Sunday Connections - November 1, 2026 | | What are they (and we) waiting for? We gather on All Saint’s weekend to give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith and now rest from their labors. We also await with them the full redemption of our bodies promised when our Lord returns and raises the dead. | |
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(Livestream available at 9:30 AM Sunday Service)
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| | Click above for this week’s announcement video. | | Connecting, Caring & Sharing on Grandparents Day | |
On Friday, October 16, St. John’s Elementary & Middle School was blessed to host our biennial Grandparents Day! Every two years, we invite grandparents and special friends to join our students for chapel, classroom visits, and fun activities. This year, we received 211 RSVPs, welcoming 643 smiling faces to our campus.
Visitors enjoyed freshly brewed coffee graciously served by members of our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). The ground coffee was courtesy of Dunn Brothers, a local, popular coffeehouse. Pastor Reynolds led both uplifting chapel services for the groups. Our Parent Partnership Organization (PPO) kindly provided cookies, water, and craft supplies for a special service project: creating Gospel witness bracelets.
Together, our guests and students crafted 155 witness bracelets. These bracelets, along with our first-quarter chapel offerings, are being sent to M.O.S.T. Ministries to support their short-term mission teams as they share the Gospel around the world. It was a blessed day of time shared with family and loved ones. We give thanks for God’s work in and through our school community, and we are already looking forward to hosting our next Grandparents Day in our new school addition!
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Youth Retreat Cancelled
The St. John’s Youth Retreat at Great Oaks Camp originally scheduled for November 6-8, 2026 has been cancelled.
If you have questions please email Nik Mueller, Director of Youth Ministry, at nmueller@stjohnswestbend.org
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Join Us for Discipleship Hour
Sundays • 9:25 AM • Lower Level
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
Kids’ Discipleship Hour is every Sunday, 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 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(ren) for Kids' DH
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 ages 3 through 4th grade in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom/Activity Room! If interested in volunteering, please sign up with 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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Sunday 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
| | 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.
Sign Up to Volunteer for the School Construction
| | Connect at Upcoming St. John's Events | | |
Ladies Aid
• Thursday, November 5
• 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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Adult Futsal (Indoor Soccer)
• Starts Sunday, November 8
• 4:00-5:30 PM
• School Gym
Adults (high school and older) are welcome to join us for a time of fellowship and competition! Shin guards are highly recommended.
For more information about futsol, call or text Molly Herbolsheimer: (414) 350-9451.
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LWML
• Monday, November 9
• 1:00-2:30 PM
• Lower Level
We will focus on radiating the love of Christ. Please bring a guest for a devotion, refreshments, and some LWML highlights.
Please support LWML Mission Grants through your mite boxes!
The 2026-2028 biennium theme is “The Lord’s glory has risen upon you, Arise! Shine!” Our biennium Bible verse is Isaiah 60:1: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. The mission goal
voted on at the 2026 LWML-SWD convention in June was $220,000. Twenty five percent of this amount will be sent to national LWML for the national mission grants voted on at the Omaha 2025 convention.
If you are interested in joining LWML or have questions, call Phyllis Mortenson (262) 989-5027 or email Pam Muther: pjmuther@yahoo.com.
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Sign Up for All Pro Dad
• Wednesday, November 11
• 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 THANKFULNESS. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or click link below.
Click Here to Learn More and RSVP
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Military “Thank You” Chili Dinner
• Saturday, November 14
• 4:00-6:00 PM
• Lower Level
• Please RSVP Using Link Below
If you are a veteran, military service member or family of a service member, please join us for a Chili Dinner so we can say “Thank You”. You won’t need to bring anything.
We will also pack Christmas gifts for active duty military and several chaplains. Come and enjoy food and fellowship.
Click Here to RSVP
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Baptism Class
• Monday, November 16
• 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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Women’s Book Club
• Tuesday, November 17
• 6:30 - 8:00 PM
• Hosted by: Penny Van Dellen (940 Schloemer Dr, WB
A Marrriage Made at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst. The electrifying true story of a young couple shipwrecked at sea: a mind-blowing tale of obsession, survival, and partnership stretched to its limits.
Please join us for fellowship each month as we have the opportunity to share and talk about the books we read and love! Book Club typically meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Come to all or just the ones that fit into your schedule. We do not have a regular meeting location, but enjoy the hospitality of hosting each other. Please watch for the locations of each get together as they become available.
If you have questions, please reach out to Cheryl Wipperfurth at cwipperfurth71@gmail.com
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Sister to Sister Bible Studies
• Every Wednesday
• 9:00-10:30 AM
• Church Nursery
• Book: Ruth – More Than a Love Story by Elizabeth Ahlman (Books will be available at the first session for purchase)
• 2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month
• 6:30-8:00 PM
• Penny Van Dellen’s Home
• Book: Forgiveness by Donna Pyle (Purchase book on your own)
If you have questions, please contact Becky Fleischmann. Call her at 262-388-6048 or email deanbeckyf@gmail.com
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Quilting Ministry
• Meet on Mondays
• Starts at 9:30 AM
• Lower Level
• Join Any Time
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.
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2026-2027 Youth Ministry Events
• November - TBD
• 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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Prayers of thanks for the 7th Wedding Anniversary of Sulliven & Amber Weiss and the 30th Wedding Anniversary of Erik & Christa Weiss. May God continue to bless them and all marriages.
Prayers of healing for Audrey Weiland who was hospitalized last week following a fall.
Prayers of guidance for the medical team as Tom Wills is going through medical testing.
Prayers of continued healing and management of medical conditions for Rev. Jim Van Dellen, Sr., Annette Miller, and Barb Laubenstein.
Prayers for the ongoing recovery of Casper (son of Rachael Reynolds' friend) who has a complex medical condition.
Prayers of healing for Joyce Jaeger (grandmother of Cassandra Behrent) who had surgery and will receive chemotherapy for a bladder tumor.
Prayers for strength and patience as these members deal with long-term health concerns: Monica Wunder, Mary Biegler, Bruce Biendarra, Paul Otto, Dan Peterson, Deb Graf, Joel Hausmann, Joanne Johnson, and Bruno Schmidtke. Keep them and their families in your loving care and help them to keep their faith strong.
Prayers for all of those involved in the Built on the Rock Construction Phase to expand the school.
Member in Hospice: Bruno Schmidtke
Members in Treatment, at Home, or Recovering: Barb Laubenstein, Rev. Jim Van Dellen, Sr., Joanne Johnson, Joel Hausmann, Dan Peterson, Bruce Biendarra, Deb Graf, Paul Otto, Mary Biegler, Monica Wunder.
Non-Members in Treatment or Recovering: Casper (son of Rachael Reynold’s friend), Sandy Nowicki (mother of Peter Nowicki), Dawn Holleback (sister of Denise Biendarra).
| | Reach in Prayer • St. John's App • Daily Devotions | | | | |
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
| | Church Office: 262-334-4901 | | | | | |
