St. John Lutheran Church sets November 14 event

Unique creations always an Advent Fair highlight

One-of-a-kind woodcrafting; clever decorations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, children and more; homemade bread, pickles, preserves, sweets … the Advent Fair at St. John Lutheran Church is noted for the unique items that fill its Teinert Memorial Recreation Center every year from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of November.

But this year even church members are talking about what they’re already seeing come in for the Country Store and the big silent auction.

Who knows what even more remarkable finds are being carefully finished for the grand finale live auction that caps the evening of turkey dinners, fellowship and family fun?

Some come to eat and stay to shop, while others come to shop but can’t resist letting someone else make dinner, then stay to see whether they’ve won a vintage quilt or “just” a wonderful surprise with their Yard-Long Ticket purchase. Attractions abound at the Advent Fair being held at the church on Highway 95 just a mile north of Bartlett. An expanded selection of Country Store frozen soups and casseroles is being sold for the same prices as last year’s frozen ready-to-heat entrees prepared by the churchwomen (early shoppers may even score a frozen peach cobbler!).

The public is heartily welcomed, and there is no admission charge.

With over 500 home-cooked turkey dinners served with all the trimmings last year, there’s always plenty of eating, shopping and fellowship at St. John’s Advent Fair. Prepared by church members, the turkey dinners are $10 per plate, with serving from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. or until sold out.  Drive-through plates will be available.

Many eagerly attend for an opportunity to win a treasure of a quilt and many more make it a point never to miss the fundraiser because of the home-canned pickles, veggies, preserves, ready-to-heat frozen casseroles and other irresistible homemade treats on offer in the Country Store.  Others wouldn’t miss a chance to admire, and bid on, one-of-a-kind finds in the Silent Auction.

Appearing this year to lead the Live Auction is local auctioneer Travis Richter. The live auction will offer fun for all and a chance to get a bargain on a special quilt or a variety of other gems. The auction typically includes a range of items, such as home décor pieces handcrafted from distressed barn wood by the congregation’s most skilled woodworkers,

In addition to a silent auction, the country store will include homemade baked goods such as pies, bread and cookies; canned fruits and vegetables that typically include jellies, jams, pickles, and relishes; frozen peach cobbler and casseroles including Chicken Spaghetti and King Ranch; and exclusive crafts such as children’s gifts and items for holiday and home décor.

There will be a chance to win one of three quilts, including an Attic Window quilt as well as two vintage quilts.  The Attic Window quilt was hand quilted by long time Bartlett resident Dora Brock.  The vintage quilts are from the estate of the late Estelle Coker, a lifetime St. John’s Lutheran church member.

Sponsored by the St John’s women’s group, the annual Advent Fair raises funds for projects which support local, national and international charities and services.  Last year the group budgeted nearly $10,000 in benevolence projects, largely due to the generosity of attendees who come from miles away to support the churchwomen’s only fundraiser of the year.  Long-time beneficiaries include Lutheran World Hunger Relief; the Ronald McDonald House in Temple; food pantries in Little River/Academy, Holland, Bartlett and Granger; Lutheran Social Services; Family Promise of Temple and the local Kairos prison ministry.  More recently, support has been added for school backpacks given to Holland and Bartlett students, and the hugely successful Food For Friends ministry in Bartlett.  One-time donations have been made to aid victims of major disasters from Hurricanes Katrina/Ike at home and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines to the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

St John Lutheran church is a small country church located on a hill overlooking the Bartlett countryside.  It attracts members from throughout the area, including Temple, Rogers and Salado as well as towns along Highway 95 from Little-River/Academy to Granger and beyond.

A powerful sense of community, regular preaching that shares the Gospel in clear messages for today’s families, long-standing traditions like the Christmas Eve candlelight service and more all bring longtime and new Christians together in a special church family at St. John Lutheran.  Visitors and new members are always welcome.

While strong in tradition, the congregation, led by Pastor Joe Woodward, is also maintains an ongoing interest in supporting its Youth and in seeking new paths to serve the mission proclaimed by Jesus Christ.  In addition to 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services a new intergenerational Faith5 gathering is held at 9:15 the second and fourth Sundays of each month.  Traditional Sunday School classes are held on Sundays when Holy Communion is served, on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month. Faith5 gatherings provide a more interactive opportunity for members to Share, Read, Talk, Pray and Bless each other.  This simple faith practice is meant to bring all church family members closer as they share the highs and lows of their lives with people who care.

Visit the Advent Fair web site at www.stjohnbartlett.org/advent or contact the church at (254) 527-3341 for more information.  The Advent Fair is always held on the second Saturday of November.

###