The Day of Resurrection, Easter was celebrated on April 4.  The season of Easter leads us to Pentecost Sunday, May 23.  The Easter journey guides us to the Spirit’s flame (Book of Acts, Chapter 2).

Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 23)

The celebration of Earth and Arbor Days remind us that God the Creator has entrusted each of us with his earthy creation. 

(Genesis Chapter 1, 10-13)

Mother’s (May 9) and Father’s (June 20) Day

Although these holidays were established in modern times, let us not forget the Commandment to Honor Your Father and Your Mother each day of the year.  (Exodus Chapter 20 or Luther’s Small Catechism)

National Moment of Remembrance, Memorial Day (May 30)

A National Moment of Remembrance will be observed at 3 pm on Memorial Day.  Memorial Day honors those Americans who died while defending our country.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …

a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:8)  Let us pray for all men and women and their families who serve our country. 

PRAYER BREAKFAST (May 16)

 A Prayer Breakfast for the attendees of the National Guard Association of West Virginia (NGAWV) Conference will be held at St. John’s on Sunday, May 16 at

8 am.  The gathering will pay tribute to the men and women who serve our country and state bravely and honorably in the military.

ST. JOHN’S 160^th CORNERSTONE ANNIVERSARY

The following is an account of the cornerstone ceremony on April 30, 1850 of the Evangelical Lutheran Christ’s Church of Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

“The corner stone was laid on April 30, 1850.  The Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, and the Red Men were present in full regalia.  Rev. G. C. Culler offered prayer, Rev. S. W. Harkey delivered the address, and Rev. Smeltzer laid the stone and deposited the names of the officers and members, a hymn book containing the constitution, a U.S. coin, and constitutions of the different Orders present.  The collection lifted on the occasion amounted to $214.50.  The church edifice was completed at the cost of $3692 and dedicated on August 1, 1852 by T.G. Morris of Baltimore, Maryland.”

THRIVENT CHOICE

Carolyn Frye, Thrivent Pan Handle Chapter President, has advised that Thrivent Choice is in operation and voting is accessible through the Thrivent web site, www.thrivent.com.  Thrivent members can also vote via a postcard that is available in the Thrivent magazine.  Thrivent Choice replaced the Care in Congregation program.

Carolyn has been instrumental in educating and enrolling St. John’s and other Pan Handle Lutheran churches in the Thrivent Choice program.  Thank you, Carolyn!

April Byers has volunteered to serve as St. John’s Thrivent Choice Advocate.  Dorothy Kay Dyke is also a St. John Thrivent point of contact.  Thank you April and Dorothy Kay for serving as our Thrivent church representatives.     

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

March – Anna Hough, Kathy Dopson

April – Steve Hough, Cindy Starkey, Dorothy Kay Dyke, Michael Byers

May – Vivian Anderson, Amanda Kidwiler

June – Bobby Dyke, Mary Shaffer Tomillo, Russell Steele

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY   

March – April and Michael Byers, Cindy and Allen Starkey

May –  Frances and Jadie McDougald

June - Nancy and George Hough, George and Becky Lake, Drew and Gina Kerrigan

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH

Linda Anderson, Amy Bray, Venusta Burkhart, Kaleigh Clemmons, Ruth Ann Dean, Joe Fraley, John Hess, Starlette Laughlin, Greta Lurch, Jean Petta, Loretta Reed, Maureen Corrigan, The NGAWV, the Men and Women of the Armed Forces and their Families, The Mothers and Fathers of the World, Our Nation’s Veterans