A congregational retirement/farewell gift is planned, and we are asking EVERYONE to help us out.
 

We want to collect family signatures on fabric. Please stop at a table in the Narthex or East exit and add your name. There will be helpers at each table to assist you. It will only take a minute to sign and, if you like, add a message.  
 

Please sign your first and last name. Instead of signing Mr. and Mrs. Waters, please sign Jack and Jill Waters. If you have children, don’t forget them! The space isn’t large, but you should have plenty of room to add everyone.
 

For those serving HOME COMMUNION, we can use your help!!  Please help these congregational members be part of this gift. If you visit an individual who isn’t able to sign their own name, please do them the honor of signing their name on a fabric strip and tell them what we are doing.
 

If you have a friend or family member who isn’t here today, please pass the word so they can stop at the church office. If a parishioner is not routinely contacted by a member of our church, i.e. they live in another community but are members, you may pick up a fabric strip to get their signature. Tara, our parish secretary, has graciously offered to assist us.  Please stop in the office and she will help you.
 

We haven’t forgotten our YOUTH (or those young-at-heart!): there are 6” squares available today for those artists in the group. Please feel free to take a square home to be added to the gift!  Use fabric pens or regular (not washable) crayons. Regular pens or markers may run and ruin your project. 
 

The signatures and artwork MUST BE RETURNED TO THE CHURCH NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, JULY 5^TH to be included.

Strips and squares will also be available in the Narthex during the next few weeks.

Thanks for your help in making this a special gift.

A Brief History of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

            In 1872 a group of German immigrants extended a call to a Lutheran pastor and made plans for building a church. The church was built near the present spot in 1873. Services were in German (which continued until around 1938). It was a small 28 by 50 foot structure and was dedicated in September of 1873.

            In June of 1879, the Reverand E.H. Caselmann was called to be the pastor and served for 38 years until 1917. During those years, more lots were purchased including the corner lot where St. John stands today. A school was built in 1884 and a larger cross shaped church was built on this spot and dedicated in 1893.

            When Rev. Caselmann died in 1918, he left his estate to the church which was later dismantled and rebuilt in 1924, as the main body of the present church. It was dedicated as the Caselmann Memorial Church. Many outstanding pastors have served during the years overseeing more additions and improvements to the church and church property.

            St. John has always been recognized as a compassionate leader in the Charles City community. Our doors are always open in times of emergency and we serve with many outreach ministries. We pride ourselves in being a very active church family.

            We thank our ancestors for their foresight as we continue to live our mission : God's Love In Action.