St. John’s Family,
I write to you with the words of St. Paul to the church in Thessalonica:
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
(2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
These words could not be truer of you. You are a blessing to the community and to one another. Your faith will continue to grow. I will continue to pray that your faith grows in what is true, what is pure, and what is right: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will continue to be with you.
As a congregation, you will continue to walk with the Lord because He is your cornerstone. For that reason, you will be blessed, and you will be a blessing to whoever joins the family next.
I am so thankful for you and for the love that you have shown me and my family. The Lord is with you, and He will see you through. Even though we will be serving in a different ZIP Code, you will always be our family as brothers and sisters in Christ. Know that the Lord is with you, and He will always be with you.
Love,
Pastor, Katie, and Kaleb
Thank you and God bless you, Pastor, Katie, and Kaleb!
-Your forever church family of St. John’s
Congratulations
Thanks be to God for the birth of Ethan Isaac to Issac & Laura Galvan on September 2.
Chapel Challenge Complete
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Lutheran Care Chapel Challenge throughout the summer! Including our door offering here last Sunday, Lutheran Care received enough funds to replace the floor covering in the Chapel AND a Lounge.
Start praying for our October 11 Neighborhood “canvassing” event. On that weekend we’ll prepare teams of two people for going out and knocking on doors in our neighborhoods around the church. Pray for the teams. Pray for the neighbors. Pray for faith in order that you might volunteer to be a team member. Share the hope you have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15)
We appreciate you!
Thanks to the volunteers who take care our grounds every week.
New Member Welcome
Join us for coffee hour on September 13 as we welcome our newest members.
Goodbye to the Dille Family
At 9:00 a.m. on September 6, we will have a sendoff for Pastor Dille, Katie, and Kaleb in the fellowship hall. Bring your well wishes and cards.
Welcome back Eagle’s Nest Students!!
3rd Grade Bibles
September 20 is Bible Sunday for our 3rd Grade students. Parents of the 3rd graders can pick up their child’s Bible this weekend (or through the week) and bring them back on or before September 20. Parents and the youth will be brought to the front of the church that Sunday for the presentation.
Response to the Gospel
Our Attendance Last Week
Sunday August 30 ………………………….. 441
Sunday School …………………………………. 47
Adult Sunday School …………………………. 55
Our Offering
Sunday August 30 ………………….. $7,538.10
Online Offering ………………………. $2,722.00
Total Gen. Fun …………………… $10,260.10
Life Quote
“However imperfect, every day comes as opportunity and privilege. They usually require patience and persistence, of course, and not a little bit of shared sweat and tears. But they turn out the sweeter for it. ‘When she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world’ (John 16:21). ‘Take heart; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33)!” Rev. Michael Salemink, former Executive Director of Lutherans For Life – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
LCMS Foundation
The best scenario when creating a Christian estate plan is to work in collaboration. The original thoughts for your plan should come from you. God has made you stewards of His gifts, so it isn’t appropriate that the main goals come from someone else. But once those goals are identified, you need to refine those goals, so they are clear and achievable. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help with this clarification process. Contact Scott Radden @ 618-977-4049 or scott.radden@lfnd.org.
LWML Fall Rally
Wednesday, September 9th
at Immanuel Lutheran Church-Augsburg in Shobonier. Doors open at 9:30 and the rally will be from 10:00 to 2:30. Lunch will be served and a freewill offering will be accepted. Register by Monday, August 31. Text or Call Judy Wasmuth 618-267-7637 or email jwasmuth5th@gmail.com. Additional information is on the bulletin board.
Stewardship Moments
Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
What does it mean to have childlike faith? Certainly Jesus does not want us to have a faith that is childish — we are not called to ignorance or silliness. Rather, we are called to trust the way a child trusts: with complete confidence in the Father. We show that confidence in our lives when we follow His directives for our life. Father knows best, so we’ll take His advice!
Opportunity to Serve
Please consider helping with weekly communion! There are several ways you can help. Communion cups and wafers may be filled on Thursday or before 11:30 on Friday. Or, if you attend 5:30 or 8:00 service, you can sign up to empty the cups and rearrange the trays for the next service. If you attend 10:30, you can help by cleaning up and putting the trays away. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board if you can help.
Family Life Center Annual Vision Dinner
Sept. 11, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Keller Convention Center
There is a sign-up list on the bulletin board.
This Week’s Sunday School Lesson
Lesson 2
Today, we will study God’s covenant with Abram in “A Sign and a Promise.” God reassures Abram of His promise to bless the earth through Abram’s offspring. God changes his name from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of many nations”) and institutes circumcision as the sign of His continued covenant with Abraham. Despite Abraham and Sarah’s advanced age, God promises they will have a son of their own.
