Outreach
Lutheran Christians are called to shine with the love and joy of Jesus Christ by serving the needs of our neighbors, our community and the world. At St. John, we celebrate the love of Christ by receiving His blessings in order that we might bless others. St. John members have many discipleship ministry opportunities to administer our call to serve one another, act with justice, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.
COJC Prison Ministry
The Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center houses young men and women placed in the custody of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. St. John members minister to these teens through prayer, fellowship and a monthly service. For many of these young people, the belief of abandonment and social injustice keeps them from becoming productive citizens. In sharing God's amazing grace, we give hope to the hopeless during a dark time in their young lives.
Salvation Army Meal Partnership
One Saturday each month, St. John prepares and provides a hot, evening meal to individuals and families seeking assistance from the Salvation Army. This ministry touches people with the love of Christ by helping to meet a most basic need.
This network of ten host and support congregations develops and utilizes community partnerships whose combined resources bridge the gaps in social programs that assist children and their families as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. For about $70 per day, Family Promise shelters a family of four all day, provides, meals, budget counseling, employment training, housing referrals and, often, child care, legal and medical assistance, and other services.
Sunlight
Senior citizens of our community gather every Thursday for fellowship and to share a meal. The fun gets started at noon. Sunlight is open to all.
SMS Food Pantry
The First Sunday of the month we collect food for the Shawnee Middle School Food Pantry. A list of desired items is located on the bulletin board. Simply bring your donations to the church, and we will make sure they are delivered to the Middle School Food Pantry. Together, we can make an incredible difference in a child’s life.
Jefferson Elementary Backpacks
St. John provides backpacks full of school supplies for students who may not be able to afford them. These backpacks are presented to Jefferson Elementary every year.
The women of St. John gather once a month to make shoes for Soul Hope. This organization is dedicated to preventing the spread of food disease in Africa by supplying shoes and medical care to those in need.
Disaster Response
In time of disaster the needs of the community are accessed by the coordinator. Those needs are presented to the congregation as to collecting and distributing these items. Currently the Heart of Oklahoma VOAD ( Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disaster) meets at St. John on the First Friday of the month at Noon.
Summer Meal Program
St. John partners with Feed the Children to provide FREE lunches for children during the months of June and July.
Bringing Hope2U
St. John gathers hats, gloves and mittens to be distributed in December to those in attendance at our Salvation Army sponsored meal.