Youth Hoagie Sale
January 19 - February 5

The Youth and Family Ministry Committee is hosting a Moyer's Hoagie sale beginning on January 19^th.  Hoagies may be picked up on Sunday, February 5^th from 9 am to 12 noon.  All proceeds benefit St. John's Youth programs.

St. John's Softball Team

St. John’s Softball Team is looking for Players…here’s what you need to know!
You need to be 14 years of age or older.  You should want to be part of an awesome bunch of people that love to have FUN!  It would be helpful if you have your own glove, but you do not need to have a lot of experience.  If you are interested in joining us or have questions contact Denny Smith at 484.366.5047.  Our team will get together on April 15 at 1 pm on our home field which is the varsity softball field at Boyertown Area Senior High School. Schedules for the regular season will be handed at that time.

Spatula Club Booster
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, I want to support the Youth and Family Ministry of St. John’s by donating $5 to the St. John’s BREAKFAST BUFFET.

Checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church.  On the line below print the name you would like to appear on the SPATULA BOOSTER SHEET.  Please fill out and hand in along with $5 to the church office before March 3.

Acts Bible Study
February 5-11

Prayer before beginning:

O God, send your Holy Spirit to me as I read your Word. Open my eyes that I may see your presence. Open my mind that worldly things would not distract me. Open my heart that you may fill it. Open my lips, that I might give you praise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read : Acts 1-3

Read the three chapters through once.

Overview: Mighty Events and Powerful Preaching

Chapter 1: There is a lot going on here. Jesus ascends to heaven. While the disciples await the gift of the Spirit they select a new disciple to replace Judas.

Chapter 2: The Holy Spirit comes with a great display of power. Peter responds with a sermon to the crowd about what they have experienced. The point of the sermon is belief and 3000 are baptized. The new Christian community lives a perfect (?) life.

Chapter 3: Peter and John cure a lame man at the Temple gate. Peter explains the event in another sermon.

Now go back and re-read the three chapters slowly. Pause to listen to things that perhaps you have not noticed before. Jot down questions that you have.

Some Questions for Reflection:

1. What is God doing in the accounts in this section of scripture?
2. What am I hearing God say to me through these stories?
3. What am I hearing God say to St. John’s through these stories?
4. What is God calling me and our community of faith to do through these stories?

At your next Sunday School Class, Bible Study, church committee meeting take 15 minutes to reflect on what each of you has learned from Acts.

2012 Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 5

St. John’s youth and leaders continue to participate and support The Souper Bowl of Caring (for the history of this ministry go to www.souperbowl.org).

Donations will be collected after each of the worship services on Sunday February 5 as well as Saturday at Six on February 4.

Soup pots will be placed in three different locations around the church:
   Parish House Lobby,  
      Lower Narthex and  
      Outside the Church Library.
Donations will be received at any of these locations. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

This year’s recipient is:

   ELCA Disaster Response
   Horn of Africa Drought

For more information go to:
http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Horn-of-Africa-Drought_July-2011.aspx. 

Your support is greatly appreciated.

February WELCA Meeting

The St. John's Women of the ELCA have scheduled their meeting for February.  There will be a "visit" from Sister Millicent at the February 6^th meeting.  She has portrayed many Women of the Bible during the past several years.  It will be interesting to see who "visits" with us this year!  Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Monday evening, February 6 at 7:00 pm.  There will also be devotions, led by Annette Truman, and refreshments, along with Sister Millicent's presentation.

Youth Quake
Friday, February 10 - Sunday, February 12, 2012
Bethlehem, PA

The theme: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
- Colossians 2:6-7

St. John’s has a group of 39 youth and adults attending Youth Quake each year. Please remember us in your prayers!  Kirstie Weller, Alison Bauman, Erika Lessig, Alyssa Dierolf, Katie Campbell, Marisa Moser, Molly Kulp, Mallory Sugita, Stephanie Krause, Melanie Reinert, Mary and April Holowis, Erika and Laura Romig, Amber Engle, Hannah Reinhard, Lauren Frey, Erika Ealy, Sami Litchert, Kyle and Tanner Lee, Ryan DiPietro, Connor Cordero, Matt Davis, Jeremy Dell, Tyler Buckwalter, Sam Kulp, Zach Bechtel, Tyler McKenrick, Michelle Weller, Bonnie Maotz, Alyssha Updegrove, Cindy Dwojak, Noelle and Courtney Dierolf, Byron Lee, Bob McElwee, Kyle Landis and Donna Smith.

