From the Pastor’s Desk

Another school year is coming to a close! It's been a good year of teaching and learning, of studying and growing! I'm in our school almost every day, and I observe good things happening in a safe and caring environment. Our teachers are proficient and professional and at the same time personal and approachable.

I write these things in their defense because there have been repeated verbal attacks against them during the school year. They have been bad-mouthed, and the entire school and its leadership cast in a bad light. Certainly, we all have made mistakes, and there are areas where we can improve. But to repeatedly run down our school and its staff accomplishes nothing but harm and ill will, tension and turmoil and tears. These attacks have even stirred up doubts and questions in the minds of many concerning the viability of our school going forward!

It is said that the best defense is a good offense. So, the plan is not to put a great deal of time and effort into defending ourselves against detractors and their attacks. Rather, we are encouraging each other to move forward with the Lord's guidance and blessing and keep doing the ministry He has entrusted to us. Love and wisdom, care and concern, faithfulness and dedication, humility and honesty will be evident and will win the day!

Members of St. John's, this is your school! Pray for your school! Pray for your teachers, the students and their parents! Support your school with your offerings! And speak highly of your school and the good work being done here in Jesus' name and to His glory!

Have a safe and blessed summer!
Pastor Bare

Worship Update

Greeters for this month:

Altar Committee for this month:
Becky Behrmann, Royce Kriewall

Congregational Acts

No changes in May.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who made Staff Appreciation an epic week! Special thanks go out to...

...the following families who provided yummy breakfasts, lunches, and desserts: Laurie Atwood, Becky Behrmann, Alan & Kim Dzurka, Chad & Amy Krager, Ryan & Melissa Morley, Greg & Kellie Pergande, Jeff & Jacqui Schwall, Mike & Stacy Wingeier, Terry & Janessa Wyzgowski, Michael & Brenna Zaplitny.

...Volunteers who came in to watch the students for recess/lunch so the teachers could enjoy a proper lunch hour: Kim Dzurka, Abbye Grivetti, Chad Krager, Gail McFarland, Laurie Morely, Ryan & Melissa Morely, Kimber Obertein, Michelle Pavlawk, Kellie Pergande, Bianca Santoyo, Allison Sonntag, Jacqui Schwall.

...Kellie Pergande for providing her massage therapist to rub out the kinks on Friday.

...the students for being such great sports in dressing up on each of our theme days.

...the Staff Appreciation Committee: Laurie Atwood, Kim Dzurka, Amy Krager, Michelle Pavlawk, Kellie Pergande, Jacqui Schwall, Melissa Morley, Samantha Sonntag, and Jenessa Wyzgowski for their creativity and hard work in planning this incredible week.

...the school and church members who gave wonderful donations that were used to purchase special gift cards for our faculty and staff.

Evangelism Committee

This is just a reminder that there are two types of bookmarkers in the pew holders. One is seasonal based on the church calendar and the other is a Biblical 911 helper to get through various situations. The obvious use is to mark the hymnal. The other is to take either of them home for personal use or use it to help extend an invitation to a family member or friend.

Event Committee

The event group is planning a church outing for the Great Lakes Loons vs Dayton Dragons game on July 12th; starting time, 1:05 pm. Tickets are $22.50/seat, which includes a $20 food voucher. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, July 5th. Look for the envelopes on the hall table to order and pay for tickets. Please make checks payable to Tammy Ludy.

Calling all Detroit Tigers baseball fans! We would like to invite our church members and their guests to attend a Detroit Tigers home game either Saturday, September 26th or Sunday, September 27th, as they face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The trip logistics will be coordinated thru Beyond Horizons Tour and Travel, 989-770-7077. Please direct all questions and concerns with them. The cost of the trip is $89.00 per person which includes transportation to and from, your ticket to enter the ballgame, as well as a water and snacks. Registration is now open! If interested we suggest you call asap, THE SEATS ARE FILLING UP QUICKLY! Don't miss out on your opportunity to cheer on those Tigers! **Special note: This trip is also open to the general public, not just our church members.

Other Announcements

Pastor Call update: Our Voters approved going to the Assignment Committee and asking for a graduate to fill our vacancy. Call Day was this past Thursday and, unfortunately, we were not assigned a pastor. We will resume calling from the field of experienced pastors at our next Call Meeting, Thursday, June 11th , at 6:30 pm.

Mark your calendar! Our annual outdoor service/picnic is planned for Sunday, June 28th, at Williams Township Park in Auburn. Church service begins at 11:00 am with a potluck dinner following. Please bring a generous dish to pass! Table service, beverages, and meat will be provided. To help with planning, please let us know you are coming. The sign-up sheet is on the hall table outside the church office.

