Palm Sunday Worship Services
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Palm Sunday
March 25, 2018
“A Life of Paradox"
Pastor Ben Roberts

Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9-12
Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Holy Gospel: John 12:20-43
We will begin our Palm Sunday services with a processional outside near the main School entrance off of Park Road; individual palms will be distributed; should we have inclement weather, we will gather in the School Gym for the procession.
Audio of our Sermons are now available on our Church website at: http://www.sjlagrange.com/church/sermons/
Last Sunday to Order Easter Lilies!
As Easter approaches, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter that we may have eternal life with Him. On Easter Sunday, Easter Lilies are placed on the Altar in celebration of our Savior’s resurrection.  Members of the congregation may purchase Easter Lilies to place on the Altar on Easter Sunday.  A member of the Altar Guild will be in the church narthex March 25 taking orders for lilies. The price per lily is $14.00.  Easter Lilies may be taken after the Easter services.  
MAUNDY THURSDAY
March 29, 2018
12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Distribution of Holy Communion at both services

GOOD FRIDAY
March 30, 2018
12:00 p.m. Worship Service
7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service

EASTER SUNDAY
The Resurrection of Our Lord!
April 1, 2018
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Festival Services with Distribution of Holy Communion
Join Us for Easter Breakfast!
We welcome everyone to join us for breakfast on Easter morning in the School Gym from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Sign-up sheets are located in the church narthex if you would like to volunteer to help and/or bring a dish to share. Thank you!
Spring Break Church Office Hours
The Church Office will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning Monday, March 26 through Thursday, March 29 and will be closed on Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2.
New Sermon and Bible Study Series starting April 8th:
"Empowered by Grace!"
What if you could call God to ask Him how He saw your effort in fulfilling the purpose for which He created you? What kind of marks would He give you for being His witness, or how you were doing in your service to others, or how you were doing in your giving? What kind of response would you expect to hear? Would God see you as a person relying on the Holy Spirit to do His will or working in your own strength and giving yourself credit for your successes? 

Unfortunately, we all fall well short of God’s standards, but, because of what Christ did for us at the cross and empty tomb, we are forgiven for all the times we have failed to honor God with our behavior and efforts to please Him. By His grace He molds and transforms us into God-pleasing people who seek to please Him. In Christ, we can do God’s work well.
Sunday, April 8:
Empowered by Grace…to Know Your Purpose
Sunday, April 15:
Empowered by Grace…to Serve
Sunday, April 22:
Empowered by Grace…to Give
Sunday, April 29:
Empowered by Grace…to Witness
Sunday Morning Children's Message
8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
We celebrate Palm Sunday because we are remembering a very important parade in the Bible, and Jesus was honored in that parade. We should honor Jesus always, not just on Palm Sunday.
Sunday School Education Hour
9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
We celebrate Palm Sunday in Sunday School today. Jesus is the promised King, and He enters Jerusalem to be our promised Savior. As a family, discuss these questions: How did Jesus show that He is the true King of kings? What can you do this week to prepare for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday?
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
9:25 - 10:25 a.m. (Heritage Room)
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
"Let Me Tell You a Story"
Parables for Lent
Led by Pastor Ben Roberts
“And He told them many things in parables…” (Matthew 13:3) And with good reason: everyone loves a good story. But with Jesus, He not only is the master story-teller; He tells stories that make us good . And this is especially good news during the season of Lent. This 4-week Bible Study will focus on some of the parables Jesus told, but we will view them through the lens of Lent, the time when we focus on our sin and our Savior. Come, renew and rejoice as Jesus tells us a story…for our forgiveness, life and salvation.
3/25: Parables of DEATH and LIFE
The Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46)
The Sower (Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23)
Interested in Membership? Let's Connect!
Interested in membership at St. John’s? Want to know more about what St. John’s is all about? Then come to our CONNECT New Member Class! At this class, you will get to meet Pastor Ben, get to know him and others better, hear about the history and beliefs of St. John’s and what it means to be a member. Lunch provided! Childcare available for children 0-3 upon request. Pick up an “Interested In Membership?” sheet at our Connection Center at the back of the sanctuary for more information. Contact either Pastor Ben at b.roberts@sjlagrange.com or St. John’s Office Administrator, Michelle LaVelle at m.lavelle@sjlagrange.com to sign-up! Come and CONNECT!
When:
April 8, 2018, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Where:
St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, Heritage Room
Who:
Both those new to the LCMS and the Lutheran faith AND transferees from another LCMS congregation
Music Ministry
Hallelujah Chorus
Come Join the Senior Choir!
On Easter Sunday during our Worship Services everyone will be singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G. F. Handel as the Closing Song. There will be a congregational part that will be printed in the bulletin that will have the melody for almost the entire song. If you would like to join in singing the harmony parts as a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass you will be invited to come to the rear balcony at the conclusion on Holy Communion and be given a choral score that will allow you to sing in harmony with the Senior Choir. If you have ever sung in a high school or college choir this is for you! Come and join us for “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118: 24)
Weekly Bible Studies
Various Days/Times
Parenting Bible Study: Spiritual Parenting
Sundays at 9:25 a.m.
(Nursery - Classroom 101)
We are currently studying "Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World" by Ken and Steve Ham.
Participants will discover that the legacy we leave for our children begins as we love the Lord and accept His Word as our authority, committing to use it to guide us in all areas of our lives.   

