Jesus was an infant, born into Mary and Joseph’s family. Years later He took infants into His human arms and blessed them. Then He stretched out His arms upon the cross to redeem infant sinners and college sinners and retired sinners. The only way we come into the Kingdom of God is in total dependency, like children. This complete need is one of the reasons we baptize infants.
And we cannot stop there.
“Let the children come to Me” is Jesus’ ongoing command. Children of all ages can and should come to Sunday School. Infants can come to the adult class in the fellowship hall with their parents, and kids age 3 to 18 go to our Enduring Faith Sunday School.
In the study of God’s Word it’s as if you are in the arms of Christ, close to His heart, having your mind transformed, and fellowshipping with other children of all ages. Come. And let the children come with you.
Pastor Burdick
By now, most of you have heard that I have accepted the call to serve as Associate Pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark, Missouri. I am certain that this is God’s plan, and because I know it is part of His plan, I also know that the Lord has great things in store for you.
I know that He has blessed St. John’s with a great pastor in Pastor Burdick, and He will continue to care for His church here. In consultation with Pastor Burdick, it was decided that my last Sunday at St. John’s will be September 6.
These next few weeks will be difficult for all of us at St. John’s because we are members of the same family. You have been such an incredible blessing to my family and me. Katie, Kaleb, and I love you, and we will continue to love and pray for you. We ask that you would continue to pray for us as well.
I find comfort in these words from the Lord to Isaiah:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
The Lord will do the same for you because you are His people, just as Isaiah was. May God continue to bless you in the days ahead.
Pastor Dille
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday August 16 ………………………….. 386
Our Offering
Sunday August 16 …………………. $9,118.40
Online Offering ……………………… $2,377.00
Total Gen. Fund ………………….. $11,495.40
Life Quote
“The One who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows is now seated in sovereign authority over all things. He is not pacing the floor of heaven, wringing His hands. He is reigning. And because He reigns, we can have courage and peace even when our world seems like it’s unraveling before our very eyes.” — Rev. Brian W. Thomas – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Family Life Center Annual Vision Dinner
Sept. 11, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Keller Convention Center
There is a sign-up list on the bulletin board.
LCMS Foundation
In putting together a Christian estate plan, initiation of your efforts is the most difficult part. In our country, estate planning requires the use of an attorney. That can bring a level of apprehension, stepping into the world of complicated legal terms and concepts, and committing to spending money on this important task. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can prepare you for this step, providing education and organization to offset your fears. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Excess Garden Produce
Garden produce is always very well received by our food pantry, so if you have been abundantly blessed, we would gladly accept it. However, we can only accept “fresh” produce the Sun., Mon., or Tues before our pantry distribution, which is the 2nd & 4th Tues of the month. Please place items in the kitchen marked PANTRY no later than Tuesday 11:00 a.m.
Our next Food Pantry Distribution
Is August 25 from 3-4pm
Stewardship Moments
Romans 12:1 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” That’s the order: God’s mercies, then our sacrifice. Since God’s mercies are all-encompassing, so is our sacrifice: a total sacrifice, our total selves placed over into God’s service according to how He has called each of us individually to serve in home, church and society.
Prayer List
Roger Fritch, Larry Gehle, Steve Rubin, Gerry Thoman, Katie Cook, and the family of Marlin Fortkamp.
Opportunity to Serve
Please consider helping with weekly communion! There are several ways you can help. Communion cups and wafers may be filled on Thursday or before 11:30 on Friday. Or, if you attend 5:30 or 8:00 service, you can sign up to empty the cups and rearrange the trays for the next service. If you attend 10:30, you can help by cleaning up and putting the trays away. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board if you can help.
Lifelight Bible Study
Lifelight Bible study group will start back up on Sunday, September 13. The study is titled Miracles. Please sign up by August 31.
Fifth Sunday Door Offering
On the 5th Sunday of the month, we will receive a door offering in support of Lutheran Care Center for the “Chapel Challenge.” The August 29 & 30 door offering will help LCC place new carpet in the Chapel, because the original carpet has ripples that make it unsafe. Thank you for taking up the challenge and helping the LCC worship life! Make checks payable to LCC-Chapel Challenge.
