let's carry the good news of jesus forward
We are blessed with a wonderful building and campus. It is a space located in downtown Plymouth (covering a little more than an entire city block) where we gather for worship, teach students, and equip Christian leaders to serve. We seek to be the good news of Jesus in every place. The FORWARD Initiative is a two-year journey of faith and generosity. Over the next two years, we’ll renew our existing facility, grow as disciples of Jesus, and continue God’s mission as we share the gospel to our community.
Primary goal - 100% Participation, We’re in this Together!
Secondary goal - $6 Million, Over Two Years
BUILDING & MINISTRY NEEDS
renew our campus
Planned improvements include replacing the school’s original windows, adding air conditioning, updating classroom lighting and ceiling fans, renovating school bathrooms, and improving church and school offices for greater security and a more welcoming environment. These improvements are more than building projects—they are an investment in creating a safe, welcoming, and effective environment for future generations to learn about and follow Jesus.
grow as disciples
We are strengthening discipleship and helping people grow in their faith. The goal is to create a clear discipleship pathway that helps people become more connected to the congregation and grow from new believers into committed followers of Jesus. We also want to equip families to live out and share their faith in everyday life, while creating new opportunities through men's and women's groups and retreats. The goal is to form lifelong disciples and Christian leaders whose faith is lived out at home, at work, in the community, and throughout the congregation.
strengthen our ministries
We are continuing and strengthening the faithful ministry of St. John. It recognizes the generations who built, served, and generously supported the church and school, and challenges the current generation to carry that legacy forward. Funding will help ensure that the church and school remain vibrant and equipped to meet the needs of the congregation and community. This supports preaching and teaching God's Word, children's Scripture and hymn memorization, mission opportunities, marriage counseling, and many other ways St. John serves people. We are not simply maintaining what previous generations gave us—we are continuing the mission of Jesus and carrying that legacy forward to future generations.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
TOTAL PLEDGED & ANTICIPATED GIFTS $5,352,156.60
TOTAL RECEIVED GIFTS AS OF AUG. 31, 2026 $1,400,420.10
recent steps forward
May 2026
Commitment Weekend was on May 9-11. After family meetings, discussions, and prayer, we returned our Commitment Cards. We give thanks for every family that has taken a bold step in faith and has committed to our FORWARD Initiative.
June 2026
Celebration Weekend was on June 6-8. This weekend marked the beginning of our two year FORWARD giving season. We encouraged the congregation to bring their first and best offering. We praise God for the largest offering in SJL’s history – 3x more than our weekly average of gifts.
June & July 2026
We created a New Member Course and a Next Steps Guide to better serve all who are new at St. John Lutheran. We’ll use these resources (for the first time) in our September New Member Welcome Event. We’re creating a pathway for discipleship and providing connections among the congregation.
Our campus was tested for Asbestos determining which parts of our building will need to be abated during the upcoming renovation. The analysis/testing was completed by NorthStar Environmental Testing.
Jos. Schmitt met with local HVAC contractors (Aldag/Honold, Kleeman and Schaus) for an onsite visit, to review our campus, and to provide more accurate quotes and recommendations for how they would approach the air conditioning installation.
August & September 2026
Jos. Schmitt Construction is reviewing plans for renewing our campus - seeking to finalize plans for updating the Office and School Bathrooms.
SJL has received HVAC proposals from Aldag/Honold, Kleeman and Schaus. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors will meet soon to review these proposals and set a direction for the HVAC project.
Commitment Weekend was on May 9-11. After family meetings, discussions, and prayer, we returned our Commitment Cards. We give thanks for every family that has taken a bold step in faith and has committed to our FORWARD Initiative.
June 2026
Celebration Weekend was on June 6-8. This weekend marked the beginning of our two year FORWARD giving season. We encouraged the congregation to bring their first and best offering. We praise God for the largest offering in SJL’s history – 3x more than our weekly average of gifts.
June & July 2026
We created a New Member Course and a Next Steps Guide to better serve all who are new at St. John Lutheran. We’ll use these resources (for the first time) in our September New Member Welcome Event. We’re creating a pathway for discipleship and providing connections among the congregation.
Our campus was tested for Asbestos determining which parts of our building will need to be abated during the upcoming renovation. The analysis/testing was completed by NorthStar Environmental Testing.
Jos. Schmitt met with local HVAC contractors (Aldag/Honold, Kleeman and Schaus) for an onsite visit, to review our campus, and to provide more accurate quotes and recommendations for how they would approach the air conditioning installation.
August & September 2026
Jos. Schmitt Construction is reviewing plans for renewing our campus - seeking to finalize plans for updating the Office and School Bathrooms.
SJL has received HVAC proposals from Aldag/Honold, Kleeman and Schaus. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors will meet soon to review these proposals and set a direction for the HVAC project.
