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!
April 2026 Friendship Circle News
Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 15th at 1:30p.m. in Memorial Hall
Hymn: "Trust and Obey"
Devotion: "Chocolate Frosted Grace" - Joyce Diehl
Roll Call: Name a family Easter tradition
Bible Study: Living a Chocolate Life "Promises" Elaine Becker (Chapter 4)
Business: Spring Event Report
Kansas District LWML Confention - April 17-19
Service Activity: Mite box collection
At our Friendship Circle meeting in March, we enjoyed a devotion, "Satisfied," and a Bible study, "Satisfaction," which came from the third chapter in "Living a Chocolate Life." We also sang "On Eagles' Wings" and verses from "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds."
The group made plans for the Confirmation Reception. Also, it was decided that LWML would donate $250 to the Hagemans in Tanzania and $250 to our two teachers who are currently in continuing education programs. On the evening of April 15th, ladies will help the youth learn about quilt tying. April 17-19 is the Kansas District LWML Convention.
There is a basket in front of the office for used eyeglasses which will be collected at the Convention in April.
Our next Evening LWML Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.. We'll have a Bible study and a craft or fun activity - to be determined. Please join us!
2026 LWML KANSAS DISTRICT CONVENTION:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
(John 15:16)
The 41st Biennial Convention of the Kansas District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League will be held April 17-19, 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan, Kansas. All Ladies are invited to attend! The Kansas Sonshine Convention Registration issue can be picked up outside the church office for details and Registration Form. If you have any questions please contact Gayle Grimm. We look forward to painting Manhattan LWML Purple!
LUNCH BUNCH: Mark your calendars for lunch bunch at Pizza Ranch on McCall Road in Manhattan on April 12th.
VOICES FOR GOD: The choir has worked very hard this winter and spring, so we will take a break from practices in April and May, but we will be singing in June and July. A new cantata is being purchased and will be sung during next new groupyear’s Lent/Easter season.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: The next event will be Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. You may join them at Rockin’ K’s in Manhattan.
THE BOOK STUDY GROUP will meet at Bruce and Kathy Schultz's home on Thursday, April 16th and at Elaine Becker's home on April 30th at 7 p.m.
KANSANS FOR LIFE: Tickets are available for the 2026 banquets to be held April 14, 2026 in Overland Park, and April 28, 2026 in Wichita. This year’s banquets will feature Scott Jennings, CNN’s lone pro-life conservative who often stands alone on the right side of the issue. At KFL’s banquets, Jennings will challenge us with the same boldness he brings to the bright lights and cameras of the commentators’ table, reminding us why defending the dignity of every human life is truly a cause like no other. You can find more information at kfl.org/kfl-events.
THRIVENT: In 2025, St. John Lutheran Church received $1,798 through the Thrivent Choice® program. Our dollars strengthen our community and make an impact every day. With the March 31, 2026 deadline approaching, now is the time to direct any remaining 2025 Choice Dollars® before they expire.
Thrivent clients with membership: Don’t forget to direct 2025 Choice Dollars® by March 31 at thrivent.com/thriventchoice.
2026-2029 LCMS NATIONAL CONVENTION OFFERING: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.” Psalm 78:4
The theme for the 2026–2029 Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod convention reflects the church’s call to share the message of Christ’s resurrection far and wide, across space and time: “Christ Is Risen! Tell the Next Generation.”
The National Offering theme is an extension of the 2026 Synod convention theme, based on 1 Corinthians 15:20–22: “Christ Is Risen Indeed.”
The National Offering, which spans the years between conventions, provides an opportunity for congregations, districts, circuits, individuals or other groups to support the work of the LCMS vigorously to make known the Good News of Jesus Christ, that all might rejoice and give thanks to our heavenly Father.
Gifts to the 2026–2029 National Offering will directly benefit ongoing domestic work carried out at the local level by LCMS congregations, districts and others, and supported by LCMS Family Ministry, Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry & School Ministry.
Watch for more information to come about grant opportunities for LCMS congregations, districts and Recognized Service Organizations to take part in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the next generation. For more information, visit
lcms.org/convention/national/offering or contact:
mission.advancement@lcms.org.
EASTER EVENING PRAYER will take place on Sunday, April 12, at 4:00 p.m. ET in Kramer Chapel on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana. This service of Evening Prayer with music by the Seminary Kantorei continues the proclamation of Easter triumph and joy. This service will include music reflecting on the appearance of Jesus to Thomas. Check at: ctsfw.edu/about/events or live-streamed at: ctsfw.edu/Daily-Chapel.
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.
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 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.NEW MISSIONARIES IN AFRICA:
The Rev. Jonathan and Anita Clausing and their nine children serve the Lord as missionaries through The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Eastern Africa, based in Tanzania. Jonathan serves as a theological educator at St. Peter Theological Seminary in Himo, Tanzania, teaching a variety of courses in multiple departments.
