There's always something happening at Saint John's! Read on to keep on top of activities, signups and other opportunities.

LWM Sunday (Service of the Word)

We celebrate the work of our Lutheran Women in Mission (Mission Guild) and of the Lutheran Women in Mission organization, who give their mites and tireless service to mission and ministry around the world. Sunday, October 9, at 9:00 AM in the Worship Center. Lutheran Women in Mission (Mission Guild) meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 AM and all women are invited to join them for fellowship and service.

Wednesday Divine Service

The Divine Service is being offered monthly for those who would like to worship in the Lord's house and receive the Lord’s Supper in a smaller setting. Wednesday, October 12, at 1:00 PM in the Worship Center. To register (required), visit < www.StJohnsFC.org/registration > or call the church office (970-482-5316).

Annual Women’s Retreat

All women, including congregation members and their friends and family, are invited to join us at the beautiful Primrose Studio in Northwest Fort Collins for “Fill Your Cup”, a retreat for rest, laughter, sharing and growing closer to each other and God. Saturday, October 15, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM at 4300 Michaud Lane (off Overland Trail). Please sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office if you plan to attend.

Celebration of the Life of Ed Prill

Please join Pat and her family as they celebrate the life of her husband, Ed Prill, who died September 16. Saturday, October 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Large Fellowship Hall.

Reformation Sunday (Divine Service)

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Chapel door in 1517, he set in motion a reform of the church through the rediscovery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a reform that brought the truth of Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice on the cross to all people. Sunday, October 30, at 9:00 AM in the Worship Center. It’s traditional to wear red on Reformation Sunday, to symbolize the renewing fire of the Holy Spirit and the martyrdom of Luther’s contemporaries who called for the reformation of the church.

Wedding of Sam Gardner and Tom Miles

Sam and Tom are overjoyed to invite all of their Saint John’s family to join them in December for their wedding service and the cake and punch reception that will follow. There will also be an open house at the home of Eric and Sue Gardner the day after the wedding to which you are all invited. Friday, December 30, at Wedding December 30, 4:00 PM, in the Sanctuary (reception will follow in the Large Fellowship Hall); Open House December 31 from Noon to 7:00 PM in . Visit www.MilesFamily.me for photos and more information!

Food Pantry and Clothing Closet

We very much appreciate food and clothing donations, especially as the number of families seeking assistance increases; watch the list posted by the donation bin outside the south entrance to the Worship Center for specific needs!

Our volunteers distribute non-perishable food and clean, gently-used clothing 9:00 to 11:00 AM.

Help Make Blankets for Missions

Anyone with sewing skills is invited to help make blankets and quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other community and international needs. Thursdays at 9:00 AM in the Small Fellowship Hall.

Choir, Bell Choir and Band Rehearsals

Share your musical gifts with the congregation by adding your voice to the choir, bell choir or band. Contact Tom Miles for more information and a rehearsal schedule.

Join the Prayer Chain

Join the chain and commit to praying for our congregation members facing illness or hardship; messages are passed by phone from person to person or via email. To join, contact the church office.

Blessing Bags

The Woman-to-Woman Bible study has assembled bags of food that you can take to hand out to those standing at street corners seeking temporary assistance, and invite you to take as many of the pre-filled bags as you would like to hand out! The bags are located in the Kitchen.

Chancel Flowers Sign-Up

Recognize a loved one or remember a special occasion with flowers on the altar; flowers are $40 per Sunday, and yours to take home after the worship service. Sign up at the Welcome Center.

Missing a Dish? It Might Be in the Kitchen

Come downstairs and see if you’ve left behind a pan, dish or container after a recent potluck or event; we always seem to have quite a collection!

Open Arms Fundraiser

Direct a portion of your Amazon purchases through “Amazon Smile.” Set up giving and then update your bookmarks/favorites to Amazon to “smile.amazon.com” to give 0.5% of every Amazon purchase you make to Open Arms Christian Preschool. Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/84-0450786 to set up giving.

Thrivent Members Needed

If you are a Thrivent member and have not been involved in an Action Team project, please contact Jeannie or Tom in the church office for information on how to get involved. We have a lot of project ideas and want to put your Thrivent membership to work! Also: eligible members of Thrivent Financial, don't forget to direct your Choice Dollars for last quarter to Saint John's, the Foundation, the Preschool or the organization of your choice. Stop by the Welcome Center for a form, call Thrivent or visit www.Thrivent.com to make sure that this money doesn't just disappear!

Bulletin Deadline

Announcements for the weekly worship bulletins are due by Wednesday at Noon. Submit items to the church office (482-5316; miles@StJohnsFC.org).

U.S. and International Disaster Relief

LCMS Disaster Response is on the ground or working through partner organizations around the world, from California fires and Midwest tornadoes to international earthquakes and tsunamis Ida and Haiti amidst political unrest and the recent earthquake, to provide damage assessments, purchase and distribute clean-up aid and bring short-term financial relief. You can support these efforts at 888-930-4438 or www.LCMS.org/disaster.

Worship Stream Available

If you are sick, stuck at home or on vacation, you can still join Saint John's worship services via the internet! Go to www.StJohnsFC.org and click “Worship Stream” to watch the service live.

Electronic Giving

Thanks to the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, we are able to set up recurring automatic offerings from checking/savings accounts. Visit the Welcome Center, click the link on the sidebar of www.StJohnsFC.org or contact Tom or Jeannie in the church office for application materials.

Newsletter Publishing/Article Submission Schedule

This newsletter is published ten times per year. The first issue of the year is the late-January/February issue, published January 15 with articles due January 1. The March, April, May and June issues are published the first day of the respective month, with articles due the fifteenth of the prior month. For the late summer, we run a combo July/August issue published July 1, with articles due June 16. The September, October, November and December issues are back to the normal publication schedule of the first of the month with articles due by the fifteenth of the prior month. Photographers, we’re always interested in using members’ photos for our newsletter covers!

Tom Miles is the Parish Administrator at Saint John’s. You can reach him at the church office Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm, at 482-5316 or at miles@StJohnsFC.org.