God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.    (Psalm 46:1-3)

This morning at 4:30am a two alarm fire broke out in Lazarus Lutheran Church in Lineboro, Maryland.  Firefighters from Carroll, Baltimore and York Counties fought the blaze for approximately 2 hours before bringing it under control.  We are blessed that no one was hurt, but the interior of the church, built in 1853, has been destroyed.  Damages have been estimated at one million dollars.

Lazarus is a union church, providing a place of worship for both UCC and ELCA congregants.  Several congregations in the area, including both ELCA and non-ELCA churches, have offered assistance.  Space has been provided so that Christmas and Christmas Eve services can be held.  Communion ware has been loaned for the 7:00pm prayer vigil this evening at the local volunteer fire department located at 4224 Main Street.

We ask for your prayers for the people of Lazarus Church, including both UCC and ELCA members, in the days to come.

St. John's Ladies package and wrap 114 shoe boxes for the Community Assistance Network (CAN) Christmas gifts. Thanks to everyone at St. John's for donating shoe boxes, gifts, wrapping paper and your time. This has been a great ministry of St. John's for many years.

Thanks to Bob and Karen Merrey for organizing the Angel Tree Ministry and to you the congregation for providing 90 Angels with Christmas gifts this year. The Salvation Army picked up the gifts on Dec 3. 

For all your gifts of time, treasure and talent, We Give God the Glory!!!!!

What do you give to someone for Christmas who doesn't really need anything? 

There is a way to help those who need at the same time as honoring your friends or family. The ELCA Good Gifts program is a way you can buy gifts that really do matter. They are creative and meaningful to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. Connect to the ELCA Good Gifts program where you can support the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response.  Share the joy of Christmas with those who need help through your loved ones.

For a full story about the disaster please see article at Huffington Post. (Picture on left taken from the tweets at this site)

Governor Pat Quinn of has declared seven counties state disaster areas after severe storms generating tornadoes and high winds ripped across Illinois. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed, hundreds of thousands of people are without power, and numerous roads throughout  the state have been closed by fallen trees and downed power lines. At least six people are reported dead and dozens more injured

There are different ways to respond. LWR offers the following:

• If you would like to volunteer or offer assistance to survivors, please contact Lutheran Disaster Response at 847/635-4653. Do not show up and volunteer; you will be turned away. 
• If you would like to send items, please refrain as well, you can offer a monetary donation to the survivors through Lutheran Social Services of Illinois or ELCA Disaster Response. 
• Ways to Give 
  

Checks or money orders should be sent to: 
Lutheran Disaster Response Illinois 
LSSI 
1001 E Touhy Ave Suite 50 
Des Plaines, IL 60018 
or 
Lutheran Disaster Response 
39330 Treasury Center 
Chicago, IL 60694-9300 

Write "IL Tornadoes" on your check memo line. 

Please consider donating to those in need in the Philippines. You can donate through Lutheran World Relief. Click here to provide financial support and to see updates to what is happening.

Also, there are links on this site that provide different responses that we can do as a congregation. If your Ministry Team, Sunday School Class, Bible Study Group can provide support by assembling different kits so that LWR will have stock to respond to this and other emerging situations around the world, click on the type of project at the LWR web site, follow the instructions and get started. 

The Labyrinth Ministry Team is pleased to announce a new prayer ministry in conjunction with our labyrinth, A Place Of Grace.  If you would like the Labyrinth Ministry Team Members to pray for you and your needs, all you have to do is write them down. As we receive your requests we will lift them up in prayer. You do not have to provide your name or other personal information if it makes you uncomfortable. Your prayer requests can be specific or general/anonymous; we will simply pray for you and your needs during the coming month.

We would like to thank Lou Scarletti for the beautiful blue Prayer Box he constructed for this new ministry. Feel free to place your prayer requests in the Prayer Box as often as you like.  Thank you!

All men are welcome to our first gathering which will be a pancake breakfast and discussions around the table on Saturday, September 7 at 8:00 a.m.

On Tuesday evenings 7:00-8:00 we will meet for a Bible study each week beginning September 10. 

Please watch the St. John's Newsletter to learn about the projects and programs that the men of St. John's are doing. 
Always remember, if you need a ride to-from church, call the church office and someone from the Men-in-Mission will contact you and make arrangements.