Adult Confirmation Class Begins

Classes for those interested in learning more about the Christian faith, and the Lutheran faith in particular will begin on September 23rd at 7:30pm.

Here are some of the questions we will be discussing from God’s Word:

• Who is God?
• How are we made right with God?
• What is Holy Baptism?
• What is Holy Communion?
• What about evil in the world?
• What does it mean to be a Lutheran?
• Why do Lutherans worship the way that they do?
  

• And many more... bring your own life questions.

The class meets for 10 weeks. Please contact pastor Watt if you would like to attend.

Cell: (605)579-0005
eMail: pastor (at) StJohnsHoward.org

Labels: Calendar, Confirmation, Education, News

  ¶ 8/31/2007 10:35:00 AM 0 Comments

  Education Programs
Education Programs

Sunday

• 10:30am - Family Bible Class
• 7:30pm - Adult Confirmation (beginning Sept 23, 2007)
  

Wednesday (immediately following school, during the school year)

• Kids for Christ – Pre-School through 6th Grade
• Junior Confirmation – 7th & 8th Grade

In home bible studies using Good News Magazine please contact Pastor Watt

Labels: Confirmation, Education

  ¶ 8/31/2007 10:25:00 AM 0 Comments

  Confirmation Class Blog. The Confirmation Class Blog has been updated with information for this year's class. Go there to check on class schedules, memory work, and homework assignments.

Confirmation Class Blog.

Labels: Confirmation, Education

  ¶ 8/30/2007 07:28:00 AM 0 Comments

  September Newsletter Onilne
September 2007 Newsletter is available.

Click here for St. John’s News
(The Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to read this file, get it here)

St. John's News is the newsletter of
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, SD
Published Monthly
For subscription information contact

St. John’s Lutheran Church
502 South Main Street / Box 607
Howard, SD 57349
or eMail: Newsletter (at) StJohnsHoward.org or Call: (605)772-5252

Labels: Newsletter

  ¶ 8/29/2007 05:54:00 PM 0 Comments

  Jesus Statue Greeting Cards Available at St. John's Store
In remembrance of the 125th anniversary greeting cards with the Statue of Jesus are available at the St. John's Store.

Statue of Jesus Greeting Cards (pkg of 1)

Statue of Jesus Greeting Cards (Pkg of 20)

Visit the St. John's Store

Labels: 125th Anniversary, Jesus, Statue, Store

  ¶ 8/27/2007 06:38:00 PM 0 Comments

  Did you know? Did you know you can sign up for eMail updates to this web page by clicking on the FeedBlitz icon below?

Labels: Administration, eList

  ¶ 8/27/2007 12:23:00 PM 0 Comments

  Podcast for August 26th is Now Available. The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 19, 2007.

Click here to read the Sermon:




Click here to listen to the Sermon:

Labels: PodCast, Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/27/2007 08:19:00 AM 0 Comments

  Pastor's Sermon for Aug 26 Has Been Posted Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.

The text is:

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:22-30, ESV)

From the Sermon:

Right now Jesus makes it very clear that the door is still open. It is open wherever Christians speak up and tell people about Jesus and what he has done. But, it is open right now and especially right here where his Word is preached and his Sacraments given according to his command. We can actually see the open door here. We see it and feel it as water together with God’s name washes away our sins and makes us a member of his God’s family. We are pulled through the open door by God’s action, brought where his family is and given his very name. Inside we sit at table with him, in his very presence, and eat the food that we need to grow in faith. We hear his words that are spoken to us to keep our focus on what’s important. And yet there is a danger even here where God so clearly has the door open. There is a danger because the open door will not always be open as it is today, as Jesus tells us. Many of those inside will walk out the door.

Labels: Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/25/2007 11:18:00 AM 0 Comments

  The Bulletin for Aug 26 is Now Online. The Bulletin for 08/26/2007(pdf), The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 16), is online and available for download.

St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.

Labels: Bulletin

  ¶ 8/25/2007 10:02:00 AM 0 Comments

  Podcast for Aug 19 is available. The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 19, 2007.

Click here to read the Sermon:




Click here to listen to the Sermon:

Labels: PodCast, Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/21/2007 05:54:00 PM 0 Comments

  The Bulletin for Aug 19 is now online The Bulletin for 08/19/2007(pdf), The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15), is online and available for download.

St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.

Labels: Bulletin

  ¶ 8/21/2007 10:20:00 AM 0 Comments

  Pastor's Sermon Posted, 12th Sunday After Pentecost, Aug 19, Heb 11:17-12:3 Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 19th, 2007, The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (proper 15) has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.

The text is:

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 11:17-12:3, ESV)

From the Sermon:

God’s Word tells us that God himself came to earth to deal with pain and suffering. He became a human being to deal with sin. In Jesus Christ, the wholeness of God dwells, we are told. He suffered and died for the sins of the whole world. He bore the punishment for all sin on the cross. No matter how great your suffering is, it will never compare to what Jesus suffered for you. He didn’t just suffer physical pain, nails in his hands, bruises and cuts, and harassment. He suffered spiritual death and separation from God. Jesus suffered the pain of hell on the cross.

