St. John Lutheran School celebrates National Lutheran Schools Week

St. John Lutheran School in Merrill is excited to celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week March 1-6, 2026. Along with other Missouri Synod Lutheran Schools across the state and nation, they’ll take time out from their normal academics and sports activities to participate in fun days and events to build community and just share smiles and laughter.
Students at St. John have the opportunity to learn about and live out their faith at school at the same time, worship during mid-week chapel services, and grow together as a community of Christian believers. They learn scripture alongside reading, writing, arithmetic, and other important subjects. They talk about service to others and participate in special projects to showcase their service. Learning, playing, and praying together are an integral part of the curriculum each and every day.
The theme of this year’s Lutheran Schools Week at St. John will be “Let’s Make A Joyful Noise.”
Beginning on Sunday, the entire church and school community at St. John Lutheran Church and School will join in kicking off the celebration with 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services and recognition and celebration of St. John Lutheran School. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1 will be the scripture focus. Families signed up for the service they plan to attend, and students will participate during the services by singing, ushering, and reading.
Monday’s focus is “In Praise” and staff and students will “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” — Psalm 98:4. It will be “Teacher & Student Swap Dress-Up Day,” with students dressing up like their teachers, making for a fun day, and the day will start with an All-School Devotion at 8 a.m. Later students will gather with their “Chapel Family” to play Bingo and get to know one another better.

On Tuesday, the focus is “In Worship” and the scripture for the day is “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” — Psalm 95:1–2. It will also be “Bible Hero Day” and students are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite Bible hero. The day will begin again with an All-School Devotion at 8 a.m. and later in the day, everyone will enjoy ice cream treats.
Wednesday’s focus is “In Service” based on the following scripture verse: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10. It’s also chapel day and the theme is “Dress Your Best for Jesus” so students are asked to wear their nicest outfits to school that day so they can focus on church and how their church supports their school. The Lenten worship service will begin at 10 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. Then at 1 p.m., the school will have a “Dave Schulte Assembly.” Dave Schulte said he first picked up a yo-yo as a stressed-out college student in 1993 and he has never really put it down since! He started his first career as a Technology Education teacher, but his drive to learn more about yo-yos, and to teach others, has led him to a career as a Yo-Yo Professional. Now he travels the world teaching and entertaining with his yo-yos and spin tops.
On Thursday, the focus will be “In Community” based on Philippians 2:2 which says “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” This will be “St. John Colors Day” and students are asked to wear the school colors of gold and navy blue to show off their St. John pride. An all-school photo will be taken sometime during the day. The day will again begin with an All-School Devotion at 8 a.m. In the morning, students will gather with their Chapel Family to do a community outreach project. In the afternoon, students will have their very own cinema, complete with popcorn and beverages to snack on.
Friday wraps up the week of celebration focused on “In Christ Alone” based on this scripture: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13. It will also be “Whiteout/Neon Day” with students coming to school wearing white or neon so they can glow bright! The day will kick off with an All-School Devotion at 8 a.m. and students will have a fun time bowling throughout the day at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes while also enjoying refreshments.
Later that evening, from 6-8 p.m., Lutheran Education Week will culminate with a Family Glow Dance by Eagle’s N.E.S.T. The cost is $5 per student or $10 for families with more than one student and includes snacks, refreshments, and glow items while the kids dance to their favorite music.