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!
August 2025 Friendship Circle News
Meeting Date: Wednesday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall
Theme: Joy
Hymn: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore You" LSB 803
Devotion: led by Joyce Diehl
Roll Call: Bible verse with Joy or Joyful in it
Bible Study: Debbie MacGregor
Business: Plan for LWML Sunday and more!
Service Activity: Mite Box
Noisy Sunday: August 31
THANK YOU: A special “Thank You” to Paula Moege from the Friendship Circle for faithfully submitting news to the monthly church newsletter for many, many years.
JUNE NOTES: June 26-29 was the LWML National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. Four members from St. John enjoyed worship and singing with 3,700 people! We also attended Bible studies, listened to motivational speakers, and saw how your Noisy Sunday and Mite Box offerings touch the lives of others. If you would like to learn more about this, visit https://www.lwml.org/thanks.
YOUR MITE OFFERINGS HAVE MADE AN IMPACT: 2023-2025 LWML Mission Grant #6 – Mobile Kitchen, Forged by Fire Services, Gulf Coast Region, US - $85,00. Lutheran Women in Mission President, Eden Keefe, spoke with Rev. Paul Ernewein of Forged by Fire Disaster Relief Organization for an update on their ministry. Through 2023-2025 Mission Grant #6, an $85,000 grant will help fund a mobile kitchen to serve warm meals and spiritual care.
LUNCH BUNCH will meet August 10th at the Friendly Cooker.
BOOK STUDY: The group has chosen to read “The Small Town Lutheran Church and Pastor” by Rev. Heath Curtis. The first meeting is August 14th at the Schultz’s home and on the 28th at the Becker’s home.
JUBELLATION: Weekly practices will begin August 20th at 6:50 p.m.
VOICES FOR GOD: Weekly practices will begin August 25th, but we will not practice on Labor Day, September 1st. Come and help us praise God.
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.
KARSTEN BREINER RECOVERY FUND: A fund has been set up at the Bank of the Flint Hills. Karsten sustained foot & leg injuries in a wreck on June 20th. He has had numerous surgeries and will need a prosthetic for his leg. Donations may be made at the bank. Questions may be directed to Jared Schultz, 785-617-0181 or jschultz@usd329.org. Proceeds from the fund will go toward medical expenses and a prosthetic.
WORSHIP CONFERENCE: On August 16, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, is hosting its annual Worship Conference to provide continuing education and conversation for pastors, church musicians, and congregation members interested in the song and worship of the Church. The keynote will be a lecture on the Psalms and their use in church, as they point to Jesus Christ. The speaker for this year’s conference is Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary and the Director of Field Education. The cost is $25 which includes lunch. To register, please go the bottom of the first page of their website: https://stjohnlcmstopeka.org/
BLUE JEANS DRIVE (MEN'S ONLY): The Salina Rescue Mission is again asking for donations of blue jeans which will be collected in August. The mission is currently housing 92 men which is a significant number for the summer months. There is a constant need for men’s jeans and black slacks. Used and slightly used as well as new jeans and black slacks are acceptable. Other colors of jeans and slacks can also be used. The call is for men’s only, all waist and inseam lengths are needed. The mission is in need now and as the winter months approach the need will become more acute. Beginning Sunday, August 3rd, there will be a container placed in front of the church office. The container will be picked up after August 31st.
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.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: The next event will be Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. You may also join via Zoom.
CHRIST ACADEMY COLLEGE: Students who are attending college or about to start are invited to attend Christ Academy College October 24-28. At this event, students are able to spend a few days with other college-aged Lutherans from around the country who value their faith like they do – something that might be in short supply on their own college campuses. It’s a little like college, with classes and scheduled activities, but Christ is at the center of it all. Learn more by contacting Concordia Theological Seminary at Christ Academy@ctsfw.edu.
THE JOHNSON AMENDMENT: Recent news about a legal agreement involving churches and the IRS has created confusion. While some reports exaggerate the changes, it’s important to understand what’s really happening—and what it means for the mission of your church.
