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 2024
Reports and Goals of the Church's Boards
BOARD OF ELDERS
At the January meeting, we began by electing a Chair, Don Frank, and a secretary, Ken Smith.
We continue to go through our devotional book, the Lutheran Difference. We set up communion assistants and Ray Howard is the Elder for baptisms. We also went over the duties and responsibilities of the Elders per the constitutions.
We went over bid proposals for the sound system upgrade. We also discussed having a benevolent fund for members in need of assistance.
It was decided to put a white board in the coat closet to post a "to do list" for things in the church and school.
We continue to pray and discuss those with spiritual concerns. We also discussed ways to implement Faith at Work (District initiative to reach our community with good works). During Pentecost, it was decided to have a door offering for Africa.
We held a dinner and reception for confirmands and new members. A date was set of January 11th, 2025 for a leaders retreat and February 2, 2025 for planned giving by Don Grams from the District Office.
We continue to pray for our church and our sister congregations in our Circuit and Synod. Philippians 4:4-7
Solia Deo Gloria
Don Frank, Chairman
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Thank you for the assistance from members with physical work, guidance, suggestions, and reports of issues. A big thank you to Dale Peterson for all his work on this committee during the past three years.
The Board of Trustees have accomplished the following projects this year at St. John :Church
•Resurfacing parking lot.
Resurfacing parking lot. •New shingles for the roof and guttering were installed.
New shingles for the roof and guttering were installed. •Repair of men’s restroom ceiling.
Repair of men’s restroom ceiling. •Approved Wi-Fi upgrade.
Approved Wi-Fi upgrade. •Fixed storm door entrance to Sacristy.
Fixed storm door entrance to Sacristy. •Furnaces replaced.
Furnaces replaced. •New towel dispenser in restroom.
New towel dispenser in restroom. •Approved salary for janitor position.
Approved salary for janitor position. •Oversaw hiring out the painting of the Sacristy.
Oversaw hiring out the painting of the Sacristy. Ongoing projects: o Concrete repair of north church and Memorial Hall entrance stairs and sidewalk. o Refurbishing stain glass windows. o Monitoring water leak in roof from recent snowstorm.School
•New shingles for the roof and guttering were installed.
New shingles for the roof and guttering were installed. •Demolition of media/library for remodeling work.
Demolition of media/library for remodeling work. •Oversaw hiring out the painting of media/library.
Oversaw hiring out the painting of media/library. •Approved Wi-Fi upgrade.
Approved Wi-Fi upgrade. •Approved salary for janitor position.
Approved salary for janitor position. •Replaced two emergency lights.
Replaced two emergency lights.Parsonage
•New shingling for roof and guttering were installed.
New shingling for roof and guttering were installed. •Replacement of dishwasher.
Replacement of dishwasher.“And whatever you do, in work or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Respectfully submitted with God's blessings,
James Diehl, Dale Petersen, and Chad Breiner
BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP
The duty of the Stewardship Board includes informing St. John congregation members concerning the gifts that have been given to support the work and upkeep of our congregation. Our church mission statement says that we are “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!”
As Saints and Priests of God we budget our tithes and offerings to ensure that we…
•have a preacher who preaches the life-saving and life-giving Word of God;
have a preacher who preaches the life-saving and life-giving Word of God; •support the professional church workers who teach our school children;
support the professional church workers who teach our school children; •contribute to the mission work in various ways and
contribute to the mission work in various ways and •support all who work to ensure that our facilities are maintained.
support all who work to ensure that our facilities are maintained. How are we to support God’s work in the Church? The New Testament gives us four principles of giving…
1. Voluntarily and cheerfully. 2. Our first fruits. 3. Proportionally. 4. Faithfully.
We ask our members to support the God given work we are here to do. The Board thanks all who assist us in accomplishing our duties and pray that His kingdom’s work be done.
In His service,
Your Stewardship Board, Judy Peddicord, Bruce Schultz, and Dawn Yonke
Financial Secretary, Ryan Theel
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Board wa busy planning and overseeing Christian education for our congregation. Here are the highlights of our year.
