St. John’s Lutheran Church (LCMS)
July 26, 2026 — Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
901 W. Jefferson Ave. Effingham, IL. 62401
www.stjohnsLCMS.net | 217-342-4334 | office@stjohnsLCMS.net
Pastors: Rev. Mike Burdick & Rev. Trey Dille
Preschool: www.eaglesnestpreschool.com
“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
Proclaim the Christ. Grow the Family. Love the Neighbor.
Welcome
We welcome you to God’s Service in worship at St. John’s, and extend a special welcome to all guests and visitors with us.
- Offerings are placed in the boxes at the doors, before or after worship.
- Little Children’s Worship bags are available by the elevator door.
- Restrooms are located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors. Those on the 2nd and 5th floors include diaper-changing stations.
- Visitors are not expected to bring an offering. Our members do so in free response to the Gospel and to finance the extension of God’s Kingdom.
- All worshipers are requested to complete an attendance card. They will be collected by the acolyte after the sermon. Thank you!
- Share prayer requests using the yellow cards in the pews.
Those Who Serve Us
Each Member of St. John’s ……………………………………………………………. The Body of Christ
Rev. Mike Burdick…………………………………………………………………………………………. Pastor
Rev. Trey Dille………………………………………………………………………………………………. Pastor
Rev. Gary Fortkamp………………………………………………………………………… Visitation Pastor
Mrs. Carrie Collier…………………………………………………………………………Preschool Director
Mrs. Ruth Bray……………………………………………………………………………………………Organist
Mr. Ben Burdick…………………………………………………………………………………….Song Leader
St. John’s Band ………………………………………………………………………………… 10:30am Music
Hayes Hinton, Grasyn Moeller, & Lydia Wendling ……………………………………………Acolytes
Mr. Ray Hartman ……………………………………………………………………..5:30pm Elder on Duty
Mr. Fred Bray…………………………………………………………………………..8:00am Elder on Duty
Mr. David Wall………………………………………………………………………. 10:30am Elder on Duty
Mr. Greg Perry (217-821-4958)…………………………………… Elder on Duty for July 26 – Aug 1
Chatelain School & Baja School ……………………………………. Our Schools for feeding in Haiti
Ms. Janet Martins & Pastor Dille……………………..(773-463-0617) Stephen Ministry Leaders
Mrs. Julie Scott ………………………………………….(217-343-3047) Prayer Partner Coordinator
State, National & International Missions…………………………through our District and Synod
Altar Flowers from last week were in celebration of Dalton & Coralin Koelm’s wedding.
Altar Centerpiece last week was in celebration of Pastor & Katie Dille’s wedding anniversary
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at St. John’s in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives us not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Jesus invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes. Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor or an elder. Those needing a gluten-free host should notify the pastor before the Service, or can request it as you approach him at the Table. The Chalice is offered on the Lectern side. Thank you.
Divine Service Three
And the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Ordination of Pastor Gary Fortkamp
for the Glory of God and the Salvation of Sinners
Order of Service
Musical selections and full liturgical text are omitted here for copyright reasons; see the PDF bulletin above for complete text and music.
- Prelude
- Preservice Music: “Oh How Good It Is” & “My Jesus I Love Thee”
- Call to Worship
- Welcome
- Hymn #904 – Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
- Opening Song (10:30) – “I Will Serve Thee”
- Confession and Absolution
- Kyrie (5:30 & 8:00)
- Gloria in Excelsis (5:30 & 8:00)
- Salutation and Collect of the Day
- Old Testament Reading – Deuteronomy 7:6–9
- Psalm 125
- Epistle – Romans 8:28–39
- Alleluia (5:30 & 8:00)
- Holy Gospel – Matthew 13:44–52
- Apostles’ Creed
- Hymn #644 – The Church’s One Foundation
- Sermon Song (10:30) – “All My Boast Is In Jesus”
- Sermon: “Called According to God’s Purpose” – Romans 8:28-39
- Offertory (5:30 & 8:00)
- Prayer of the Church
- Offering Presentation & Collection of Cards
- Preface
- Sanctus (5:30 & 8:00)
- Lord’s Prayer
- The Words of Our Lord
- Pax Domini
- Agnus Dei (5:30 & 8:00)
- Distribution – Hymn #570 Just as I Am, without One Plea & Hymn #770 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- Communion Song (10:30) – “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”
- Blessing
- Prayer
- Benediction
- Hymn #575 – My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
- Closing Song (10:30) – “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”
- Postlude
John 8:31–32 (Pastor Fortkamp’s Confirmation Verse)
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“May all praise, glory, and honor be given to God for the 60 years He has shared His message of grace and mercy through me. All I ever did was speak of God’s love and forgiveness through Christ and the Holy Spirit brought people to faith and helped them grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Again, to God be the glory! Great things He has done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son!
— Pastor Gary D. Fortkamp
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House.