Real. Present. God. 

These three simple words summarize the Psalm of Reformation, Psalm 46. And what makes this even more exciting is that this is the theme for this year’s National Youth Gathering. It is awesome to connect our school with hundreds of thousands of other preschool, elementary, and jr. and sr. high school students in other Lutheran schools around the world, who all will be gathering each week and focusing on the same theme.

“Real. Present. God – it says in Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  What an incredible Psalm and one that is definitely applicable to our lives. Who hasn’t experienced trouble in our lives? Everyone has. Yet it is what we do when we experience that trouble that really matters. Do we seek the Lord and rely on His strength? Do we cling to our Savior?

This year’s theme is all about learning about our God – knowing that He is Real and that He is there in ALL circumstances to help and guide us. How awesome is it to know that our Savior cares so much for us….for every detail of our lives! He cares about each tear and each smile!

We will spend time in our chapels and Bible classes learning about the whole book of Psalms. It is said that in Psalms we see comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible. The book of Psalms was the prayer book and hymnbook of prophets, kings and Jesus and saints, throughout the ages. How fitting is it that our children join them? It is my prayer that by focusing on this theme that each person in our school community will come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ, as well as deepen their relationship with their Savior knowing that He is Real and Present in their life.

And that is what I want for St. John Lutheran School this year: for our faith in Jesus Christ to be unwavering in the good times and the not-so-good times. It is about developing the roots of our faith so they run deep, so that no matter what life may throw at us, we will remain firmly planted in our faith in Jesus Christ. I want each and every person, whether that be parent, student, grandparent, faculty, staff, volunteer, etc., to be able to say that they truly walk by faith through this life no matter what life throws at them. So that we know the Real. Present God .

The faculty and staff at St. John are very excited about this school year, and we look forward to partnering with you to provide the best possible education for your children.