In today’s service we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Please review the

card in the seat backs in preparation for this holy event.

Gluten-free wafers and alcohol-free wine are available at each station.

If you need communion served at your seat, assistance getting to and

from your seat or any other assistance during worship, please speak with an usher or the

Elder of the Day prior to the service.

St. John’s Lutheran Church 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, California 93311 www.sjlchurch.org

661-665-7815 Fax: 661-665-7821 Email: office@sjlchurch.org

St. John’s Lutheran School

661-664-8090 Fax: 661-664-1327 Email: school@sjlschool.org

St. John’s Children’s Center

661-664-9127 Fax: 661-664-9195 Email: preschool@sjlchurch.org

Welcome to

St. John’s!

We’re glad you chose

to worship with us

today.

If this is your first time at St. John’s, we invite you to

come to the Information Center in the

Lobby. We’d like to meet you, and

we have a sweet treat for you!

Nursery (Age 0 through 35 months)

is available during both services. Our

nursery is located in the Lobby to the

left of the Worship Center.

Sunday School (Age 3 years

through 6th grade) Parents! Check

your child into Sunday School at the

Express Check-in (located in front of

the Nursery) between 9:30-9:55 a.m.

During the 10:00 a.m. service chil-

dren ages 3 years through 6th grade

will be dismissed to Sunday School

and their teachers will walk them to

class. You may pick them up in their classrooms after the service.

Restrooms with diaper changing stations are located in the lobby, across from the

nursery. Exiting from the Sanctuary, turn left; exiting from the Worship Center, turn right.

Need information? Questions about current activities? Try the Information Center in

the Lobby between worship services.

In the back of the chairs you will find Prayer cards for your prayer requests and

Communication cards (one per family) to register your worship attendance and note

any contact information changes. Prayer cards will be collected by the ushers during the

first song. Communication cards may be placed in the offering plate as it is passed.

A friendly reminder to all, please silence all devices.

April 3, 2016

This week we celebrate the baptisms of Maverick Lee Bledsoe.

Maverick, son of Andew and Ami Bledsoe, was baptized in a private cere-

mony on Saturday, April 2.

We joyously welcome him to God’s family!

2

We now have "doggie bags”! Bags of dog food are

available at the HIS Kiosk for the home-

less who have furry companions. We are

in the process of building more Blessing

Bags. Those should be available soon!

Those in LIFEGroups who are interested

in building Blessing Bags can pick up a

list from the HIS kiosk! Questions? Call

Jenny at 444-3674. Thank you for all

your support!

Read all about it in the latest Celebrate!

Kidz Ministries

Student Ministries

Women’s Conference

St. John’s Valley of Faith, Arvin

If you don't have your issue by Tuesday,

or to see all the photos in color, check it

out online sjlchurch.org/celebrate.

To get on the mailing list, call the office,

665-7815.

News & Notes

THANK YOU for supporting our High School

students’ trip to the National Youth Gathering trip in

July 2016!

Last week, you adopted another 21 miles ($160), putting us at 50% of our goal! If you

would still like to contribute, Adopt a Mile envelopes can be found at the Youth Booth in

the Lobby, or you can donate online at www.sjlchurch.org/nyg2016. Thank you again!

Join the Altar Guild and help prepare St. John’s

for worship. Provide a

valuable service while

enjoying fellowship with other Altar

Guild members. Call Diane Smiley,

589-4549, for information.

Lutheran Witness The June 2016 issue

will complete the sub-

scription year. The sub-

scription rate is $15.96 per subscription

year. To order or renew a subscription,

please mail your check (payable to SJLC)

or bring it to the Information Center or the

Admin Office. Deadline is April 28.

Call Debbie, 665-7815, for information.

Tanzania Sponsors Please write a letter/note to

your sponsored child. You

may translate your note

from English to Kswahili

by using this website: http://

imtranslator.net/translation/english/to-

swahili/translation

Include a recent picture of yourself.

