Come to church! It’s worth it!
Blessings,
Rev. Daniel Haas
Attendance for March 19, 2017
Church Attendance 57
Sunday School 13
THOSE IN OUR PRAYERS
Requesting Prayer for Themselves:
Denver McFarland
Requesting Prayers for Others
Gary Ashley by Jimmie Ashley
Steve Brown by Joyce Lamensky & Ella Brown
Adolph Chabisek by Glenn Urbanek
Jim Drennan by Patricia Slind
Nathan Gaskamp by Florence Gaskamp
Nelda Gutowsky by Florence Gaskamp
Gary Harbes by Melba Ashley
Stan Kubelka by Kathy Kubelka
Sharon Loesch by Patsy Kubes
Emma Lee Marek by Darwin Enax/Diana Beck
Ginger Pawlek by Gloria Himly
Wolfgang Schmidt by Angelika Schmidt
Kara Schmith by Michelle Gutowsky
Sara Schoditsch by June Weiss
Rebecca Schulte by Gloria Himly
Darlean Swallers by Diana Beck
Mary Weimer by Petra Weimer
Sarah Weimer by Petra Weimer
Preparing for Sunday, March 26
Scripture: Psalm 23
John 9:1-41
Sermon: “I Once was Blind but Now I See”
Adult Sunday School
The Adult Sunday School class meets at 9:00 a.m. and typically ends around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the Disciples Classroom. All are invited and welcomed to attend and share in discussion of various weekly topics. Lessons are led by Leo Niemeyer. This Sunday, March 26th there will be a combined adult and confirmation class lesson led by our Pastor on the topic of “What is Cross Theology?” For this Sunday the class will meet in room #102.
Spring Fun Day
Thank you to all who assisted in any way with our Spring Fun Day last Friday. Games, crafts and snacks go a long way to helping children and youth enjoy the day. Your time and dedication is greatly appreciated.
Holy Week-April 9-16
Palm Sunday-Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Maundy Thursday-meal and service at 6:00 p.m.
Soup and Salad provided by the
Brotherhood.
Good Friday-luncheon and service at 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon provided by Women’s Guild
followed by service in the sanctuary.
Easter-Breakfast, Egg hunt and worship service
Breakfast and Egg hunt at 9:00 a.m.
Worship service at 10:00 a.m.
Rice Charity Fast
You are invited to a Lenten Rice Charity Fast at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, March 28th.
Available Altar Flowers Dates
The following dates are open Sunday’s in 2017 should you wish to place flowers on the altar in honor or memory of someone: April 30, June 4, August 20 and December 17th. Please contact the office for further information.
Daily Devotionals
These Days, Daily Devotional booklets for April, May and June are now available in the Narthex. These are for your use, free of charge and made available by the Women’s Guild.
Slumber Falls Summer Camp
It’s not too early to be thinking about summer camp at Slumber Falls, in fact early registration for children ages 6-18 years old is April 1st ($20 discount if paid by then). There’s even a bring a friend discount, family discount and military discount, so please go check out their website www.slumberfalls.org and see the dates for the various summer camps being offered. Scholarships are available through the church.
Early Bird Discount until April 1st:
Campers need to register ASAP.
CIT Training Camp / Jun 04-07 / 14-17 / $380.00Roaring Rapids / Jun 11-17 / 15-18 / $475.00
Eco Camp / Jun 11-17 / 9-12 / $475.00
Streams of Faith 1 / Jun 18-24 / 9-11 / $475.00
Creeks in Creation / Jun 25-Jul 01 / 12-13 / $475.00
Springs Alive / Jul 05-08 / 6-8 / $315.00
Living Waters / Jul 09-15 / 13-15 / $475.00
Sports Camp / Jul 09-15 / 9-12 / $475.00
Streams of Faith 2 / Jul 16-22 / 9-11 / $475.00
St. John’s United Church of Christ
Children’s Choir
Choir rehearsals beginning
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Choir will also rehearse on
March 29, April 5 and April 12th
Children will sing during the worship service on
Easter morning,
April 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Children of all ages are welcome
For more information please contact the church office at 281-342-5159
Painted Churches of Schulenburg
When: Thursday, April 6th
Cost: $10 for the tour and $10.95 for lunch at the Oakridge Smokehouse
We are planning to carpool and therefore need to leave the parking lot of St. John’s UCC at 8:30 a.m. in order to attend the 10:00 a.m. guided tour. Two churches will be visited and then a break for lunch followed by touring two additional painted churches.
Please RSVP today (sign-up sheet located in the Narthex and in the kitchen).
Hospitality Training Workshop
All members of the Spiritual Council, Ushers and Greeters along with Church Council members are invited to stay after church this Sunday, March 26th for a Hospitality Training Workshop. This is a time to reflect on how we currently greet others and how we make them feel at home here at St. John’s UCC and to look for any ways that we might improve. This should take only an hour of your time and then you will be out in time for lunch.
One Great Hour of Sharing
This Sunday during the worship service we will take a special offering for One Great Hour of Sharing (envelopes will be provided in the bulletin). Donations will help fund health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries and both international and domestic disaster relief. This program is administered by the Wider Church Ministries.
Calendar
For Sunday, March 26, 2017
Lay Reader: Nina Cooper
Flowers for Altar:
Tom Phillips Memorial
Greeters & Ushers for March
Robbie Hartfiel, Christiana Woodard,
Anna Woodard, Lawson Wooten
Lay Readers for March
Janet Enax, Tom Gaskamp,
Michelle Gutowsky, Nina Cooper
Altar Flowers for March
Marek, Gaskamp, Gutowsky, 3/5
June & Charley Weiss Jr., 3/12
Lena & Johnny Filipp, 3/19
Tom Phillips Memorial, 3/26
March 26, 2017
Rev. Daniel Haas will deliver the
morning message entitled,
“I Once was Blind but Now I See”
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
Hospitality Training Workshop
Looking Ahead
Adult Sunday School-9:00-9:30 a.m.
Confirmation Class-2nd & 4th Sunday
Choir Rehearsals, Wednesday @ 7pm
Children’s Choir, 3/22
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, 3/26
Hospitality Training, 3/26
Rice Charity Fast-Prayer/Communion, 3/28
Parish Hall Rental-Celebration of Life, 4/1
Holy Communion observed, 4/2
Celebration of Joy, 4/2
CROP Walk Sign-Up begins, 4/2
Painted Churches Tour, 4/6
Palm Sunday, 4/9
Maundy Thursday Meal & Service, 4/13
Good Friday Luncheon & Service, 4/14
Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt, 4/16
Easter Service, 4/16
Houston Association Spring Meeting, 4/22
CROP Walk, 4/29
Thought for the week:
“When you run alone, it’s called a Race.
When God runs with you, it’s called
Grace.”
“Enroll” your Kroger’s card with the Brotherhoods Community Rewards Program. Go online and use #84302 as the organization number.
Link to Kroger’s Community Rewards website: https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards
(On your computer push Control and click your mouse at the same time while hovering the mouse over the above link and it will take you directly to the Kroger registration page.)