Beloved Community,
I hope you all had a joy filled summer, found time to rest, and time to connect with God. As we look towards fall, as the air begins to cool, and as the leaves turn shades of gold, pink, orange, and crimson, we are reminded yet again of the steady rhythm of God’s creation.
Fall is a season of both change and abundance—fields are harvested, families gather, and we prepare our hearts for the season ahead. In the midst of change, God’s promises remain constant, abundant, and for us.
This September, we look towards many joy-filled events: our Rally Sunday Kickoff with our annual Blessing of the Backpacks. A time to ask God to surround all this school year (students, parents, guardians, teachers, and staff) with kindness, courage, wisdom, and growth. We look towards the start of Confirmation & Sunday School, a fun-filled fall extravaganza day at Wilke’s with all our youth, and our annual Chili Dinner & Raffle (sign-up is in the Narthex for chili donations needed). We are also in need of raffle donations. All donations must be to St. John by September 13. Ticket sales will start Sunday, September 14 (Rally Sunday).
This fall also brings us into a new chapter as a congregation. I am filled with gratitude and excitement to continue in our merger discussions with Immanuel Lutheran Church. This merger is not the end of one story and the beginning of another, but rather a weaving together of gifts, histories, and ministries into something stronger and more vibrant. We give thanks for the ways God is leading us to be church together—sharing in worship, service, fellowship, and outreach.
As we move into this season of change, I invite each of you to consider how you might bring your gifts to this new chapter. Just as fall reminds us of the harvest, our church is ready to gather in the fruits of our faith, the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Together, we can be a living witness of these gifts in our community.
May the beauty of autumn remind us of God’s abundance, and may the Spirit continue to guide us as we grow into one body in Christ.
With Love & Gratitude,