From the Altar Guild

The Ascension of Our Lord (May 10) Throughout Easter, we have celebrated the glory of the risen Christ. During the forty days

when Jesus ate and drank familiarly with his disciples and taught them about the kingdom, his glory remained veiled under the appearance of ordinary humanity. On Ascension Day, we transition from the Resurrection of Christ to Christ exalted to the Father’s right hand.

Left to our own natural powers, we do not have access to the Father's house, to God's life

and happiness. Only Christ can open to us such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head and our Source, has preceded us.

Jesus Christ, the head of the Church preceded us into the Father's glorious kingdom so

that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever.

We often get fluttery feelings, or “butterflies” when we are anxious about something that is

about to happen. Hope perches in our soul and is the expectation that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. May we always wait in excited anticipation and embrace hope!

“And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your

rest in safety.” Job 11:18 Pentecost On May 20th, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after

his Ascension, which is held on the seventh Sunday (50 days) after Easter. You will see

red banners, Altar paraments, vestments, and clothing on this day. Red is the main sign

of Pentecost. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit!

Food for Thought “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” Emily Dickinson

Chris Keiper Altar Guild Chair

601-550-1050

Good News Saint John Lutheran Church — Hattiesburg, Mississippi

May 2018

Serving in May

Pastor John Karle

Elder Bob Cubley

Music Director Jason Sims

Altar Care Team Thomas and Brenda Hesselgrave

Date Ushers

May 6 Warner Boortz

Jerry Frederick

May 13 Wayland Johnson

Terry Lovdahl

May 20 Ethan Potesta

Willy Noffke

May 27 Mark Keyl

Shelley Songy

New Address: Charles and Diane Snyder 216 North Reading Avenue Doyertown, PA 19512

Did you know?? The best way to keep up with fellow church members contact infor-mation is with the Instant Church Directory App. You can download this onto any smart phone. While you’re there, check your own information and let us know if anything needs updating! We would love to have your updated information.

God of HOPE Note Cards — Note cards are always available in the left drawer of the red-wall

credenza nearest the foyer guest book. Please make joyful use of them!

— Community Activities —

Men’s Lunch — Saturday, May 19th

at 12:07pm at SouthMouth Deli (6555 US Hwy 98 ).

Start of Summer Bash — Our annual summer bash will be Saturday, May 19th, 6-8pm.

We need volunteers to help at the game and food stations. Please contact Gabby in the church office to sign up.

Free Family Movie Night — Join us 5pm May 20th in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy some

snacks and watch Ferdinand with friends! This event is a great opportunity to build relationships with neighbors and law enforcement.

National Night Out Against Crime — July 26th, 6pm at the C.E. Roy Community Center in Downtown Hattiesburg.

What’s Happening? Check out the Events page at www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com

Sunday Growth Groups for Adults

1. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism – OVERVIEW: Why does God allow suf-fering in the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive? How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

“These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And in the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason.

“Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.”

- Study-guide-based discipleship training supplemented by video, facilitated by Darrin and Cindy Renz, meets Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the Community Room.

2. Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God – OVERVIEW: “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit – An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mys-tery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surrounds Him. And while the name may sound a little sacri-legious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

“Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.”

– Book-based discipleship training, facilitated by Gil Emmons, Cheryl Webb, and Ellen Heck, meets Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall.

Weekday Growth Groups for Adults

1. West Hattiesburg Bible Study — (Odd Week Thursdays) Book-of-the-Bible-based discipleship training, studying the book of Romans, facilitated by Debbie Frederick. Meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 10am at the home of Mary Gohlke who can be contacted at 601-550-4884 or mlgohlke3@comcast.net.

2. The Avenues Bible Study — (Even Week Thursdays) Woman: The Forgotten Story – OVER-VIEW: “For any woman, identity is important. The question, “Who am I?” will haunt her every decision. Along the pathway of life, many will tell her a story of who she is. She might be lucky enough to hear the pure and simple truth, but more often than not that’s not the case. Consequently, both men and women have become confused, afraid, angry, and bitter to-wards the story of woman in our culture because, tragically, we have forgotten the ancient story spoken by God’s Word. “Discover again the old story of a beautiful identity, a story of love and sacrifice. Uncover this story of new hopes and amazing dreams that are actually real. The story offers incredible comfort, gives guidance, and teaches everyone who listens a wisdom that saves lives. From the creative voice of God, through the death of a Savior, to the walk of Wisdom, hear and remember the forgotten story of woman.” – Book-based discipleship training, facilitated by Pat Davenport and Nancy Kaul, meets every second and fourth Thursday morning at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall.

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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

LWML MITES were collected on Sunday, MAY 6th. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the National and Gulf States District LWML Mission Grants selected in convention.

On Sunday, May 6th, the LWML honored all 2018 graduates with a cake and punch reception following the worship service. This was an opportunity to celebrate this special occasion by showing our love and support for these young men and woman in their achievements and plans for the future.

On Sunday, May 6th, Immediately following the Graduation reception, the LWML held a short Business meeting in the Fellowship Hall (no lunch will be served). Topics of discussion: Report on the Gulf States District LWML Convention held in Birmingham, Alabama; summer plans (L.W.M.L. summer luncheon, Father's Day, etc.); fundraiser for Edwards Street Fellowship Food Center?

If you are new to Saint John Lutheran, or haven't been able to attend meetings, please plan on attending and sharing your ideas and gifts. You are needed!

UNTIL NEXT TIME . . . Serve the Lord with Gladness!!!

-Shirley Thone President LWML

Gil Emmons and Cheryl Webb will be married on Sunday, May 20th

after the worship service. A light reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Shelley Songy and Jay Thompson will be married on Sunday, June 24th

at Saint John Lutheran Church at 4pm. A reception will follow at the Bottling Company located 126 Mobile Street in Downtown Hattiesburg.

Save the

Date

Ellen Heck

Brenda Ogle

Mary Cubley

Surprise the World! Love. Like. Jesus. + Hope for the City.

Saint John Lutheran Church

2001 Hardy Street

Hattiesburg MS 39401

Telephone: 601.583.4898

Website: www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com

Email: stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com

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Birthdays in May

Ellen Heck May 4 Brenda Ogle May 4

Bernd Baeuerle May 5 Mary Cubley May 9

Wally Pye May 12 Ava Cubley May 13

Wayland Johnson May 13 Amanda Cubley May 17

Karl Jahnke May 20 Irvin Curry May 21

Bill Coll May 26 Dorothy Longworth May 27

Joel Bentley May 27

Anniversaries in May

Willie and Edith Pierce, 57 years May 6

Wally and Lynn Pye, 53 years May 8

Ted and Annette Meyer, 28 years May 18

Jane Kersh and Tommy Breland, 14 years May 24