St. John's Youth News
"Growing Together in our Faith as we Serve Others"
Congratulations to our
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The 2020 Confirmation Class was (finally) confirmed during worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd. Pictured are Haden Shakespeare, Jace Baird, Pastor Ken Gibson, Connor Bailey, and Paul Bailey.
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Please keep the following confirmation students in your prayers a they head to Lutherdale Bible Camp for a week starting on June 20th -- Ella Coss, Dessa Komitas, Ella Martin, Gracie Politsch, Meredith Politsch, Joshua Shakespeare, and Jillian Younger.
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Congratulations to all of our Graduates!
Joy Gibson is the daughter of Pastor Ken Gibson. She received her Master's Degree from Loyola University with Honors as a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner.
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Natalie Landgraf is the daughter of Mitch & Tammy Landgraf. She received her Bachelor's of Business from Western Illinois University. Natalie was the College of Business & Technology Scholar, Department Scholar, Summa Cum Laude. She will complete her MBA this December.
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Melissa Wohrley is the daughter of Kevin & Jill Wohrley. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Psychology from North Central College, Summa Cum Laude. She is working at Van Matre Rehabilitation Hospital and will attend Grad School in 2022.
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Lauren Beetz is the daughter of Zach & Michelle Beetz. She is a graduate of Mendota High School.
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Christian Dean is the son of Jake Dean & Janelle Dean. He is a graduate of Mendota High School. Christian plans to join the Army this fall.
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Dylan Denault is the son of Bryan & Jamie Denault. He is a graduate of Mendota High School. Dylan is currently working at Rustic Industrial, specializing in building reclaimed barn wood furniture. He plans to join an apprenticeship program to become a carpenter.
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Matthew Grenter is the son of Aaron Grenter & Stina Grenter. He is a graduate of Mendota High School.
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Shashawna Reger-Kendall is the daughter of Duane & Dawn Kendall.
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Cole Zimmerman is the son of Curt & Laurie Zimmerman. He is a graduate of Mendota High School. Cole plans to attend Daytona State College for two years before transferring to the University of Central Florida to major in marketing/business.
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Mission Trip to Sky Ranch
We are excited to announce the members of our 2021 High School Mission Trip Team — Connor Bailey, Paul Bailey, Bailey Baird, Ella Coss, Samantha Katschke, Abby Kunz, Ella Martin, Matt Miller, Alayna Nosalik, Jillian Younger, Garret Zinke, and Gracie Zinke. Chaperones will include Pastor Ken & Yvonne Gibson, Ronnie Bailey, James Younger, and Mike Anderson. Please add our Team and Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp in Ft. Collins, Colorado to your prayer list.
Team members -- Don’t forget to return all of your signed forms to the church office as soon as possible. Thank you!
Team members -- Don’t forget to return all of your signed forms to the church office as soon as possible. Thank you!
Operation: St. John's Cares!!
On August 3rd, we had a masked & gloved crew safely meet in our courtyard (while social distancing) to put "Operation: St. John's Cares!!" into action. Lots of care packages were assembled for the residents and the staff of Heritage Health. Thank you to Gracie, Garrett, Cole, Karen, Aimee, and Sophie for your work. A HUGE THANK YOU!! goes to everyone who donated items to our effort. We couldn't have done it without all of the very generous support we received from you! We delivered 25+ cases of water, snacks, treats, and candy for staff, and gift bags for residents that consisted of magazines, adult coloring books, colored pencils, puzzle books, pens, and a craft. Please keep the residents and staff of Heritage in your prayers.
Youth Volunteer at the OSF Community Garden
“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives
who need your help.” (Isaiah 58:7)
Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives
who need your help.” (Isaiah 58:7)
Our Junior High and High School youth were invited by the volunteer coordinator at OSF St. Paul Medical Center to help “man” the hospital’s Community Garden the week of July 20th to 25th. On two different mornings, we worked to harvest 103 pounds of produce (WOW!), plant new crops of green beans and weed the beds. Food grown and harvested from the garden is first offered to the hospital’s kitchen to be used in providing fresh vegetable meal options to patients. Remaining produce is donated weekly to the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry and/or the Body and Soul Food Pantry run by the Baptist church.
What a fun way to be together while helping to feed those in need!!
What a fun way to be together while helping to feed those in need!!
Well Done, Team St. Louis!
Thank You for doing God's work with your hands!
