It was a lovely sight to see the fellowship hall filled with preschoolers and grandparents this Tuesday and Wednesday. “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90) came to mind. In all generations the Triune God is our unchanging security.
As we approach our canvassing effort on October 11, you might recall that I originally said we want to focus on having members in their 20s through 40s out knocking on doors. Reconsidering that, I welcome all of you to help — but I hope that young folks don’t leave it for us older folks to do it. I don’t think you will. It will be a beautiful thing to see multigenerational teams of two going out and meeting our neighbors. So, if you’re interested in helping, indicate that by using one of the slips in the pews this week and next.
What are we asking?
- Be in worship that weekend and hear Pastor Schurb’s sermon.
- Come to the Bible Class between Sunday Services and hear his simple training session.
- Come to the 11:30am lunch provided by the Evangelism Board.
- Go out knocking on doors on the street(s) designated on the map you’ll receive at the luncheon.
- Present the survey.
- Come back to church by 2:30pm to share the results of your walk.
Pray for our neighbors to know the hope you have in Christ!
A possible need: if some of our volunteers indicate that they would need child-care during the canvassing, we will need competent volunteers who have taken our MinistrySafe Training to watch the children from about noon to 2:30pm. If you want to help in that way, speak with me, please.
In all generations, God is our only refuge and dwelling place!
LYF!
Youth in 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade are invited to stay after Confirmation Class on Wednesday, September 30 for LYF. We’ll have supper and then a Bible Study/Devotion, followed by some fun games. In October, LYF will be on the 21st.
CATECHISM BIBLE STUDY
Our Catechism Bible Study is the path toward membership for those who wish to learn what Lutherans believe and practice. It’s also an excellent refresher for all members who desire to review the faith. The next five-week series will be Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17, 24 and December 1. Each class is from 6:00–8:00pm, and participants will prepare for each session with readings from Luther’s Small Catechism (and the Scriptures included in it). Who will you invite to study alongside you?
RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL
OUR ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK
Sunday September 20: 439
Sunday School: 42
Adult Sunday School: 45
OUR OFFERING
Sunday September 20: $5,800.35
Online Offering: $3,387.00
Total General Fund: $9,187.35
THIS WEEK’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Lesson 5
This week’s lesson is “A Servant’s Mission.” Abraham tasks a faithful servant with finding a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s homeland. The servant prays for a sign and waits at a well outside the city of Nahor. Rebekah appears, offering to draw water for both man and beast—the sign the servant had asked for. Rebekah invites the servant to come to her family home. Having received gifts from Abraham, Rebekah’s family sends her to Isaac with their blessings.
STEWARDSHIP MOMENTS
Matthew 21:26 — “But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd.” Foolish Pharisees! They fear men more than they fear God, and so they miss out on the great blessing of knowing Jesus and His love. All our sins are like this: we fear something more than we fear God. And how foolish that is! Just think of the blessings we miss out on whenever we place our fear or trust in something other than God.
LIFE CHAIN 2026
Sunday, October 4th, Respect Life Sunday
1:30 pm Prayer Service — Effingham Event Center
2–3 pm Life Chain
LCMS FOUNDATION
The best scenario when creating a Christian estate plan is to work in collaboration. When it comes to estates, few of us know all the answers. We need to have conversations with others who will ask us questions that spur good thinking. We need to work with experts who have experience in gift planning, to ensure all the bases are covered in the plan. To begin identifying where you have need to ask for help, reach out to your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor. Contact Scott Radden at 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
FALL SOCIAL
All ladies of St. John’s are invited to the Lydia Guild Fall Social! On October 20th at 6:00 pm we will gather for a simple meal and hear Greg Perry speak about keeping ourselves safe from scams and other tricks of the world of technology. Come for the fellowship and learn a bit. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway.
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WHEELER
Corn Maze with Scavenger Hunt
Fridays 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Saturdays 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Sundays 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
September 25–27; October 2–4; October 9–11; October 16–18
Admission is $5. Children 0–5 are free. Free train rides and straw maze for young children. A flashlight is recommended for evening hours. Check the bulletin board for more information.
