ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Reports from Auxiliary Organizations
PARISH NURSE MINISTRY
The parish nurses of St. John Lutheran Church are called by God to provide care to the sick and to the support of health and well-being. We are dedicated to the health and wellness of our congregation and surrounding communities in order to be in full service to our Lord. Our mission is to support and promote Christ-centered health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit through congregational health ministries.
The functions of parish nursing include:
1.
Education in programs promoting wellness and health for all ages within the congregation.
Education in programs promoting wellness and health for all ages within the congregation. 2.Consultation with church staff, organizations, the school, community resources, etc. on health issues that relate to the wellness of the
Consultation with church staff, organizations, the school, community resources, etc. on health issues that relate to the wellness of the whole person.
3.Personal health counseling upon request or referral within areas of professional competence.
Personal health counseling upon request or referral within areas of professional competence. 4.Provide health information and health care resources appropriate to the needs of the congregation.
Provide health information and health care resources appropriate to the needs of the congregation. 5.Advocate to facilitate access to adequate health care for all, especially for the medically under-insured and the indigent members of
Advocate to facilitate access to adequate health care for all, especially for the medically under-insured and the indigent members of the congregation.
6.Promote Christian lifestyle in the membership of the congregation.
Promote Christian lifestyle in the membership of the congregation. 7.Recruit and organize volunteers into care-giving situations.
Recruit and organize volunteers into care-giving situations. 8.Provide home visitation upon request to support fellow members in the witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and adoption of healthy
Provide home visitation upon request to support fellow members in the witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
9.Recognize the healing resources of various health agencies in the area and refer members to them as appropriate.
Recognize the healing resources of various health agencies in the area and refer members to them as appropriate. 10.Monitor the physical, mental, emotional, and relational health of the membership of the congregation and make suggestions or appropriate referrals where areas of need or improvement are identified.
Monitor the physical, mental, emotional, and relational health of the membership of the congregation and make suggestions or appropriate referrals where areas of need or improvement are identified.11.Intentionally monitor and support the accessibility of worship, fellowship, and educational facilities for those who are physically handicapped.
Intentionally monitor and support the accessibility of worship, fellowship, and educational facilities for those who are physically handicapped.As the congregation looks forward in the journey or Re:Vitality, it is the intention of the parish nurses to seek ways in which to incorporate these functions more visibly to church and school staff, and the congregation. As parish nurses, we love because he first loved us, 1John 4:19. So then, by the grace of God we strive to continue to find ways to support our Christian brothers and sisters in love and service to Christ by promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing an awareness of health-related opportunities to this congregation.During the past year, parish nurses serving St. John were Janet Wertzberger, RN and Elaine Becker, RN. Both nurses continue to maintain current registered nurse licenses and current education in the field of training. Both nurses have extensive backgrounds in corporate and community nursing settings. Janet attended the National Parish Nursing Conference in Mequon, WI in May. A variety of topics were presented by parish nurses in areas such as home care, first aid for VBS, diabetes care, and living wills. Janet also participated in the quarterly Parish Nurse meetings in Topeka, and toured four long-term care facilities to learn about services provided within each facility. A stipend was received from Lutheran Parish Nurse International to support the registration at the national conference and a gift from the SJL Friendship Circle was given to support the mileage and lodging to attend the conference. All other expenses incurred during the year were paid for by the parish nurses because there is no financial support in the church budget for health care services.Parish nurses provided month blood pressure and personal health counseling sessions after church on the second Sunday of the month and upon request through out 2025. Although the number of individuals participating in the sessions was minimal, a few life-saving referrals were made to appropriate entities. Health-related news articles were also published in the church newsletter. The parish nurses provided Christ-centered compassion and support in coordinating funeral dinners, sewing quilt tops for missions, Christmas caroling for shut-ins, visiting with families about options for continued care inside and outside of the home, and participating in Bible studies and book studies.The Parish Nurses of St. John are participating in the congregation’s Re:Vitality discussions to further education the congregation in the purpose of the ministry and to support the church in moving forward to engage its members and the community in the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The field of parish nursing is open to registered nurses who are called by the Gospel to grow in Christ.As parish nurses, we ask for your prayers of support for the ministry and your participation in the opportunities ahead in 2026. May God grant us the knowledge and wisdom to use our gifts and talents wisely.
11.Intentionally monitor and support the accessibility of worship, fellowship, and educational facilities for those who are physically handicapped.