All I Ever Needed To Know I Learned While At Confirmation Camp
by Karen Goy, Youth Director
Karen, Haden, Jace, Garret, and Gracie
Last week I was blessed to accompany four of our youth to confirmation camp… and can I be honest that I wasn’t feeling the “camp vibe” when I left. God is in the business of transformation and that was what our theme was all about. Our bible studies focused on how a community is transformed as they experience and then extend His inclusion, compassion, forgiveness, justice, and generosity. It was amazing to witness first-hand the transformation of the community of strangers that was at camp throughout the week as we spent time, prayed, ate, laughed, studied, enjoyed, and adventured together. Being in community over time and in a setting outside the normal routine indeed had transforming power. Not only did my mindset change very quickly, but I saw/heard the kids thoughts, mindset, actions, and words transform into an amazing community that was definitely different than the one that arrived on Sunday night. There is power in spending time in community – transforming power. There is power in hearing again and again about God’s compassion, forgiveness, generosity, inclusion, and justice – a message very different than those messages we are daily bombarded with. It is empowering to extend and live inclusion, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, and justice that happens in that community time too… and from there, think of all the other communities we are a part of that can in turn be transformed!!
We have an amazing opportunity to spend time in such a community right here at St. John’s! I’m grateful for the blessed reminder of the transformation that can happen in us, for us, and through us as we make the choice to leave our “typical” routine to also participate more fully in the community here. Thank you, St. John’s, for the opportunity you made for the five us to go to confirmation camp. What a generous and supportive community you are!
We have an amazing opportunity to spend time in such a community right here at St. John’s! I’m grateful for the blessed reminder of the transformation that can happen in us, for us, and through us as we make the choice to leave our “typical” routine to also participate more fully in the community here. Thank you, St. John’s, for the opportunity you made for the five us to go to confirmation camp. What a generous and supportive community you are!
Thank You, St. John’s Family!
Your encouragement and support of the “Textathon” we held last month helped us pray for cancer patients, share information about free services available to patients, be part of a great community cause (Relay For Life March To A Million) and to raise over $6,000! The day was a memorable example of how we are to be Christ in the world!
Your encouragement and support of the “Textathon” we held last month helped us pray for cancer patients, share information about free services available to patients, be part of a great community cause (Relay For Life March To A Million) and to raise over $6,000! The day was a memorable example of how we are to be Christ in the world!
Team Pictures from previous High School Mission Trips
2018 Benton Harbor, MI Mission Trip Team - Natalie, Tammy, Gabrielle, Grace, Gabbi, Maya, Bailey, Sophie, Sammi, Amy, Matthew, Mitch, Troy, Cole, Gavin, Ted and Logan
2017 Red Lake, MN Mission Trip Team - Maria, Natalie, Brent, Grace, Matthew, Gabrielle, Gavin, Gillian, Cole, Cameron, Aaron, Gabbi and Sammye
2016 Cincinnati, OH Mission Trip Team - Maria, Gavin, Jacquelynn, Haleigh, Gillian, Cameron, Natalie, Dave, Grace, Aaron and Roberta.
2015 St. Louis, MO Mission Trip Team - Mary, Jared, Grace, Brock, Natalie, Gillian, Mark, Cameron, Amy, Jacquelynn, Brady, Karen, Don, Maria and Joey
2014 Bayou La Batre, AL Mission Trip Team - Maria, Paige, Grace, Emily, Cameron, Gillian, Jacquelynn, Brady, Amy, Lukas, Jared, Joey, Mark, Brock and Barry
2013 Benton Harbon, MI Mission Trip Team - Jared, Mark, Erik, Brock, Brady, Gillian, Amy, Cameron and Jacquelynn (not pictured: Maria, Alice and Curt)
2012 Eastern Shore of Virginia Mission Trip Team with YouthWorks staff members and Jeff, Amy, Marcus, Mark, Jared, Brock, Paige S., Paige H., Brady and Maria.
2011 Cass Lake, MN Mission Trip Team - Don, Travis, Mark, Amy, Cady, Devan, Paige, Jared, Laurie, Grif, Karen and Marcus.
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2018 Team Benton Harbor had a great time at Silver Beach
2017 Red Lake Team enjoyed a beautiful sunset!
2016 Cincinnati Mission Trip Team onsite with YouthWorks!
2015 St. Louis Mission Trip Team
onsite with YouthWorks at Kossuth Church of God in Christ
We work hard and we play hard! A day of fun on the beach at Dauphin Island, AL.
Our Benton Harbor Mission Trip team with the beloved Mama Wilder.
We LOVED serving the community of Cass Lake!
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