A Note from Pastor Bare

Our Savior’s ascension highlights our next topic in this series on “Our Use of God’s Gift of Time.”

Jesus left earth and returned home to heaven. Work done! Mission accomplished! Of course, He’s not up in heaven retired and resting, but ruling and reigning for the sake of His people. And He is preparing our eternal home with Him!

In the meantime, He leaves us behind on earth with work to do, with a mission to carry out. In fact, our mission and ministry is parallel to our Lord’s (except for the suffering and dying part, of course!).

So as Jesus spent time seeking the lost, so will we.

As our Lord spent time in prayer, we will make prayer a priority in our lives.

As our Savior spent time teaching and leading, we endeavor to make time for such activities not only at church, but even more importantly in our homes.

As Jesus took time to help and heal the hurting and afflicted, we will pour our energy into caring for those around us who need our love.

As His redeemed, we will reflect our risen and ascended Lord’s use of God’s gift of time in the areas of life that really matter ... eternally!

(Second in a series on “Our Use of God’s Gift of Time”)

~ Pastor J. Bare

Worship Update

Reformation Hymn Festival: We invite you to this year’s BALM-sponsored Reformation Hymn Festival. This celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 29th, at Bethel Lutheran Church (749 N. Pine Rd., Bay City), starting at 6:30 pm. We encourage you to celebrate together the blessings of the Lutheran Reformation.

Greeters for this month:

Altar Committee for July
Rachel Merkle

Congregational Acts
Received by Profession of Faith, 9/9/25
Janie (Grove) Beechler

Bible Classes

Come check out one of our Weekend Bible classes! The Saturday evening class begins at 7:15 pm and our Sunday morning class begins at 9:00 am. We would love to see you!

Sunday School also starts at 9:00 am. Parents: drop your children off at Sunday School and join us for Bible class! All are welcome to attend.

We are looking for Sunday School helpers. If you would be interested, contact Jordan Strieter.

Midweek Bible Classes, held Wednesdays at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, are studying 1 John, “Living in the Light of God’s Love”.

Anniversary

On Sunday, October 5th, we will be celebrating the 30th teaching anniversary of Mrs. Debbra Pretzer in our 10:00 am Worship Service. The students in grades 1-8 will be singing in this service. There will also be a potluck dinner following the service. Meat and beverages will be provided, so you are asked to bring either a salad, dessert, potato dish, etc. Please let us know if you are coming. A sign-up sheet is in the church hallway and school office.

Looking for singers: To make this anniversary service truly special, we invite all of Mrs. Pretzer’s past students to join the 1st – 8th graders in singing during this service. This is a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude to a teacher who has meant so much to so many of us. There will be two rehearsal dates that we are asking these volunteer singers to attend: Rehearsal 1: Sunday, September 28th, after church in the balcony. Rehearsal 2: Sunday, October 5th, at 9:30 am. To confirm your participation or for any questions, please contact Amanda Perkins

‘New Beginnings’ Presentation

Located in Milwaukee, WI, ‘New Beginnings’ (a home for single mothers) provides a loving and supportive place for single mothers to start a new life. This Christian-based home provides opportunities for mothers to advance their education, learn fundamental parenting and financial skills, participate in counseling sessions, and acquire an objective baseline for responsible living through a structured faith-based program. Ultimately, their goal is to equip each mother with the skills and education needed to earn self-sustaining wages, without an indeterminate need for government assistance.

Ruth Westphal, Case Manager at New Beginnings, will be giving a presentation in our church on Saturday, October 18th, at 4:30 pm. She would like to share with us their ministry and future plans for a new 12-unit apartment complex.

Ruth is the wife of Erich Westphal, Pastor at Centennial Ev. Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. They are parents to two beautiful daughters, Ella (19) and Maggie (13). Ruth is a graduate of Michigan Lutheran Seminary and has many family members at St. John’s.

Please come and meet Ruth, learn about their project, and see how we can help!

Evangelism Committee

Trunk-or-Treat: We will be holding our annual Trunk-or-Treat on Friday, October 31st, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. This is a fun fellowship event for the members of our congregation who park their cars in our lot and for the children who trick-or-treat. This also gives us the chance to reach out to the people of our community to know who we are and where we are. Along with handing out candy to their children, we pass out fliers about our church, school, and preschool.

So “thank you” to the members who have participated in the past. And even if you haven’t participated in the past, please consider helping out this year. It can be as easy as buying some candy and pulling your vehicle into our parking lot on October 31st, or bring some non-member friends to this event. It’s a great way to introduce them to our church family.