Intentionally monitor and support the accessibility of worship, fellowship, and educational facilities for those who are physically handicapped.As the congregation looks forward in the journey or Re:Vitality, it is the intention of the parish nurses to seek ways in which to incorporate these functions more visibly to church and school staff, and the congregation. As parish nurses, we love because he first loved us, 1John 4:19. So then, by the grace of God we strive to continue to find ways to support our Christian brothers and sisters in love and service to Christ by promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing an awareness of health-related opportunities to this congregation.During the past year, parish nurses serving St. John were Janet Wertzberger, RN and Elaine Becker, RN. Both nurses continue to maintain current registered nurse licenses and current education in the field of training. Both nurses have extensive backgrounds in corporate and community nursing settings. Janet attended the National Parish Nursing Conference in Mequon, WI in May. A variety of topics were presented by parish nurses in areas such as home care, first aid for VBS, diabetes care, and living wills. Janet also participated in the quarterly Parish Nurse meetings in Topeka, and toured four long-term care facilities to learn about services provided within each facility. A stipend was received from Lutheran Parish Nurse International to support the registration at the national conference and a gift from the SJL Friendship Circle was given to support the mileage and lodging to attend the conference. All other expenses incurred during the year were paid for by the parish nurses because there is no financial support in the church budget for health care services.Parish nurses provided month blood pressure and personal health counseling sessions after church on the second Sunday of the month and upon request through out 2025. Although the number of individuals participating in the sessions was minimal, a few life-saving referrals were made to appropriate entities. Health-related news articles were also published in the church newsletter. The parish nurses provided Christ-centered compassion and support in coordinating funeral dinners, sewing quilt tops for missions, Christmas caroling for shut-ins, visiting with families about options for continued care inside and outside of the home, and participating in Bible studies and book studies.The Parish Nurses of St. John are participating in the congregation’s Re:Vitality discussions to further education the congregation in the purpose of the ministry and to support the church in moving forward to engage its members and the community in the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The field of parish nursing is open to registered nurses who are called by the Gospel to grow in Christ.As parish nurses, we ask for your prayers of support for the ministry and your participation in the opportunities ahead in 2026. May God grant us the knowledge and wisdom to use our gifts and talents wisely.
In Service to Our Risen Savior,
Janet Wertzberger, RN
Parish Nurse
ALTAR GUILD
Altar Guild members are an integral part of the St. John family. They serve the Lord by making sure that the altar and sanctuary are in readiness for all who gather around the Word and Sacraments at all regular and special worship services. Duties include preparing the altar for the Lord’s Supper and the additional tasks of preparing for baptisms, funerals, and weddings. Other duties include keeping oil in all the candles, setting out flowers when they are available, changing the paraments, and hanging appropriate banners for the day or the season.
Thank you to the individuals and families who have made the altar more beautiful with the placement of flowers in memory of loved ones or in thankfulness for the blessings in their lives. If you are planning to put flowers on the altar, please check in the storage room behind the sacristy to see if there are vases that you would like to use.
Ruth Messer and Kathy Hendricks recently retired from Altar Guild. Ruth served for many years as a member and chairman. Kathy is stepping back because she helps with the online services. We welcome new members, Carol Peterson and Trish Ringel, to serve in place of them.
Many thanks go to Sandy Altevogt who for several years has embroidered the baptismal napkin remembrances and Karen Wright, Wright Liquor, who donates the communion wine. Also thanks to members in our congregation who donated their time and talents to make our sanctuary more beautiful. Debbie MacGregor did some badly needed touch up painting on the baptismal font. Lynette Phillips has shared her talents multiple times during this year as she made four new banners for the church – The Lord Is My Shepherd (General), Holy, Holy, Holy (Trinity), Blessings Are From Him (Thanksgiving), and PEACE I Leave With You, My Peace I Give To You (Funeral).
Thanks to Cheryl Buttenhoff who provides much invaluable support to Altar Guild. She orders needed items and keeps us informed about baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Thank you to all who are willing to "Serve the Lord with Gladness" in 2025.
January Carla Johnson and Deanna Moege
February Judy Pedicord and Cindy Smith
March Elaine Becker and Gayle Grimm
April Carol Peterson and Trish Ringel
May Carmen Altevogt and Sandy Altevogt
June Kelsey Stamm and Janet Wertzberger
July Kim Diehl and Melissa Theel
August Marilyn Garrison and Diana Rubottom
September Kara Mayer, Heather Orton and Janelle Schultz
October Cheryl Buttenhoff and Becky Frank
November Ashton Torrey and Darcy Torrey
December Kathy Cox, Abby MacGregor and Debbie MacGregor
Lenten Whitney Howard and Nicole Savage
God Bless the work of the Altar Guild!
