UPCOMING EVENTS

St. John’s continues to move forward into an exciting season of ministry—including the recent call of Associate Pastor Eric and the incredible, unexpected gift of the former First Lutheran Church property! We invite you to pray for God’s guidance, get involved through volunteering or joining a group, and consider completing a pledge card to support our mission financially. In addition to your regular giving, we’ve received a special matching gift—your additional contributions to the “Vision Match Fund” will help multiply this impact as we step faithfully into the new opportunities God has placed before us. Pledge cards can be submitted through the offering box, by mail, or online at stjohnselkhorn.com/pledge. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

The start of a new year is a natural time to pause and reflect on your walk with Jesus. Join us for a Spiritual Health Check, a simple and encouraging workshop designed to help you take an honest, grace-filled look at your spiritual life through three core practices—Worship, Growth, and Service. This is not about guilt or pressure, but about listening, reflecting, and discovering the next faithful step Jesus is inviting you to take as we begin 2026. The workshop will take place on Saturday, January 17, from 9–11 AM, with a light breakfast provided. Pick up your Spiritual Health Check booklet from the church office at any time, and bring your completed booklet with you to the workshop.

Never read the Bible? Curious how different parts connect to the greater narrative and how they relate to our lives today? Join Pastor Tom on Tuesdays September - May at 9:00 a.m. at St. John's as we take a deeper dive into the Bible and the past week's sermon, based on the churchwide series "the big picture". All are welcome, including those who have not been part of our Tuesday morning Bible study in the past.

All interested singers are invited to join the St. John's choir. Rehearsals will be every third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. We will be singing at one Traditional Service per month. Contact Jennifer Remus at mremus1980@gmail.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

You’re invited to join us for our Annual Meeting & Celebration Meal! We’ll gather around the table to share good food, celebrate the many ways God has been at work in our community, and look ahead with hope and anticipation for the year to come. Our time together will also include the Annual Budget, new building updates, and the affirmation of the incoming council members. We’d love for you to be there!

High school students - you're invited! Join youth leaders on the first Wednesday of every month for a personalized small group session. We'll bring the pizza, you'll bring your thoughts - and together, we'll dive into meaningful discussions that connect with your everyday life. E.F.W. runs from 7:30-9:00 PM. Bring a friend - we'd love to see you there!

Lent invites us to slow down, let go, and turn towards Jesus. In this Lenten season, we are entering a journey called TURN, walking through the Gospel of John and tracing Jesus’ path toward the cross. Each week calls us to name what we cling to—fear, self-importance, self-reliance, false allegiances—and to turn toward the way of Christ: life, humility, grace, truth, courage, and the Crucified King. Alongside our weekly worship gatherings, we will meet in Lenten small groups using 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole. Rather than adding more spiritual tasks, this practice invites us into holy subtraction—decreasing so that Christ may increase. Through Scripture, reflection, shared meals and conversation, we will practice releasing what weighs us down in order to make room for Jesus. This is not a season of self-improvement or guilt. It is a season of turning our hearts, habits, and hopes toward Christ as we walk with him on the road to the cross.

Students in grades 6–12 are invited to the 2026 Winter Retreat at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. High School students attend Feb 12–15 with an extra day of HS-only activities, and Middle School students attend Feb 13–15. The weekend features speaker Dave Gunnlaugsson, worship by The Junker Georges, small groups, and plenty of fun. Deposits: $200 HS / $150 MS. Scholarships available. Register online today!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection and return to God. Join us for a Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m., followed by Ash Wednesday Worship at 6:30 p.m. with confession, prayer, and the imposition of ashes. New this year, the church will also be open for a self-guided meditation and imposition of ashes with pastors available from 6:30–8:00 a.m. and 12:00–1:00 p.m. All are welcome as we begin this Lenten journey together.

After a busy ministry season with the disciples, Jesus invited them to “come with Me, by yourselves, to a quiet place and get some rest.” Jesus followed the Spirit’s prompting into the wilderness for forty days to prepare for temptation. Luke tells us that “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” –Luke 5:16, NLT There was a pattern and rhythm to the life of Jesus. This pattern forces us to ask, “If Jesus set aside extended times of retreat to stay focused on the Father and listen to the Spirit, how can we not do the same?” The season of Lent is an ideal time to turn from the normal flow of life to spend extended time with the one who is life. Slowing to Hear retreats are a powerful means to create space for us to: Worship – engaging our heart through song and prayer to love and be loved by God. Grow – engaging our mind to reflect and listen to important aspects of our inner life that are typically kept silenced and hidden away. Serve – engaging our hands to live in a Christlike sacrificial way towards others in the normal flow of your life–realizing you are free to love because you are freely loved.

Good Friday draws us into the quiet, holy weight of the cross. You are invited to come and linger in Scripture, song, silence, and prayer at Good Friday Worship at 6:30 p.m. The church sanctuary will also be open throughout the day for self-guided meditation and prayer, with pastors available to pray, from 6:30–8:00 a.m. and 12:00–1:00 p.m. Come as you are, and make space to remember the depth of Christ’s love.