June 26-27, 2021

The Bible teaches that along with the bread and wine of Holy Communion we also receive the true body and blood of our Savior. Jesus’ own words, “this is my body” and “this is my blood for the forgiveness of sins” reveal His Real Presence in the sacrament (Luke 22, I Cor. 10:15-16). The Bible also teaches (1 Cor. 11:23-32) the Lord’s Supper, properly received brings great blessings, but improperly received without understanding can actually incur God’s judgment. If you are a baptized Christian who has been instructed in the Biblical teaching of communion, please feel free to commune today. However, if you have any questions, please first speak to a pastor.

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 5:21-43 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Week of June 27, 2021

After an amazing week of Vacation Bible School, come join us this weekend and climb aboard the Rocky Railway! Along the way on this faith-filled adventure, we’ve discovered that trusting Jesus pulls us through life’s ups and downs. Whether you were directly part of VBS this past week or not, this weekend’s worship theme wrap-up reminder from God’s Word will be an encouragement to you and your faith relationship with your Savior. No matter what your challenges and difficulties may be, come be reminded that Jesus’ forgiving and healing power definitely pulls us through!

HOLY BAPTISM – This weekend we celebrate the baptisms of Zahra Sophia Rizwan, daughter of Yawar and Jillian (Knudsen); and Monroe Jane McCatty, daughter of Shane and Ashleigh McCatty. May God richly bless Zahra and Monroe and their families!

IMPORTANT COVID UPDATE As announced this week by our Michigan governor, as of June 22 there are no longer official epidemic orders in place in our state. We give thanks to God that we have reached this point and can continue to worship and gather unrestricted on our campus. While masks and social distancing are now completely optional and no longer required for anyone on our campus, our communion serving practices will transition over the coming weeks as our elders and pastors continue to work through the implications of these changes.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY @ 9:30 AM in Concordia Hall (downstairs) – all are welcome! This weekend concludes the study on the book of Exodus, led by Cathy Evans. There WILL be bible study next Sunday, July 4, led by Pete Grund. Starting July 11 - The Bible. Is it the bestselling book of all time? Is the Bible reliable or accurate? Are there things mentioned in the Bible that man didn't discover until thousands of years later? These topics and more will be explored in July. Join Gordon and Sandy Carr for a fresh look at the Bible.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDY GROUPS:

ESL (English as a Second Language) Bible Study – Tuesday, June 29, 10:00 AM in Concordia Hall, led by Peter Harris.

Men’s Small Group Bible Study – Thursday, July 1, 10:00 AM in the Church Library, led by John Fedototszkin.

BIBLICAL DISCOVERY

THE WEEKLY CONNECTION ONE IN JESUS…REACHING MANY!

WORSHIP CELEBRATION

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS – MAIN OFFICE: Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The phones and entrance doors will not be answered after 1 PM so if you need to meet with a staff member after that time, please schedule an appointment. Thank you! NEW POSITION | MANAGER OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS - St. John Lutheran Church & School is currently accepting applications for the position of part-time Manager of Finance & Operations as additional staff in the finance area. This position is a 12-month (part-time) position. Major responsibilities include (but are not limited to) working with the ministry team(s) to prepare and execute a balanced annual budget, prepare monthly financial statements and bank reconciliations, supervise, and support the full-time building manager, and other functions. A detailed job description is available upon request. Please submit a letter of intent and resume to the pastoral office by June 30. SEEKING CLASSROOM TEACHING CANDIDATE – As we begin the important call process of a second grade Early Childhood teacher, the congregation is invited to submit recommendations for candidates to be considered, along with recommendations from our LCMS Michigan District and the Concordia University System. Qualified candidates for this position must have a bachelor’s degree, a love for Jesus our Savior, a love for children, and a strong knowledge in the subject of reading. Recommendation forms and a sample job description are available at the Main Office. All recommendations must be received by July 9. NOTE OF THANKS TO OUR ST. JOHN FAMILY: Roger’s (Miller) unexpected departure to his heavenly home has left us saddened, stunned, and adjusting to our new normal. Yet, we rejoice that the Lord will not leave us comfortless, as friends will be our buoys in the days ahead. ~ Encouraging cards, phone calls, food, and prayers have blessed us! Your kind and generous gifts to Love for Others will bless those who come to St. John for help in a crisis. THANK YOU! ~ With Roger’s leading, and the gifts of our pastors, music director, choirs, and the preschool bells, Roger had a wonderful farewell! We are soo grateful. We feel blessed. May the Lord make good come from our loss. Marilyn, Andrew, and Paul Miller

IT WAS A GREAT WEEK AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! VBS was held this past week, and we are excited to report that more than 300 children attended! Praise God for this amazing opportunity to touch so many young lives with the love of Jesus! Thank you to the 127 wonderful adult and student volunteers for your time and dedication this past week, and to the parents for this time with your students. We pray that this week introduced Jesus to many who did not know Him!