We are asking for donations of bags of snack-size candy and/or small monetary donations to buy candy. We will have crates set out in the church hallway for candy and envelopes on the table outside the church office for monetary donations. Thank you!

Event Group

Parents’ night out! We are offering an evening of free babysitting for all our parents, Friday, October 10th, from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. (Children must be potty-trained; no diapers, please.) This will be held in the school gymnasium. We’ll have lots of fun activities! Dinner and snacks will be provided. There are registration forms on the table outside the church office and in the school office. Deadline to register is Sunday, October 5th.

We’d like to share an opportunity for a fun day of shopping and sightseeing in November. It’s a day trip on a bus through Beyond Horizons Travel and Tours. It is their “Oh-MI Signature Fun Day, #6.” This seasonal tour captures the magic of the holidays, beginning at the enchanting Christkindl Markt in Grand Rapids. Immerse yourself in a traditional German holiday market experience, complete with unique crafts, activities, and festive treats. The journey continues at Horrocks market, where you can explore an extensive selection of holiday decorations and gourmet foods. Finally, wander through the beautiful streets of downtown Holland, enjoying the holiday ambiance and delightful local shops.

This event is Saturday, November 22nd. The bus picks up in Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw. To sign up, go to their website: beyondhorizonstours.com or call: 989-770-7077. You will have to book your own reservation; the price is $45 plus tax. These tend to fill up fast so if you want to go, don’t delay too long. Several of us have already signed up. Hope to see you on the bus!

The Sanctuary Choir

Join The Sanctuary Choir! We are thrilled to announce a new name for our adult choir: The Sanctuary Choir! This name was chosen to reflect the choir’s wonderful ministry of filling God’s house with music and leading our congregation in praise.

There is still time to join our new, flexible Sanctuary Choir! We invite all singers from high school age and up to be a part of our music ministry this year. There is no long-term commitment required. Our welcome meeting and first rehearsal are on Sunday, October 12th, at 11:00 am downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

To ensure we have music ready for you, please fill out an interest form at the sign-up table in the narthex. Forms can be turned into the church office or placed in Amanda Perkins' box located in the back of church. A schedule of planned musical events for the upcoming year is also available to pick up in the narthex.

If you have ever considered singing in the choir, this is the perfect opportunity to join in. For more information or to express your interest, please contact Amanda Perkins at Manders2104@gmail.com. We look forward to singing with you!

Other Announcements

This past Wednesday, Pastor Mark Tiefel, of Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London, WI, was called to be our next Pastor. Please keep him in your prayers as he deliberates both calls to Emanuel and St. John’s.

The MLS Booster Club has asked for our help at the Varsity football game on Thursday, October 16th. We need 6 people to sell and serve concessions that evening; please arrive by 5:15 pm. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the church hallway, or call Gail McFarland.

Classrooms Spotlight

We would like to share with you what is ‘happening’ in our school, so each month we will feature one of our classrooms and teacher. This month’s classroom spotlight is on our Kindergarten class and their teacher, Mrs. Rachel Bender.

This year in Kindergarten we have 6 students. There is a lot to look forward to in kindergarten! We learn to read and write. We learn all about numbers, patterns, clocks, and money. We create wonderful art projects using lots of different supplies. We are scientists learning about many things from fueling our bodies, to labeling plants, and learning about animals. An extra special learning opportunity this year is what we call “Fly Friday”. Our room has different maps and travel themes all over. The kindergarteners are “traveling” around the world to 8 different countries this year! We are exploring currency, music, dance, and art along the way.

School News

School Events Coming up in October:

• Family Literacy night, Wednesday, 10/1/25, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Fall Sports pictures, Thursday, 10/2/25, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (soccer & girls’ basketball)

• Parent(s) Night Out, Friday, 10/10/25, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• 1st – 8th grades - no school Wednesday & Thursday, October 8th- 9th; all grades off Friday, 10/10/25. (Teachers’ Conference)

• Girls’ basketball is starting up! Games will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays beginning October 17th.

• School Picture Day, Monday, 10/20/25

• Grow With Me: a new session begins Monday, 10/20/25.

• Special Person's Day is Friday, 10/24/25. This is also a 1/2 day of school with a noon dismissal.