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
(Heritage Room)

Early Risers Bible Study
Thursday at 6:15 a.m.
(Heritage Room)
Men's Weekly Bible Study
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
(Heritage Room)
Now through May 24 we will be studying the second half of the Book of Acts. Questions? Talk with Pete Johnson or contact the Church Office, (708) 354-1690 x210 Give it a try!
Upcoming Events
Youth Lock-In for 6th - 8th Graders // Friday, April 20, 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. // St. John's School Gym and Youth Room // Our Lock-in will be led by Concordia Youth Ministry Team. Come and enjoy Worship, Bible Study and Fun! Questions? Contact Sherrie Smith at s.smith@sjlgrange.com
School News
8th Grade Eagles in Action Project
April 1 - 30, 2018
Donate Shoes: We accept all types of footwear including, GYM SHOES, SANDLES, BOOTS, ALL SIZES, MEN’S, WOMEN’S, CHILDREN’S, ANY KIND, ANY BRANDS, GENTLY WORN.

The shoes are going to people who may have never even owned a pair. It’s important that these shoes are in  good  condition to respect the dignity of those receiving them. Shoes older than five years old decompose, even if they were never worn.

So please: be respectful with your donations, understand that our goal is to provide good, clean shoes to those in need. For example, tennis shoes should include laces and not have holes. We  discard  any old overly worn shoes!

Over 3 million pairs of shoes delivered in 19 years. No Boundaries. No borders. Boxes are located near the church narthex and School office. Contact Mrs. Hull, r.hull@sjlagrange.com for any questions.
38th Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale
Friday, May 11, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
&
Saturday, May 12, 2018
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Orders are due by Monday, April 23, 2018
Click on the "TRIP" logo to learn more.

Current upcoming order dates are:
April 3 (Tuesday), 16 & 30
May 7 & 21
Mission
St. John's Sunday Morning Mission Cafe
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 100 volunteers provide escorted transportation to medical appointments, therapies, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, and church. We also take our clients with disabilities to their places of employment. There is no cost to our clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. And we need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org and like us on Facebook. Can you spare an hour a week? We will work around your busy life.

Please support this wonderful organization by donating at the Mission Café or inquiring with Interfaith Community Partners if you would like to volunteer to drive.   
Kitchen Angels...What is it?
This hands-on ministry reaches out to those in need by offering a home-cooked meal. When the Church Office is made aware of the fact that an individual or family could be helped with one or several meals, a volunteer will contact you to see if you could prepare a meal in the coming week, on an evening that fits your schedule. Everyone has a favorite dish… share one with someone in need!

Please sign-up in the Church Narthex at the Connection Center and someone from the Caring Ministries Board will reach out to you when a meal or two is needed. Or you can contact Rebecca Schiltz at schiltz4@sbcglobal.net or 708-502-4547.  
LWML Spring Rally - Theme: Patience & Kindness // Saturday, April 7, 9:30 a.m. - Registration; 9:30 a.m. to Noon // St. Paul Lutheran Church, 846 N. Menard Ave., Chicago, IL // Speaker Sherlanda Brooks is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Sourcing Solutions. Sherlanda has extensive experience in supplier diversity with major global organizations. In addition, she also has experience as a successful business leader and entrepreneur in the consumer product industry.
Senior Lunch N' More
Fiddlin' with the Violin: Fun Facts and Fiction // Wednesday, April 11, 11:15 a.m. - Bible Study; 12:00 p.m. - Luncheon // Hope Lutheran Church, 6455 Joliet Rd., Countryside, IL 60525 // Join us for lunch, fellowship and entertainment by Jenny Rohr. Seating is limited. Call Aging Care Connections at (708) 354-1323.
Walther Christian Academy Placement Testing
Do you know of families looking for a quality, Christian education for their High School student? Walther Christian Academy's next placement test date is Friday, April 13, 2018. There will also be an opportunity to shadow a current student that day. Contact Alma_calleros@walther.com or (708) 344-0404 x245 to register or to set-up an individual visit.
Hear God's Word for You through Worship Anew!
Worship Anew celebrates the new life all people have in Jesus with a weekly 30-minute broadcast service. Christ's love is shared through scripture readings, favorite church hymns, prayers and a pastor's message that reveals God's grace and truth. To learn more about Worship Anew, you can visit worshipanew.org or call (888) 286-8002.
What a blessing to communicate exciting news regarding our broadcast of Worship Anew in the Chicago market. Worship Anew can now be found Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. on Chicago's CW station WPWR channel 50 (Comcast 184). This means anyone who has a television in the Chicago area will now be able to access weekly program via both over the air antenna and cable/satellite.
The La Grange Area Food Pantry item for the Month of March is: TOILET PAPER

Please drop off donations in the Church Narthex in the marked box for Food Pantry items. Thank you.
Sunday Worship Schedule
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Fellowship 9:00 a.m.
Education 9:25 - 10:25 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office: (708) 354-1690
Worship Attendance
Sunday, March 18, 2018 = 212
Midweek Lenten, March 21 = 73
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