A Word from Pastor Burdick
Vacation Bible School begins Monday. This is a hard and wonderful week of teaching, crafting, singing, playing, and enduring in the race of Christian faith. Here are the four lessons we’ll teach:
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1–11)
Peter realizes his sinfulness (Luke 5:1–11)
Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from death (Mark 5:21–24, 35–43)
In heaven, a great multitude praises God (Revelation 7:9–17)
If these four lessons seem a bit unrelated, I get it. But the Holy Spirit will use these four true stories to teach children and adults that keeping your eyes on Jesus is the only way to endure and make it to the finish. The “highs” of the first and fourth stories, and the “lows” of the second and third, prove that Christ is our aim. No other person or goal is worthy of our focus.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2)
Pray that we’ll do our best to teach this to families. Pray for safety and joy as we welcome hundreds of kids. Pray for every volunteer to do their best. THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS. And thanks to those of you whose part in VBS will be the crucial action of daily prayer. We need and appreciate you.
This week and always, keep your eyes up. Keep running. Watch for Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith … the faith.
— Pastor Burdick
Vacation Bible School
June 8 – 11 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
VBS Volunteers Needed
Set up: Sunday, June 7 at 11:30 a.m. (if you can help later, call to check if we’re still working)
Take down: Monday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m.
All VBS volunteers — please find your name and assigned duty on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Family Picnic
Sunday, June 14 | Immediately following the morning worship service | Eat at 11:30
Potluck lunch! The main course will be provided, along with dinnerware and drinks. Bring your favorite side dish and/or dessert. Bounce houses, sno cones, and popcorn for kids and adults to enjoy. Fun for all ages!
Please sign up on the main bulletin board if you plan to attend.
Upcoming Events
Cross Dedication — Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Dutch Lane
Sunday, July 5 at Noon
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.
Youth Corner
The Flock — High School
High schoolers are invited to join us for The Flock this summer! Gatherings include time in God’s Word, meaningful fellowship, and encouragement. Friends are always welcome!
Dates: June 7 & 21 | July 5 & 19 | August 1 & 15
We are looking for volunteer families to host. Contact Pastor Dille if interested.
Jr. High LYF
Jr. High youth are invited to Youth Group this summer! Friends are welcome!
Dates: June 3 & 17 | July 1, 15 & 29 | August 5
We are looking for volunteer families to host. Please talk to Pastor Dille if you’d like to host.
Young Adults Bible Study
Friday, June 12 | 6:30 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheeler
Man Up! Study — Returning in August
We have a group of men interested in a reprise of the Man Up! Study, launching in August. One or two chapters discussed at each monthly meeting. Families with high school and older boys are encouraged to have those young men read this book. More details to come!
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 | Noon – 1:00 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 Kiley Bohnhoff know. It’s a great way to give our wonderful teachers a well-deserved break.
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson — Lesson 7
“A Revealing Truth” — On Easter afternoon, Jesus joins two disciples on the road to Emmaus, interpreting Old Testament prophecies about Himself along the way. Arriving at Emmaus, the disciples suddenly recognize Jesus, who then disappears. They quickly return to Jerusalem to share the amazing account. Discuss how you, too, can share this amazing story.
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 have been collecting items monthly for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. For the month of May, they collected hair brushes and combs — 35 hair brushes and 71 combs in all. Thank you for your generous donations. God bless you all!
LCMS Foundation — Estate Planning
A good estate plan includes inheritance for family and gifts to ministry. As you consider an estate gift to your favorite ministry, remember that you are simply directing God’s things to God’s things. An LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help facilitate conversations with ministry leaders. Contact Scott Radden at 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Stewardship Moment
Matthew 9:9 — When Jesus calls Matthew away from the tax booth with two words, Matthew rises and follows immediately. Our actions flow out of our faith. Show me what a man does, and I’ll tell you what he really believes. Our sinful actions uncover our false beliefs and our need for repentance and a return to the forgiveness we find in Jesus. Our godly actions display our faith in Jesus. What kind of faith do your financial actions display?
Life Quote — Lutherans for Life
“Remember that our Savior was born into a human household … He is our Friend, our Brother, He will help us in our time of need, especially when we seek Him out in God’s Word and fervently in prayer. As you relate to others in your home, ask God’s Holy Spirit to give you wisdom in difficult situations, mercy in abundance when forgiveness is needed, and love to cover all your family’s interactions.” — Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Response to the Gospel
Attendance — Sunday, May 31
Worship: 376
Sunday School: N/A
Adult Sunday School: 28
Offering — Sunday, May 31
Sunday Offering: $5,588.00
Online Offering: $2,777.00
Total General Fund Offering: $8,365.00
Prayer List
Dana Keller, Sue Habbe, Sharon Moss, Gary Wenthe, Bryce Beccue, Roger Fritch, Steve Rubin, Steve Martin, Gerry Thoman, Lois Budde, and the family of Paul Lash, Jr.
Anniversaries This Week
June 7 — Ryan & Kelsey Baker (2008)
June 8 — Mike & Betty Carter (2001)
June 10 — Howard & Laura Janis (1961)
June 10 — Darwin & Jill Wohltman (2011)
June 11 — Bob & Ruth Kohnert (1961)
June 12 — Norbert & Mary Brauer (1982)
June 13 — Kevin & Dena Willis (1987)
June 13 — Marcy & Julie Scott (1987)
June 13 — Greg & LeeAnn Perry (1992)
June 13 — Greg & Rosemary Seggelke (1998)
Birthdays This Week
June 7 — Dave Budde
June 8 — Amy Kohnert
June 10 — Candra Kronewitter & Vernabelle Lankford
June 11 — Avery Wahl, Finley Bloemer & Jesse Davies
June 12 — Ethan Kuhns & Grace Roderick
June 13 — Scott Marxman
This Week’s Calendar — June 7–13, 2026
Sunday, June 7
8:00 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 a.m. — Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship with Holy Communion
11:30 a.m. — VBS Set Up
6:00 p.m. — Holy Trinity Lutheran High School Meeting
7:00 p.m. — The Flock
Monday, June 8
Pastor Dille Sabbath
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — Vacation Bible School
Tuesday, June 9
1:00 p.m. — Prayer Shawl
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. — Food Pantry Prayer
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. — Food Pantry Distribution
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — Vacation Bible School
Wednesday, June 10
10:00 a.m. — Bible Study
1:00 p.m. — Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
5:00 p.m. — Board of Social Ministry
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — Vacation Bible School
Thursday, June 11
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. — Vacation Bible School
Friday, June 12
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
6:30 p.m. — Young Adult Bible Study
Saturday, June 13
No Band Practice
5:30 p.m. — Worship with Holy Communion