ST JOHN LUTHERAN

e-NEWS

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16/17 May 2026

Seward, Nebraska

Key Ministry Announcements:

Election of Church Officers and Board Members - May 16 & 17
High School Graduates Recognized May 17, 8:30am service

General Announcements are Located in Lower Portion of eNews

RECEIVE

This Week's Worship

Sermons

Sunday Bible Studies

Livestream

RELATE

Missed the Discussion Questions?

April 12 - May 17

Did you miss church or lose your discussion questions? No problem! Find recordings of the sermon and copies of the discussion questions on the church website.

RESPOND

Rooted in Faith, Growing for the Future Update

Building Project - Capital Campaign Update

(March 27 Letter to the Congregation)

The Building Committee met with our general contractor, Sampson Construction, on March 11 and reported to the Ministry Operations Board on March 24. During these meetings, Sampson provided detailed cost estimates for site work, renovation, and new construction, organized by subcontractor categories, along with a more realistic project timeline. This gives us data to help inform our planning and decision-making.

Based on this updated information, it is clear that construction cannot begin this summer as previously anticipated. Significant preparatory work must be completed before replacement of the 1929 building can begin. This includes separating existing structures, relocating utilities and electrical infrastructure, and carefully planning work within a timeline that ensures the safety of our students and staff. The project also requires room-by-room analysis, detailed construction drawings, material sourcing, and subcontractor engagement. . . .Click here to read entire the letter.

Rooted in Faith, Growing for the Future General Chairs:

Matt & Adrienne Geidel; Brady & Jill Johnson; Bob & Lana Urban; Max & Melanie Wake

Building Project Committee:

Brian Albright; Ron Aring; Debbie Brutlag; Brian Freeman; Andy Langewisch; Stan Obermueller;

Tiffany Schmidt; Lloyd Sommerer; Greg Stennett; Advisorory: Barb Mertens, School Principal; Dave Kumm

You can participate in the capital campaign through a gift from your estate. This is one way to bless the future generations of students and youth with a new and expanded ministry facility. Craig Stirtz, with the LCMS Foundation and Gift Planning, can assist you in planning a future gift to the campaign. His service is of no cost to you or St. John. You may reach him at: 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org.

The Pregnancy Center Collection

Mother's Day through Father's Day, playpen in narthex

Seward Area Lutherans for Life is collecting articles for The Pregnancy Center in Lincoln. Most needed are:

diapers in sizes newborn and 3 - 6
baby wipes
new baby bottles
pacifiers
receiving blankets
small gifts like body wash, toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, bath scrunchies, or little journals or notepads to put in a new mom's basket.
monetary donations

Alaska Mission Team Fundraiser

Ongoing Fundraiser

Order a personalized Milestone Cross crafted by Landrey Woodworks for a birth, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation or wedding. Local orders only $70 (allow 2 weeks for delivery). Contact Kathy.miller@cune.edu for questions or to order (or click link above).

GENERAL

Election of Church Officers and Board Members

Sat., May 16, 5-7:30pm, school library

Sun., May 17, 8am-1pm, school library

St. John communicant members 18-years-old and over are eligible to vote.

Thanks to Church Officers and Board Members

Thank you to all who allowed their names to be on the ballot for elections, those whose terms have ended and are stepping down, and all members who took time to vote this weekend. We pray for God's richest blessings for our boards as members seek the Lord's direction for His ministry at St. John.

High School Graduates Recognized

May 17, 8:30am Worship Service

We recognize our St. John members and Godparent participants who have or will be graduating from high school this year: Kayla Albright, Quin Berner, Lily Brashear, Ethan Boggs, Nathaniel Bull, Kylie Hackbart, Kaiser Hannemann, Hunter Harrison, Tresten Hass, Cissanie Krohe, Molly Marroquin, Makennah Matulka, Ayda Metschke, Juliet Moore, Grady Owens, Danielle Pallat, Adleigh Popple, Braelyn Popple, Cadence Popple, Alex Roberts, Micah Royuk, Sam Sagehorn, Ariel Saltzgaber, Marshall Seevers, Mia Smith, Evie Theobald, Isaac Van Beek, Isabella Wagner, Teagan Wieseman.

