January 7, 2018 Liturgical Color: White 8:00, 9:30, 10:30 am First Sunday of the Year Holy Communion

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January 19th

SAINT JOHN’S EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CHURCH

www.sjepc.com Established 1874 Cullman, Alabama

.

Today e honor all of the Godly

women in our lives who have

ONE

SERVICE

SUNDAY

JULY 2ND –

.

A Service of Healing and Hope

Reflect on the dfficulties of the year, remember

loved ones lost, & gain encouragement that healing

& hope are offered to you this Christmas Season.

December 21-Cullman First United Methodist

Church 6:00 pm

WEDNESDAY’S

RESUME this week

January 10th

5:00 -5:45p

meal

6:00-7:00p

Adults (see class listing inside bulletin)

children

confirmation

youth

January 7, 2018

HOLY COMMUNION First Sunday of the New Year

Today we observe the Sacrament of

Holy Communion in all three worship

services.

Clear grape juice will be served on the

inner circles of the trays and wine is

served on the outer circles.

If you are homebound and cannot

attend a worship service and desire

home communion, please call the

church office (256-734-0344) so a time

can be scheduled for a minister to visit

with you.

144th

ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. JOHN’S CHURCH The 144

th Annual Meeting of St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church will be held on

Sunday January 21st immediately following the conclusion of the 10:30 worship

service in Heritage Hall.

Four new council members will be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting. There will

be no meal served. The congregation is invited and encouraged to attend.

The four retiring Council members from their 3 year terms this year are: Lucinda

Harding, Jason Kelly, Steve Stanford, Melanie Townson. When you see them tell them

thank you for serving.

SANCTUARY ORDER OF WORSHIP

+ PRELUDE AND RINGING OF THE BELL

+ HYMN OF PRAISE No. 171 Come and Praise the Lord Our King Tiffany Richter

+ CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 90:1-2, 13-17 page 929 Rev. John Richter, Sr. Pastor

PRAYER OF ADORATION Rev. Richter

+ HYMN No. 228 Rejoice the Lord is King Tiffany Richter

(Lighting of the Altar Candles)

+HYMN No. 462 Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us Tiffany Richter

+ WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS Rev. Nate Randall, Associate Pastor

+ FELLOWSHIP CHORUS No. 252 Sweet, Sweet Spirit Tiffany Richter

CHILDREN’S TIME (8:00 only) Rev. Richter

HYMN No. 497 Near to the Heart of God Tiffany Richter

PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH Pastor Nate

SCRIPTURE READING Ephesians 5:1-21 page 1822 Pastor Nate

Gloria Patri

+ Apostles’ Creed

+ Prayer of Affirmation

** GIVING OF GOD’S TITHE AND OUR OFFERINGS Pastor Nate

(**9:30 offering is received after The Lord’s Supper)

Offertory

+ Doxology

+Prayer of Dedication Pastor Nate

THE MORNING SERMON Psalm 31 page 867 Rev. Richter

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Rev. Richter

Prayer of Devotion to Christ

The Lord’s Prayer

THIS WEEK AT SJ’s Rev. Richter

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

+ Please Stand **9:30 service only Acolytes:

St. John’s is a Church of Grace and Truth

At St. John’s we seek to be grace-filled, graceful, and a people of truth.

Believing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we understand our need

for the grace he offers. We believe in responding in gratitude for the grace

we have received by extending grace to others. We do this by loving God,

one another, and our community, and reorienting our lives around the

truths handed to us through the Holy Scriptures. Join us in the journey!

2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES… can be picked up in the hallway downstairs near the drink machines. PLEASE

DO NOT USE THEM UNTIL AFTER JANUARY 7, 2018 TO ENSURE YOU RECEIVE PROPER CREDIT

FOR YOUR GIFTS AND TITHES. Your assigned giving numbers change each with membership increases or

decreases.