Put the letter and picture into a sealed

envelope. Write your child's name on the

front of the envelope. Deliver that enve-

lope (the deadline date is April 24) to

Patrice Appold by dropping it off at one

of the Information Centers on Sunday

mornings; bringing it to either the school

or church office; or mailing the envelope

to Patrice at: St. John's Lutheran School,

4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA

93311 ATTN: Patrice Appold.

Rite of Confirmation Eighteen youth will con-

firm their faith before

God at a special worship

service this Saturday,

April 9, 4:00 p.m. in the Worship Center.

You are invited to join them in celebrating

this special time in their lives.

Georgia Anderholt

Jilian Andreesen

Timothy Banks

Kailey Churchwell

Steven Clausen

Elise Hoffman

Abby Khoury

Emma Lwin

Abigail Martin

Emma Meek

Hannah Meger

Michael Mercure

Meriyah Oliver

Zachary Poelman

Sydney Schuetz

Zachary Shanyfelt

Zale Smidt

Madison Terry

Kyle Whitaker

Emily Zepeda

Upcoming Holy Land Tour Pastor Dennis and Judy will

be hosting a tour to Israel

November 2-14 and you are

invited. Learn the context of Bible events

and be more informed in your studies of

the Bible. For information, call Larry

Schallock, 396-1015.

Improve your flexibility, balance and strength. Yoga class meets

every Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

in The Garage. All are wel-

come and all that is needed is

a mat. Call Linda Cole, 703-5661, for

information.

3

The20th Annual Men’s Fishing Trip

to June Lake is June 24-26.

Sign-ups will be available mid May.

Call Clete Harper for information,

979-6488. Don’t miss out on this 3-day

weekend of fun and fellowship!

Stephen Ministers

care for people who are

experiencing grief,

divorce, job loss, termi-

nal illness, loneliness, spiritual crisis, hos-

pitalization, relocation and other life diffi-

culties. There is no fee. Call Debbie for

information, 665-7815.

Asperger’s Gathering

Join us Thursday, April 7.

We meet from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

in the Large Conference

Room for discussion and

friendship. For information, please call

Donna Nulton, 393-2156.

Ladies, get your cowboy hats and boots and join us at the LWML

CNH Convention in Visa-

lia April 15-17. Our theme

is “Overcome… by HIM.” Meet National

LWML President Patti Ross; be inspired

by mission in action talks; choose a

servant event; fellowship with sister

LWMLers and have fun line dancing after

the banquet! Don’t miss out! Go to

lwmlcnh.org/convention for information.

Wednesday Night Bible Study New study runs March 30-

May 11, 6:00 p.m. in the

Bride’s Room. We will be

studying The Gospel of

Mark, the Jesus We’re Ach-

ing For by Lisa Harper. Sign up at the

Women’s Kiosk. Call Cathy Daley,

549-4342, for information.

Thursday Morning Book Club meets April 28 at

9:00 a.m. in the Bride’s Room.

We will discuss The Sinners

Garden by William Sirl. For

information, call Cary Elliott,

589-5293, or Wendy Moore, 366-6848.

Saturday, April 16, 9:00-2:00 at St. John’s

Featuring Amberly Neese speaking on

finding joy in your everyday life.

Tickets $25 (includes breakfast & lunch)

available online now at sjlchurch.org/joy.

Get tickets Sunday, Apr. 3 & 10

at the WM Kiosk.

Invite your friends for a JOYOUS day in Christ!

Concordia University Grant Applications If you will be attending a

Concordia University next

fall, now is the time to

apply for the $1,000 grant

from St. John’s. The “Home Congrega-

tion Grant Program” form can be down-

loaded from Concordia Irvine’s financial

aid website (we do not have the form in

the church office). If you will be attend-

ing a Concordia University other than

Irvine, submit your request to the church

in writing or by emailing Mike at

mkinsey@sjlchurch.org. The deadline for

submitting your application/request is

May 13; any that are received after this

date may not be honored. If you have

questions, call Mike, 665-7815.

