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TABLE OF CONTENTS
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1450 - 30th Ave.
East Moline, IL 61244
(309) 792-0755
FAX: (309) 792-0776
EMAIL: office@stjohnsem.org
WEB SITE: stjohnsem.org

Sharing, Caring and Outreach Ministries	Pages 1-3
Serving the Church	Pages 4-12
In Music	Pages 3-4
By Teaching and Assisting	Pages 4-5
In Worship and around the Church	Pages 6-7
Youth Service Activities and Opportunities	Page 8
Adult and Family Groups and Auxiliaries	Pages 9-10
Bible Studies	Page 11
St. John’s Elected Officers, Boards and / Governing Bodies	Pages 12-14

Sharing, Caring and Outreach Ministries
Anonymous Angels: Throughout the school year Anonymous Angels volunteer to send mail and treats, offer moral support and, especially, pray for St. John’s members who are away at college.
Circle of Caring: Circles consist of several people who prepare meals, pray for and often send messages of encouragement to individuals and families who are in need due to illness or other special circumstances. With enough volunteers, each Circle’s assistance may only be required once or twice a year.
Fellowship Callers: Fellowship callers meet and welcome guests/visitors before and after Services. For guests/visitors local to the area, a follow up home visit is made sometime prior to the next weekend Services. Records of visits are returned to the church office for visits or calls by the pastor or lay leaders. Call on prospective members, transfers or guests who indicate an interest in St. John’s.
Food Pantry: The Food Pantry serves over 600 people per year. Boxes are packed by volunteers every Tuesday morning. Extra help is needed packing boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution. Monetary contributions are accepted as well as donated items. Donated items needed for the Food Pantry are listed in each issue of The Informer.
Pall Bearers – Family members of the deceased often call while making funeral arrangements requesting assistance in finding pall bearers. Volunteers are put on a list of those willing to serve as pall bearers on short notice.

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Funeral Luncheons – Members of the congregation, upon request by the family, will serve a luncheon following the funeral of a St. John’s member. You can help by setting up tables and providing food, serving the food, and/or cleaning up afterwards.
Hispanic Ministry: We, together with other congregations and organizations, are asked to help support the Hispanic Ministry. There are opportunities for volunteers from St. John’s and other congregations to serve in a variety of ways at Christ the King Lutheran Church as we reach out to share Jesus Christ with first generation Mexicans in our midst. Members of St. John’s may also serve on the Hispanic Ministry Council.
Lend-A-Hand: Lend-A-Hand is made up of members of St. John’s who help members in need by volunteering to do some light housekeeping, sit with shut-in members, and provide assistance as needed.
*Men’s Service Retreat to Camp CILCA: Men from the congregation have the opportunity to go on yearly trips to help Camp CILCA (Central Illinois Lutheran Church Camp,) with special projects, it is a time of fellowship and working together to help the important ministry of Camp CILCA.
Parish Nurse Program Volunteers: Parish nurses provide blood pressure checks, educational materials on health issues, act as resources for support groups, link members to community resources, visit the homebound and hospitalized, offer personal health counseling, assist in crisis intervention, and help members to understand and practice healing of mind, body, and spirit.
*The asterisk designates groups or services that, while not presently functioning, may be organized if enough interest is shown.

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St. John’s Prayer Chain: As the pastoral and church staff receive requests for prayers, members of the Prayer Chain serve St. John’s members with their prayers anywhere, any time of the day or night for those in need or those giving thanks. Belief in the power of prayer and confidentiality are the only requirements. We currently forward prayer requests through valid email addresses and our congregation app.
Shut-in and Hospital Visitation: This is an opportunity to share Christ with those in hospitals, nursing homes, or with anyone otherwise unable to regularly worship and fellowship with their St. John’s family. A friendly visit to show concern and share God’s love eases loneliness and fear. The church staff provides names of those who would love a visit from a caring volunteer.
Transportation Assistance: Volunteers can assist by offering others a ride to church activities such as worship services, Bible studies, Sunday school or non-church activities that might include doctors’ appointments, grocery stores or visiting a friend. Drivers are also frequently needed to transport our young people to various youth activities.
Serving the Church
In Music
The Choir: 8th grade through seasoned adults form The Choir that meets for practice at 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings. Auditioning is not required, just enthusiasm for singing praise at Sunday morning worship services.
Cherub Chimers: A handbell choir for 5th through 8th graders, these young people play two to three octaves of bells for worship services approximately once per month during the months of September through May. Practice is held on Wednesday nights at 6:00–6:30. No prior experience is necessary.