SYMPATHY…The ministers and congregation express their love and sympathy to the following family who

experienced loss this past week: The Family of Mrs. Susan Aluskewicz. Graveside service was conducted in

Birmingham Al last week by Rev. Bob Kurtz.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 2018…meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled. Watch for details for up-

coming date for reschedule.

January 7th

immediately following the 10:30 worship service, there will be a Children’s Ministry Meeting to

discuss plans for 2018. If you would like to help or more information contact Stephanie Jowers.

OOPS! MISSED A SUNDAY FROM CHURCH? Would you like to hear Rev. John’s message from that day? Or

you would just like to hear the message again? Or perhaps share a sermon with someone? It’s simple. Visit the

church website: www.sjepc.com ; select the small arrow on the right hand side on the of the different categories for

SJ’s ; select weekly sermons; scroll down the page for the archived sermons; then select the date you would like

to hear, and click the arrow in the center of the display.

ALTAR FLOWERS --- The Sanctuary Altar Flower calendar is now being filled. If you have a special date you

would like to reserve for altar flower placement, contact Margaret Richter (256-734-5778) to reserve your date.

Members are responsible for ordering and payment of flowers with their florist.

Faith-Full Fellowship Connection Night— January 19

Expand your circle of friends and acquaintances at St. John’s! We’ll meet at the church at 6, team up with others, and head out to dinner. We’ll meet back afterwards for dessert here.

Childcare provided through age 10. RSVP with the church office to participate!

144th

ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. JOHN’S CHURCH--- The 144th

Annual Meeting of St. John’s Evangelical

Protestant Church will be held on Sunday January 21st immediately following the conclusion of the 10:30 worship

service in Heritage Hall. Four new council members will be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting. There will be

no meal served. The congregation is invited and encouraged to attend. The four retiring Council members from

their 3 year terms this year are: Lucinda Harding, Jason Kelly, Steve Stanford, Melanie Townson.

UNMASKED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE—Saturday, January 13th

9am-2:00pm at SJ’s. Grab a friend( or

several) and enjoy and uplifting morning of encouragement and learn how to let go of the masks we wear everyday.

For more information and to register, visit our facebook page at Unmasked Women’s Conference. Early Bird

registration ends soon!!

SASSY SAGES MONTHLY LUNCHEON—will be on their regularly scheduled second Saturday January 13th

at 11:30 am in Heritage Hall.

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED—The Church Office will be closed on Monday January 15th

.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP JANUARY MEETING—will meet on Monday January 15th

at 6:00 pm in Heritage

Hall.

2018 Faith- Full SJ’s WEDNESDAY’S RESUME JANUARY 10

th

Kids and Tweens New Class Series begins

Regular Times

Adult Class Options:

BIBLE JOURNALING CLASS….Ever wanted to Bible Journal??? Put a Journaling Bible on your Christmas

wish list and join us for an exciting new 5 week class that will include our TWEEN GIRLS Class and women of

all ages for an hour of journaling and fellowship. For more information contact Stephanie Jowers: 256-962-0211

LADIES THURSDAY CLASS-- Starting Thurs. Jan. 11th at 9:00am-- in the confirmation room. God's heart is

moved with compassion and passion for us. Join us for this 7 week study on Thursday mornings as we study the

Gospel of Mark. In this study we will become more personal with Jesus and who He is, His love for us and His

ministry. Video and study by Lisa Harper, Facilitating study Melanie Gann

NEW LADIES WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASS BEGINS… Class is based on

the 7 I AM statements from Gospel of John. What is that relationship, that

insecurity, that hurt, that desire, that prayer you’ve brought to God countless times?

It’s what makes you trust God the most, and in the not-so-spiritually-certain

moments, it’s what makes you the most suspicious of Him. If God is good, why

isn’t He being good to you in answering this cry of your heart? Join us and let’s see

what Jesus wants to say to us and how He wants to satisfy our hearts. Facilitator:

Tammy Knight. Class meets in Heritage Hall each Wednesday evening.

