ALTAR FLOWERS
The altar flowers are given by Mabel Adams In celebration of her mom Krystle Clark’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
CHURCH DOCTOR MINISTRIES INTERVIEWS
Church Doctor Ministries will be here for their evaluation and assessments during the first week of March. Interview sessions have filled. Your input is valuable as we plan for the future of our mission at St. John. If you would like to write a letter, please contact the church office for more information.
JOB POSTING FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHER
For the 2025-2026 school year, St. John Lutheran School in Defiance, OH, is seeking a primary elementary teacher, an individual who will embrace our mission, which is to “follow Christ’s example, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, prepare children for a life of discipleship” by helping them grow in faith, knowledge, and character as he/she exemplifies Christian living and Lutheran doctrine in and out of the classroom. He/she must be willing to establish a faith- filled environment, demonstrate knowledge of content, facilitate learning for all students following the prescribed curriculum, model Gospel values, and be a contributing member of our professional learning and Christian community. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the St. John Team, contact Kristina Phipps at 419-782-1751 or principal.sjl@st.johntigers.com.NEW
LADIES AID
Our next meeting is Thursday, February 27 at 2pm. Donna Van Vlerah will be our hostess. The food pantry item is toilet paper. Guests and new members are always welcome!
FOUR-WEEK LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
We are hosting a new four-week Lenten Bible Study, “The Promise and Power of Easter” beginning on Sunday, March 23rd. We are offering different options. Phil Rohlf will be hosting the class on Sundays at 10 am in the Fellowship Room. Krystle Clark and Megan Fritz will be hosting the class on Monday evenings at 6:30 pm and Pastor Mews will be hosting the class on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join one of these Bible studies, please sign up in the lower hallway as we need to order books for the class. Thank you.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY
On Sunday, February 23rd, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (between worship services), we are continuing our first Middle School Bible Study! Youth in 4th-8th grades are welcome to meet in the youth room downstairs two Sundays a month for a Bible Study led alternately between Mr. Britt Gerken and Mr. Austin Fritz (both local teachers). I know it’s last minute, but better late than never! The church bulletin will have the rest of the Sundays listed for you to add to your calendar for the school year. Contact Megan Fritz if you have any questions, and feel free to invite a friend. We hope to see you there!
NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Lisa Mews will begin a new women’s Bible study on Monday, March 3rd at
6:30 p.m. The title of the study is All The Places To Go…How Will You Know? based on the book by John Ortberg. Very rarely in the Bible does God command someone to “stay”. He opens a door, and then He invites us to walk through it―into the unknown. And how we choose to respond will ultimately determine the lives we will lead and the people we will become. In fact, to fail to embrace the open door is to miss the work God has made for us to do. In All the Places to Go . . . How Will You Know?, best-selling author John Ortberg opens our eyes to the countless open doors God places before us every day, teaches us how to recognize them, and gives us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await. Whether used in conjunction with the DVD curriculum or the book, the participant’s guide contains video notes, discussion questions, suggestions for further study, and ideas for practical application that will help you get the most out of All the Places You’ll Go. So go ahead―walk through that door. You just might do something that lasts for eternity.
COUPLES BIBLE STUDY
We are looking at starting a couples Bible study using the book Cherish by Gary Thomas. “Most married couples survive by gritting their teeth and holding on. But marriages can and will not only survive but THRIVE when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another.” Those are the powerful words of best- selling author Gary Thomas in his newest book—Cherish. And in a world desperate for marriage redemption, it is needed now more than ever. https://watch.studygateway.com/cherish We are looking for input on what day and time would work the best:
Sunday, 3:30 pm Wednesday, 6:30 pm Friday, 6:00pm (weekly date night) If you are interested in joining, please contact the church office.
MEN’S PROJECT TEAM
The winter has been cold, snowy, just plain no fun. But things are about to change for some of us…..blood…..sweat…..tears. The Men’s Project Team will be gathering the first Saturday, April 5th, at 8:30am in the Fellowship Hall.
The team will meet to discuss the projects around the church, school and the Clothes Closet. We will also be discussing leadership, talent, and time schedules for projects. The Project Team is not all blood, sweat and tears, but a time of fellowship, to get to know your fellow Christian and sometimes solving the worlds problems. In the past the Team has had coffee and sometimes donuts while breaking down the work list, dividing the work load according to talents. This format has worked pretty good. God has given every human being a gift, or talent, to use for His purpose. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” ( 1 Peter 4:10 ). I look forward to meeting and enjoying everyone’s company as we share fellowship. – Thom Kent
Youth Group Upcoming Events:
Sun. Feb 16 5:30 – 6:30 Gathering Meeting for Attendees & Adult Leaders
Sun. Feb 16 6:30 – 9:00 Movie: When the Game Stands Tall (PG)
Wed. Mar 19 3:30-8:00 Youth Group Sponsored Lenten Meal
Mid-March thru Mid-April Easter Flower Sales to Benefit Children’s Lantern
Sun. May 11 8:00-12:00 Mother’s Day Flower Sales
Jun 16 – Jun 21 Garage Sale
LENTEN MEALS ANNOUNCED (ALL MEALS SERVED FROM 5:00 -7:00 PM)
MARCH 5TH, ASH WEDNESDAY LADIES AID: LASAGNA DINNER
MARCH 12TH, 419 MINISTRY: SPAGHETTI DINNER
MARCH 19TH, YOUTH GROUP: CHICKEN SANDWICHES & CHIPS
MARCH 26TH, SCHOOL BOARD: TACO BAR
APRIL 2ND, ELDERS: SLOPPY JOE SANDWICHES & CHIPS
APRIL 9th, BOY SCOUTS: SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPER
DEBORAH S. MAXEY SCHOLARSHIP
The Maxey family has created a memorial scholarship to support a high school senior preferably entering the field of education. It is NOT a requirement that the applicant is entering the field of education. The applicant must be accepted into college this fall. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must have attended St. John Lutheran School at least 3 years from kindergarten through eighth grade. Please stop by the church or school office to pick up an application for the scholarship. The application is also available for download on the church website or your high school website. The application deadline for the scholarship is April 6th.
ATTENDANCE CHURCH SERVICES
February 15 46 5:30 PM February 16 58 9:00 AM
TOTAL: 146