St. John's Lutheran Church

Wednesday Bible Study

Every Wednesday at 12:00pm via Zoom

All are invited to join the mid-week bible study where we look at the readings for the coming Sunday’s worship, following the style of Lectio Divina. Together, we wonder, wish and notice how these ancient words still speak to us. Some days we even look for what might be “shimmering” for us!

Some of the current bible study participants say:

Our discussions help me connect ancient writings with my own lived experience.
I am always grateful for what I learn from everyone’s various experiences and feedback.
I like that everyone is welcome to this Bible Study.
This group is so meaningful to me.
Getting to know folks better through our “check-in” time.
It’s a mid-week refocusing on God’s word and living God’s love in the world.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87532684407?pwd=azJYditpY2lGTXVVZVpJUWkvUmw3Zz09

Meeting ID: 875 3268 4407

Passcode: 909287

Luminaria New Member Class

Beginning Sunday, August 31 at 10:15am

Luminaria is our entry program into St. John’s and the 2025-26 class begins this August! Luminaria is how someone becomes a “member” here at St. John's, and involves so much more than a brief course on Reformation history, discovering where the bathrooms are and giving newcomers offering envelopes. Luminaria is a journey that intentionally seeks to open one’s mind and heart into the life of faith as people make their way into our congregation.

If you are interested in learning more about Luminaria or joining this year's class, email luminaria@stjohnslc.org.

Sunday School, Confirmation, and High School Youth Group Launch

Sunday, August 31 at 10:15am in Classrooms

Sunday School programming at St John's begins this August! Like trees, we are all growing in our faith, knowledge of God, and ways to express God's love in the world.

Sprouts - our youngest students who learn about God's love entirely through play and music. These students may not be talking, crawling, or walking. They are often in diapers but may be potty training. They do not have any formal lessons or crafts but they will get their first experiences of God's love in the world. You might know this spot as the Nursery.

Seedlings - our lower elementary students. These students are still wiggly but able to participate in short sessions of listening to and talking about stories. Bible stories are read from the Spark Story Bible or told using Godly Play. They often use arts and crafts to express features of the weekly story. These students are potty trained and meet in room 210.

Saplings - our upper elementary students. These students have the ability to read stories directly from the bible (some might need a little help) and can sit for longer periods of time. They still use arts and crafts as well as other quiet activities to help with focus and comprehension during discussions. They meet in room 311!

Confirmation - our middle school students (usually 6-8th grades). These students dive a bit deeper in what faith and the Lutheran Church mean in their personal life. They explore topics such as Luther's Small Catechism, bible stories, church practices, and church history. These students may or may not choose to affirm their baptism publically. These students may develop a personal faith statement and meet upstairs in The Gathering Place Loft.

Growing Trees - our high school students. These students gather to foster their personal faith, build friendships, and seek opportunities to live God's love in the world. These students have deep discussions on faith and life, as well as plenty of time still playing silly games. They meet in the Youth Room!

To register your child for any of the following sunday school classes this school year, please fill out this form.

Pastor Frank & Rhonda's Going Away Party

Saturday, September 6 at 6:00pm at St. John's Lutheran Church

Unfortunately, we have hit capacity for this going away party! Luckily, the festivities and goodbyes will continue on Pastor Frank and Rhonda's final Sunday at St. John's - Sunday, September 7. Please join us for worship at 9:00am or 11:30am, and for a going away gathering in-between services at 10:15am.

After nearly 20 years as Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, Pastor Frank Espegren will retire as Senior Pastor on Sunday, September 7, 2025. To celebrate his tenure, we’re throwing a party! Alongside beloved spouse, Rhonda Holmen, the St. John’s community will celebrate the incredible ministry and life the two have built and shared at St. John’s. Come enjoy a delicious dinner, hear stories from their decades of ministry here at St. John’s, and toast to a joyful retirement!

In lieu of gifts, a scrapbook will be available at the event for guests to share a memory, message, or story with Pastor Frank and Rhonda.

Exploring & Caring for God's Creation

Sunday, September 14 at 10:15am in Oehler Hall

Join us as we prepare for the Season of Creation 2025, an event that unites the global Christian family, and discuss several ways we can become more connected to our common home through service and action. This year's theme, "Peace with Creation," reminds us that caring for creation leads to fostering peace (Isaiah 32:14-18). Anyone interested in learning more about our fundamental purpose as humans to tend the garden will enjoy this class. Those planning on attending the Season of Creation worship and events on September 21 and 22 will get a head start on the celebration activities.

Young Adult Bowling Night with Gather Sacramento

Sunday, September 14 from 2:00-4:00pm at Punchbowl Social Sacramento

Join Gather Sacramento for games, food, and casual fellowship! Gather Sacramento is a new inclusive faith community of young adults (18-35) in the Sacramento region. Together, we are building a multi-denominational community committed to justice and connection. Join us to learn about this new community and meet other young adults from around Sacramento.

Gather is grounded in the ELCA Lutheran ministry and is intended to extend beyond our home churches to bring together people from all faith traditions. All young adults from across race, faith background, gender, sexuality, and perspective are welcome here to meet, to be, to gather.

2 hours of bowling and snacks are included for all attendees. Please register to ensure we have an accurate headcount.

RSVP to attend here!

September LLL Book Club: Special Zoom Gathering, too!

Thursday, September 18th at 11:00am in the St. John's Library and at 6:30pm on Zoom

The September LLL Book Club will gather in-person AND online to read and discuss Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza. A memoir, Galarza "narrates his journey from a small village in Mexico to a barrio in the United States. Galarza, who went on to become a labor organizer, activist, and professor, situates his experience of immigration within larger socio-political factors in both Mexico and the United States, including the Mexican Revolution, the complexities of immigration and acculturation, and economic hardship."

The in-person book discussion will be hosted by the LLL Book Club and the zoom book discussion will be hosted by the Justice Making Ministry.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85957953848?pwd=OrlrDJaCJqoeeMaNMa9qbiM2TenxKK.1

Meeting ID: 859 5795 3848

Passcode: 924706

Season of Creation Sunday Service Projects

September 20-21, 2025

St. John’s is celebrating the Season of Creation this September! The weekend of September 20-21, we’ll gather for one special worship service and various community-wide service projects - all centered around our care of creation. There are 4 family-friendly service projects, one occurring on Saturday and the other three on Sunday.

The projects are:

Great American River Cleanup - Saturday, September 20 at 9:00am at William Pond Park: Volunteers will join the Great American River Cleanup at William Pond Park where they will be painting, picking up litter, and helping with other beautification efforts! After signing-up here on realm, you’ll need to Click Here To Sign Up through the agency - use the password StJohn.
Native Ecosystem Acorn Collection - Sunday, September 21 at 10:15am around St. John’s Lutheran Church: Come learn about the important role of native oaks in our valley ecosystem through this acorn collection!
Make Your Voice Heard - Sunday, September 21 at 10:15am at St. John’s Lutheran Church: Come write letters to advocate for the protection of our natural lands! Letters will focus on actions at the local and national level.
Downtown + Midtown Litter Pilgrimage - Sunday, September 21 at 10:15am at St. John’s Lutheran Church: This service opportunity will focus on beautifying the neighborhood around the church!

Additionally, we have special "God’s Work, Our Hands" yellow t-shirts for purchase! These need to be ordered ahead of time - you must register here on realm and submit your t-shirt order by August 31, 2025.

Register for your service project here!