The Eagle — St. John’s Weekly Newsletter July 26, 2026
Teach your children to leave you.
At the right time. Not when they are 6 or 16. They need to be right beside you – a lot – in those days. But the goal of parenting is simple, says Rev Todd Biermann: to leave you. In his booklet on parenting (available in the Atrium on the Family Resources board), Biermann reminds us that children need Jesus and the vast majority of them need a spouse according to God’s design. This is deep parenting instruction from the Bible:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:5–7
Biermann uses this illustration to teach us about proper priorities:
It sounds strange to say you’re supposed to teach children to leave you, but you get it … and to that exhortation you can give a Christian “thumbs up!”
Pastor Burdick
“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!
John 8:31–32 (Pastor Fortkamp’s Confirmation Verse)
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“May all praise, glory, and honor be given to God for the 60 years He has shared His message of grace and mercy through me. All I ever did was speak of God’s love and forgiveness through Christ and the Holy Spirit brought people to faith and helped them grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Again, to God be the glory! Great things He has done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son!
— Pastor Gary D. Fortkamp
Rally Day 2026
Mark your calendars. Sunday, August 23rd. Breakfast will be at 9:00 a.m.
Voters Assembly
Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00pm
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.
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday July 19 …………………………………… 396
Adult Sunday School ……………………………… 44
Our Offering
Sunday July 19 ………………………….. $5,367.00
Online Offering …………………………… $3,722.00
Total Gen. Fund …………………………. $9,089.00
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 https://www.lcms.org/makeagift/mission-central. There are two ways you can increase this special mission offering: 1) bring your donation to the July 26 celebration. Make checks payable to “Mission Central.” 2) go to the Mission Central website at https://missioncentral.us/donate/ and make a direct gift in thanksgiving for Pastor Fortkamp’s ministry of the Word! To God be the glory!
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson — Lesson 12
In today’s Bible lesson, students study the amazing account of “An Enemy Converts.” On the road to Damascus, Saul encounters the risen Lord, who converts him from a persecutor of the Church to its greatest missionary—Paul. God sends Ananias to lay hands upon the temporarily blinded Saul, baptizing him in the name of the living God. Despite the disciples’ distrust of Saul’s motives, Barnabas speaks boldly on Saul’s behalf. Discuss, “How does the conversion of Saul change the history of the world?”
Eagles Nest Preschool
This will be the last chance for the “good will” donation to the Eagles Nest Preschool Garage Sale which is down stairs in the multipurpose room. Thank You.
Prayer List
Larry Gehle, Bryce Beccue, Steve Rubin, Steve Martin and Gerry Thoman.
St. John’s Large Print Center News
On Tuesday, July 14, a catered meal was served to volunteers in thanksgiving for the work they donate producing Bibles and Devotions. Our special guest was Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, president of Lutheran Braille Workers.
Pastor Dille opened with prayer before all enjoyed the meal and fellowship. A presentation was then given by Pastor Hartwell. He spoke about the beginnings of Lutheran Braille Workers and what is on the horizon for the organization.
A brief history of our Center was given by Charlie Braasch, outlining the changes realized since July of 1983.
Ben Burdick’s video featured production information and a comparison of our old work space to the new area we now enjoy.
Pastor Hartwell also recognized 50, 30, 25 and 15 year milestone anniversaries of volunteers.
Additionally, our St. John’s workers who are on their way to a special anniversary include:
40 or more years: Charlie Braasch
30 or more years: Norma Wendling, Donna Wetherell, Dr. Jim Gartner, Mary Dasenbrock
20 or more years: Shirley Wittenberg, Anita Backhus
10 or more years: Doris Mueller, Liz Brown, Marilyn Schaefer, Helen Miller, Phyllis Dueker
5 or more years: Carla Fox, Marlene Haake, Glenna Schagemann, Nitelle Lading, Kathy Stremming
Ben Burdick led us in singing “Go, My Children with My Blessing.” Pastor Dille offered a closing prayer. We all left with a renewed understanding how important the work of LBW is to those who await Bibles and devotional material.
