Calendar of Events for the Week of  June 28, 2026: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 5:30pm - Karate Friday - Saturday - Â
NEWSLETTER CHANGES! - Starting with the July/August newsletter we are be sending the newsletter by e-mail. Our newsletter is currently on our church’s website each month, but now you can receive it right to your e-mail, too! Copies of the printed newsletter will be in the parlor if you wish to pick up one there. Our homebound members will continue to receive the newsletter by mail.
By ‘going green’ we are saving the cost of a bulk mailing permit and postage, which is continually rising, plus the thousands of sheets of paper we use throughout the year, which cost also continues to rise. Thanks for helping us be good stewards of God’s world!
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS - Starting July 1st, the table to share your Bountiful Gardens produce will be in the parlor. Â Individuals with extra produce from their gardens can leave it on the table before the Saturday or Sunday church services. Â If you would like any of the produce, we are asking for a free will donation which will be given to the Valley Food Pantry, along with any extra produce. Â When leaving your produce, please put it on the table in the parlor and NOT in the shopping cart.
"THE CHOSEN" VIEWING DATES -Â
* Thursday, June 25th - Season 3, Episode 4 - "Clean, Part 1" (59 minutes) * Thursday, July 9th - Season 3, Episode 5 - "Clean, Part 2" (56 minutes) * Thursday, July 23rd - Season 3, Episode 6 - "Intensity in Tent City" (72 minutes) * Thursday, August 6th - Season 3, Episode 7 - "Ears to Hear" (65 minutes) * Thursday, August 20th - Season 3, Episode 8 - "Sustenance" (100 minutes)
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS AUGUST 10 - 14 - Put these dates on your calendar and plan to be a part of our Vacation Bible School. A registration form is in this month’s newsletter and are on the table in the parlor. Information is also on our VBS page at /vacation-bible-school.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR VALLEY DAY - Our church will have a canopy set up for Valley Day weekend to promote our Bible school, Sunday school, as well as other upcoming activities and events.  Volunteers are needed to man the canopy Friday, July 31st from 4pm - 10 pm and Saturday August 1st from 11am – 9 pm.  There will be crafts available for children to complete, Bible school registration forms, small giveaways and fliers to share with others that tell about the many activities and events that will be happening in the coming months.  Please consider signing up for an hour or more.  Chairs and water will be provided. A sign-up sheet is in the parlor.
TREE OF LIFE - On the wall in the courtyard is a Remembrance Tree of Life. The leaves on the tree are placed in memory of someone who has died, or in honor of someone. A leaf may be purchased for $50 plus cost of engraving to be placed on the tree. The money will go into the Memorial/Endowment Fund. If more than one person donates for the same person, only one leaf will be placed on the tree. For more information see Cindy.
MEMORIAL AND ENDOWMENT FUND - OPEN TO ALL GIFTS - EXPANDS ITS MINISTRY - The Memorial Fund has been renamed the "Memorial and Endowment Fund" with new objectives. In addition to gifts in remembrance, the fund is seeking gifts ‘in honor of’ important events in donors’ lives such as but not limited to anniversaries, births, birthdays, or any milestones of importance. The fund would also benefit from estate gifts or as part of personal tax saving strategies.
The Memorial and Endowment Fund will now, on an annual basis, provide 5% of the principal of the Fund for ministries and/or worthy causes to be determined by the Memorial and Endowment Fund Committee. As the Fund grows, yearly payouts will grow with it.Â
For the year 2025, the fund will distribute $6,375 among the following organizations: •    Pastors Discretionary Fund •    Lutheran Disaster Relief •    ELCA World Hunger •    United Charities •    Valley Food Pantry Each organization will receive $1,275.
Please consider the Memorial and Endowment Fund and our future ministries as part of your charitable giving.
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday night Bible Study is 7pm-8pm. When the weather gets warmer and the sun stays out longer, we will have study outside. There is no homework in this class. We're a group of people dedicated to reading the Bible from start to finish and discussing it. Join us anytime.
Wednesday morning Bible Study is taking a hiatus for the summer and will begin again in September.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent severe storms across the upper Midwest and fires in the South. Checks may be out to the church and marked LDR. Â 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!! See info and forms on the bulletin board.
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
* HISTORIC BRAINERD CHURCH - A 250th Anniversary of Independence - Gratitude and Prayer Outdoor Worship service will be held on June 28th at 4:00 pm hosted by the Brainerd Historic Church Assoc and featuring the Hazleton Liberty Band. Â
* BLACK CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CONCERTS- Free Light Dinner 5:30pm-6:00pm – Concerts 6:00pm-7:30pm – Rain or Shine – Bring a lawn chair:
- Saturday June 27th – Leilani Chesonis - Saturday July 25th – Freeland St. Ann’s Band - Saturday August 22nd – Poor Man’s Gambit Duo - Saturday August 29th – Doc Pappa and the Renegade Ramblers
* SUMMER ADULT BIBLE STUDY: THE MIRACLES OF JESUS Fr. Christian, the Associate Pastor of St. John Bosco Parish, will again offer a Summer Bible Study for all adults. It will be held on Tuesdays for five weeks. (July 14, 21, & 28 & August 4 & 11.) There will be a choice of a morning session (9:15-10:45 am) or an evening session (6:30-8 pm.) Sessions will be held in classroom # 3. Plan to participate and feel free to invite family and friends who want to learn more about the Bible. The theme will be selected MIRACLES of Jesus and their message. The sessions are free of charge. All that you need to bring is your Bible and an open mind and heart. Registration is suggested so enough materials may be prepared. Call the Parish Office this week to register at 570- 788-1997, EXT 3 and give your name and cell phone number.Â
* VACATION BIBLE CAMP - Saint John Bosco Church in Conyngham will hold a Vacation Bible Camp, entitled: "Rainforest Falls" beginning on Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, from 9:00 AM–12:00 Ð Ðœ. This is open to all children ages 4 through those entering 5th grade in September. You may call the Youth Faith Formation Office at 570-788-1997, Ext 6, to register or to receive a registration form. Â
HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS FOR CONYNGHAM BORO 125TH ANNIVERSARY:
* July 3rd -4th – VFW Celebration * July 19th Summer Concert in the Gazebo at 6:00pm * July 28th – Crime Watch National Night Out in Whispering Willows Park from 5:00pm to      8:00pm * July 31/August 1 – Valley Days - -Saturday St Ann’s Band at 1:00pm and Fireworks at 9:00pm Â
STEPHEN MINISTRY:
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
You can play an important role in our Stephen Ministry because you may know of someone who is going through a difficult time and who could benefit from the focused care, encouragement, and support of a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers meet weekly with their care receivers to listen, care, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts for as long as the person needs care. It’s a powerful way you can help a hurting friend.Â
If you know of someone who is hurting, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking with Deb Jones at 570-233-7675. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care to those in need. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care! Â