Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
“WHOEVER DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD,
BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE!”
1 JOHN 4:8
We often think of Valentine's Day as the day for couples to show their love to one another, but rarely do we use the day to remind us of God’s unmatched love for us, His children. For many single people, Valentine’s Day can be a bitter reminder of their singleness and desire for a loving relationship. Luckily, God doesn’t leave anyone, single or in a relationship, out of His unending love and grace.
In 1 John 4:8, the author says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is
love.”
God further defines love in the classic 1 Corinthians 13:3-8 passage that reads, “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
God describes love in this way and then tells us that He is love. This further emphasizes that God Himself is all these things.
God is patient and kind. He keeps no record of wrongs. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. God’s love is a perfect love that no one on earth could ever emulate.
We often read this 1 Corinthians 15 passage near Valentine's Day or at weddings to remind us what love SHOULD look like, but God is the perfect demonstration of it.
John 3:16 says, “GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE(GIFTED) HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.”
He gave up His only son for us. He gave us the gift of eternal life because of His great and unmatched love for each of us.
The theologian and writer C.S. Lewis once said, “HE DIED NOT FOR MEN, BUT FOR EACH MAN. IF EACH MAN HAD BEEN THE ONLY MAN. HE WOULD HAVE DONE NO LESS.”
God loves you and all of us so very much. If you were the only one on earth He still would have sent His son for you.
So, this Valentines Day and every day, remember to set your sights not on earthly relationships only, but on the God above who loves you more fully and abundantly than we could ever imagine.
Blessings and prayers always,
Pastor Jack, Interim
St. John’s CALENDAR of EVENTS
John 15: 12-13
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this:
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Online Church Service on Facebook:
If you follow our Facebook page you should receive a notification of a "Live" video starting. No login information will be required. The Facebook page is St. John's Lutheran Church of Red House, MD. If you can’t join us in person, we hope you can connect with us via Facebook anytime!
Sunday, January 25 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
9:30 am Worship Service led by Josh Adams in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Levi Lantz
Special Congregational Meeting following the service to discuss and vote on audio visual TV equipment to be used during services.
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & NO WITNESS 101 Adult Bible Class in the social room today.
Following the congregational meeting join the Dessert Club for fellowship, food, and laughs, bring a finger food snack to share, help plan upcoming church events and enjoy each other’s Christian fellowship. We hope to see you there!
Sunday, February 1st 4th Sunday after the Epiphany
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Levi Lantz
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & WITNESS 101 Adult Bible Class in the social room.
Wednesday, February 4th
6 pm Council meeting in the upstairs Sunday School room.
Saturday, February 7th
11:00 am Join us for Ethel Cosner’s memorial service at St. John’s. Ethel was a lifelong member of St. John’s and will always be remembered for her love, support, and beautiful smile! Light refreshments will be provided in the social room following the service.
Sunday, February 8th 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Josh Adams
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & WITNESS 101 Adult Bible Class in the social room.
From 11 am to 2 pm, join St. Paul’s in Aurora for their annual Souper Bowl Luncheon. Your free will donation will support the Union Ambulance and Aurora Fire Department.
“SUPER BOWL PARTY” will be hosted at St. John’s in the “Social Room” on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, beginning at 6:30pm.
Saturday, February 14th Happy Valentine’s Day
We love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19
Sunday, February 15th NEWS NOTES DUE
Sunday, February 15th 6th Sunday after Epiphany - Transfiguration of our Lord
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Lisa Skipper
BINGO & ICE CREAM . . . COME & JOIN THE FUN on Sunday, February 15, 2025, following the worship service in the Social Room. We will be playing BINGO (all ages included) and there will be HOMEMADE ICE CREAM and you are welcome to bring finger foods and a BINGO prize to share. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE WINNERS…and a very special prize for the last game which will be a cover all!! Please invite your friends to come and worship and have some fun!!
Tuesday, February 17th Shrove Tuesday
5:30-7:30pm You are invited to the Shrove Tuesday Community Pancake Dinner at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, WV.
