Here are Up-Coming Events
at St. John's
PHOTO TAKEN BY WALLY WINTERS
Here are Up-Coming Events
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (30 August 2026)
Jeremiah 15:15–21; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 16:21–28
The Glory of God Is the Passion and Cross of Christ Jesus
After St. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matt. 16:21). Upon hearing this “theology of the cross,” Simon Peter stumbled into a satanic “theology of glory.” But the glory of God is revealed in the Passion and cross of His incarnate Son. The faithful prophets, such as Jeremiah, suffered persecution and rejection in anticipation of Jesus’ cross. Yet the Lord did not abandon them; He remembered them, and He was with them to deliver them (Jer. 15:15–20). By His cross, Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His resurrection, He has vindicated all who trust in Him. Thus, the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). By the certainty of His cross and resurrection, we “rejoice in hope,” and we are “patient in tribulation” and “constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).
Jeremiah 15:15–21; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 16:21–28
The Glory of God Is the Passion and Cross of Christ Jesus
After St. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord “began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matt. 16:21). Upon hearing this “theology of the cross,” Simon Peter stumbled into a satanic “theology of glory.” But the glory of God is revealed in the Passion and cross of His incarnate Son. The faithful prophets, such as Jeremiah, suffered persecution and rejection in anticipation of Jesus’ cross. Yet the Lord did not abandon them; He remembered them, and He was with them to deliver them (Jer. 15:15–20). By His cross, Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His resurrection, He has vindicated all who trust in Him. Thus, the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). By the certainty of His cross and resurrection, we “rejoice in hope,” and we are “patient in tribulation” and “constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).
- August 23, 2026
About the Cover: The word therefore always follows a reason. The first eleven chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans set the stage for Paul’s exhortation to live the sanctified life God has set in place for us. We have all sinned and deserve condemnation, but salvation is the free gift accomplished by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s death on our behalf. We are justified by faith in Him. We have been united to Jesus by Baptism. We have died to sin and been raised to newness of life. It is all the gracious work of God, which is the foundation for, therefore.
Text © CPH photo cover image © Alamay.com - St. John’s Lutheran Church
- 13115 Telegraph, Taylor
Rev. Mark Whittaker, interim [email protected] 269-366-9746, cell
Sunday, August 30, 2026 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
- THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S
- Sunday, August 30 – Noah & Tyler
11a – Youth Group: Lake Excursion
1p – Memorial Service, M. Kepz
7p – Men’s Bible Study
Monday, August 31
6p – Elder’s meeting
Tuesday, September 1
6p – Parish Planning
Thursday, September 3
6p – Ladies Aid
Friday, September 4
Office closed
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 6 – Butch & Noah
12p – Evangelism Bd meeting
7p – Men’s Bible Study
Monday, September 7
Office closed
Thursday, September 10
10a – Anniversary Cmte meeting
5:30 – Youth Board meeting
Friday, September 11
Patriot Day
Sunday, September 13 – Hans & Tyler
Voter’s Assembly
Welcome VISITORS and FRIENDS - We are honored to have you worship with us today! Feel free to wear a mask if you wish. RESTROOMS are off the lounge to the right (south side) of the main entrance. When leaving the pews, they will be on your left. The tower stairs (to your right while leaving the pews) lead down to the basement where there are another pair of restrooms. Feel free to use the LOUNGE if you or your children need a break. Since the Sacrament of Communion is administered to those instructed and examined in the Faith as Confessional Lutherans understand it, you will receive a verbal blessing unless you speak with Pastor beforehand.
Families with young children are always welcome to worship with us. Feel free to take a quiet bag with coloring pages and crayons to your seat.
Bible Study continues with the study of denominational differences today in the basement with Pastor Whittaker. A continental-style breakfast is served.
The Church Picnic has been scheduled for Sunday, September 20th, following worship. It will take place in the school building. Leadership Boards are providing hot dogs, chips, beverages, and games. Please sign up for a potluck dish to bring and invite your friends to join us!
Men’s Bible Study meets on Sunday evenings at 7pm in the school building. They are studying what justification means to us and how sanctification flows from our life in Christ. All Welcome!
September Newsletters have been printed and assembled. Paper copies are available in the church narthex or office, with requested copies being placed in family boxes or emailed.
Parish Planning is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st @ 6pm. Board directors need to email their reports to Randy Krueger at least two weeks in advance – that date is August 18th! Voter’s Assembly will take place the following Sunday, September 13th, following worship.
College Bound Youth Do you have a young adult starting or continuing college this fall? Please share their name with the office and we will add them to the prayer list! The Youth Board would like to Share Happy Mail With College Students periodically through the school year. Please give their best mailing address to Katie Buaer, Allen Maxon or Sanaa Teall and we will gladly send them encouragement throughout the school year!
Calling All Ladies! Ladies Aid meets on the first Thursday of the month, starting on September 3rd, at 6pm in the school building. All ladies are welcome to participate, even if not a member of the church. Please join us!
CEF Representative Wanted! St. John’s is looking for a member to serve as an agent between St. John’s and the Church Extension Fund. CEF offers special savings and investment accounts. As a non-profit, CEF then supports the work of the Church in Michigan through grants and loans. All representatives are invited to their annual conference at no charge. Our Deacon-in-training JD Bauer works for CEF and would be glad to share more information with you about the role.
CEF Ministry Partner Bonus Church Extension Fund is offering a meaningful way to support your church. You can open a note with their group, and your church (St. John’s) can receive a $125 Bonus Grant. More information is available in the newsletter and the flyer in the narthex or by contacting Rodney Barodte at 586-337-5070.
Kroger Community Rewards St. John’s has enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Our organizational number is NB107. To Use the Kroger Community Rewards Program
simply visit http://www.kroger.com. Once logged into your Kroger account you can search for St. John's Lutheran Church - Taylor either by name or NB107 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information such as a valid email address and a rewards card. Participants must have a registered Kroger rewards card account to link to our church. If you do not yet have a Kroger rewards card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger. REMEMBER, purchases will ONLY COUNT for St. John’s after you register your rewards card. You must swipe your registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to your registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Knit & Crochet Group meets on the 1st Saturday of the month, 11a-3pm in the Community Room at Community Lutheran Church, Gibraltar. Questions? Call Jennifer at 313-598-9599.
Life Chain Sunday is Sunday, October 4th, 2026 from 2-3:30pm. Members from our congregation will join thousands of other pro-life people who will line the sidewalk along routs in Wayne, Oakland, and Monroe counties. All life chain participants will be holding uniform, pre-printed signs. This is what’s known as the life chain. If you would like to participate, see Julie Winchel.
Office Closed on Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th due to Labor Day.
Stewardship Thought Matthew 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” He who dies with the most toys…is dead. But the one who trusts in the Lord, even though he dies, yet shall he live. We live out our trust in the Lord by faithfully fulfilling the roles God has given us to play in home, church and society as loving, generous people. Those who don’t know the Lord are afraid to be generous because they think that what they give away is lost to them. But we who know the Lord know that the things of this world become true blessings when they are used for God’s kingdom.
Prayer List Please call the office or leave a note in the offering plate to have individuals added to the prayer list. If you do not see someone’s name, they are likely to have been removed.
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Mission of St. John’s Lutheran Church is to conserve and promote the true Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in our members, our community, and our world.
We offer prayers today for those listed and those we hold dear in our hearts.
For those suffering in Areas of War & Natural Disaster
For Military and those who Protect Our Country –
Upcoming Surgeries, Hospitals Stays, & Recovery
In need of Healing
Homebound –
Flower Dedication Given to the Glory of God
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