- Confirmands continued to have their mentor program, meeting monthly during Wednesday confirmation classes. Kath Cox coordinates the mentor program.
- VBS was once again a huge success, and was held May 20th and 21st. We had 96 kids and over 20 volunteers! Chelsie Platz
was tge durectir,
- Phillip Theel, our Sunday School Superintendent, reported an average of 25-30 kids and adults attending Sunday School.
- Teens for Christ has a busy year, thanks to the efforts of Kim Diehl and Kathy Cox. The teens did community service projects,
held meetings, had a pool party at Kathy's home, carved pumpkins at Kim's home, boxed items for Operation Christmas
Child, and attended Bethlehem Revisited, all while learning about Jesus.
- An acolyte "Group Me' app was formed to keep communication open between confirmands and their parents, to ensure that
acolyte duties are covered each church service. Special thanks to Cindy Smith for also sending text reminders each week.
We will continue to look for creative ways to reach our congregation through Christian education.
The 2024 Board of Christian Education
Rita Zeller, Heather Orton, Kara Mayer, Cheryl Buttenhoff, Kathy Cox,
Phillip Theel, Harmon Butler and Pastor Grimm
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Thank you to the parents who take the time and make the effort to have their children in Sunday School. This is the place to give them the opportunity to learn and grow in their faith and be reminded of what Jesus did for them. Sunday School can be a different experience for them, a place where they can learn to live and share their faith.
Sunday School wouldn’t happen without teachers and helpers. Thank you to Pastor Grimm, Lisa Thompson, Dennis Theel, Traci Dickens, Kathy Hendricks, and Cheryl Buttenhoff. The dedication of the teachers and helpers is the strength of Sunday School.
There is always room for more students to join and enjoy the snacks (thank you Lisa). Also thanks to the helpers at the Easter egg activities (the egg roll record was 110 feet) and the ballon release for Ascension Day. We always have a need for more helpers.
May the Lord bless and keep us,
Phillip Theel, Sunday School Superintendent
ADULT BIBLE CLASSES
Bible Classes were conducted on Sunday mornings. Jim MacGregor led sessions on apologetics, hymns, and baptism. Rev. Grimm led two adult Membership Classes. He taught on Thursday mornings as we studied Lifelight materials on Genesis, Exodus, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, books of the, Apocrypha, and the book of Genesis.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The theme for VBS in 2024 was Glow with Jesus. 95 children from the community learned about Christian living and day-to-day values. VBS was held on May 20th and 21st, from 9am -3pm. We had 22 youth leaders and 14 adults that helped with VBS this year by leading lessons, serving lunches, preparing snacks, and creating moments the children can treasure. We truly appreciate all the children and volunteers that participated, as well as the generosity of all those that donated in one way or another to make this possible. Chelsea Platz was our coordinator.
Pastor Grimm
SAINT JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL BOAARD - CANENDAR YEAR 2024
The mission of St. John Lutheran School is to provide a foundation in Jesus Christ
and to develop the God-given talents of learning.
Blessings and many thanks from the School Board as we coninute to appreciate the many prayers, gifts, and other forms of support offered by the Congregation throughout out sesquicentennial year. With God's grace, and the teamwork of St. John, Trinity, Mt. Calvary, and other congregations, we believe we have many more years in fromt of us.
What did we accomplish last year?
- Enrolled 46 students, the highest enfolled since at least 2019
- Signed Rebecca Greene and Mindy Sanders-Miller to contracts through 2025-2026; provided no one is called away, this should staff stability for at least three consecutive years
- Completed our first year of bus service, thanks to our volunteer bus drivers, this has been an unqualified success and expands our service area well beyond central Wabaunsee County
- Completed our first match day, though the LPTL has been doing these for years, the Alma Area Foundation offered us a new opportunity and the result - over $22,000 in gifts plus another $5,000 in matching funds - was amazing!
