SERMON: “If You Want It Done Right…” by Pastor Kurt F. Mews
ALTAR FLOWERS
The altar flowers are given by Marilyn Reeb in memory of her daughter, Colette Reeb.
PASTOR MEWS 40 YEARS RECOGNITION
This weekend we are celebrating Pastor Mews’ many years of service as a called church worker in the LCMS ministry. Pastor Mews was installed as a teacher at St. John Lutheran in August of 1985. He will be recognized at all services and will be presented with a certificate at the 9:00 am service.
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY BREAKFAST
In celebration of Friendship Sunday, the Board of Parish Fellowship will be hosting a breakfast from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, September 14th. The breakfast is sponsored by Thrivent Financial and there will be a freewill offering. Bring a friend and have breakfast together (donations will go to Children’s Lantern to help foster families), then check out the displays in the hall that showcase our groups, programs, and activities. Someone from your group could be available at your table to answer questions on Sunday. Displays should be taken down after the 11:00 service.
LADIES AID NEW DATE:
The Ladies Aid meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, at 2 p.m. This is a week early due to the bus trip the following week. Jan McGee and her team will be our hostesses. The food pantry item is dish soap.
“WHO BROKE MY CHURCH?”
If you were attending the Book Study, “Who Broke My Church?”, there will be a wrap-up session this coming Monday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room. If you have any questions, or concerns, please call the church office at 419.782.5766.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please join us for Sunday School beginning this Sunday, September 14th at 9:00 am in classroom # 17 in the lower basement hallway. Sunday School is held during the 9:00 a.m. worship service.
TREES OF LIFE BENEFIT – SEPTEMBER 28TH
The annual “Defiance Has Talent and Heart” will be held Sun. Sept. 28 at 4:00 at the K of C Hall. There will be a buffet dinner, auctions, great talent presentations, and emcee Rick Small. The beneficiary this year is Good Samaritan School (Life Skills Project). Tickets are $20 with a purchase deadline of Sept.16, and are available at Ken’s Furniture and Defiance Visitors Bureau, or contact Deb Weisgerber at 419-980-9514.
AUGUST 2025 FOOD PANTRY REPORT
We served 80 families or 242 people during the month of August. We distributed 352 bags of food worth $5,280. We had 12 new families visit our pantry for the first time.
The Meijer Simply Give Program is featuring us through Saturday, September 27th. The next DOUBLE DAY, when they will DOUBLE the money that is donated are Saturday, September 13th. Meijer Simply Give Scan cards are available on the south receptionist desk and at the store. Pick one up today! September 14th is Friendship Sunday and there will be a display for the food pantry. Stop by to pick up a little treat and I will answer any questions you have about the St. John Food Pantry.
On Wednesday, September 17 we will have a food run to Toledo to pick up more food. We have a faithful group; Mark Roehrig, Mike Shawley and Walt Smith, who leave at 6:30 a.m. to pick up food at the Seagate Food Pantry and The Toledo Food Bank of Northwest Ohio. We thank them for their dedication and commitment to serving in this ministry.
Our Mission Statement: “To improve the health and well-being of our neighbors by providing reliable access to nutritious food in welcoming environments through the generosity of volunteers, individuals and community partnerships.”
ITEMS NEEDED: 14.5 oz. can of beef broth, Rice-a-Roni, 16 oz. vegetable oil, instant potatoes
Thank you for all your donations and support of this ministry.
CLOTHES CLOSET NEEDS
The Clothes Closet is in need of children’s clothing for boys and girls, sizes 7-16.
SAVE YOUR PLASTIC CAPS!
We are saving CLEAN plastic caps (any size, shape, or color) to possibly have a park bench on our church property. Please bring them to the church office. Examples of caps: water bottles, milk jugs, sprays (oil, etc.), cleaning products, food products. Thank you!
Camp Lutherhaven Men’s Retreat
PICKLEBALL
Want to learn to play pickleball? A class is starting Tues. Sept 16th or Thurs. Sept. 18 depending on people’s schedules. We’ll play at Kingsbury Park at 6:30 pm for 60-90 minutes. Come learn the basics. We have paddles you can use. If you play come and help teach. Contact Nancy Rensi at 419-439-2872 if interested.
GRAND PIANO DEDICATION CEREMONY
Please join us on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Tinora Performing Arts Center for a special dedication of a new grand piano, given in memory of Becky Buchhop, a longtime organist at St. Peter (Florida) & St. Paul (Flatrock) Church and a supporter of the arts. The program will feature performances by Tinora alumni and local musicians as we celebrate Becky’s legacy, the gift of music, and the community that made this dream possible. All are welcome!
ROAD TO DAMASCUS
A thank you to everyone who has signed up for the Road to Damascus Trip. We have reached our minimum number of participants. BUT, there is still room on the bus if you would like to go. If you are still interested, please contact Jenny George at 419-576-2911
*****************************************************************
ACTS – Adult CrossTraining Studies “One in Love”
John 17 is Jesus’ last prayer for His disciples before His execution. Again, He repeats His concern that we should all be one. Please join us this week, September 17, for the topic, One in Love. We meet Wednesday evenings, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., in the Adult Education Room A with Judy Detter & Penny Mueller.
Dates for September:
September 17 — topic: “One in Love” Adult Ed Room A
September 24 — topic: “The Shepherd” Adult Ed Room A
We hope to see you then ~ Judy Detter and Penny Mueller
*****************************************************************
ATTENDANCE CHURCH SERVICES
August 30 41 5:30 PM
August 31 100 9:00 AM
TOTAL: 200