Parish Services

COVID-19 - Notice of Cancellation - Monday, March 16, 2020

Dear St. John Members: This notice is to inform you of decisions that have been made regarding worship, education, and fellowship activities. I have been communicating with the Elders, President and Vice-President of our congregation, and the Board of Education to make these decisions. The CDC, the President of these United States, and the Governor of Nebraska, have recommended that there be no more than 10 people gathering together in any one place. Therefore, St. John will be cancelling all activities until further notice. This is being done to help slow down the spread of COVID-19 and to care for the many in our congregation that are in the high risk category for having severe reactions should they be infected by such a virus.

The church council will be meeting at some time to discuss our situation and plan for the weeks and months ahead should there be more developments. We will provide for worship as best as possible for you as a family through this website for the short term. Other ideas for worship, study and instruction are being formulated for the short-term as well as the long-term. - Pastor Toensing
The Sunday Morning Divine Service - CANCELLED until further notice

The Divine Service is the center of our life of faith in Christ. It is celebrated every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The Sacrament of the Altar is celebrated on odd Sundays of the month and festival days. Wednesday evening Services are scheduled during selected portions of the year, as well as the Advent and Lenten seasons.

Lenten/Holy Week Services
  • February 26 - Ash Wednesday - "It's All about Pride", Matthew 26:30-35
  • March 4 - Midweek Lenten 2 - "It's All about Complacency", Matthew 26:36-46
  • March 11 - Midweek Lenten 3 - "It's All about Misunderstanding", John 18:1-11
  • March 18 - Midweek Lenten 4 - "It's All about Distant Discipleship", Matthew 26:57-58 - Cancelled
  • March 25 - Midweek Lenten 5 - "It's All about the Company You Keep", John 18:18 - Cancelled
  • April 1 - Midweek Lenten 6 - "It's All about Denial", Luke 22:54-62 - Cancelled
  • April 9 - Maundy Thursday - "It's All about Cleansing", John 13:1-15 - Cancelled
  • April 10 - Good Friday - "It's All about Cleansing", Acts 2:22-24, 37-38 - Cancelled
  • April 12 - Easter Sunday, "It's All about Life", Mark 16:1-7 - Cancelled
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Remote Video Worship Service

Worship information for this April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday online Worship Service is provided here:

Palm_Sunday_Hymns.pdf
Palm_Sunday_Readings.pdf
Palm_Sunday_Sermon.pdf

Please use your Bible to follow along with the Psalm reading and also the scripture readings. 

Most Recent Sermon Audio - Archived Files
Wednesday Lenten Message, April 1, 2020 - "Devotional Message"
Opportunities for Further Growth in March

 

Those Serving During the Month of March - 2020 Greeter Schedule

 

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
  • Sunday School is held after service from about 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. throughout the school year.
  • The Sunday morning Adult Bible class continues to walk through the Gospel of Mark. The current plan will be to use three Sundays for this study and interrupt one week a month with a one session topic of interest. Please join us for our studies. Read up on Mark and come with your questions. And if you have any suggestions for topics of study or interest please let Pastor Toensing know.
Catechesis & New Membership

Catechesis means "Instruction in the Christian Faith." Catechesis begins when one inquires about membership in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church and continues in various forms throughout the life of a Christian.

Those desiring membership at St. John are asked to speak with the pastor. In order to receive the Lord's Supper, instruction in the Christian faith according to the Scriptures and Luther's Small Catechism is necessary. There is no fee or obligation for instruction.

Those who are already members of St. John mature and deepen in their understanding of the faith and their love for the Lord and neighbor by attending Divine Service and, as schedules permit, partaking of one or more of the following forums for ongoing catechesis:

  • Adult Bible Class, held Sundays after service in the basement.
  • Youth Study, for high school students; meets Sundays after the service.
  • Midweek School, for Grades 4–8 preparing to receive the Lord's Supper; meets Wednesdays during the school year from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. in the basement.
  • Adult Catechesis (new member instruction) contact the pastor for the current schedule or to schedule a time.
Visitation of the Hospitalized and Homebound - From the Pastor

There are circumstances in life that might land someone in the hospital. As your pastor, I consider it a high priority to visit when one of our members is in the hospital. But I might not always get the message. Sometimes people forget. Sometimes you might assume that someone else will let me know. If I should know that someone is in need of a pastoral visit in the hospital, please let me know. I would rather get five calls or messages letting me know than none. Thank you, Pastor Toensing