Community & Youth Life

Sharing faith through fellowship and service

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, And he will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 19:17

We believe that faith comes alive through a combination of words, actions and giving back. From local service projects and mission trips to late-night lock-ins, our youth and community ministries offer meaningful ways to live out God’s love, together.

Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO)

Youth ministries

Our Lutheran Youth Organization is open to all youth ages 12–18 and welcomes everyone who wants to explore faith, serve their neighbors and build lasting friendships. With guidance from their advisor and adult volunteers, our youth engage in Bible studies, service projects, fellowship nights and fun-filled outings throughout the year.

Activities include:

Small group Bible discussions with real-life applications
Overnight church lock-ins
Movie and game nights
Service events and youth-led projects
Participation in local and national youth gatherings

For more information or to get involved, contact Karie Peters at stjohnsls@stjohnlittlesuamico.org.

Youth Lock-ins

Lock-ins are a beloved tradition at St. John’s. We gather at the church for a night of games, music, stories, and connection. Sometimes we host these events just for fun, and other times for a cause—like the 30 Hour Famine, where we raise awareness and support for hunger relief.

No matter the reason, these overnights always leave us feeling closer to God and to each other.

Breakfast Club

Held monthly, Breakfast Club brings youth together for two of our favorite things: food and giving back. We meet for breakfast at a local fast food restaurant, then spend the morning volunteering at local organizations for a couple of hours.

It’s a simple way to make a difference—and have fun doing it. These mini mission projects help us grow closer to our community and to one another.

Summer Fun Day Events

Each summer, we take advantage of Wisconsin’s sunshine with a full day of outdoor fun! From tubing on the Wolf River to paintball adventures and movie nights, our Summer Fun Days are all about enjoying God’s creation and each other’s company.

Mission Trips

Sharing God’s love through action

Our mission trips give youth and adult volunteers the chance to serve communities beyond our own while growing in faith and fellowship. Whether it’s supporting children’s shelters, volunteering at food banks or helping clean and restore public spaces, these experiences allow us to put our faith into action. Mission trips are a meaningful way to share God’s love, connect with other believers, deepen relationships, and witness the impact of service firsthand.

WELCA

Women’s ministry

Women of the ELCA (or WELCA) is one of the most active groups within our congregation. Our ladies meet monthly to plan for outreach ministry in our community and beyond. We have our fundraising events with the proceeds helping us to buy items needed for our many projects, as well as special projects for our congregation.

WELCA sponsors a Lent and Advent dinner, a Fall Bazaar featuring: a cookie walk, homemade canned goods and homemade crafts and goods. The ladies do countless other things to make St. John’s a contributing factor in our church, community and world.

St. John’s WELCA Officers

President | Sindi Anschutz

Vice President/ Treasurer | Tammy Yager

Secretary | Angie Larsen

St. John’s Brotherhood

Men’s ministry

The Brotherhood is a place for connection, fellowship and faith among the men of our congregation. Rooted in shared experiences and mutual support, the Brotherhood brings men together to strengthen relationships, serve the church and grow as Siblings in Christ.

What is the Brotherhood?

Think of it as our church’s very own fraternity – a vibrant community where the men of St. John’s come together to build lasting friendships as Brothers in Christ. Whether in times of need or moments of celebration, the Brotherhood is there to lift one another up. Led by Doug Malueg, we host a variety of events throughout the year, from powerful fellowship gatherings to the legendary Booyah-making days!

Who’s in the Brotherhood?

If you’re a confirmed, male member of St. John’s – congratulations, you’re already part of the Brotherhood!

Why Booyah ROCKS

Booyah Sunday is more than just a chance to enjoy a hot, hearty bowl of this classic Northeast Wisconsin dish; it’s a chance to make a difference! By inviting the community to join us, the Brotherhood uses Booyah Sunday as a way to raise funds to maintain our church grounds, care for equipment and help send our youth to camp.

What kind of events can I expect?

Get ready for good times and great company! From our Annual Men’s Weekend at Mountain Memories Retreat Center – three days packed with food, fishing, fun and fellowship – to casual afternoons of great eats and conversation, there’s always something happening. Got a new idea for an event? Doug Malueg would love to hear it!

Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH)

Community ministry

EPH is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with 22 area churches to serve local families with children facing homelessness by providing housing, case management and eviction prevention services. St. John’s has partnered with EPH since 2024, adopting one side of a duplex used to provide housing for a family with children experiencing homelessness. Our home is known as St. Thomas.

About EPH

EPH, founded in 1992, has been serving families facing homelessness for over 30 years. The Partnership consists of three programs: Transitional Housing, Long-Term Supportive Housing, and Eviction Prevention. Case management is an essential component of each program, and focuses on family well-being, financial stability, employment, education, housing stability and home care.

How many homes does EPH support?

EPH has 21 homes in their transitional housing program and 16 homes in the long-term supportive housing program.

How does St. John’s help?

Volunteers from St. John’s Lutheran help get the home ready for a new family to move in each time it becomes vacant by cleaning, decorating, and stocking it with supplies. We also help with lawn care and snow removal. Furthermore, congregants volunteer to serve on the EPH Board of Directors and as part of the EPH Unit Coordinator Team.

We also support EPH by participating in the annual direct mail campaign to raise funds for the organization, engaging in EPH activities, and prayerfully keeping the organization and our families in mind.

How can I help financially?

If you’d like to give direct support to EPH, please use the following Donation Form.