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

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!

God's Abundance, Our Response Adult Education Class

Sundays at 10:15am in Oehler Hall


The community of St. John's is no stranger to responding to God's Abundance in our lives - we sing boldly, serve graciously, and gather frequently. Over four weeks, we'll share more about our collective response! Think, ministry fair meets storytelling meets finding new ways to get involved. Come learn more about various ministry areas and wonder how God might be calling you to respond to God's abundance this fall.

Volunteer Training: Children & Youth Volunteers

Sunday, September 28 at 12:30pm in Oehler Hall


On Sunday, September 28, all volunteers who work with children and youth are invited to attend a Volunteer Training! This training is for volunteers who currently serve or are interested in getting involved in Sunday School, Confirmation, the High School Youth Group, youth summer trips, Vacation Bible School, the Nursery, or other areas with congregants under the age of 18. 


The training will begin with a catered lunch and an opportunity to meet other volunteers serving with youth, as well as holistically learn about the children and youth ministries at St. John’s. We’ll then welcome a Guest Speaker to share communication strategies and best practices when working with children and youth, particularly those with special or unique needs. After the Guest Speaker, volunteers will divide into small groups based on ministry areas (Sunday School, Confirmation, Nursery, etc.) to meet with volunteer leads to learn more about a specific area and plan for the semester ahead. 


This is a wonderful entry point for someone looking to begin volunteering in this ministry, or for a long-time volunteer to learn new skills and connect with other volunteers. While this training is not required, it is strongly encouraged for all volunteers working with children and youth in 2025-26. 


Please RSVP to attend here!

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 4 at 10:00am Outdoors at St. John's


One of the most venerated of the saints, Francis of Assisi is associated with care of animals and the environment. It has become a practice for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October, which is World Animal Day. All are invited to a Blessing of Animals on Saturday, October 4 at outdoors at St. John's! Bring your pet, a photo of your pet, or a stuffed pets for a blessing. We will have a short service of blessing and fun picture opportunities for all furry friends!


This service of blessing is presented by the St. John's Justice Making Ministry.

La Frontera: Arbitrary Lines & Red Walls (maybe black)

A Lunch & Learn with Pastor Manuel Retamoza

Sunday, October 5 at 12:30pm in The Gathering Place


St. John's welcomes Pastor Manuel Retamoza to share his personal story, discuss immigration rights, and how the word of God inspires us to act in times of injustice. Come learn over lunch and be in community as we reflect and discuss actions that embody God's love, presence and challenge in our lives.


Pastor Manuel currently serves as Pastor at St. Andrew's Church in San Diego and the Border Church at the Tijuana-San Diego border. 


Please note the suggested lunch donation of $5 per person. This lunch & learn is presented by the St. John's Justice Making Ministry.


RSVP to attend here!

LGBTQ+ History Month Book Read

Mondays in October at 7:00pm via Zoom


In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, the Sacramento Area Rainbow Faith Alliance will hold a month-long book study - exploring The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. The United States of America by Eric Cervini. 


According to it's publisher, "based on firsthand accounts, recently declassified FBI records, and forty thousand personal documents, Eric Cervini's The Deviant's War unfolds over the course of the 1960s, as the Mattachine Society of Washington, the group Kameny founded, became the first organization to protest the systematic persecution of gay federal employees. It traces the forgotten ties that bound gay rights to the Black Freedom Movement, the New Left, lesbian activism, and trans resistance."


The book study will discuss five chapters each week - come be a part of the discussions!


https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84106401287?pwd=ep5jUZ4UapcDCP1B5Xdckk5ZOCJtID.1

Meeting ID: 841 0640 1287

Passcode: 379670

The Right to Exist Film Screening

Tuesday, October 7 at 7:00pm in The Gathering Place


All are invited for this documentary screening of "The Right to Exist" with Director, Nick Anderson, exploring the homelessness crisis in Sacramento through personal stories and analysis. The film follows Camp Resolution, the self-governed, woman-run homeless encampment whose struggle for continued existence garnered national attention. 


This film screening is presented by the St. John's Justice Making Ministry. Please RSVP for the film screening here!