Master Chorale Hymn Festival On Saturday, April 16,

hear the Bakersfield Mas-

ter Chorale perform with organ and brass

at the Olive Drive Campus of Valley Bap-

tist Church, 550 Olive Drive. Dr. Phil

Dodson will perform an organ recital at

6:30 p.m., the concert will begin at 7:00

p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $11

for students and can be purchased at Cali-

fornia Keyboards, 100 Oak Street, at the

door or at BakersfieldMasterChorale.org.

Find St. John’s on

Facebook & Yelp.

St.John’s

Student

Ministry

The Portals of Prayer Devotional for the

months of April, May and

June is now available.

Please stop by the Information Center and

pick up a free copy. High School Small Groups Groups meet weekly on

Thursday evenings.

Guys meet in The Garage, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Girls meet off campus (contact Dereem

for the address) from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

The Garage Hours are

Mondays, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

All Jr. & Sr. High Students

are welcome to come hang

out, play games and grab a

snack during these hours!

Jr. High Youth Group Meets in The Garage this

Wednesday, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Deepen your relationship

with Jesus, play fun games,

and meet new people! Bring your Bible

and a friend to earn points toward a free

milkshake!

Sr. High meets April 10.

4

The best part of summer is VBS! Kids get to spend a week together with

other kids learning about God through

interactive story telling,

music, games, and even

snack. Mark you calendar,

you won’t want them to

miss this!

During Sunday

School in April,

Kidz Ministry will

explore God’s Design

for our Hearts. Parents will hear teach-

ing on the same subject in their services.

This will be a great month for conversa-

tions as a family; don’t miss one week!

Starting Sunday, April 10

Sunday Morning Remix is Bible class for Jr. & Sr.

High students. We meet

the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the

month! During 10:00 a.m.

Service! How do I partici-pate? Come to the 10:00 a.m. service,

and leave when children are dismissed to

Sunday School. Cary and/or Dereem

will meet you in the lobby by the Youth

Booth (by the restrooms), and we will

head to The Garage. We will study

God’s word and apply it to the place

where you as students are in your lives

today. When church is over, we will

walk back to the Worship Center.

High School Youth Group moves to Sunday Nights!

For the rest of the school year, Sr. High

Wednesday night Youth Group will

move to the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the

month, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday night

will be replaced by an extended time of

games in the gym, devotions, and hang-

ing out with friends at the snack shop on

April 10, April 24, May 8, and May 22.

Stay tuned for a new summer schedule,

starting with the SSM Summer Kick-Off

Party on June 12.

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday April 16

5th and 6th graders join

us for Pet Food Pantry

Service Project.

This Week

We invite you to submit your prayer

petitions using a Prayer Request

card in the seat backs or by contact-

ing Patsy Van Leeuwen, 589-7075.

PRAYER GUIDE

Health Concerns and Illness *Hospitalized or Skilled Nursing/Rehab Pastor D, Margie, Brad, Marilyn

Bowery, Lucy Bultmann, Bob

Denning, Kathy Fackler, Marcie

Gray, Barbara Hammond, Susan

Hammond, David Harris, James

Hulsey, Michael Hurd, Saundra

Joiner, Arlen Kurtis, Melanie

Bowery, Eddie McBride, Dennis

McDonnell, Norma Martin, Cheri

Mosley, Libby Otten, Michelle

Robinson, Carol Sheetz

Comfort & Strength

For the family of Don Martz, at his

passing

Guidance & Strength in Transitions, Travel & Faith JD Lawrence, Ryan, Austin Hobbs,

Jason, Alex, Felicia & children,

those with financial and employ-

ment needs, our community, Ameri-

ca, our nation’s leaders, military and

families, our world, Christians in the

Middle East/Iraq, St. John’s church

body, Children’s Center, School,

missionaries, all staff, law enforce-

ment Continued Concerns Steve’s mom, Leah Appold, Wanda

Badgley, Al & Dawn Bouthillier,

Carol Burkert, Bertha Bruschi,

Brandy Felts, Tammy Fitzpatrick,

Mary Flanagan, Clete Harper, Arvid

Johnson, Cindy Kuntz, Norma

Purdie, Michael Wagner, Elaine

White, Connie Wilson

Prayers

The Worship Team Set List is posted the

Tuesday after Sunday

morning worship.

