Parish Services

Fourth Sunday of Easter
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 have commenced welcoming children off all ages
This Week's Worship Service

WE WARMLY WELCOME YOU TO OUR WORSHIP SERVICES THIS WEEK. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Lays Down His Life for the Sheep. The Lord Jesus is “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). His life is not taken from Him, but He lays it down willingly, of His own accord, because He knows and loves the sheep. As the One sent by the Father, He has the “authority to lay it down” and the “authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). So has He done, and now He continues to love and serve as the Good Shepherd of the sheep by the voice of His Gospel. He thus calls all people into the fold of His Church, so that there may be “one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). That is why the apostles “were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Since “there is salvation in no one else,” His voice rings out to this day through the preaching of His name, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). His voice comforts our hearts against all condemnation and gives us courage to “love one another” and “to lay down our lives for the brothers,” as He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16, 23). Psalm 23 is the text for today’s message, “Your Good Shepherd is Everything You Need Him to Be”.

This Sunday's Readings
  • First Reading is...Acts 4:1–12
  • Second Reading is...1 John 3:16–24
  • Holy Gospel Reading is...John 10:11–18
Those Serving During the Month of April

 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
  • Sunday School classes have commenced beginning on September 10, 2023.
  • 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