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St. John's Lutheran Church and School
Equipping · Engaging · Encouraging
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Thirteeth Sunday after Pentecost
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Sunday, August 16th, 2026
8AM (In-person & Livestream)
& 10:45AM (In-person)
Presiding: Pastor Mark Stapleton
First Reading: Isaiah 51:1–6
Epistle: Romans 11:33—12:8
Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20
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Join us live online @ 8:00am or view the service later at your convenience.
Bulletins are also available for viewing or printing by following the link below.
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Sermon Title: There are two sides to everything!
Text: Matthew 16:13–20
We like to catch Peter on his good side—confessing Christ, walking on water, and earning the ultimate nickname: "The Rock." But if we look closer at this irregular stone, we find a beautifully warped, foot-in-mouth sinner just like us. This Sunday, join us as we dive into Matthew 16 to see how Jesus bypasses our human "quality control," shatters our frantic striving, and permanently cements us into His unshakable building project.
| | Join us between services, in the Heritage Room at 9:25 for Sunday morning Bible class. | | PLEASE NOTE: Our Nursery Room is open available to serve families with young children each Sunday from 7:45 AM – noon. | |
Sunday School will meet in the kindergarten room with Mrs. Demski! All children ages 5-10 are welcome and encouraged to come and learn more about Jesus and His love! | |
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Truth
Travelers
Truth Travelers is for ages 10-14 and meets on Sundays at 9:30 am in the youth room located downstairs in the basement.
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Church Office Hours
Church office hours will vary for the next few weeks. Please call or email to make sure there is someone in the office before you come.
Emails & phone call will be monitored.
Thank you for your understanding.
churchoffice@stjohnslagrange.org, 708-354-1690 ext 210
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Join us as we welcome
Jackson Allan Raymond Mills
to the church family through the gift of Holy Baptism!
Let us show the Mills Family our support and give thanks to God for this wonderful blessing. We pray that Jackson will continue to grow in faith, rooted in Christ and strengthened by His Word.
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Please help us warmly welcome Kristina Bachrach, soprano, to St. John’s this Sunday at both services!
Kristina is a frequent guest with the Cantata Choir and has also been featured as a soloist. This Sunday, she will offer two beautiful selections: Richard Walters’ wonderfully expressive arrangement of “Amazing Grace” and Scott Wheeler’s beautiful arrangement of “Shining Shore.”
We are delighted to have Kristina with us and look forward to sharing these special musical offerings with our congregation. Please join us in giving her a warm St. John’s welcome!
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Are you the parent of a student entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who is interested in joining our confirmation class? If so, please contact Mark Stapleton for more information.
Classes start in the fall.
mstapleton1@comcast.net
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GRIEFSHARE, a 13-week Biblically based class with weekly videos, will again be offered at St. John's.
Marnie Smith facilitates this group, which will meet in the Heritage Room Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-2:30 beginning September 15. To register, please visit griefshare.org or click the link below.
All are welcome.
Please spread the word to anyone you know who has experienced a loss and could benefit from this welcoming group.
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Prayer Vigil
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in the Prayer Vigil! The voices of those who attend lifted many petitions to the Lord.
Also, there is available at the Connection Center a list of prayers that anyone is free to take to use in your daily prayer time.
"Pray without ceasing" 1Thessalonians 5:17
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NEW
WINGS NEWSLETTER
Beginning Wednesday, August 26, 2026, a separate School News email will be sent each Wednesday afternoon.
Our goal is to keep both our parents and congregation informed about what is happening at the school while making sure our parents can easily find important information and updates that are specifically relevant to them. We have found that when school information is included with the Mission email, it can sometimes be overlooked.
If you are currently on the Mission email list, you will automatically be added to the School News email list.
If you would prefer not to receive the School News emails, please contact the church office, and we will be happy to remove you from the list.
Thank you for helping us keep our school community informed and connected!
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Are you able to help us give a shelf some well-needed TLC? We need someone who can sand and repaint a shelf for us. If you have the skills, supplies, or simply enjoy a good DIY project and would be willing to help, please contact the church office. We would greatly appreciate your time and talents!
churchoffice@stjohnslagrange.org
708-354-1690, ext 210.
| | If you are a Thrivent client, you can direct your Choice Dollars by Dec. 31 to St. John’s Church or School. Your support helps strengthen our mission. To learn more or direct your 'Choice Dollars' go to thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice.” Thank you! | | |
Do you enjoy fresh flowers?
