St. John’s Connections - October 1, 2026 | | Record-Breaking Year for Apple Kuchen! | | |
Demand for St. John’s Apple Kuchen reached an all-time high this year, with a record-breaking 630 orders placed and prepared in a single season!
To fulfill that massive demand, 120 volunteers—including St. John’s 8th graders—gathered in the church lower level to craft every single kuchen by hand.
What goes into 630 Apple Kuchens?
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250 lbs of flour
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221 lbs of sugar
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22 crates of apples
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2 cases of butter
- A whole lot of connecting, caring, and sharing!
Special Thanks
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this effort:
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Supporters & Donors: Thrivent, Piggly Wiggly, and Paradise Orchards for generously donating funds and supplies.
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Leadership & Energy: St. John’s 8th graders and Pastor Stephen for their tireless energy, the church office for their ongoing guidance and assistance, and the Apple Kuchen Committee for organizing such a seamless sale.
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Our Supporters: Everyone who purchased a kuchen! Proceeds directly support St. John’s church and school ministries.
Did you forget to pick up your order?
If you have questions about picking up your kuchens, please call Mary Sartler at 262-483-0679.
| 3K Classes Tour the Church | Our two 3K classes joined together for a tour of the church, learning from Pastor Stephen about the altar and baptismal font. He showed the children the stained-glass windows and shared about how Jesus calmed the storm. Our 3K friends ended their time singing in the pews with Pastor Stephen. It was a blessed morning and a fun way to learn more about Jesus and His Church. | Confirmation Orientation Meeting This Sunday | |
Are you are a parent of a child who is, or soon will be, mature enough to begin confirmation conversations? Are you a teen or adult wondering about confirming your faith? Join us on Sunday, October 4 at 12:15 pm in the Gathering Space to hear more about our process.
Whatever your situation, there can be many questions to answer; questions like: How do you get started? How does the St. John’s confirmation process work? What’s needed to begin? What’s confirmation actually about? What if my kids go to St. John’s School? What if they don’t? Which Pastor will help me with confirmation? What about Promises of Grace?
To help you answer these and other questions, the pastors of St. John’s invite you to attend a Confirmation Orientation Meeting, where Pastor Stephen Reynolds will talk about the process in a relaxed atmosphere that invites open discussion. The goal will be to equip our people with an understanding of what to expect from the conversations as a family, and how to prepare for it.
If you can’t make it to the orientation, or would prefer to speak one-on-one with a pastor, please give the church office a call (262) 334-4901 and we’ll see how we can walk together with you to support your household of faith.
| | Volunteer to Help Us Save on Construction Costs | | |
Construction has finally started on the school expansion and there are opportunities to share God given gifts and talents in volunteer roles right here on the St. John’s campus. Our general contractor, Catalyst Construction, works with both skilled and unskilled labor to help organizations reduce cost and community members to use their God given gifts in projects such as ours.
If you are able and willing to help in some way, please FILL OUT THIS FORM so that we can coordinate with you in the months ahead. We do not know dates and times as of yet, but want to be ready to put these God given gifts to work when the time is right. As a reminder, this could be anything from site clean up (the only thing you want me doing on a construction site) to painting or plumbing or anything else.
If there are further questions, please feel free to contact me: sreynolds@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Join Us for Discipleship Hour
Sundays • 9:25 AM • Lower Level
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We encourage you to join us for Discipleship Hour this fall where we will dig into just what it means to put God’s Word into practice. The Word of Christ is for all, and it is up to those who have already heard to share with those who have not.
Discipleship Hour for All Ages:
• Child care for children ages infant through 2 years old in the ECC 2 year old classroom.
• Kids' Discipleship Hour for Children ages 3 through 4th grade will learn through age appropriate lessons with fantastic teachers! Drop-off for them will be in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom, last classroom upstairs.
• Youth Bible Study for youth in Grades 5-8 in the 8th Grade Classroom.
• Sunday Promises of Grace Classes in Room 215 located on the second floor of our Elementary-Middle School building. Wednesday's Promises of Grace Class meets at 6:30 PM in the church lower level.
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Kids’ Discipleship Hour starts on Sunday, September 13 at 9:25 am. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect, care, and share in Christ together with old and new friends! There is child care for children ages infant through 2 years old in the ECC 2 year old classroom. Children ages 3 through 4th grade will learn through age appropriate lessons with fantastic teachers! Drop-off for them will be in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom, last classroom upstairs. Sign up with the link below for your children to attend!
