ALTAR FLOWERS
The altar flowers are given by Kurt & Jodi Becher In celebration of Jerry & Sue Becher’s 51st wedding anniversary on September 21st.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Please join us for Sunday School 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.
ROAD TO DAMASCUS DAY TRIP
Just a reminder that the bus will be arriving at 7:00 a.m. and leaving at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 25th. The bus will return to Defiance around 8:30 p.m.
PASTOR MEWS OUT OF OFFICE
Pastor Mews will be out of the office from September 23rd through October 3rd. He will be attending the American Assoc. of Christian Counselors Conference in Nashville, TN. from Sept. 23-27. He will be on vacation the following week. If you have an emergency, please contact the church office at 419.782.5766.
TRUNK OR TREAT
St. John will be hosting our Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 29th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. We are asking for bags of candy to be donated. You may place your candy donations in the designated box in classroom #14 across from the cafeteria. If you would like to decorate a trunk for this year’s event, please see the bulletin board next to room #14 for the sign-up sheet. Everything will be held outside with food and other refreshments.
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY RECAP
Thanks to all who participated by having a display in the hallway, eating the delicious breakfast, and bringing a friend to church! Thanks to the Fellowship Board: Jenny George for making the food, and Jan McGhee for helping to serve. Gerry George, also, for being a big help! Around 80 were served and $313 in donations will be sent to Children’s Lantern.
SAVE THE DATE PULLED PORK
November 4th for our Pulled Pork Dinner, a fundraiser for Shop-With-A-Cop. We will be beginning to sell tickets on October 1. Help us to make Christmas happy for Defiance County children. Last year we helped 37 kids. Thanks for your support by buying a dinner(s) and donations. God loves a cheerful giver.
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. Meijer Simply Give Scan cards are available on the south receptionist desk and at the store. Pick one up today!
On Wednesday, September 17, we had 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.
MANY THANKS
Thank you to Mary Jo Ward for donating a piano (in memory of Randy Ward), to the St. John Lutheran Choir. Likewise, thanks to Mike Shawley, Mark Roehrig, Chad Clark and Brad Buchholz for transporting the piano from the Ward home to the St. John choir room.
CLOTHES CLOSET NEEDS
The Clothes Closet needs 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
Calling all men! Join us for the Lutherhaven Men’s Retreat on September 26-28, 2025! The first 25 guys to register will receive a free book, Callings for Life: God’s Plan, Your Purpose by retreat main speaker, Jeffrey Leininger. To learn more or register today, visit http://lutherhaven.org/programs/retreats/men/
PICKLEBALL
Want to learn to play pickleball? We have started up a class on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. We 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 this 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!
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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. We meet Wednesday evenings, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., in the Adult Education Room A with Judy Detter & Penny Mueller.
We hope to see you then ~ Judy Detter and Penny Mueller
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THE FELLOWSHIP ROOM WILL BE CLOSED FROM SEPT. 24-26th FOR WAXING
ATTENDANCE CHURCH SERVICES
September 13 63 5:30 PM
September 14 133 9:00 AM
TOTAL: 274