First Holy Communion for St. John’s Class of 2016 will be celebrated on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 17, at both services. Four classes will be offered in preparation for this event; students and at least one parent/guardian must attend two of the four.

Class One will be offered Sunday, April 3 at Noon and Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m.; Class Two will be offered Sunday, April 10 at Noon and Thursday, April 14 @ 6 p.m.

Students and parents must attend one offering of Class One and one offering of Class Two in order to complete the course of preparation. Potential 2016 class includes all 2nd graders plus any eligible children who have not yet attended a class. You do not have to be a member of St. John’s to participate. If you have questions please see Pastor Ken; our coordinator of education ministries, Jess Duelfer; or, the chair of the Christian Education Committee, Jess Newhard. We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration this year!

• One worship service at 9:15 a.m. in sanctuary.
• Reception and celebration of Confirmation Anniversaries in parish hall immediately afterwards.

The 2016 Confirmation Class of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emmaus, will affirm their baptismal covenant in worship on Sunday, May 15, 2016, the Day of Pentecost. There will be one service that day, a Festival Holy Communion at 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. Immediately after the service we will adjourn to the parish hall for a celebration of the Class of 2016 and a time of recognition for members celebrating significant anniversaries of their Confirmations. Everyone is welcome to both the service and the reception. The reception will be a luncheon with the recognition of anniversaries and of the Class of 2016 held during the meal.

The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult life events any one of us faces and an experience
each of us lives through in a unique way. Sylvia Havlish, grief counselor and Coordinator of Bereavement Ministries for Lutheran Congregational Services, will offer a presentation on Sunday, May 22, in the Parish Hall from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for members and friends of St. John’s. In this session, a discussion will surround the stages of grief and is directed at helping the participants to explore their own feelings about loss and the path of grief. There will be time for questions and discussion. Sign-up sheets are posted throughout St. John’s; however, if you are unable to sign up or simply forgot to do so, please feel free to come. We have a place for you!