Church Services AT St. John's

Please join us for worship this week!

Worship services at St. John’s offer the traditional elements of worship: the Lord’s Supper (2nd/4th weekends), confession and absolution, the Lord’s Prayer, a sermon, Bible readings, the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and prayers for members, for our community, and for our world.

Worship Opportunities

Saturday Evening at 5:00pm and Sunday Morning at 9:00am (year-round)
Wednesday Evening at 5:00pm (during Lent and Advent)

Communion at St. John's

St. John’s celebrates the Lord's Supper on the second and fourth weekends each month, believing that the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift from Christ to His church and for all of His believers.

What is Holy Communion?

On the night before Jesus died on the cross, He shared a last supper with His disciples. This experience, that happened so many years ago, compels us to this day to celebrate Holy Communion. Jesus invited us to share this gift until He returns so that we may have forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith, and the power to live God-pleasing lives.

God’s Word tells us that when we receive communion, we are not merely receiving bread and wine, but the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. Baptized adult Christians are invited to share this great gift of God.

Both red wine and a non-alcoholic alternative are provided.

If you have questions about Communion, we encourage you to talk with our pastor after worship, or please call the church office at (815) 338-5159.

Bible Study Opportunities

Sunday mornings following the worship service led by our pastor (10:15 - 11:15am)
Wednesday morning women’s study led by our members (9:30 - 10:30am)

Sunday School

Sunday mornings following the worship service led by our members

Church Info

Vicar Todd Wielgos

(815) 338-5159

Join Us for Worship

Sundays at 9am

CHURCH CALENDAR

Faith

Martin Luther, the 16th century Reformer after whom Lutherans are named, relished the freedom Christians have in trusting God’s mercy in Christ. He wrote:

“Faith is God’s work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. This faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that believers would stake their lives on it a thousand times.”

We know visiting a church is a new experience for many. You can join in our worship or sit back and observe. We invite you to experience a friendly atmosphere, practical teaching from God's Word, and other people who desire a life of purpose and significance found only in the love of Jesus Christ.

God promises in His Word if we seek Him, we will find Him and we’ll be blessed through our faith which is a gift of His grace to you.

You are a valued part of God’s creation and His deep desire is to be in a loving relationship with you!

St. John's Lutheran Church Timeline + History

The Beginning

1875
Formal work did not begin until Pastor H.G. Schmidt of Immanuel, helped them form the congregation in 1875. In the fall of that year, 13 members joined as a congregation and a church constitution was written.

Dedication

1898 - October 16th
The building cost was $3,000, with interior furnishings approximately $800. Seating capacity was 250. It was named “The German Lutheran Evangelical St. John’s Church,” and was dedicated on October 16th 1898, on the corner of Calhoun & Jefferson Streets. Dedication services were held in both German and English.

Dedication Anniversay

1923 - October
In October 1923, the congregation celebrated their 25th Anniversary of the church dedication and Pastor F.G. Kuehnert of Crystal Lake delivered the German service and Pastor Laufer the English service.

Celebrated 50 Years (1875-1925)

1925 - October
The Golden Jubilee, in the year 1925, of St. John’s Congregation celebrated with a large gathering of over 700. Rev. F.G. Kuehnert of Crystal Lake gave the morning service in the German language. In the afternoon the German and English speakers were Rev. H.G. Schmidt of Milwaukee, the founder of the congregation and Rev. Karl Schmidt of Chicago. St. John’s observed its 50 th Anniversary with a large gathering of over 700. At that time there were 75 voting members, 389 souls, 270 communicants, and 40 school children. During the first 50 years, there were 484 children baptized in the congregation, 277 confirmed, 143 persons buried, and 170 couples married. In 1928 the parsonage on South and Jefferson was completed at a cost of $5,500.

Ground Breaking Ceremony – New Church Site

1962 - September 16th
The ground breaking ceremony was held September 16th, 1962 at the new church site.

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony

1962 - December 9th
The cornerstone laying ceremony was held December 9th , 1962.

Dedication of New Church and Parsonage - 402 St. John's Road

1963 - June 30th
On June 30, 1963 the valedictory service was held at the former church at 10:00 a.m. The congregation proceeded to the new church by cars immediately following this service. The dedication service at the new church was held at 11:00 a.m. The seating capacity was 400 and the balcony capacity being 55. Our Verlinden pipe organ was dedicated that evening with a recital by Mrs. Blanche Verlinden Packee, daughter of the late Edmond Verlinden, founder of the company.

Centennial Celebration 1975

1975 - October 19th
THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, was permitted to celebrate its centennial in this 1975 year. The Lord God has showered the congregation with innumerable benefits. He has given them the rich treasure of His Word and the priceless jewel of the Holy Sacraments out of pure love, not only as a gift at that time, but also kept it up until now 100 years later.

Preschool

1983 - Fall
Began providing Preschool education to Woodstock and the surrounding community.

Celebrated 125 Years (1875-2000)

2000 - November 5th
By God’s grace, favor and blessing, St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 125th Anniversary! What a wonderful opportunity we had to reflect on His good gifts – the Word, the Sacraments, and Christian people called to live together as a congregation in faith in God’s great love and in His tremendous promises.

Celebrated 130 Years (1875-2005)

2005 - October 23rd
Rev. William Ameiss from the Northern Illinois District Office was our special guest/pastor for this special service. Our Anniversary Dinner was held at Deeter’s Restaurant in Woodstock.

Celebrated Ground-breaking of Present Church 50 Years Ago

2012 - September 9th
A special catered “picnic” was held to commemorate the groundbreaking of our present church.

Celebrated 50 Years in Present Building (1963-2013)

2013 - June 30th
St John’s celebrated 50 years in their current building with a special re- dedication service to celebrate our milestone. One service was held at 10:00 a.m. with special guests, Rev. Paul Theiss and Rev. Terry Theiss leading us in worship and celebration. They are the sons of the “late” Rev. Harold Theiss who was our pastor 50 years ago. A catered luncheon was held at 12 noon.

Celebrated 140 Years (1875-2015)

2015 - October
The 140 Year celebration of St. John's Lutheran Church was held June 30, 2013

Celebrated 145 Years (1875-2020)

2020 - October
The 145 Year Celebration of St. John's Lutheran Church was held in October, 2020

Celebrating 60 Years on Present Site

2023 - Summer
We will be Celebrating 60 Years on our present site and in our present building (1963-2023) and also 40 years of providing Preschool education to our community (1983-2023).