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!
December 2025 Friendship Circle News
Meeting Date: Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. in Memorial Hall
Hymn: "We Praise You, O God" LSB 785
Special Christmas Friendship Gathering - All Ladies invite a friend to celebrate Advent Christmas
with us.
Hosts: Executive Board
Business: Installation of officers, stocking offering for Life Choice Ministeries
At the LWML November Friendship Circle meeting, the Friendship Circle was reminded that God knows our every need and provides for His creation. He sent His Son to save us - giving us forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life with Him. We also spent time digging into the details of The Lord's Prayer during the Bible Study, "Our Daily Bread."
The next LWML meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at 10am in the fellowship hall. We will enjoy a variety of breakfast casseroles as well as fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. There will also be a skit for our entertainment. Ladies, come and join us!
We have scheduled an evening meeting for Thursday, January 22nd from 7 to 8:30. We'll do a Bible study together and then spend some time visiting and enjoying each other's company. Bring some ideas so we can work to meet your expectations. The next evening meeting will be in April. See you there!
THRIVENT MEMBERS: Thrivent membership has a benefit, Thrivent Action Team Card, which helps with projects within the church, school, and community! Each member receives 2 -$250 debit cards that are applied for to assist in activities to benefit the church, school, and people of the community. It is seed money to assist with a fundraiser, educational event or service activity that will be taking place. St. John Thrivent members are asked to please let the church office or school office know if you have this benefit and are willing to allow groups to apply for assistance when needed to use your Action Team Card for an activity. If you have any questions concerning the Action Team Card, please contact your Thrivent Representative or Gayle Grimm or Elaine Becker. Thank you!
LUNCH BUNCH: Please join the Lunch Bunch at El Corral in Alma on Sunday, December 14th at 11:00 am. Lunch followed by the Three Seasons concert will be at 1:00 and the Children's Service at 6:00 pm. will make a very festive day!
THE BOOK STUDY GROUP will finish Joel Biermann's book, "Day 7 For Work, Rest, or Play" in December at 7 pm at Bruce Schultz's on the 11th and at Elaine Becker's on the 18th.
JUBELLATION rehearsals will be at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays during Advent. We will provide some Christmas music before or during Advent services.
The JuBellation Handbell Choir and the school bell choir (6th-8th grade) will be performing at the Volland Store on Sunday, December 7th at 2 pm. Please call the Volland store to reserve a seat.
VOICES FOR GOD: The choir will continue to practice on Monday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m. We are still asking for voices to help make a joyful noise to the Lord.
THREE SEASONS MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Alma-area churches are hosting a 3-seasons music festival, with music from Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Choirs from local churches are invited to participate on Sunday, December 14, at 1:00 pm. We will meet at Peace UCC in Alma this year for the music event
TEENS FOR CHRIST: We welcome 6th – 8th grade students to join us to celebrate the Christmas season with a 5th Quarter Party on Friday, December 5th from 9:30-11:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran School gym. There will be games, popcorn, and fun.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: The next event will be Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. You may join them at Rockin’ K’s in Manhattan.
CHRISTMAS AT HEIT’S POINT: Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. special Christmas music will be presented by Concordia, Missouri’s 4th thru 8th Kinderchoir directed by Dr. Marsh. Dr. Kari Vo with Lutheran Hour Ministries will present the devotions.
MEMENTO: A new LCMS resource for men has been launched. It is a devotional movement for men built around discipline, devotion, and brotherhood. Churches and pastors have long expressed the need for a structured, LCMS-based resource that helps men grow in prayer, fasting, Scripture, and accountability. Memento was created to meet that need. It is the first year-round devotional platform of its kind in the Lutheran Church, providing daily rhythm and structure shaped by the historic seasons of the Church Year. This project has been supported and shaped by pastors and teachers across the LCMS.
KANSAS MARCH & RALLY FOR LIFE: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, to gather at the Statehouse and encourage our legislators to stand boldly for life as the new session begins. The march will begin at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC) and go to the south steps of the Capitol where the rally will follow. The route is about a half-mile, and pro-life signs will be available at both gathering points.
SIDEWALK ABORTION COUNSELORS: Is the abortion industry using one-way tickets to fly and bus vulnerable women into “destination states” like Kansas? Sidewalk counselors say yes—and their day-to-day conversations reveal how these and other industry tactics are driving abortion numbers skyward. Brian Westbrook of Coalition Life shares what his teams are witnessing on the ground and what it’s like to stand as the last line of defense for moms and their preborn children. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or at KFL.org/podcasts.
