The Banner

St. John's weekly newsletter to parents, faculty and staff

Banner #15

WRITTEN BY Cathy Thiem - 23 November 2020

THE BANNER

St. John Lutheran School

November23, 2020 Number 15

The Principal’s Pen

What does this mean?….It’s a questions Lutherans often ask, modeled after the question Martin Luther frequently asked in his Catechism. Whether you are deeply connected to the Lutheran faith or another form of Christianity, we can all learn and grow in faith. This fourth installment of a new monthly feature serves to share one of the distinctive beliefs that we as Lutherans hold, for the purpose of building us all up in the faith.

Lutherans have several statements of belief, called creeds. The most common is the Apostles Creed. While there is some belief that this creed was written by the apostles in the years following Jesus’ death, it is more likely that the creed received its name because it was a statement outlining the main teachings of the apostles. To this day, the creed lays out the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, all of which come directly from the Bible.

The First Article (part) of the Apostles Creed focuses on God the Father and His role as Creator. In this article, we realize that not only did God create everything we have, but He also provides everything to us. Even things we buy, like a loaf of bread or gallon of gas, are really from God. Yes, we use money that we earned, but the knowledge and skills we use on our job come from God.

In understanding God as Creator and Provider, I also realize that everything I have is a gift from God out of His great love for me. I deserve nothing according to my own worth. As such, I owe God my complete thanks, praise, and obedience. Not a bad reminder for us this Thanksgiving week!

Thanksgiving Break This Week

Just a reminder that St. John will not be in session November 25-27 to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Congratulations, Wesley!

Congratulations to Wesley Potts for being named one of ten Lilly Scholarship Finalists in Noble County. The Lilly Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that awards full college tuition to ne graduating senior in the county. Wesley is a 2017 graduate of St. John. Congratulations, Wesley, and God’s blessings as you compete for this top scholarship!

Kendallville Library Services

The Kendallville Library would like to remind families of services they still have available to keep kids learning whether they are in school or at home:

Tumblebook Library – wide range of digital books

eSebco Non-Fiction Books – nonfiction books on all subject areas

Teachables – printable activities from Scholastic Books

Doorstep Delivery – the library will deliver to your home

Please visit www.kendallvillelibrary.org or call 260-343-2010 for more information or to get connected.

Inclement Weather

As the likelihood of inclement weather increases, a few reminders about the procedure for school closings are in order. St. John will follow the East Noble School Corporation. When their decision is made you will be notified through a ParentAlert text and the following media outlets: WPTA, WISE, WANE, WBCL, WAWK, WLAB, and STAR. You will see or hear St. John Lutheran, Kendallville, listed on all these media outlets. The option exists for school to be closed, on 2-hour delay, or on 3-hour delay, which pushes dismissal time back to 3:55. Parents must always use discretion, whether we are in session or on delay, to determine if their own drive to school is too hazardous.

The King is Coming!

Advent is a time of preparation; a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus, our Savior. Our teachers and students have been preparing to lead 3 Advent worship services. This year, our services will be completely virtual. We encourage families to set aside time each Wednesday night to participate from the comfort of your home and worship and prepare together. We also encourage families to share the link with other relatives and family members, near and far, so that they may also join with us. Here is the schedule:

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7:00, led by grades 5-8

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7:00, led by grades 2-4

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7:00, led by grades Preschool-1

All services will be streamed from www.sjlc.net and the St. John Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Due to the very short week this week,

we do not expect to publish a Banner next week.

PE Classes Move Indoors

With the temperatures dropping it is now necessary to move our PE classes indoors. Having children dressed warmly enough to be outside and yet able to move and participate in PE activities is becoming more difficult. We will make the change to indoor PE following our Thanksgiving Break. Other precautions like distancing and extra sanitation will still be in place.

Fitness Fact

In addition to helping to ward off major diseases, exercise can also boost your immune system so you spend less time down with a cold or flu. “There simply isn’t a major health problem where exercise cannot have a positive effect.” (Bryant-webmd.com)

Congratulations to students in grades 4 through 8 who have earned a place on the 1st Trimester honor roll.

Fourth Grade –All A’s – Maddison Harlan, Violet Hobart, Danica Sattison

A’s & B’s - Bryston Williams

Fifth Grade – All A’s – Fyo Hayden

A’s & B’s - Anna Conrad, Carys Shire, Brody Workman

Sixth Grade – High Honors – Alex Ormiston

Seventh Grade - High Honors – Lilly Moser, Ben Reed

Honors - Alaina Andrews

Eighth Grade – High Honors- Addison Hampshire, Lex Moser, Ashlynn Myers,

Naomi Schroeder, Olivia Tibbs, and Trey Warren

THINK SCRIP FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND GIFT GIVING

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDERS EARLY

SO YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT!

CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE UPON US!!

Amazon Smile

While you’re thinking about Christmas shopping and gift giving, let’s also talk about Amazon. Instead of using their regular site, please use www.smile.amazon.com. Designate St. John as your charitable organization and we will receive 0.5% of your purchases.

These students and their families, prayed for this week:

Holden Buwalda and Hugh Conrad

And next week:

Naomi Gaff, Zaylei Gerber, Juliette Gonzalez, Krista Hamann, and Olivia Hastings

THE WEEKS AHEAD

Monday, November 23

3:15 – 5:15 – Boys Basketball Practice

Tuesday, November 24

8:10 – Chapel

Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 – NO SCHOOL

Saturday, November 28

Sunday, November 29

8:00 – Worship Service in the Sanctuary

9:15 – Christian Education Hour

10:30 – Worship Service in the Worship Center

Monday, November 30

3:15 – 5:15 – Boys Basketball Practice

Tuesday, December 1

8:10 – Chapel

Wednesday, December 2

3:15 – 5:15 – Boys Basketball Practice

Thursday, December 3

6:30 – Boys Basketball Game @ Concordia

7:00 – Worship Service

Friday, December 4

Saturday, December 5

10:30 – Boys Basketball Game @ Home vs. Central

Sunday, December 6

8:00 – Worship Service in the Sanctuary

9:15 – Christian Education Hour

10:30 – Worship Service in the Worship Center

I Am

For the teenager who is not doing the dishes but watching TV because it means he is home and not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

For the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have the freedom of speech.

For the parking spot at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For the huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

For the wearing and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I am capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hour because it means that I am alive.

Finally…For too many Holiday invitations because it means I have friends and family who are thinking of me.

This is to remind us to be thankful of some of the things we deal with everyday.

A Single-session

GriefShare Event