Wednesday, February 18th Ash Wednesday
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at St. John’s of Red House with worship leader Pastor Jack.
Sunday, February 22nd The First Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Pastor Jack
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & WITNESS 101 Adult Bible Class in the social room.
Following Bible Class, join the Dessert Club for fellowship, food, and laughs, bring a finger food snack to share, help plan upcoming church events and enjoy each other’s Christian fellowship. Join us if you can.
Wednesday, February 25th Community Lenten Service
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aurora with Speaker: Pastor Jim Mou.
Assignments for February:
Greeter & Usher Coordinator: Levi Lantz
Communion Assistants; & Offering Assignments: Steve Cosner & DJ Wilson
Flowers, Bulletins & Candles for February
Note: Until further notice… We continue to use our church artificial arrangements, but we want to note the following loved ones that the flowers are to be donated in memory or honor of:
1st Jerry Edens - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Honor of our church by Jerry Edens.
8th Robert Hauser - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Honor of Almeda Lipscomb’s 86th birthday by her cousins in Pittsburgh, Bill, Bob, John, Ginny and David.
15th Steve and Diana Evans - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of the birthday of Cecil Evans by Steve and Diana Evans.
22nd Barbara Cussins - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Honor of her family and in memory of R. Donald Cussins by Barbara Cussins
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given in Honor of her family by Barbara Cussins.
Reminder: The altar flowers are $25.00 for the two vases. Please make a check payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church and put it in the offering plate with your name and Sunday date you had the altar flowers. You can also mail the payment to the church at 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550. The bulletins are $7.00 per Sunday, and the Eternal Candle is $7.00 per Sunday. We wish to extend a “thank you” to everyone who participates in these projects.
Altar Flowers for 2026: Please let Arlene Lantz, alantz.4h@gmail.com or 240-321-8205 (evenings) know of any changes you would like to make to the list. September 6, 2026, is open for flowers and multiple openings for the bulletins and eternal candle if others would like to donate flowers, bulletins, or the eternal candle in honor or in memory of loved ones.
God's Valentine Gift
God's Valentine gift of love to us was not a bunch of flowers;
It wasn't candy, or a book to while away the hours.
His gift was to become a man, so He could freely give
His sacrificial love for us, so you and I could live.
He gave us sweet salvation, and instruction, good and true--
To love our friends and enemies and love our Savior, too.
So as we give our Valentines, let's thank our Lord and King;
The reason we have love to give is that He gave everything.
By Joanna Fuchs
NEWS NOTES
Council Notes:
-We welcome new council members Savannah Arnett and DJ Wilson to the council. We extend our appreciation and thanks to Willie Lantz who has served the past six years as council secretary.
-Church Council is looking for volunteers to share their time and talents on Church Committees. The committees are Budget, Property, Music & Worship, Christian Education and Stewardship & Evangelism. Please talk with any council member or Pastor Jack if you are interested. 1 Peter 4:10... every Christian receives unique spiritual gifts (like teaching, serving, or hospitality) from God's grace and their purpose is to use these specific talents to serve one another within the church and community, acting as faithful stewards of these divine resources for God's glory, not their own, All believers have a vital role, using God's ability to bless others and build up the body of Christ.
-Enter the Super Bowl Fundraiser... $20 per square, with payouts every quarter and end of the game. Purchases will close once 100 squares have been bought. Super Bowl Sunday is February 8th. See Josh or Brianna to purchase your chance to win!!
-Did you attend our wonderful Christmas Eve service this year? We had nearly 80 people join us for this uplifting service celebrating the Birth of Christ! The loose offering was $447, the church matched $447 for a total donation of $894 to be donated to the local food banks for local families in need. Thanks to all who supported this project!
-Council Officers for the upcoming year include Crystal Boone-President, Pat Adams - Vice President, Savannah Arnett - Secretary, and Steve Cosner - Treasurer. Other members include Pastor Jack, Bob Boone, Arlene Lantz, Lisa Skipper, and DJ Wilson. Feel free to reach out to us if you need anything or have other concerns.
