Continue reading »]]> All those interested in helping with the 175th Anniversary Celebration during 2014 should attend a meeting 6:30 pm Monday, May 13, 2013 in the social hall. If you have any questions or ideas, please contact Rod or Linda Hollingsworth at 454-3930 or rhollingswoth87689@roadrunner.com.

We need lots of ideas and willing hands to have a successful celebration. Please consider helping with this project.

Continue reading »]]> Volunteers are needed to help distribute free, fresh produce for low-income households. Households receiving produce must bring their own bags to carry produce and sign a USDA eligibility form. The distribution will occur 3:30 pm – 6 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Eastside Community Ministry, 221 Stillwell St., Zanesville, Ohio.Rain or Shine!

Contact Linda Hollingsworth if you are available to help at 454-3930 or rhollingsworth87689@roadrunner.com

Continue reading »]]> Soulfire is beginning a study on Prayer, starting on April 28 through June. Students will receive a Prayer Calendar, DVDs, study materials and more on the subject that they can share with the family.

Sessions:

• Prayers in the Lutheran Book of WOrship
• 5 FInger Prayer
• Reform: Lord’s Prayer (Augsburg Fortress)
• Intersections of Prayer
• Prayer for Wisdom
• Proverbs About Prayer
• The Warfare of Prayer
• Worn Out Knees

You may contact Doug Smith, 740-683-4863 or dougs@muskingum.edu for more information.

Continue reading »]]> The Military Families Support Group of Zanesville and Muskingum County meets at St. John’s the second Tuesdays of March, April, May, September, October and November at 7:00 pm. in the parlor. Anyone may attend.

We are currently seeking single item donations costing two dollars or less for troops.

Suggestions are:

• Pkg. Dentyne Ice Gum
• Travel Sizes
  • Body wash
  • Tooth paste
  • Wipes
  • Medicated powder.
  • Anti-itch cream/ointments

For more information call Aleta Smidt 453-7058. Thanks!

Continue reading »]]> By Pastor Mark Combs

One of the things that we Christians have to face is the question of how do we deal with the reality of death in this world. It is a constant struggle for us, because of the fragile nature of this life that we lead. I point this out to you, because it seems that there are so many people who are mourning the loss of loved ones.

So, as Christians, where can we find our comfort? Of course, we know that our comfort is found in the good news of our Lord Jesus. It is no accident that we proclaim so directly this good news in our funeral liturgy when we say:

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his¹.

I hope that we all know the scriptures that go with these promises! There are so many verses that reassure us of this great gift of God. I also know that in those first few weeks after the death of a loved one, that for many, there is that collection of friends and family that gathers around to give support and care. Despite all of this, it seems that there are still an awful lot of people who are struggling in the grief they feel in the disconnection with their lost loved ones.

However, there is something that I think might help. We also know that one of the places that we come to for support is our church family. We know that when we gather together as the body of Christ, and most especially when we come to communion, we are at one of those places where God reaches out to touch us on a personal level. When we gather together at communion, we know that we are connected with our brothers and sisters in Christ around us.

There is more to that connection. I heard somewhere that the tradition in Lutheran churches of Scandinavian background is that the communion rail is in the shape of half of a circle. The reason for this is the understanding that when we are gathered around the altar to share in God’s feast, we are only part of the gathering. The rest of the gathering is “on the other side of the wall.” That is to say that the rest of the gathering is the saints that have gone before us, who are joining in the celebration in the kingdom of heaven. In some Scandinavian churches, this tradition includes the rest of the circle of the altar rail on the outside of the building, extending into the church graveyard, to complete the image of the gathering.

Now, I know that this might seem to be a stretch for some, but I also know that we proclaim that there is more to our gathering than just the ones in our local congregation. In the preface in the communion liturgy, the presiding minister says, “And so, with the Church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.” So maybe, when we are struggling in our grief of missing our loved ones, we might be well served to remember the places where the Kingdom of God intersects our world. We have a connection with our loved ones as we gather around the table of grace.

