November 26 News and Notes

Worship | 11/26/2025

Thanksgiving Break

The Church and School office will be closed November 26-28 in observance of Thanksgiving. Also, there will be no Education Hour on Sunday, November 30.

Christmas Decorating

Prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons at St. John by helping decorate the church for Christmas the mornings of Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29. Several groups are needed to help decorate different areas.

Advent

The new church year begins with the first Sunday in Advent, Sunday November 30. St. John will hold two Wednesday Advent services each week, Advent Vespers at 4:30pm in the Sanctuary and SJLS Advent service at 6:30 pm in the Dwelling Place. Join us as we prepare our hearts for the coming King!

Come and Adore

The annual Advent and Christmas concert presented by the choirs of St. John will be Sunday, December 7 at 4pm in the Dwelling Place.

Lunch and Learn

Lunch and Learn will meet Thursday, December 4, at 11:30am in the Commons. We will enjoy Christmas fellowship and carol singing, as well as lasagna and fettuccine alfredo. Please bring a side or dessert to share. Please note Lunch and Learn will NOT meet in January.

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study meets the first Saturday of the month, December 6 at 7:30am in the Teacher Workroom (enter door C8). All men of the congregation are encouraged to attend and bring a friend. Please RSVP to Rich O’Brien.

Giving Opportunity

Our athletic field is a vital space where children build not only their physical skills but also teamwork, discipline, and school spirit. We are planning to install a fence along the north side of our property. $12,000 has been committed so far for the Perimeter Fence Project, with an additional $18,000 needed for completion. Please consider a gift or corporate sponsorship to help complete this important project. Advertisement banners are available for sponsorship gifts of $1,000 or more, with banners being displayed on the athletic field fence for three years. You can give online at stjohnindy.org/give. Contact Michael Collins or Britney Zimmer for more information.

We are pleased to share that the Gym Floor Refurbishment has been fully funded through fundraising and special gifts, with plans for completion over Christmas break.

Advent Devotion Books

Advent Devotion Books from Lutheran Hour Ministries are available on the Welcome Center. You can read or listen to the devotions online at lhm.org

Christmas Caroling

Our annual Christmas caroling event is on December 14. Youth and adults are invited to help us spread the message of Christmas to our community. If you know of someone who would be blessed by a visit of our carolers, please contact Matthew Frick with the name(s), address, and phone number by December 7.

LuFest is February 6, 2026

Early Bird tickets are available through December 12 at LuFest.org.

Christmas Compassion

St. John is offering several opportunities to show Christian compassion to those in need during the upcoming Christmas season, including a food drive, Salvation Army Angel Tree, and Toys for Tots collection. Please consider participating in one or each of these opportunities. The Emmaus food pantry is also accepting donations of paper products, toiletry items, hats, gloves, and socks.

Ushers Needed

We are looking for a few people to serve as ushers for our worship services. This is a low-commitment, convenient way to serve our congregation by assisting those attending worship services. Ushers serve in teams of 3-5 assigned to the service of their choice, one month at a time and once per quarter. If you would like to learn more about serving at St. John in this way, please contact Wes Journay.

Pampered Chef Fundraiser

Sponsored by St. John Youth to raise money for the youth group and their activities. You can browse and shop direct with this link and a portion of your purchase will be contributed to the youth group, plus a donor match! Start planning your holiday cooking and gift-giving now! Orders will ship directly to you and arrive in time for Christmas.

Click here for the December Prayer Calendar