Church Activities: As ordered by Governor Reynolds, all in-person church activities will be canceled through March 31st, including Wednesday night worship, Sunday services, and the scheduled congregational meetings on Sunday, March 22nd. We hope that we can be together again in person soon, but that will depend on the advice of federal, state, and local officials. In the meantime, Wednesday night worship will be offered electronically on the church Facebook page. A joint worship service with other Dubuque area Lutheran churches, in partnership with Wartburg Theological Seminary will be offered Sunday at 9 a.m., through a video chat service called Zoom. This service will also be live streamed on the church Facebook page.
You can reach the interactive online version of worship Sunday live at 9:00am by clicking here. If prompted to “Download and run Zoom,” simply follow the instructions given to get started.
You can also reach it from any phone by calling 646-558-8656 and entering code 887 508 411#. Do note that this is not a local number, so it may be preferable to use a cell phone rather than a land line for those who would be affected by long distance charges.
Announcements: While we are unable to gather in person, weekly announcements and the Parish Twine will be distributed via email. If you do not wish to receive weekly announcements, or have received this email in error, please contact Marge at margefelderman@netins.net.
Church Bells: Along with other churches throughout our region, we will begin ringing the church bells at 8 PM every evening as a reminder to gather together in prayer. As you hear the bells, you are invited to pray and remember that, though distant, we are never truly separated from one another.
Pastoral Visitation: Local hospitals and care facilities have suspended in-person pastoral visitation in most cases at this time. Pastor Will does plan to check in with church members over the phone during this time, so please continue to keep him informed about pastoral needs.
In our prayers: Judy Ambrosy, Jane Barnes, Christine Burns, Shirley Busch, Mary Ann Clasen, ErwinFelderman, Janice Felderman, Reese Felderman, Roger and Sue Hanselmann, Tom Harmon, Ruth Hingtgen, Mary Kay Hobart, Elaine Hueneke, Richard Hueneke, Lorraine Knief, Kielyn Pitts, Rev. Duane Priebe, Abraham Saraka, Lorna Swehla, Kemora Von Thun, Diane Wallace.
A special Thank You to all for the many birthday cards and greetings that I received for my 80th birthday. They were very much appreciated. God bless you all. Arlice Heacock
Temporary address: Elaine Hueneke is at Grand Meadows Luther Manor for therapy. Her address is 5300 Grand Meadow Dr., Rm. 119, Asbury, IA 52002. Her phone number is 563-543-3633.
Thrivent: We are thankful to our Thrivent members who have directed their Choice Dollars to our church. If you have not directed yours for the past year, you may do so until March 31 either responding to their email or call a Customer Care professional at 800-847-4836, and say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted.
Every day is Earth Day! The St. John’s Sunday School will be collecting used markers and batteries between now and Earth Day, April 22nd. Watch for more information.
Support St. John’s Through Your Purchases! Are you an Amazon shopper? We have signed up with the Amazon Smile Foundation to offer a program by which a percentage of your purchases with Amazon will come back to St. John’s. It’s super easy. When you first start out, you have to use the following link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/421101128 You will use this link each time you want to shop and support! This link still will work with your regular Amazon account but will direct link to St. John’s. It asks if you will be supporting the church through this link, and you do have to use it every time you shop. I’ve bookmarked it on my computer for easy access, and it shows the organization we are supporting right underneath my search bar on the site. It does say Bellevue, which is our mailing address, but we are linked correctly, and it’s all ready to accept contributions. If you have any questions, please let me know! Happy shopping and supporting! – Julie Busch, Treasurer
Electronic Giving
During this time that we are unable to gather in person, you can still support your congregation through electronic giving.
St. John’s* has signed up with Tithe.ly and now offers a way you can do electronic giving right from the convenience of your home.
On the giving form, you can also choose to cover that additional fee. You can also set up an account, where you can instantly see your personal giving statements and other information.
To get started, visitstjohnsandstpauls.org/give/
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Busch @ jkb2280@gmail.com or call 563/599-5968.
*St. Paul’s has not yet set up this program. St. Paul’s members, please contact Pastor Will or church treasurer Ruth Hintgen for information about ways to contribute during this unusual time.