Welcome to St. John Lutheran Church-LCMC
October
Important Events for October
BIANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our biannual congregational meeting is scheduled for October 11th after the church service. Two items will be discussed:
• Election of new council members who will take office in January 2027. Donald Pick and Jimmy Luton are at the end of their 2nd term. Judy Phillips has completed the 2nd term for Chris Koehne. Jimmy Hartmann
completed his 1st 2-year term although will be unable to serve a 2nd term. Kenneth Beckermann has agreed to serve a 2nd
2-year term joining
Steve Ging, Kay Bulgerin, Linda Richter, and Dana Johnson continuing their service on the Church Council. There are 4 open spots. If you would like to be considered for the Council or serve on the nomination committee, please speak to Donald Pick or Jimmy Luton.
• Seek the congregation’s approval to accept Ace’s bid of $1,490.58 to replace the failed carillon bell amplifier.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Trunk or Treat
Our Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot will be on Saturday, October 31st
from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Sign-up sheets will start coming around in October to
sign-up to decorate a vehicle, donate candy, and help with set-up/clean-up,
traffic control, etc. Oriental Trading Company & Amazon have ideas and kits
for decorating your trunk. Decorate as much or as little as you want to join in the fun! You will need to supply some of your own candy, and we will also have extra candy that is donated for you to use. Try to be in the parking lot decorated by 5:45 p.m. It will be dark by the time we are finished so you may need some type of lighting. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Richter at (254) 697-5099.
CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Plans are being made for the Children’s Christmas Eve Program. Please let Cindy Beckermann, Romadene Mohel, or Linda Richter know if your children or grandchildren will be able to participate in the program this year.
Our Food Pantry
We are stocking up for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. We’ll give a
holiday meal during
November and December. Suggested items include Stove Top stuffing, instant
mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, canned fruit and turkey
gravy mix. We’ll also be purchasing ham and turkey breasts. If you are able to
help with these purchases, please speak with Joy Moehnke. Place donated items
on the bench by the Food Pantry. Items can also be purchased through Amazon
and shipped directly to the church at 409 S Main St, Thrall. Monetary donations
are always welcome! Thank you for your generosity!
LUTHERAN MEN ~ MONTHLY BREAKFAST
On October 3rd, we will have a Lutheran Men Monthly breakfast. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. We will have a hot breakfast, devotion, and a Bible study.
Sunday Morning Bible Class
Please come and join our study of the
Word of God!
-
STUDY
. The Sunday Morning Bible Class is studying the
scripture lessons for the day. Come
join them to learn
■ more about the places that Jesus walked and carried out
His ministry
Ladies Bible Study
The Ladies Bible Study will meet on October 8, at 10:00 a.m. We are studying the Women of the Bible. Please plan to join them for time in God’s Word.
GIDEON MINSTRY
GIDEON MINSTRY
On October 25th, we will have the Gideons provide us with a presentation on their ministry. We have a door offering to support their work of sharing God’s Word
Shepherd's Heart
FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR GESKE
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“Church Is Hard” (partially attributed to Jacob Waldron)
Church is hard for the person walking through
the doors, afraid of judgment.
Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning
home, broken and battered by the world.
Church is hard for the woman who looks
like she has it all together, but doesn’t.
Church is hard for the couple who fought
the entire ride to service.
Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.
Church is hard for the widow and widower
with no invitation to lunch after service.
Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.
Church is hard for the choir member overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics in that song. Church is hard for
the man insecure in his role as a leader.
Church is hard for the single adult praying
God brings them a mate.
Church is hard for the teenager, wearing
a scarlet letter, ashamed of their mistakes.
Church is hard for the sinners.
Church is hard for me.
It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.
However, underneath those layers, you find
a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.
But, here is the beauty of church.
Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.
Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace,
living in fellowship as saints.
Church is a body of believers bound as brothers
and sisters by an eternal love.
Church is a holy ground where sinners stand
as equals before the Throne of Grace.
Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a
training ground for mighty warriors.
Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.
Church is a lesson in faith and trust.
Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.
Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in
the smallest of victories.
Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where God resides, and if we ask, God is faithful to come.
So even on the hard days at church,
The days when I am at odds with a sister or brother. When I’ve fought with my spouse because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for someone to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away. I’ll remember, God has never failed to meet me there.
In Christ, Pastor Jeffrey D. Geske
We are now connected
YouTube
St. John Lutheran Church Thrall Tx
Sunday Morning Bible Class
Our Sunday school would love to have you
and your child or grandchild
to be a part of learning more about the
love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Please make the study of God’s Word
a priority for you and your
family. A church that is growing is a church that is in God’s Word.