Congregational Meeting: We Want Your Feedback

April 28 at 12:15 pm in the Lower Level

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Leadership Board is excited to share with you the next phase of our journey in discerning where God is leading St. John's next. After our last Congregational Meeting on February 4, we requested more information about:

• School infrastructure needs
• Church infrastructure needs
• Faith Haven infrastructure needs
• Lay leader development
• School, size, and scope

We are excited to announce that more information has been gathered and now is the time to share that information with you!

The Leadership Board and Pastoral Team request that you join us on April 28 at 12:15 pm in the Lower Level. 

We will be presenting what we have learned over the past 3 months regarding possible:

• Improvements and vision about the school
• Updates at the church
• Changes to the many properties we have here at St. John’s 

In addition, we want your feedback, so come prepared to listen, learn and share your thoughts! We will have breakout discussions in the lower level.

April 28 Meeting Agenda

February 4 Meeting Minutes

God's Blessings,

Mike Bryan 

Leadership Board President

THIS FRIDAY: Watch The Chosen At St. John's

Friday, April 26 & May 3 • 6:00-8:30 pm

Come and See Foundation has recently provided the opportunity for FREE showings of The Chosen Season 4 with a goal of reaching a billion people. They hope people will come to know and love Jesus more through this relational film of Jesus walk on earth. Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, believes Season 4 is the best and most deep, spiritually and emotionally, season yet.

The original short film, The Shepherd, was released in Dallas Jenkins home church, and he is very excited you have the opportunity to engage with season 4 in a church setting. St. John’s Church will kick off The Chosen Season 4, Episodes 1 & 2 on Friday, April 26 at 6:00 pm in the church sanctuary. Doors open at 5:30 pm. This is a FREE movie night opportunity, so tell your family and friends and encourage them to come!

FREE refreshments will also be served! To help us plan accordingly, please RSVP via the google doc sign-up sheet. The event is FREE, but we do ask that you RSVP so we know how much popcorn to make! We look forward to providing this opportunity for people to gather socially, engaging in the story of Jesus!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Episodes 3 & 4 have been released, and we will be hosting another FREE movie night on Friday, May 3, at 6:00 pm in the church sanctuary! Additional FREE movie nights will be announced as Episodes 5-8 are released. Please sign up using the links below.

RSVP to Watch the Chosen on April 26

RSVP to Watch the Chosen on May 3

Buy Tickets for the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra Concert

Sunday, May 5 • 3:00 pm • Sanctuary

The Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra (MMO) plays music arranged for 1st and 2nd mandolin, mandola, mando-cello, guitar, flute, mando-bass, percussion and voice. The MMO was organized in Milwaukee in 1900 and has been in continuous operation in Milwaukee since that time.

Led by Music Director Rene Izquierdo, the MMO's repertoire centers on the best in traditional American mandolin orchestra music (waltzes, tangos, marches and polkas) plus light classical, modern, Italian and Latin numbers. They regularly perform their unique repertoire at music festivals and concert halls around Wisconsin and occasionally outside the State of Wisconsin.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience an authentic mandolin orchestra – at St. John's West Bend. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $18 by scanning their QR Code or by clicking the button below. Tickets cost $20 at the door. Mark your calendars!

It's Time to Register for Vacation Bible School

Get a $10 Discount if You Register in April

Families! Children ages 3 years (and potty trained) through 5th grade are welcome to participate in St. John's annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). It is set to cast off on July 8-12! The theme this year is Scuba: Diving into Friendship with God. Grab your dive buddies for a whale of a good time! At Scuba, kids plunge into an undersea world brimming with colorful coral, flashy fish, and abundant life. Immersed in oceans of fun, kids discover God is a real friend who loves them forever.

VBS Online Registration opened April 1! Receive a $10 discount if you register during the month of April by using the code: EarlyBird10. Click the link below to register your child or children.

PLEASE NOTE: ACTIVE offers a subscription for their services to individuals, which has a cost of $89.95. This will probably be a pop up after clicking submit on the initial payment. Please pay attention to your screen or you may select the opt in and be charged that fee, which is NOT ours.

Register for VBS

Sign Up to Volunteer at Vacation Bible School

Calling all VBS Volunteers! It’s that time of year again when we are in need of strong, amazing, sweet, sassy, loud, quiet, Jesus-loving volunteers. Do any of those descriptive words describe you? I’m sure at least one of them did, so jump on board and join the team of VBS Volunteers. We are gearing up for another week of fantastic fun this summer (July 8-12). 

Volunteers meet in the school gym at 8:30 am every morning during the week of VBS, so that you are ready to welcome your crews or jump to the station you will be helping. You are typically finished serving for the day at 12:15 pm. 

We will be building the main set on June 1 from 8:00 am -1:00 pm at Our Redeemer! If you have any questions, please contact me, Desiree Titus, at dtitus@stjohnswestbend.org and I would me more than happy to answer any of your questions.

