From Pastor David

8,325 miles. That is how far it is from Bloomington/Normal to Lusaka, Zambia. The average flight takes well over 33 hours each way, and an economy ticket costs nearly $4,000. The good news is you get two free checked bags!

Now, I don’t think any of us will be “popping” over any time soon, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be a blessing to people nearly halfway around the world. We at St. John’s have been connecting with the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Zambia (ELC-Za) for years, offering a small but vital gift to enable ministry in a setting far different from ours. Covering school fees and enabling education is a noble and thoughtful gift. But this year, we are expanding the scope of our gift to allow more flexibility in the face of an ongoing drought in this part of the world. Over the next few weeks, we will learn more about this effort and be encouraged to share our gifts to bless our neighbors—our brothers and sisters in Christ in Zambia.

Partners in ministry enable us to extend and multiply our efforts to share the love of God here in our community and all over the world. While our Zambia focus is once a year, there are many other partnerships to keep in mind that are at work year-round, meeting emergent and ongoing needs. One of them is Luther World Relief (LWR). Most Tuesdays at 9:30 AM, St. John's quilters gather in the Fellowship Hall and produce quilts that will be sent by LWR to help meet the needs of our neighbors who have had their lives turned upside down. Recently, I have heard that we have set up more tables for more quilters, which is fantastic!   

One of LWR's blessings is that it is present long after the headlines fade, bringing hope and God’s love over the long haul. If you’d like to learn more about LWR's ongoing work in Ukraine and Türkiye, bringing clean, drinkable water and health care to those still in crisis, visit www.lwr.org/frontlines.

Where do you hear God’s call to serve, help, and share in Jesus' name? No, you don’t need to travel halfway across the world; you can do it right in your own neighborhood and through the partnerships we as the church have that make a difference every single day. Keep these ministries in your prayers, and open your lives to where God might use you to bless others in Jesus' name.

Next Weekend
Life Stories, Inclusion—Acts 10:44-48

Regular Worship Times
Saturdays, 5 PM  /  Sundays, 8:30 and 10:30 AM
All worship services are also live-streamed on our Facebook page and YouTube channel (click on the LIVE tab for the latest videos).

Save the Date—Council Quarterly Forum
Sunday, May 19, 9:30 AM, Chapel
Council members will be on hand to ask questions.

Pickleball at St. John‘s
Thursday mornings, 9 AM, Parish Life Center
Interested in playing Pickleball? All skills levels are welcome. Please contact Chris Magnuson, (309) 826-1619, for more information.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John's
Tuesday, April 30, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal 10:30 AM–1PM (for healthcare providers)—$65
• BLS Renewal 2–5 PM (traditional course)—$65

St. John's members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown to register or for more information.

St. John's Book Club
Monday, April 29, 1–2:30 PM, Room 179
The group will discuss The Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini. The book for May will be Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Claire Pooley.

Kaffehuset
Wednesday, May 1, 10 AM Refreshments*, Fellowship Hall
All are welcome—young and not-so-young, members and guests. This month Sherri Lewis (Director), Megan Thoennes and Anya Mekuria (Teachers), Noah’s Ark Early Learning Preschool and Noah’s Ark children, will share the history of the preschool. How many years has Noah’s Ark been helping preschoolers learn? How many classrooms and number of children have they served? These and other questions will be answered, along with a few surprises! *The program will begin promptly at 10:15 AM due to the children’s 10:50 AM dismissal time. Sherri will remain to share more information and answer questions.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
If you like to knit or crochet, come to a Prayer Shawl gathering. Enjoy a time of fellowship while creating prayer shawls, prayer squares or chemo caps for St. John's members, cancer centers, etc. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Lynda Bogue, (309) 532-2083.

Weekend Adult Studies
Saturdays, 4:05-4:55 PM, Gathering Area—discuss the weekly scripture lessons
Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:30 AM

Lectionary Study, Loft—discuss the weekly scripture lessons
Video Study, Conference Room—Trite, Not True. Much of what passes as wisdom today has the ring of biblical truth. How do you tell the difference?
Jarrett Stephens tackles these statements in this series. Discover how to decipher superficial insights from the real truth of God’s Word, as well as how to apply biblical wisdom to everyday life.

JoyZone Sunday Morning Children's Program
Sunday mornings, returning April 7, during 10:30 AM worship
Age-appropriate lessons, activities, games, and crafts in the Children's Wing.

Faith in Life Adult Bible Study
Wednesdays (except the first of the month), 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
All are invited to this study on the Gospel of Mark.

Thrive Junior High
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM, Fellowship Hall
Large- and small-group ministry offering learning, fellowship, and service evenings.

Chaos Senior High
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
Youth are welcome to a large-group gathering for fellowship, service, and prayer.

Friday Morning Men's Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is studying a new book in the Augsburg Adult Bible study series titled Examining Our Faith. Contact David Roehrig or Kerri for more information.

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) Opportunity
Sunday, July 14–Friday, July 19
All students entering 6th–12th grade this fall are invited to attend LOMC this summer for hiking, swimming, canoeing, games, crafts, bonfires, daily Bible study and devotions, and fun in the beautiful Rock River Valley! Cost to participants is just $50; the remaining $450 is provided through the Garage Sale proceeds! Transportation and a St. John's chaperone provided. Contact Amy for more information. Register at www.bit.ly/SJ_LOMC24.

JoyZone Volunteers Needed
Volunteers for JoyZone are needed. Students 6th-12th grade and adults are encouraged to help with this ministry—once a month, every week, or as often as you’d like! Please contact Amy for more information.

Quilters
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
Help make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and local charities. Donations of cotton fabric and flat sheets, new or gently used, are needed. New people are welcome on Tuesdays in addition to fellow quilters and sewers who prefer to work from home. Contact Lori Syring, (815) 641-7159 or Vicky Kramer, (309) 530-1604, for more information.

Faith In Action Volunteer Orientations
Tuesday, May 7, 1–2:30 PM, ARC Center, 600 East Willow Street, Normal
Contact Stacey, (309) 827-7780, to learn more or fill out the volunteer interest form at www.bnfia.org/post-3988 and someone will follow up with you.

Carle BroMenn Compassion Cupboard Service Event
Thursday, May 9, 12 PM-5 PM Drop-off
Carle BroMenn provides basic food and resource information for those in need in addition to the Compassion Closet (which provides clothing). Items such as tuna/chicken packages, protein bars and drinks, granola bars, jerky sticks, peanut butter, are sought. Cans with pull tab tops and items that are easily transported are appreciated. Donations can be taken to the hospital's Conference Center entrance, by parking Lot E, during drop-off hours.