At Home (and On-Line) Bible Reading Programs

We are very excited that St. Johns is offering two different Bible Reading Programs.

The Chronological Bible

This one year read takes you on a journey through the Bible in Chronological order.  It is the NIV version and it contains comments from the authors regarding the events of the time.  From the creation and the beginnings of early mankind to the New Testament and the beginning of Christ’s Church on earth, you will enjoy the historical perspective and insights of this version.

If you are interested in a copy of this Bible or would like to learn more about the groups now reading this version please contact the Parish Board of Education.

There is an On-Line Community tailored for each program .

It is a place you can go to ask questions, make comments, share insights and hear what your fellow bible readers are thinking. It's like a bible study but on line. 

Click on the Bible Reading Program you belong to and visit your community (blog) to begin asking questions or making comments:

Sign up for the email subscription so that fellow comment to the community are sent to your email box.  

Values in Action

We continue with our journey through the study of the values of St. John's Lutheran Church. Remembering that our values are 1. Missions 2. Evangelism 3. Worship 4.Family centered  5.Discipleship and 6.Service.  I hope most of you were able to enjoy the dynamic enthusiasm of Pastor Roosevelt Gray as he preached to us regarding the great commission. We shall continue our work of supporting missions worldwide and locally here at St. John's Lutheran Church.  Pastor Gray's message certainly is the fuel to keep our hearts ablaze and our faith strong as we follow the great commission given to us in Matthew 28.

During the month of March we move on to the study of our next value of Evangelism.  Webster's defines evangelism as the preaching or promulgation of the Gospel.  You will notice this definition implies that an action is taken. We as individuals are to share the good news of the Gospel that has been given to us. I believe sometimes we make this a more daunting task than it really is. We sometimes hesitate to become evangelistic when we confuse evangelism with conversion. Our role as evangelist is simply to relay the awesome message of the Gospel. We cannot nor should we assume the role or the power of the Holy Spirit who works the gift of faith in the hearts of those who have received our message. Perhaps we sometimes fail to be evangelistic due to the fear of intimidation or being labeled as a right-wing Christian. However take courage from St. Paul as he writes in Romans 1: 16 "for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Perhaps we become discouraged as evangelists when we fail to see immediate results. Again I remind you that we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works in ways that we cannot predict or understand. Just as you have no control over your physical birth so you cannot control your spiritual birth. Jesus reminds us in John 3:8 "just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it will go next, so it is with the Spirit. We do not know on whom he will next bestow this life from heaven."

Please join us during worship on the weekend of March 9, as we again welcome another guest speaker to take us deeper into the study of evangelism. Also remember that these core values of missions and evangelism are centered on Christ alone as the Lord and Savior of this world. This remains the essence and core of what we as Lutherans believe. Please come and join your fellow evangelicals as you grow in faith and knowledge.

Yours in Christ,

Parish Board of Education

LAUNCHING PAD  Sundays at 10:20 a.m.

Call Les at 847.8736