Announcements for March 1, 2026

HYGIENE KITS
Council has decided to repeat our project of creating 50 hygiene kits for the needy. Kits will include the following components:

 Bar of Soap (Regular)
 Washcloth
 Toothbrush
 Toothpaste
 Toothbrush Holder/Brush Cap
 Lip Balm
 Tube Socks
 Lotion (Tube or Bottle)
 Bottle of Water
 Small Pack of Tissues
 Small Fleece Blanket

We are requesting donations of these items from the congregation throughout Lent. Please leave all donations on the stage in the Fellowship Hall. Financial donations may be made by placing a check or cash (in an envelope) in the offering plate, with the designation “hygiene kits.”

Contact Pastor Michele or Jan Samson with any questions.

ANNUAL REPORT AND DIRECTORY
The annual report for 2025 is currently being prepared. In addition to statistics, financial information, and accomplishments, Council plans to include a directory of members in the report. The directory will include the name, mailing address, email address, and phone number of each member. If you wish to opt out from inclusion of some or all of your contact information, please let the office know by today.

SPRING WORKDAY ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026

We are blessed to have beautiful facilities that we are proud to call our own. Please prayerfully consider joining us to contribute your time and talents for a day of work and fellowship on Saturday, March 14, from 8:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. A list of suggested tasks has been developed and is available upon request from any member of the Council. There are opportunities for organizing, cleaning, and performing minor repairs to our buildings and grounds. Volunteers may select one or more tasks in advance so that required supplies can be purchased and available for use on March 14. If March 14 is not convenient for you, Pastor Michele and the Council will work to accommodate your schedule so that you may participate in this effort.
 
WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT

St. John’s Lutheran Church and some of the other Dutch Fork Community Lutheran Churches are holding a combined service each Wednesday evening during Lent. The theme this year is a Lenten Journey to the Easter Vigil. Each week will feature one of the readings traditionally used in the Easter Vigil.

Each week a different host church offers a meal at 6:00 P.M. with worship at 7:00 P.M. The pastors also rotate for the message each week. This gives the community a chance to hear different pastors preach and to visit our sister congregations. All are welcome for the meal, fellowship and worship. The remaining schedule is listed below.
SUPPER 6:00 P.M. + WORSHIP 7:00 P.M.

SOUTH CAROLINA LUTHERAN VIA DE CRISTO RETREAT
Does your spiritual life need a reset?

April 30 – May 3
Fellowship Camp and Conference Center
457 Camp Fellowship Road
Waterloo, SC 29384

What is Via de Cristo?
South Carolina Lutheran Via de Cristo offers a place for individuals to come together, share experiences, and grow spiritually. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others and deepen your faith. Via de Cristo is a Spanish phrase meaning “Way of Christ,” and this ministry adopted this phrase to refer to this powerful, three-day retreat.

For those who are interested and who have never attended a Via de Cristo retreat, please complete and mail the Pilgrim Registration form available at https://www.scviadecristo.org. The cost of $175/person for the weekend covers all your expenses including lodging, meals, snacks, drinks and materials. Fees can be paid by checks made payable to South Carolina Lutheran Via de Cristo and mailed to the address on the registration form. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required.

Scholarships are available to those with a financial need. All requests are kept completely confidential.