Get Connected
At St. John’s Lutheran Church, we believe every member has God-given gifts to share. Our committees and ministry groups help carry out the mission of our church through service, fellowship, outreach, and care for one another. Whether you are new to our congregation or have attended for years, there is a place for you to serve, grow, and connect.
We invite you to explore our committees and groups below. Each listing includes information about what the group does, current needs, and who to contact. If something catches your interest – or you’re not sure where you fit yet – any group would love to hear from you.
Altar Guild
PURPOSE:
Members of Altar Guild carry out the meaningful service of preparing for the celebration of Holy Communion and the cleaning up afterward.
ACTIVITIES:
We set up and clean up (each takes about 30 minutes); change the paraments on the altar, lectern, and pulpit when necessary; and clean vessels.
NEEDS:
More hearts and hands are always appreciated. You can be involved as an individual, as a family, or as a partner with another member.
CONTACT:
Linda Doerge
Branding Committee
PURPOSE:
The Branding Committee is a team of design-minded members who use creativity and communication to support the mission and ministries of our church. We work to make St. John’s more welcoming, visually cohesive, and accessible by developing materials and experiences that reflect our community’s warmth and faith.
ACTIVITIES:
Our work includes creating branded materials such as signs, banners, and marketing pieces for church events and ministries. We also design accessibility signage, seasonal displays, and historical compliations, and fun church “swag” to help members and visitors feel more connected. Whether it’s enhancing a worship season or helping another committee share their message, we love bringing ideas to life through thoughtful design.
NEEDS:
We’re always looking for new committee members—especially those who enjoy creativity, design, or communication! We also welcome suggestions from other committees and congregation members for projects, themes, or new ways to make our church even more inviting.
CONTACT:
Kierstin Hartley
Choir
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to enhance Sunday and seasonal worship services with beautiful music.
ACTIVITIES:
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8 pm, off in the summer. The choir sings at least once a month, at both services. We also put on the annual Christmas Concert, which takes place on the second Sunday in December.
NEEDS:
Do you enjoy music and fellowship? Join the choir! It’s a wonderful way to serve and to connect with others. All voices and skill levels welcome.
CONTACT:
Susan Laski (Director)
Creative Arts Team
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to visually enhance the worship experience at St. John’s.
ACTIVITIES:
We hang existing banners as needed, and meet once or twice a year to create new banners, could potentially expand to other media besides just banners.
NEEDS:
We are especially looking for someone with graphic design or digital art experience.
CONTACT:
Julie Quick
Kid’s For Christ (KFC)
PURPOSE:
This group provides Bible study and fellowship to children in 2nd – 5th grade at St. John’s.
ACTIVITIES:
We meet monthly during the school year (usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month) for a Bible lesson, food (pizza & ice cream sundaes), fun and games. Monthly meetings replaced with Thanksgiving Feast in November, Christmas Party in December & End of Year Water Fight in May.
NEEDS:
Prayers
CONTACT:
Becky Westgate
Mom’s Playgroup
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to share in life and fellowship together.
ACTIVITIES:
We meet once a week at various locations (parks, libraries, St. John’s) for moms to socialize and children to play. We often end with a picnic.
NEEDS:
None. All moms and kids are welcome!
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Schmidt
Sunday School
PURPOSE:
To share the love of Jesus with the children at St. John’s.
ACTIVITIES:
We meet on Sunday mornings, first as a alarge group where we sing worship songs. Then we break into smaller groups by age for a Bible lesson. The children also sing on the 3rd Sunday of every month in church.
NEEDS:
We can always use more volunteers for teaching, either as a full time teacher or a substitute.
CONTACT:
Becca Koelper
Young Adult Ministry
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to deepen our understanding of faith and God’s Word while fostering relationships with other young adults within the St. John’s congregation.
ACTIVITIES:
We have a co-ed young adult group that meets once a week usually at St. John’s for bible study and fellowship, with occasional social and service activities. We also have a Young Adult Women’s Bible Study that meets once a week at various locations for bible study and fellowship.
NEEDS:
None. Any young adult is welcome to participate!
