·         Sunday Adult Bible Class – two or three classes are offered each Sunday morning

·         High School Sunday Bible Class – for 9th – 12th graders; in the youth house

·         Junior High Sunday Bible Class – for 7th & 8th graders; in the youth house

·         Sunday School – for children ages 3 through 6th grade

·         Weekday Bible Studies

o   LifeLight – a ten-week in-depth study of a book of the Bible led by DCE Hintz; offered twice each year at three different times each week.

o   Women’s Bible Study – led by Deaconess Linda on Tuesday mornings and evenings

·         Lutheran Catechesis for Adults – an 18-week preparation of adults for communicant membership, taught by the pastors and offered twice each year; meeting on Sunday mornings (or occasionally on a weekday evening determined by class)

·         Lutheran Catechesis for Youth – a two-year preparation for communicant membership, normally for 7th & 8th graders, meeting on Monday nights; includes an annual weekend retreat

·         Monthly Book Discussion – pastors lead a discussion of a theological book one Sunday afternoon each month

·         Men’s Saturday Bible Study and Breakfast – Led by the pastors on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of each month at 8:00am

·         Topeka Lutheran School – Lutheran day school education from Kindergarten through the 8th grade located at 701 SW Roosevelt, phone 357-0382; tuition assistance available for church members

·         Early Childhood Program – child care for infants through age four at Topeka Lutheran School’s Center for Young Children, located at 1732 SW Gage, phone 272-1704; plus a Lutheran preschool program for ages 3 & 4 at TLS’ main campus at 701 SW Roosevelt

·         Vacation Bible School – Christian education for members and guests during five successive evenings in the summertime; an adult Bible class is also offered

·         Adult Education Convocation – a Sunday morning and afternoon event, held once or twice each year on a topic of broad interest to the whole congregation

ELECTED AND APPOINTED LEADERSHIP

·         Voters’ Assembly – guides and authorizes the work of the congregation through the Church Council and boards; men of the congregation age 21 and older are eligible to join

·         Board of Elders – assists the called staff with the spiritual needs and the worship life of the congregation; elected from the Voters’ Assembly

·         Board of Parish Education – assists the ministry to children and high school youth, as well as the Christian education activities of the congregation; elected from the Voters’ Assembly

o   Youth Ministry Team – assists the called staff in planning and carrying out events for the high school youth of the congregation; men, women, and teenagers volunteer and are appointed

o   Junior High Ministry Team – assists the called staff in planning and carrying out events for the 7^th and 8^th graders of the congregation; men and women volunteer and are appointed

o   Children’s Ministry Team – assists the called staff in planning and carrying out programs for the younger children of the congregation; women and men volunteer and are appointed

·         Board of Missions & Evangelism – guides congregational efforts in missions and evangelism; elected from the Voters’ Assembly

o   World Missions Team – assists the Board of Missions and Evangelism in developing and implementing plans related to world missions; men and women volunteer

o   Local Evangelism Team – assists the Board of Missions and Evangelism in calling on church visitors and developing and implementing plans related to evangelism in the Topeka community; men and women volunteer

o   Fellowship and Integration Team – assists the Board of Missions and Evangelism in developing and implementing plans related to parish fellowship and the integration (assimilation) of new members into the congregation; women and men volunteer

o   Human Care Team – assists the Board of Missions and Evangelism in developing and implementing plans related to the care of individuals in need, in the congregation, in the community, and beyond; men and women volunteer

o   Publicity Team – assists the Board of Missions and Evangelism in promoting and publicizing the congregation in the community; women and men volunteer

·         Board of Christian Stewardship – guides and oversees the financial assets of the congregation and promotes a scripturally-informed stewardship of God-given resources; elected from the Voters’ Assembly

·         Board of Trustees – oversees the maintenance and upkeep of the physical property of the congregation; elected from the Voters’ Assembly

·         St. John’s Representatives to the Lutheran School Association of Topeka – the congregation’s representatives on the various boards that govern Topeka Lutheran School and the Early Childhood Program; men and women volunteer and are appointed

FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE

·         Women’s League – women of all ages joining together for fellowship, service, and Bible study in affiliation with the Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML)

o   Dorcas Circle – a smaller group of the Women’s League that meets monthly for fellowship, service, and Bible study on the 2nd Tuesday at 1:30pm

o   Lydia Circle - a smaller group of the Women’s League that meets monthly for fellowship, service, and Bible study on the 2nd Wednesday at 1:00pm

o   Sarah Circle - a smaller group of the Women’s League that meets monthly for fellowship, service, and Bible study on the 2nd Monday at 7:00pm

o   Quarterly Meetings – combined meetings of all circles with a special project or speaker; all women of the congregation are invited to attend.

o   World and Domestic Missions – Quilts, health kits, and school kits are made and assembled locally to be distributed throughout the world by Lutheran World Relief.

o  Zone Rallies and District and National Conventions – provide expanded opportunities for fellowship, service, and Bible study

o  Funeral Luncheons – provided as a service by the Women’s League

o   Receptions – provided by the Women’s League for anniversaries, weddings, etc.

o   Nursing Home Visits – sharing company and devotions with nursing home residents on the second Thursday of each month

o   Salad Supper – held annually in the Spring for women, daughters, and granddaughters of the congregation

o   Christmas Luncheon & Bazaar – held annually in December for the congregation and community with proceeds going to mission work

·         Christian Fellowship – adult fellowship and service group, affiliated with the Lutheran Laymen’s League, that usually meets on the 4th Sunday evening of most months

·         Lutheran Youth Fellowship – centered in worship and Sunday morning Bible study, the high school youth also come together for social and service events, as well as fund raising projects for special trips.

·         Junior High Youth Group – The youth in Grades 7-8 meet quarterly for fellowship activities

·         Monthly Breakfasts – are held on the 2^nd Sunday of each month following the early service. Various organizations take turns hosting the event under the direction of the Fellowship and Integration Team.

·         Sunday Social Hour Helpers – help serve coffee and donuts, and clean-up after the social hour on all Sundays except when congregational breakfasts are served

·         Lutheran Braille Workers – assembly of Spanish language Bible materials in sight-saving print; meets weekly on Thursday mornings

·         Quilters – quilting the time-honored way; meets every Wednesday morning

·         Lutheran World Relief Sewing Group – making quilts, comforters, etc. for distribution worldwide; meets Wednesday mornings

·         Congregational Picnic – held annually in the summertime on a Sunday evening; many volunteers needed!

·         Christmas Caroling & Chili Supper – caroling to our homebound members, followed by a chili supper at the church; held annually on a Saturday afternoon in December

·         Oktoberfest – a Sunday noon meal and fellowship event at the church in October; many volunteers needed!

·         Spring Smorgasbord – hosted annually in April for the congregation and community by the Christian Fellowship group, with proceeds going to mission work

·         Stephen Ministry – trained individuals visit homebound members and have devotions with them

·         Meals for Families with Newborn Children – prepared and delivered by volunteers

·         New Member Sponsors – Sponsors assist in helping to welcome new members through one-on-one  interaction.

·         Craft Day – People of all ages are welcome to “craft” together every 3^rd Saturday from 10am – 3pm in the Assembly Hall

·         Office Volunteers – assist the secretaries with printing/assembly of newsletter and other major mailings; record attendance and contribution information on computer; assist the Financial Secretary in tallying contributions

·         Church Cleaning – Members join together annually on a Saturday morning in the Spring to clean the entire facility and oil the woodwork.

MUSIC (All choir rehearsals are on Thursday evenings.)

·         Kantorei – Adults and high school youth combine their voices to enhance worship

·         Klingerei – Adults and high school youth play handbells and choir chimes in worship

·         Cherub Choir – Children in Kindergarten through 2^nd Grade sing in worship services.

·         Choristers – Children in the 3^rd through 8^th Grades sing in worship services.

·         Glockenchor – Children in the 4^th through 8^th Grades (and interested parents) play handbells and choir chimes in worship.

·         Instrumental Music – Members are encouraged to make their instrumental music skills known for service to the congregation.