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!
June 2025 Friendship Circle News
Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall
Hymn: "Come, Holy Spirit" LSB 497
Devotion: Immanuel - God with Us - led by Pam Stuewe
Roll Call: Bible verse with Spirit in it
Bible Study: Wind and Fire - leg by Pam Stuewe
Business: National Convention June 26-29
Noisy Sunday: June 29
LWML MISSION GRANT FOCUS FOR APRIL 2025: – St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Cullman, AL - $50,000
This school has served the church and the Cullman community since 1887, and the current building was built in 1951. St. Paul’s is one of two Lutheran elementary schools in northern Alabama.
This school has served the church and the Cullman community since 1887, and the current building was built in 1951. St. Paul’s is one of two Lutheran elementary schools in northern Alabama.Their building has been through multiple tornadoes. So there are safety concerns, replacement windows, emergency doors, and updated HVAC technology that need to be addressed. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." (Ps. 127:1, 3).
LUNCH BUNCH will meet June 8th at Barleycorn in Wamego
BOOK STUDY: The group is reading “The Saints of Whistle Grove” by Katie Schuermann. In June, they are meeting on June ?? at Bruce and Kathy Schultz’s home and on June ?? at Elaine Becker’s home.
JUBELLATION: JuBellation is practicing once a month during the summer. Practice is scheduled for the last Wednesday night of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m. on June 25th, July 30th, and August 27th.
VOICES FOR GOD: The choir will practice on June 16th at 7:00 p.m. and will sing June 22nd. In July, the choir will practice on July 21st and sing July 27th.
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.
FROM THE STEWARDSHIP BOARD:
You may have noticed that the Stewardship Board is including a ‘Year-to-Date’ update in the bulletin in the middle of each month. This is one way that the board is making the financial position of the congregation more transparent. We would like to provide just a bit more explanation.
The April 13 bulletin included the following information reflecting the first quarter:
Budgeted income $150,784
Budgeted income $150,784 Budgeted expenses $212,699
Budgeted expenses $212,699 Non-budgeted income $94,607
Non-budgeted income $94,607 Cash flow ($61,915)
Cash flow ($61,915) Perhaps different wording would have been clearer.
THE RALEIGH RINGERS are coming to Kansas. They will be performing in Junction City at the C. L. Hoover Opera House on June 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
The Raleigh Ringers is a handbell group whose members audition each January. They are based in Raleigh, North Carolina, under the direction of David Harris. The group is very entertaining to watch. Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults and $13 for students.
150TH ANNIVERSARY: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth, Kansas, is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a service and lunch following. This will be held at the Pottawatomie County Fair Building located at 901 High Street, Onaga, Kansas, on July 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Please RSVP to eventcrate.com/e/st-paul-s-lutheran-church by June 15.
KANSAS FOR LIFE: Research shows that chemical abortion is far more dangerous to women than the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) admits. Recently the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) released a major study analyzing over 865,000 chemical abortions.
EPPC fellow, Alexandre DeSanctis commented on the study’s release. The EPPC has just released a paper that is the largest-known study of the abortion pill’s after effects for women. The research shows that chemical abortion is considerably more dangerous, 22 times more dangerous, to pregnant women than the FDA presently admits.LUTHERANS FOR LIFE ESSAY submitted by St. John Lutheran School Student, Eli Wertzberger won an award at the state competition this spring.
HOSPICE CARE
Hospice care is important; it is something we need in society, because sometimes when people are getting older and can't leave the house because of various reasons they might need someone to come and take care of them. They might need hospice because of family members not being able to help, and it's important that everybody is cared for. I believe that hospice care is a great way to take care of people that are in need without them having to come to a specific place. Psalm 34:18 says “ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” I think that's what hospice basically does: they stay next to people's side at the end of their life and comfort them. Psalm 139:13-14 says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well.” I think that God wants us to take care of our bodies up until death because He made us in His image.Also, a big reason for hospice care is to prepare their family members for the end of their loved ones life. Sometimes their family members have not accepted that their loved ones are dying, so the nurse could help comfort them and help them accept it. So, the reason hospice care is so important is because people that are at the end of their life need comfort and cared for. Also, the families need comfort and care so they can come to accept that their loved one is going to pass away, but because of hospice it will be a celebration of their life instead of a grieving of death. Work Cited: Holy Bible. English Standard Version, Concordia Publishing House, 1986. Lutherans For Life, 20 Jan. 2025, lutheransforlife.org/.
