Thank you for your recent gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response. Because you have chosen to act in this time of crises, survivors of disasters will have renewed hope.

Whether you gave to relief efforts for a specific disaster or generally, I want to share an update about what we’ve been able to do thanks to you and supporters like you. Your generosity allows us to respond to urgent needs, and provide long-term care as survivors of disasters rebuild. 

Over the last five weeks, our church has been able to respond to the unprecedented number of disasters around the globe with efforts including:

• In Texas, where Hurricane Harvey caused destruction, we’re hiring a disaster response coordinator to work with our partners and affiliates to connect volunteers and donations to where they’re needed most.
  
• In Cuba, where Hurricane Irma made landfall, we’re supporting the distribution of items like cookware, dishes and blankets to help families get back to normal life.
• ·In Mexico, where three major earthquakes struck within weeks, we’re supporting our local partner as they distribute food, water and other basic necessities to those who have lost their homes.
• In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Hurricane Maria left devastation, we’re coordinating the delivery of critical items including dry food, generators and solar-powered phones.

Recovery from the disasters in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other island nations will take years. Long-term recovery efforts are the specialty of Lutheran Disaster Response. Thanks to donors like you, those efforts have already begun.

To stay up-to-date on our efforts across the United States and the Caribbean, visit the Lutheran Disaster Response blog and follow us on Facebook.

With gratitude and fellowship in Christ,

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sunday, October 1, 2017 – 11 a.m. – Worship with Holy Communion

Monday, October 2, 2017 – 7 p.m. - Mutual Ministry meeting at St. John’s

Sunday, October 8, 2017 – 11 a.m. - St. John’s Homecoming - Service with Holy Communion - Please bring a covered dish for the fellowship meal immediately following worship.  The church will provide chicken and grilled burgers.  If you have any photos we can use for the Homecoming table, please see Melissa Seward or Corinne Whalen.  If you have photos we can use for a slideshow, please email them to Amy Maphis at amymaphis@gmail.com.


Sunday, October 8, 2017 - Council meeting immediately following meal.

​Sunday, October 15, 2017 - 11 a.m. - Stewardship Sunday - This will be an exciting Sunday, we have wonderful plans and we hope that all will join us this Sunday!


​Sunday, October 15, 2017 - Confirmation class after worship at St. John’s

Saturday, October 21, 2017 – 6 p.m. - Mocha and a Message -  Our theme will be “We are meant to Thrive”!  Come and see! Bingo, refreshments, prizes and fun immediately following Mocha and a Message.  All are welcome to join us for uplifting music, worship, Word, food and fellowship. 

Sunday, October 22, 2017 - Joint Council meeting at St. John’s immediately following worship

Sunday, October 29, 2017 – 11 a.m. - Bring a friend or family member to worship with Holy Communion.  A covered dish luncheon will be held afterward the Trunk or Treat event which will immediately follow worship, please bring a dish to share.

​
Sunday, October 29, 2017 – 11 a.m. – Worship - Trunk or Treat immediately following worship.  

Stewardship Sunday was Sunday, October 15th.  
​If you missed it, please grab a Stewardship Card, complete it and drop it in the Pastor’s mailbox!

​​Our Outreach for the month of October is collecting needed items for the Winchester, Frederick and Clarke SPCA.  We’ll be collecting kitty litter, kitten food, cat food, cat toys, dog toys, rope toys, dog treats, paper towels, bleach, Lysol, Windex, laundry detergent, towels, blankets, bath mats (these three latter items may be gently used), dish soap, and scrubber sponges.  Please bring your item(s) for the SPCA and place in the dog food can!  Please see Sue Eyre or email her at seyre.xingpaths@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.

If you would like to help those impacted by Harvey and Irma, there are two ways.  First, there is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Disaster Relief where 100 percent of all monies will go to aid victims and their families. If you have any questions, please let Pastor Sonya know. In addition, if you are a Thrivent member, they are matching donations that are made on-line through www.thrivent.com
 
Or, if you’d like you can do both!
​
Update from Lutheran Disaster Response 
 



 
 

 
 









​Now that the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey is coming fully into focus, we see that the need will be great and recovery will take many years.

Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “Hurricane Response – United States” at this time will be used in full (100 percent) in responding to Hurricane Harvey until the response is complete.  You have an opportunity to make sure our neighbors in Texas and Louisiana are not forgotten.

The work of Lutheran Disaster Response is comprehensive and extensive.  From when the news breaks to years after the headlines fade, from hurricanes in the United States to flooding in South Asia, we’re there – walking alongside disaster survivors and helping them recover and rebuild for as many years as it takes.  I also invite you to be part of our multiple responses to disasters in the U.S. and around the world by making a gift to Lutheran Disaster Response where it's needed most.

If you’ve already given, thank you so much.  Please continue to pray and stay connected through our Facebook page.  

I also want to let you know that Thrivent is matching gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response.  If you’re a member, visit Thrivent.com and follow the instructions for personal donations.

With gratitude,

The Rev. Daniel Rift, Director
ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Additional Ways to Give
Checks or money orders can be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

Write "Hurricane Response - United States" on your check memo line.
-----------------------
Give by phone at 800-638-3522 or online.

Thrivent: 

Hurricane Harvey, the most powerful Hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years has left a trail of destruction. Hundreds of thousands of people are affected, tens of thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed, and the emotional toll is immeasurable.

When tragic events like this occur, Thrivent Financial members want to know how they can help. As a membership organization of Christians committed to guiding members to be wise with money and live generously, Thrivent is supporting your generosity in the following ways:

$500,000 match on personal donations*
Thrivent will match up to $500,000 in personal donations made online through Thrivent.com to specific disaster relief organizations responding to Hurricane Harvey.  The dollar-for-dollar match is open to Thrivent members and will lead to a total combined impact of up to $1 million.  For more details and to see the list of organizations included in the match, visit the Disaster Response page on Thrivent.com.

Get involved in grassroots disaster relief by leading a Thrivent Action Team
Get your friends, family and coworkers to band together to help raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Harvey by forming a Thrivent Action Team.  Use promo code “TX Hurricane,” and you’ll receive your Thrivent Action Kit ‒containing T-shirts, seed money and promotional materials ‒ five (5) to seven (7) business days after approval.  Get started.

Direct Choice Dollars® or make a personal donation
Thrivent Choice® lets eligible members recommend where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable outreach funding.  If you have Choice Dollars available to direct, please consider selecting enrolled organizations helping in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Learn more.

We are trying to establish a more permanent choir presence at St. John's.  Anyone interested in joining the adult choir (adults, Middle School & High School youth), please contact Corinne Whalen by phone (number listed in bulletin), email cwhalen17@hotmail.com or at worship. Rich has very generously offered to commit an evening after work to an official choir practice. The day of the week shall be determined later.