What's Happening
Coming December 22
Join us this fourth Sunday of Advent when Pastor Autumn Krueger brings the message “Mary’s Song." Sunday worship services are at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30 a.m. The later two services are livestreamed on YouTube.
Christmas Eve services
Christmas Eve services will be at 5, 7, 9, and 11 p.m. Creche-building will occur at the 5 and 7 p.m. services. The Praise Band will play at the 5 p.m. service. The St. John Choir will sing at 7 and 9 p.m. Harp music and communion will be at the 11 p.m. service. Evening candlelight will be at all services.
Longest Night Service
Join us on Friday, Dec. 20, at 6:30, for our Longest Night service. We will have a blend of structured worship and contemplative experiences to aid in working through one's spiritual needs during the season. Come as you are!
Christmas Cookie Blessing Countdown
Cookie bakers! If possible, please place 2 or 3 cookies in a baggie, depending on the size of the cookie. (We can also do this for you.) An assortment of bagged cookies will be placed in boxes. It is helpful to avoid gel frostings that smear. Bring cookies to Room 121 during church hours on Sunday, Dec. 22, or between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23. Cookie-packing elves are invited to meet at 1p.m. Dec. 23 to help fill the boxes.
Deliverers! Sign up here. The goal is to deliver cookies on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, when people are working instead of being with their families and friends. Hospitals have multiple slots – please just sign up for one, as you will be asked to deliver to a specific floor or area.
Thanks to all who help make this blessing happen every year.
It's pledge time
Please take the faithful step of making a plan for your giving this upcoming calendar year. Doing so helps us tremendously in planning the ministry of this congregation. Please know that you can change this estimate at any time. Look for a yellow pledge card on Sunday, or find the online form here.
Register now for Women’s Retreat
A Women’s Discipleship Retreat, An Inward Journey During Winter, will be Jan. 10-12 at Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast in Palmer. It is a time for connection, reflection and spiritual growth. The retreat will begin Friday at 5:30 pm. The registration will be maxed at 15 unless women are open to sleeping on top bunks. Then, registration can be expanded to 20. The cost for participants will be $125 per person. This includes two nights' lodging and 5 meals. Register here.
Wednesday Night Supper resumes Jan. 15
Our WNS crew is taking a break! See you in the new year on Jan. 15. Supper starts at 5:15 and runs until “about” 6:00 or 6:15. Suggested donation is $10/plate and $5/half plate but please just pay as you can. We hope to see you there!
Do you have our new church app?
St. John has a new church app! Find all the important things in one place – current events, our Giving link, the Connect Card, the newsletter, the prayer chain and more. If you enable notifications, you can receive important announcements such as “Wednesday Night Supper and activities canceled due to snowstorm.” (We promise not to blast out too many notifications.)
Interested? Go to your app store and search for Ministry Keeper. The logo is gold with a black MK (see image above). When searching for our church, type in St. John United Methodist Church – and be sure to include the period in “St.” Check it out and let us know what you think!
St. John is hiring
If you have interest in working with the children or youth program at St. John (or know someone who does), please contact the church office.
Pickleball is on Sundays and (most) Thursdays!
Come play pickleball on Sundays in the gym from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (except 3rd Thursdays). All levels are welcome.
Sign up to be a greeter
There's nothing better than a friendly face when walking into church on Sunday. If you're willing to be a greeter, we would love to have you! It's an easy way to serve your church and say hello to new and old friends! Sign up here or contact the church office.
Cookies for Sundays
Fellowship time is better with a cookie! Can you help supply cookies for one Sunday? Sign up here to bring 3 dozen peanut-free/nut-free cookies - they can be homemade or store-bought. Cookies will need to be brought to the church by 10 a.m. Sunday, or by noon Friday.
Monthly Mobile Food Pantry
St. John’s Mobile Food Pantry is every 3rd Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. in the church parking lot. The next one is December 19. To volunteer at St. John’s MFP, sign up here.
To find other resources for food in Southcentral, check the Food Bank of Alaska website or F.I.S.H. (Friends in Serving Humanity). For other types of assistance, call 2-1-1 or go to Alaska211.org