Join us for faith, fellowship, and book study on April 11 & 18 at 6:30pm in the church library. We’ll be discussing Short Stories by Jesus. Copies will be available upon request. Please speak with Pastor Jacob.
The Social Ministry Committee will once again collect personal care kits beginning April 7th. Last year we collected kits as prescribed by Lutheran World Relief and donated them at the Synod Assembly in June. This year we are making a couple of minor changes to the items included in the kits and they will be donated to the First United Methodist Church for distribution at their Food Bank and in conjunction with their Free Breakfast Program. The folks at First Methodist were very excited by our offer of these items! Please include these items in each of the kits. If you would prefer that the committee shop and assemble on your behalf, donations for this purpose are absolutely welcome!
*Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing individual toothbrushes in a business-size envelope.
Fold the towel in half. Place the rest of the items in the towel, fold and roll so nothing falls out and secure with yarn, ribbon, string or rubber bands.
The special offerings for April have been designated by the Congregation Council to be donated to the United Way Let’s Feed Our Children program. Summer is a critical time for children’s health and well-being. During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price meals at school. However, when school is out, these kids no longer have access to those meals and their families’ budgets are often stretched to the breaking point.
United Way’s Let’s Feed Our Children program helps these families. The program provides free meals to all children during the summer. Everyone is welcome, always. Three kid-friendly, grab and go meals are provided free of charge to all kids and teens on Wednesday during the summer months.
Please consider a generous donation to the Special Offerings during the month of April to help with this vital program provided by the United Way of Whiteside County and our community.
St. John’s will be participating in the Sterling and Rock Falls Community Garage Sales on May 18th. Please bring any donations to the church between April 19th and May 10th. There will be a collection area set up in the basement. All monies raised will help support youth events like the Quake and National Youth Gathering.
Joint Confirmation Class is at St. John’s on April 14. Students, please be sure to remember to bring your Bible and Small Catechism to class. If you have misplaced either, please let Pastor Jacob know so arrangements can be made for class. Special note for Parents/Guardians and Congregation Members: Confirmation Class meal helpers are still needed for April 14. If you would like to help, please sign up on the bulletin board outside the East Room across from the double doors to the sanctuary.
Join us at Immanuel Lutheran Church (501 8th Ave., Rock Falls, IL) on Sunday, April 14 at 4 pm for a concert by The Agape Ringers, Chicago’s premier handbell ensemble. A freewill offering will be received and merchandise will be available for purchase. You can learn more about the ensemble at their website www.AgapeRingers.org, and on Facebook and YouTube by searching for “The Agape Ringers.” The program encompasses a wide variety of musical styles from transcriptions of classical works to Broadway hits to original compositions. All are welcome!
The Congregation Council has once again designated the first Sunday of each month as Food Pantry Sunday. A receptacle will be available for donations. We stopped focusing on this during the pandemic and have not resurrected the practice of intentionally making donations. Considering the increasing need in our community we would like to increase our community involvement once again. All non-perishable food items are acceptable and welcome.
Dear Friends of Pads,
It seems like just yesterday my time began here at the PADS shelter, 12 years ago I started, and we have come a long way and helped hundreds of people. I wish I could say that this is my accomplishment, but it’s not just my accomplishment but all of you as well! I have noticed that among our churches, businesses, and individuals around 300 people regularly support the shelter.
Normally we reach out only during the holidays, which is a very important time for us because a quarter of our funding comes in at that time. This last year in the aftermath of COVID-19 we have seen a huge change and in our last 3 months of the shelter year to go we have already seen more people than any year prior. The shelter used to shut down in the summer because we didn’t have the demand to stay open. This last month we have averaged 15 people a night which is more than any night during the entire winter season.
Because of the changes in demand the shelter has made some changes with the addition of a full time Client Advocate to help with our residents. We still need help with COVID-19 not the issue it once was. We hope all our church will consider coming back to help at the shelter. We no longer need help for the whole night, just help with 6-11 shift and nightly meals. The increase in homelessness has also put a strain on our resources such as paper towels, toiler paper, laundry detergent, tea, sugar, personal items, and funds.
Any help would be greatly appreciated to help with the growing number of homeless individuals in our area. You can donate items directly to the shelter, send a donation in the mail, or donate online at twincitiespads.org/donate-to-homeless-shelter.html To sign up to help, you can call the shelter, or go to signup.com/go/hxKPAqq. The shelter continues to be humbled and grateful for all your support.
Sincerely, Myles Newberry | Administrative Director
At the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Congregation Council has approved updates to five policies over the course of several months. Most of the updates were necessary due to the elimination of the treasurer’s position in our congregation. This also completes the required biennial review of the complete St. John’s Policy Manual. The updated policies included: Disbursements of Funds; Investment Policy; Memorials, Bequests, Thrivent Choice Dollars, and Non-Monetary Gifts; Offering Counting Procedure; and Organizational Accounts.
A complete policy manual, in the form of a three-ring binder, can be found in the East Room and the Library. A copy may also be obtained from the Office Manager. Please familiarize yourself with these updates. Questions may be directed to any member of the Personnel Committee or Congregation Council.
St. John’s is participating in an opportunity for community building and fellowship! Stop by Monday through Friday during normal church office hours or on Sundays before or after worship and help complete the puzzle in the church library. When we work together, all the pieces come together.
