ST JOHN LUTHERAN

e-NEWS

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11/12 July 2026

Seward, Nebraska

Key Ministry Announcements:

Annual Voting Assembly and Potluck - Sun., July 26, 12:30pm/1pm
We Welcome Tom Koffarnus as Director of Our Child Development Center

General Announcements are Located in Lower Portion of eNews

RECEIVE

This Week's Worship

Sermons

Sunday Bible Studies

Livestream

Childcare during Adult Bible Study Hour

Parents - do you want to attend Bible class? Childcare is available for "littles" in the nursery and for "big kids" on the playground (or gym on rainy days).

Mission Moments at St. John and at Mission Central

Summertime is the perfect time to discover more about some mission areas St. John supports. Everyone is welcome to join Mission Moments Presentations at 10am in the fellowship hall on Sunday mornings in August:

Sunday, August 2: Ethan and Amanda Hutton, who have been serving in Costa Rica for a number of years, will share updates on their life and mission outreach efforts with Light House Ministry.
Sunday, August 9: Julie Hermann and Jan Bruick with share about new opportunities for St John members to join a mission vision group or a summer English Bible camp team with LCMS International Missions in the Czech Republic.
Sunday, August 16: Alaska Mission team members will report on their experiences and learnings from serving in Akiachak, Alaska this summer and encourage joining the 2027 Alaska Mission team.
Sunday, August 23: Inn His Grip will provide a space for those in ministry to rest, pausing from life’s challenges, and spend quiet time with our Lord. Pastor and Jan Bruick will share their vision for this respite ministry on their acreage.

Summertime is also the perfect time for road trips. Why not venture out to visit Mission Central two miles east of Mapleton, Iowa, to hear stories from our LCMS missionaries. What in the world is Mission Central? Click here to read about this not normal place.

July 11, 1pm, Matt and Dee Dee Wasmund, South Korea/East Asia; 1:30pm Rev. Shauen Trump and family, Africa; 2pm Deaconess Jamielynn (Tinkey) Flores, Latin America and Caribbean Region
August 8, 1pm, Britt Odemba, Kenya
August 15, 1pm, Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne, Tanzania
August 22, 1pm, Ashley Lehr, Puerto Rico

RELATE

rGroups News

rGroups will be taking a break for the summer, but we are looking forward to our next rGroup term starting up in October! If you are interested in learning more about rGroups, contact Esther Langness.

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.

GENERAL

We Welcome Tom Koffarnus as Director of St. John Child Development Center

My name is Tom Koffarnus (aka Mr. Tom), and I am excited to enter the role as the Director of St. John Child Development Center. I have been working in childcare for eighteen years with sixteen of those years being in the classroom with 4 and 5 year olds. My wife Samantha and I have been married for seven years and have two children, Aria and Luca. I have a passion for leading children to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus through day to day interactions, chapels, and songs as I lead with my guitar. I look forward to getting to know the St John community and invite you to come say hello in the CDC!

Annual Voting Assembly and Potluck

Sunday, July 26, 12:30pm potluck; 1pm Voting Assembly, fellowship hall

Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided for the potluck. Please bring a dish or two to share. The main Voting Assembly agenda item is the approval of the 2026-27 Ministry-Funding Plan (budget). Childcare for young children will be provided during the meeting.

We're Hiring! Join Our Team

Apply here. Questions: contact Cathy

These are the school year position openings:

Kitchen Assistant
Evening Custodian

How to Order Portals of Prayer from CPH

Use this link to order or call 800-325-3040 (Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5pm CT)

Portals of Prayer booklets are available for July - September at the Welcome Center and west entrance. This will be the final issue supplied by St. John. If you would like to order Portals of Prayer, see link or phone number above and see/hear about the various options available (print in various sizes or digital).

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.

Produce Table

every weekend through early fall, outside by west entrance

Please bring your surplus produce so that others may enjoy your bounty.

Rooted & Restored: Soul Care for Those Who Serve

Friday, July 31, 9am-3pm, CU's Thom Auditorium or Virtual

Click here to register

Join the Abundant Life Wellness Initiative at CUNE for a symposium exploring soul care, inspired by Psalm 23:3. Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs will share insights on Martin Luther's approach to soul care, offering practical tools for your work and life. Ideal for church workers, therapists, counselors and other human services professionals. $75 fee includes lunch. [Sponsored by Lutheran Ministry Foundation and Thrivent]

New Singles Ministry Launching in Lincoln!

Faith Lutheran is starting a Christ-centered community for singles to connect, grow, and serve together.

Your Input Is Needed: Please fill out their Singles Ministry Survey to help them plan future activities.
First Event: Fri., Aug. 7, 7pm at Faith Lutheran Church (8701 Adams, Lincoln). Save the date for future "First Fridays"!

Want to help or stay updated? Contact Chara Sype at csype@faithlincoln.org.

Camp Luther Summer Opportunities

To learn more and register click here.

Bulldog Sports Camps

To learn more and register click here

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.