From the Pastor’s Desk

HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

That's a lot of candles! That's a lot of history, from 1776 to 2026! The Lord has blessed us so abundantly to live in this land of freedom and opportunity! I have been sitting in my backyard often during these beautiful summer days and it is so peaceful and restful! I feel secure and safe. I am not afraid of an enemy attack! My only concern is an occasional mosquito or deer fly trying to bite me.

We are blessed by our God to live in America! It's a blessing we don't ever want to take for granted! The freedom we have as believers to gather for worship without fear is huge. But do we neglect using that gift? Are we so busy with all the activities we're engaged in that time for God is squeezed out of our normal routine?

America will remain a strong and blessed nation only as we believers remain strong and connected to the Lord, our Savior! Through Word and Sacraments, we continue to beam as lights in this dark world. We continue to act as salt in our beloved country, warding off spiritual rot and decay. Yes, God bless America! Yes, God bless America through us his faithful people!

Blessings on your day!

Pastor Bare

Worship Update

Greeters for this month:

Altar Committee for this month:
Mike & Stacie Wingeier

Congregational Acts

Married
Gabriel Wallaker & Mia Wingeier, 5/29/26
Daniel Wohlscheid & Summer Solomon, 5/30/26

Received by Profession of Faith, 6/9/26
Wendy Brown

Transfer Out, 6/9/26
George Strieter to St. Bartholomew, Kawkawlin
Kylee Williams and children Kinlee, Levi, Callen, Leena to St. Bartholomew, Kawkawlin

Baptism
Sawyer Dallas Stodolak, 6/7/26

Entered Eternal Life, 6/17/26
Wilma Frieda (Boettcher) Kessler

Evangelism Committee

Community Service: We have an opportunity to serve our community by participating in a program called, “Food of Faith”. It’s a service that works with Hidden Harvest to prepare and hand out meals to those in need of a good meal.

It would involve prepping and preparing the meals, as well as packaging them in to-go containers to be handed out. All of this takes place at Messiah Lutheran Church, 501 S. Catherine, in Bay City. It would involve 3-4 hours on Wednesday and Thursday. We would do this about 3 times a year; the yearly schedule is made up in November. It would be great if we could have 5-6, or more, people to volunteer. (More hands = less work). To participate with this program we can’t cancel at the last minute as it would leave too much work for those that show up. They usually prepare to hand out 290-310 meals each Thursday.

If anyone is interested in serving our community this way, please contact Becky Behrmann by the end of September. Her phone number is: 989-285-6753.

Event Committee

Mark your calendar! We have the following events coming up:

Church Campout/Potluck/Outdoor Service: September 11th & 12th (Saturday - Potluck, 5:00 pm & Worship Service, 6:00 pm). September, 2021 is the last time we’ve had a campout!

Fall Bazaar: Saturday, October 3rd, in our church Fellowship Hall.

Bake Sale: December 5th & 6th, after all church services.

Other Announcements

Pastor Call update: At our Call Meeting on Thursday, June 11th , Pastor Preston Heuer of Abiding Savior, Elk River, MN, was called to be our next pastor. Please keep him in your prayers as he deliberates his calls to both St. John’s and Abiding Savior.

The 4th of July falls on a Saturday this year and therefore our Elders decided to cancel our regular Saturday 6:00 pm service that day. We will have the Sunday morning 10:00 am service on July 5th as usual.

Meetings: Our Elders, Trustees and Church Council will not be meeting in July; meetings will resume in August. Board of Ed is meeting on Monday, July 27th, at 6:00 pm.

Thank you, Ray Schwall, for the beautiful flowers planted in the pots around church!

St. John’s is participating in the National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Wenonah Park in Downtown Bay City. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign designed to strengthen police community partnerships and promote neighborhood camaraderie. Celebrated in thousands of communities across all 50 states, the event encourages residents to come together with local law enforcement, first responders, organizations, and neighbors to support safer and stronger communities.

The Bay City event will feature public safety vehicles, games and activities for children, community organizations, music, food, giveaways, and family-friendly entertainment. Community members are encouraged to attend, meet local first responders, learn about local resources, and enjoy an evening focused on community connection and public safety awareness. Stop by St. John’s tent and say hello!

Someone has gifted St. John’s with several copies of the Synod's monthly magazine, Forward in Christ. These may be found on the Usher’s stand and on the table outside the church office. Please take a copy for yourself and/or for someone you know who might enjoy reading the magazine.

School News

Back-to-School Night, August 10th, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. At this event you will be able sign up for parent-teacher school visits with your child(ren)’s teacher and sign up for all the extracurricular activities and committees. Students can find sign-ups for sports, choir, and more! Board of Ed members will be available for questions. Watch for more information.

Preschool packets for the 2026/2027 school year are available in the church and school offices.

Around the WELS

Fireworks Fellowship with the members of Bethel: Come and enjoy some fun-filled fellowship July 4th at the home of Paul and Laurie Gies, 225 N. Pine Road. Starting at 5:00 pm, there will be a cookout, games, and a bouncy house for little ones. A fireworks display by their own expert, Nick Friske, will start around 9:45 pm, with the Bay City fireworks to follow. If possible, bring a dish to pass for the cookout. RSVP to Paul at 989-233-4994 or Laurie at 989-233-8836.

Going to the Munger Potato Festival? (Thursday, July 30th– Sunday, August 2nd) - Members of Bethel Lutheran Church & School will be running the food tents at the festival. Stop by and say ‘hello’!

VBS at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church: Dive In! Join us for Vacation Bible School on Wednesday, August 5th- Friday, August 7th, 9:00 am – 11:30 am. (Preschool through 6th grade). We will share Bible truths, songs, snacks, games, and crafts with friends. To receive a VBS registration form and more information, please email churchoffice@mtolivelutheranbc.org, or call: 989-684-0484.

A rummage “Give Away” will be held in the parking lot of St. Paul’s Lutheran, 1020 Court St., Saginaw, on Saturday, August 8th, from 10:00 am to noon. Donations of household items, clothing, and toys are needed to support the event. We are accepting clothing, small furniture, books, toys, and kitchenware. Donations may be dropped off at:

• St. Paul’s School - Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - noon

• St. Paul’s Church - Sundays, 9:00 am and Mondays, 6:30 pm