St. John Lutheran Church

Our annual Ice Cream Social started in the 1930s and was originally called "The Church Picnic".  It started out as a fundraiser thrown by the youth to raise money for activities.  From there, it evolved into a fundraiser for families in need.  Each year, members nominate recipients from the surrounding area who have major financial needs, and we usually have 2-3 recipients depending on how many nominees we receive.  Once the expenses are paid, 10% of the proceeds go to the youth group, 10% go to the Youth Center Building Fund, and 80% is divided between the recipients.

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We have many options to eat at our social.  We grill pork burgers, hamburgers, brauts, and hotdogs.  There are homemade chicken salad sandwiches and cakes and pies.  To top it off, of course, we have our hand-cranked pineapple-orange and vanilla ice cream.  There is also a Country Store with donated "white elephant" items, nick nacks, desserts, foods, and other items for purchase.  All the food is free, but there are free-will donation cans on all the tables.  You can also purchase gallons of the hand-cranked ice cream to take home.  If you can't stay, there is a stand to purchase food to go.  

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Each year follows a similar schedule.  The Ice Cream Social is held on the 4th Thursday of July.  In June, there is a day set aside for making relish to sell at our Country Store.  The week before the social, one Tuesday, we wash all the containers for mixing and freezing ice cream.  On the Thursday before the social, we mix and crank pineapple-orange ice cream.  The week of the social is very busy.  Tuesday, we mix and crank vanilla ice cream.  Wednesday, we pick up and set up tables and chairs.  The day of the social is spent decorating, setting up more tables and chairs, cutting cakes and pies, making chicken salad sandwiches, and grilling so the the festivities can start at 5 pm.

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If you are interested in participating or helping in any way, follow our "Home Page" announcements, "Newsletter" page, "Calendar" page, and social media pages for up-to-date information.  If you have any questions, message us with you information on the "Contact Us" tab, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.