Armed Forces Sunday - This Weekend

Click here to learn more about the Ministry to the Armed Forces

This weekend we recognize and pray for the ministry to the St. John members, Seward residents, and relatives of members who are serving in our nation’s armed forces. See link above to see how you can help.

The Church and School Offices and the CDC will be closed

Fri., May 22 and Mon., May 25

in observance of Memorial Day.

Commissioning of VBS Staff at 11am Service on May 31

Mobile Library Closes Over the Summer

Please return your books and DVDs by May 31. Watch for it opening up again in August! New titles and DVDs will be added.

LWML Girls Workshop - Entering Grades 6-9

July 13-16, 9:30-11:30am, CDC Lower Level

Call or Text 402-617-3410 to Sign-up

This is a great opportunity for girls entering grades 6-9 to help those in need and learn about missions! We will be making "hotdog" pillowcases, assisting "Common Threads" in making "Days for Girls" bags, providing items for "Christ Cupboard," and decorating onesies for the FORWARD program. The guest speakers include Allegra Koehler from "Common Threads," the Alaska Mission Team, and Bethany Gebers from the FORWARD program in Lincoln.

Tropical Trek VBS

June 1-5

Registration Is Live (attendees & volunteers)

Tropical Trek adventure is just a few weeks away! To make it a success, we need a crew of 75 volunteers (many still needed). Whether you’re entering 7th grade or are "young at heart" (up to age 100!), we have a spot for you. Sign up via the link above or scan the QR code at the Welcome Center.

Heartfelt's Annual Remembrance

May 24, 3pm, Heartfelt Children's Memorial (115 Hillcrest DR, Seward)

All are invited to this annual remembrance event as the lives of children are remembered and celebrated. Pastor Rempfer will be leading the devotion.

Workshop: Let Your Light So Shine. . .

May 31, 2-5pm, Seward Civic Center

Click here for flier and information about registering (by May 29) or call 402-362-2621

Join St. John Wholistic Wellness Team and Four Corners Health Department for a free mini-workshop focused on mental health and substance use disorders. Designed to help church communities support those in recovery, this session, led by Rev. Otto B. Schultz (Retired Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor), provides practical tools for families and congregations.

Key Takeaways:

Tips for Keeping Healthy Boundaries
Working through Hard Conversations
Prevention, Education, Referral, & Support

Camp Luther Summer Camp Opportunities

To learn more and register click here.

Bulldog Sports Camps

To learn more and register click here

Scholarships Available

St. John Foundation Board Scholarship Applications

Click here for applications - both HS and College forms are in this document - please select the one that applies to you.

St. John has scholarship funds available for its members who are planning to attend a:

· Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod high school.

· Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seminary

· Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod college and enrolling in a church work program

· Concordia University Nebraska for any field of study

· Nebraska community college

Forms must be submitted to the St. John Foundation Board by June 30 (bring to the church office or place in the Foundation Board mailbox in hallway by church offices).

Other Scholarships:

Seward Circuit Scholarship Application Click here for applications

Click here for student aid on the District's website

Help Students Get Connected to Campus Ministry

Nebraska District

National Directory of Districts

Help incoming college students get connected to the Body of Christ through regular worship opportunities, Bible studies, relationships with mature Christians, and fellowship in a Christian atmosphere. Help campus ministries contact your students! There are five campus ministry opportunities in the Nebraska District: Curtis, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Wayne. You can fill in student contact information AT THIS LINK on the Nebraska District LCMS website or directly contact one of the ministries listed there. Do you know a student attending college out of state who would like to be connected to Lutheran campus ministry? GET CONNECTED to an LCMS campus ministry in another state.