Life Chain 2026
Sunday, October 4th, Respect Life Sunday
1:30 pm Prayer Service, Sacred Heart
2-3 pm Life Chain
Youth Corner
Cruise Night
Saturday, Sept. 12th.
We will be serving from
4:00pm until we run out of food.
We will also be serving ice cream from Culver’s.
ST. JOHN’S YOUTH DRIVE-IN MENU
GRILL
HOT DOGS……….$2.00
POLISH SAUSAGE…$3.00
APPETIZERS
CRUISIN’ TACOS…$6.00
NACHOS………….$3.00
CHIPS……………$1.00
DESSERT
ICE CREAM……….$3.00
DRINKS
WATER……………$1.00
SODA (CAN)………$1.00
Cruise Night: Sept 12th
Serving 4:00 – 7:30
(money goes to our Youth)
Larry Brandt Golf Outing
September 19th
1 p.m. Tee Off
Operation Christmas Child
The Shoeboxes will arrive on the weekend of September 19th. Check out the Eagle weekly for new information about the 2026 Good Samaritan’s Operation Christmas Child.
Budgets
Reminder to all boards, budgets are due!
LLL Retreat
The topic for this year’s Annual Fall Retreat of CID LLL District is “Life Issues.” They will be discussing preborn and end of life issues. This will be held Saturday, September 12, at Camp Cilca with doors opening at 8:30. Retreat will be from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Registration is $25.00 which includes lunch. Deadline is September 7. Mail registration to: Delores Blessman, 24204 CR 1850 N, Topeka, IL 61567. Delorisblessman@yahoo.com or 309-361-1461
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.
Lutherans For Life
The Altamont Area Lutherans for Life will be meeting Wednesday, September 23rd, at 7 pm in the Immanuel Lutheran Church parish hall. The agenda will include planning an event with the area youth, including junior high students from ALIS, St Peter Lutheran School, and Trinity Lutheran School in Stewardson. Please join us. If you have any questions, please contact Anita Ziegler at 217-821-9101
Prayer List
Roger Fritch, Larry Gehle, Steve Rubin, Gerry Thoman, Katie Cook, and Nikki Bishop
Reformation Fun Run/Walk
Join us for a Reformation Fun Run/ Walk from Zion Lutheran Church to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in rural Altamont on October 31, 2026! This is a fundraiser to support the tuition of Bethlehem and Zion students at ALIS. This is a 4 mile, one-way route. Transportation by hayride will be provided back to parking at Zion.
Age group awards will be given along with “Fastest Pastor” and best Martin Luther costume.
For more information contact Jenna Murray 618-292-1411 or Lexie Caraway 217-343-8884.
Anniversaries This Week
9-06-1975 David & Debby Storm
9-06-1981 Randy & Cindy Esch
9-06-2003 Ryan & Sarah Wyckoff
9-07-1991 David & Kathy Wall
9-07-1963 Leroy & Carolyn Campton
9-09-2011 Brad & Laura Jeffries
9-11-2010 Craig & Ashley Bailey
9-11-2021 Kirby & Nicole Tolch
9-12-2019 Adam & Chelsea Devall
Change to Door Locks
The doors will now be locking at 10:45 instead of 11:45 on Sundays.
St. Peter’s Fall Lunch
Sunday, September 13, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the St. Peter School Gym for lunch. Carry outs will be available. Free will donation.
Birthdays This Week
9-06 Beulah Ziegler, Jon Perry, Sarah Woelfer
9-07 Hank Sipe
9-08 Justyce Higgs
9-09 Blake Higgs, Mike Pilcher
9-10 Alyene Bahrns, Dylan Gibbons
9-11 Allen Tomkins, Joyce Wenthe, Sean Junge
9-12 Blake Bahrns, Jenna Bohnhoff, Phillip Wendling, Ryan Wyckoff
Choir
Choir practice is resuming Monday, September 14th. Rehearsal time is at 5:15 pm in the c hurch balcony, and new singers are welcome. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact Dennis Lading at 217-821-8483.
Calendar – September 6- September 12, 2026
Sunday 6
8:00 a.m. Worship w/HC and Bells
9:00 a.m. Pastor Dille’s Sendoff
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship w/HC and Bells
2:00 p.m. Matney-Barr Wedding
Monday 7
Office Closed for Labor Day
Tuesday 8
1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl
3:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
5:00 p.m. Board of Social Ministry
Wednesday 9
First Day of Preschool
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Quilting
10:00 a.m.. Bible Study
1:00 p.m.. Office Staff Devotion and Meeting
5:00 p.m. Bells
5:00 p.m. Confirmation
Thursday 10
First Day Preschool
5:30 Board of Elders
Friday 11
Pastor Burdick Sabbath
7:00 p.m. Family Life Center Dinner (Keller)
Saturday 12
8:00 a.m. Band Practice
4:00 p.m. Cruise Night
5:30 p.m. Worship w/HC