It’s easy to talk about the weather, but I only learn a little about you if that’s all we discuss. It’s better to have an even more personal conversation in the church hallway or on your front porch.
This weekend, many of us will be out knocking on doors on the streets near our church, hoping to meet our neighbors. We won’t just talk about the weather. We’ll take these five simple questions to them…
- What’s great about our community?
- What do we need?
- What comes to mind for you when you hear “St. John’s Lutheran Church”?
- Can we pray for you?
- Would you like to receive a call from our church?
Surely you know that we’re trying to accomplish more than getting answers to these questions. Our ultimate goal is to share the Good News About Jesus during our next visit(s) with neighbors who don’t already know Him for forgiveness and hope. He – not we – is in charge of the results. We get to be mouthpieces. I am certain He wants to use you in this endeavor. Please join me!
We welcome Pastor Schurb as our preacher and teacher for this canvassing weekend. I believe he will help us be well prepared and eager to talk about more than the weather!
“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:14,16)
Pastor Burdick
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 7
Today, we will study Jacob’s family in “A Family Grows.” Jacob experiences love at first sight when he meets Rachel at the well. Welcomed into his uncle Laban’s household, Jacob agrees to work seven years in order to marry Rachel. When the wedding celebration finally arrives, Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Realizing the deception, Jacob confronts his uncle, who gives him Rachel’s hand for another seven years of service.
Council Meeting
October 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Voters Assembly
October 27 at 7:00 p.m.
2027 Slate of Officers
President – Rick Keller
Vice President – Jeff Weis
Treasurer – Marcy Scott
Secretary – Laura Galvan
2027 Board Nominees
Board of Christian Education – Kristin Niemerg
Board of Early Childhood – ?
Board of Elders – Adam Bohnhoff & David Wall
Board of Evangelism – Laura Janis
Board of Social Ministry – Patsy Latch
Board of Stewardship – Wade Bloemer
Board of Trustees – Al Siebert
Board of Youth Ministry – Karla Flach
Board Reports
Just a reminder, all Board reports need turned in by this Monday, October 12. Thank you!
Holy Trinity School Spirit Wear
Holy Trinity’s Promark webstore is open now through October 25th for anyone interested in purchasing school spirit wear. There is a flyer on the main bulletin board.
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday October 4: 413
Sunday School: 46
Our Offering
Sunday October 4: $7,244.50
Online Offering: $5,374.50
Total Gen. Fun: $12,619.00
Oktoberfest
18 OCT 2026
4:00 – 7:00 PM
The Stage at Lake Sara
FREE ENTRY
LIVE MUSIC BY
THE HEIDELBERG GERMAN BAND
GERMAN FOOD AND LIMITED BAR BY
THE GABBY GOAT
(CASH ONLY – ATM ON SITE)
FUN & GAMES
UNLIMITED GAMES ON THE
“POLKA PLAYGROUND” FOR KIDS! $5
DRESS THE PART!
PRIZES FOR BEST DRESSED
COMPETE OR CAST YOUR VOTES IN THE
STEIN HOLDING CONTEST @6:00!
First annual fundraising event benefiting
HOLY TRINITY
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
Prayer List
Ethan Galvan, Roger Fritch, Steve Rubin, Gerry Thoman, Katie Cook, Nikki Bishop, Alan Phelps, Carroll Wilson, Terry Simmons, Lynn Kuhn, Eileen Wall, the Roderick family, Drew Feldhake & Kellie Siebert (who were married Saturday), Jon Becker & Brooke Kocher (who will be married next Saturday) and all who are dealing with anxiety.
*LWML Sunday will November 29*
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 22:5 – “But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business.”
The invitation to join God in His feast and in His work is easily ignored. The rest of life seems so much more pressing, and we always think that there will be another time when we can catch back up with God. But what joys are we missing when we set aside God’s invitation to join Him in His plans and purposes? What inheritance are we trading for the world’s bowl of pottage?
