Last Sunday we were blessed to have five teams go out to the streets around the church, visiting 107 homes. Some neighbors weren’t home. Many more received us warmly. Many asked us to pray for them. Everyone received a pamphlet giving an overview of the ministry of the Gospel we’re privileged to carry out. What a blessing the visitors, the Evangelism Board, and the prayer partners at home were! Thanks be to God.
As Pastor Schurb said in his sermon last week, we don’t limit an invitation into Christ’s Church merely to a canvassing weekend. Every day encounters with people are opportunities to say, effectively, “come to Jesus and to my church – I love it, and maybe you will, too!”
Here are some special events coming up…
- October 25 is Reformation Sunday. It will also be the day that the numerous quilts our ladies have created on Wednesdays will be upon the pews. Then they get shipped to Lutheran World Relief.
- November 1 is All Saints Day, and the Saturday evening Service will include the dedication of new white paraments at the Altar.
- We will host the Lutheran Care Center Congregational Service at 3:00pm November 1. This year it will include a Hymn Sing! Bring your requests of favorite hymns from LSB as we sing and pray with all the owner-congregations of our beloved LCC. The Pastors’ Bake-Off and a reception will take place immediately after, and will serve as the Kick-Off of the Care Campaign.
- November 8 will be our Haiti Hunger Fight in support of Trinity Hope. Breakfast and the Presentation will be at 9:00am, between Services.
Pastor Burdick
The Elders would like to hear from you if you would find it essential to have Alcohol-removed wine made available in our distribution of the Lord’s Supper. Reach out to an Elder or Pastor Burdick with your request. Thank you.
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 8
In today’s lesson, “A Dreamer Rises,” students will learn about how God works good for Joseph. Falsely accused, Joseph finds himself in prison interpreting dreams for Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer. When the Egyptian pharaoh has troubling dreams, God empowers Joseph to explain the visions. Pharaoh appoints him to the second highest position in the land, and Joseph manages the harvest to endure the coming famine.
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 – Julie Scott
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
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday October 11: 377
Sunday School: 38
Adult Sunday School: 40
Lifelight: 15
Our Offering
Sunday October 11: $11,789.07
Online Offering: $4,319.75
Total Gen. Fun: $16,108.82
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
Roger Fritch, Steve Rubin, Gerry Thoman, Alan Phelps, Terry Simmons, Lynn Kuhn, Eileen Wall, Jon & Brooke Becker who were united in marriage yesterday.
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 22:21 – “Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” So what is Jesus saying? Doesn’t everything belong to God? Yes — and God has a place for everything. Some of what He gives us goes to Caesar. Some must come back to the work of His church. And some goes to support the families He has given us. All belongs to God, and He has work for us to do with what He has given us in the home, in the church and in society.
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. If you write a personal Christian Preamble/Family Blessing, it is important to remember that you aren’t writing it for yourself, but for your target audience such as family, friends, or maybe even fellow Church members. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can ask you some questions, focusing on your audience. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles dinner will be on Thursday, October 29, at 12 noon. The meal will be catered by Joe’s Pizza & Pasta. The menu will be mostaccioli, chicken fettuccine alfredo, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Attendees will pack Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes with gifts and prayer notes. Everyone is welcome to attend. We ask that you please sign the name of each person who will be attending on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the atrium by Sunday, October 25.
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
“Do not be silent. You have the most positive, powerful, life-giving, and life-affirming message in the universe! It is a message of love for every sinner, i.e., everyone! It is a message of forgiveness for everyone and every sin. It is a message of the certain hope of a paradise whose reality surpasses the most beautiful of words.” Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, former Executive Director of Lutherans For Life – 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.
St. John Lutheran Youth Fellowship
LYF kids (6th, 7th, 8th Grade) are invited to stay after Confirmation Classes this week (October 21) for dinner, devotions, and games. 6:00-7:15pm
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. Orders are to be placed by November 1.
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.
Turkey Supper
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will be hosting a Turkey Supper on Sunday, November 15th. It will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Gym. You can dine in or carry out from 4:00pm – 6:30pm for a free will donation. The menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, turnips, cranberry sauce, and desserts.
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.
Catechism Bible Study
Our Catechism Bible Study is the path toward membership for those who wish to learn what Lutherans believe and practice. It’s also an excellent refresher for all members who desire to review the faith. The next five-week series will be Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17, 24 and December 1. Each class is from 6:00-8:00pm, and participants will prepare for each session with readings from Luther’s Small Catechism (and the Scriptures included in it). Who will you invite to study alongside you?
CALENDAR
October 18 – 24, 2026
Sunday 18
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC – Choir
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC – Choir
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Schroeder’s Hayride/Weiner Roast
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Oktoberfest at Lake Sara
Monday 19
4:00 p.m. Board of Evangelism
Tuesday 20
6:00 p.m. Lydia Guild Social
7:00 p.m. Council Meeting
Wednesday 21
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
6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship
Thursday 22
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
Friday 23
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
No Preschool
Saturday 24
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
8:45am – 9:30am Stephen Ministsry Meeting
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. E.A.S.T.E.R.
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC
Birthdays This Week
10-18 Brenda Osborne, David Althoff, Evan Pryor
10-19 Amelia Hippchen, Blair Smith, Craig Bailey, Steve Backhus
10-20 Chuck Mayberry, Gloria Fortkamp
10-21 Ryan Sandifer, Vincent Veach
10-22 Kaden Junge, Waneta March
10-23 Alan Bahrns, Wesley Osborn
10-24 Bob Brinkopf, Rosie Gibbons
Anniversaries This Week
10-19-1969 Don & Patsy Latch
10-19-2013 Jason & Megan Smith
10-19-2014 Kris & Molly Lipe
10-19-2019 Kyle & Bailey Willenborg
10-19-2019 Tony & Karine Castillo
10-22-2005 Larry & Dawn Quicksall
10-23-1976 Lee & Karen Hartman