Save the Dates:
-Feb. 1 – Tithe.ly Training Session
-Feb. 8 - Super Bowl Party
-Feb. 15 - BINGO & Ice Cream Social
-March 21 - Journey to the Cross
-May 16 - Chicken BBQ Dinner & Bake & Yard Sale
-July 24-25 - Horizon School Dinner Theater at PVCC
-Aug. 15 - The Summer’s Last Sizzle
-Tithe.ly Training Session – Bring your smart phones, tablets, or computers and see how Tithe.ly can help you with the communications etc. in the church. We will be looking at the New Web Page and App, as well as the giving app. Anyone who may be considering helping with the upkeep of the system is strongly encouraged to attend.
“SUPER BOWL PARTY” will be hosted at St. John’s in the “Social Room” on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, beginning at 6:30pm. All are invited and bring your friends. A large screen will be provided to watch this game. A “50/50 GAME BOARD” will be available. Please bring an APPETIZER to share and YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE.
“JOURNEY TO THE CROSS” is a multi-sensory spiritual experience based on the life, death and resurrection of Christ will be hosted at the Metropolitan Theater in Morgantown on SATURDAY, MARCH 21st at 2pm. Many of us attended last year and it was truly an amazing experience filled with great music, visuals and a wonderful way to experience Holy Week. The cost for tickets is $10. We are planning on car-pooling there for the production. Following the event, we will be going out for supper at a local restaurant. If interested, please sign up on the sheet located in the narthex of the church or call Pastor Jack at 813-892-8172.
WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY??
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and will be celebrated on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, at 7pm at St. John’s. All the churches of the Union District Ministerium will be invited to this service. It is a wonderful opportunity to make yourself 100% available to God. How available to God are you? 50%, 75%, 96.4%? No matter what your answer, Ash Wednesday is the perfect time to decide that you will spend this Lent increasing that number…even if it is only 1%.
On Ash Wednesday, you may also come forward to have an ashen cross placed on your forehead to remind you that you are “DUST AND TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN!”
It is also a time for REPENTANCE…a time to stop sinning…do an about face and return to God who forgives and loves unconditionally. Repentance is a powerful invitation. When John the Baptist first appeared in the desert of Judea, this was his message, “Repent, prepare the way of the Lord.” (Matthew 3:2). Later, when Jesus began His ministry, He led with this message:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
But what does it mean for us to repent, here and now, more than 2000 years later? It means the same as it did to the people walking the dusty pathways in their sandals, trying to inch closer to Jesus as He passed through their town or village. Repent means “TO TURN BACK TO GOD.”
We all find ourselves needing to turn back to God many times a day, in ways small and large. It is not a matter of guilt, and it is not a shameful thing. It is simply that we are a better version of ourselves when we return to His side!
So please plan to attend this worship service of CONFESSION, ABSOLUTION, THE PLACING OF THE ASHEN CROSS ON YOUR FOREHEAD, and HOLY COMMUNION. May you come and begin your own Lenten journey as we all walk, repent and slowly walk together towards Easter and the resurrection.
