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!
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
The heart represents the love and giving nature of the members; the drop symbolizes the blood of Christ and a tear of compassion. The cross proudly shows the purpose behind efforts of the LWML.
SEPTEMBER 2026 FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS
Meeting Date: Wednesday, September 16th at 1:30 p.m.
Hymn: “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” LSB 715
Devotion: “Sweet Surrender” – Gayle Grimm
Roll Call: Share something God taught you at be grateful for this month.
Bible Study: “Sweet Surrender” – Janet Wertzberger (chapter ?)
Business: Appoint nominating committee, appoint yearbook committee, plan fall zone event.
Our August devotion stressed that each of us has influence, talent, power, and Spiritual Gifts. Do you ever wish God had given you gifts that you see in other people? Remember, God gave us gifts designed just for us - special gifts that we are expected to use to serve others. Thank You, God! In continuing with our chocolate-themed studies, we learned that each of us is a vital ingredient - an indispensable member of the Body of Christ. We all have gifts and talents that God creatively chose for His special purpose. What gifts and talents have God given to you? Step out in faith and use your unique gifts to serve. To Him be the glory!
YOUR OUTREACH TEAM met on August 6th. We started with an after-action review of the fair parade float, then discussed Community Movie Night, which is scheduled for 6:30 pm on September 26th at McKnight Field. We plan to advertise in local businesses and churches. Tell your neighbors! There will be activities before the viewing of "Matilda," as well as popcorn, cotton candy, and bottled water - all free. There will also be vendors selling their products. We still need volunteers! Contact anyone on the Outreach Team or leave a message with the church office.
If any church group would like to provide and serve goodies for an After-Church Social, please contact someone from the Outreach Team or leave a message with the church office.
The next After-Church Social is scheduled for September 20th. See you there!
TEENS FOR CHRIST: Sunday, September 13th following church we will paint the wording on Tim Song’s shed. We will plan on having pizza following, and if the weather is good, there will be swimming at Kath Cox’s for those who want to.
MENTORING PROGRAM: Each confirmand is asked to pick someone to be their confirmation mentor. The role of this person is to "be there" for their confirmand. Grandparents and sponsors can be great mentors, but we need others to serve, as well. We want to provide a safe place and a “safe person” for confirmands to ask questions of about their faith, the Lutheran religion, life questions, etc. Basically, we ask mentors to be a faithful Christian friend to go along the journey with our youth. The mentor can be the same person for all years of confirmation or the confirmand can choose a different one each year. If anyone is interested in being a mentor, please let Pastor know and he can share this information with the children.
BLUE JEAN DRIVE (WITH BOOTS): Ken Culbertson is our point person for The Salina Rescue Mission and its Blue Jean Drive. The mission still maintains a need for men’s new and slightly used blue jeans. As in the past, jeans of other colors (black, brown, green) are acceptable and khaki slacks and other slack colors will be taken. Additionally, recent communication with SRM says they will gladly receive used men's boots (hiking, work, etc.) as well as used "tennis shoes" (exercise or walking). Collection tubs were brought to each church on August 4 and were placed by the secretary’s office and will remain there until August 31. There are 5 Sundays in August but we are allowing only four for collection; hence collection Sundays are August 9, 16, 23, and 30. Ken will pick them up Augst 18 and September 1. Thank you for participating in the blue jean drive this month.
SALINA RESCUE MISSION: An open house of the rescue mission will be held September 26, 2026 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The house is located at 1716 Summers Road, Salina. By touring the building, you can see how God is at work in every area of the Mission. Hear from the staff as they share how their roles help guide men toward healing, transformation, and a new path forward.
LUNCH BUNCH will meet at the Friendly Cooker in Wamego on September 13th at 11:15 a.m. If you are able to go, let Kathy Schultz know Sunday morning so we can let them know how many to set up for us.
VOICES FOR GOD: Weekly practices have begun, and we’re excited to sing the new songs that Tammy Heine has selected. We will be singing a new one on September 13th. If you or you know someone who enjoys singing, please join us on Monday nights at 7:00.