Sign Up Your Child for Kids' DH
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We are also looking for volunteers, adults and youth age 5th grade and older! If you enjoy sharing God’s word with children, then come join us for Kids’ Discipleship Hour. Your commitment can be every week, twice a month, or even at least once a month. We provide child care for children ages infant through 2 years old in the ECC 2 year old classroom. We teach age appropriate lessons for children age 3 through 4th grade in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom/Activity Room! If interested in volunteering, please sign up using this link:
Sign Up to Volunteer for Kids’ DH
If you have any questions, please contact Desiree Titus at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Youth Bible Study
Calling all 5th-8th graders!
Join Nik Mueller, Director of Youth Ministry, for Bible study every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 AM in the 8th Grade Classroom.
Donuts will be provided and friends are welcome!
Questions? Email Nik Mueller, Director of Youth Ministry, at nmueller@stjohnswestbend.org
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Promises of Grace
Our next nine-week class began Sunday, September 13, 2026, and continues through Sunday, November 8. This class will take place during our 9:30 AM Discipleship Hour in Room 215 located on the second floor of our Elementary-Middle School building. For those unable to attend Sunday sessions, we offer the same class each Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM in the lower-level fellowship hall at church. The first Wednesday class, which is a repeat of each Sunday class, begins on September 16. The classes meet for an hour each week.
As of today, childcare will be available Sunday mornings for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years old in our Early Childhood Center. For children ages 3 and up, they can participate in our Children’s Discipleship Hour in the upper level of the Early Childhood Center.
Sign up has closed for the Fall session of Promises of Grace. If you are interested in exploring membership, please contact the church office to remain on our invite list to receive information on our next POG class starting in January 2027.
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Share Your Time & Talents in Worship Ministry | |
Would you consider volunteering your time and talents to help these ministries flourish?
• Choir
• Worship Team (vocal)
• Worship Team (instrumental)
• Handbells
• Audio-Visual
• Lay Readers
• Usher Team
• Altar Guild
Choir rehearsals begin again on Thursday, August 27 at 6:45 PM. We need men and women (middle school and up!) to sing for our Sunday services once a month and for special occasion services such as Lessons and Carols. This is a great opportunity for spouses, parents and children, and even grandparents and grandkids to serve together!
Worship Team rehearsals take place on rotating teams on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. We need people to sing, play in the band, and people who can help run the AV equipment. There’s something for everyone to do in this group!
Handbells are a seasonal group that will begin rehearsing for Lessons and Carols and possibly Reformation on Thursday, October 1 at 5:30 PM. Because we only own so many octaves of bells, space is limited, but we would love to expand the group!
If none of the musical groups are avenues that you feel led to serve in, would you consider another service group? We are always in need of people to read the scriptures, offer hospitality through the usher teams, and serve behind the scenes on the altar guild. All of these groups welcome men, women, and youth to serve the Lord with their time and talents.
All of these groups are in need of volunteers. We both need and want you! Will you help the Body of Christ worship?
Contact Rachel Morton if you have questions: Email rmorton@stjohnswestbend.org or Call 262-334-4901, ext. 327.
Sign Up for Worship Ministry Today!
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We’re seeking a person with a servant heart and Christian/Lutheran faith and values for a Full Time Accountant/Human Resources position. The person will need an accounting or related degree plus accounting and human resources experience.
A variety of duties include accounts receivable, accounts payable, entering journal entries and reconciling accounts, supporting auditors, processing payroll, coordinating employees with benefit providers, background checks, leading open enrollment and supporting the Spiritual Health Ministry Team.
St. John’s employees are dedicated to living out the St. John’s mission: Connecting, Caring and Sharing in Christ.
Since Lori Yogerst, our current Human Resources and Accounting Manager, will be retiring at the end of August, the position will be available at the beginning of September.
If you are or know someone who might be interested, please contact Dave Rohr at 262-334-4901 or drohr@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Connect at Upcoming St. John’s Ministry Events | | |
Ladies Aid
• Thursday, October 1
• Noon
• Lower Level
Lunch at noon. Devotions by Pastor Dhuse and a meeting to follow.
Questions? Call Joanne Johnson at (262) 707-0899.
Ladies Aid actively serves by providing meals for families following funeral services. They monthly meet in the Lower Level Fellowship Hall for a time of food, fellowship, devotional time, and a variety of activities. Ladies can join at any time.
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Women’s Ministry is Hosting Paint by Number
• Saturday, October 3
• 10 AM - Noon
• Lower Level
• NEW: Childcare
• Cost is $5
Join Women’s Ministry for a hot drink and paint by number. There are 12 painting templates to choose from. Sign up by September 27.
