5 p.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeters Joe and Carol Bushkill

Ushers Jeanne Dietrich, David Richter

Reader Terry PencekAltar Guild Jone VanWinkleCommunion Assistants Billie Pencek, Terry PencekMusician Melissa RosellePreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Greg Busboom8 a.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeter Chuck Stolte

Ushers Bob Borcherding, Michael Bowden, Casey Draughan, Del Smith,

Richard WietiesReader Jan CazelAltar Guild Jan CazelAcolytes Becca Nika, Megan VanBerkomCommunion Assistants Michael Bloechle, Jan Cazel, Erika Metz, Rose

MoserPreaching Minister Pastor Ladd SonnenbergPresiding Minister Pastor Greg Busboom10:30 a.m. Sanctuary ServiceGreeters Jeff and Barb PirmannUshers Dennis Bomke, Bonnie Busby,

Keith HamannReader Pam SandersAltar Guild Johneita Osterhuber, Juanita SavisteAcolytes Meghan Eiter, Zach EiterCommunion Assistants Marcia Burris, Rosemary Carlson,

Pat Huff, Pam Sanders, Reggie WagnerFlower Delivery Rhonda NeubauerPreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Ladd Sonnenberg10:30 a.m. Contemporary Service - Parish Life CenterHospitality Mike Bowden, Cayleigh Overlin,

Nancy TaylorReader Greg WeickartCommunion Assistants Jay Barnard, John Lee, Christy Louveau, Dustin

Louveau, Mike PurdyPraise Team Becky Eiter, Meghan Eiter,

Christie Lazarides Purdy, Cynthia Thompson, Craig Williams

Keyboardist Valerie HunterInstrumentalists Gabe Cowan, Andy Lazarides,

Dave Lazarides, Matt MifflinTechnical Team Thi Bowden, Aaron Duncan,

Ron EngstromPreaching/Presiding Minister Pastor Greg Busboom

Weekly Bread Baker Alicia Huntley

Fifth Weekend of Easter

“The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (1 John 4:21).

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to respond with love and compassion to all who are in need, both in our own communities and around the world. The images from this past week’s news stories of riots and unrest spreading out from Baltimore and across the United States together with the deadly earthquake that hit the country of Nepal this past Saturday have once again shocked us with the painful reality of the suffering and brokenness that fills our world. In the face of such divisiveness and suffering, the good news of Easter and Christ’s victory over the powers of this world is needed now more than ever. One of the ways we bear witness to the hope and promise of Easter is through our support of Lutheran Disaster Response. I share with you below a request received from Pastor Daniel Rift, Director of the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Ap-peal.“Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,We have seen the devastating images and stories coming out of Nepal. Sections of Kathmandu, the nation’s capital, and surrounding areas lie in rubble. More than 5,000 people have lost their lives, and the number continues to rise as officials make their way through rural communities. Historic buildings and homes have been leveled; roads are destroyed. The injured and their families line the streets in front of hospitals and caregivers. The need for food, water, medical care, blankets, and shelter is great.Lutheran Disaster Response is actively networking with partners such as the Lutheran World Federation, Lutheran World Relief, and the ACT Alliance who are already on the ground. LWF’s office in Kathmandu escaped the worst of the impact of the quake and has already launched a large-scale emergency response.Our church is committed to walking with the people of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh as they navigate every part of this disaster relief and recovery process – even long after the dust settles and media attention fades.Your gifts are needed now. Every gift designated to the “Nepal Area Earthquake” through Lutheran Disaster Response will be used entirely – 100% - to help those impacted by the quake rebuild their lives and livelihoods. You can help provide comfort, healing, and hope in the midst of destruction. Thank you for your gifts, your prayers, and your partnership.”If you would like to share a financial gift to help those who have been impacted by this earthquake, you may do so either by writing a check to “St. John’s Lutheran Church” with the words “Nepal Earthquake” in the memo line or by giving online at www.elca.org/disaster Through your generosity, you bear witness to the good news that the tomb is empty and Jesus lives.Let us pray. Merciful God, hear our cry for mercy in the wake of the earthquake in Nepal. Reveal your presence in the midst of the suffering. Help all those impacted to trust in your promises of hope and life so that desperation and grief will not overtake them. Come quickly to their aid that they may know peace and joy again. Strengthen all your people in this time of trial with the assurance of hope we know in the death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Shaped by the cross

BULLETIN INSERT Weekend ofMay 2 & 3, 2015

The MessengerSt. John’s Lutheran Church

2477 West Washington • Springfield, IL 62702(217) 793.3933 • www.stjohns-springfield.org

3 6

Serving in Worship

Pastor’s Message

Stephen Ministry Information Sessions

What does it mean to be CHURCH today? What does it mean to be Lutheran? What does it mean to be part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)? Does the church have anything to offer the world today? Why does the church matter? Or, does it? These are just some of the questions we will explore together in a new adult class being led by Pastor Greg on Wednesday evenings during our Sprout! ministry. We meet each week in the Adult Meeting Room (AMR) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Upcoming topics include:

Wednesday, May 6What DIFFERENCE do we make?