Youth Corner
Cruise Night
Cruise night is set for Saturday, September 12. Food from 4 p.m. until we are sold out! More details will be coming soon.
Larry Brandt Golf Outing
Sept. 19th, 1 p.m. Tee Off
Choir
Choir practice is resuming Monday, September 14th. Rehearsal time is at 5:15 pm in the church balcony, and new singers are welcome. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact Dennis Lading at 217-821-8483.
New Directory
It’s time for an upgrade of our Church Directory. In August we’ll gather information, in September we’ll publish a new Directory. Please help us ensure that the church office has your accurate address, phone number(s), and email address. Photos for the directory will usually be gleaned from public photos on Facebook. If you want to submit a photo to appear in the Directory, please email it to office@stjohnsLCMS.net Thank you!
Man Up!
Books are only $10 in the Atrium. Kickoff event for this study is August 30 at 7:00pm; after that we meet the last Sunday of each month to discuss two chapters. High School guys and older are urged to participate! Old books from the previous study are still good – don’t buy a new one – but do signup if you’re studying with us this Fall. – Pastor Burdick
Fire Extinguishers for Sale
There are eight fire extinguishers for sale in the fellowship hall for $20.00 each. If you have questions, contact a member of the Board of Trustees.
Altar Flowers
Flowers on the Altar may be placed in remembrance of or in thanksgiving. There is a calendar at the top of the stairs in the atrium. Altar flowers are $60.
Flowers are still needed for these dates:
September 13
September 20
If questions, contact the church office 217-342-4334.
Golden Eagles Dinner
August 27 at Noon
The menu will be a Hawaii theme and will include ham or turkey sliders, fruit tray with marshmallow cream, spinach salad, 7-layer salad, veggie pizza & desserts. The cost per person is $10.00. If you plan to attend, please sign your name on the sign-up list on the bulletin board. Also, we will be collecting sunglasses and jump ropes for Operation Christmas Child.
Right to Life
Effingham Area Right to Life invites the community to a memorial service on Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 am at the Teutopolis Knight of Columbus Memorial to the Unborn, located in front of the Seminary Tower at 210 S. Pearl Street in Teutopolis. Coffee and donuts will be served immediately following. Join them in prayer as we remember the lives lost to abortion and affirm the sacredness and dignity of every human life.
The Cross at the Crossroads
The community is invited to celebrate “25 Years of Faith, Hope, and Impact” at the Cross at the Crossroads on Saturday, September 19, from 6:00-9:00 pm. This free, family-friendly event will include food, drinks, live music, a community prayer service, children’s activities, a Prayer & Praise Wall, giveaways, and more!
Anniversaries This Week
8-25-1979 David & Joyce Barr
8-26-2023 Zachary & Madi Haake
8-27-2005 Chris & Christina Niebrugge
8-29-2024 Douglas & Kristin Jackson
LWML Fall Rally
Wednesday, September 9th at Immanuel Lutheran Church-Augsburg in Shobonier. Doors open at 9:30 and the rally will be from 10:00 to 2:30. Lunch will be served and a freewill offering will be accepted. Register by Monday, August 31. Text or Call Judy Wasmuth 618-267-7637 or email jwasmuth5th@gmail.com. Additional information is on the bulletin board.
Birthdays This Week
8-23 Layla Keith, Lincoln Jackson, Sara Sandifer, Wade Goldstein
8-24 Joe Budde, Norma Suckow
8-25 Nolan Dixon, Terry Simmons
8-26 Amanda Wernsing, Hank Rieman, Kay Klepzig
8-27 Adelyn Price, Jacob Janis, Lori Meseke, Mary Roedl
8-28 Abby Marxman, Adam Wendt, Paul Smith
8-29 Amy Fread
Calendar — August 23 – August 29, 2026
Sunday 23
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC
9:00 a.m. Rally Day Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC
3:00 p.m. Pastor Rutherford Installation
Monday 24
Pastor Dille Sabbath
Tuesday 25
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Food Pantry Prayer
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
Wednesday 26
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
10:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m. Quilting
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
5:00 p.m. Bell Choir
5:00 p.m. Confirmation orientation & Acolyte training
6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship
Thursday 27
12:00 p.m. Golden Eagles
Friday 28
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
6:30 Young Adult Bible Study
Saturday 29
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC