A Word from Pastor Dille
Last weekend, the sermon text was the Psalm of the day — Psalm 91. You might remember singing the hymn On Eagle’s Wings, the verses of which come from Psalm 91. The Psalms have been a particular focus of mine for the past couple of years. If you’ve ever found yourself not knowing what to pray, take a look at the Psalms. If you’re not too familiar with them, a simple way to begin is to search the web for something like, “What’s a good psalm for when you’re feeling ___?”
It has been the Church’s practice for the Psalms to function as a conversation between us and our God. The Church Fathers also support using the Psalms in this way. This is what Athanasius of Alexandria once wrote about them:
“I believe that a man can find nothing more glorious than these Psalms; for they embrace the whole life of man, the affections of his mind, and the motions of his soul. To praise and glorify God, he can select a psalm suited to every occasion, and thus will find that they were written for him.”
Athanasius lived more than 1,600 years ago, and his words ring true today. The Psalms really do offer words that embrace all that we go through in this life. So, the next time you face something you don’t have words for, or you need help as you lean on the Lord in both good times and difficult times, take a look at the Psalms. The Lord will bless you through them.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
— Psalm 145:17–19
The Lord bless you,
— Pastor Dille
Fortkamp Ordination Celebration
On Sunday, July 26, we will celebrate a rare milestone. Pastor Gary Fortkamp was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 24, 1966. Not many pastors serve as active pastors into their 60th year of ministry. Let us give glory to God for what He has done through Pastor Fortkamp and the Office of the Ministry!
On July 26 we’ll mark the milestone in our morning services, followed by a congregational dinner. At 1:00 p.m. we’ll host a cake and punch/coffee Open House so others outside our congregation can come greet Pastor and Gloria. We have notified all of the congregations Pastor has served the past 60 years in full-time or vacancy capacities, from Colorado, Nebraska, and Illinois.
Next month we will post a signup sheet for all who plan to attend the congregational dinner. Our Elders have decided to give a $1,000 donation to a mission of Pastor Fortkamp’s choosing — he has chosen Mission Central in Iowa. Anyone desiring to add to this donation can make contributions on July 26. Praise God!
Eagle’s Nest Preschool Garage Sale
The preschool has accumulated an abundance of “well loved” Christian and educational toys over the last 28 years and is having a garage sale in the multi-purpose room on a good will donation basis. Please stop by after church and check it out. Thank you!
Holy Trinity Lutheran High School
We have very exciting news for Holy Trinity Lutheran High School. The School Board continues to work diligently toward the opening of the school. At their most recent meeting they prayerfully deliberated extending a call for their first principal. After interviewing four candidates, the board voted to extend the call to Pastor Rutherford of Lincoln, MO. Please join us in praying for him, his family, those he is currently serving, and Holy Trinity Lutheran High School as he considers this call.
— Ammon Probst, Holy Trinity Lutheran High School Board Chair
Ice Cream Social — Faith Lutheran Church, Shumway
Sunday, July 12 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Menu: homemade ice cream, BBQ, hot dogs, pies, cake, and drinks. Free will offering. All proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Lutheran High School.
www.holytrinityLHS.com
Lydia Guild
The Lydia Guild would like to thank everyone who donated and purchased baked goods at their recent bake sale. $538 was collected. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
Volunteer Luncheon — Large Print Center Volunteers
Tuesday, July 14 at Noon
Special guest: Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, President of Lutheran Braille Workers
Sign up in the work room before July 6. If unable to sign up in person, call Marilyn (217-821-0508) or Kathy (217-254-9360). The catered meal will be hosted by St. John’s.
Cross Dedication — Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Dutch Lane
Sunday, July 5 at Noon
Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Voters Assembly Meeting
Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Attention All Boards: Reports are due in the office by Tuesday, July 13 at noon.
Youth Corner
Holiday World Trip — Monday, July 21
Open to current 6th graders through LYF members. Sign up by July 14 — sign-up information is on the church bulletin board. Friends are welcome! Cost is $40 per person, payable with LYF funds. You may also take up to $50 from your LYF funds as spending cash. You will be contacted with more details. A completed waiver (available on the church bulletin board) must be with you on July 21.
The Flock — High School
Remaining Dates: July 5 & 19 | August 1 & 15
Jr. High LYF
Remaining Dates: July 1, 15 & 29 | August 5
Garage Sale
Sale Dates:
July 30 | 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
July 31 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
August 1 | 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
August 1 | Cleanup: Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Drop-off Dates:
Sunday, July 26 | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 27 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Larry Brandt Golf Outing
Saturday, September 19 | 1:00 p.m. Tee Off
Sunday School
We are looking for volunteers to help with summer Sunday school. If you could teach even one Sunday, please let Pastor Dille or Kiley Bohnhoff know.
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson — Lesson 9
“A Telling Truth” — With the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire, the promised Holy Spirit descends on the disciples. As they speak in other tongues, hearers from a multitude of nations hear about the mighty works of God in their own languages. Beginning with Old Testament prophecies, Peter’s sermon proclaims Jesus as the promised Messiah. Family discussion: How did Pentecost change the Church forever?
Endowment Fund Applications
All board chairs, please remember that applications are due by July 1.
Positions Open — St. Peter Lutheran School
The Board of Christian Education is seeking Kindergarten and 1st & 2nd Grade Teachers for the upcoming school year. Mail resume to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 605 E. Third St., St. Peter, IL 62880, ATTN: Board of Education, or email nathanjacquin@gmail.com.
Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes
The Golden Eagles collect items monthly for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. For the month of June they are collecting pencils and sharpeners.
LCMS Foundation — Estate Planning
Creating a gift plan within your overall estate plan begins with education — understanding all the components involved, thinking through, praying through, and planning for what the Lord is guiding you to do. An LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can walk you through the process before you get started. Contact Scott Radden at 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Stewardship Moment
Matthew 11:28 — Jesus has come to do the work so that we might have rest from burdens and labors we are not capable of bearing. He frees us from sin, death, and the demands of the Law. In the peace and rest of Jesus we find a new purpose — His light yoke is not a burden to bear, but a joy!
Life Quote — Lutherans for Life
“The Fourth of July is an ideal time to thank God if you have a good homeland … or in the U.S., a free country. What a blessing! Just like Job or Jonah, this isn’t the case for everyone. And we should continually pray for those whose homelands or countries are ravaged by war, politics, or disease. Praise God for giving us a country where we can worship Him and live our lives in relative freedom and peace.” — Katrina Harrmann, Time of Grace
Response to the Gospel
Attendance — Sunday, June 21
Worship: 401
Sunday School: 10
Offering — Sunday, June 21
Sunday Offering: $7,346.88
Online Offering: $2,552.00
Total General Fund Offering: $9,898.88
Prayer List
Gary & Kathy Wenthe, Bryce Beccue, Steve Rubin, Steve Martin, Gerry Thoman, Kathy Mueller, Synda Overbeck, and those recovering from the storm on June 17.
Anniversaries This Week
June 28 — Derek & Andrea Storm (2008)
July 3 — Mike & Renee Kremer (2010)
July 3 — Chris & Beth Debolt (2004)
Birthdays This Week
June 28 — Jensen Brach, Paul Leppin, Rev. Earl Brown
June 29 — Justin Wendling
June 30 — Nikki Vahling, Tori Budde
July 1 — Carrah Daniels, Kassie Stanfield
July 2 — Ashley Bailey, Brad Jeffries
July 3 — Christa Tieffel, Elijah Lipe, Ezra Beccue
July 4 — Angie Nelson, Dale Wendte, Regan Koester
This Week’s Calendar — June 28 – July 5, 2026
Sunday, June 28
8:00 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 a.m. — Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion
Monday, June 29
Pastor Dille Sabbath
1:00 p.m. — Cemetery Meeting
7:00 p.m. — Lutheran Care Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 30
No events scheduled
Wednesday, July 1
10:00 a.m. — Bible Study
1:00 p.m. — Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
6:00 p.m. — Youth Fellowship
Thursday, July 2
No events scheduled
Friday, July 3
Office Closed
Saturday, July 4
8:00 a.m. — Band Practice
5:30 p.m. — Worship with Holy Communion