(Acts 1:8)Come and grow with us in our discipleship to Christ as we learn together what it means to be Christ’s CHURCH in the world! All are welcome!

Stephen Ministers...• are lay Christians selected, trained, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide effective Christian care.• make a commitment which includes 50 hours of training, on-going supervisory meetings, and an average of one 1-hour visit per week with the person receiving their care.• are named after St. Stephen, one of the first deacons in the early Christian church, commissioned by the apostles to care for the needs of people in the Christian Community.• recognize this is a confidential ministry in which continuous effort is expended to maintain the body of trust between the person receiving care and the caregiver• minister to those who are experiencing many different problems.

Interested in Becoming a Stephen Minister?Beginning this fall, we will be offering another Stephen Ministry Training class for

those interested in being part of this Christian caregiving ministry in our congregation. This weekend, our St. John’s Stephen Ministry is hosting two information sessions for anyone who is interested in learning more. They will take place this Saturday, May 2 at 6:15 p.m. and again on Sunday, May 3 at 9:15 a.m. Both sessions will take

place in the Adult Meeting Room (AMR). All are invited to come and learn more!Questions?

Please contact one of the pastors at 793.3933 or Ms. Nancy Bohl at 698.8195

Saturday, May 26:15 p.m. - AMRSunday, May 39:15 a.m. - AMR

All are welcome to attend!

FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHTConcessions will be offering an assortment of appetizers, drinks, and snacks for an additional cost.

Youth are invited to participate in a seperate game of Disney Trivia!

Friday, May 15 • St. John’s Lutheran Church

Doors open at 6:00 P.M. • Trivia starts at 7:00 P.M.

$10/person • Nursery Open $10/child

No outside food or drink • Teams of 8

Individual sign-ups will be assigned teams

Tickets may be purchased at the door

To sign-up, contact:St. John’s Church Office 793.3933

VBSCoolest Week

of the Summer!

Week of June 22-26•

Monday - Thursday6:00-8:15 p.m.at St. John’s

•Friday

6:00 Family Picnicat Washington Park!

Sign up online on the church website under “Church Events”, EVEREST,or contact Kathy Lasley at ext. 207

Saturday, May 25:00pm Worship/Communion- Sanctuary6:15pm Stephen Ministry Information MeetingSunday, May 3Fifth Sunday of Easter8:00am Worship/Communion-Sanctuary9:15am Sunday School9:15am Stephen Ministry Information Meeting9:15am Fellowship10:30am Worship/Communion- Sanctuary10:30am Contemporary Worship/ Communion-PLC12:00pm Vision Team6:00pm Parents in Christ Small GroupMonday, May 45:15pm Chair Yoga5:15pm Worship Vision Team5:30pm Stephen Ministry Leader Team6:30pm Leadership Board7:00pm Home Repair GroupTuesday, May 59:00am Staff Meeting9:00am Women’s Bible Study9:00am Men’s Bible Study12:30pm Deborah Circle4:45pm Cubs vs. Cardinals Game

Wednesday, May 6 1:00pm Friends in Christ at Concordia Village5:30pm Encounter Band Practice5:30pm Sprout! Meal5:30pm Contemporary Worship Team6:30pm First Communion Class6:30pm Sprout! Classes8:00pm Worship Band PracticeThursday, May 73:30pm Youth to MacArthur Literacy Center5:00pm Preschool Zoo Night5:30pm Bells of Glory6:45pm Chancel Choir PracticeFriday, May 87:00pm LLCC Choir and Chancel Choir ConcertSaturday, May 9LWR Coffee Sales8:00am Garage Cleaning5:00pm Worship/Communion- SanctuarySunday, May 10Sixth Sunday of Easter8:00am Worship/Communion- Sanctuary9:15am Sunday School9:15am Fellowship10:30am Worship/Communion- Sanctuary10:30am Contemporary Worship/ Communion- PLC6:00pm Encounter

Heidi Atkins, Claryce Aull, Kathy Beall, Dorothy Embree, Gloria Fafoglia, Donna Gleason, Steve Hardy, Bud Herter, Jan Kaitschuk, Neil Kelley, Harold Kluckman, Karen Krenz, Keith Larson, Mark Lohnes, Shirley Maier, Barb McCarty, Walt Melcher Jr., Judy Nika, Sheldon Nordstrom, Terry Pencek, Gene Poehlman, Debbie Renner, Margaret Rosenberg, Liz Saner, Mary Lou Senalik, Sherry Sinnott, Pat Sriner, Sandra Stoye, Bill Stuemke, Evelyne Traeger, Carol Tungett, Norm Weiskopf, Larry Wieties, Barbara Wilson

Stephen Ministry... people caring about people, if you are interested in talking with a Stephen Minister, please contact one of the Pastors at (217) 793.3933.

GRACE FOODPANTRY500CLUB

Welcome to St. John’s Lutheran Church on this Fifth Weekend of Easter as we gather around Word and Sacrament to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and be fed by our Triune God. We are glad you are here! If you do not yet have a church home in Springfield and are interested in becoming part of St. John’s, we invite you to visit with one of our pastors. In today’s gospel from John, Jesus teaches his disciples about the relationship they would have with him. Those who abide in his word and love would bear fruit, for apart from him, they could do nothing.

Family Trivia Night Fundraiser- May 15th 6:00-9:30pm- Ticket sales for Family Trivia Night will continue through May 15. Tickets are $10 per person. The WHOLE family is invited! The nursery will be open for children 5 and under, Disney Trivia for 12 and under will be in the AMR, and Family Trivia (teams of 8) will be in the PLC! Purchase your ta-ble’s tickets TODAY to reserve your spot! There will be concessions for sale, a silent auc-tion, bonus balloons, mulligans, and fun games at intermission! ALL money raised will benefit our 22 youth headed to Detroit for the National Youth Gathering this summer!Fraase Farms Fundraising Dinner - May 24th- Join us for wine and a fabulous meal while supporting the 22 youth who are attending the ELCA National Youth Gathering this summer! The Fraase Farms dinner will be held on Sunday, May 24. We will welcome guests at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are limited, so make sure to get them early. Tickets are $40 per person. You can buy your tickets in the church office. If you have questions, please call Alison Storm at 299.9098 or email at alisonstorm@sbcglobal.net.Unplugged Bible Study- Join us in the youth room from 6:30-7:45 p.m. each Wednesday to explore the religions of the world. Togeth-er, we will study different religions to deepen our understanding of our own Christian faith and be better equipped to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors. May 6- Christian Scientology May 13- JudaismEncounter- Mentor Assignments- Our “Journey to the Heart of Friendship” will wrap up in a powerful way! If you signed up for a mentor, on Sunday, May 10th you will be presented with your mentor assign-ments! Those who didn’t sign up for a mentor, STILL COME! We will have sno-cones, a message by Ashlynne, and games.

St. John’s Golf Group- We play 9 holes on Thursday or Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at Longbridge Golf course. We usually have lunch and fellowship after playing. Our goals are; fellowship, being outside and playing golf. If you are interested, call Mike Bohl at 698.8195.Men and Women’s Bible Study continues every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Beginning May 5, the Men’s Bible Study will use a DVD entitled The Story of the Bible. The lecturer leading the video presentation is Professor Luke Timothy Johnson, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University. All men are invited to come and listen to Professor Johnson and to take part in interspersed discussions concerning the subject. You will learn how the Bible’s story originated and how it continues today. The Women’s Bible Study continues their study titled Waiting for God. Sometimes waiting can cause us to feel stuck. This study helps us to see that waiting time is not wasted time. These studies help us to rest in God’s timing, God’s work, and God’s love for us. Questions? Call Marilyn Witkop at 546.8769.Annual Cubs vs. Cardinals baseball game- CARDINAL/CUBS FANS! Our annual Cubs and Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium is this coming Tuesday, May 5 with the price of $40.00 per person which includes bus and game seats as well as a tip for the bus driver. Seating is limited. If interested, please contact Carol Lange at 553.4381 or Cindy Engstrom at 691.0471. Friends and family are invited to attend this great event. Bus will leave at 4:45 and return close to midnight. Make your checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church.All Church Camping Trip- June 19-21- It’s that time again to get your bags packed for our 2nd Annual All Church Camping Trip! You are invited to join us for a day or the whole weekend. We will be camping at Camp CILCA near Cantrall, IL (about 15 minutes north of Springfield.) We will be sharing in food, fun, fellowship, worship, and camping. If you have never gone camping or don’t have camping supplies, don’t worry. Let Joe Fortner or Pastor Ladd know and we will help get you all that you need to have an awesome weekend in nature. To learn more about this great event, pick up a brochure on one of the Welcome Centers or contact Joe Fortner at 698.5782 or Pastor Ladd.Group Loyal will meet May 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Life Center Lobby.Hosts and hostesses are Lee and Lyle Wind at 546.4000 and Shirleyand Jack Stoldt at 670.2445. Please call for your reservation. Field and Stream Group- Have you been searching for a place where like-minded sportsmen and their families can experience the love of Jesus Christ through the shared passion of the great outdoors? Well, your hunt has just taken a new path. St. John’s is seeking men and women who are looking for fellowship with purpose through outdoors ministry. Please accept this invitation to seasoned and novice sportsmen, and anyone who admires the fish, fowl, and fauna of Central Illinois, takes pleasure in boating and fishing, loves to hunt, enjoys target shooting and strives for the safe use and storage of firearms. For more information and the opportunity to help create this outdoors ministry, please contact John Moulton at 971.9555 or jmoul537@hotmail.com.

