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!
November 2024 Friendship Circle News
Our next meeting is November 20th at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Memorial Hall.
THEME: Struggles and Challenges
HYMN: "Christ Be My Leader" (LSB 861)
DEVOTION: "Oh My!" given by Judy Peddicord
ROLL CALL: Favorite Thanksgiving Food
BIBLE STUDY: "The Light No Darkness Can Overcome" led by Gayle Grimm
BUSINESS: Election of Officers; Christmas Stocking Project; Bring guests to the December meeting; Shut-in
Holiday Delivery; Donation to School Lunch Fund.
SERVICE ACTIVITY: Mite Box with Devotion
October Meeting News
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Slate of Officers was presented: President: Debbie MacGregor; Vice President: Janet Wertzberger; Secretary: Sandy Altevogt; Treasurer: Joyce Diehl.
Slate of Officers was presented: President: Debbie MacGregor; Vice President: Janet Wertzberger; Secretary: Sandy Altevogt; Treasurer: Joyce Diehl. •The date set for the Christmas meeting is Friday, December 6th.
The date set for the Christmas meeting is Friday, December 6th. •Quilt committee reported that quilts have been given to the Heritage Home and the Orphan Grain
Quilt committee reported that quilts have been given to the Heritage Home and the Orphan Grain Train.
MISSOIN GRANTS FOR NOVEMBER
MISSION GRANT #19 – Tanzania Children’s Home; Protecting Albino Children - $74,000.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8
We pray: Dear Lord, we ask You to bless the contributions given to protect albino children from an evil that we do not understand. We ask You to surround all children with Your care and motivate us to reach out in love. Bless these children with the gift of faith so that they can feel secure and loved as Your children. In your name we pray. Amen.
BRINGING GOD’S WORD TO INDIA #25 – Bible Translation - $100,000.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:14-15
We pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the work of the India Bible Study Translation Project. Bless the work accomplished through this project for the benefit of people in India. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
JUBELLATION: JuBellation rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. There will be no practice on November 27th.
VOICES FOR GOD: This season, the choir practices on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. We have ordered new songs and selected some of our favorites which we plan to sing throughout the rest of the calendar year. We are always listening for new voices to join us.
LUNCH BUNCH will meet November 10th at the Friendly Cooker in Wamego at 11:00. Please tell Kathy Schultz, or call Cheryl in the church office, or sign up so we can let the restaurant know how many are coming.
TEENS FOR CHRIST: From November 1 – 17, the youth group will be collecting items and monetary donations for their philanthropic project, Operation Christmas Child boxes. On November 13th, they will meet after church to pack the boxes and prepare them for shipping. On Sunday, November 17th during worship, the boxes will be blessed. The Operation Christmas Child organization ships donated boxes all over the world so that no child is left out at Christmas.
Teens for Christ is also planning an activity for the month of December. The group will attend a live nativity in Manhattan called Bethlehem Revisited on December 8th. Tickets are available November 1st, so let Kim know as soon as possible if your child plans to attend.
BOOK STUDY: Students will meet November 14th at Bruce and Kathy Schultz’s home. Please read chapters 20-23 of Josephus. The next meeting will be December 12th at Elaine Becker’s home.
FLINT HILLS LWML “COOKIE WALK”: On Thursday, November 21, 2024, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Alta Vista is having a “cookie walk” to support the Flint Hills Lutheran Women in Mission. You can shop for a wide variety of cookies from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or until they are sold out. The cost is $6.00 per dozen and carry out containers will be provided.
STAY STRONG, STAY HEALTHY: K-State Research and Extension is conducting a strength training program for older adults. Strength training is no longer for bodybuilders. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an eight-week, evidence-based strength training program designed for older adults who want to improve their quality of life and stay active. Classes are held at St. John Luther Church Memorial Hall.
ALMA COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: The women of the churches of Alma have united in an effort to provide a Thanksgiving meal for those in our community without family or the means to celebrate this annual holiday meal that so many of us take for granted. This will be held on Thanksgiving Day from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church. The menu will consist of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry salad, brisket, green beans, a roll, and dessert. You are invited to come to the hall to dine in and visit with fellow community members. Carry outs will also be available as well as “in town” deliveries. Please make your reservation by contacting the Holy Family Parish at holyfamilyparishalma@gmail.com.