MAYBERRY BIBLE STUDY…. New Men’s Class……features 4 classic episodes from The Andy Griffith Show with relevant scripture, this study resource uses them as modern parables on the teaching of Jesus.

NEW WEEKNIGHT MEN’S STUDY…….Traveling Light… Men’s study to help us lay

down our daily burdens and live the life God intended for us to live. Open to all men 18-up.

When: Starts Jan. 16- March 6

Where: 599 Co. Rd. 819

Contact Steve Schwaiger for more information 256 507-2381

CHURCH COUNCIL NOMINEES… Nominations are now open for the congregation to nominate Council

persons. Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Church Council Secretary, Melanie Townson, along with

a signed permission form by the nominee. Nominations will remain open until 10 (ten) days prior to the Annual

Meeting to be held on January 21, 2018. Nominations to date are: Wescoat Free, Will Harding, Willy Hendrix,

Babs Herfurth, and Amy Page. Getting to know your Council Nominees: .

Wescoat Free-- Married to Katie Fuller Free. Kids: Will, Mabry & Wyatt. Works at

Knight-Free Insurance

Will Harding--I have been married to Lauren for 6 years, we have two children Veronica, age

3 and Chip, age 1. I attended Cullman High School (’02) and Auburn University (’06) and I

work as a lender at Merchants Bank in Cullman.

Babs Herfurth--I am married to Trent Herfurth x 20 years in April. We have 2 children 15

and 12. I work at Wallace State in the Therapeutic Massage Department x 10 years and I am

also a Deer Farmer with my husband.

Amy Page--My name is Amy Page and I have been a faithful member of St. John’s for the past

three years. I am originally from Dekalb, Mississippi and moved to Cullman in 2005. I have been a

Certified Teacher for 13 years and have taught at Vinemont Elementary for 12 of those years. I

have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University and a

Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama. I have been

married to my husband Matt for 12 years and we have two children, Carson who is 9 and in the 4th

grade and Hallie who is 7 and in 2nd

grade. My hobbies include reading and spending time with my

family. We’re pretty busy, so I don’t get time for much else! Our time at St. John’s has been so

fulfilling for my family and I and we look forward to continue serving in whatever capacity God

has in store for us! Proverbs 22:6

Willy Hendrix….My name is Willy Hendrix I am married to Camilla Hendrix and we

have four children; Anna 23, Will 20, Madelyn 15, Belle 12.

I facilitate the Wednesday night men class and sing in the praise choir on Sunday

mornings. I am employed by Bill Hendrix Construction Company Inc.

** 2018 Jazz Sunday - Feb. 11—SJ’s welcomes back The Aeolians!

In Hospital:

Home:

Youth

Mid d le Schoo l & High Schoo l

follow: sjyouthlive

Up-Coming:

Dec 31 - NYE Lock-In

BREAKFAST ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Join us each Sunday morning immediately following the

conclusion of the 8:00 service (and right before Sunday School

in the Atrium for a pastry or cup of coffee.

Serving Time:

8:30-9:15am

(on your own honor system)

Suggested prices: Coffee / juice $.50 per cup

Pastries: assorted prices $.50 to $1.25 each

ONE WAY TRAFFICE FOR NORTH PARKING LOT

Sunday Wednesday High School Group: Elevate Middle School 5:30 dinner, --7:15pm 6-7:15pm

Pastor Nate Randall, Minister to Youth:

308-440-2672 nate.randall@sjepc.com

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Back next week

EMAIL ADDRESSES

Have you changed your email address? Or deleted on and started a new one? Please notify us when your email

address changes by emailing karen.hassell@sjepc.com so you can receive the church wide email messages.

