The Eagle
St. John’s Weekly Newsletter October 4, 2026
There are at least two ways we’re planning ahead this Sunday: 1) we’re getting ready for next Sunday’s canvassing of the neighborhood. Please volunteer to help meet our neighbors by completing the green card in the pew. We only received three cards last weekend, and we hope there will be many more. 2) We’re glad to have Mr. Scott Radden with us to present “Transfer The Blessings” up in the Trinity Room at 9:15am Sunday. This brief seminar helps you plan ahead financially for your death. Kathy and I are glad we engaged in this process with Scott years ago. I urge you to listen to it, too.
“Lord willing” is the right thing to add to any of our plans. Lord willing, we’ll meet many neighbors next Sunday and introduce them to our ministry of the Gospel. Lord willing, you’ll be prepared eternally and temporally for your transfer to heaven – Scott will speak to the temporal preparation, and our proclamation of Law and Gospel will do it eternally! Lord willing!
Pastor Burdick
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.
Life Chain 2026
Sunday, October 4th, Respect Life Sunday
1:30 pm Prayer Service
Effingham Event Center
2-3 pm Life Chain
The youth had dinner, devotions and games after Confirmation on Wednesday. Great group. Great fellowship! Jr. High LYF will meet in October and November on the 3rd Wednesday (6:00-7:15pm on October 21 and November 18).
Board Reports
Just a reminder, all Board reports need turned in by October 12. Thank you!
Food Pantry Needs
If you have any extra Walmart bags, 12 count egg cartons, or Portals of Prayer, the food pantry would happily take them off your hands!
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday September 27: 354
Sunday School: 43
Adult Sunday School: 45
Our Offering
Sunday September 27: $7,637.75
Online Offering: $3,367.00
Total Gen. Fun: $11,004.75
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 6
The account of Esau and Jacob serves as today’s lesson, “Twin Troubles.” When Isaac is sixty years old, Rebekah gives birth to very different twin boys—Esau and Jacob. Isaac ignores God’s promise to Jacob and favors Esau. Esau’s hunger gets the best of him as he sells his birthright for a bowl of stew. Rebekah enables further deception as she plots with Jacob, her favored son, so that he receives Isaac’s blessing. When Esau vows to kill Jacob, Rebekah sends Jacob away for his own safety.
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 21:43 – “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”
The Pharisees were not bearing fruit. Though they were faithful to the letter of the Law in keeping the Sabbath, tithing and all the rest, they neglected the heart of God’s will. The grace of God belongs at the center. Our giving and all our other good works flow forth from receiving God’s grace and living in that grace on a daily basis.
Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes have arrived and are in the atrium for pick up until Nov 23. Feel free to take more than one.
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. We might call your statement of faith a Christian Preamble (if you include it at the beginning of your will) or a Family Blessing if you just tuck it away with your will/trust documents. But where do I start in summarizing what I believe? Think about the creeds, both Apostles and Nicene, which we recite together regularly in worship. In the community of faith, we have a great common statement of our faith. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help you to get started on writing your personal statement. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
SEA Pork Burger Sale
The Shelby-Effingham-Altamont Lutheran Laymen’s League zone will hold a Pork burger Sale on Saturday, October 10th on the Triangle in Altamont from 11 am to 1 pm. Proceeds from the sale go to support the broadcast of The Lutheran Hour on WPMB-AM in Vandalia, IL every Sunday. There will also be a Bake Sale. SEA requests those that want to contribute to the Bake Sale to have the items at the Triangle by 10:30 AM or bring the items to Ray Stuckemeyer or Larry Wachtel on Friday afternoon. (618-267-6909, Raymond or 217-341-1402-Larry)
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?
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!
Lifetime Plan for Giving
Scott Radden will be here Sunday, October 4 during the Sunday School hour for a presentation on the Lifetime Plan for Giving. He will be sharing information regarding financial planning, will preparedness, and tax advantaged ways to transfer money to heirs and charitable organizations when we go home to the Lord.
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 (to be married here next Saturday), and all who are dealing with anxiety.
Lifelight Update
The materials have arrived. Karla will be in the Sunday School room off the multipurpose room at 9:15am today to distribute materials.
Life Quote
“Your life is valuable, and your life has purpose. It was not an accident; it was planned from the beginning. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy. You will experience hardship and suffering. As you age, your body will wear out. Your mind will dull. Your abilities will lessen. And yet, it is in your body with all of its brokenness that the Holy Spirit resides. It is this, your body, that God the Father formed by hand, and it is this, your body, that Jesus, God’s Son, redeemed. And your body, a unique and miraculous gift, will be raised from the dead and made new.” Michelle Bauman, Director of Y4Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
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.
Oktoberfest
Please join us for the first annual Oktoberfest benefitting Holy Trinity Lutheran High School on Sunday, October 18th, from 4:00-7:00 pm at The Stage at Lake Sara. Authentic German Music, food, drinks, and games! Free Admission — food and drinks available for purchase — cash only. Hope to see you there!
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.
2nd weekend: October 2 – 4
3rd weekend: October 9 – 11
4th weekend: October 16 – 18
*LWML Sunday will November 29*
CALENDAR
October 4- October 10, 2026
Sunday 4
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC – Bells
9:15 a.m. Sunday School/Scott Raden Presentation
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC – Bells
1:30 p.m. Life Chain
6:00 p.m. HTLHS Committee Meeting
Monday 5
Fall Pastor’s Conference in Pekin
5:15 p.m. Choir Practice
Tuesday
Fall Pastor’s Conference in Pekin
5:30 p.m. Lydia Guild
5:30 p.m. Board of Christian Education
5:30 p.m. Board of Trustees
Wednesday 7
Fall Pastor’s Conference in Pekin
10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Quilting
5:00 p.m. Bell Practice
5:00 p.m. Confirmation
Thursday 8
9:30 a.m. Preschool Chapel
5:30 p.m. Board of Elders
Friday 9
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
5:30 p.m. Feldhake/Siebert Rehearsal
Saturday 10
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
9:30-11:00 a.m. E.A.S.T.E.R.
12:30 p.m. Feldhake/Siebert Wedding
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC – Ken Schurb Preaching
Birthdays This Week
10-4 Rick Manford
10-5 J.P. Simmons, LeeAnn Perry, Terry Braun
10-6 Andy Janis, Judy Ziegler, Dennis Marxmann
10-7 Ann Gehle, Caiden Debolt, Delanie Hinton, Kade Bishop, Neal Mellendorf
10-8 Brianne Brach, Dana Keller, Sonja Martin
10-9 Maddox Burger, Roslyn Veach
10-10 Daniella Kanabi, Haddie Kronewitter, Joanna Davies, Meredith Roderick
Anniversaries This Week
10-4-1964 Elvan & Carol Wallace
10-4-2014 Windy & Daniel Westfall
10-5-2019 Jacob & Carrie Janis
10-5-2019 Jake & Emily Devall
10-5-1996 Ken & Norma Lansing
10-5-1991 Mitchell & Cinda Hulskotter
10-6-1963 Ronnie & Duckie Johnson
10-7-2017 John & Kristy Pranschke
10-9-2004 Nick & Lindsey Stewart
10-10-2008 Benjamin & Stephanie Sams
10-10-2015 Jacob & Breannah Westjohn
10-10-1981 Jerry & Cathy Bloemer
10-10-1992 Kevin & Becky Wenthe