“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25) | | 2nd Edition – Friday, February 27, 2026 | | Who is Building the House? | | |
Dear Friends in Christ,
I often find myself admiring those who design and build their own homes. There is something about it that fascinates me in terms of the process of designing and the knowledge that is necessary to build and build well. I also know that you don’t want me anywhere a job site—No one has ever described me as being handy or a good craftsman. Ironically, I’ve been to many building committee meetings over the last six months with many men and women from our congregation who do have these skills in spades. It has been amazing to see God at work through engineers and architects and those who have a myriad of experiences in construction and school operations come together and produce a great building plan to facilitate ministry here at St. John’s.
It’s easy, though, to get lost in the hard work of planning and building and budgeting and talking about materials such that we forget that it really isn’t us building the house at all. “It’s All His!” is proudly emblazoned all over our campus at St. John’s because the materials, the labor, the dollars and the final product of any building are not our creation, but His.
Last weekend, we were blessed to hear Rev. Dr. Eric Kennaugh bring us the Lord’s word from Psalm 127 and heard the amazing story of William Borden and how the Lord used him in ways that one could hardly imagine. (The message is available on our Youtube channel and William Borden is worth some more research if you have time!) WE heard how Built on the Rock is really about how God continues to build His house here at St. John’s and how invites us to do it with Him. This weekend we’ll hear how Built on the Rock is a beautiful answer to a prayer we’ve all been praying together for a long time as the Lord brings his Kingdom among us! Thank You Lord for building Your House and inviting us to do it with you!
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen
| Growth Brings Blessings and Challenges | |
I have been blessed to teach both Kindergarten and First grade classes at St. John’s for the past 13 years, and my family and I have been members since 2006. There has been amazing growth and changes over the years. St. John’s has been immensely blessed by God’s providence since the vision, planning, and building of the Early Childhood Center over a decade ago. The school’s student population continues to grow, and we have seen an increase in double-grades over the past few years. We have run out of space in our school building.
It was a blessing to spend 11 years in the school building, and two years ago, I moved from the school building to the upper floor of the ECC to accommodate the double 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in the school, keeping those grades/teachers in close proximity. I appreciate the provision of an accommodated classroom in the ECC, yet it has its challenges.
I called it “moving from my house to my condo.” My current classroom is 630 square feet - half the size of the school’s Kindergarten classroom, and it was overcrowded during my first year there with 18 students in the tight space. This year, we reduced my class size by four to accommodate the much smaller classroom, therefore leaving the other kindergarten class in the school building with more students. I make a concerted effort to visit the school and collaborate as I can with my colleagues and grade level team - visiting their classrooms and checking in, but I miss not being able to be in proximity with my team when needs arise, on a daily basis.
I enjoy making connections with ECC staff and families, yet I miss making daily connections with school students and staff by passing them in the halls. My hope and prayer for St. John’s is for God’s will to be done in planning for the needs of our current and future generations of staff, students, and their families.
Joyfully serving,
Marcia Milam
Kindergarten Teacher
| Important Events in March | |
COMMITMENT WEEKEND
Saturday, March 21-Sunday, March 22
On March 21–22, we will gather in worship for Commitment Weekend. Every household is invited to bring their completed commitment card to any of the worship services on March 21 or 22 and offer it to the Lord as an act of worship. This is not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice — each of us responding faithfully as God leads. Commitment cards and envelopes for privacy are found in Built on the Rock packets. If you need a packet, please call Dave in the church business office: (262) 334-4901, ext. 309.
Together, our commitments will provide the foundation needed to move forward confidently in this ministry expansion. If you are unable to attend a worship service on March 21 or 22, please return your commitment card to the church office in advance.
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COMMITMENT CELEBRATION
Sunday, March 22
We will then gather for our Commitment Celebration on Sunday, March 22 at The Columbian. Doors open at 12:00 PM and Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. We have prayed together and walked together and on March 22, we will rejoice together. Whatever God provides is worth celebrating!
Due to space capacity, attendance is limited to adults / heads of households. We plan to host a separate ground-breaking celebration at Sonshine Community Park for all families to attend later in the summer. Please click here to RSVP for the Commitment Celebration by March 15.
At this special event, we will announce the total amount committed and give thanks for God’s provision and the generosity of His people. This will be a joyful time of gratitude, fellowship, and anticipation for what comes next.
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CONGREGATIONAL VOTERS’ MEETING
Wednesday, March 25
A Congregational Voters’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:45 PM (right after the Midweek Lenten Service) in the Sanctuary. This meeting is extremely important. At this gathering, we will review the campaign results and take the necessary congregational action steps to move the project forward. Decisions made at this meeting will shape the next chapter of our ministry together.
We strongly encourage every voting member to attend. Your presence matters. Your participation ensures we move forward in unity, transparency, and shared commitment to the mission God has placed before us. Throughout this journey, our foundation remains Christ and His promise in Gospel of Matthew 7:24–25 — that when we build upon the Rock, we stand firm.
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Sign Up to Attend a Cottage Meeting
1 Thess. 5:11 urges believers to “encourage one another and build each other up”.
As we seek God’s will to be revealed through our ministry expansion campaign, we encourage you to be engaged!
We are currently looking to fill Cottage Meetings on:
Sunday, March 1 (1:00 - 2:30 pm)
Sunday, March 8 (1:00 - 2:30 pm)
Thursday, March 12 (3:30 - 5:00 pm)
Wednesday, March 18 (1:30 - 3:00 pm)
Wednesday, March 18 (6:00 - 7:30 pm)
Thursday, March 19 (7:00-8:30 pm)
What is a cottage meeting? Cottage meetings are small groups that meet for about 90-minutes and are hosted by congregation members who offer an uplifting presentation with refreshments and fellowship. Participate in a devotional about generous giving, discuss what draws families to St. John’s School, share what you value about St. John’s ministry, and learn more about the process for commitments on Commitment Weekend (March 21-22).
If you have questions or would like to sign up to attend a Cottage Meeting via phone or email, please contact Julie Buss at 262-483-5288 or juliebuss64@gmail.com
Click Here to Sign Up for a Cottage Meeting
| Prayers from School Students | Rev. Eric Kennaugh presents his Children's Message to boys and girls at St. John’s. | | Many people attended the Built on the Rock Educational Forums. | | If you have questions about the campaign, email Steve Kaphingst (Campaign Director) at skaph1@yahoo.com, call Pastor Jeff Hesse at (262) 334-4901, ext. 319, call the church office at (262) 334-4901 or email the church office at stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org. | | | | |