Reaching Higher 4-1-1 (ages 18-35)

Good Question

“The Bible Tells Me So?” Tuesday’s 6-8p (no childcare provided)

Ruehl Building Basement Facilitator: Nick Feldner

Sunday’s 9:15-10:15am

DIOKO--

(run the race Spiritually and Physically)

See Nick Feldner for times and places

Candlelight

Evening

Tour

Congratulations to Chad and Katie

Knop on the birth of their son,

Hughes Dlano Knop,

born on June 6, 2017 weighing 6.6

lbs and 19 ½” long.

Congratulations to Kris and Alex

Keller on the birth of their son,

Ezra Lee Keller born on June 13,

2017 weighing 8lbs 6oz 21 ½”

inches.

VISITORS

Thanks for visiting with us today! Feel free

to call the pastor, Rev. John Richter @ 256-

734-0344 if you have questions and would

like to set up a time to discuss them. You

may also check out our website

www.sjepc.com to learn more about St.

John’s.

NURSERY

Nursery is available for newborns up to 3 yrs.

of age at all worship services and Sunday

School. Please see any usher or greeter this

morning and they will direct you to the

nursery.

STAFF EMAIL AND

CONTACT

INFORMATION: Rev. John Richter, Sr. Pastor: john.richter@sjepc.com

Rev. Nate (Pastor Nate) Randall, Associate Pastor, and

Youth Minister: nate.randall@sjepc.com

Gyzelle Warren, Director Children’s Ministries:

gyzellew@sjepc.com

Lisa Buchannan, Director Little Lambs Preschool:

lisa.buchanan@sjepc.com

Alice Butler, Interim Music: alice.butler@sjepc.com

Regina Baker, Financial Secretary:

regina.baker@sjepc.com

Karen Hassell, Administrative Assistant, Facility

Coordinator, Sr. Adult Travel: karen.hassell@sjepc.com

St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church

512 2nd

Ave SE

Cullman Al 35055 256-734-0344

website: www.sjepc.com

To help us ensure the safety of

our children, visitors and adults,

everyday, beginning August

1, 2017 the traffic flow in the

north parking lot will become

ONE WAY TRAFFIC.

Enter (ONLY) from 2nd

Ave.

(street that runs in front of the

church) and exit onto 3rd

Ave.

(facing St. Paul’s) with a

RIGHT Turn only.

We now have 4 designated

Visitor parking spots for our

guests on Sunday’s .

Thank you in advance for

helping us with this change.

~ Safe Sanctuaries

WAYS TO GIVE IN 2016 INTO 2017

Never forget your offering again! =

2 ways you can now give your gifts, tithes and offerings to the church. You may give with your credit or debit card

simply by completing an authorization form for Visa, MasterCard, Discover. You have the option of weekly, bi-

monthly or monthly contributions. Forms are available in the church office during regular business hours.

Secondly you can now give online thru the church website (www.sjepc.com) “Text to Give” and text your amount

to the following number 84321 then follow the prompts through the replied message.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS

Scot Andrews, Terry Bradford, Lindsey Dossey, Austin Hall, Fred Hankey, Lucinda Harding , Doug Johnson,

Jason Kelly, Trent Lowry, Michelle Ray, Steve Stanford, Melanie Townson

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:00-9:00 Worship- Sanctuary 8:40-9:10-Light Breakfast 9:15-10:15 Sunday School

*9:30-10:25 Communion Service-Sanctuary

Reflections of our Faithfulness

Glory of God

…honor of Mr and Mrs, Clark Keller by Mr and Mrs. RH Culpepper

…honor of birthday’s for : Virginia Griffin, Rev. John Richter, III, Regina Baker, Jo Webb, Agnes

Cordes by Lorene Hyatt; ]

BTN

..memory of Christine Kessler by Doug and Lynn Johnson; Doug and Lisa Messina

Women’s Guild Kitchen Fund..

..memory of Christine Kessler by Richard and Betty Gibbs; Jean Clingan

Youth Fund

..memory of Donna Shikles by Jo Webb

“Text to Give” text 84321 follow the prompts message or complete

an authorization form for Visa, MasterCard, Discover or debit card

Attendance December 31, 2017

10:30 one service only

265

Offering:

$17,843.75

(*Note: this time does conflict with the Sunday school hour. Please understand if you intend to bring your children

to this service they will miss this important time of Christian education.)

