November 2025
At St. John’s Lutheran in Union, God’s faithfulness is evident in every season of ministry. Recently, the congregation has been
blessed through a successful capital campaign, ongoing building renovations, and the addition of two new ministry staff members—an Associate Pastor and a Director of Christian Education. These signs of renewal point to God’s continued provision and His desire to equip His people for ministry.
The congregation’s life together is marked by service and outreach. Members make quilts for those in need, feed the homeless once a month, and welcome children from the community into their Wednesday Night Kids Krew ministry. Yet, as Pastor Caleb Schauer emphasizes, their calling extends beyond programs: “We go out to be the light of Christ wherever we go, with whomever we are with.” That light shines especially in the conversations members are having with people who are unchurched or dechurched, joyfully sharing the family and hope they’ve found in Christ at St. John’s.
God’s Word and Sacraments remain the foundation of this ministry, offering forgiveness, grace, and the strength to recognize His presence at work in daily life. These promises sustain the congregation amid challenges. Financial concerns loom with the 2026 budget, and efforts at reconciliation in relationships require patience and prayer. Yet Pastor Schauer points to God’s redeeming work: “God can make beauty out of ashes. What others mean for evil, God can use for good.”
Partnership has become a vital expression of ministry. St. John’s collaborates with
Zion Lutheran Church and School in Marengo, just three miles away, to share youth ministry. Their DCE provides expertise for the joint youth group, and St. John’s two pastors are able to assist neighboring congregations through pulpit supply and encouragement in their ministry perspectives. These efforts embody the spirit of working together as the Body of Christ—stronger together in mission.
Missions beyond the local community are also a source of joy. A recent Belize mission trip left a deep impact, with lives touched and faith strengthened through the Gospel. Plans for future mission trips and work camps are already underway, reflecting St. John’s desire to keep growing in discipleship and in joining Jesus on His mission.
Looking ahead, Pastor Schauer asks the wider Church to pray that the congregation will continue to walk with “joy in the journey,” remaining steadfast in the call to grow God’s Kingdom and to be the light of Christ in Union and beyond.
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