CONTACT:
Kristin Weaver
Audio/Visual (A/V) Team
PURPOSE:
The A/V Team supports live and internet streamed events at St. John’s including worship services, weddings and funerals thru sound and visual presentation management.
ACTIVITIES:
Activities include sound and visual presentation management for all worship services, for weddings, funerals, and other events as needed, and streams most services through You Tube for public viewing.
NEEDS:
The team seeks volunteers to operate the audio, visual, and streaming equipment needed to support events and offer worship options to the Lexington community.
CONTACT:
Jeff Vogel
Care Team
PURPOSE:
To care for the attendees of St. John’s by providing resources to address short-term, important basic, emotional, and financial needs.
ACTIVITIES:
Respond to care requests submitted by attendees of the church in a timely manner, provide transportation to church when needed, ensure adequate finances available to provide financial support when needed, organize meal trains, organize shut-in visits.
NEEDS:
Increased member awareness of Care Team, donations to respond to financial requests, volunteers to visit shut-ins.
CONTACT:
Bianca Ruspi
College Finals Bags
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to show care to college students in a time of stress.
ACTIVITIES:
We assemble and distribute care packages in late October / early November for both Lexington college students attending St. John’s as well as St. John’s students away at college.
NEEDS:
Donations of money or requested items, helpers to assemble and/or distribute.
CONTACT:
Julie Quick
Elders
PURPOSE:
Elders support and assist the pastor in his spiritual and administrative tasks toward the goal of nurturing and strengthening the spiritual life, mission, and ministry of the congregation. While the office of pastor is divinely instituted, the office of elders is humanly instituted.
ACTIVITIES:
Elders may pray with and for the pastor and his staff, advise the pastor in certain decisions of pastoral care, help to evaluate and encourage his performance (and his staff’s performance) in his pastoral and administrative duties, assist him in visitations and worship services including distribution of the Lord’s Supper, and advocate for the pastor’s and his family’s material, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
NEEDS:
In support of our weekly 8:00 am and 10:30 am worship services, we can always use more volunteers for the following. Training will be provided.
> Ushers – adult and youth ushers
> Audio Visual booth – operate audio, projector, etc
> Altar Guild – communion set up and take down
Prayers for pastor and the church staff, their families, our church leaders and volunteers, and our congregation are always encouraged!
CONTACT:
Paul Rooke (Head Elder)
Men’s Ministry
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to enjoy Christian fellowship with other St. John’s men and be encouraged in our relationships and responsibilities.
ACTIVITIES:
Guys coffee is every Wednesday at 7 am. Men’s breakfast is the last Saturday of every month at 7:30 am.
NEEDS:
All men, including confirmed high schoolers, welcome. We’d like to add periodic evening events, but need someone to plan or organize them.
CONTACT:
Pastor Schmidt
Music Ministry
PURPOSE:
To allow members the opportunity to use their talents to enhance services with beautiful music.
ACTIVITIES:
Aside from the choir, members can participate in our orchestra (Holy Week/Easter, Christmas season), solos and ensembles (all year), and the childrens’ choir (school year).
NEEDS:
Members
CONTACT:
Susan Laski
Quilters
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to make quilts for area nonprofits.
ACTIVITIES:
We meet every Thursday at 9:00am in the fellowship hall to sew quilts.
NEEDS:
We would love to have more quilters; no experience needed. Donations for supplies welcome.
CONTACT
Bev Miller
Carol Bouvin
Pat Ruskaup
Trustees
PURPOSE:
To maintain and upkeep the church building and properties.
ACTIVITIES:
We are in charge of all the repairs and landscaping needed at the church, as well as the parsonage and rental property.
NEEDS:
We are looking for more fixer-uppers, as well as those who can periodically walk through our properties to trim bushes etc.
CONTACT:
Brad Weeks
Youth Ministry Board
PURPOSE:
To support ministry to youth of all ages at St. Johns so that they are rooted in God’s grace with the help of the congregation, while supporting their faith as they learn about and experience Christ through the study of His word and fellowship.
