“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

-1st Corinthians 13:13

They say that if there’s one thing that we can count on in life it’s that things change.  You buy a new cell phone with all the latest capabilities, and six months later there are a whole host of new options.  You hear that job markets are looking for new skills, and about the time you complete the training things have shifted yet again.  You work through an issue with someone important to you in your life, and just when there seems to be clear sailing there’s something new that catches you completely off-guard.  Even in the church, change seems to be ever pressing in—the latest music replaces an age-old favorite hymn; the ministry patterns of yesterday seem to change with the culture.  And you wonder, where can I count on [Read More ...]]]> From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

-1st Corinthians 13:13

They say that if there’s one thing that we can count on in life it’s that things change.  You buy a new cell phone with all the latest capabilities, and six months later there are a whole host of new options.  You hear that job markets are looking for new skills, and about the time you complete the training things have shifted yet again.  You work through an issue with someone important to you in your life, and just when there seems to be clear sailing there’s something new that catches you completely off-guard.  Even in the church, change seems to be ever pressing in—the latest music replaces an age-old favorite hymn; the ministry patterns of yesterday seem to change with the culture.  And you wonder, where can I count on something stable…unchanging?

“Even God says Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) And, what do God’s word say about change.  It says that there are ultimately three things which we can count on to remain:  faith, hope and love.  That means that today, whatever else you may be needing to do, whatever change you may be facing, these three things are worthy of your energies and focus.  They are eternal.  And if you’re really pressed to focus on, as often we are, love should occupy the number one spot!

Friend, whatever is your situation today, “know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  (1st John 4:16)  There is no better place to be, no more important act to perform, no greater gift to give than love!

We’re all looking for the way forward.  We’re faced with decisions to make, business contracts to enter into, children to raise, and judgments to make about all kinds of things.  Often, we have well-meaning people who will give us advice.  And quite certainly we have our own thoughts about such things.  But as good as they are, sometimes we can try to step forward without fully trusting that God is on the move.  Sure, we pray.  But we can also perceive that God just hear or that our situation isn’t that important to God.

The Bible says that when Jesus spoke the Word, he did so as one having authority.  And amazing things happened!  We also need to speak the Word of God into our situations—declaring the power and promise of God to have ultimate authority and influence in our lives.

Take for instance the following story:

The only survivor of [Read More ...]]]> From Pastor Tim Johnson:

We’re all looking for the way forward.  We’re faced with decisions to make, business contracts to enter into, children to raise, and judgments to make about all kinds of things.  Often, we have well-meaning people who will give us advice.  And quite certainly we have our own thoughts about such things.  But as good as they are, sometimes we can try to step forward without fully trusting that God is on the move.  Sure, we pray.  But we can also perceive that God just hear or that our situation isn’t that important to God.

The Bible says that when Jesus spoke the Word, he did so as one having authority.  And amazing things happened!  We also need to speak the Word of God into our situations—declaring the power and promise of God to have ultimate authority and influence in our lives.

Take for instance the following story:

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me!” he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground —-it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say: “It’s impossible”

God says: All things are possible with me (Luke 18:27)

You say: “Nobody really loves me”

God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on”

God says: My grace is sufficient for you (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out”

God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it”

God says:  But with me, you can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “I’m not able”

God says: But I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: “It’s not worth it”

God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself”

God says: But, know that I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage”

God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid”

God says: But I have not given you a spirit of fear; child, do not be afraid. (II Timothy1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”

God says: So, cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith”

God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough”

God says: I will give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel all alone”

God says: But I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

Friend, whatever is your circumstance, whatever decision you are faced with, trust the power and authority of God’s Word to lead you through it.  For He loves you, is for you, knows everything about you, and will show you the way.  More than that, He’s already at work!

Click to download: St. John's Annual Report - January [Read More ...]]]> The January 2012 St. John’s Annual Report is now available.