Volunteers from other churches attending include St. John’s Dieterich/Wheeler, Bethlehem Altamont, St. John’s Louisville, Trinity Stewardson, St. Peter St. Peter, Faith Shumway, Immanuel Altamont and representatives from St. Paul Strasburg, who are planning to start a new group in the near future.
Holy Trinity Lutheran High School
Holy Trinity Lutheran High School’s Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Rev. Stephen Rutherford has accepted the Call to serve as the school’s first principal. We praise God for this crucial step forward for HTLHS.
Rev. Rutherford comes to Holy Trinity after more than 12 years in parish ministry. He has a deep passion for education and has served as an adjunct instructor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In his previous call, he was also heavily involved in secondary education, teaching courses in theology, English, history, and government. He is familiar with our region, having previously served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Louisville. He, his wife, and their four children are excited to return to the area, and he is eager to work with the community to establish Holy Trinity Lutheran High School as a distinctly faithful, rigorous, and vocationally oriented school. His installation will be announced in the coming weeks.
Please join us in welcoming Rev. Stephen Rutherford and his family and praying for their transition back to our area!
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 13:45–46 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Indeed, Jesus redeemed us, purchased us back from sin and death, with all that He had. We belong to Him now. Our generosity ought to imitate the out-sized generosity of Jesus.
Family Life Center Annual Vision Dinner
September 11, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Keller Convention Center
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.
Youth Corner
The Flock
High schoolers are invited to join us for The Flock this summer! We will be meeting on the following dates: August 2 & 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 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
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.
Larry Brandt Golf Outing
Sept. 19th, 1 p.m. Tee Off
Food Pantry Distribution
The Pantry could use Boxed Cereal, Beefaroni/Ravioli, Crackers (No Saltines) & Canned Fruit.
Life Quote
“Even with all our sins, and even our rejection of Him, God is patiently loving us and calling us back to Him through the Holy Spirit. That’s your story, friends. Go out in your God-given identity as a king or a queen and a priest. Don’t go in fear and trembling, because when He calls you, He’ll be with you!” — Diane Albers, President of Lutherans For Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife
Anniversaries This Week
7-27-1996 Jason & Kim Niebrugge, Jim & Rosie Gibbons
7-28-2018 Nic & Madelyn Koester
7-30-2004 Randy & Amy Kohnert
7-30-2005 Todd & Julie Zeigler
7-31-1976 Dennis & Bonnie Siebert
Birthdays This Week
7-26 Ella Niebrugge, Patsy Latch, Tyler Pilcher, Watson Brown
7-27 Laura Jeffries, Mallory Jones
7-28 Joanna Goldstein
7-29 Jared Probst, Jill Wendling, Michelle Holland
7-30 Amy Miller, Melia Wendling
7-31 Ruth Kohnert, Ruth Rhodes
8-01 Cohen Debolt, Donetta Ohnesorge, Layla Nelson
Calendar — July 26 – August 1, 2026
Sunday 26
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC
11:30 a.m. Pastor Fortkamp 60th Ordination Anniversary Lunch
1:00 p.m. Pastor Fortkamp 60th Ordination Anniversary Open House
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Rummage Sale Drop Off
Monday 27
Pastor Dille Sabbath
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Rummage Sale Drop Off
5:15 p.m. Board of Early Childhood
7:00 p.m. Lutheran Care Center Board Meeting
Tuesday 28
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Food Pantry Prayer Service
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
5:00 p.m. Altar Guild
7:00 p.m. Voter’s Assembly
Wednesday 29
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
6:00 p.m. LWML Zone Officer’s Meeting
6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship
Thursday 30
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Rummage Sale
Friday 31
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
Office Closed
6:30 p.m. YABS
Saturday 1
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
8:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
8:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Rummage Sale
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Rummage Sale Clean Up
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC