The Eagle — St. John’s Weekly Newsletter August 9, 2026
This painting by Yongsung Kim is titled The Hand of God and it portrays Jesus as he reaches through the water to bring Peter back out of the water in this weekend’s Gospel Lesson from Matthew 14:28-31. The painting gives us eyes to see the following passage:
“And Peter answered (Jesus), ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'”
Many of us have been where Peter was. We trust the Lord, but difficult circumstances lead us to doubt, and we begin to sink under the weight of fear and uncertainty. Yet when we cry out, Jesus is there to rescue us. Just as He saved Peter and calmed the storm, He continues to come to us today through His Word and Sacraments.
Through Scripture, the encouragement of fellow believers, Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper, Jesus reminds us that we are loved, forgiven, secure, and have a future through Him. Whatever storm you are facing, look to Christ. He will hold you up and see you through.
The Lord bless you,
Pastor Dille
Rally Day 2026
Mark your calendars. Sunday, August 23rd. Breakfast will be at 9:00 a.m. Bring your backpacks for a backpack blessing and a tag!
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.
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.
Prayer List
Roger Fritch, Larry Gehle, Bryce Beccue, Steve Rubin, Steve Martin and Gerry Thoman.
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday August 2 ……………………………. 388
Our Offering
Sunday August 2 …………………. $16,685.50
Online Offering ……………………… $4,327.00
Total Gen. Fund ………………….. $21,012.50
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson — Lesson 14
Today, students study “A Returning Truth.” Banished to the island of Patmos, John receives a revelation of the new heaven and new earth. In this climax to the Book of Revelation, John describes the indescribable—the Lamb of God in His glory with His people in their eternal home. As a family, you could discuss, “How does God reassure us concerning His return on the Last Day?”
Family Life Center Annual Vision Dinner
Sept. 11, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Keller Convention Center
Life Quote
“Just as powerful, we can relate to stories because, whether we know it or not, we are part of the greatest story ever told. The one that’s still unfolding. The one that will last forever. We’re part of God’s story—the one He’s writing—the story of salvation. And because we’re in God’s story, our story begins even before we were born.” — Michelle Bauman, Director of Y4Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Food Pantry Distribution
The Pantry could use Boxed Cereal, Beefaroni/Ravioli, Crackers (No Saltines) & Canned Fruit.
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 11 & 25 from 3-4pm
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 14:30 – “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.'” The world really is a scary place, with natural disasters, disease, terrorism and a hundred other things. But where do we place our hope, our trust, our vision? Where do we look for aid and comfort? When Peter’s eyes were on the Lord, he had confidence. When he turned to look at his problems and took his eyes off the Lord, he fell apart. Sometimes God’s call to support the work of His church with our offerings makes us nervous. But put your eyes back on your Lord, trust Him, follow His Word and all really will be well.
Help Needed … Youth Especially!
Monday (Aug 10) we will have a dumpster at the south end of the Education Building. Beginning at 4:00pm, we need youth and adults to come help haul out the items from the basement and other areas. We should be finished by 6:00pm. Please show up and help. Thank you!
Youth Corner
The Flock
High schoolers are invited to join us for The Flock this summer! We will be meeting on August 15th at Burdicks’.
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
LCMS Foundation
In putting together a Christian estate plan, initiation of your efforts is the most difficult part. Where do I start? The Lifetime Plan for Giving begins with a survey that enables you to organize all your information from family to finances to goals the Lord has laid on your heart. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can guide you through this process. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Board Members
In October our Voters Assembly will elect board members for service in support of our mission (Proclaim the Christ, Grow the Family, Love the Neighbor). Boards, including those members who are completing their time of service, should soon be praying, thinking, and recruiting so that all positions are filled. Do you have a desire to serve in some aspect of our ministry? Speak with our pastors or with Adam Bohnhoff (VP) or Jeff Weis (Pres). Thank you.
LLL Hosting Missionary
The Shelby-Effingham-Altamont Zone of the LLL is hosting missionary Britt Odemba this Wednesday, Aug 12, at 6:30pm at Faith Lutheran in Shumway. After her presentation on the mission in Kenya, refreshments will be served.
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!
Ice Cream Social
The LYF of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Louisville, IL will be hosting an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 23rd with serving from 4:30-7:00 p.m. The menu will include pork burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, chips, desserts, homemade ice cream and drinks for a free will donation. All are invited to attend.
Free Organ
An electronic organ remains in the fellowship hall after the Rummage Sale. If you want it (free), come get it asap. It will be gone by Monday night.
Sunday School Teachers & Director Needed for Fall
Sunday School teachers and a Superintendent are needed for our Sunday School Program this fall. Please contact Pastor Dille or Phil Stuemke with questions and interest.
Back To School
Please keep all those headed back to school in your prayers: Students, staff, administrators, teachers, custodians, and bus drivers
Anniversaries This Week
8-09-1980 Vincent & Nancy Wendt
8-09-2008 Matt & Carrie Brown
8-10-2013 Chuck & Nancy Lykins
8-12-2023 Bryce & Kelcie Beccue
8-13-2021 James & Paige Jansen
8-14-2010 Dr. Ryan & Sara Jennings
8-15-1987 Steve & Amy Miller
Man Up!
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
Birthdays This Week
8-09 Jim Wallin, Kohen Willenborg
8-10 Claire Niemerg, John Jackson, Josie Fritch, Logan Bloemer
8-11 Brittany Bloemer, Jackson Mottashed
8-12 Brody Nelson, Caroline Gibson, Courtney Helregel, Roger Ohnesorge, Sue Habbe, Wagner Gibson
8-13 Curtis Baginski, Gordon Davis, Kristin Niemerg, Phil Stuemke
8-14 Rhett Bailey
8-15 Cal Turner, Carson Jones, John Longwell
Calendar — August 9 – August 15, 2026
Sunday 9
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC
9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Class
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC
Monday 10
Pastor Dille Sabbath
4:00 p.m. Education Building Clean Out
5:00 p.m. Board of Stewardship
Tuesday 11
2:30-2:45 p.m. Food Pantry Prayer Service
3:00-4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
5:00 p.m. Board of Social Ministry
Wednesday 12
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Quilting
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
Thursday 13
5:30 p.m. Board of Elders
Friday 14
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
Saturday 15
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC
6:00 p.m. The Flock at Burdicks’