Youth & Family

Youth & Family News

May Noisy Offerings

April 23, 2025

Let’s Feed Our Children. Summer is a critical time for children’s health and well-being. During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price meals at school and most of those children also make use of the Buddy Bags Program. However, when school is out, these kids no longer have access to those meals and their families’ budgets are often stretched to the breaking point. This program provides free meals to all children, helping kids who rely on school meals during the school year continue to receive healthy food during the summer without the need to register. Everyone is welcome, always.

April Sunday School Schedule

March 21, 2025

-April 6: Lesson-Paul’s Letters
-April 13: No SS (Palm Sunday Breakfast)
-April 20: Easter Egg Hunt (No SS)
-April 27: Music & Popcorn

April Noisy Offerings

March 21, 2025

Our April Noisy Offerings will go to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). LSSI serves over 38,000 people annually, providing critical programs for Illinois residents each year, including foster care, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, affordable senior housing, residential programs for people with developmental disabilities, home care for seniors, and services that help families who have been impacted by incarceration. In preparation for Good Shepherd/LSSI Sunday (May 4), we’ll be collecting a Children’s Noisy Offering to help support the ministry of LSSI as it continues to be a ministry responding to the Gospel to bring healing, justice, and wholeness to people and communities.

Save the Date for CommUNITY VBS!

March 21, 2025

Mark your calendars and make plans to join in CommUNITY VBS this summer! Consider having your grandkids or extended family coming to visit during that time and join us for VBS too! CommUNITY VBS is offered for Preschool-5th graders July 20-24 from 5:30-8:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran (501 8th Ave., Rock Falls). Festivities include a free supper, Bible exploration, music, games, science and arts & crafts! Guard your calendars and plan to volunteer for this life-shaping week too! PLEASE mark your calendars and plan to join us or volunteer for CommUNITY VBS July 20-24!

Garage Sale Days Fundraiser

March 21, 2025

On Saturday, May 17, St. John’s will be a location again for the community wide garage sale. Item collection for the Community Garage Sale is happening now! A registration for the event will be filed with the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event and provides maps showing participating locations. Items donated will temporarily be stored and organized in the Luther Chapel. Tables will be set up in the main parking lot for times during the sale. Those wishing to help participate in the fundraiser by donating items for sale please remember that items may be new or gently used.
Please do not donate any of the following:

  • Car seats
  • Beds
  • Cribs
  • Furniture

Noteworthy Dates

March 21, 2025

Some important dates for grades 6-12:
-April 13: Palm Sunday Breakfast
-April 30 @ 7pm: Community Accompaniment Night (Buddy Bags Packing @ Wesley Methodist)

Sunday School

We host Sunday School classes for all ages from mid-September to mid-May annually. Check the Calendar for exact dates and times of classes.

Confirmation Classes

7th-9th grade students, staff and parent leaders gather each Wednesday evening from September through May with their peers from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Falls, using the “Co-laborate” Confirmation curriculum. This two-and-a-half-year program involves parent participation, learning, service to others, and safe, fun events led by caring adults.

Junior High & High School Youth Classes

Our junior high and high school students meet regularly throughout the year for classes, service events, fun events and trips. Events are updated and advertised on the Calendar, and on our Branches Youth & Family Ministries Facebook page.

CommUNITY Vacation Bible School

Each summer St. John’s participates in the Sterling-Rock Falls CommUNITY VBS (a collaboration of local congregations providing VBS as a free 1-week event for families in our communities with Pre-K age 4 through fifth grade). Location moves to a new church location each year. VBS Meets in the evening, Sunday through Thursday, with a free dinner each night.

Community vacation bible school logo

Youth & Family Forms & Policies

Adult Volunteer Application

Medical Release & General Permission Form

Youth Safety Policy

Make a one-time or recurring donation to St. John’s Lutheran Church safely and securely online.

St. John’s Lutheran Church
703 Third Avenue
Sterling, IL 61081

Worship services at 9:30am Sundays and 6pm Wednesdays

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