10:30-11:30 Worship-Christ Hall

Angel don’t forget!!

Cullman Caring for Kids Food Bank Donations

The need is great!! 2 Food collection points:

Entrance to Education & Building and Entrance to LLS

We will begin again in February Collecting for the Food Bank

WEEK AT A GLANCE @ SJ’s

OFFICE HOURS 8am-5pm Monday ---Thursday; 8am-12pm Friday

Monday-Jan. 8

12:00pm Kiwanis Meeting and Lunch (CH)

Tuesday- Jan. 9

7:00 am Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study (Christ Hall)

9-12:00 am PLARN (Heritage Hall)

6:00p Reaching Higher Small Group (18-35 ages--Ruehl Bldg. Basement)

Wednesday- Jan. 10

4:00pm Children’s Handbells

5:00 pm Meal (Hamburger steak, baked potato, salad)

Adults – Children: Pizza, apples or ½ serving adult plate

Meals: children 12 and under $3 Adult: $5 meal tickets are available for purchase

5:30pm-6:00 pm Children’s Choir

5:30-6:00 pm Tween’s Activity Time

600 pm-7:00 pm Children’s Classes:

SJ Kids: Fruits of the Spirit Farmers Market

Tween Girls: Bible Journaling Class

Tween Boys: Messy

Thursday –Jan. 11

9:00am Ladies Bible Study- The Gospel of Mark

12:00 pm Rotary Luncheon and Meeting (Christ Hall)

1:00pm ANNA Group

Saturday- Jan. 13

9:00-2:00 pm UnMask Women’s Conference (Christ Hall)

11:30am Sassy Sages Luncheon (Heritage Hall)

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Safe SANCTUARIES

ALL VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ARE BACKGROUND CHECKED PRIOR TO BEING INVOLVED WITH OUR CHILDREN,

YOUTH OR VULNERABLE ADULTS.

Safe Sanctuary Steering Committee: Stan Sandlin, Tricia Fuller, Billy Jackson, Kenny Culeppper, Karen Hassell

We are a Safe Sanctuary Campus local 24 /7 crisis line if you believe you are a victim:

256-734-6100 and need help or information.

CHURCHWIDE EMAILS

Be in the know

Meeting, where? Going where? Latest news, about?

If you are not receiving church emails and would like to be included, or if your email has changed, please notify

Karen at: karen.hassell@sjepc.com so you will not miss information about upcoming events or possible changes

in schedules at St. John’s.

Face book

If you have a Smartphone, ipad, laptop, tablet or home computer, search “St. John’s, Cullman” and “like” our page

to add us to your newsfeed. Articles of interest to read, announcements and prayer requests are posted regularly on

our St. John’s Face book page. Remember prayer requests posted here, are for your church family to see.

(Remember FB is a public forum so please word prayer requests carefully.

CONTRIBUTIONS

When making contributions to any fund other than the general fund (Burn the Note, Music Fund, or Youth

Fund, Women’s Guild / Whit’s Place) please write a separate check made specifically to that fund.

PRAYER REQUESTS

All prayer requests we receive are very important to us. To make sure that we can give them proper attention,

please be sure to write them on a Prayer Request card found in the pews or on the welcome stations in Christ Hall.

Requests can be placed in the offering plate or leave them in the church office. You may also email prayer

requests to: karen.hassell@sjepc.com. Sunday Mornings and Wednesday evenings are busy times for everyone

and prayer requests can be accidentally lost in conversations. Thank you for helping us with this important matter.

What is Safe Sanctuaries?

Our Number 1 Priority:

Keeping Basic Procedures for a Safe

Ministry with Children, Youth and

Vulnerable Adults

Wade Warren

Greeter

10:30am

Tornado Preparedness

Question:

Do you know where to go if you’re here at

church during severe weather?