EVERY VOICE MATTERS: The 54th Annual National Right to Life Conference will be at the Marriott Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 20th and 21st. Over the two days, critical issues - medical, cultural, political, legislative, and grassroots - facing the pro-life movement will be presented. You will hear from national leaders, advocates from across the country, and those shaping the conversations in courts, classrooms, and communities. Reservations can be made at NRLconvention.com.
FLINT HILLS FOR LIFE: Parents who take parenting classes at Life Choice Ministries can earn new baby clothes and shoes by actively participating in class. Life Choice is running low on the new clothing. Flint Hills for Life is asking for help by purchasing new baby clothes, sizes newborn to 4T, and shoes between Mother’s Day, May 11th and Father’s Day, June 15th. A box is outside the church office for your donations.
SUMMER READING REGISTRATION: Go to the Alma Branch Library anytime during regular business hours to register for the Summer Reading Program and to sign up for art classes! This summer some adult programming will be available. On June 16 at 10:00 a.m., Megan Steele, District 51 House of Representatives, will share her passion on education and what the Kansas Legislature is working on. There will be many other activities to do and enjoy throughout June and July.
From the Parish Nurse…
IN EVERY WAY, GOD’S PATH
On May 13-14, 2025, I was privileged to attend the 33rd Annual Parish Nursing and Congregational Health Ministries Conference at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wisconsin, the title of which was In Every Way, God’s Path taken from Proverbs 3:5-6. I was the recipient of a “first attendee” scholarship from the Lutheran Parish Nurse International (LPNI) organization as well as a stipend from the St. John Lutheran Friendship Circle. This conference allowed me to meet and discuss parish nursing with 97 fellow nurse believers from across 23 states. The conference was led by professional nurse educators, deaconesses and pastors, and authors of parish nurse education modules. Also attending from Kansas were our Kansas District Parish Nurse, Mary Hume from Topeka, and our Parish Nurse Educator, Jamie Spikes from Manhattan. Both Mary and Jamie presented in a team breakout session. We all worshiped together on the opening day in the Chapel of Christ Triumphant led by Dan Paavola, PhD. Every breakout session began with prayer.
The first day was led by keynote speakers on the following topics: Diabetes and 4Ms – Matters, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility; Prevent and Heal Type 2 Diabetes with Thought Fasting-Based Practices; Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Disabilities Ministry; and Today is the Day for Wisdom, Proverbs 3, Directions for Peaceful Wisdom. The second day followed with multiple breakout sessions of the attendees’ choice. I purposely attended the following sessions: VBS First-Aid; advanced Funeral Planning; Walding with God on the Path of Life Transitions from Home to Skilled Care; and Following God’s Path to Alaska: the 2024 LPNI Study Tour. All sessions were informative and uplifting to follow in God’s path.
I plan to share some of the information that I have learned in future newsletter articles and with anyone who is interested in the parish nurse program. There was something for everyone and of any generation. There are many ways that parish nurses can share the love of Jesus in this ministry. Although parish nursing is a voluntary ministry, it compliments the Stephen Ministry and the work of our church. Any registered nurse who is interested in parish nursing is encouraged to inquire about the study course.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have attended this conference and to have learned more ways to minister to those of our congregation and community. Thank you to the Lutheran Parish Nurse
International organization and the Friendship Circle for their support in attending this educational program.
Professing Jesus’ grace and mercy,
Janet Wertzberger, RN, BSN
HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will be available after the service on June 8th to check blood pressures and address any health-related concerns. This is a free service and available for anyone.
In This Month's
St. John Witness
JUNE WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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