LETTER FROM LUTHERANS FOR LIFE
St. John Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your incredible gift to Lutherans For Life and our mission to equip Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated advocates for life. Your generous gifts and faithful ministry partnership since 2017 are a testament to your passion for life and our efforts to uphold God’s gift of life from fertilization to forever. Here’s how your generous donations are making a difference:
You are empowering Y4Life: Your contributions encourage and equip young advocates to champion a culture of life. By supporting Lutherans For Life, you provide essential resources and training that empower youth to engage their peers in impactful conversations about life issues.
Healing through Word of Hope: Your continued support extends compassion and spiritual healing to those facing various life challenges, including abortion. The Word of Hope ministry offers resources and guidance to individuals navigating difficult circumstances, helping them find peace and spiritual restoration regardless of their struggles.
Strengthening Volunteer Relations: Your donations play a crucial role in mobilizing and equipping volunteers who are passionate about promoting life-affirming initiatives. By enhancing the Volunteer Relations program, you help build a network of dedicated supporters who are vital to our work.
The impact of your generosity is inspiring. You are not only sustaining our work but also encouraging others to join in our vital mission of affirming life. You are making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities, and your donations are greatly appreciated.
In Christ for Life,
David Probst
CARING NEIGHBORS CANCER FUND: This fund was established in 2015 by a group of local community members whose goal is to financially assist people living in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties who are currently receiving treatment for cancer. The committee's purpose is to help defray some expenses for patients not covered by health insurance, such as insurance deductibles, airfare, lodging, and food.
Money is generated through donations, memorials, and fundraising events. The fund is a 501(c)3 with no administrative costs since the committee is an all-volunteer team. The criteria for assistance are to be currently receiving cancer treatments and living in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties. There is a simple application form that needs to be filled out with two committee members present. The names of those who receive assistance are kept in the strictest confidence. For more information, or to request assistance, you may contact either Chris Day at 785-456-5325 or Donna Goehring at 785-458-9205.
YOUR TIME IN GOD’S WORD: You can guide your time with the latest Apps from Concordia Publishing House. The “In Prayer” app is simple with a user- friendly layout. You can access devotions, organize the content, and purchase a variety of in-app resources such as “Portals of Prayer.” Annual subscriptions start at $9.00 per year. The Lutheran Study Bible app has just added an audio feature with clear, human narration of the full ESV Bible. Other features include complete Bible text with Lutheran study notes, over 200 articles, maps, and book introductions, cross-references and linked articles, and more. The annual subscription rate is $9.99 or $2.99 per month.
NEW MISSIONARIES: The Rev. Michael and Shanna Hageman will serve the Lord as missionaries in Tanzania. Michael will be a theological educator at a new seminary in Shinyanga, Tanzania, where he will teach classes and assist in forming pastors for service in Africa. Shanna is the director of Christian education (DCE) and will teach English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) to non-native English speakers. These ESL classes provide practical assistance while also serving as a vehicle for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hageman will lead chapel at St. John on December 3rd. He will be our guest missionary preacher at our Mission Festival on February 8th.
Daniel and Marie Lowitz will serve the Lord as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. Both will serve as ESL teachers and outreach specialists. In this role, Daniel and Marie will teach English to non-native speakers, thus providing practical assistance while also serviing as a vehicle for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, they will find and create opportunities to bring members of the community together in the mercy of Christ.
Sean and Hanna McHugh will serve the Lord in Eurasia, based in Brasov, Romania. As regional business manager, Sean will work closely with the regional director to manage the financial and business affairs of the LCMS in Eurasia. These duties include providing behind-the-scenes support for LCMS missionaries, as well as creating, implementing and managing programs, projects and systems that improve organizational capability and efficiency.
Kaelin Peralta will serve the Lord as the communication specialist for the Africa region, based in Kenya. In this missionary role, he will collect and tell the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by the Good News of Jesus Christ brought to them by the LCMS missionaries there.
The Rev. Jeffrey and Deaconess Gina Teeple will serve the Lord as missionaries in Germany. Jeffrey will serve as a missionary pastor to Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfurt. Trinity is an English-speaking congregation that serves expat families from around the world. As communications project manager, Gina will work with Eurasia communication specialist, missionaries, and LCMS Communications to support projects in the region and facilitaate communication to supporters and donors.
In This Month's
St. John Witness
DECEMBER WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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