Sign up for our St. John’s Connections E-Newsletter. Our E-Newsletter features articles written by our Pastors and other Leadership Team members. We also post information about upcoming men’s, women’s, youth, and other church events. We email the E-Newsletter every Thursday morning. The Worship version includes a description of the upcoming worship service, a list of those in need of prayers, and links to our Livestream and Youtube channel. The Worship version is emailed every Sunday morning. To subscribe to our E-Newsletter, email the church office at stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org.

Each week the class would make its way through a new principle; bouncing in between daily reading, discussions, and small group videos to better understand God’s call as a disciple. We worked to challenge each other to put the principles into action the best we could. We lived out “Being” in God’s word with a distraction free listening activity in the sanctuary. The students showed “Serving” by reaching out to the construction workers on 5th Avenue with doughnuts. The class experienced “Giving” by understanding the relationship of life and offering, and seeing ways to bless people around the world with socks.

The 8th grade class learned that there are countless ways to live out the principles of being a disciple of Jesus. What a blessing it is for all the kids of our school to know that following Jesus is a head, heart and hands activity throughout all of life. What a blessing it is for our school to be a place of Discipleship in as Many Places as Possible!

Bethania Kids and St. John’s have remarkably similar missions: to connect, care, and share in Christ! Bethania Kids started with five homeless children. The children were cared for by a few Lutheran teachers in India. With the help of St. John’s, over one thousand children get the care they need. Woman are being equipped to support themselves, and special needs youth are cared for during the day, so parents can work. Bethania staff not only provide the basic needs for each child, but also share the Good News of Jesus, and pray with them each day and night.

Many of the Bethania children are leaders in school, sports, music, and drama. They go to worship on Sundays, but transportation is always a challenge for the children and staff. We are addressing this need by buying a bus, so the girls and staff have a safe and dependable ride to and from school and church.

India’s government officials and businesses respect Bethania Kids and share what they can to make sure the children are well taken care of, even though we are Christian and most of the people in India are Hindu. The power of the Gospel is moving in mighty ways, one child at a time. All glory goes to the Lord Almighty!

On behalf of each child, we say “Thank You” to St. John’s and St. John’s Foundation for playing such a huge role at Shalom Home!

Learn more about Bethania Kids by visiting their website: bethaniakids.org

Alan Lull

Youth & Mission Director

Leaves have begun to hit the ground. The long days of summer have faded into shorter, darker days. The cold hasn’t come yet, but the season has changed. This is nothing new, of course-Seasons come and seasons go, and there is nothing we can do to change that.

The season has also changed for the church and our society. The pandemic did not cause this change, but the pandemic has accelerated what was already going on both in the church and in the larger world around us. This change of seasons is multifaceted but put in simple terms, and the overwhelming majority no longer embraces the Christian story and worldview that it used to be. You’ve likely seen the research or commentary in various corners of the internet or heard the reports. This shift can be measured in any number of ways-church attendance and membership, fewer people identifying as religious in general, and a general spiritual malaise setting in even amongst faithful church attenders.

The responses to this change have been all over the map. Many have simply pined for the good old days where it wasn’t like it is now. Others have prayed and hoped for the right things to happen so that people will be waked from spiritual slumber. Finally, some have fallen into a quiet resignation, going to church and trying not to worry too much about how even their family members don’t care about the faith anymore. Perhaps you’ve identified with one or more of these responses- so have I.

There are certainly some things we cannot control. Seasons change, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But there are also things we can control. We may not have the answer for all of the big problems facing the world, but we have been placed in our own homes, neighborhoods, and communities. We as disciples are scattered about each week for discipleship in as many places as possible, and part of that is connecting, caring, and sharing in those places. So often, we as disciples get caught up in the big picture of things we can’t control and forget that we are called to be faithful wherever the Lord has placed us. This is why we are “Re-Connecting, Re-Caring and Re-Sharing”- we have a role and an opportunity to continue the Lord’s work wherever He has placed us.

The mission of God’s church remains the same no matter the circumstances or seasons. That mission is best lived out not by worrying about the big picture at the expense of the person in front of you but rather by re-connecting, re-caring, and re-sharing wherever God has placed you.