Each week the altar is beautified with fresh flowers given by individuals of St. John’s congregation. Flowers may be given in memory or in honor of someone or some occasion, in thanksgiving of something, or to the glory of God. The flowers may be taken home after the Sunday services for you to enjoy at home or perhaps share with a loved one or someone you wish to share an invitation to worship at St. John’s. The Flower Chart for 2026 is posted in the narthex on the left brick pillar as you walk into the sanctuary. Flowers are $65 for two arrangements. If you wish to sign up for a particular Sunday and someone else has already signed up, we invite you to sign up in addition to another person giving flowers—you can split the $65 cost with the person signed up or purchase an additional two arrangements for $65. Multiple floral arrangements to beautify the altar are always welcome! A member of the Altar Guild will contact you in advance for your dedication.
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LIFELONG STEWARDS
Good stewardship is a way of life. We recognize the bounty of God’s gifts to us, and we gratefully use them to help our neighbors, close and far.
When we live as intentional stewards, we serve the Lord from whom all blessings flow.
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As we begin a new school year on Tuesday, Aug. 25th, we give thanks to God for the blessing of our students, staff, and families. We are excited to welcome our returning students and our new students as we begin another year of learning & growing together.
We pray that God will guide our teachers with wisdom, bless our students with curious minds & joyful hearts, and keep our entire school family safe throughout the year.
May our classrooms be places where children grow not only in knowledge but also in faith, kindness, & love for one another.
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7
Simple yet powerful ways to support our school.
- Pray Daily: Lift up a student or teacher by name each morning for peace, focus, and safety.
- Bless Educators: Send a quick note of encouragement or a small treat to a teacher.
- Show Up: Attend school events, volunteer when possible, and join us in church for worship.
Let's step into this new school year with eager hearts, confident that God's grace and guidance will be with us every single day.
| | | | Sign up for a great fellowship opportunity by serving coffee and providing tasty treats in between church services | | |
Upcoming TRIP Dates
- August 31
- September 14
- September 21
- September 28
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THE FOOD PANTRY ITEM FOR
AUGUST IS FACIAL TISSUE
SEPTEMBER IS SHAMPOO
Please place donations in the baskets in the narthex.
THANK YOU!
| | Looking for an easy way to contribute to the Mission of St. John's Lutheran Church and School? Use this QR Code to be able to give a one-time or recurring donation to the fund of your choice, by credit/debit card, or checking account. | | | To give online via Zelle use the email directpay@stjohnslagrange.org & under message to recipient, please put Sunday Offering. You can also scan the QR code to enroll in Zelle Pay. | | | |
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY:
- Sundays, 9:25AM, Heritage Rm
TRIP ORDERS DUE:
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Monday, August 31st, 7:45AM, Parking lot
LADIES OFFSITE BIBLE STUDY:
WOMEN'S SMALL GROUP:
- Tuesdays, 9AM, Heritage Rm
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
- Classes will resume in the Fall
CONFIRMATION CLASS
- Classes will resume in the Fall
THURSDAY NIGHT SMALL GROUP
PICKLEBALL:
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St. John's Mission email is distributed on Fridays each week. Deadlines for article submissions are 12PM on Thursday, the business day before publication.
To view the current Mission e-mails and obtain additional information about our wonderful in-reach and outreach events, click the button below. If you would like to submit content for our communication emails please email:
churchoffice@stjohnslagrange.org.
| | To unsubscribe from one or another of our church and school emails please contact the church or school office. Clicking the unsubscribe link below will cause you to be unsubscribed from ALL emails from St. John's Lutheran Church and School. | | |
Church Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8AM – 4PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 8AM- 3PM
Saturday & Sunday: Office is closed
(Holiday hours will vary)
If help is needed outside of these hours, you may leave a message by email or phone voicemail using the following information:
Phone: 708-354-1690, ext. 210,
or Email - churchoffice@stjohnslagrange.org
St. John's Lutheran Church and School, 505 S. Park Rd. La Grange, IL 60525
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