My Sheep Hear My Voice
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” Jesus said. (John 10:27) Discipleship is hearing and following. Sunday through Saturday. But we’re lambs who have wandering in our DNA. Following the Good Shepherd is hard for us. But not too hard for the Holy Spirit.
“I believe I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the one true faith.” (Luther’s explanation of the 3rd Article.)
In short, the Holy Spirit makes wander-loving sheep able to follow the Shepherd.
Christian discipleship is God’s plan for your life! It’s a wonderful life, through highs and lows. With the Shepherd right in front of you, you can prioritize life, spend money, use time, enjoy leisure, proclaim the Christ, grow the family, and love the neighbor for God’s purposes. You can follow Jesus. Only by the Spirit’s work.
Pray with me: “Almighty God, send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may rule and direct us according to Your will, comfort us in all our temptations and afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth that we, being steadfast in faith, may increase in all good works and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
You could also pray simply, “Holy Spirit, make me a willing disciple of Jesus…today. Amen.”
— Pastor Burdick
P.S. Last Sunday’s shooting incident here at church was terrible in many ways, of course. There are many reasons to thank God. Our members and leaders used the power of “hello” to welcome the man and serve him. Behind the scenes, elders and others quickly took prudent actions. Law enforcement officers acted just as we needed them to. Nothing on this side of heaven is perfect, but we have a great deal of gratitude for all that went well last Sunday and throughout the week.
Rally Day 2026
Mark your calendars. Sunday, August 23rd. Breakfast will be at 9:00 a.m.
Attention ALL Boards
Your reports need to be in the office by Tuesday, July 13 by noon.
Upcoming Meetings
Council Meeting — Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00pm
Voters Assembly Meeting — Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00pm
Fortkamp Ordination Celebration
Sunday, July 26th we will celebrate a rare milestone. Pastor Gary Fortkamp was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 24, 1966. We’ll mark the milestone in our morning Services, and then have a congregational dinner immediately following. At 1:00pm we’ll host a cake and punch/coffee Open House so others outside our congregation can come greet Pastor and Gloria.
There is a signup sheet for all who plan to attend the congregational dinner or for the open house. On the bulletin board.
Confirmation Orientation
Confirmation ministry will begin again in late August. The Orientation meeting for parents and students in grades 6, 7, 8 will be Wednesday August 26 at 5:00pm. The Word of God and Luther’s Small Catechism are our texts. Faithful attendance in class and in worship is required. God’s truth and grace strengthen kids and parents in the faith. For life. The First class will be September 9th.
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday July 5 ……………………………………..204
Our Offering
Sunday July 5 ……………………………. $5,287.25
Online Offering…………………………… $5,799.50
Total Gen. Fund ……………………….. $11,086.75
Eagles Nest Preschool Garage Sale
The preschool has accumulated an abundance of “well loved” Christian and Educational toys over the last 28 years. They are having a garage sale in the multi-purpose room. It is a “good will” donation. Please stop by after church and check it out. Thank You.
Ice Cream Social
Faith Lutheran Church Shumway is having their annual Ice Cream Social Sunday, July 12 from 4:00-7:00. The menu will be homemade ice cream, BBQ, hot dogs, pies, cake, and drinks. There will be a free will offering. All proceeds to benefit the Holy Trinity Lutheran High School.
Food Pantry Distribution
The next distribution is Tues., July 14 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Pantry could use Boxed Cereal, Beefaroni/Ravioli, Crackers (No Saltines) & Canned Fruit.
“Chapel Challenge”
Read about the Lutheran Care Center “Chapel Challenge” on the main hall bulletin board. The challenge is for the congregations that own and love LCC to band together and donate for new carpet in the LCC Chapel. We’ll advertise it more in August … because on August 29-30 we will receive a door offering for the Chapel carpet!
Stewardship Moments
Romans 8:12 – “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”
We owe the flesh, the world and the devil nothing at all. We are not debtors to these enemies; we are freed by the blood of Christ. We are joyful servants in Christ’s kingdom — servants that He calls friends. We share our Lord’s plans and purposes, and this gives direction and purpose to our lives.
Positions Open at St. Peter Lutheran School
The Board of Christian Education is seeking to fill the positions for Kindergarten and 1st & 2nd Grade Teachers for the next school year. If you would like to apply, please mail resume to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 605 E. Third St., St. Peter, IL 62880 ATTN: Board of Education. If you prefer, you may also email your resume to the board Chairman at nathanjacquin@gmail.com
Prayer List
Judy Ziegler, Don Clark, Gary & Kathy Wenthe, Bryce Beccue, Steve Rubin, Steve Martin, Gerry Thoman, Kathy Mueller, and Synda Overbeck.
We extend our Christian condolences to Fred Bray and family following the death of his mom, Marlene, on Thursday. The truth and power of the resurrection is at the heart of their hope. Alleluia.
