Give to God Generation to Generation - A new stewardship theme is coming to St. John! On October 18, we’ll kick things off during all worship services, introducing Give to God, Generation to Generation—a theme that will shape our stewardship conversations in the months ahead.
The kickoff will include sermon topics during worship and a special Bible study between services, giving us an opportunity to explore what Scripture teaches about faithfully receiving, managing, and giving the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to us. What we share this day will be referenced and built upon throughout the coming months, so this is an important opportunity for everyone to begin the journey together.
Congregational Town Hall: Employee Benefits Cost Sharing -
All congregation members are invited to join us Thursday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commons for open discussion about our employee benefits cost-sharing initiative. Congregation members are invited to learn more, ask questions, and share their perspectives. The subcommittee, with support from the School Board and Church Council, has carefully reviewed how we can continue supporting our valued staff while addressing rising healthcare costs and St. John’s financial needs. Questions may also be directed to Britney Zimmer at or 317-352-9196 ext. 13. Thank you for your continued care for our staff and support of St. John’s ministry.
Ladies’ Aid - The Ladies Aid/LWML will meet Thursday, October 8 at 11:30 am in the Commons for a pitch-in lunch. Mr. Jeff Huntington, SJLS Principal, will be providing us with a school update. Please bring Kleenex and/or Chlorox wipes, as we will be collecting these items for the school. All ladies are welcome to join us for this time of fellowship. We hope to see you there!
Second Saturday Supper - will be held on October 10. Smoked pork and hot dogs will be served. Please bring a dish to share. A free will donation will be taken. Please RSVP so we may prepare accordingly.
ReformationFEST is October 25 - COME for the Fellowship and Food!!
Participate as you wish in the (optional) fun, fundraising activities which include a raffle for prizes, a cakewalk, and an auction for a stained glass ‘Luther’s Rose’ art piece created by St. John members. There will be activities for kids as well, including a bounce house and face painting. This event is made possible by free-will offering and donations, suggested meal prices are $10/adult, and $5/child. Be sure to RSVP HERE.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month - Boxes for Pastor Duling and Vicar Schroeder are available on the welcome center for notes, cards, or other tokens of appreciation. These will be presented to Pastor and Vicar at the services on October 18, along with a reception as well. Thank you!
Trunk or Treat - St. John will host our annual community Trunk or Treat on October 30. We encourage our members to host a trunk, invite friends and neighbors, and contribute candy to the cause. Candy donations may be left in the marked grocery cart in the Commons. RSVP HERE especially if you plan to host a trunk.
Step Through the Wardrobe - Do you remember the first time you discovered Narnia? This fall, the Saints on Stage invite you to rediscover the wonder, adventure, and timeless truths of C.S. Lewis’s beloved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Performances October 2 and 3 at 7pm and October 4 at 3pm in the Ruth Lilly Auditorium at Lutheran High School. Tickets available online at LHSI.org or at the door.
School Notes
Building Strong Readers, One Center at a Time - Our first-grade classroom makes time for both whole-group instruction and meaningful, hands-on small-group learning.READ MORE
Bible Quiz - Our largest team ever at 25 students strong, will match wits against other Lutheran schools on the Gospel of Mark on Monday at 7pm Holy Cross Lutheran School.
Eagles Sports - Our volleyball team has concluded their regular season with a record of 23-15, including a second place finish in last weekend’s tournament at Cornerstone, and qualified for the ILSAA State Tournament, which will be October 9-11 in Seymour, IN.Our soccer team competes in the tournament at Lutheran High School this weekend.
Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday
- is being celebrated this weekend. More information about the work of LWML will be shared. Mites are collected the first Sunday of every month to contribute to the mission grants LWML is supporting in the coming years. Learn more at lwml.org.
Quilts Made by the St John Quilters - will be on display this weekend. They will then be sent through Lutheran World Relief to areas around the world where they are needed due to natural disasters and poverty conditions. The cost of shipping for each quilt is $3.50. If you would like to contribute to offset the cost of shipping the quilts around the world, there will be a box in the commons to collect donations. Learn more at lwr.org.
Metal Recycling - Lutheran High School is hosting a metal recycling event on Saturday, October 3, from 9am to Noon in the high school parking lot. All types of metal are accepted, including electronics. Proceeds will support the Saints4Life trip to Washington, D.C.
Readings for the Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
Pastor Duling’s Sermon Theme:
“Tale of a Vineyard”
Stewardship at St. John
Matthew 21:43 – “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” The Pharisees were not bearing fruit. Though they were faithful to the letter of the Law in keeping the Sabbath, tithing and all the rest, they neglected the heart of God’s will. The grace of God belongs at the center. Our giving and all our other good works flow forth from receiving God’s grace and living in that grace on a daily basis.
Attendance Last Week:
Worship Services - 285
Education Hour - 49 Adults, 25 Children and Youth
Giving:
September Stewardship Update
The first two months of the fiscal year, regular giving is $13,700 above our current budget. This is an encouraging start as we work within the approved budget, which projects a $43,000 deficit for the year. We continue to take steps toward a responsible balanced budget for the current fiscal year . We are grateful for the generosity of our congregation and its continued support of St. John’s ministry.
Did you know? School Tuition Funding
The cost to educate one student at St. John is $9,800 per year. With support from the church and Indiana’s Choice Scholarship program, Lutheran SGO, and tiered tuition pricing, families pay a fraction of that cost. So far this year, we have received $28,700 in school gifts, $56,833 from the Lutheran SGO, and we have also received the first of four Choice Scholarship payments in the amount of $272,867. All of these revenue streams are helping us make a Christ-centered education accessible to more families. If you would like to give a gift, email
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