St John Lutheran ELCA Church
Grayling, MI
St. John Lutheran Church is a welcoming and safe place for all of God’s children to experience and reflect God’s love in Jesus Christ.
April 24, 2017 St John Lutheran Church
celebrated 125 years.
1892-2017
Check out our Facebook page for updates and important announcements.
www.facebook.com/St-John-Lutheran-Church-136058686117/
Loving God, we thank you for this day.
We thank you for each person gathered here.
We remember those who could not be with us today (state their names).
We pray for Your blessings upon our family and friends, upon this table, and upon our conversation.
Bless the food that we eat and bless our lives that we may grow closer to You every day of our lives.
Fill our hearts with love, forgiveness, and understanding for one another.
On this Thanksgiving Day, we remember the poor and the needy.
We pray for Your mercy and love to surround them.
Help us to reach out to those in need and to offer a loving hand.
Help us to accept one another as Christ accepted us.
In the name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen
Advent Newsletter
St. John Lutheran Church
Advent blessings to all of you. Even though we are not able to meet together during this time, we can still observe the season of Advent. Our rituals may be more important than ever as our lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic.
We have resources to observe Advent in our homes.
- Candle sets – three blue and one pink taper candles to use in your own Advent observance. Make a wreath or simply light candles each week.
- Pick them up at church or call the church office for arrangements.
- Advent weeks
- Week 1 begins Sunday, Nov. 29. A blue candle is lit. This candle symbolizes hope.
- Week 2 begins Sunday, Dec. 6. Two blue candles are lit. The new candle symbolizes peace.
- Week 3 begins Sunday, Dec. 13. Three blue candles are lit. The new candle symbolizes joy.
- Week 4 begins Sunday, Dec. 20. Three blue candles and one pink candle are lit. The pink candle symbolizes love.
- Here’s an article explaining more about the Advent wreath - https://www.livinglutheran.org/2019/12/the-light-of-the-world/
- Bible study will be meeting on Zoom.
- Four Wednesdays in December beginning Dec. 2 at 6 pm
- Continuing the tradition of meeting for soup and salad, all are welcome to join in with their dinner for social time and study.
- Join Zoom Meeting:
- https://zoom.us/j/3238846427?pwd=akVCd1lidFR2WEcxbUlyMXZOUm9DZz09
- Meeting ID: 323 884 6427 Passcode: RoboVikes
- Study booklets are available at the church office or from Janet McBride (248-766-5601).
- Sunday worship will continue to be available on Facebook.
- Advent devotions
- Advent devotion booklets from ELCA World Hunger are available at the church office or from Janet McBride (248-766-5601).
- We are mailing Advent materials from Illustrated Ministry to our families with children. Both devotions and cool coloring projects are included. They are also available to adults. If you would like a printed packet, let Beth know. If you want to print one yourself, contact Beth (church office) or Janet to get the file.
- Because we will all miss singing our Advent hymns and Christmas carols, here are some concerts. All are no charge.
- Peter Mayer Christmas concert to benefit ELCA World Hunger
- He is Jimmy Buffett’s lead guitarist and a Lutheran!
- 9 at 8 pm Eastern Time
- Register here: https://www.facebook.com/events/720847598531298
- The National Lutheran Choir presents 2020 Christmas Festival virtual program
- Friday, December 11 @ 8pm (CST)
- Watch here: https://nlca.com/christmas2020
- Hymns of Advent and Christmas from Lutheran churches around the world - https://www.lutheranworld.org/advent-hymns#2020
- Peter Mayer Christmas concert to benefit ELCA World Hunger
- Covid prayer from Bread for the World (bread.org)
God of Mercy and Grace,
You have called us from the east and from the west, from the south and from the north to be your body in this world. Keep us connected through you even in our physical distance.
We come to you trusting that you are our refuge and our strength, our very present help in trouble.
We pray for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and for the family and medical staff who surround them in care.
We pray for those who are most vulnerable to this disease, whether from underlying health conditions or other contributing factors. May they rest in your peace and protection.
We pray for healthcare workers and people on the front lines of this disease. For workers who are in essential roles to keep our communities going. Keep them healthy; keep them safe.
We pray for parents and children who are struggling with this new normal of homeschool, especially those who rely on school meal programs. We pray for everyone struggling with these rapid changes. May we be comforted by your peace and your presence.
We pray for people who face hate and discrimination brought on by fear and anger. May these your beloved children feel your embrace.
We pray for those whose actions are motivated by fear and anger. May they remember that you are a God of abundance.
We pray for our leaders. May they be guided by your wisdom. May they be courageous and make the bold decisions necessary to end this pandemic.
And we pray for all the advocates and the volunteers who are responding to your call to care for the people who are most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. Give them endurance. Stir them with your longing for justice. May they be comforted and moved by your Holy Spirit.
It is in the strong name of Jesus that we do pray. Amen.
November 12, 2020
As per the Synod and Bishop Satterlee's recommendations as well as the increase in Covid-19 cases we are seeing in Northern Michigan the council has decided to suspend in person worship. This will be effective November 15th 2020.
As a church and as Christians we need to keep our congregation and our neighbors safe. We are working on additional programs going into the holiday season. More information will be coming as we finalize these plans.
If you have any questions or any concerns please contact the Church and we will contact you as soon as possible.
November 5, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you!
Yesterday, 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the United States and 4,000 new cases were reported in Michigan. These numbers are part of an alarming trend of cases throughout the United States and we are once again called to take action and do our part in reducing the spread and impact of this virus.
Given this sharp increase in cases, I am joining the Southeast Michigan Synod in strongly recommending that congregations suspend indoor in-person worship starting November 15, 2020. I make this recommendation in order to protect our congregation members, rostered ministers, and the general public.
I know this recommendation will be a disappointment for many in our Synod. These past few months have been challenging and I know we all are eager to return to normal. However, as Christians, we are called to love, protect, and care for our neighbors and we must remain vigilant in reducing the spread of this virus. Wearing masks, keeping social distance, and refraining from indoor in-person worship are ways we embody Jesus’ love and care for one another.
Pastors Rosanne, David, and I will continue to provide video sermons for congregations’ virtual worship services and be available via phone, email, and Zoom. We will continue to watch the number of cases in Michigan and re-visit this recommendation as needed. As we continue forward, please know that you are surrounded in God’s love and held in my prayers.
Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Peace,
The Rev. Craig Alan Satterlee, Ph.D., Bishop
St John Lutheran Church has a new YouTube Channel where you can view current and archived Sermons.
Check us out at St John Church ELCA Grayling.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMj6_e0CwVdE9I2SBiVeJqA