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://us06web.zoom.us/j/82438003387?pwd=oHKJ6n1qCAcea2Y5yJEEIH69TSCE2h.1


Meeting ID: 824 3800 3387

Passcode: 640001

Vine to Chalice Harvest

Saturday, September 5 at Kirchhoff Family Wines - 40770 Waukeena Rd, Clarksburg


The annual Vince to Chalice harvest is happening this Saturday, September 5 at

Kirchhoff Family Wines! We'll gather at the family vineyard in Clarksburg to spend the morning harvesting Barbara grapes (by hand) for St. John's communion wine! 


You can arrive beginning at 7:30am for coffee and pastries, and the harvest will begin at 8:00am. Harvest is family friendly and kids are welcome to attend! Please bring gloves, pruners, and comfortable clothes. 


Please RSVP to Lisa Kirchhoff at 562-652-3163.

Young Adult Park Hang

Thursday, September 10 at 6:00pm at Winn Park, Midtown


St. John's young adults in their 20s and 30s will gather for the final summer hang at Winn Park in Midtown! Bring a chair, lawn game, or picic dinner - we'll be near the playground, kids always welcome!

Adult Faith Formation Brainstorm Session

Sunday, September 13 at 10:15am in Oehler Hall


Come explore adult faith formation this year! Have ideas for future classes? Wondering about diving into specific scripture passages this year? Curious about what adult faith formation sessions will look like this fall? Come to this brainstorming session, led by the adult faith formation team!   

LLL Book Club and Justice Making Ministry Joint September Book Read

Thursday, September 17 at 11:00am in the St. John's Library OR 6:30pm via Zoom


Please join the LLL Book Club and Justice Making Ministry in September to read and discuss Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara. Cobalt Red challenges us to examine the ethical cost of modern technology and ask ourselves what this means to us as Christians. As an essential mineral used to modern technology and electronics, cobalt need has created a humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the majority of the world's cobalt resources are concentrated. The book discusses the impact - from unregulated and manual labor to hazardous working conditions, environmental impacts, and economic exploitation. Please come to one of two discussions!


https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86197139978

Meeting ID: 861 9713 9978

Going Away Party for Pastor Jon Haug

Friday, September 18 from 5:00-7:00pm in Oehler Hall 


All are invited to attend a celebration and sendoff for Pastor Jon Haug as he departs St. John's and embarks on his next adventure in Chaplaincy! Come enjoy an evening of small bites, mocktails, and desserts as we celebrate his 11+ years of ministry with the people of St. John's. 


Please RSVP to attend here!

River Clean-Up

Saturday, September 19 from 9:00am - 12:00pm at River Bend Park, Rancho Cordova


The Justice Making Ministry of St. John's welcomes you to a River Clean-Up along the beautiful American River! As part of September's Care for Creation month, all are invited to spent time outdoors beautifying one of Sacramento's treasures. 


Spots are limited, so be sure to RSVP to attend here!

Sunday Farewells for Pastor Jon Haug

Sunday, September 20 and 27 at 10:15am in Oehler Hall


Come celebrate Pastor Jon Haug's 11+ years of ministry with the people of St. John's in between worship services on Sunday, September 20 and Sunday, September 27. On the 20, we'll share cherished stories and memories of Pastor Jon's time in Sacramento, and enjoy a delicious cake reception on his final Sunday, September 27. Bring your stories, goodbyes, and well wishes as we send Pastor Jon off on his next adventure in Chaplaincy!

Luminaria New Member Class Launch

Classes begin Sunday, September 27 at 10:15am in the Gathering Place


Calling all who are new, or new-ish, to St. John's! The Luminaria New Member Class will begin Sunday, September 27 at 10:15am in the Gathering Place. Not sure what Luminaria is? Luminaria is the pathway to becoming a “member” of St. John’s. This involves so much more than a brief course on Reformation history and learning where the bathrooms are. Luminaria is a journey that intentionally seeks to open one’s mind and heart to the life of faith as people make their way into the congregation.


Are you interested in being a part of Luminaria, either as a Lumen or a Companion, or simply learning more? Please send an email to Luminaria@stjohnslc.org. 

Faith in Action: Living out Your Faith with Hope + Courage

Saturday, October 3 at St. John's Lutheran Church


St. John's Lutheran Church is thrilled to be hosting a one-day workshop titled, "Faith in Action: Living out Your Faith with Hope + Courage" on Saturday, October 3 from 8:30am-3:00pm. The event will center primarily around how we as people of faith and as congregations can better organize and take action in response to issues of immigration. We'll welcome guest speaker the Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen from Minneapolis who has been on the front-line of ICE occupation in the city. In the afternoon, we'll host 4 different workshops led by nonprofit leaders currently involved in migration justice issues.


This event will use a faith-based lens and be rooted in Lutheran values, however, it is open to all people interested in migration justice and looking to live out their values in the world! There is a $15 registration fee that includes lunch and refreshments - gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options provided. Financial assistance is available, please email jahoffme@gmail.com if in need.


Purchase your tickets here! 

Truth Matters: How a Bible Mistranslation Shifted a Culture

Saturday, October 10  from 8:30am - 4:00pm at Carmichael Presbyterian Church


On Saturday, October 10, LGBTQ+ advocate and author Kathy Baldock will lead a day of learning and discussion about how the term "homosexuality" was incorrectly included in a Bible translation, and how that single decision reshaped church teaching, family relationships and countless communities across multiple generations. St. John's Lutheran Church, Carmichael Presbyterian, and the Sacramento Area Rainbow Faith Alliance will co-host this day at Carmichael Presbyterian.


Purchase your tickets here!


Kathy Baldock, author, LGBTQ+ advocate, and founder of Canyonwalker Connections, based in Reno, NV, is a leading expert on historical and present discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community - in particular, discrimination from the socially conservative Christian church and political sectors. Baldock is one of the main researchers featured in the award-winning documentary 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. Her new book, Forging a Sacred Weapon: How a 1946 Bible Mistranslation Shifted Culture, is a historical and contextually-based survey following human sexuality, same-sex behavior, procreation, and Bible translations, as impacted by cultural, social, medical, political, legal, and military influences from ancient to current times. The book focuses on original research into the reasons the word “homosexuals” was included for the first time in the 1946 Revised Standard Version NT Bible.