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Heavenly Ringers: This is an adult 3 octave handbell choir that rehearses Monday evenings at 6:30. They perform once or twice per month during Sunday worship services September through May and occasionally at Christmas parties, weddings and special programs. Training is provided.
Pianists, Band and Orchestral Instrumentalists and Vocalists: There are many opportunities for accompanists and soloists to share their gifts during worship services and other programs at St. John’s. Make your talents known to the Director of Music.
Ensembles: Made up of church musicians, instrumentalists are brought together for special services throughout the church year.
By Teaching and Assisting
Acolyte Coordinator: Volunteers are needed to train and
assist the acolytes in getting robed for services and return the robes to the closet to make sure they are hung properly after services.
Bible Study Leaders: Dedicated and caring members of St. John’s are needed to lead Bible studies. These studies may last a few weeks to several months, or you may be called on to substitute temporarily for the pastor or another leader. Bible study materials and assistance in starting a class may be provided by the church staff.

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*Children’s Church: When there is an expressed need, a children’s church can be made available during Sunday services following the children’s sermon for children five and under. Volunteers are needed to meet the children in the narthex and guide them to the preschool rooms where a Bible lesson, fellowship, and fun activities will be provided until the conclusion of church services.
St. John’s Sunday School: This children’s ministry program serves to nurture young believers ages three and up in their faith. Classes begin after the Sunday Worship and end at 11:15-11:30 a.m. Volunteers are always needed to teach or support the teaching staff in presenting God’s Word to our children.
Vacation Bible School (VBS): This is a five-day Christian education event for children who have completed 3 year old preschool through 5th grade. Volunteers, middle school age through adult, are needed as coordinators and assistants for the variety of activities.
Youth Leader/Support: Friendly, committed adults are needed to work with our junior and senior high youth in order to help include them in the activities of the St. John’s family of believers. Responsibilities might include chaperoning, driving youth to fellowship events, helping with service projects and fundraisers, encouraging the youth to identify and share their gifts with the congregation, and developing ideas to raise congregational awareness of the assets of our youth.

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In Worship and around the Church
Baby-Sitting: Help provide care for small children while parents attend church functions or activities. Sign up to be called occasionally for this important service.
Church Upkeep and Maintenance: Volunteers are always needed who can do electrical work, carpentry, plumbing, painting, landscaping, mowing, and other odd jobs.
Computer Technician: The maintenance and upgrading of our computer systems at St. John’s is vital to our ability to serve the congregation efficiently. If you have a good understanding of computer hardware and software, your help would be appreciated.
Greeters: These are members of St. John’s who provide bulletins and a friendly greeting to members and guests as they arrive for worship.
Office Volunteers: Volunteers are frequently needed to help with typing, printing, copying, and other office skills on a regular as well as occasional basis in order to produce letters, bulletins, notices and the church’s newsletter.

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Sewer’s Assistants: Those with special skills in sewing who are willing to help with clothing repair, tailoring or rescuing a less talented individual from sewing dilemmas are welcome additions to St. John’s list of talented seamstresses. Occasional opportunities for special sewing mission projects as well.
Sound System And Streaming Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to learn and properly operate our sound system and service streaming equipment. This service to St. John’s would include checking and resetting controls to their optimal level, recording the worship service, cuing music over the sound system and setting up and testing additional microphones when needed.
Sunday Morning Fellowship/Coffee Time: Volunteers are needed to help set up for the fellowship time that takes place after Sunday worship service. Prior to worship, the duties would include putting out beverages, donuts, cups and napkins. Clean-up is done following Bible classes. Sign-up sheet is in the kitchen where volunteers can choose to serve monthly or just occasionally.
Ushers: Like the Levite keepers of the gates of the tabernacle, St. John’s ushers make ready the house of the Lord for those who come to worship. Their job is an important part of the worship service as they act as hosts in seeking to make visitors feel welcome in the house of God.

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Youth Service Activities and Opportunities
Confirmation Youth Fellowship (CYF): CYF is a youth group for fifth through seventh graders that works in conjunction with our confirmation program. CYF meets once a month and, with the help of parents who are needed to assist with activities and transportation, encourages growth in each young person’s relationship with God through worship, study, service, Christian outreach, and Christian fellowship. Friends are always welcome.
Crucifer: Any young man of the congregation, eighth grade and above may be invited to carry the processional cross for festival occasions.
Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF): For eighth through twelfth graders, LYF meets once a week and at various times throughout the year for small and large events including an annual summer trip. As with CYF, activities for members and their friends are designed to encourage the spiritual growth of each young man or woman. Parental assistance is encouraged and appreciated.
Torch bearer: Any youth, confirmation age and above, may be invited to carry the torch (used at high festival worship services) to various locations during the worship service.
Adult and Family Groups and Auxiliaries
*YAMS (Young Adults, Married or Single): This group includes young couples and singles from high school graduation and college age up to 40. Meetings consist of fellowship and service activities. Events are held at church, in homes of members or at a variety of locations around the community. The group offers opportunities to make new Christian friends.

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Adult and Family Groups and Auxiliaries
Altar Guild: Communicant members of St. John’s may serve on the Altar Guild. Altar Guild members are responsible for the care, use, and maintenance of the sacred vessels, the altar, the altar furnishings, and vestments. Members experience spiritual growth and awareness as they care for and reverently serve in the area of St. John’s altar.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML): The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Its Motto is: “Serve the Lord with Gladness,” which it does through mission education, mission inspiration and mission service. Mite boxes are used to collect offerings that support mission projects all over the world. Any woman who is a communicant member of St. John’s is invited to join.

