Welcome!
We are glad you are interested in visiting St. John’s Lutheran Church!
This page provides information to help you plan your first visit.
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please contact our church office any weekday morning by calling 309-347-2136.
When We Meet
Sunday Mornings:
· 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services in our beautiful, historic sanctuary
· Coffee and fellowship in the church gym immediately following the 8:00 service
· 9:15 Sunday School opening in the gym (for all children, led by our Pastor)
· 9:20 a.m. Sunday School (various classrooms) and Adult Bible Class (basement gathering room)
Sunday Evenings
· 7:00 p.m. Service in our chapel (a smaller sacred gathering place adjacent to the sanctuary)
Advent and Lent
· Wednesday Evening Services at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary
Where We Are Located
Our address is 711 Court Street… at the corner of Court Street and 8th street in Pekin.
Where to Park
You can park in the church parking lot located along Court Street, directly across the street from our church building. The lot is accessible from the East-bound side of Court Street, and also from South 8th Street.
What to Expect
· When you arrive on Sunday morning, an usher will greet you, provide a printed worship bulletin, and answer any questions you have.
· A typical service will last about 50 to 60 minutes, and you can follow along by reading your printed worship bulletin (which contains the entire order of service) and using a provided hymnal book.
· The services are traditional Lutheran liturgies, which are founded on our rich Christian heritage.
· The Pastor will lead the congregation in various ways, such as reading an opening introit together with the congregation, reading specially selected Bible passages, leading prayers, and delivering a biblically based sermon proclaiming the forgiveness and hope we have in Christ.
· The congregation will join together to sing various hymns during the service, and the church choir or a soloist may perform special music as well.
· Holy Communion will be an integral part of each service on odd-numbered Sundays each month (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays).
How We Practice Holy Communion
Here is the statement that appears in our worship bulletins:
We receive the Lord’s Supper, believing in the Word of Jesus, that He gives into our mouths His true body and blood, miraculously united to the bread and wine, to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins, and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust his Word, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love one another, even as He forgives and loves us.
God’s Word teaches us that those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood in an unworthy manner do so to their great harm, and that this Holy Communion is a confession of the faith that is confessed in this church. Therefore any who are not yet instructed, who are in doubt, or are members of a congregation not in the fellowship of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and yet desire to commune, are asked to kindly speak with the pastor ahead of time. (Matt. 5:23f.; 10:32f.; 18:15-35; 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:17-34)
FAQs
Q: How should I dress?
A: Our church does not have a dress code. You will see other worshippers wearing a wide variety of clothing, ranging from casual outfits to dressier attire.
Q: How can I enter the church if I have a disability?
A: Use the double-door entrance on the south side of our church (facing Court Street). Our elevator is located just inside that entrance, and it provides accessibility to every floor of our facility. Take the elevator up one floor to attend a service, or go down one floor to reach the gym or attend an adult Bible class.
Q: Where are restrooms located?
A: We have restrooms located on each level of the church. If you are attending a service or a Bible class, you can ask an usher, a greeter, or another church member to direct you to the nearest restroom.
Q: Are young children welcomed during services?
A: Absolutely. We enjoy seeing children of all ages sit with their parents during services.
Q: Is childcare available?
A: We do not offer childcare during church services. Children are encouraged to attend church services with their parents.
Q: Do you offer online resources?
A: Yes, you can find regular updates on our Facebook page. You can also access church service recordings on our Podcast page in this website, and our YouTube Channel (St John’s Lutheran Church Pekin).
Q: Can I attend if I am not a Lutheran?
A: Yes, please join us. We welcome all visitors, and we will be happy to see you!