Parish Services

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The following is the schedule for Previous or upcoming Worship Services

  • Adult Bible Class at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday morning after Worship
  • Sunday School classes are on hiatus for a while during the summer break...
This Week's Worship Service

WE WARMLY WELCOME YOU TO OUR WORSHIP SERVICES THIS WEEK. The Lord Jesus Brings His People through Death into Life by the Preaching of Repentance. Amos did not choose to be a prophet, but the Lord took him “from following the flock” and said to him, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15). It was a hard word given him to preach: King Jeroboam would “die by the sword,” and Israel would “go into exile away from his land” (Amos 7:10–11). For this word, Amos was hated and threatened. St. John the Baptist also suffered for his faithful preaching of repentance. King Herod “sent and seized John and bound him in prison,” even though he knew that John “was a righteous and holy man” (Mark 6:17, 20). Out of pride and fear, Herod “sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head” (Mark 6:27). Yet in Christ, St. John the Baptist “has been raised from the dead” (Mark 6:14, 16). For Christ is the destruction of death itself “before the foundation of the world,” and even now by faith, “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” has blessed us in Christ “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3–4). Through Baptism into Christ, you also “were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” for life and salvation (Eph. 1:13). The Old Testament Reading is the text for today’s message, “If the Lord Calls…Go”.

This Sunday's Readings
  • First Reading is...Amos 7:7–15
  • Second Reading is...Ephesians 1:3–14
  • Holy Gospel Reading is...Mark 6:14–29
Those Serving During the Month of July

 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
  • Sunday School classes are on hiatus for a while during the summer break...
  • There will be Adult Bible Study on Sunday mornings beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Catechesis & New Membership

Catechesis means "Instruction in the Christian Faith." Catechesis begins when one inquires about membership in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church and continues in various forms throughout the life of a Christian.

Those desiring membership at St. John are asked to speak with the pastor. In order to receive the Lord's Supper, instruction in the Christian faith according to the Scriptures and Luther's Small Catechism is necessary. There is no fee or obligation for instruction.

Those who are already members of St. John mature and deepen in their understanding of the faith and their love for the Lord and neighbor by attending Divine Service and, as schedules permit, partaking of one or more of the following forums for ongoing catechesis:

  • Adult Bible Class, held Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
  • Midweek School, for Grades 4–8 preparing to receive the Lord's Supper; meets Wednesdays during the school year from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. in the basement.
  • Adult Catechesis (new member instruction) contact the pastor for the current schedule or to schedule a time.
Visitation of the Hospitalized and Homebound - From the Pastor

There are circumstances in life that might land someone in the hospital. As your pastor, I consider it a high priority to visit when one of our members is in the hospital. But I might not always get the message. Sometimes people forget. Sometimes you might assume that someone else will let me know. If I should know that someone is in need of a pastoral visit in the hospital, please let me know. I would rather get five calls or messages letting me know than none. Thank you, Pastor Toensing