We welcome to our church staff, Carol Ploch, as Director of Children and Family Ministries. Carol is working on a part-time basis and is available to assist you with matters regarding Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and other planned events which involve the children/families of our congregation. Her office hours are as follows: Wednesdays (noon- 5 p.m.); Fridays (12:00-4:00 p.m.); Saturdays (2:00-4:00 p.m.); Sundays (8:00 a.m.- noon). Please stop by her office in the Sunday School wing and welcome her.

And... check this out too!

This year St. John's VBS will be up in the clouds! Sky VBS will help kids discover God’s Word in a fun and unforgettable way! Each day, kids learn a single Bible Point that is reinforced with a Bible verse and Bible story–which makes it super easy to teach and simple enough that your kids will remember what they learned. Join us July 23-27 from 6:00pm to 8:15pm. For more info you can call Carol Ploch at 815-223-1144 or visit our VBS website by clicking on the big blue oval below!

Summer Camps: If you are interested in sending your child to summer camp LOMC and Lutherdale offer many opportunities. You can find more information on their websites, LOMC.org or Lutherdale.org or by contacting Jeff Whalen or Carol Ploch.

The Youth Committee, Interview Team, and Church Council are delighted to introduce our new Director of Youth Ministries, Mr. Jeff Whalen We expect to have a photo in here soon. For now, don't worry about it. We all know what he looks like.

Our date for the Hy-Vee coupon sale has been changed by Hy-Vee. We will now have our coupon promotion over Memorial Day weekend. Get your coupon at church, present it during checkout, and we receive 5% back for the youth. The promotion will be May 24, 25 and 26. Please take extra "coupons" to pass out to friends, family, and neighbors. It costs you nothing extra!!!

Summer Camps: If you are interested in sending your child to summer camp LOMC and Lutherdale offer many opportunities. You can find more information on their websites, LOMC.org or Lutherdale.org or by contacting Jeff Whalen or Carol Ploch.

Time & Talent – Be sure to fill out the Time & Talent form in your May Messenger (additional copies are available on the table in the narthex). Please return your completed sheet to the yellow box on the narthex table. For more information on the various ministries, pick up a Ministry Book on the table or print the page in the May Messenger.

Congratulations to Allison Whalen for being selected to the Lutheran Youth Choir of North America. The choir will gather in Chicago in July and perform throughout the Midwest. Next year the choir will perform in Germany.

How many of us got early spring fever this past several weeks? I heard many people talking about planting their spring garden. Farmers are anxious to get in the fields. It’s the “planting season.
How many seeds are you going to plant this spring?? How many seeds do you plant in people’s hearts, waiting to watch them bloom?
I, along with several other men from our congregation, attended a 4 day, men’s, spiritual retreat in March. As I sat outside on an absolutely beautiful weather weekend, I watched a magnolia tree. Thursday the buds had just started to open. As the weekend progressed, we could literally see the buds explode and the gorgeous flowers emerged. It made me think about who planted that seed. Was it knowingly planted?, Or just thrown there. That led to many discussions amongst a small group of friends about planting the seed of Christ in someone. Do we knowingly do it? Do we plant by example, by prayer, by faith, by leadership. After the seed is planted; do we watch it grow, nurturing it along the way? Or, do we plant a seed and never see it again? The seed you may be planting today, without even knowing it, can grow and develop into a gorgeous Christ filled person. How many seeds have you thrown out lately?
It is a privilege to watch our youth grow and develop. Some grow up strong. Others get battered by the winds and storms of life. But, they all started with the planting of Christ in them.
As we enjoy this early spring. While we plant our spring crops, let’s think about planting the seed of Christ in our world. Watch it grow, bloom, and become glorious. He is risen indeed!!!! Take 5 everyday!! Pray for a friend, a parent, a teacher, a bully. Pray for the one who needs it the most, but especially for the one who thinks they need it the least.
Jeff

The youth want to thank the congregation for the continued support in our FUNdraising efforts for the youth gathering in New Orleans. Through fundraising and contributions we have received almost $15,000 for the mission trip. Our goal is $22,500. This is the largest group of students that will participate in a mission/youth gathering. We have 17 high school students and 3 adult chaperones attending. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and we look forward to your participation in our upcoming events.

We have 17 youth and 3 chaperones registered for the 2012 Youth Gathering: Citizens with the Saints, New Orleans, Louisiana. That is a enormous representation from St. John's Church. What an awesome witness they will be. Please continue to keep the youth in your prayers and support the many "fun"raisers that will be ongoing throughout the year. We thank you all for the continuing spiritual and financial support we receive from our congregation.