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!
April 2025 Friendship Circle News
Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall
Hymn: "God Loves Me Dearly" LSB 392
Devotion: You are Priceless and Precious given by Elaine Becker
Roll Call: A Bible verse with love
Bible Study: Chosen, Treasured, Redeemed given by Elaine Becker
Business: Spring Event Report
Service Activity: Mite Box
LWML MISSION GRANT FOCUS FOR APRIL 2025: – St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Cullman, AL - $50,000
This school has served the church and the Cullman community since 1887, and the current building was built in 1951. St. Paul’s is one of two Lutheran elementary schools in northern Alabama.
This school has served the church and the Cullman community since 1887, and the current building was built in 1951. St. Paul’s is one of two Lutheran elementary schools in northern Alabama.Their building has been through multiple tornadoes. So there are safety concerns, replacement windows, emergency doors, and updated HVAC technology that need to be addressed. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Ps. 127:1, 3).
build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Ps. 127:1, 3).LUNCH BUNCH will meet at El Corral on April 6th. Join us for fellowship and good food.
BOOK STUDY: The group continues and invites others to join them at 7:00 p.m. on April 10th and 24th.
JUBELLATION: JuBellation will practice on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning April 16th.
VOICES FOR GOD: This season, the choir practices on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. We have selected some songs that we have done in the past to sing through May. We are still inviting people to sing with us.
ST. JOHN’S LPTL: Need a Mother’s Day, Graduation, or Birth? St. John School’s LPTL is once again placing an order for Scrips Gift Cards April 14 and May 3. You will find the order forms on www.stjohnalma.eduk12.net, in the April newsletter, on the table by the secretary’s office. If there is another gift card you are interested in you may look on the raiseright.com website for all the cards available. Please contact Gayle Grimm if you have any questions. Thanks for supporting St. John Lutheran School with your purchases!
CARING NEIGHBORS CANCER FUND: This fund was established in 2015 by a group of local community members whose goal is to financially assist people living in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties who are currently receiving treatment for cancer. The committee’s purpose is to help defray some expenses for patients not covered by health insurance, such as insurance deductibles, airfare, lodging, and food.
Money is generated through donations, memorials, and fundraising events. The fund is a 501(c)3 with no administrative costs since the committee is an all-volunteer team. The criteria for assistance are to be currently receiving cancer treatments and living in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties. There is a simple application form that needs to be filled out with two committee members present. The names of those who receive assistance are kept in the strictest confidence. For more information, or to request assistance, you may contact either Chris Day at 785-456-5325 or Donna Goehring at 785-458-9205.
HEIT’S POINT CAMP: Summer camp counselors are needed. Applications are being accepted to be a counselor. Camp starts the last week of May and wraps up the first week of August. If you are a Lutheran youth ages 18-24, who love Jesus, the outdoors and kids, please prayerfully consider sharing your faith this summer. Do something that will last eternally. Call Janine at 620-795-2008 or go to NLOMA.org and apply.
From the Parish Nurse…
THE GIFTED CHALLENGE
When God sent His Son, Jesus to be born as a human, Mary became a young mother by the power of the Most High. The challenge of pregnancy must have generated feelings in her of fear and challenge as evidenced when she asked the angel, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” Some of us have experienced the surprise of pregnancy and wondered how to care for this gift of a child and/or children? Some may ask where to turn for support and understanding of how to go on in life? What choices are there? What if I don’t know if I am pregnant?
The Lutheran Parish Nurses recently met at the Lifeline Women’s Resource Center in Topeka to learn of the support services available for pregnant women and their significant other. This is a support agency staffed by two volunteer registered nurses and an office coordinator who provide counseling and pregnancy testing as the first step in making a plan to move forward. They are trained to provide a limited initial ultrasound to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and to determine how far along the pregnancy has progressed. All of these services are free, and the Resource Center is entirely volunteers.
A woman has choices when facing a pregnancy. The Resource Center can help the pregnant woman to process what any decision will look like in both short-term and long-term scenarios. Let’s be clear; this agency does not make referrals for abortions. Instead, with loving counseling, the nurses provide the honest information about abortion and how that affects the mother in her plan to move on in life. The Resource Center staff can provide referrals and information for: abortion pill reversal, adoption, churches, moms/dads groups, parenting classes, professional counseling, and a post abortion support group. They can also assist pregnant women in applying for presumptive eligibility and Medicaid to receive medical care. In addition, the center has developed a supply closet of diapers, clothing, and infant formula to support mothers who have chosen to parent and struggle. These gifts are also free to the mother.
In Luke 1:56, the Bible tells us that Mary stayed with her cousin Elizabeth for about three months. I suspect the time spent with Elizabeth gave support to both Mary as a new, young mother-to-be and to Elizabeth who was further along in her pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of life for a mother, and it can also be a very challenging time of life. It is important to give our support and compassion to those who find themselves challenged by their gifts.
Contact information for this service is: call or text 785-249-6130; email LWRC@lifelinechild.org; or an in-person visit at 2041 SW McAlister Avenue, Topeka, KS.
Side Note: Nan Nelson is one of the staff nurses at the Women’s Resource Center who retired from Stormont-Vail Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She volunteers her services and experience to help women in their pregnancies. She was also formerly one of the nurses who supported and cared for my daughter during the birth of her quadruplets and upon returning home to care for them. She is the wife of a Topeka, minister.
Gifted by Jesus,
Janet Wertzberger, RN
Parish Nurse
HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will be available after the service on April 6th to check blood pressures and address any health-related concerns. This is a free service and available for anyone.
In This Month's
St. John Witness
APRIL WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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