What Is the Johnson Amendment? In 1954, Senator Lyndon Johnson added a rule to the tax code that prevented tax-exempt groups—including churches—from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Though rarely enforced, it has caused fear among churches about speaking on topics that might seem political, even when rooted in Scripture.
What Just Happened? A proposed legal agreement with the IRS says churches may speak to their congregations on matters of faith, through regular worship and communications, without violating the Johnson Amendment. The agreement clarifies that biblical teaching—even when addressing cultural or political issues—does not count as improper political activity.
What Does This Mean for Churches? Churches should never have feared preaching God’s truth. While this ruling doesn’t remove every risk—especially when naming or endorsing candidates—it does affirm the right to speak clearly on moral and spiritual issues. Scripture remains our authority, not politics.
Evangelical churches are called to proclaim the whole counsel of God. That includes applying God’s Word to current issues, even when they overlap with political debates. While endorsing a candidate is legally possible, it is also complicated. All candidates are flawed. Churches should be known first and foremost for upholding God’s truth—not for aligning with political figures.
Let this moment remind us: our hope is not in a party or policy but in Christ. The church must speak boldly, clearly, and faithfully to a world in need of truth.
PRAY FOR MISSIONS
PLEASE OFFER PETITIONS TO GOD FOR THE SAFETY, EFFECTIVENESS AND DEDICATION OF OUR MISSIONARIES. ASK GOD TO BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH JOY, TO GRANT HIS PROTECTION AS THEY PROCLAIM HIS TRUTH.
NEW MISSIONARIES: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has sent nine missionaries into the world in 2025. Rev. Sergio Maita and his wife, Yonxandris, will serve as missionaries in Puerto Rico. Sergio will serve a church plant in San Juan and teach at Concordia the Reformer Seminary in Palmar Arriba, Dominican Republic.
Zachary Turley will serve as a missionary in Japan. As a vicar in the international mission field, Zachary will preach the Word of God, teach biblical truths and sound Lutheran doctrine, and assist with the liturgy during Divine Services. He will also assist with administrative duties, visitation and campus outreach.
Gudula (Lula) Tiews will serve as a missionary in Germany as the communications specialist for the Eurasia Region. In this role, she 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 missionaries there.
Rev. Jonathan Anderson will serve as a missionary in Panama. In this role, Jonathan will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the local people, while supporting the established congregations in the area, and helping to pant new Lutheran churches.
Benjamin and Ella Goehring will serve the Lord in the Eurasia region, based in Brasov, Romania. In tis role, Benjamin will teach English as a Second Language to non-native English speakers.
Anika Slayton will serve as a missionary in Leipzig, Germany, during her deaconess internship. In this role, Anika will encourage other diaconal candidates, teach women and children, assist in evangelism and outreach activities, provide diaconal care to refugees, and model the Christian life for refugees who are new to the faith.
Makia Adler will serve as a missionary in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, based in Belize. As a volunteer coordinator, she will provide support for short-term volunteers serving in the country, including assisting with recruitment and on-the-ground logistics and identifying future ways for volunteers to serve.
Gavin Johnson will serve as a missionary in the Dominican Republic. As a vicar on the international mission field, Gavin will preach the Word of God, visit with local people, and assist with the liturgy during worship services. Gavin will also minister to God’s people by spreading the Gospel and doing mercy work.
Peter Williams will serve as a missionary in Kaiserslautern, Germany. As a vicar on the international mission field, Peter will assist the lead pastor of Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church which serves U.S. military members and other English speakers. Peter will preach, teach, and visit members and participate in regional mission work, especially in the French and Farsi languages.
NEW PASTOR
FORMER SUMMER VICAR Rod Stewart will be ordained into the holy ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mellen, Wisconsin on Sunday, September 11. He invites St. John to join him in person and in prayers for God blessings upon the ministry to His church.
HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will be available after the service on August 10th 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
AUGUST WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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