Small Groups and Bible Study Opportunities are offered by St. John’s members to develop interaction among congregants, assist members in growing their faith and provide services to the community.
(UPDATED: 5/7/2023)
GARDEN ANGELS: If you enjoy gardening, please consider joining our working group. We meet April through October here at St. John’s with trowels in hand and gardening on our minds! There are several gardens we care for as we visit: the Church main entrance and driveway area, Door A, 47th and Brainard Ave., school main entrance, and the Courtyard. If you are interested, please email Lucy Christoffer.
GRIEFSHARE GROUP: Griefshare meets at St. John’s during the fall months. All people are welcome, not just members of St. John’s. Griefshare is for people who are grieving the death of a family member or friend. It has been a great blessing to many, as the environment is a warm and loving one, with no pressure to share. Participants find they are not alone and that there are others who understand what they are going through. We call this “your journey from mourning to joy”. More information can be found on the Griefshare Website and you may email Marnie Smith for questions about this group.
LANGE GOLF GROUP: Each summer St. John’s plays golf on Saturday mornings at Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside. We play each week from May to Sept. Sign up to play one week or several weeks during the summer. Any golfer (male or female, young and young-at-heart) can schedule themselves into the group for any tee time if there are spots available for that week. Please email Rick Lange or call 708-710-9829 for details on how to sign up.
LWML — Lutheran Women’s Missionary League: Since 1942, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod), has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions. Our St. John’s Lutheran Church group meets on most 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7:00PM, in the Heritage Room. All women, high school age and older, are very welcome to attend our meetings and become active members of this wonderful organization. If interested, please contact Pam Christensen for more information or drop in to one of our meetings.
MOMS’ BIBLE STUDY: The Mom’s Bible Study will meet intermittently throughout the summer at members’ homes, usually Fridays at 6:30pm. Our current study is God’s Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth. Contact Rebecca for more details: 630-660-3602.
NANCY and GARY’S GROUP: Our small group will start again in August. We will meet on Thursdays at 7:00 pm. We are hoping that most people will attend in-person, but we will try and make Zoom available. If you are interested in joining, please email Gary Mayor.
PARTNERS IN PRAYER: Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 which says “pray continually”, does not mean we should walk around with bowed heads and closed eyes and non-stop talking the entire day as that may cause more accidents than looking at cell phones! It does, however, direct us to surrender our every waking moment to Jesus with an awareness that God is with us and He is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions. There has been a small group of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been meeting at St. Johns for the past three years on various Saturdays to pray. See the St. John’s Calendar page for dates. We would like to have you join us in this prayer time and grow with us as we “devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). Please email Vicki Wykert with questions.
PECE/SCHILTZ GROUP: Our group meets on Mondays at 7pm on Zoom. Our Group is studying the Max Lucado Lenten book: In the Footsteps of the Savior. We also try to meet in person for a social event once a month. Please email Rebecca Schiltz or email Katie Pece for more information.
PICKLEBALL: Interested in playing or learning the fastest growing sport of pickleball? Come join us for an evening of fun exercise on Thursdays, from 6:30 – 8:30PM, in St. John’s Gym. Questions ?? Contact Liz Willig 708 533-5912.
SHINNEMAN GROUP: The Shinneman group is meeting on Sundays, at 6 p.m. During Lent we will be using the Max Lucado book: In the Footsteps of the Savior. All are welcome to join us! Please email Dana and Dalyne Shinneman or call 630.230.0688 for more information.
TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN’S SMALL GROUP: This women’s Small Group is meeting in the Heritage Room every Tuesday morning from 8:45 to 10:00 AM. We are currently studying several chapters in Psalms using the book Meeting with God: Psalms for the Highs and Lows of Life. Please join us on Tuesday mornings or email Mari Smith if interested.
WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUP: Come be a part of Pastor Weidler’s Bible Study on The Letter to the Philippians starting soon. Watch for more information on the starting date to be in the Mission. The study meets in the Heritage Room at 9:00 am on Wednesdays.
WYKERT GROUP: We usually meet on Mondays from 6:45pm-7:45pm. We are currently on hiatus for the summer and will resume meeting in the fall. If you are interested or have questions, Please email Tom Wykert.
St. John’s is looking for additional topics, additional meeting times, and additional leaders for our small group ministry. If you have an idea for a Small Group, or want to offer to lead a group, please email the Church Office. There are church resources for topics available.