In Christ,

Pastor Stephen

1. Masks continue to be welcomed and encouraged during worship.
2. The balcony continues to be reserved for mask wearers only at all worship services.
3. You are free to greet one another in whatever manner you feel most comfortable-Shaking hands, waving, or a simple kind “Hello!” are all ways to acknowledge your brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. The offering will continue to be collected via the box in the narthex or via the St. John’s app.
   Worship will continue to be livestreamed on all of our platforms and archived on our Youtube page for those who would prefer to worship at home during this time.

Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and for all affected!

We believe that we make disciples by “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded” (Matthew 28;19-20). Baptism and teaching go hand in hand as we make disciples of all nations-you can’t have one without the other.

To assist individuals and families in their walks of discipleship, our monthly baptism course will be returning. This course is for anyone looking to be baptized themselves or have any children in their household baptized and introduces what we believe and confess about the amazing gift that baptism is for individuals and families.

Our first-class will be held on Monday, October 18 at 6:30 PM in the church nursery led by Doug and Mel Raddemann.

Please RSVP to the church office if you plan on attending at (262) 334 4901

Connections matter! Would you like to put a name and face together, making connections with your church family? Now is the time to partner with us as we create an updated St. John’s Pictorial Directory. Our last photo directory was published over a decade ago, and we’ve noticed that we have a bunch of new faces around here and that some of you have become a bit….wiser since the last directory.

Need us to take a quick Household snapshot for the book? Call the church office OR Click the photo link on our APP to schedule your appointment on Sunday, September 12 or Sunday, September 19 between 9:00-11:00 am in the church gathering space.

St. John’s Pictorial Directory Guidelines:

• The pictorial directory will be printed in house
• Each Household will submit a simple household photo (a vacation photo, picture from a family gathering, holiday, etc.) AND family name, name of everyone pictured, address, preferred phone, and preferred e-mail.
• Photos will NOT be cropped or edited in any way, but may be resized
• Photos should be submitted using the highest photo quality
• St. John’s has the right to refuse any picture submitted
• Contact information is assumed to be shared for internal use unless specified otherwise
• (unlisted phone number)

St. John’s will offer an opportunity for a quick on-site Household snapshot, if needed, on September 12 and September 19 from 9:00-11:00 in the church gathering space.

Please join in this effort together as we continue to Connect, Care and Share in Christ!

The Connections Task Force

As we bask in the light of the resurrection and rejoice in the hope that we have in Christ, we’d like to share the next set of worship protocols in light of the recent State Supreme Court decision concerning the mask mandate.

1. Masks will continue to be encouraged during all worship services.
2. The balcony will be a mask required section for all worship services.
3. Those involved in leadership will wear masks whenever they are in close proximity to others (Communion Distribution, etc.)
4. Worshippers will be able to seat themselves wherever they deem appropriate.
5. Communion distribution will return to a continuous line format.
6. The greeting & sharing of the peacetime will return as worshippers see fit.

We ask that you respect your fellow brothers and sisters’ boundaries and concerns in Christ with all of these protocols. Some will be more comfortable than others. Some will shake hands while others will not. As members of the same body, please treat your fellow worshippers as ones for whom Christ died and was raised as we “seek to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

The Pastoral Team and Worship Ministry

Over the past months, various groups have been at work asking where the Lord is leading us in the next three years. We’ve solicited congregational input through our town halls, our staff, and the leadership board. Out of all of these conversations, the following End’s Statements were developed. These were shared at our congregational meeting last Sunday and will guide our ministry planning for the next three years.

#1 Personal Discipleship
The St. John’s family members actively grow as Households of Faith in the love of Christ through word and deed, Connecting, Caring, and Sharing in the many relationships God provides

#2 Congregational Discipleship
St John’s family will be equipped and encouraged to serve as faithful managers of time, talent, and treasures God provides so collectively we can carry out the work of God’s larger Households of Faith, the church, for today’s and tomorrow’s generations

#3 Community Discipleship
The St. John’s family will connect, care, and share with the people of the community that God has placed around us through meaningful relationships that express the love of Jesus

The next steps in our ministry planning process will be determining objectives to be accomplished in the next year. These will be shared with the congregation, along with a financial plan, at our June congregational meeting.
Please keep this process in your prayers as we earnestly seek where God is leading us in ministry, looking forward!

The prefix “Re” means “again” or “back to the original place.” The theme “ReUp” is not a question for us to consider. It is a reminder of our Confirmation in Faith; who we are and what it means to live our life as a Christian. Gentlemen, whether you have attended in the past or are considering attending for the first time, prayerfully consider joining us this year. It will prove to be a weekend that you won’t regret.