In Service to God,
Chairman, Pam Stuewe
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
The mission of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is to assist each woman of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is equipped to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world. St. John Lutheran Church has an LWML Friendship Circle organization that meets regularly to connect with fellow Christian women, study God’s Word, and use the gifts and talents He has given us to be of service to others.Our meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Each meeting is opened by reciting the LWML pledge and the US and Christian flag pledges. It is followed by a devotion, singing of a hymn, and participating in a Bible study that is either led by a member or Pastor. A business meeting is held and then closed with prayer. Friendship Circle members participate in our Kansas District LWML activities, including the spring and fall zone rallies hosted by societies in our zone. We support Mite box collections that support mission projects throughout the world, and members attend district and national LWML conventions. On months that have a fifth Sunday, we participate in “Noisy Sunday” where members and the congregation give coins to support the district and national LWML mission projects.Members of LWML organize funeral luncheons to support families who have lost loved ones. Members attended the spring Manhattan Zone LWML Manhattan event in Duluth and the fall zone event at St. Luke’s in Manhattan. Gayle Grimm and Janet Wertzberger were delegates to the Kansas District LWML convention in Wichita in April.
We sent monetary and prayer support to Ft. Wayne seminarian Rod Stewart as he prepares for the ministry. The group monetarily lends support to community causes: Wabaunsee High School after-prom, FCCLA, and the community Thanksgiving dinner. Twenty-four baby or youth quilts were made by ladies of the church and donated to Orphan Grain Train following a blessing at a church service. Fleece blankets were tied for confirmands.Poinsettia plants were purchased and taken to shut-ins.
Poinsettia plants were purchased and taken to shut-ins. The 2025 elected officers: President – Debbie MacGregor, Vice-President – Janet Wertzberger, Secretary – Sandra Altevogt, and Treasurer – Joyce Diehl.
Submitted by: Sandra Altevogt, Secretary
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE TREASURER'S REPORT
Beginning Balance 1/1/2024 $1,937.36
Receipts: $6,297.82
Disbursements $4,783.65
Balance 12/31/2024 $1,514.17
Joyce Diehl, Treasurer
TEENS FOR CHRIST REPORT
2024 year in review
Teens for Christ youth group is led by Kim Diehl and Kathy Cox. The treasurer is Jacob Debler. Active member attendance January to May was 10 and September to December was 8. Events and Meetings
January-no meeting
January-no meetingFebruary -Super Bowl Sub Sandwich fundraiser with assistance from Karen Wright. Thank you, Karen!
February -Super Bowl Sub Sandwich fundraiser with assistance from Karen Wright. Thank you, Karen!March-Taco and movie night at Kim’s house. The kids voted on watching “Jesus Revolution”.
March-Taco and movie night at Kim’s house. The kids voted on watching “Jesus Revolution”.April-Church cemetery clean up, which was postponed to May due to muddy conditions.
April-Church cemetery clean up, which was postponed to May due to muddy conditions.May-Church cemetery clean up and pizza at Kim’s house. Farewell to our Seniors, Kaci and Karli Meseke. Good luck at K-State!
May-Church cemetery clean up and pizza at Kim’s house. Farewell to our Seniors, Kaci and Karli Meseke. Good luck at K-State!June, July and August-no meeting due to summer break.
June, July and August-no meeting due to summer break.September-Pool party and hot dog meal with parents at Kathy Cox’s house.
September-Pool party and hot dog meal with parents at Kathy Cox’s house. Jacob Debler was chosen as treasurer. The suggestion for more Wednesday night meetings was requested to help with attendance and avoid other scheduling conflicts. Discussion and information given on attending Higher Things or the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans both being held July 2025. Due to other events held at that time, the kids chose to not attend either and continue fundraising projects for possible attendance in the future.
October-The meeting was held at Kim’s with a chili lunch and pumpkin carving. We learned and discussed the life of Martin Luther.
