Calendar of Events for the Week of  July 5, 2026: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 5:30pm - Karate; 6:30pm - "The Chosen" Viewing Friday - Saturday - Â
CHURCH PICNIC SUNDAY AUGUST 23rd FOLLOWING WORSHIP - Mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend the picnic here at our church. Hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages will be provided. Bring a covered dish to share. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the parlor to let is know if you are coming so we can plan the food.Â
LOOKING AHEAD TO . . . GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH - Would you like to help provide essential items for some of our littlest fellow human beings? Wee, here is your chance! You can donate a needed item(s) or make a monetary donation to help complete a Baby Care Kit. Items for the kits are listed on a page in this newsletter and there will be a sheet in the parlor where you can volunteer what you would like to donate. The goal is to assemble 10 kits to be put together during Sunday School time on September 13th. The Baby Care Kits will be sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution. Collections will begin on July 4th and end September 6th. Thanks in advance for supporting this project.
A SPECIAL WEEKEND - To recognize Holy Cross Day on Monday, September 14 the Casting Our Nets ministry group is planning to decorate the Nave for the weekend of September 12th & 13th. Everyone is invited to bring crosses for the display! Drop off is Saturday September 12th from 10 AM until noon. Pick up will be following worship on the 13th until 1:00pm PM. Please sign up in the Parlor to indicate your interest in participating. Questions can be directed to Jo Cvammen.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - We will resume on Saturday September 12th at 5:30pm.
ARTICLES FOR THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER ARE DUE BY AUGUST 16TH
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, 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.
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday night Bible Study is 7pm-8pm. We are currently reading the Book of Proverbs. 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:
* 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 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)
Why is it called Stephen Ministry?  Stephen Ministry draws its name from the book of Acts. In chapter 6, Stephen was one of seven men chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need, particularly widows. Stephen was known as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of God’s grace and power, and performed great wonders and signs among the people.  Stephen was also the first person in the Bible who was martyred for his conviction of his faith in Christ.Â
Caring ministry has been a feature of the Christian faith throughout history – and it is at the heart of what Stephen Ministers do.  Stephen Ministry serves to bring Christ’s healing love to those who are hurt.  Jesus instructed his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you“ (John 13:34).  Stephen Ministry, as a care-giving ministry, equips people to offer that love through their caring presence, listening, encouraging, and praying with and for their care receivers.  If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.