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Congregational Mission Trip: Join other members (adults, families, couples and seniors on a short-term mission trip. The trips are 1 week in length to help people in need. These trips are held every third summer, or more often as the needs arise. The services provided depend on the need whether cleaning up after a natural disaster, serving a church or home in an economically challenged neighborhood or wherever Christian service and love can benefit others.
Fellowship Committee: The members of this committee serve to identify the holistic needs of St. John’s members and their families by organizing fellowship activities and helping implement ideas that encourage growth in their faith in Christ, thus strengthening their overall family spirit.
Mission Committee
The goal of the Mission Committee at St. John’s Lutheran Church is to reach out in mercy and compassion to our neighbors in need, sharing Christ’s love and Gospel along the way. The Mission Committee plans various service projects throughout the year for us all to provide care, compassion, and service to our neighbors both near and far. The projects may be held within our church walls, in our local community, or at a distance in the form of a short-term mission project. Other goals of the committee are to provide training for disaster relief work and to help support individual members wanting to go on short-term mission trips overseas. The committee meets on an as needed basis to plan activities.

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Bible Studies
Sunday Morning Bible Study: Sunday at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Topics, selected and taught by the pastoral staff or volunteers, cover a wide range of historical and current Biblical subjects as they relate to the Lutheran Christian.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study: Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the pastoral staff leads participants through Bible books and topical studies.
Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., this interesting and uplifting Bible study uses the same material as the Tuesday evening study.
Men’s Bible Study: Saturday at 8:00 a.m., men who are searching for direction in fulfilling their roles as husbands, fathers, leaders, servants and friends in Christ will continue to grow through this study of topics led by the pastoral staff.
*Small Group Bible Study: These groups allow members of the congregation to teach, encourage and assist one another in their walk with Christ. The focus on Christ and His Word, along with the fellowship of its members brings many rewarding relationships. The study groups meet at church or locations decided by the group.

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St. John’s Elected Officers, Boards and Governing Bodies
Congregational Officers / Executive Board: The Executive Board consists of seven elected officers: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Assistant Financial Secretary. This board is responsible for taking action on policies not delegated to other boards, coordinating long-range planning, and representing the congregation in all legal matters.
Board of Youth & Family Ministry: Members of the Board of Youth & Family Ministry establish policy and offer oversight in the areas of congregational life to serve the educational and fellowship needs of members of all ages. This board, through various sub-committees, makes decisions regarding the CEL, Sunday School, Family Life, special fellowship events and Youth.
Board of Elders: Selected men of the congregation, who faithfully attend worship services, communion, and Bible studies, assist the pastoral staff in all aspects of caring for the spiritual welfare of the congregation. The Elders make home visits and telephone calls, send letters and regularly pray for those members assigned to their care. They help plan and assist worship services including coordination of communion distribution, ushers, acolytes and the work of the organists, choir directors and the Altar Guild. They work with committees to assure assimilation of new members and the utilization of member gifts in God’s service.
Board of Outreach: This board seeks to ensure the sharing of the Gospel with all people. To expose them to God’s Word and invite/welcome them to join us at St. John’s in hearing His Word, growing together in Bible study, and to that end to be fully prepared to receive Christ in the Sacraments. This board seeks to equip members for personal evangelism, and educate for a world-wide view of Christian outreach. The board organizes and leads the Greeter and Fellowship Caller programs of the congregation.

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Board of Human Care: The responsibilities of the Board of Human Care include fostering a spirit of caring among the members of St. John’s by developing and administering the congregation’s efforts to meet the physical and emotional needs of people. The board oversees the Food Pantry, the Grief Support Committee, Circles, the Parish Nurse Program, and seeks to assist those with special needs. It works with synodical and community organizations to provide acts of mercy in a spirit of Christian love.
Board of Trustees: The objectives of the Board of Trustees include proper maintenance and repair of church property, administration of church facilities and equipment use, annual inspections of the church and equipment and recommendations to the Voters’ Assembly as to needed repairs, improvements and replacements.
Voters’ Assembly: Every communicant member of St. John’s is eligible to become a voting member of the Voters’ Assembly. It is by majority rule of the Voters’ Assembly that the decisions for the congregation are made. All communicant members of the congregation should make every effort to attend these meetings in order to become informed and involved in the decisions of the congregation. Regular Voters’ Assembly meetings are held four times a year after worship on Sundays.
Continuing Committee: Various committees are needed to offer consistent planning for specific areas of our congregation’s mission and ministry. These committees meet as needed to accomplish the assignments that are delegated to them from the respective boards.
Short term Committee: As needed committees are formed to accomplish specific tasks throughout the year. These committees exist and conduct meetings only as long as needed to meet the goals delegated to them from the respective boards.

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*The asterisk designates groups or services that, while not presently functioning, may be organized if enough interest is shown.

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