Labels: Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/21/2007 10:11:00 AM 0 Comments

  125th Anniversary August 12th.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Howard, South Dakota

125^th Anniversary Celebration

August 12^th, 2007

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! (Psalm 98:1, ESV)

v 9:30am – Sunday morning worship with Holy Communion. Guest Preacher Rev. Dale Sattgast, president South Dakota District LCMS.

v 10:30am – Anniversary memories, greetings from the District, and former pastors.

v 12:00pm – Old Fashioned Pot Luck Dinner.

v 2:00pm – Celebration Service. Our special guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. David Kluth, Vice President University Services, Concordia University Austin. Rev. Kluth was ordained into the pastoral ministry at St. John’s

Rev. Dale Sattgast is currently President of the South Dakota district of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Prior to his election in 2006 he service at parishes in Canistota and Montrose, SD; Albuquerque, NM; and Mt. Calvary, Huron, SD. He is married to Debbie they have three grown children. Debbie is a Physical Therapist. Dale grew up on a dairy farm in Idaho and served as an air traffic controller in the US Navy. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1980.

Rev. David Kluth has served as Vice-president for University Services at Concordia University, Austin since 1990. He served as a parish pastor in from 1977 to 1990. David currently service on the Synod’s Board for Communication Services. David has been married to Carol for 33 years. She is a Lutheran school teacher. They have two grown children. He loves to travel enjoys woodworking, skydiving, and NASCAR. Rev. Kluth lived in Howard since the 3^rd Grade. He graduated with the last class to graduate from the old high school. He was ordained into the pastoral ministry in June 19, 1977 by Pastor Steinkamp.

Labels: 125th Anniversary

  ¶ 8/08/2007 02:34:00 PM 0 Comments

  PodCast for Aug 5th Sermon is Now Available The PodCast for Pastor's Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost is now available. August 5, 2007.

Click here to read the Sermon:




Click here to listen to the Sermon:

Labels: PodCast, Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/08/2007 08:47:00 AM 0 Comments

  Pastor's Sermon for tAug 5, 2007 is posted Pastor's Sermon Posted
Pastor Watt's Sermon for August 5th, 2007, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost has been posted on his sermon website.
You can read the whole sermon by clicking here.
Coming Soon Listen to this sermon here.

The text is:

13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)

From the Sermon:

That’s what it means to be rich toward God. To have Jesus in the life you now live in the flesh. To have faith that what God declares for you is true. To believe that everything that he has done for you means that he will take care of you no matter what. You know what he has done, you know the promises he has made. The perfect life of Jesus; the perfect suffering and death of Jesus; the resurrection to new life by Jesus; is God’s gift to you. It’s God’s promise that you are forgiven, that your sinful nature doesn’t affect your relationship with him. To live by faith in the Son of God, is to hold on to the promises of Jesus who loves you and gave himself for you. That’s what it means to be rich toward God. That was it means to be really, really rich. Few of us will ever be called multi-millionaires. Few of us can really imagine how much money that really is. The richness that God gives us in Jesus is also totally beyond our understanding.

Labels: Sermon, Worship

  ¶ 8/04/2007 03:33:00 PM 0 Comments

 

Christmas Vacation

New Orleans Mission Trip

Loving Our Neighbors

Living Our Faith

Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Black Hawk and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard will once again be hosting an upcoming mission trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. What better time than Christmas to reach out with a heart of servant hood to our fellow man, all the while growing in our own relationship with Jesus. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals, families, and mature youth groups.

This trip is open to all members of your congregation ages 14 and up, with teens under the age of 16 accompanied by a parent. We will be teaming up with the Southern LCMS District and Laborers for Christ, LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and The Orphan Grain Train. We will be staying at Camp Restore. (more information at http://www.CampRestore.org)

There are two areas where volunteers are needed:

1. Demolition - Anyone can help with this! Mucking-out, debris removal, drywall removal, and general clean-up of flooded homes and churches.

2. Construction/Building Repair - This is for anyone who is able to help with roofing, electrical, sheetrock installation, plumbing, carpentry, basic home repairs, etc.

The cost last year for each volunteer was $350.00 and will probably be similar this year. If you are interested in making this trip please contact Pastor Watt soon.

Other ways to help

Prayers for the team going down are greatly needed. Prayers for safety, good health, productivity, accommodating weather, and most importantly the opportunity to witness and share the gospel of Christ with the many people we will be in contact with! If you would like to make a donation to help defray travel expenses or to go directly to camp restore please contact Pastor Watt.

Labels: Mission Trip, New Orleans

  ¶ 8/03/2007 02:43:00 PM 0 Comments

  Ushers : Joe Bechen, Craig Hoyer, Thomas Carrico, Steve Jacobson
Elder: Rod Ulrich
Greeters: Gary and Lesa Hueners
Acolytes: Ushers
Attendance and Stewardship: 7/20—93 / $2270.07 ($1080 Trivent)

Life Quote: “We all have lost loved ones to horrible ailments and illnesses—and we all want and pray for good health. But, we should never deny the reality of the living unborn child in order to save our own skins. No human being has a right to do this at the expense of another’s life.” Day Gardner, Director, National Black Pro-Life Union, commenting on embryonic stem cell research. A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life / www.lutheransforlife.org / 888-364-LIFE

Stewardship Short: Colossians 3:1-11: Christian stewards are people who have been raised with Christ so they can set their hearts and minds on heavenly things rather than on earthly things. We go through life looking up in joy rather than looking down in gloom and sadness, knowing all the while that the best is yet to come.

