Raising Our Voices: Proclaiming the Gospel When the World Is Loud
Proclamation isn’t shouting louder than hate. It’s speaking, living and standing in love, truth, and justice as people claimed in Christ. Program and Worship led by Pr. Laurie Hensley, Bethany ELCA, Woodhull, IL.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop dementia for many reasons, though not all are fully understood. But can you lower your dementia risk if your diabetes is well controlled? A recent study suggests that the answer is yes.
Researchers looked at health records of about 374,000 U.S. military veterans. All were at least 65 years old and had type 2 diabetes. Over a three-year period, participants had a hemoglobin A1C test, a measure of longer term glucose control, at least four times. Specifically, an A1C test measures what percentage of hemoglobin proteins in the blood are coated with sugar and estimates an average blood sugar level for the past 2-3 months. A higher A1C level indicates higher blood sugar levels and less control of diabetes.
Participants who stayed at healthy A1C levels for longer periods were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. Those with the most readings outside of the target range had the highest likelihood of developing dementia.
Mayo Clinic experts say that the study’s results further support the importance of sticking to lifestyle and
medication routines that keep you within your target hemoglobin A1C range.
From the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Submitted by Nancy Rasmussen, Parish Nurse
The Congregation Council has designated the Special Offerings for April to the Twin Cities Homeless Shelter, formerly known as the Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter. The shelter serves 20- 25 guests per night for emergency shelter and as an entry point into other outreach programs. They currently have limited space and funding, and are struggling to support those who rely on their services to survive. Please consider a generous donation to support this ministry. Their mission is to help people and be a light to those lost in the darkness. Help them keep the lights on.
The Lenten Self-Denial Offerings have once again been designated by the Congregation Council for donation to the First United Methodist Church Loaves and Fishes program. This program, located at 501 Broadway, relies solely on contributions to host a free community breakfast and serve more than 400 breakfasts per week. Volunteers have shared that for many people, this might be the only meal they get during the day. Many of the guests are homeless in our community, and so naturally have food insecurities. This program depends on donations to continue, so please consider making a generous donation to support this ministry and the growing need for families in our community.
For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in. ~ Matthew 25:35
The March 11 Buddy Bag packing has been rescheduled for April 1. While April 1 may be April Fools Day, hunger is no laughing matter.
Hello St. John’s youth and families,
It’s time to be preparing for the Palm Sunday Breakfast.
In the years since Gerad left the staff, Michelle and I have done our best to coordinate the breakfast and try to maintain the eggs and pancakes breakfast we’ve all come to know.
We are now looking for those who will take on coordinating this event. It doesn’t have to try to replicate what has happened in the past and can become something very different.
The heart of this event has always been an opportunity to help raise funds for youth activities our congregation provides and by extension an opportunity for our youth to serve, share, and grow together. I ask that you please prayerfully consider taking on this role.
As always, I’m here for each of you, and I do wish to be of support and guidance for what may come next. If you have any questions or would like to talk more about this possibility, please feel free to contact me.
God’s peace to you,
Pastor Jacob
Lilies are wanted to decorate the chancel for Easter. You can order on the group order or purchase your own. If you purchase your own lily and plan on picking it up, bring it to the church no earlier than April 3 and please place a tag on it with your name. Plants can be picked up after the Easter morning service, Sunday, April 20. Note: Payment should accompany the form. Make checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Deadline to turn in this form is Monday, March 30. Click here to download a lily order form.
The Social Ministry Committee will be collecting personal care kits March 1st through April 12th. Once again, we will donate the kits to the First United Methodist Church in Sterling for distribution at their Food Bank and in conjunction with their Free Breakfast Program. The folks at First Methodist appreciate our desire to minister with them by supplying these kits!
Donations for this purpose are welcome if you prefer that the committee shop and assemble on your behalf. Please include these items in each of the kits:
Assembly instructions: Fold the towel in half. Place the remaining items in the towel, fold and roll so nothing falls out, and secure them with yarn, ribbon, string, or rubber bands.
Nearly 1-in-10 people – 733 million – in our world are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. In the U.S., 37.9 million people live in poverty. 18 million people are food insecure, an increase of 1 million between 2022 and 2023. Today, over 22 million households must spend at least 30% of their income on housing, mainly because the U.S. lacks enough affordable apartments. Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn more about ELCA World Hunger by visiting https://www.elca.org/our-work/relief-and-development/elcaworld-hunger/our-approach.
The special offerings for March and the Lenten Self-Denial Offerings have once again been designated by the Congregation Council for donation to the First United Methodist Church Loaves and Fishes program. This program, located at 501 Broadway, relies solely on contributions to host a free community breakfast and serve more than 400 breakfasts per week. Volunteers have shared that for many people, this might be the only meal they get during the day. Many of the guests are homeless in our community, and so naturally have food insecurities. This program depends on donations to continue, so please consider making a generous
donation to support this ministry and the growing need for families in our community.
For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in. ~ Matthew 25:35