Union District Ministerial Lenten Services 2026 - 7 pm
-Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, February 17 – St. Paul’s 5:30 – 7:30
-Ash Wednesday, February 18 - St. John’s Lutheran Church, Speaker: Pastor Jack Palzer
-Wednesday, February 25 — St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Speaker: Pastor Jim Mou
-Wednesday, March 4 — Brookside Church, Speaker: Pastor Bob Spaid
-Wednesday, March 11 – Maple Spring Church, Speaker: Pastor Mark Teets
-Wednesday, March 18 – Amboy United Methodist, Speaker: Pastor LaDeana Teets
-Wednesday, March 25 – Maple Grove Assembly of God, Speaker: Pastor Lindsey Teets
Holy Week Services:
-Music and Worship, Wednesday, April 1- Bethel United Methodist
-Love Feast & Communion Service, Thursday, April 2, Brookside, 7:00
-Good Friday Service, April 3, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7:30
-Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast, Sunday, April 5, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Red House, 7:00am, Speaker: Pastor Jack Kiem
Future UDMA Community Events:
-National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 7, Location TBA
-UDMA Community Picnic and Service, Sunday, August 30, Amboy Church Pavilion, 11am
-VBS Week, June 15-19, 6:00-8:00-8:30, Location TBA, First organizational meeting Tuesday, February 24, 7:00, Brookside Church
-Women’s Event, November 7, Smallest Church Event Center
JOURNEY OF STONES is the theme for our upcoming Lenten and Easter season. This will be a journey of prayerful and honest repentance…a powerful, life- changing journey that calls for “private” and “corporate” expression. But this will also lead us on a journey of celebration, of grace, or awe at the miracle of the empty tomb and promise of life. Along the Lenten season, we will confess our faith, we will weep with sorrow, we will tell the truth about ourselves. We will stand together at the foot of the cross, lay our stones as well as our sins, down, and leave knowing that we are loved and forgiven. Please plan on joining this JOURNEY OF STONES beginning on ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th , 7pm, as we all join the churches on the Union District Ministerium, at St. John’s. We will continue our JOURNEY OF STONES on all Sunday’s in Lent, 9:30am at St John’s, as well as MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2, 7pm; GOOD FRIDAY, April 3, 7pm; EASTER SUNRISE UNION DISTRICT SERVICE, April 15th, 7am, at St. John’s, with a breakfast to follow; then an EASTER CELEBRATION SERVICE, April 5 th , 9:30am. Mark up your calendars now and make sure you invite your friends to join you on this amazing JOURNEY OF STONES.
JOURNEY OF STONES Texts:
ASH WEDNESDAY, February 18: “Written in Stone” Exodus 32: 1-24
LENT #1, February 22: “Rejected Stones” Psalm 118 & Mark 12: 1-2
LENT #2, March 1: “Sticks and Stones” John 8:1-12
LENT #3: March 8: “Hearts of Stone” Luke 11:37-52
LENT #4: March 15: “Upon this Rock” Matthew 16:13-20
LENT #5: March 22: “Crying Stones” Luke 19:29-40
LENT #6: March 29 (Palm Sunday): “No Stones instead Palms” Matthew 21:1-11
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2: “Stones to Bread” Matthew 4:1-11 & Matthew 26: 26-30
GOOD FRIDAY, April 3: “The Final Stone” Matthew 27:60 and the “Service of Tenebrae” (Darkness or Shadows” with readings and candles
EASTER, April 5: “No More Stones….He is Alive!” (Matthew 28:1-10)….please note that St. John’s will be hosting the Union District “Sunrise Service” at 7am with a breakfast following; we will host our usual Easter service at 9:30am
Get Well Wishes - Our love and continued prayers for Millard Judy who was in a recent car accident and for Allen Strawser who continues his recovery and for Beck Sherrard and Susan Baker who are battling cancer. Prayers for Gabbie Lantz who is recovering from foot surgery. May God bless and keep all of our loved ones in His care.
In Sympathy: to the friends and family of our lifetime member Ethel Cosner who passed away on Monday, December 15th, 2025 at Goodwill Retirement Community in Grantsville, MD. Ethel was a friend to everyone that she met and loved visiting with her family and friends. Ethel donated her body to science. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s on Saturday, February 7th at 11 am with light refreshments in the social room following the service….. to the family and friends of Mark Joseph Schoonmaker of Salt Lake City, UT, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 52 on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Mark was the son of Rosalie Winters and the late Rev. Larry Schoonmaker.……. to the family and friends of Ruth Hill (Gnegy) Ujcic who passed away gently in the night on December 17th, 2025, at the age of 97. She lived her last decades at Homewood Living at Plum Creek in Hanover, Pennsylvania. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in her hometown of Davis, WV later in 2026. …. to the family and friends of Mary Jane Gnegy, 88, of Oakland who died on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Cortland Acres Nursing Home in Thomas, WV. Mary Jane was a faithful member of St. John’s. She served on the church council, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was active with the Adult Fellowship, led the music and worship committee, and shared her tremendous talent as one of the church's organists for over 60 years. She was also an officer of The Red House Lutheran Cemetery Association. Mary Jane generously donated her time and talents in so many ways like sewing choir robes and making church banners. Her funeral service was at St. John’s and interment in the Red House Lutheran Cemetery…. and to the friends and family of James Albert “Joe” McCroskey, 72, of Deer Park, MD, who went to be with his Lord on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV. Joe was the father of Joey McCroskey and grandfather of Molly and Owen. May God grant these families comfort and peace and bless them in the coming days.