Click to download: St. John's Annual Report - January 2012 (64)

Join us for a moonlight trail walk on the Dakota Rail Trail February 4th from 6:00 – 9:00 P.M.  You can cross-country ski, ski, snowshoe, or hike the trail of ice luminaries and warm up with hot chocolate, hot spiced cider, and treats at bonfires along the way.  St. John’s bonfire will again be at the Fairview crossing.  For more information, visit www.moonlighttrail.com or contact Liz [Read More ...]]]>

Join us for a moonlight trail walk on the Dakota Rail Trail February 4th from 6:00 – 9:00 P.M.  You can cross-country ski, ski, snowshoe, or hike the trail of ice luminaries and warm up with hot chocolate, hot spiced cider, and treats at bonfires along the way.  St. John’s bonfire will again be at the Fairview crossing.  For more information, visit www.moonlighttrail.com or contact Liz Wallis [472-4525].

On Friday January 27th from 6:00 to 8:00

At Navarre Lanes 3435 Shoreline Dr. in  Orono.  We will

be serving pizza and pop ; the cost is only $5.00.

Contact Greg Sletten for any [Read More ...]]]> Youth Group is Going BOWLING!!!

“Blessed are those who are generous, because

they feed the poor.”   [Read More ...]]]> Confirmation Students to Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children

“He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”  -Luke 4

It has been said that these words of Jesus constituted his life’s mission, his focus.  It is nothing less than a mission of healing.  Why?  Because He knows our brokenness, our pain, the things that keep us from experiencing life in its fullest.  Just as this was true 2,000 years ago when he walked this earth, it is true today!  (“For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8)  In essence, Jesus healed then, and Jesus heals now.

It is also true that Jesus’ followers heal.  The Bible says, “And He called the twelve to Him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits … And they cast [Read More ...]]]> From Pastor Tim Johnson:

“He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”  -Luke 4

It has been said that these words of Jesus constituted his life’s mission, his focus.  It is nothing less than a mission of healing.  Why?  Because He knows our brokenness, our pain, the things that keep us from experiencing life in its fullest.  Just as this was true 2,000 years ago when he walked this earth, it is true today!  (“For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8)  In essence, Jesus healed then, and Jesus heals now.

It is also true that Jesus’ followers heal.  The Bible says, “And He called the twelve to Him, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits … And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:7,13)  I remember a close friend’s phone call many years ago who, at the age of 18, told about how her doctor’s visit had revealed a cancer tumor at the base of her sternum.  It came on quickly; her first symptoms were a growing inability to breathe deeply.  Being a part of a young adult group at our church, we gathered around her and prayed and believed God for healing.  In fact, our whole church prayed; we had a special healing service, and she and her mother attended other such healing services wherever they could find one.  Long and short of it was that five weeks later the tumor was completely gone, and today she is a healthy mother of two girls, one of them now 18 years old herself.

There were many of us in that young adult group who were pretty new to faith in God.  And, admittedly, there was a certain naiveté about our faith—it was a simple, believing faith.  Years have passed since then; I trust that I’ve grown in wisdom and knowledge of God’s Word, attended seminary and am now a pastor.  But through it all, one thing has remained the same, and that is I’ve only grown in my conviction that simple faith in Jesus is still the way to go.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14  Jesus still heals, and the Church still has the ministry of healing.  While it is a mystery why some seem to get better now and God has some wait until heaven to bring final and complete healing, you and I are called to believe in the One whom God anointed for this ministry of healing, and we’re called to be agents of healing ourselves, trusting in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Friend, trust and believe that God wants to heal you from whatever infirmity you suffer from.  Whether that be depression, an addiction, a poor self-image, an ailment of the body, or a relationship that is struggling, remember that with God all things are possible!  And remember that as you gather in faith with other believers within the Church, that miracles still happen!

The St. John’s Community Outreach committee is still looking for help. Serving hot cider, donating fire wood,

building our fire pit, setting up the sight, making ice luminaries, greeting visitors, music of any kind,

are all ways that you can help create a visible image for St. John’s in our community.

WINTER IS STILL COMING!

Contact liz_biz@msn.com see our [Read More ...]]]> Ooops…Moonlight Trail Night Saturday, FEBRUARY 4th