St John's Ev. Lutheran Church

06/07/2026

Sunday June 7 2026

TODAY’S THEME: SAY IT OUT LOUD – GOD LOVES SINNERS
They never forgot their past. Moses never forgot how he killed a man in a fit of anger. Paul never forgot how he had savaged the Church of God. Matthew never for-got how, as a tax collector for the Roman Empire, he was considered a traitor to his people.
But God forgot their past. He forgave all their sins and called them to proclaim his mercy. Christians are sinners whom God has mercifully called. Only mercy can explain why Jesus brings people to faith and promises them salvation. Only grace can explain how he calls them to serve as they are able, even in the ministry of the gospel. God loves sinners.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near; Let me your Word e’er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain. Your Word inspires my heart within; Your Word grants healing from my sin. Your Word has pow’r to guide and bless; Your Word brings peace and happiness. (CW 282 vs 1, 2)

Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tua_cZScw4qT2ezKQ9dUoCyaG5-X32S8uXzmoUCOyv8/edit?usp=sharing

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TODAY’S THEME: SAY IT OUT LOUD – GOD LOVES SINNERS They never f...

05/31/2026

First Sunday After Pentecost: Holy Trinity

05/24/2026

Sunday May 24 2026

TODAY’S THEME — HE LIVES TO POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT
When the disciples were distressed about Jesus ascending into heaven, he assured them, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). That Advocate is the Holy Spirit. If Jesus had stayed in the grave, the Holy Spirit would have had no reason to enter the lives of disciples.
But Jesus lives, and it makes a difference. The Spirit provides faith and purpose for life. Pentecost, the celebration of the special arrival of the Holy Spirit, is the third great festival of the Church, along with the Nativity and the Resurrection. Pentecost closes the fifty-day period after Easter and ends the festival half of the church year. The Church dresses in red on this day to commemorate the tongues of fire that marked the Spirit’s gift as well as the blood of the martyrs.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Holy Spirit, Light divine, shine upon this heart of mine; chase the gloom of night away; turn the darkness into day. See, to you I give my heart; cleanse my life in ev-’ry part; your own temple I would be, now and for eternity. Amen. (CW 183 vs. 1, 5)

Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IqMndABh2JUYtTvLO75yDUSwIuF1b0kGZJlgiwo-Vdc/edit?usp=sharing

https://youtube.com/live/0QiFuyFxDUM?feature=share

TODAY’S THEME — HE LIVES TO POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT When the disciples were distressed about Jesus ascending into heaven, he assured them, “It is for your goo...

05/17/2026

Confirmation Sunday May 17 2026

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Let me be yours forever, my faithful God and Lord; Let me forsake you never nor wander from your Word. Lord, do not let me waver but give me steadfastness, and for such grace and favor your holy name I’ll bless. Amen. (CW 596 v. 1)
Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
Today we celebrate God’s grace as we welcome into communicant membership our four confirmands through the rite of confirmation. Over the last three years they have studied God’s Word as taught in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. We praise God that he has brought them to a deeper understanding of his Holy Word. May God grant them continual growth in knowledge and faith in his Word.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Ljc23TQuJZNXAmHedVThaUa2PkZkgJDtXfz9QjsY90/edit?usp=sharing

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PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIPLet me be yours forever, my faithful God and Lord; Let me forsake you never nor wander from your Word. Lord, do not let me waver but giv...

05/11/2026

05/10/2026

5/10/26 - Sunday Worship
TODAY’S THEME – HE LIVES TO CALL ME TO LIVE FOR HIM
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would be tempted to live only for myself. After all, I have to be in good shape before I can be of help to anyone else, right? I think I know what’s right for me, and I can identify when other people are standing in the way of my self-improvement. If Jesus is dead, I don’t have to worry about what he said or what he thinks.
But he lives, and it makes a difference. He takes care of my basic needs. He promises to do more for me than I can imagine. He puts people into my life so I can help them. Now I live for him.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of your Holy Supper. As I come to your table, work true repentance in my heart. Teach me to confess my sins and to believe that I am forgiven for your sake. May your body and blood, which are in and with the bread and wine, nourish my faith and strengthen my will to live to the glory of your name. Amen.
Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Ljc23TQuJZNXAmHedVThaUa2PkZkgJDtXfz9QjsY90/edit?usp=sharing

https://youtube.com/live/IVm5ogj3M6M?feature=share

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 10, 2026 ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH — STURGIS, MI WELCOME! Thank you for joining us in worship this morning. We gather together in the presence of God to hear his Word and respond in worship, prayer, and praise. TODAY’S THEME – HE LIVES TO CAL...

05/03/2026

Sunday May 3 2026

TODAY’S THEME
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have to wonder if he wasn’t just a human being. If my last view of him is a criminal crucified on a cross, he would look like someone to be rejected. He couldn’t even help himself, much less anyone else! But he lives, and it makes a difference. He is the only way to heaven. This gospel message is the most inclusive message in the world. The benefits of the resurrection of Jesus are meant for every man, woman, and child who has ever lived.

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
O Lord—our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter—we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tua_cZScw4qT2ezKQ9dUoCyaG5-X32S8uXzmoUCOyv8/edit?usp=sharing

https://youtube.com/live/_rWNf-6r7rw?feature=share

Sunday May 3 2026

04/26/2026

Sunday April 26, 2026

TODAY’S THEME — HE LIVES TO BE MY GOOD SHEPHERD
Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have to choose my own direction in life. I would be terrible at it, because, like a sheep, I can generally see only what’s in front of me at the moment, and I get myself into trouble. It is especially difficult for me to look far into my future as planned by Jesus. If he had not risen from the dead, I would be on my own.
But he lives, and it makes a difference. I have the reliable direction of the Good Shepherd. He feeds us with his Word. He protects us from the roaring lion, Satan. He is leading us into the green pastures of eternal life. For centuries, the Church has observed this Fourth Sunday of Easter to celebrate that Jesus lives to be our Good Shepherd.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
My shepherd will supply my need—Jehovah is his name. In pastures fresh he makes me feed beside the living stream. He brings my wand’ring spirit back when I forsake his ways and leads me, for his mercy’s sake, in paths of truth and grace. The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; oh, may his house be my abode and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest while others go and come, no more a stranger or a guest but like a child at home. (CW 374, vs. 1, 3)

Copyright Acknowledgments
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright © 2015 Ian M. Welch. All rights Reserved.
Music, hymns, and worship responses reprinted under Onelicense.net A-726370
All rights reserved.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IqMndABh2JUYtTvLO75yDUSwIuF1b0kGZJlgiwo-Vdc/edit?usp=sharing

https://youtube.com/live/lNhXXGosF1Q?feature=share

Sunday April 26, 2026