Answer:

Hallway underneath the sanctuary

CONTACT INFORMATION

To make sure you can receive the latest announcements about events at our church, please take a second and email

your new information to : karen.hassell@sjepc.com or by calling the church office.

CHURCH CALLING INFORMATION CARDS

Have you filled out yours? Notification choices are: text message; email, or by calling your home phone. PLEASE

SELECT ONLY ONE METHOD FOR THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU. Cards available in the

information rack in the education building. Turn in at the office.

Assisted Living:

Morningside: Jim Jones, Sarah Mann, Doris Keathley, Catherine Nelson

Hanceville Nursing Home: Miriam Jones; Virginia Richter Woodland Village: Carolyn Huck; Bea Mack; Dot York ; Maxine Whisenhunt (rehab)

USA Healthcare Falkville: Faye Marty

ST. JOHN’S UPDATED PRAYER LIST

St. John’s prayer list is renewed the first of each month. Please fill out a new prayer card with

your individual requests each month and indicate clearly if you would like it published in the

bulletin—otherwise it will remain on the Pastor’s Prayer list only. Likewise as your prayer

request needs to be removed from the list, please let us know that too. The Prayer lists are

published in the bulletin as space allows each week.

CHURCH MEMBERS:

Mavous Speegle, Gary Dean, Bobbie Cleghorn, Carolyn Huck; Aliya Schaffers; Frances Murphy; Jackson Ray;

Catherine Nelson; Cliff Kirkwood; Don Dossey

CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Myrl Dobbins, Jean Lackey; Paula Bolzle; Jennifer Brown; Dixie Davis Bailey; Mark Atlas; Ricky Lee; John

Powell; Regina Willoughby; Jennifer Henderson; Ernie Moore

Military Prayer List: Help us update our Military Prayer list. Please look over the list and see if your family member or friend has

changed locations or has now arrived back at home.

MILITARY ADDRESSES

If you have friends or family currently serving in the US Military, our card ministry would like the opportunity to

send cards to them throughout the year. Please submit (clearly print) complete mailing addresses to Geraldine

Hendrix or bring them by the church office during regular business hours.

Lt. Cmdr. Chris Hester, Chaplain—Virginia Beach, Va; Staff Sgt. Zach Whisenhunt—Embassy, Iraq; CW4

James Williams—Fort Lee, Virginia; Major Kellie Scott Hyatt—Birmingham, Al ; Lt. Cmdr. Scott and Lt. Cmdr.

Roz Love, Guam, US Navy; A1C Will Sapp US Air force, Key West, Fl; Sgt. Tony Parker, Air Force, Kandahar;

John Lancaster, US Navy; Jason Beck, US Army, Afghanistan; Adam Ramos, Sasebo, Japan; US Navy; Derek

Ramos – 1st LAR Camp Pendleton, CA; Major John Forbes, Pentagon; NC;,; Jack Baker, Afghanistan; CPL

Casper Shafer- Jump Platoon, Camp Pendleton, Ca

PLEASE EXCUSE OUR ACTIVITY!

When you notice any of the staff slipping out of 8:00 worship on Sundays, please know we are preparing for

Sunday School, or conducting rehearsals for the upcoming service, etc. If you see us on the move, please pray for

us and for all of our worship services!

CHECKS TO DIFFERENT FUNDS

Please remember when writing a check to the church for your gifts, tithes or offerings, if you are giving to a

different fund (Burn the Note, Music Fund, or Youth Fund) other than general fund, please be sure to write a

separate check. Women’s Guild / Whit’s Place donations go to The Women’s Guild. Most of the time we do not

have enough cash on hand to transfer monies in house. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

Sunday Morning Fellowship Breakfast

On the Lighter Side

8:30am to 9:15 am Pastries $ assorted prices Coffee / Juice $ .50

.