• Report cards issued Friday, 10/31/25

A new Grow with Me class, taught by our preschool director, Mrs. Laurie Peil, will begin October 20th. These classes are for 2 and 3-year-olds and an accompanying adult (Dad, Mom, Grandparent, etc.) This session will be held in the gym on Monday evenings from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm; use the Alp St. doors. Adults and kids: be sure to bring dry gym shoes with you! The cost is $25 for 4 weeks; application forms are available in the church and school offices.

Another St. John’s school apparel store is open! Shirts to support girls’ basketball are also available now. Visit: https://stjohnsbball25.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Around the WELS

Calling all teens! Get ready for another chance to connect with WELS teens all over the globe during this new Bible study series on the book of Judges. This school year, Dave Scharf, Professor of Theology at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., will lead a series of four interactive online Bible studies via Zoom. The first is scheduled for Sunday, September 28 at 6 p.m. Central. Visit wels.net/national-teen-bible-study for more information and to register. Share this post with your friends or the teens in your life! We hope to see you there! Mark your calendars for the next three dates in the series: November 9th, February 15th, and March 29th. All at 6:00 pm Central.

MLS News

Salute to Service Football Game: Join us on Friday, October 10th, as the Cardinals host Hemlock for our Salute to Service football game. All active and retired service members will receive complimentary admission as we honor their sacrifice and dedication. MLS alumni veterans will also receive a special Salute to Service shirt and a meal ticket as a token of our gratitude. Alumni veterans are asked to RSVP using the link on our website.

MLS Jr. Cardinal Volleyball Club: The MLS Jr. Cardinal Volleyball Club is open to students in grades 4-8 from a WELS/ELS church or school. Participants will meet for five skill sessions on Sundays from October 19th-November 16th. When you register, please select the dates you will be attending. If you don’t select a date but then end up coming that is fine. It’s just helpful for planning purposes.

• 10/19 (3:30-5 pm)

• 10/26 (3:30-5 pm)

• 11/2 (3:30-5 pm)

• 11/9 (3:30-5 pm)

• 11/16 (3:30-5 pm)

The courts will be divided into 2 age groups; 4th- 6th graders and 7th- 8th graders. The sessions will be run by MLS volleyball coaches and members of the JV and varsity volleyball teams. Each participant will receive an MLS volleyball t-shirt. Participants and their families will also be invited, free of charge, to an MLS volleyball game on October 29th to be recognized. Registration Fee is $30 per student; register on our website no later than midnight, October 5th. Questions? Please contact MLS Public Relations Director, Michael Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org

In Our Neighborhood

Trinity Lutheran is holding a special Organ Dedication & Recital on October 5th. The Dedication Service will be at 10:00 am and the Recital at 3:00 pm with a reception to follow. Professor Aaron Christie will be the guest Organist and Preacher. Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 1010 33rd St., Bay City, 48708.

Church Council Notes:
Start of meeting

• Meeting was called to order by President Lane.

  Pastor opened with a reading, 1 John 3:1

Elder’s Report

• Letter from Pastor Jon Hartmann, offering us some helpful insight in regard to future calls.

• Changed yearly vacation time of Pastor to 25 days.

• Saturday 10/18 New Beginnings presentation before 6:00 Service.

Board of Education Report

• 62 Enrolled

• $6,800 Activities Fund

• $100 per student for field trips covered

• Chromebook program

• Teachers conference October 8th, 9th, & 10th

• Sunday School kids interested

• 2 volunteers, still looking for more help

• $200 Sunday school crafts and activities budget approved

• 10/15 Principal call opened

Pastor Report

• Bible Classes: “God’s forgiveness + Ours” and “Living in the Light of God’s Love” (1 John).

• Mrs. Pretzer’s Anniversary Service 10/5

• BALM - 9/21 at 6:30 St. B’s

BALM Report

• Meeting 9/21 Scheduled

Trustees’ Report

• Janie Beechler received by profession of faith

• Bible Classes start 9/10 on 1 John

• Saturday and Sunday Bible Classes

• Sunday School- 9 Signed up so far

• 10/5 Mrs. Pretzer Anniversary Service

• Guest Preacher, Tutor Jeremiah Wallander of MLS, 10/18 - 10/19

Treasurer’s Report

• The financial status of our congregation is looking good, thanks be to God!

• The Teachers were encouraged to make necessary expenditures for their classrooms using church funds.

• Stressed the need for a better message to our members about status of “money issues”, too much negativity based on old news

Old Business

• Consumers approved Clements to fix conduit

• Clements finished wiring to outside screen