If you have questions, please email Becky Fleischmannat: deanbeckyf@gmail.com
Sign Up for Paint by Number
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Sign Up for All Pro Dad
• Wednesday, October 14
• Starts at 7:00 AM
• Lower Level
• Please RSVP!
All Pro Dad Chapters provide an opportunity for dads to spend quality time with their children that will strengthen their relationship. For one hour each month you'll get to join other dads and kids for a fun, memory-making event. Enjoy a FREE breakfast with your kids while connecting through conversation around a specific monthly topic! Our topic for this month is INITIATIVE. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or click link below.
Click Here to Learn More and RSVP
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2028 LCMS Youth Gathering Informational Meeting
Thousands of youth and adults will gather in San Antonio, TX on July 3-7, 2028 for the LCMS Youth Gathering which meets every three years. The Gathering provides a great opportunity for youth and adults to join together as a community and to be encouraged in their walk with Jesus Christ. Youth ages 14-19 are encouraged to attend. Adult Leaders and Young Adult Volunteers (19-25) are appreciated.
Join Nik Mueller on Sunday, October 11 at 12:15 PM or 6:00 PM for an informational meeting in the church gathering space. He will review all of the event details and costs. At least 6 adult leaders are needed for this 5 day event. We look forward to having other local churches join us for the 2028 LCMS Youth Gathering!
View the LCMS Youth Gathering Website
If you cannot attend this information meeting, but would still like details about the 2028 LCMS Youth Gathering, please call Nik Mueller, Director of Youth Ministries (262) 334-4901, ext. 307 or email him: nmueller@stjohnswestbend.org.
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Baptism Class
• Monday, October 19
• 6:30 PM
• Church Nursery
This course is for anyone looking to be baptized themselves or for any parent who would like his or her child baptized at St. John’s. The class introduces what we believe and confess about the amazing gift that baptism is for individuals and families. The class is led by a St. John’s staff member.
Please RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend by emailing stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org or calling (262) 334-4901.
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2026-2027 Youth Ministry Events
• October 24 - BASH at Cedarburg Creek Farm
• November 6-8 Youth Retreat at Great Oaks Camp
• December 11 - BASH
• January 8 - BASH
• January - Camp Luther Retreat
• February 5 - BASH
• March 12 - BASH
• April 2 - BASH
• May 7 - BASH
• June 4 - BASH
Have a fun idea for BASH? Email Nik Mueller, Director of Youth Ministry, at nmueller@stjohnswestbend.org.
Photo: St. John’s youth helped sort and pack shoes at Soles for Jesus in Milwaukee.
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Sister to Sister Bible Studies
• 2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month
• 6:30-8:00 PM
• Penny Van Dellen’s Home
• Started September 14
• Book: Forgiveness by Donna Pyle (Purchase book on your own)
• Every Wednesday
• 9:00-10:30 AM
• Church Nursery
• Started September 2
• Book: Ruth – More Than a Love Story by Elizabeth Ahlman (Books will be available at the first session for purchase)
If you have questions, please contact Becky Fleischmann. Call her at 262-388-6048 or email deanbeckyf@gmail.com
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Quilters Are Looking for Bed Sheet Donations
• Mondays
• Starts at 9:30 AM
• Lower Leve
• Join Any Time
St. John’s quilters are in low supply of bed sheets. Full, queen and king sizes are needed. Flat sheets are preferred and can be new or gently used. The sheets are used for the backing of the quilts. Donated sheets can be dropped off in the designated box in the church gathering space.
Our team of quilters meet each Monday at 9:30 AM in the Lower Level Fellowship Hall to make quilts that are sent out to people in need locally and around the world.
| | Race for Ed is Friday, October 2 | | Congratulations to our 5th and 6th Grade Girls Volleyball Team for taking 3rd Place at the St. Paul Grafton Volleyball Tournament on September 26 and for winning the St. John Plymouth Tournament on September 12. To God be the glory! | | Click above to view Eagles Nest Newsletter. | |
Reach in Prayer • St. John's App • Daily Devotions | | For a Digital Copy of the Connections Booklet, Click Here. | | | | |
Saturday Worship
• 6:00 PM - Traditional
Sunday Worship
• 8:00 AM (Traditional)
• 9:30 AM - Blended (In-Person and Livestream)
• 11:00 AM - Contemporary
Wednesdays
• 8:40 AM - School Chapel
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809 South 6th Ave
West Bend, WI 53095
Church Office: 262-334-4901
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