From Pastor David

This weekend, we gather with grateful hearts for Welcome Home weekend at St. John’s Lutheran. Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, remember God’s faithfulness, and celebrate the many ways he continues to work through our congregation. Whether you have been part of St. John’s for many years or are just beginning to call this church home, this is a weekend to give thanks for the family of faith God has built among us.

During worship this weekend, we will also celebrate 50 years of Noah’s Ark Preschool. For five decades, this ministry has welcomed children and families with care, learning, and the love of Jesus. We give thanks for the teachers, staff, families, congregation members, and children who have been part of this God-given legacy. What a joy to celebrate the seeds of faith, kindness, and community that have been planted through Noah’s Ark Preschool across the years.

We also continue our sermon series, Built Different, along with a small group study that will help us grow deeper together. This series will invite us to consider how God is shaping us as his people and how we can live faithfully in our homes, workplaces, congregation, and community. There is no one right way to use this study; let me say this again, there is no one right way to use this study. It is a tool to use that you can start at any time, with any group, even a group of two, and use as much or as little of these resources as you wish. Visit www.bit.ly/SJ_BuiltDifferent to download this resource. If you would like to join a small group, start a group, or have questions about small groups, please contact Marvin, marvin@stjblm.org. The key here is continuing the conversation from Sunday into the week.   

Looking ahead, there are several meaningful ways to take part in the life and mission of St. John’s. Next weekend we look forward to welcoming new members into our congregation and celebrating the gifts we share together. We will also be collecting donations for The Big Give, a wonderful opportunity to bless others through generosity, as we help share in providing a Thanksgiving meal for our neighbors and families as we enter a season of gratitude.

As we move through this program year, our focus is Whole Faith, Whole Families: Faith for Everyone. This reminds us that faith is not just for one age, one stage, or one setting, but for every person and every household. Together, we want to encourage faith that is lived out in worship, at home, in relationships, and throughout daily life.

Next Weekend—Built Different, Unexpected Guests
Matthew 22:1-14

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). Worship bags are available from the Gathering Area for preschool (orange bags) and elementary (blue bags). Please return the used bags to the bin as you leave the worship space.

Kaffehuset
Wednesday, October 7, 10 AM Refreshments, 10:30 AM Program, Fellowship Hall
Kaffehuset meets the first Wednesday of the month and presents a variety of programs about St. John’s and the central Illinois community. All are welcome—young and not-so-young, members and guests. This month: Young at Heartland, the Heartland Theatre’s senior acting troupe, is bringing its newest on-the-road show for your entertainment. The troupe members are diving into new scenes that will bring a chuckle or laugh to your day.

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) AutumnFest
Saturday, October 10, 10 AM-3 PM, LOMC, Oregon, Illinois
Bring your family and friends and enjoy a day of fall fun, food, and fellowship! Pumpkin carving, cider pressing, wagon rides, and more! Lunch will be served from 11 AM–1 PM and the worship service will take place at 3 PM.

Membership Information
If you have changes, additions, or deletions that have occurred in your family over the past year, please update your family's record in the ShelbyNext app or website or contact Georgia, georgia@stjblm.org. A new directory will be printed and mailed in the new year.

Organ Recital
Sunday, October 11, 3 PM
St. John's organist Walter Stout will present music by J. S. Bach, Cesar Franck, William Albright, Gerre Hancock, and others. Guest artists include Dr. Julie Clemens, Illinois Central College, and John Austin, sophomore organ student.

Faith on Tap Oktoberfest at Lil Beaver Brewery
Wednesday, October 21, 6:30-8 PM
Everyone is invited, even if you weren't able to come to Faith on Tap this summer! Come early to sample from their Oktoberfest menu! The brewery is open until 9 PM and people are welcome to stay until they close. If the weather is nice, we will be outside, but the barrel room is reserved in case of inclement weather.

Trunk or Treat Volunteers
Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-8 PM, West Parking Lot
Individuals, families, and groups are invited to decorate a vehicle/trunk and hand out candy to children. A theme and costumes are encouraged! Please sign up at www.bit.ly/SJ_Treat26. Contact Pastor Shemiah, scurry@stjblm.org, with questions.

Meet the Congregational Council Candidates
Sunday, October 11, 9:30 AM, Chapel
Everyone is invited to meet the three Council candidates running for election—Emily Duffield, Jim Dumouchel, and Brian Lapping. The election will take place at the rolling Congregation Meeting on October 17 and 18 following all worship services. All voting members are encouraged to attend to cast three votes for three open council spots.

Built Different—The Countercultural Way of Jesus
Throughout this series, we will explore how the gospel changes the way we understand ourselves, relate to others, use what God has entrusted to us, and respond to the world around us. Dig deeper into this series through small group study and discussion—come to one of the weekend studies, review the discussion infromation with your family, or join a small group by contacting Marvin, marvin@stjblm.org. The small group resource can be found at www.bit.ly/SJ_BuiltDifferent.

Weekend Adult Studies
Saturdays, 4-4:45 PM, Gathering Area
Sundays, beginning September 27, 9:45 AM, Loft

JoyZone Children’s Ministries
Sundays, during the 10:30 AM Worship Service
Children ages 3 years through 5th grade are invited to the Children’s Wing after the Children’s Sermon. Parents, please sign in your children prior to worship in the Children's Wing. Volunteers are needed to assist the Leadership Team. Please contact Gabriella, gfabiano@stjblm.org.

Thrive Junior High Program
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM, Junior High Room
All junior high students are invited to a time of learning with Pastor Shemiah, followed by snacks and fellowship.

Chaos
Monday, October 12, 7-8 PM, Senior High Room
All senior high students are invited to a time of learning and fellowship.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, October 12, 19, and 26, November 2 and 30, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
The group will study The Gospel of John by Melissa Spoelstra, available from Amazon. Everyone is invited! Contact: Gloria Jameson, ggjameson1954@gmail.com.

Faith and Life Bible Study
Second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
Join Pastor David for a study on Esther.

Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
All men are welcome to a study on The Big Relief by David Zahl. Contact David Roehrig, xusaf1@gmail.com, for information.

Simple Living/Declutter Group
First Sunday of each month, 9:30 AM, Library
The group helps each other with ideas and discusses downsizing in order to live a fuller life... with less. ALL are welcome!  Contact: Ellen Cantrell, ellendeecan@gmail.com.

St. John’s Quilters
Tuesdays, 9-11:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to help make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Contact Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Sue Stombaugh, (309) 825-7553, with questions.

Campus Ministry Meal Volunteers Needed
Mondays, October 6, November 2, and December 7
Agape House (campus ministry) hosts weekly student dinners. Agape House plans and shops, and volunteers prepare the food. Sign up at www.bit.ly/SJ_Agape26. Contact Marvin, marvin@stjblm.org, for more information.

Lutheran World Relief Ingathering
Saturday, October 31, 9 AM-2 PM
Bring your whole crew out to help—serve and visit with people during breakfast and lunch, take forms, and pack the trucks, clean up, or bring donuts for the outside crew. This is a fun, fulfilling day for everyone! We only ask that very young children not be around the trucks and moving boxes, but they are
welcome in the meal area! Visit www.bit.ly/SJ_LWR26 to sign up today! Contact Vickie Robertson, jbev.robertson@gmail.com, with questions.

Red Cross Blood Drive at St. John's
Saturday, October 17, 8 AM–12 PM, Fellowship Hall
The need for blood is constant, and every contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. Visit www.bit.ly/redcross26 to sign up. All presenting donors will receive a $15 e-gift card as a thank-you for taking the time to donate. Contact Lynn Carpenter, (309) 830-2588, with questions or to donate food.