Thanks – to Stephanie Arnett, Lori Adams and youth parents who practiced and presented a beautiful Christmas message….to Crystal and Bob Boone and their helpers for un-decorating the church for Christmas. We all enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations as we celebrate Jesus’s birth……a huge thanks to our mighty parking lot plowers and shovelers this year who do a great job…SPECIAL THANK YOU to Stephanie Arnett and Josh Adams for leading church services while Pastor Jack was on vacation. If you feel a nudge to serve—whether as a lay reader, worship leader, audio/ visual team or in the many ministries that shape our church life—we warmly invite you to connect with Pastor Jack and explore where your gifts might shine.
The Red House Lutheran Cemetery Association would like to thank the following people for their donations and memorial gifts to the upkeep of the cemetery property:
Attention: Please make your check payable to the Red House Lutheran Cemetery Association, in making a donation towards the upkeep and care of the cemetery or in memory of a loved one. You may mail it to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550. Attention Cemetery Association or place it in Diane Donham’s mailbox within the church. There are two separate accounts one for the church and one for the Cemetery Association. All donations are appreciated to keep the cemetery in tip-top shape.
2025 Tax Receipt – If you would like a tax receipt for your 2025 offering/donations, please contact Steve Cosner at stevecosner03@gmail.com or put a note in his mailbox at church.
NOTICE – It’s the beginning of a new year, just a reminder concerning receiving communion and your offering envelopes. To be a voting member of the congregation, you must commune and contribute on record to the church. Anyone attending church during a regular service will be recorded as communed. Pastor Jack will keep record of who communes with him during visitations.
Daily Devotional – CHRIST IN OUR HOME – a new devotional for January, February, and March is available in the vestibule. This is a publication of the ELCA that relates to the scriptures for each week.
POP TABS: Are you continuing to save your aluminum pop tabs? Remember, this is an on going project for the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. There is a box in the narthex to place them in throughout the year. Thanks a million!
"HILL TOP BEACON" If you have any news items you wish to place in the monthly newsletter or if your address has changed, please give the information to Arlene Lantz – alantz.4h@gmail.com -Phone (240) 321-8205 (evenings) or Lisa Skipper – mdskip4@aol.com. – Phone 301-616-2477.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWERS:
**Notice – if you know anyone turning 70 or older this year that is not on our birthday card shower list, please let Arlene or Lisa know so can add you!
February:
7 – Almeda Lipscomb 768 Horse Shoe Run Road, Eglon, WV 26716 86
19 – Millard Judy 1379 Maple Spring Hwy., – Eglon, WV 26716 90
March:
16 - Janet Shaluta Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550 90
26 – Barbara Cussins 95 Russ DeBerry Road, Terra Alta, WV 26764 87
SHUT-IN LIST below is a list of persons who would enjoy receiving a thinking-of-you card.
Helen Roth Cortland Acres -39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Janet Shaluta Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550
Jarrod Wolfe 11020 California Avenue, Apt. A, Cumberland, MD 21502
HOSPITAL ADDRESSES -
Garrett Regional Medical Center - 251 N, Fourth St., Oakland, MD 21550
Ruby Memorial Hospital - Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506
Monongalia General Hospital - 1200 J.D. Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505