The Rev. Michael and Shanna Hageman serve the Lord through the LCMS as missionaries in Tanzania. Michael is a theological educator at a new seminary in Shinyanga, Tanzania, where he teaches classes and assists in forming pastors for service in Africa. Shanna is a director of Christian education, and she teaches 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. (The Hageman’s were here at St. John in February, and have continuing connections with us as we pray for them, and they send information about their work.)
The Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne and their two children serve the Lord through the LCMS in Tanzania. Bryan is a theological educator at a new seminary in Shinyanga, Tanzania, where he teaches classes and assists in forming pastors for service in Africa. Keah serves alongside the deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania’s South East of the Lake Victoria Diocese and supports their professional development.
Britt Odemba and her husband, Micah, and their two children serve the Lord through the LCMS in Kenya. Britt works with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) as an educational consultant. Britt’s main role is to assist the local Project 24 director. Project 24 is a children’s boarding facility program initiated by the LCMS and the ELCK. A child sponsorship program called Christ’s Care for Children: Kenya has stemmed from the Project 24 program, and Britt oversees this sponsorship program. She is in charge of collecting, sharing, and storing all the children’s information, and she assists with creating partnerships between donors and the children in need, serving as the key communication person between the two parties.
Shara Osiro and her husband, Michael, serve the Lord through the LCMS in Africa, based in Kenya. As the regional shared ministries manager, Shara supports ministry programs and services that extend across multiple countries and personnel in the region. In collaboration with region’s leadership team, she helps to develop, review, and revise strategic program and project plans for the included ministries.
The Rev. Shauen and Krista Trump and their five children serve the LCMS in Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya, which has been their home for the last 15 years. As the LCMS’ regional director for Africa, Shauen supervises the LCMS missionaries across the continent and regularly engages church leaders in more than 25 countries to equip, enable, and encourage them in the work the Lord has put before them to spread the Gospel, plant Lutheran churches, and train church workers, and show mercy. He oversees the implementation of convention and board directives and the development and execution of strategies, programs, projects, and grants for Africa. Krista serves ad the region’s project and grant secretary and coordinator of special events.
Kaelin Peralta serves the Lord through the LCMS aw the regional communication specialist for the Africa region based in Kenya. In this missionary role, he collects and tells the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by the Good News of Jesus Christ brought to them by the LCMS missionaries there.
John and Jean Wolf and their five children serve the Lord as missionaries through the LCMS in Kenya. As the Africa region’s project manager, John provides oversight and support for projects and grants across the region, with a particular focus on mercy work. He also trains the local people and the local church partners to develop, manage, and sustain projects that support Christian growth and congregational needs across Africa.
FROM THE PARISH NURSE
THE GOD WHO SEES
You might have heard that we’re in a loneliness epidemic. In other words, there are a lot of people around us who feel disconnected from others, not seen. But, God in His mercy, wants all people to have
a relationship with Him and in a loving relationship with each other. It all starts with understanding that He sees us.
The story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis chapter16 displays for us the beautiful way God shows that He sees us in our struggles and hurts. In verse 6, we read that, Sarai, her mistress, had mistreated Hagar because Hagar was pregnant with Abram’s child. So, Hagar ran away. The Angel of the Lord comes to Hagar, and tells her to return, and promises Hagar that her child, whom she is to name Ismael, will have many descendants. The angel confirms God’s care when in verse 11(NIV), the angel says, ...for the Lord has heard of your misery. She probably feels very seen and loved from these words and by the presence of the Lord’s angel. In verse 13(NIV), she gives this name (Ismael) to the Lord saying, You are the God who sees me.
Prior to this encounter with the angel, Hagar most likely didn’t feel seen very often. She was a maidservant, used to provide offspring for others and left her home without much notice or care from those in the household. Then God, through His angel, changes all that by speaking to her. He confirmed to her that she and her son were seen by God.
We have a very loving God! God’s story of redemption and salvation demonstrate how God lovingly sees us. He takes our confusion, our feelings of rejection (such as in Hagar’s situation), our brokenness, and makes us whole. At the cross, He took on the burden of sin for me and you because of His faithfulness and self-sacrificing love for us. He sees us! I am in awe of how God shows that He sees me and that He cares that I know that He sees me.
When I get too focused on the things of this world, He sees me and draws me to Him. The people God has put in my life, my family, my friends, and new people I get to meet, all help me to know God in a deeper way and to see His hand in guiding me. Thanks be to God that He sees us. Through His Son’s
life, death, and resurrection, He demonstrates The Most powerful message of God’s love.
“Those who know Your name will trust in You, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek
You.” Psalm 9:10(NIV)
Christine Blanke, RN, Parish Nurse,
District Representative, Nebraska
PARISH NURSING NOTES: Vol. 7 Issue 3 Theme: The God Who Sees, Spring 2026
In This Month's
St. John Witness
APRIL WITNESS
Miscellaneous News
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