Important date-Sunday, January 22 is the parent/youth/chaperone informational meeting in the youth room at 5:30 pm.  Please plan to attend. 

Blood Pressure Screening

Sunday, Feb. 12, after 8 am service & at 10 am & after the 10:30 service

Blood pressure screening will be offered after the 10:30 service during the months of February and March.  If interest is shown, screening after the 10:30 service will continue.Blood Pressure Screening

Kindergarten Open House

Open House in our Pre-Kindergarten will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, February 21, 22, and 23 from 9:00 until 11:30 am and from 12:30 until 3:00 pm. There will also be an opportunity to visit on Thursday evening, February 23 from 6:30 until 8:00 pm.

Play groups are in session on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Classes for three year olds meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

Classes for four year olds and the Transitional Kindergarten are in session every morning. There is also a class for four year olds that meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 3:00.

Applications for next year must be received by March 15 to receive special consideration. Children already enrolled have first choice of class assignment, then members of St. John's, and then all others according to the date of application.

Family fun and food: Game Day Sunday,
February 26 following the 10:30 Worship Service in the Fellowship Hall.

We will be playing Family Feud.  Bring a snack to share for our chili and hotdog lunch, provided by the Fellowship Committee.  A signup sheet will be placed in the Parish House on the bulletin board outside Sister Millicent’s office February 1.  If you have any questions please contact Noelle Dierolf @ 610.369.0254 or @ Wellie72@comcast.net.

Lenten Soup and Sandwiches

We will be serving Soup and Sandwiches before both Lenten Services
starting February 29^th through March 28^th.

Meal times will be:
      11:30 am on for our 1 pm service
       5:30 pm for our 7 pm service.

If you would like to help or make soup please sign up on the bulletin board outside Sister Millicent’s office.

St. John's Breakfast Buffet
March 3^rd from 7 am - 11 am

All You Can Eat!  Includes Baked Oatmeal for the early risers and gluten-free pancakes.  Take-outs are available.

Menu includes:
   • Scrambled Eggs
   • Egg Beaters
   • Pancakes
   • Sausage
   • Scrapple
   • Homefries
   • Grilled Sticky Buns
   • Variety of Juices
   • White and Chocolate Milk
   • Coffee, Decaf, Hot Tea, Hot Chocolate

Ticket Prices: Adult -$7.50; Children under 12 / Senior Citizens - $5.00

For information call 610.369.1024

Proceeds Benefit St. John’s Youth & Family Ministries

March WELCA Meeting

The WELCA meeting for March will be held on Monday evening, March 5 at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.  "Bells and Chimes" will be presented by church organist, Ranee Reitz.  Devotions will be led by Susan Laubach and refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Bowl, Bread and Bible

Dr. John Hoffmeyer of the Lutheran Theological Seminary At Philadelphia will present Wisdom from the Bible in a World of Adverting at the Oley Cluster’s annual event. The three Sunday evening presentations will be March 11, 18 and April 1 from 4 pm to 7 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Old Sweden Road, Douglassville.  We break mid way through the 2 hour Bible study for a simple meal of soup and bread.

Come and join us for the series. Those who wish to car pool can meet at St. John’s Parking lot at 3:40 pm

Get your Bibles out and join us for a fun evening of learning and discovery.

Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble
March 11, 4:00 pm

One Passion, One Strike, One Sound

On Sunday March 11 the Music and Fine Arts Committee will present the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble.  The 4:00 pm concert will feature this fourteen member group of dedicated and seasoned ringers.  They ring seven octaves of Schulmerich Bells and five octaves of chimes.  They also use an additional four octave set of bells for doubling sound.  A large number of percussion instruments and a five-octave set of Dutch Petit and Fristen bells round out the ensemble's artistic presentation.

Refreshments will be served following the concert.  Please join us for an exciting afternoon of music.