Pastor Hornig’s 50th Anniversary of Ordination: September 16th, 2007. All are invited to attend Peace Lutheran Church, Rapid City. Guest speaker Dr. Allen Buckman, LC—MS Board for Mission Services. Meal follows 2nd Service at 10:45am. Greetings may be sent in care of the church: Peace Lutheran Church, 219 East St. Anne St, Rapid City, SD 57701. Please RSVP (605) 721-6480, or peacelutheranchurch@rushmore.com

Calendars Available: August calendars are available at the ushers table today.

Newsletter articles for the September Newsletter are due by the 15th of August.

Harry Potter on Issues Etc: Dr. Richard Stuckwisch, Pastor at Emmaus Lutheran Church-South Bend, IN discusses Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. KLOH Radio 1050AM at 12:20pm.

Large Print Bulletins Available request them from one of the ushers.

LCMS Convention Report: Pastor will give a report on the Synod's Convention on Aug 19, immediately following church in the sanctuary

Pastor Nabil Nior’s trip to the Holy Land leaves October 2nd. There’s still time to sign up for the trip leaving October 2nd. The cost for the 11 day trip is $2,850 including airfare, lodging, and two meals a day. For further information contact: Pastor Nabil S. Nour C/O Redeemer Lutheran Church PO Box 158 Armour, SD 57313-0158 (605) 724-2489 or (605) 724-2722.
Today: 9:30am—Worship
10:30am—Fellowship Coffee
Monday: 10:00am—District Parish Services Meeting (Pastor in Sioux Falls)
6:15pm—Evening Guild
Wednesday: 8:00pm—Anniversary Choir Rehearsal
Friday: 2:30pm—Worship Service at Whispering Winds
Sunday: 125th Anniversary Celebration
9:30am—Worship with Holy Communion—President Sattgast, Preacher
10:30am—Program, Greetings
12:00pm—Potluck Dinner
2:00pm—Celebration Service—Rev. David Kluth, Preacher
125th Anniversary Celebration—Next Sunday
Don Calmus, Flo Bader, Leona Stangohr, Maynard Hahn—Hospice and/or Cancer
Mary Watt (Pastor’s Sister-in-law)—Knee Surgery
Loretta Ferguson (Waunita Watt’s Mother)—Knee Replacement
Etheldra Rasmussen—Medical Treatments

Labels: Announcements

  ¶ 8/03/2007 02:40:00 PM 0 Comments

  The bulletin For Aug 5th. is now online The Bulletin for 08/05/2007(pdf), The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, is online and available for download.

St. John's uses the Three Year Lectionary from Lutheran Service Book.

Labels: Bulletin

  ¶ 8/03/2007 02:37:00 PM 0 Comments

  Anniversary Schedule

• 9:30am – Sunday morning worship with Holy Communion. Guest Preacher Rev. Dale Sattgast, president South Dakota District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
• 10:30am – Anniversary memories, greetings from the District, and former pastors.
• 12:00pm – Old Fashioned Pot Luck Dinner.
• 2:00pm – Celebration Service. Guest preacher Rev. Dr. David Kluth, Vice-President for University Services, Concordia University Texas.
  

Sunday morning worship will begin at 9:30am with Holy Communion. Rev. Dale Sattgast president of the South Dakota District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will be the guest preacher. At 10:30am anniversary memories, greeting from the District and former pastors. And old fashioned pot luck dinner will be held at 12:00 noon. At 2pm there will be a celebration service, featuring Dr. David Kluth, preacher.

Dr Kluth is currently Vice-president for University Services — His duties include: Information & Technology Services (ITS) [including academic & administrative computing], Media Services, Concordia Communications, KCUA-TV (Channel 26), Print & publications (marketing), Web Services (CUA website), Telecommunication Services, Facilities Management, currently heading campus relocation project

A Note from Rev. David Kluth: It’s my pleasure to preach in Howard. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been “back home” and there is a lot of water that has gone under the bridge, as they might say. I suspect most folks are probably gone who would have know me . . . but it will be interesting to visit and reconnect. While growing up in Howard I couldn’t have imagined all that would unfold in my life over the years. While I loved parish ministry for the 14-15 years in Minnesota it was a major change in my life to have the Lord lead me to higher education and being a vice president of a university . . . and heading up the relocation of Concordia Austin. Howard shaped my skills and abilities; so much of my success (while directly attributable to the Lord) is the result of the influence of Howard and St. John’s on my life. The congregation was very kind to me over the years, especially after my father died. So there are a lot of emotions wrapped up in coming back home and sharing God’s Word during this anniversary.

For more information please call: (605)772-5684 or
eMail Church(at)StJohnsHoward.org

Labels: 125th Anniversary

  ¶ 8/01/2007 07:04:00 AM 0 Comments