Birthdays This Week
7-12 Mitchell Hulskotter
7-13 Cheryl Duckwitz, Christopher Sandifer, Kristen Probst, Leroy Campton, Meredith Wendling, Shane Gordon
7-14 Isla Veach, Julie Scott, Kynlie Buening, Sophia Jansen
7-15 Anderson Jones
7-16 Brynlee Willenborg, Donna LeCrone, Warren Schlechte
7-17 Patsy Bahrns
7-18 Carson Norris, Pat Milleville
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 10
This week, students will study “A Servant Speaks.” The Twelve select Stephen as one of the first seven deacons in the Early Church. Synagogue leaders twist Stephen’s words, falsely accusing him of blasphemy. Stephen’s testimony before the high priest recalls Israel’s rejection of God’s promise and their rejection of Jesus, the promised Savior. When Stephen says he sees a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, the enraged officials cast Stephen out of the city and stone him. As a family, consider discussing, “How does the death of Stephen affect the other believers?”
Youth Corner Upcoming Events
Holiday World — Tues. July 21
This is for this year’s 6th grade through LYF members. Sign Up by July 14th. Sign Up information is on the bulletin board or by using the QR Code posted there.
You may take a friend. $40 per person. You may pay for your ticket with your LYF funds. You may take up to $50 from your LYF funds as spending cash. You will be contacted about money and more information. Must have waiver (which are on the church bulletin board) filled out in full by July 21 and with you.
The Flock
High schoolers are invited to join us for The Flock this summer! We will be meeting on the following dates: July 5 & 19, August 1 & 15.
Jr. High LYF
Jr. High youth are invited to join us for Youth Group this summer! We will be meeting on the following dates: July 15 and 29, August 5.
Rummage Sale
July 30 from 4-7pm
July 31 from 9am-6pm
August 1 from 9-11:30am
Drop off dates & times
Sun., July 26th from 3pm – 4pm
Mon., July 27th from 9am – 6pm
Larry Brandt Golf Outing
Sept. 19th, 1 p.m. Tee Off
Rummage Sale Help is Needed
At Set Up
Sun., July 26 — After Fortkamp’s Open House Reception-4:00pm
Mon., July 27 from 9am-6pm
At all Sale Times
At Clean Up
August 1 from 12-2pm
All LYF Youth and Parents — Please consider helping. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
Please contact Cathy Norris (217-821-3656), Donetta Ohnesorge (217-821-3300) or Carolyn Wendte (217-821-6541) if you have questions.
Fortkamp Mission Offering
In celebration of Pastor Fortkamp’s Ordination anniversary, the Elders have initiated a special mission offering. $1000 will be given to a special mission of Pastor’s choosing to help the Good News of Jesus to continue to be shared. Pastor Fortkamp chose “Mission Central.” You can read about this wonderful LCMS ministry at lcms.org/makeagift/mission-central.
There are two ways you can increase this special mission offering: 1) bring your donation to the church office OR to the July 26 celebration. Make checks payable to “Mission Central.” 2) go to the Mission Central website at missioncentral.us/donate and make a direct gift in thanksgiving for Pastor Fortkamp’s ministry of the Word! To God be the glory!
Thank You
We here at Trinity Lutheran School, Stewardson, would like to express a big Thank You to everyone there at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Effingham for the donation you have given to Trinity Lutheran School. This gift will continue to help our children in their spiritual and educational growth. Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and kindness.
In Christ,
Trinity Lutheran School and Faculty
Calendar — July 12–18, 2026
Sunday 12
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC
Monday 13
Pastor Dille Sabbath
5:00 p.m. Bd of Stewardship
5:00 p.m. Bd of Youth
Tuesday 14
Noon Braille Lunch
1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl
2:30–2:45 p.m. Food Pantry Prayer
3:00–4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
5:00 p.m. Bd of Social Ministry
Wednesday 15
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
5:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship at the Debolts’
Thursday 16
5:30–8:00 p.m. Hall Rental
Friday 17
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
5:00 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 18
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
1:00 p.m. Koelm & Ohnesorge Wedding
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC
Anniversaries This Week
7-12-1986 Alan & Julie Bahrns
7-12-1975 Gale & Jo Budde
7-13-2013 Nick & Mallory Jones
7-14-2001 Mike & Lisa Kallis
7-16-2004 Phillip & Tammy Wendling
7-16-2022 Trey & Katie Dille
7-17-1976 Rick & Vicki Manford
7-18-2009 Libby & Rick Dasenbrock
7-18-1981 Bob & Karla Flach
Immanuel Dutch Lane Cemetery Cross Dedication
Last Sunday, a group of Members from St. John’s gathered with others from the community to dedicate the cross at the Immanuel Dutch Lane Cemetery. The cross has a clear and bold message displayed on it: Christ Is Risen. Praise the Lord that by His grace, he will raise His people at His return. Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!