Please join us between services for food, fellowship and fun
This week's host: Deanne and James Fogarty family
Know God, Know Ourselves
This is a Sunday packed with beautiful images, deep-seeded ideas, and a rich history. For life-long Lutherans, these things can provoke a sense of pride in our denomination, but Reformation Sunday is not “Lutheran Pride Day.” Instead it is a day focused on knowing God truthfully and, in light of God’s unbelievable grace, understanding who we are as people of faith and children of God.
Luther spent a great deal of time trying to know who God was and to find ways of expressing what he came to know and believe so that others would know God too. He used coarse language, drank beer, and wrote hymns using tunes people knew and recognized. When he wrote his catechism he used language his small son could understand. He even translated the Bible into the language people spoke. Truth about God and our faith, as complex as it is, should be something we can grasp and wrestle with.
Reformation Sunday is certainly a festival day where we celebrate and remember our history, but it should also be a day to reexamine our faith. Part of that is recognizing the truth about our inadequacies, our failings, and our sinfulness. The law is like a mirror in a room with intense fluorescent lights; it shows us who we are with every flaw and wrinkle. But God doesn’t look at us in that mirror. The truth about God brings us new knowledge about ourselves. God shines a new light on us, forgiving and forgetting our iniquities and sins.
The message of Reformation Sunday is God’s love for us. It is a love that frees us and redefines us as people of God and as members of the whole body of Christ. In God’s eyes, we are beautiful
We invite all our youngsters to dress up this Sunday for Trunk or Treat! This event will take place immediately after Sunday School dismissal. It's not too late to reserve your front row spot as a 'trunk' host!
St. John celebrates 150 years
St. John Lutheran Church was established in 1877, with 19 founding families and a strong foundation of faith. Throughout the years we have seen many changes and welcomed many new faces. And we will be celebrating 150 years in 2027!
We want this to be the best celebration yet, so look for all the fun in the upcoming months.
If you would like to share your story here at St. John please reach out to Amanda in the office.
The parking lot is a great addition here at St. John! Thank you to Countryside Concrete and Ken Theis & Sons for making this happen.
Sunday Helpers
Oct 25
8:00am
Greeters - Greg & Linda S
Reader - Nicole W
Communion - Greg & Linda S,
Amanda S
Ushers - Brent S, Peyton S,
Greg S, Bruce S, Richard L
Acolytes - Lucy L, Lacy L
9:30am
Greeters - Ron & Diane R
Reader - Brent K
Communion - Brent K, Linda R, Mindy C
Ushers - Dave, Sara & Mason B,
Ron & Diane R
*Kendall H, Clara C
Nov 1
8:00am
Greeters - Kim & Jason T family
Reader - Olivia J
Communion - Bonnie V, Dave L, Dorothy K
Ushers - Brent S, Peyton S,
Greg S, Bruce S, Richard L
*Jaydon T, MJ K
Acolytes -
9:30am
Greeters - Chris & Katie H family
Reader - Amy Franck
Communion - Jan E, Kirk F, Teresa L
Ushers - Dave, Sara & Mason B,
Ron & Diane R
*Owen H, Holden K
Our church community thrives because of the incredible people of all ages who give their time and talents here at St. John. On Sunday mornings there are many opportunities to participate in different roles to help make our services run smoothly. Whether you enjoy welcoming familiar faces as greeters or ushers, or you are interested in reading scripture, assisting with communion or helping behind the scenes with audio visual or altar guild, we would LOVE to hear from you with your interest and availability.
Volunteering your time is not only about filling a need - it is a wonderful way to grow your faith, build lasting friendships, and directly impact lives. No prior experience is required and we will train you for these Sunday morning roles that you choose.
We are so incredibly thankful for those that are involved in these roles already! And we look forward to adding to our teams.