ACTIVITIES:
Quarterly meetings to support and discuss the activities of the various youth groups within St. Johns (Kids for Christ: 2nd-5th Grade; Jr. Youth
Group: grades 6-8; Senior Youth Group: grades 9-12).
NEEDS:
Prayers for the congregation to faithfully support the spiritual growth and needs of our youth.
CONTACT:
Lisa Abler (chairperson)
Board of Education
PURPOSE:
This Board oversees the childrens’ Sunday School program and the preschool, ensuring Christ-centered instruction at St. John’s.
ACTIVITIES:
Monthly board meetings (first Tuesday of each month, off in the summer). We organize a congregational fundraiser for the preschool in January, and the Trunk or Treat and Reformation Celebration in October.
NEEDS:
We currently have 5 voting board members and are open to adding a couple more.
CONTACT:
Johanna Ellison
Kid’s Christmas Program
PURPOSE:
To give our children a creative and joyful way to celebrate Jesus’ birth while sharing their gifts with our church family.
ACTIVITIES:
Children can participate in this musical tradition beginning around age 5. Rehearsals on Saturday mornings throughout the fall. Performance is usually the second Sunday of December at late service.
NEEDS:
Young singers, and also parents willing to assist with building sets, creating costumes and helping with snacks and breaks during longer rehearsals.
CONTACT:
Susan Laski (Director)
Connections Committee
PURPOSE:
To connect members of St. John’s with each other, and to be welcoming to visitors of St. John’s and support them in pursuit of membership.
ACTIVITIES:
Schedule greeters for Sunday mornings, keep the Welcome Center stocked with gifts and welcome packets for visitors, contact first time visitors, hold the new member receptions twice a year.
NEEDS:
Need more greeters please!
CONTACT:
Bianca Ruspi
Hospitality Committee
PURPOSE:
Our purpose is to host receptions for funerals at St. John’s.
ACTIVITIES:
As needed, we purchase and collect food for funeral receptions, set up the fellowship hall, serve food and drinks, and clean up.
NEEDS:
None
CONTACT:
Joan Haas
Missions Committee
PURPOSE:
To Live out the Great Commission internationally, nationally, and locally and engage our community in the life and love of Jesus.
ACTIVITIES:
We organize our church’s participation in God’s mission beyond our walls. We highlight a “Ministry of the Month” in each bulletin and newsletter to share local volunteer opportunities involving time, talents, prayers, or finances, including the Lexington Rescue Mission, a local faith-based pregnancy center, God’s Pantry, personal witnessing, Bible distributions, and Christmas outreach. We also support an international missionary family through prayer and financial gifts. Each year, we organize Mission Sunday, featuring a message from our missionary family (currently in the Czech Republic) and ministry tables in the Narthex to encourage missional living. Additionally, we sponsor mission trips and mail welcome postcards inviting new neighbors to St. John’s.
NEEDS:
More people in our congregation to join us.
CONTACT:
Donna Junker
Stewardship Committee
PURPOSE:
To maintain and upkeep the church building and properties.
ACTIVITIES:
We are in charge of all the repairs and landscaping needed at the church, as well as the parsonage and rental property.
NEEDS:
We are looking for more fixer-uppers, as well as those who can periodically walk through our properties to trim bushes etc.
CONTACT:
Brad Weeks
Ushers
PURPOSE:
The ushers are responsible for the orderly flow of the church service.
ACTIVITIES:
We welcome worshipers, pass out bulletins and announcements, guide people to available seating, help those in need to appropriate seating, point the worshipers to an elder or the pastor if there are questions about communion or some other aspect of the service, collect contributions, prayer cards and attendance cards, usher people to communion and pick up any trash, etc. in the sanctuary after the service. Ushers serve for a month at a time. We also sponsor a Lenten meal for the congregation.
NEEDS:
We need more ushers so we only have to ask ushers to serve twice per year.
CONTACT:
Larry Detjen
Ready to Get Involved?
If you feel God nudging you toward any of these groups, or you just want to learn more, we encourage you to reach out.
- Contact the committee leader directly
or - Email our office through the form below and we’ll help you get connected