Sign Up to Volunteer at VBS

Register for the 2024 Men's Retreat

May 17-19 • Camp Luther

And 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

We have a God of purpose. No, not porpoise, as in the marine animal… (but He created that with purpose too.) Purpose as in function, direction, meaning, intention. God has worked and is still working with purpose, and you have a role in His grand plan.

If someone on the street calls you a “tool”, you’re probably not too excited about it. However, if you consider that idea from your perspective of faith, with God as the Master Craftsman, it may be the right description. Consider the tools you’re familiar with; each designed and made with a specific purpose in mind. Furthermore, not only have they been forged or assembled with purpose, they have also been deployed to accomplish a job. To do work; “called according to His purpose.”

We’re talking about work at a retreat?! Well, kinda. The reason we retreat is so that we can also return. Return with purpose. Return with a renewed understanding of how God is at work in and around you. Don’t worry, we will certainly have time to laugh, relax, and recreate. But we will also dig into God’s Word so that, by His Grace, we can grow in our understanding of Him who works “On Purpose, For Purpose”.

View the Men's Retreat Brochure

Register for the 2024 Men's Retreat

Special Offers from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) serves as the financial extension of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod offering loans to help establish, maintain, and expand Lutheran ministries since 1978.

LCEF helps by making loans to expand churches, start schools, build senior housing, and help pastors and LCMS rostered/called workers with home mortgages. For example, St. John’s West Bend has been a borrower since 2021. At the end of last year LCEF had over $1.5 billion of loans outstanding to support Lutheran ministries.

LCEF needs people to invest money with them so they can make loans. This is one of those times when the need is great. LCEF has two special offers called Term Notes available to investors. Both pay interest and have fixed maturity dates like bank certificates of deposit. There is more information available in the Connections Rack in the Gathering Space so you can read more about the offers. Or go to LCEF.org and click Invest Now (top right). LCEF is a non-profit Lutheran organization. Investments in LCEF are not FDIC insured.

Join Us for Discipleship Hour This Sunday

At 9:25 am through May 5 • Lower Level

Engage in important and hopeful dialogue with fellow Christians about living in a time and place that is foreign to us as we Get Used to Being Different.

Adult Discipleship Hour (DH): We will be discussing Speaking the Truth: What Do We Have to Say? We meet in the lower level of the church at 9:30 am. Come early for fellowship and refreshments.

Middle School DH: Meets in the Social Studies room on the 2nd floor of the school.

Kid's DH Ages 3*-5th Grade: It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect, care, and share in Christ together with old and new friends! Children ages 3-5th grade will learn through age appropriate lessons with fantastic teachers. Drop off for them will be in the ECC K3/K4 AM Classroom, the last classroom upstairs. *Children must be potty trained. If your 3-year-old is not potty trained, we have child care.

Child Care for Ages Infant-3 Years Old: Child care is in the ECC 2-year-old classroom.

Sign Up Your Child for Kid's Discipleship Hour

Join Our Pew Maintenance Team!

St. John’s is looking for someone to join our Pew Maintenance Team who could volunteer every other week on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (preferred) mornings after 9:00 am for about 1-1 ½ hours working with another team member.

Pew maintenance includes putting in scribble sheets for our “littles”, replacing offering envelopes, making sure pencils are sharp, straightening position of hymnals and bibles, picking up any garbage, and checking the attendance pads.

If interested in volunteering, please contact Lori Yogerst. Call her at (262) 334-4901, ext. 310 or email her at lyogerst@stjohnswestbend.org

LWML - Zone 5 Spring Rally

• Saturday, April 27 

• Starts at 9:00 am

• First Immanuel Cedarburg

Next Meeting at St. John's: May 13 at 6 pm

In you are interested in joining LWML or have questions, contact Pam Muther by calling (262) 338-9435 or emailing her at pjmuther@yahoo.com.

Quilters

• Monday, April 29 

• Starts at 9:30 am

• Lower Level/Fellowship Hall

Our team of quilters meet each Monday at 9:30 am in the lower fellowship hall to make quilts that are sent out to people in need around the world. Join any time!

For more information about the Quilters Ministry, please call the church office at (262) 334-4901 or email: stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org.

Sister to Sister Bible Study

• Monday Nights:

• Monday, April 29 & May 6

• 6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Meet at Penny Van Dellen's House - 940 Schloemer Dr, West Bend

Wednesday Mornings:

• More info coming soon.

Angie Smith's video series and book, Matchless: The Life and Love of Jesus, is being discussed. Enjoy Bible study and fellowship with your sisters in Christ.

If you have questions, please email Penny Van Dellen at pvandellen@sjswb.org or email Denise Siebel at blessedonwheels@gmail.com

Faith Haven Team Meeting

• Wednesday, May 1 

• 6 pm

• Church Nursery

We are looking for members who enjoy the outdoors and would like to be a part of an active group at St. John's. We will go over the plans for the 2024 season. Come with your thoughts and ideas for Faith Haven. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Bruce (262-297-2587) or Brett Bergquist (262-305-3994).