Summer Hours: beginning Memorial Weekend, the church office summer hours will be Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm.

School News

Teacher Calls update: the revised calls extended to our teachers, Mrs. Megan Spaude and Miss Emma Schleicher, have been accepted. We are blessed to have them here for our 2026-2027 school year.

Financial Aid applications for the 2026-2027 school year are due back by May 28th. Copies are available in both the school and church offices.

Our School's Spring Show, put on by our Kindergarten through 4th grade students, will be this Friday, May 8th, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy some concession snacks while you watch the performance! Concessions will be offered by our Home & School Connect committee with proceeds going to our school’s music program.

Graduation dates: We ask God’s continued blessings on our students and look forward to seeing many of their smiling faces next year at St. Johns! Preschool and Kindergarten Graduation will be on May 17th: 3-year-old at 12:00 noon; 4-year-old at 2:00 pm; Kindergarten at 4:30 pm. The Eighth-Grade Graduation Service will be held in church on Friday, May 29th at 6:00 pm; grades K-8 will be singing.

M.A.L.L. League Track Meet, for grades 1-8, will be held at Garber High School in Essexville on Friday, May 22nd, starting at 9:00 am. Come cheer on our school!

The MLS Track Meet will be held on Wednesday, May 28th, at Cardinal Field. Come cheer on our 5th–8th graders as they participate in races and field events! Events begin at 10:00 am.

Last Day of School/Picnic is Thursday, May 28th. Once all the lockers and desks have been cleaned out, school will be dismissed and we will go to Williams Township Park, 1080 W. Midland Rd., Auburn, for our school picnic. A Hotdog lunch will be provided.

St. John’s Summer Basketball Camp is planned for July 8th & 9th. Watch for more information!

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

MLS News

Registration for MLS Summer Camps is now open! These camps offer a fun, faith-filled environment where young athletes and artists can develop their skills, build teamwork, and grow in confidence. With outstanding facilities and a dedicated staff, each camp provides a high-quality and rewarding experience for every participant.

Camp offerings include Fine Arts, Basketball, Football (including a Father/Son clinic), and Volleyball, with options available for a variety of age groups. Registration deadline is May 31st . Visit www.mlsem.org to register secure your child’s spot.

MLS is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. If you have an 8th grader about to enter high school, or a high school student interested in transferring, visit mlsem.org and click Apply! For any questions, please reach out to admissions@mlsem.org.

In the Neighborhood

Pet Adoption Day! Gephart Funeral Home will be hosting a pet adoption day on Saturday, June 6th, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Come out and give these fur babies some love or take one home with you! Gephart will pay for half of the adoption fees for every animal that finds their furever home.

Church Council Notes: 11/11/25

Meeting was called to order by President Larry Schwartz at 6:30pm pm
Pastor Bare led us in devotion and prayer.
Minutes from the April 2026 council meeting were accepted as read.

Elders Report – read by Luke Stehle

• No changes in membership

• We discussed the upcoming services and the banners being changed out

• We discussed the next steps after we hear from the assignment committee

• Graduation service will have Pastor Steinke preaching

  • A motion was made to offer $150 financial compensation from the general fund for pastor Steinke. – It was moved and supported, Motion Carried

• There will be a private baptism on June 7th – the family has asked to make use of the fellowship hall for a small gathering afterwards.

Pastors Report – read by Pastor Bare

• Bible class is winding down for the season

• Pastor Bare is preaching for Mr. Milbrath’s retirement at Salem, Owosso after 48 years of teaching

• Sandi’s office hours for the summer will be 9-1:30 Monday-Friday

Trustees Report – read by Matt Pretzer

• During the summer months we are planning to replace a pump in the basement that has been dripping.

• There were some repairs done in the gym

• 206 Mountain St. the carpet on the first floor was removed

• Landscaping has been done around the church and school

• We will need to have other members of council to go in and assess the parsonages to determine what the best use of space may be if we get a new pastor.

Board of Education Report – read by John Schaaf

• Rusty will be setting up a meeting with Home & School Connect

• May 29th will be the graduation service

• Rachel Bender is creating progress reports for kindergarten

• August 10th is back to school night

Treasurer’s Report – read by Larry Schwartz

• A copy of the treasurer’s report is attached to these minutes

Old Business

• None

New Business

• Moving forward any nominations for boards, sub boards, or committees need to be submitted to the elders for approval since they will know best if the individual is a good fit for the role. A motion was made to go forward with this proposal. It was moved and supported, Motion Carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 with the Lord’s Prayer