UPCOMING EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who helps make Sunday mornings so welcoming by serving as ushers, greeters, communion attendants, and through fellowship. You truly help make St. John’s feel like home for both guests and members. To make serving easier and more sustainable, we’re making a small change to our schedule. Unless you’ve shared otherwise, everyone who is signed up to serve will now be scheduled one Sunday per month. If you’d like to serve more often, or if there are other roles you’d enjoy helping with, please let us know—we’d love to have you! Questions? Contact the church office at office@stjohnselkhorn.com, and we’ll help you find the best fit for your gifts. Thank you for serving—we’re so grateful for you!

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!

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.

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!

St. John’s Students – EVERY. THIRD. WEDNESDAY. Join us Tuesday, February 18 | 6:00–8:30 PM for a meaningful night together as we kick off Lent. This gathering includes an extended time to allow students to attend Ash Wednesday worship as a group, share in soup supper fellowship, and serve together through a hands-on service project at church. A night of worship, community, and serving—don’t miss it!

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!

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.