Mom Café

• Thursday, May 2 

• 8:00 - 9:30 am

• Church Gathering Space

The 6-week study, M is for Mama, started March 7. Mama of ten, Abbie Halberstadt helps women humbly and gracefully rise to the high calling of motherhood without settling for mediocrity or losing their minds in the process. M is for Mama offers advice, encouragement, and scripturally sound strategies seasoned with a little bit of humor to help you embrace the challenge of biblical motherhood and raise your children with love and wisdom. 

Mom Café meets every other Thursday (May 2 & 16) from 8:00 to 9:30 am in the church gathering space. The connections made at Mom Café have been a blessing to many moms. Enjoy mother-to-mother support, faith-filled conversations, fellowship, food, and FREE childcare. Space is limited for childcare.

Ladies Aid Meeting

• Thursday, May 2 

• Starts at Noon

• Church Lower Level

Lunch will be served at noon followed by devotions by Pastor David. A short meeting will follow. Anyone interested in joining us is welcome!

The Ladies Aid actively serves by providing meals for families following funeral services. They monthly meet in the lower level fellowship hall for a time of food, fellowship, devotional time, and a variety of activities.

If you have questions, please call Joanne Johnson at (262) 707-0899.

Women's Ministry Bible Journaling Workshop (with Pie!)

• Saturday, May 4

• 9:00 - 11:00 am

• Lower Level

Join St. John's Women’s Ministry for a Bible Journaling Workshop and pie! Bekah (Karolus) Lukas will be leading our event. Please bring $10 that morning to cover the cost of supplies. Thank you!

If you have questions, please contact Becky Fleischmann by emailing deanbeckyf@gmail.com.

Bible Journaling Sign Up

All Pro Dad

• Monday, May 8

• 7:00-7:40 am

• Lower Level

All Pro Dad Chapters provide an opportunity for dads to spend quality time with their children that will strengthen their relationship. For one hour each month you'll get to join other dads and kids for a fun, memory-making event. Enjoy a FREE breakfast with your kids while connecting through conversation around a specific monthly topic! Our topic for May is Integrity. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or click link below.

Click Here to Learn More and Sign Up

View May Meeting Flyer

Youth Events

BASH - Mess Night

• Friday, May 17

• 3:00 - 5:30 pm

• At St. John's Church

• Cost $5

• Bring Extra Clothes and a Towel

Please call or text Alan Lull at (262) 707-9198 with questions about any youth events.

Baptism Class

• Monday, May 20

• 6:30 pm

• Church Nursery

The class is led by Doug and Mel Raddemann. This course is for anyone looking to be baptized themselves or for any parent who would like his or her child baptized at St. John's. The class introduces what we believe and confess about the amazing gift that baptism is for individuals and families.

Please RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend by emailing: stjohns@stjohnswestbend.org or calling: (262) 334-4901.

Women’s Book Club

Our Women’s Book Club typically meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Come to all of our book club meetings or just the ones that fit into your schedule. We do not have a regular meeting location, but enjoy the hospitality of hosting each other. Please watch for the locations of each get together as they become available.

May 21: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Science Fiction). We are meeting at Christa Markworth's house (1341 Evergreen Street, West Bend).



Please contact Cheryl Wipperfurth at cwipperfurth71@gmail.com or Leah Mussel at lmussell@sjswb.org with any questions.

Winter Futsal

Futsal is simply indoor soccer. So if you love soccer, join us in the school gym on Sundays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Adults and high school students are welcome to join us. All skill levels are encouraged to join us.

To get on the Futsal Text Alert List, please text Molly Herbolsheimer at (414) 350-9451.

Click Here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Click Here to view our Livestream

Visit our website: www.stjohnswestbend.org

Secure Your Child's Spot at Camp Invention

Grades: 1st - 6th

Location: St. John's Lutheran School

Date: June 17-21, 2024

Time & Cost: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm ($270 Before Discount)

Camp Director: Marcia Milam, Email: mmilam@sjswb.org

If you are willing to help children attend Camp Invention, click here to donate.

The Twelve Forty-Eight is a young adult ministry for those in their 20s and 30s in the Milwaukee area who want to connect with other young adults through a variety of different events and Bible study. We have Bible study every second Friday of the month as well as planned events once a month.

If you have any questions or want to be added to our email/message chain you can contact one of the leaders, Leah Mussell at lmussell@sjswb.org or email the 1248 Ministry at 1248ministry@gmail.com. We would love to have you join us!

For more information, visit their website at lwlhs.com.

For a Digital Copy of the Connections Booklet, Click Here.

Click Here for Events Calendar PDF

Saturday Worship

• 6:00 PM - Traditional

Sunday Worship & Discipleship Hour (DH)

• 8:00 AM (Traditional)

• 9:25 AM Adult Discipleship Hour (Lower Level)

• Middle School DH (2nd Floor School)

• Kids DH (2nd Floor ECC)

• 9:30 AM - Blended (In-Person and Livestream)

• 11:00 AM - Contemporary