Pack your duffle, a coffee mug and Bible. This is going to be an impactful experience that will reinforce your faith, reunite you with your brothers in Christ, and reaffirm your faith in our Father. Men: It’s time to ReUp!

Register HERE

The Advertisers helped provide this service at NO cost to our congregation. We encourage you to think of them in the future as your needs arise.

Our Lenten Wednesday services will focus on a few of these Psalms and focus on how these prayers point us to Christ and His faithfulness in hearing and acting on them. Please join us for Lent worship on Wednesdays at 3:30 PMand 6:00 PM. Our 6:00 PM services will be livestreamed.

The Lord’s Church invites you! Isn’t that Good News? To be invited to something allows us to say, “Yes, I will be there!” or “No, thank you.” We hope you say “Yes!”

The St. John’s Couple’s Retreat Committee has worked on our next St. John’s annual “getaway” retreat since way back last February (remember back then… before all this pandemic stuff?) We had a blast in Galena, IL learning how we are “Sparked by the Spirit”! It was fun and a bit spicy, especially for some of us! (talk with Pastor Hesse for details).

We have been planning to return to Galena in 2021 to a new venue . . . an awesome boutique hotel (March 5th-7th). But alas . . . the pandemic! It’s a no-go for Galena and Door County (we tried) for a 2021 getaway retreat this year (at least one that would be up to our normal “standards” of fun, learning, rest, and growth together as married couples).

But . . . don’t let this get you down! When the Lord closes one path, He often provides another option. So, the Couple’s Retreat Committee got to work to see what we could do to bless you and your Household of Faith through this important ministry. We are excited to announce the 2021 St. John’s Couple’s Day-Treat! We don’t have a fancy theme or logo . . . but the idea is to Re-Connect as couples and have some fun . . . laughing together. Maybe the theme could be . . . Let’s Re-Connect – Fun & Marriage!

Invite Details (RSVP Required – see sign-up link below):
What: 2021 St. John’s Couple’s Day-Treat
Let’s Re-Connect – Fun & Marriage!
Where: St. John’s Lutheran Church – Sanctuary
When: March 6 from10:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: $40 per couple – pay at the door (includes lunch and a special gift)
Child Care:Mask Req.: Yes, masks are required according to current Church protocols.
Livestream or Recorded: No

Spots are limited (approx. 60 couples) due to current protocols. To reserve your spot (first-come, first-served basis), please click on the following Registration Link:

Register HERE

We hope to see you at the 2021 St. John’s Couple’s Day-Treat – invite your married friends! God bless you and your household!

“I just need some rest” is a phrase I’ve uttered far too many times in my life. I’ve also noticed that a lot of my rest is not restful- Put another way, a day of mindlessly binge watching Netflix or watching TV doesn’t rejuvenate us for life and ministry like we think it would.

Rest is one of the topics we’ll be taking up in our next section of Discipleship hour. What does it mean for a disciple to find rest in God’s word in day to day life? What does Sabbath rest mean, and what might it look like to reclaim Sabbath rest in our lives in a time and a place that has no use for it? These are just a few of the questions that we will wrestle with together as God’s people.

We’ll gather either in person in the sanctuary or via live stream on Wednesday, January 20 at 6:00 PM to dive into God’s word, speak with brothers and sisters in Christ and share how God is working in our lives. Please join us for Discipleship Hour!

In Christ,

Pastor Reynolds

There is no doubt that 2020 was a very challenging year. We endured the global pandemic, an economic shutdown that’s left us teetering on financial meltdown, and navigating social unrest during an election year. Whew, that’s a lot of stuff in 365 days. It felt like seven long dog years.

With this in mind, the Leadership Board invites all St. John’s members to attend a Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, February 21, at 12:15 in the Sanctuary so we can continue to discuss and plan for our next ministry cycle (2021-2024) and the ends policies that steer our church.

We asked two questions to think and pray about before our previous meeting. What big picture focus areas (Ends Policies) should we prioritize for the next three years? How will we continue to carry out our mission and vision as the Lord leads in the years to come? There was a good discussion during that meeting, so we want to keep the momentum going.

As you continue to strengthen your Household of Faith in God’s word, think about how you’re living out our Vision Statement, “Discipleship in as many places as possible.”

Please pray and listen for God to reveal His plan for St. John’s. God is good, and we are blessed!