YOUTH CORNER
HAYRIDE & WIENER ROAST AT JIM & KATHY SCHROEDER’S
Sunday, October 18th from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. Everyone is invited. Food provided by the Youth Board. You will need to bring a lawn chair. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board.
MUSIC JAM
Mark your calendars for the evening of November 15 and enjoy a night of music!
LIFETIME PLAN FOR GIVING
Scott Radden will be here Sunday, October 4 during the Sunday School hour for a presentation on the Lifetime Plan for Giving. He will be sharing information regarding financial planning, will preparedness, and tax-advantaged ways to transfer money to heirs and charitable organizations when we go home to the Lord.
- “When it comes to your passing, decisions will be made regarding your assets. This process gives you an opportunity to be the person making those decisions. Don’t leave it up to someone else.” — Greg and LeAnn Perry
- “When you go home to the Lord, that napkin in the cabinet with notes on it, regarding your earthly possessions, won’t cut it in Illinois. Plan ahead.” — a Board of Stewardship member
PRAYER LIST
Ethan Galvan, Roger Fritch, Steve Rubin, Gerry Thoman, Katie Cook, Nikki Bishop, Alan Phelps, Carroll Wilson, Terry Simmons, Lynn Kuhn, Eileen Wall, the Roderick family, and all who are dealing with anxiety.
LIFE QUOTE
“Grief is not a sign of weak faith; it is the natural response to love and loss. But for those in Christ, grief is always shaped by hope. We do not mourn as those who have no future, no promise, no Savior (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We mourn with the certainty that our loved ones in the faith are with the Lord and that we will see them again.”
Rev. M. L. Smith, Director of International Missions of Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), Lutherans For Life
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Shoeboxes have arrived and are in the atrium for pick up until November 23. Feel free to take more than one. Over 11 million shoeboxes were collected in 2024 and in 2025. Eleven nations collected in recent years: Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
TIME TO STOCK UP ON CARDS
The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are again taking orders for greeting cards. These students have catalogs: Paisley & Finley Bloemer, Cohen Debolt, Nolan & Jenna Bohnhoff, Hank & Knox Probst, Abel Wilson, Dalton & Jordyn Cole. You may pick up a catalog from the “card” cabinet and choose a student from the list. They will enjoy profits for LYF activities.
BOARD REPORTS
Just a reminder, all Board reports need turned in by October 12. Thank you!
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
9-27 Rosemary Gray
9-28 Ashley Jansen, Sylvie Bohnhoff
9-29 Beau Grupe, Charlotte Grupe, Lincoln Mottashed, Linda Cushman, Linda Marxmann, Linda Nolan
9-30 Everly Jeffries
10-1 Lance Dixon, Madilyn Garrison, Rosemary Seggelke
10-2 Mary Ann Hoeffliger
10-3 Beth Miller, Carol Wallace, Carrie Brown, Linda Miller
ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK
9-27-1975 Jeff & Kathy Stremming
9-28-2024 Kyle & Macie Kohnert
9-28-201? Ryan & Morgan Engel
9-29-2007 Jason & Andrea Wendling
9-29-1990 Jim & Kathy Schroeder
9-29-2000 Sam & Ann Wagner
10-1-2022 Danny & Ashley Klepzig
10-2-2022 Holly & Nicholas Burger
10-3-2020 Colby & Holly Adams
10-3-2015 Mike & Debbie Buenker
10-3-2009 Seth & Jennifer Wilson
OKTOBERFEST
HTLHS “Oktoberfest” will be October 18, 4–7pm at the Stage at Lake Sara!
CALENDAR — SEPTEMBER 27–OCTOBER 3, 2026
SUNDAY 27
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC — Choir
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC — Choir
7:00 p.m. Man Up
MONDAY 28
5:15 p.m. Board of Early Childhood
5:15 p.m. Choir Practice
7:00 p.m. Lutheran Care Center Board Meeting
WEDNESDAY 30
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Quilting
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
5:00 p.m. Bell Practice
5:00 p.m. Confirmation
6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship
THURSDAY 1
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
FRIDAY 2
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
SATURDAY 3
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
8:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
8:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC — Bells