October-The meeting was held at Kim’s with a chili lunch and pumpkin carving. We learned and discussed the life of Martin Luther.November-Collection of donated items for Operation Christmas Child began. The packing event was held on November 13th with the confirmation class and their mentors. Sixty boxes were packed and prayed over. The congregation prayed over the boxes during worship before they were delivered. Our boxes were delivered to Mexico along with gospel material and missionaries to teach the Word of Christ. Thank you to our congregation and community for the outpouring of items and monetary donations!
November-Collection of donated items for Operation Christmas Child began. The packing event was held on November 13th with the confirmation class and their mentors. Sixty boxes were packed and prayed over. The congregation prayed over the boxes during worship before they were delivered. Our boxes were delivered to Mexico along with gospel material and missionaries to teach the Word of Christ. Thank you to our congregation and community for the outpouring of items and monetary donations!December- We attended Bethlehem Revisited in Manhattan with our families and dined at Pizza Ranch prior to the event. Twenty-one kids and adults were in attendance.
December- We attended Bethlehem Revisited in Manhattan with our families and dined at Pizza Ranch prior to the event. Twenty-one kids and adults were in attendance. Financial Overview
Income: Our primary sources of income this year included:
Donations and allocated budgeted amount- thank you!
Donations and allocated budgeted amount- thank you!Fundraising Events: Super Bowl Sub Sandwiches $778
Fundraising Events: Super Bowl Sub Sandwiches $778Outflow: Our expenditure was as follows:
Pizza Ranch dinner (paid only for members) $133.38
Pizza Ranch dinner (paid only for members) $133.38 Ending checking balance for 2024$3,885.84
Challenges Faced and Future Goals
Our main challenge is working around our members other activities to find time for meetings and events. Our goal is to continue to build our relationship with Christ, walk in his ways with global and community work, and spread The Word with hopes of expanding our membership.Respectively submitted with God’s Blessings,
Kim Diehl
PARENT-TEACHER LEAGUE
2024 - 2025 Officers
President: Chelsie Platz
Vice-President:
Secretary: Stephanie Maike
Treasurer: Rachael Manor
Member-at-Large: Kat Bruning
St. John Lutheran School continues to be blessed with parents, teachers, staff and families who generously give of themselves. The 2023-2024 school year celebrated the school’s 150th Anniversary!
The Lutheran Parent-Teacher League (LPTL) has historically funded many different activities during the school year, including class field trips, Spring Fling, Awards Night, and Graduation. In addition, the LPTL has continued to organize several fundraisers during the year, such as the pork chop supper, a match day event, and flower sales. The LPTL also generously supports other needs as identified by SJ.LS teachers and staff such as art supplies, music and science supplies, playground equipment and maintenance, transportation expenses, and technology upgrades.
The LPTL also collects Dillons Rewards, General Mills Box Tops, and Best Choice UPC labels. Other fundraisers include gift certificate sales (Scrip cards). The school is looking forward to our annual National Lutheran Schools Week, which will be at the
beginning of March. The LPTL also sends out information packets to families in the area with children in the 0-3 year age range and has organized a Shadow Day to give prospective families an inside look at SJLS.
We feel very blessed to have a Christian school in our community for our children. The LPTL would like to give a heartfelt thank you to St. John Lutheran Church, Mt. Calvery Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, the Board of Christian Education, the School Board, and members of our community for the generous support you give to our school.
Stephanie Maike, LPTL Secretary
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN PTL TREASURER’S REPORT 2024
8/1/2022 - 7/31/2023 8/1/2023 - 7/31/2024 8/1/2024 - 7/31/25
Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual
Income:
Alpine Farms $860.75 $0.00 $0.00
Amazon Smile $79.01 $0.00 $0.00
Auction $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Box Tops $47.00 $59.80 $0.00
Coke Rewards $55.40 $0.00 $0.00
Concession Stand $0.00 $228.04 $0.00
Dillons Community Rewards $653.12 $228.04 $0.00
Field Day (incl. shirts) $757.50 $0.00 $0.00
Fireworks ($780.00) $4,190.24 $4,801.98
Flower Sales $1,546.12 $2,048.36 $0.00
Garage Sale $0.00 $3,199.20 $2,854.50
Gift Cards (Scrips) $464.71 $753.64 $478.47
Interest $243.19 $326.03 $545.20
Kleinhenn Sales $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Match Day Event $12,168.88 $11,536.23 $0.00
Lenten/Advent Meal $374.00 $441.10 $0.00
Pork Chop Supper $2,979.98 $6,239.60 $5,393.12
Total Income $19,449.46 $27,696.51 $14,232.67