JUBELLATION is currently on a weekly schedule, practicing on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
BOOD STUDY GROUP is discussing book 2 of “Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis on Thursday, September 10th in the fellowship hall at St. John with the MacGregors hosting. We will continue on the 24th at Elaine Becker’s.
MUSIC IN THE CHURCH: Nationally recognized Lutheran organist and composer, David Cherwein, will be presenting a two-part event, “Growing as Disciples Through Worship” on the afternoon of Saturday, September 19th at First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka. This workshop will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a presentation and discussion led by Dr. Cherwein about the place and role of music in worship from Lutheran and broader perspectives. It will conclude at 2:15 p.m. The second part of this program will feature Dr. Cherwein as the festival organist for a hymn fest beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The festival will be a hymn and readings journey through the church year. A celebration reception in the church nave will be held immediately after the conclusion of the hymnfest. This program is presented by First Lutheran Church with additional support from the Lutheran Fine Arts Council of Topeka and the Topeka Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
A piano dedication concert in memory of Lloyd Pinon will be held September 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church located at 2021 SW 29th St. in Topeka. Pianists will be Dixie Thompson and
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE: On September 20th at 2:00 p.m., there will be information provided on the topic, Human Trafficking at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan, 4801 Anderson Avenue.
SUNFLOWER CASA: On behalf of Sunflower CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), we would like to invite you to partner with us to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect in our community. We strive to help children have safe, permanent, and nurturing homes. There is an excellent 41-second video with some statistics, http://youtu.be/N8HimRalqiw?si=jtXK-pcuGnD32ubG. This is part of a series bringing awareness to child abuse and foster care.
April was Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Blue Sunday is a day for the faith community to pray specifically for victims of child abuse. May was National Foster Care Month. October is National Foster Youth Voice Month. November is National Adoption Month.We are always looking for volunteer advocates and board members. Volunteer Advocates must be 21 years of age or older, pass a substantial background check, complete 30 hour of training, and commit to at least one year/one case. Fall training for volunteers will be October 3rd and 10th, 2026.Board members must be 21years of age or older, pass a substantial background check, commit to a two-year term complete training, and help with fundraising and events throughout the year.Some ideas for bringing awareness to this issue could include: 1. Announcing training opportunities
2. Displaying blue pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention Month
3. Inviting CASA to participate in local fairs
4. Showing a short video
5. Inviting a CASA representative to speak at a church event
6. Offering to pray for children experiencing abuse or neglect
or neglect 7. Sponsoring a fundraising activity
8. Donating to Sunflower Children’s Collective, CASA’s umbrella agency
Reach out to CASA to present other ideas for partnering.
YOUR TIME IN GOD’S WORD: You can guide your time with the latest Apps from Concordia Publishing House. The “In Prayer” app has 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, & book introductions, cross-references and linked articles, and more. The annual subscription rate is $9.99 or $2.99 per month.
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 as it is an all-volunteer team. The criteria for assistance are to be currently receiving cancer treatments and living in Pottawatomie or Wabaunsee counties. (An 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 PARISH NURSE…
Janet Wertzberger
MISSION CENTRAL
In the month of August, I traveled to Mapleton, Iowa, to tour Mission Central with members of the Lutheran Parish Nurses International, NFP. Mission Central came into existence as an initiative from the World Mission for the Lutheran Church - Missiori Synod (LCMS). Gary Theis became the Mission Development Counselor of the LCMS and began working the office out of his farm home. The purpose of this mission was to raise awareness of the LCMS in world mission work. A tiny chapel sits at the roadside and is open 24/7. The farm house has been converted to office space. The tractor barn has been renovated to be a chapel worship center/mission museum with artifacts from around the world. The hog house was transformed into a fellowship hall, and later a creation theater was added. Missionary Gary and Rev. Steve Schulz share the stories of our missionaries and the work God is directing us to do. They remind us that we are all missionaries as Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . .” Whether we are at home or abroad, we can share the good news of Jesus’ love and His promise of heaven.
I encourage you to support our missionaries across the globe. Pray for them that Jesus’ name be proclaimed everywhere and in every tongue.
Janet Wertzberger, RN
Parish Nurse
In This Month's
St. John Witness
SEPTEMBER WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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