No sign up necessary.

www.twitter.com/sjlcworship

5

Sunday, April 3 Communion 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship—Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Family Worship—Worship Center

Adult Bible Study—Bride’s Room

Monday, April 4

6:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study—WC Lobby

Greene/Van Scharrel, 665-7815

9:00 a.m. First Place 4 Health—LCR

11:30 a.m. Chair Yoga—LCR

3:00 p.m. SSM Open Hours—The Garage

6:00 p.m. Women’s Ministry Meeting—LCR

6:15 p.m. Chapel Bells—Music Room

6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study—OC

Sue Hall, 654-8921

7:00 p.m. Endowment Committee Meeting—

SCR

Tuesday, April 5 8:00 a.m. Exercise & Health Class—Gym Lobby

9:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study—Bride’s Room

Wendy Moore, 366-6848

2:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study—OC

Judie Fanucchi, 663-4177

6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study—KC

Judy Hilken, 319-6265

Elders Meeting—Large Conf. Rm.

Wednesday, April 6 6:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study—WC Lobby

Joe Dravis, 588-2011

9:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study—WC Lobby

11:30 a.m. Yoga—The Garage

12:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study—WC Lobby

Pastor D, 665-7815

6:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study—Bride’s Room

Cathy Daley, 549-4342

SSM Jr. High Youth Group—

The Garage

Confirmation Instruction—LCR

AWANA—Kidz Connection

6:15 p.m. Celebration Choir—Music Room

7:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study—Off Campus

Rick Fortnum, 589-9310 Thursday, April 7

6:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study—Lorene’s

Clete Harper, 832-0195

8:00 a.m. Exercise & Health—Gym Lobby

9:00 a.m. Quilting Ministry—Gym Lobby

6:30 p.m. Men’s Bible Study—OC

Rick Hall, 978-5256

6:45 p.m. Stephen Ministry Training—BR

7:00 p.m. SSM HS Girls’ Small Grp—OC

SSM HS Guys’ Small Grp—Garage

Asperger’s Group—LCR

Friday, April 8 5:15 p.m. Confirmation Rehearsal—WC Lobby

Saturday, April 9 7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study—

Panera on Stockdale

4:00 p.m. Confirmation Ceremony—WC

Campus Maps available at the Information Center WC: Worship Center BR: Bride’s Room KC: Kidz Connection OC: Off Campus LCR: Large Conference Rm in Admin. Office SCR: Small Conference Rm in Admin. Office

Contributions 03-27 Actual Budgeted

Fiscal Year to Date 1,511,708 1,505,455

Amount + or - 6,253

Wifi password: Welcome2SJLC

Didn't get all the blanks filled? Find the missing words

on St. John’s website: sjlchurch.org/sermons.

Sermon audio & notes online: sjlchurch.org/sermons LIFEWork online:sjlchurch.org/sermons,click Notes icon Printed: LIFEGroup Kiosk

Getting to Know ‘Joy’ Psalm 95:1-7a

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a ___________

noise to the rock of our __________________!” –Psalm 95:1

How do you, “Rejoice in the Lord ____________; again I will

say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)” when you do not feel like

singing? (Hint: The answer is not to just ________ it!)

Eternal truths – whatever my circumstances:

1. God is ______ God: “For the Lord our God is a great

God, and a great king above all gods” (95:3);

2. God is ____ God: “He is our God” (95:7);

3. God is ________: “We are the people of His pasture,

and the sheep of His hand” (95:7).

The key to ________________ and ______________ joy is that you are

loved by God.

April 3, 2016 – Pastor Eric Van Scharrel