News of St. John's Lutheran Church

From the Pastor...

Dear friends in Christ,
There’s a beautiful Advent hymn of Nordic origin called “Lost in the Night” (ELW 243). It is a haunting melody and on the more difficult side to sing which is why few churches in my experience sing it. I learned it in seminary and every year it is one of the songs that runs through my head during Advent. The first verse is
“Lost in the night do the people yet languish,
longing for morning the darkness to vanquish,
plaintively sighing with hearts full of anguish.
Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?”
It’s one thing to be lost. It’s another thing altogether to be lost in darkness. If you’re lost in the day you may be able to find landmarks, gauge distance by the sun, or find something to hold onto. In the night, all sense of direction is gone. Odd noises become even stranger and our eyes play tricks on us.
            This hymn lays out grief and longing: that our neighbors appear to be no help to us, but that we desire to know where we are; that we may see relief from our anguish; that we will be able to see our way forward once again. As the hymn continues, it isn’t just a prayer for things to be better, but a growing hope that there is One who will permanently dispel the metaphorical darkness of our world. And not just the darkness of our lives, but among all who are in need.
            One of the Advent themes is hope. We long to be known, we long to belong. We long to know that we are on a path that goes somewhere. We also have compassionate hearts that drive us to long for the well-being of others. To see the hungry fed. The homeless with shelter. The lonely accompanied. The violence brought to an end. Advent is the season in which we claim that our God has come and will come again to renew this weary world. And that we are witness to the light of God’s presence here and now.
            How will you practice Advent this year? How will you live expectantly and in hope? How might you accompany others to offer light in the darkness? How do we live confidently when others around us are hurting and even despairing? What is our witness in our daily living? These are questions without easy answers. On the Wednesdays in Advent, you can join me for prayer and conversation about these questions and more. The chapel will be open during office hours (9:00-2:00) for prayer, and again from 6:30-7:45, with conversation at 7:15 for any who so desire.
            May all your longing and your waiting see fulfillment in the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior, and the Savior of the world. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Elise

Holiday Office Hours

CLOSED: 12/24  through 12/29
 OPEN : 12/30  9am-12pm
CLOSED: 12/31  and  1/1/2026

Pastoral Care

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If you find yourself in need of pastoral care or you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office. Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted. 

Join us for worship on YouTube!

Simply click on the button above to go to our YouTube page.  Once there, you can watch any of our worship services (just double-check the date).

Online Giving to St. John's
is Now Available!

To set up or adjust recurring gifts, contact Le Roy in the church office, follow the QR code to the right, or click the "donate now" button below.  You will be asked to create an account and set up donations with a credit, debit, or bank account.
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Endowment Fund Bylaws Draft

endowment_bylaws_2025-dec.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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Join us for Christmas Services
and Invite Others!

Christmas Eve worship will be offered at both 4:30 and 7:00 P.M. Both services will include Holy Communion, candle lighting, Christmas carols and special music. The 4:30 P.M. service will be more family-friendly. Christmas Eve is a great way to invite others to hear a word of hope and good news.  Invitation postcards will be available on Sunday morning and in the office if you would like a printed invitation to give to someone.

We wish God’s blessings on you & your
family during this Christmas season.

St. John’s staff
 Pastor Elise Rothfusz, Melissa Nosalik,
Le Roy Groff, Rob Guardiola, Dawn Kendall, James Younger, Delle Vercimak, Vicki Wujek & Kevin Wohrley