It’s not the same, is it? COVID-19 changed everything for our congregation. We learned how to worship online from home. We used virtual ways to stay connected to each other—to maintain our sense of Christian community. We also adapted how we serve each other and our neighbors while remaining socially distanced. But it’s just not the same, is it? When we look at the blessings from the pandemic, one of the biggest is that we were reminded in so many ways of the joy we experience when God’s people gather. There is just no replacement for it. Now it’s time to celebrate! Let’s celebrate being able to gather together again. Let’s celebrate the joy we experience as a family of believers when we worship together—fellowship with each other—serve together— and take the Lord’s Supper side by side. On the weekend of October 2/3 we are going to celebrate as a church family and praise God as we gather after time apart. Psalm 26:8 says, “I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.” This is why we gather.

This Celebration Weekend (October 2/3) will also be the perfect opportunity to reach out to others with a personal invitation to join us as we gather and praise God for all of his blessings. It could be fellow members that you miss worshiping and serving with. It could also be relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers—anyone who would benefit from hearing the gospel message. Also praise God for leading us through this time and ask God to bless our gathering again for worship in-person.

On Sunday, September 12th, we will also celebrate gathering together for Sunday Bible Class which, God willing, will be held once again in the lower level (cafeteria) of the school. Pastor Quinnett and I will be leading a study of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John. Prof. Kobleske will be leading the Bible Study in November and December. Two youth will provide child-care during Bible Class. Mr. Shiloh Monday will conduct a Sunday Youth Bible Class (Gr. 7-12) in the Council chambers. Sunday School (Three years old through Gr. 6) will also begin on Sept. 12th.

As God’s people, let’s CELEBRATE!

Pastor Tim Mueller

VBS 2021 registration is now open!

VBS will be on July 22nd to 23rd from 9 AM to 11:30 AM.

Registration closes on June 30th.

Please sign up with the link: https://forms.gle/CcTkv7ceCsXyfW8dA

Mrs. Sherri Damman (preschool teacher) will retire at the end of this school year after 42 years of teaching service. Currently Sherri is teaching preschool at St. John's Lutheran School in Watertown. In 2003 Sherri was instrumental in starting the preschool program at St. John's and served as the first preschool teacher.  Sherri has been at St. John's for a total of 20 years and has mainly taught 3 and 4 year old preschool, along with two years of teaching kindergarten. Prior to coming to St. John's she was the director/preschool teacher at Mary Linsmeier school for 22 years.

Sherri graduated from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with a B.S. in elementary education (K-8) and a minor in psychology  Upon her graduation from Carroll in 1975, Sherri received a call to teach Kindergarten at St. John's.  She taught Kindergarten for two years before marriage took her to Elkhorn, WI.

Sherri is a lifetime member of St. John's  (except for the two years in Elkhorn when she attended First Lutheran there)  She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St.John's.  She and her husband John have been married for 45 years.  They have two grown daughters and two granddaughters.  Sherri is looking forward to starting the next chapter of her life with a move to Oshkosh so she can be closer to her daughter's family and enjoy being a "near by" grandma.  She and John plan to do some biking, hiking, and traveling in their retirement.  

"God has truly blessed my time here at St. John's and while it is bittersweet to be leaving, I look forward to the plans that God has waiting for me.  It has been my pleasure to serve so many families over the years here at St. John's." - Sherri Damman

Mrs. Damman will be recognized for her years of service at the St. John's Lutheran Church outdoor church service taking place on Sunday, June 13th at Riverside Park starting at 10am.