Women's Spiritual Growth Retreat

NEPA Women of the ELCA invite all women to participate in the Spiritual Growth Retreat-'Kindness and Compassion’ on Saturday March 17 (snow date March 24) from 8:30 AM to 2:30 pm at Nativity Lutheran Church in Allentown. The guest presenter is Bruce Becker sharing his story of the Nickel Mine tragedy. The day will also include workshops and fellowship. The cost  is $20.00 which includes lunch. Registration forms are located on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall.  Registration deadline is March 3.  Contact Kathy Pearson (610.367.5707) about transportation plans.

Living With Loss Grief Support Group

When someone we love dies, we often feel overwhelmed, frightened and lonely. Sharing our thoughts and feelings with others who have experienced a loss can alleviate our sense of aloneness and can give us much-needed encouragement.

On Monday evenings, March 19 to April 30, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, a six-week grief support group will meet at the Parish of St. Columbkill in Boyertown, PA. (There will be no group session April 9^th).   Led by a counseling professional, the group will share experiences and coping strategies. This group is sponsored by Morrell Funeral Home and is free to participants.  Advanced registration is required.  For more information or to register, please call Diakon Family Life Services at 610.682.1337 or 1.888.499.2699 (toll free).

Tai Chi by Sifu Phil Haddad
3-4 pm and 7-8 pm
Every Tuesday April 10 - June 5, St. John’s Chapel

Registration is required.
Call Nan Moyer at 610.369.1024 x 33 by April 5

Tai Chi classes will be held every Tuesday for ages 18 to 99 years. With consideration to your schedule, each Tuesday, classes with be offered at two separate times. The first session will occur from 3-4 pm. The second session will occur from 7-8 pm. Both sessions will provide identical instruction.

Phil has served as an instructor in the Continuing Education Department of Owen J. Roberts High School District beginning in the Fall of 2010. He presently contracted and for the Spring 2012 term through the Chester County Night School.

Phil’s class is geared toward beginners. Course objectives include gentle stretching, balance exercises, Eight Section Brocade, practice and understanding individual postures. Yang Style Tai Chi is a slow moving, deep breathing and is easy-on-the-joints exercise.

To further aid in your understanding, Tai Chi is an ancient art form with a focus on gentle flowing movements, stretching and breathing. Tai Chi is not a substitute for traditional medical care.

Research suggests that Tai Chi may offer these health benefits:
   · Reducing anxiety and depression
   · Improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength
   · Reducing falls in older adults
   · Improving sleep quality
   · Lowering blood pressure
   · Improving cardiovascular fitness in older adult
   · Relieving chronic pain
   · Increasing energy, endurance and agility
   · Improving overall feelings of well-being

Family Retreat
Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center
April 20 - 22, 2012

Please come join us for our annual Spring Retreat at Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center in New Ringgold, PA. The retreat will take place Friday, April 20 - Sunday April 22.  We will be leaving the parking lot @ 6 pm on Friday and return around 3 pm on Sunday.

There are 3 separate sessions:
      Adults 
      Teens
      Pre-k and elementary students

Enjoy this weekend by spending time with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and your family. The weekend includes 5 family style meals and two nights lodging for only $50 per adult (weekly/biweekly and monthly payment arrangements can be made in advance).  Children under 18 are free.  A sign up sheet will be placed in the Parish House on the bulletin board outside Sister Millicent’s office on March 1. 

If you would like to attend and have questions please contact Noelle at 610.906.4781 or via email at Wellie72@comcast.net.

Region 7 Women of the ELCA Spiritual Retreat
April 27-29, 2012

“Angels among Us” with keynote speaker Pr. Mary Jane Hastings, Morristown, NJ and Bible Study leader Pr Wendy Abrahamson, Florham Park, NJ.

The event takes place at The Purdy Center of Camp-of-the-Woods, Speculator, NY
Cost is registration $35 plus $175 for double room and meals. Motel-style rooms with private bath and indoor pool, free wi-fi. Registration forms are on the bulletin Board outside the Fellowship Hall. Contact Kathy Pearson (610-367-5707) for further information.

Mother's Day Coffee Hour

Save the date - more information later.

6th Annual Church Picnic
Boyertown Park
June 10, 2012 from noon - 5 pm

Save the date.  More details to follow.

(please note the picnic has been moved to a Sunday) and we will be closing the picnic at 5 pm with a small blessing service and Driver’s License Milestone.

Father's Day Coffee Hour

Save the date.  More information later.

Reading Phillies
Tuesday, June 26^th

Trip to see the Reading Phillies.  More information later.