In Christ,

Brian Pesch, Leadership Board President

Getting the Vaccine

• The vaccine will be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
• You should talk to your primary healthcare provider before making an appointment — they may get it to you faster.
• Registration online is only open on Mondays and fills up fast. Check the following Monday if registration is closed.

You can sign up online using this link: http://www.washozwi.gov/

• Soon after submitting a form, the county will get in touch with you.
• If you go through this website, vaccines are only available for residents of Washington or Ozaukee counties who are 65 years of age or older.
• If you’re in another county, please contact your county’s local health department or the Wisconsin DHS for more guidance.

For a helpful Lutheran perspective on receiving the vaccine, please take a look at the letter published by Matthew Harrison, LCMS Synodical President, which provides thoughtful responses to common questions with a faithful viewpoint in mind. You can view the letter HERE.

Keep the process, our medical care workers, and the people of Wisconsin and the world in your prayers as we wait on God’s provision and mercy in the face of the pandemic. We know that all healing ultimately comes from the Lord — He is our rock and our redeemer.

There is no doubt that 2020 was a very challenging year. We endured the global pandemic, an economic shutdown that’s left us teetering on financial meltdown, and navigating social unrest during an election year. Whew, that’s a lot of stuff in 365 days. It felt like seven long dog years.

With this in mind, the Leadership Board invites all St. John’s members to attend a Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, January 31, at 12:15 in the Sanctuary so we can continue to discuss and plan for our next ministry cycle (2021-2024) and the ends policies that steer our church.

We asked two questions to think and pray about before our previous meeting. What big picture focus areas (Ends Policies) should we prioritize for the next three years? How will we continue to carry out our mission and vision as the Lord leads in the years to come? There was a good discussion during that meeting, so we want to keep the momentum going.

As you continue to strengthen your Household of Faith in God’s word, think about how you’re living out our Vision Statement, “Discipleship in as many places as possible.”

Please pray and listen for God to reveal His plan for St. John’s. God is good, and we are blessed!

In Christ,

Brian Pesch, Leadership Board President

Ah, New Year’s. Hope springs eternal. We can leave the mess of 2020 behind, and we can look forward to a better 2021. This seems to be the common sentiment. We hope we can finally get back to what we had, do the things we like, and eventually, 2020 will seem just like a bump in the road.

While understandable, this approach fails to acknowledge the opportunity we have in the crisis of 2020 as God’s people. I want to posit three things that I hope we take away from God’s people from 2020:

1.) 2020 discomforted us in so many ways because it interrupted our routines and connections. Think of remote learning, virtual worship, or the hundreds of zoom meetings you went to-they were all pale imitations of the real, in-person realities we need. 2020 revealed our deep, human need for connection to God and one another, and I pray that we value connection in 2021 in fresh, new ways that we haven’t prior.

2.) 2020 shined a beautiful light on many vocations we didn’t use to give much thought. Think of the janitor with the cleaning cart or the overnight stocker at the grocery store. These folks were often taken for granted. Think of politicians and health officials. You may even disagree with them, and yet they have led us through these times. 2020 reminded us that these are necessary, God-given, and God-pleasing vocations that call for our gratitude and thanksgiving.

3.) Finally, 2020 has challenged us to rely on God’s grace and God’s promises amid uncertainty. When life is comfortable, we so often don’t see the need for God’s promises and God’s grace because we have everything we already need. The uncertainty and angst of the past year have brought many of us to realize that God’s promises are sufficient and that we don’t need all that we think we do. 2020 has given us permission to recognize our spiritual poverty and give thanks that God’s promise is, in fact, enough!

What lessons can you take as a disciple from 2020?

In Christ,

Pastor Reynolds

Pre-K3AM
Tuesday & Thursday
8AM – 11AM

Pre-K4AM
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
7:45AM – 12PM

Pre-K3 & Pre-K4
with Extended Care
Monday – Friday
6:30AM – 5:30PM
2 Day Minimum

1. Pick up your HARD COPY:
   Help yourself to our updated Connections Book. To assist with the cost of the book, we ask that you USE THE SLIPCOVER you currently have. Simply remove your old book from the slipcover and insert the updated copy.
2. Access the Connection Book electronically via the St. John’s APP.
   Go to the Connections tab (located at the bottom of your screen)
   Go to I’m New Here
   Scroll down to Connections Booklet tab
   Tap Connections Book to download
3. Visit our website: www.stjohnswestbend.org
   Click on I’m New
   Scroll down and click on Our Connections Booklet