LCMS Foundation
Including a statement of your Christian faith is important in your estate plans. Creating that statement of faith is something we do in community. When beginning to write a Christian Preamble or Family Blessing, it is wise to have conversation with others, such as your pastor, a mentor in the faith, or specific friends, so that in community you can focus your thoughts in a concise way. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can assist you in having those discussions. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Hog Roast
Trinity Lutheran School in Stewardson is hosting its annual hog roast and silent auction Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 15 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A free-will donation lunch will be held in the gym, and carryouts are available. The menu includes pulled pork, rope sausage, mac & cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce, chips, bread, and Texas sheet cake. If you or your business wish to donate an item, a basket, or cash for the silent auction, please drop it off in the school office by Sunday, November 8th. You may also contact Rachel Brandt at 270-871-7973 or Carolyn Reed at 217-690-7690 if you have an item to donate. Proceeds will be used towards purchasing a portable stage for school programs. Join us for fun, fellowship, and fundraising!
Youth Corner
Hayride & Wiener Roast at Jim & Kathy Schroeder’s
Sunday, Oct. 18th from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Everyone is invited. Food provided by the Youth Board. You will need to bring a lawn chair. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
Music Jam
Mark your calendars for the evening of November 15 and enjoy a night of music!
Life Quote
October 11 “Whether the sin of aborting one’s child or the sin of remaining silent and not speaking on behalf of our unborn children, whether the sin of neglecting an aging parent or even—God forbid— encouraging them to consider physician-assisted suicide as an option, whether the sin of apathy toward the gross evil and immorality in the world—turn to Jesus! There is forgiveness to be found for every sin, but it is only found in Jesus. Only in that holy blood, shed for us on the cross, do we find the antidote for the poison of sin.” Rev. Paul Clark, Lutherans For Life of Michigan – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Fall Social
All ladies of St. John’s are invited to the Lydia Guild Fall Social! On October 20th at 6:00 pm we will gather for a simple meal and hear Greg Perry speak about keeping ourselves safe from scams and other tricks of the world of technology. Come for the fellowship and learn a bit. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway.
Time To Stock Up On Cards
The 6th, 7th, & 8th graders are again taking orders for greeting cards. These students have catalogs–Paisley & Finley Bloemer, Cohen Debolt, Nolan & Jenna Bohnhoff, Hank & Knox Probst, Abel Wilson, Dalton & Jordyn Cole. You may pick up a catalog from the "card" cabinet and choose a student from the list. They will enjoy profits for LYF activities.
Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes are in the atrium for pick up until Nov 23. Feel free to take more than one.
IT ALL STARTS WITH A SHOEBOX GIFT
FRIENDS
FAMILY
GOD IS GROWING AND MULTIPLYING THE BODY OF CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Installation
Rev. Kyle Ronchetto will be installed as Pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church & School at 2:00pm Sunday October 18 in Stewardson. Come rejoice with the people of Trinity as they receive their new pastor.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheeler
Corn Maze with Scavenger Hunt
Fridays 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
3rd weekend: October 9 – 11
4th weekend: October 16 – 18
CALENDAR
October 11- October 17, 2026
Sunday 11
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC Ken Schurb Preaching
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC Ken Schurb Preaching
11:30 a.m. Canvassing Luncheon
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Neighborhood Canvassing
Monday 12
No Preschool
5:00 p.m. Board of Stewardship
5:15 p.m. Choir
Tuesday 13
1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
5:00 p.m. Board of Social Ministry
Wednesday 14
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
10:00 a.m. Bible Study
10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Quilting
1:00 p.m. Office Staff Meeting and Devotion
5:00 p.m. Bell Practice
5:00 p.m. Confirmation
Thursday 15
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
5:00 p.m. Board of Youth
Friday 16
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
5:00 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 17
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
1:00 p.m. Becker/Kocher Wedding
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC – Choir
Birthdays This Week
10-11 Evan Smith, Kayla Darling, Sandra Mietzner, Sheryl Radloff
10-12 Linda Wells
10-13 Darren Tabbert, Kenna Stewart, Mark Giesler, Timothy Bailey
10-14 Donna Wetherell, Lucas Fread
10-15 Gerald Wente, Grant Goldstein, Jim Bailey
10-16 Stanley Moeller
10-17 John Pranschke, Kami Bahrns, Katy Higgs, Laura Janis, Lonni Weis
Anniversaries This Week
10-11-1997 Tim & Tabitha Bailey
10-12-2013 Jordan & Arielle Grupe
10-12-2019 Bradley & Madisson Marcum
10-12-2013 Bryce & Mallory Weber
10-15-1983 Mike & Joanne Schlechte
10-17-2015 Ryan & Amanda Rieman