- Joined a scholarship granting organization - ACE - to secure additional funding for the school
- Launched a technology upgrade, centerd on a life cycle plan that will bring our classreem laptops, tablets, etc. to a higher standard
- With the help of a family gift, renovated the Library and Media Center, perhaps the first step in a series of improvements necessary to get another 70 years out of our school building
- Jump started our relationship with LPTL to better serve our students, teachers, and families
In 2025, the School Boaard will develop a plan to reach and sustain enrollment of 65-70 students by 2040. This will include action items to address recruitment, staff, academic standards and support, infrastructure, and funding. We are particularly excited to continue our partnership with ACE and begin a new partnership with the Kansas Lutheran Schools Scholarship Foundation (KLSFF). For more information on how you can help us, contact schoolofficestjohnalma@gmail.com.
Please keep our students, families, and the faculty and staff in your prayers!
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
Jim MacGregor,
Chairman and Members of the School Board
EAGLE’S EYE VIEW FROM ST. JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL
To provide a foundation in Jesus Christ and develop the God given talents of learning.
2024-25 School Year Theme: "Endure" Hebrews 12:1-3
"Endure" Hebrews 12:1-3New Staff: Our staff all returned for the 2024 school year. Thank you Lord! We have welcomed Charlie Gann to our “music” team as he teaches string instruments – guitar, base, ukulele.
School Baptisms: Seven children were baptized during 2024 as a result of their connection to SJLS!
2024 Graduates: Emma Seele, Zakary Smith, Lucas Viergever
New Students: The 2024-25 school year’s enrollment currently stands at 46 students (Kindergarten through 8th grade). In the August we welcomed new students: Kindergarteners Connor Dickens, Briley Maike, Rayne Manor, Brooklynn Thompson, Jonah Titus, Blayze Walsh, and Athena Shedrick (3), and Berkli Wealthall (7)
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Chapel Projects: Every Wednesday, we have Chapel in the sanctuary – please join us for any of our upcoming services. Our second semester mission offerings went to the district Hearts for Jesus fund and Dakota Boys Ranch. The 1st semester 2024-25 school year chapel offerings were sent to Guinea Seminary in Africa and Santa’s Express.
2022-2023 Academic Awards: 90% Church Attendance – Reshawn Hurla, Sienna Bruning, Jace Prater, Finnley Bruning; God’s Word in my Heart – Emma Seele; God’s Word in my Life – Lucas Viergever; Future Church Worker – Reshawn Hurla; Perfect Attendance – Easton Dudek, Lily McClusky, Anna Debler; Honor Roll Four Quarters – Finnley Bruning, Kade Mayer, Belle Howard, Reagan Shannon, Brynn Anderson, Sam Hurla, Myka Manor, Kooper Runnebaum, Anna Debler, Baylee Howard, Allison Hurla, Ellinor Pfannenstiel, Haley Shannon, Theodore Walton, Eli Wertzberger, Emma Seele, Lucas Viergever. Honor Roll Three Quarters – Kameron Moege, Zakary Smith.
Children’s Christmas Service: For the 151st school year we heard the story of Jesus birth explained to two disgruntle cows (Eli Wertzberger & Kota McKinven) who thought cows were in the stable at Bethlehem.
Thrivent Choice Dollars: We continue to receive from the “Choice Dollars” program sponsored by Thrivent. These donations have helped to fund the lunch program, the AIDE position and other projects. Thank you very much for remembering, helping with, and blessing the ministry of St. John Lutheran School.
Goals: Goals for the year 2024-25 continue to include: 1) Increase enrollment from the St John, Trinity, and Mt. Calvary (Wamego) congregations, the city of Alma, Wabaunsee county, and the surrounding area; 2) being a pathway for the spiritual growth of students AND their families; 3) Expand our use of technology to enhance the learning environment for all students and 4) Develop long range (5, 10, & 15 year) goals in conjunction with School Board, LPTL, and Staff.
150th Anniversary Celebrations: In February, Church & School celebrated the 70th anniversary of our school building with a “school” lunch served in the gym. In June, we closed out our year-long 150th anniversary with a catered dinner, inviting former students and teachers and sharing stories and pictures from the past. Over the summer vacation the library, The Eagle’s Nest, received new furniture, paint and carpet through a donation from former students.
Principal Harmon Butler
