Our restoration campaigns, “Continue the Journey” and, “Continue the Journey—The Next Steps," were started many years ago, in 1867, by men and women who were searching for ways to serve God . St John’s was their answer.

Today, we are worshipping in a beautifully restored sanctuary, a place of inspiration and reverence. The sound and lighting and safety have been vastly improved. Accessibility has been greatly enhanced. The grand organ has been rebuilt, and its music and the voices of the choirs can be heard as never before. Oehler Hall and the Gedestad Kitchen have added immensely to our fellowship. And we have kept faith with the historic integrity of our building.

Together we have helped make St. John’s a place where people will come to worship and to serve and to grow in their faith for generations to come.

In the beginning, we set a large goal, but one not larger than our own hearts, or as vast as the generous spirit of our congregation, or as deep as our appreciation for God and all the blessings that we have received.

As a congregation, we voted to take on a debt to continue our journey. Thus far, $1,638,493.00 has been pledged, and we will need $968,385.00 more to fulfill our financial obligations.

As Pastor Scot has often said, “We can’t do it. But God can.”

If you haven’t made a pledge you can do so by contacting Kathy Graalfs, Administrative Assistant for Finance. Or if you want to extend or increase your pledge, you may talk with Kathy about that as well.

This journey has been an opportunity to restore the full beauty of our place of worship, to make it safe, accessible and inviting for all who want to hear the Good News and to praise and speak with the Lord and to seek God’s grace.

This journey has been a gift we owe to those who came before us and those who will come after us. As well as to ourselves.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.