YOUTH GROUP RETREAT: Heit’s Point Lutheran Ministries is conducting a retreat November 15-17, 2024, at their location in Lincoln, Missouri. The weekend will be focusing on God’s Team. The retreat is open to middle school and high school youth groups where they will study the scriptures in an outdoor retreat setting, make new friends, play games together, and strengthen their connection to Christ. Accommodations are in the bunk house with five meals included for a cost of $100 per person. Each group can bring a chaperone. For more information, call Janine at 620-795-2008.
CHRISTMAS AT CONCORDIA WEEKEND: We can’t wait for you to join us for one of our favorite annual events at Seward’s Christmas at Concordia!
Tree Lighting and Open House
Weller Hall front steps Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Christmas at Concordia Concerts
St. John Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska
Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Christmas at Concordia Tickets
Online: cune.edu/christmas
Beginning Nov. 4
The concert series is free, but tickets are required due to capacity limits.
Christmas Buffet
Cattle Conference Room, Janzow Campus Center Dec. 7 at 4:30-6:45 p.m.
Christmas Buffet Tickets
Online: cune.edu/christmas
We can’t wait for you to hear our incredible students glorify God and celebrate the joyous Christmas season! Thank you for your support of the Concordia University, Nebraska music students and faculty, and for joining us in fellowship and song to spread the Good News of our Savior's birth! (This special weekend wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsor, Cattle Bank & Trust.) Thank you for helping us spread Christmas cheer!
This special weekend wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsor, Cattle Bank & Trust.) Thank you for helping us spread Christmas cheer! THE VOLLAND FOUNDATION The Volland Residency provides time and space for creative practitioners of a wide range of disciplines to gather in a community setting for work, thought and exchange of ideas, and to experience immersion in a unique ecosystem and rural culture.
Applications are open for the 2025 Volland Residency.
This gathering and idea exchange, the heart of creativity, emphasizes the importance of uninterrupted time and space for your creative practice or research in the tallgrass prairie of the Kansas Flint Hills.
Contact:
The Volland Foundation
24098 Volland Road
PO Box 144 Alma, KS 66401
From the Parish Nurse…
COLD AND FLU SEASON
The cold and flu season is near as with the changes of time and temperatures. My children reminded me that last year I was absent for Thanksgiving services and dinner due to a severe case of Covid. Determined not to miss out on five birthdays and a holiday this year, I received the Covid 2024-25 and flu vaccines from the health department. Being over age 65 can have its advantages, but not so much so when it comes to respiratory viruses. Yes, I didn’t feel my best the day after vaccination, but it wasn’t anything that a dose of Tylenol couldn’t improve. I highly recommend getting vaccinations to bolster the body’s immune system. The vaccinations do not cause these diseases, but they do trigger the body to respond by producing an army of antibodies to fight the viruses. The mild side effects from the vaccinations are the body’s responses to the “attenuated” vaccine. Attenuated vaccine is one that contains the virus which is recognized by the immune system without causing the illness. As with all medications, some people may be advised to receive vaccines using special preparations, such as if one is allergic to egg protein. Your health care provided will have the best recommendation for your situation. There are other ways to stay healthy and prevent spread of disease during the season of respiratory illness. I have previously written often about using good hand hygiene, as it is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to reduce spread of germs by contact. Also, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissues in the trash. Wash and dry your hands, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. You should clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, and countertops regularly. Bring as much fresh air into your home as possible by opening doors and windows, and/or using exhaust fans. Take advantage of the warmer hays by spending more time outdoors. Spreading germs between people is easier in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation. Practicing good hygiene habits regularly will help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause disease.
I pray that you will share a happy and healthy holiday season with those you love. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Amen.HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will not be available on November 10th.
Blessings in Christ,
Janet Wertzberger, RN Parish Nurse
SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING FOR KANSAS (SHICK): K-State Research and Extension sent a reminder of Medicare open enrollment during October 15th through December 7th. Any Medicare beneficiary is eligible for free assistance with prescription drug or Medicare Adfantage Plan Enrollment for 2025. Call the Wabaunsee County Extension Office at 785-765-3821 to make an appointment. Enrollment dates and locations are:
November 1st at Maple Hill Senior Center, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
November 6th at Wabaunsee Junior High Library, Paxico, 3:30 – 8:00 p.m.
November 8th at Alta Vista Senior Center, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November 18th at Harveyville United Methodist Church, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
November 20th at Wabaunsee County Extension Office, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November 21st at Wabaunsee County Extension Office, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
In This Month's
St. John Witness
NOVEMBER WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