I hope that helps. Until next time.

See you in church!

¹Burial of the Dead, Lutheran Book of Worship, (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1978) 206.

Continue reading »]]> We Are Not Alone: The Ministry of Collaboration
By Amanda Highben

When my husband, Zeb, and I first moved here I was amazed at the number and variety of churches in downtown Zanesville. And I was delighted when I learned from Pastor Mark that many of these churches have close relationships with each other, partnering together in worship, education and service to the community. After Pastor Mark shared this, I knew that St. John’s would be a good fit for me, for in my previous ministry contexts I’ve experienced just how fruitful and life-giving it can be when churches work side-by-side to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. I’m still learning about the unique nature of collaborative ministry that St. John’s pursues in Zanesville, but here are just two examples that I’ve experienced thus far…

Although you may often hear Pastor Mark or myself announce in worship that a DCYF event is scheduled that afternoon, you may not yet know what DCYF is all about (especially since it’s still in its early years). DCYF (or Downtown Churches Youth Fellowship) is a cooperative youth ministry effort that gathers twice per month: once for Bible study (which is our faith formation time) and once for a social/fellowship event (such as bowling or Frisbee golf). We typically average about 25-30 youth (6th – 12th grade), which allows our youth to build friendship between churches (although several of the students already know one another from school). The youth likewise are able to learn from and connect with other faithful Christian adults because our pastors and youth directors take turns leading. Also, we celebrate the fact that DCYF is an ecumenical group, meaning it consists of a variety of Christian denominations; as a result, we hope our youth learn that all Christians (regardless of their church tradition) are beloved children of God with much in common!

Of course, the youth alone can’t have all the fun, so the downtown clergy also meet on a monthly basis. While we may not go bowling, we still enjoy the time we have for fellowship, dialogue, the sharing of ideas, and supporting one another in our diverse settings. If you were able to attend the Thanksgiving worship service at St. James Episcopal, then you witnessed the clergy together in action as we shared worship leadership roles that night, and we will do so once again this Palm Sunday. We’re also looking forward to another “Traveling Without A Map” workshop at one of our churches by RN Becky Joseph, the public relations specialist with Genesis Hospice and Palliative Care. Becky spoke with knowledge and compassion about advanced care planning and care options at her first presentation last November at Pleasant Grove United Methodist. (Stay posted for details about the next presentation.)

The Christian life is not one lived in isolation. We learn this from Christ himself when he says in the Gospel of Matthew, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” You may have heard someone say (or have even said yourself) that God is encountered in solitude during a walk in the woods, for example, or while peering alone at the stars on a clear night. This is certainly true, as our God promises to be with us always. But only in and through community can we be disciples of love, service, and compassion. Only in and through relationships can we be instruments of reconciliation and justice. When we engage in collaborative ministry with our fellow churches we remember (as we confess in the Nicene Creed) that we are all members of God’s “one holy catholic and apostolic Church.” We are not alone, sister and brothers; we are never alone.

God’s Peace,
Vicar Amanda

Continue reading »]]> We welcome you to St. John’s Lutheran Church for Easter Sunday! Breakfast will be at 8:45 am, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:15 am and Worship/Communion at 10:30 am. Soulfire is holding the Easter Egg Hunt during the Easter Breakfast. We are known for hiding 1000 eggs. There will be plenty for kids of all ages!

Continue reading »]]> Children in grades 3-6 are invited to an overnight retreat at St. John’s hosted by our Soulfire and Confirmation youth on Friday night, March 15. The retreat will begin at 7 pm and wrap up at 9 am on Saturday morning.

Dinner and breakfast, games, a movie and a special devotional/worship time is included! A signed permission slip is required, which you can receive from your Sunday school teachers.

Children who would like to come but are not ready yet to stay overnight are still welcome to participate.

Please R.S.V.P. to Vicar Amanda by Sunday, March 10 by calling the church office or via e-mail: vicarstjohns@att.net.