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Steve Peterson by Nancy Peterson.

May Food Items: Canned Fruit

2 4 5

EVEREST Vacation Bible School, June 22-26, 6:00-8:15 p.m. - Please sign up at one of the “Outposts” to volunteer your time and/or donate items for VBS. You can also complete all sign ups from the church website! Look under Church Events for “Everest.” Thank you! Our VBS has been designed for

you and your kids to share in four evenings of learning fun at church and a family picnic on Day 5! Our VBS Mission is Contact Ministries! We will be collecting kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, and soap from May 17-June 28. Our first big collection will be during Sunday School on May 17! Please help us build a mountain of donations! Time is Running Out for all Sixth Graders to return their surveys for our Sunday School Celebration on May 17. Please return your survey to your Sunday School teachers or Kathy Lasley. Don’t have a survey? We have extras! Please ask Kathy or the 5th/6th grade teachers. Thank you!Preschool Zoo Night-Playing with a Purpose- Please join our preschool families at the zoo for our spring fundraiser, Playing with a Purpose. Church families are invited to come play with us at the zoo on Thursday night May 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids ages 2 & up. Silent auction baskets are currently on display in the hallway outside the gym. The silent auction will end at 6:00 p.m. at the zoo. We hope you can join us!

Flowers

Remember in Prayer

Welcome

Calendar

Thank YouA special thank you to all who helped with the flower bed preparation, mulching, and flower planting this past week.

Discipleship Adult

Discipleship Youth and Family

Discipleship Children and Family

Outreach and MissionWednesday Night Summer Meals- Starting June 3 we are inviting all disciples at St. John’s to join us in connecting with our neighbors at the Georgetown Apartments over food and fellowship. One way you can be a part of this great opportunity is through bringing a side dish to share each Wednesday night through August 12. Another way you, your family, your friends, and even your small group can be a part of this is by hosting a Wednesday night. This involves preparing the main dish and serving as host and hostesses to our disciples and guests. St. John’s will provide the funds for the main dish, drinks, and paper products so you don’t have to worry about the funding! If you or your group would like to host a Wednesday Night Summer Meal on the Lawn, please contact Carolyn Isham at 544.2286 or cisham@sbcglobal.net.Mother’s Day gifts for M.E.R.C.Y Community- St. Johns is collecting items for Mother’s Day gifts for the Mothers of M.E.R.C.Y Community. These gifts will make a difference in the lives of mothers who are going through a difficult time. Tables will be set up through this Sunday, May 3 to receive your donations. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.Mission Trip 2015- There are still some spots available for the 2015 Marion, VA

Cross-Generational Mission trip! On June 28 you can join a group of youth and adults as they take part in the 8th annual Marion, VA mission trip. We will be spending time working on homes, eating, playing, singing, learning and so much more together. We will be staying at Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center that is nestled in the Jefferson National Forest. If you are wanting to go please pick up and return a brochure on one of the Welcome Centers at church or give Pastor Ladd a call at church.

Discipleship Young AdultSprout! Book Study- Bo’s Cafe! Join us each Wednesday evening during Sprout! for great discussion as we read through Bo’s Cafe and learn what it means to live authentically in God’s grace. Friends welcome! For more information or to get a book please contact Amanda Johnson at ealynn@hotmail.com.Service & Supper- On Tuesday, May 12, the young adults of St. John’s will be making pizza, salad, and dessert for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House starting at 5:15 p.m. Please contact Amanda Johnson at 309.241.4860 if you would like to help prepare the meal or donate a food item. Afterwards we will dine out for dinner.

Lincoln Land Community College Choir Concert- The LLCC Choir, under the direction of our own Sue Hamilton, will present a concert this coming Friday evening, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Our Chancel Choir will join the LLCC Choir for a portion of the program as well. Come and support these choirs and enjoy a variety of choral music!

Worship