SHARED LIFE

CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES

SCHOOL NEWS What did you do this summer? Many of our teachers can answer that end of summer question that they helped at Vacation Bible School, sharing the love of Jesus like they do during the school year! What a blessing to have these dedicated and faithful leaders walking alongside our children and families. Be a part of this incredible school ministry! Enrollment is ongoing for the 2021-2022 school year for Preschool to 8th grade so call today for a personal tour of our campus (full day Preschool sessions, K and 6th grade are full). See how St. John

Lutheran School is a live-changing and eternity-shaping experience for your child! Visit our website at stjohnrochester.org/school or call 248-402-8012 for more information.

SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP | JULY 12-15 GRADES 2- 5, 1:30-4:30PM | GRADES 6-9, 9:00AM-NOON Sign up your child for a week of fun at basketball camp here on our campus, led by Todd Bauer, our Athletic Director/Middle School teacher. This fun camp which will focus on learning and developing basketball skills is open to the community so share the news with family and friends! The cost is $60 per child and registration forms are available at the Main Office. Early registration is due by July 6.

LIGHTHOUSE – MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY GRADES 6-8 Lighthouse will meet next on July 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM. For more information, contact Steve Wilson, Child & Family Ministry Director, swilson@stjohnrochester.org.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY GRADES 9-12 Thank you to all the high school students who volunteered at VBS this past week. We will meet next on July 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM. For more information, please contact Melissa Hammett, Director of High School Youth Ministry, at 248-402-8008 or mhammett@stjohnrochester.org.

OUR DIAPER DRIVE HAS CONCLUDED with our church & school family making a huge difference in the lives of local moms and their babies with the donation this week of 7,466 diapers, 90 packages of baby wipes, numerous beautifully made blankets, many baby outfits, and bath items! What a wonderful way to share the love of Jesus with our mission partner Crossroads Care Center and those they serve. Thank you to our mission partner liaisons, Dale and Wes Griffith, and to all who donated, for your faithfulness to the children of God and being One in Jesus, Reaching Many.

FINANCIAL UPDATES Wow!!! What an amazing response St. John family!!!!! As our fiscal year comes to an end this week, you pulled together over the past month to overcome a significant year end offering budget shortfall! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness shown through all of you! “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing!” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

GENERAL MISSION & MINISTRY OFFERINGS (as of 6/20/21)

Offerings for week ending June 20……………… .... $101,790.00

As of 6/20/21 Y.T.D. Budgeted Offerings: $ 2,588,250 As of 6/20/21 Y.T.D. Actual Offerings: $ 2,535,132 As of 6/20/21 Y.T.D. Variance to Budget: $ (53,118)

(St. John’s fiscal year is 7/1/20 through 6/30/21.)

Budget to Actual (Week of June 20) = 211.0%

Year-to-Date Offering Budget to Actual = 97.9%

COMPASSIONATE SERVICE

SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY

WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR WHATEVER IS ON YOUR HEART. To submit a prayer request, please text or email it to prayer@stjohnrochester.org at any time or submit a prayer request on our website. THIS WEEK’S PRAYERS: Healing & Peace: Carol Johnston – hand surgery / Bruce Landino (wife Sandy & family are guests at St. John) – complications from Leukemia / Sharon Hardy – tinnitus / Kurt Sturdevant (brother of Kathleen Schmidt) - Lyme disease / Terri and family - daughter going through a health crisis Bereavement: – “for the family & friends of:” George (father of Lisa Cummins) / David Brandreth / Dave Begian (friend of Cherie Anderson) Thanksgiving: Baptisms of Zahra Sophia Rizwan - daughter of Jillian and Yawar & Monroe Jane McCatty - daughter of Ashleigh and Shane / Henry & Marilynn Meyer’s 63rd Wedding Anniversary

CONSTANT PRAYER

Worship Celebration Schedule

Traditional Praise: Sundays @ 8:00 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE), 9:30 AM & 11:00 AM

Modern Praise: Saturdays @ 5:00 PM | Sundays @ 10:45 AM (ALSO LIVE STREAMED AND POSTED ONLINE)

1011 W. University Dr. | Rochester, MI 48307 | 248.402.8000 | stjohnrochester.org