The Season of Epiphany
As the Christmas festivities come to an end, its message has continued to resound throughout the season of Epiphany. The word “Epiphany” means “light, or revelation”. The birth of Jesus revealed God’s plan to restore His relationship with people by entering into this broken world as a baby. It was through the ministry of Jesus, which included the final events of His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, that revealed God’s love for humanity. The penalty for the sins of the world was paid in full through Jesus, and the plan of salvation was accomplished for everyone.
Not only did this message spread throughout the Jewish community of the first century, but it also was revealed to a group people who probably lived somewhere in Persia. We know them as the Magi or Wise Men. They most likely had some foreknowledge through their studies that a very unique person was coming one day who would change the course of history. He would be unlike any king they knew for this King would “shepherd” his people and not oppress them. This global restoration plan was not for only for one minority group, it was a universal plan. Led by the shining light of a star, this group of foreigners found the Baby King and were very excited to know He was also a “gift” to them.
The message of Christmas has been revealed to us through God’s Word, His church and through the examples and conversations of many people of faith who we know. God created us and values each of us. Because of his great love for us He wants to bless us with His presence each day, offer to us the forgiveness of our sins and restore a relationship with Him both now and even in the life to come.
Gaudete Sunday is December 14, 2025
The Third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday.
In December, 2018, St. John Lutheran Church in conjunction with Oak Park Concert Chorale,
celebrated that Sunday with a Gaudete Festival.
We invite you to view again (or for the first time) this unique celebration.
Click the picture above to be directed to the YouTube video of the 2018 Festival.
You are encouraged to follow along in the program so you have all of the words in front of you.
The program can viewed, downloaded, or printed here.
These links will direct to you Pastor Leonard Payton's sermon
and you can read the Gaudete sermon with additional explanations
here.
SewWhat! makes quilts that become donations to those in need.
Through Lutheran World Relief (https://lwr.org/quilts) the large (60”x80”) quilts are distributed in areas of need around the world. The quilts may be used as bedding, shelter, flooring, and for carrying possessions in bundles.
Members of SewWhat! assemble the quilt tops, then add a layer of polyester batting and a backing fabric. These three layers are then tied together (easy - down, up, down, up, cut the thread and tie a knot). The final step is finishing the edges with a binding. Sewing skills are not needed to help us finish off these quilt tops. If you can tie a knot you can help us. We also make smaller quilts which are given to Phil’s Friends, an organization that serves people who are fighting cancer. Phil’s Friends include these lap quilts in the care packages they send to those undergoing cancer treatments.
SewWhat! meets year-round on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 - 11:00, with a chocolate break at 10:00. While we work, we socialize and enjoy each other’s company.
The current season has now ended
The St. John Community Garden first opened in Spring of 2011. This garden area was a gift from St. John Lutheran Church to the neighborhood.
The garden is located at 7422 Washington Street, Forest Park, Illinois. The 2026 season will run April 1 - November 1.
If you are interested in applying for a plot, you may contact the church office at 708-366-3226.
Dartball League
Dartball meets select Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Room 102 from September to April. Confirmed male members of St. John and fellow Lutheran LCMS congregations are welcome to join.
St. John was one of the founding churches that formed the league in the 1930's.
For more information contact Pete Schoedel at: 1petros113@gmail.com
What is Dartball?
Dartball is a game of darts that is scored like baseball. It bears no resemblance to "pub darts" whatsoever. The darts are thrown underhand at a board that is 20 feet away.
THE DARTS
The darts are about six inches long, wooden with a steel tip and three or four feathers. The Lutheran Dart League uses Apex #2 darts made by Apex Manufacturing.
THE BOARD
The dartboard is four-foot square, elevated so the bottom edge of the board is 2 feet above the ground. The board is laid out like a baseball diamond, with first, second and third bases, as well as a Home Run where Home Plate would be. There are strikes, balls, fouls, outs and double-plays on the board as well.
PLAYING THE GAME
As stated above, dartball is scored like baseball. A game consists of 9 innings, with each team batting in an inning until they make three outs. The visiting team always bats first. A dart that lands in the First Base is scored as a single; a dart landing in the Second Base is a double; a dart landing in the Third Base is a triple; and a dart landing in the Home Run is scored as a Home Run.
A batter whose dart lands in the First Base is said to "be on first." The next batters then try to hit the Third Base. If they succeed, they are awarded a triple, which "forces" the runner on first around the bases to score a run.
Like baseball, the idea is to score more runs than your opponent in nine innings.
For more extensive information about the Lutheran Dartball League go to the following website from Concordia Lutheran Church, Berwyn, IL.
Food Pantry
St. John participates in a food collection every third Sunday of the month to help support the Food Pantry
located at the Howard Mohr Community Center in Forest Park, Illinois
Mission Opportunities Short Term
We received a Thank You letter from the Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) organization thanking St. John members for the box of eye glasses which we recently donated. This year with the help of donations from various churches, including our congregation, MOST was able to send 16 eye glass teams to 10 different countries to bring clear vision to these people as well as the gospel of Jesus.
Currently, in many countries of the world eye glasses are still needed as well as non-prescription sunglasses. As part of our mission outreach here at St. John, we have an opportunity to help MOST. If you have any type of eye glasses or sunglasses that you are no longer using please consider donating them to this cause. Just bring them to church and place them in the box in the narthex which is across from the church mailboxes. If you have an interest in helping with this action team Call the church office 708-366-3226.
