From Pastor David

When I played football at Luther College, one of our team chants went like this: L-U, LU, LUTH, TH, TH, THER, LUTHER, LUTHER, LUTHER! A friend once joked
that this was the only way we football players could remember how to spell the name of our college.

I can assure you that wasn’t true. As the son, grandson, and nephew of Lutheran clergy, Luther may have been one of the first words I could spell!

This weekend, we gather at St. John’s to celebrate the Reformation. At its heart, this day is not simply about remembering Luther or looking back with nostalgia. It is about giving thanks for a God who keeps calling the church, and each of us, back to grace.

Luther did not set out to start a new church. He longed for the church he loved to be renewed by God’s Word and the saving love of Jesus Christ. That spirit is often described by the phrase "semper reformanda," meaning “always being reformed.”

The work of renewal is never finished—we know how easy it is to settle into familiar routines. We cling to what feels safe and, without meaning to, lose sight of the cross of Christ and the abundant life God gives us in baptism.

That is why I often think of faith as a living thing. We may try to anchor it to a building, worship style, or institution, but Hebrews reminds us, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith gently draws us forward, helping us trust God’s promises even when the road ahead is not yet clear.

This is especially meaningful as we surround our young people, affirming their baptisms through Confirmation this weekend. Confirmation is not graduation from faith. It is a beautiful step in a lifelong journey of learning, questioning, trusting, serving, and being held in God’s love.

Throughout our Built Different sermon series, we have been reflecting on how following Jesus shapes us for a different kind of life. We are not defined by accomplishments, status, traditions, or perfection. We are defined first by God’s grace and the promises spoken over us in baptism.

This is the real invitation of Reformation Sunday: not simply to celebrate what God did 500 years ago, but to ask what God is reforming in us today.

We are not called to be finished products. We are called to be faithful disciples, continually being made new by the grace of God.

Now that’s something worth getting fired up about!

Blessings!

Next Weekend—Built Different, The Saints Among Us
Revelation 7:9-17

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.

All Saints Weekend
October 31/November 1 at all worship services
Candles will be lit for members of the congregation who have died in the last year. Votive candles will also be available on the chapel altar for those who would like to light a candle in memory of any loved ones.

A Night of Hope—An Election Eve Gathering for Our Community
Monday, November 2, 5:30-6 PM, NCC Church, 1219 E. Grove St., Bloomington
On the evening before the election, all are invited to come together for a night of hope through music, reflection, and prayer. Whatever political perspectives, faith traditions, or spiritual journeys, we share a desire for a future rooted in dignity, compassion, justice, and peace.

Book Club
Monday, October 26, 1 PM, Gathering Area
Book Club will discuss The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel. November 30 we'll discuss Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.

Surviving the Holidays
Sunday, November 8, 1-3 PM, Loft
All are invited to a two-hour event offering grieving individuals encouragement and practical strategies for navigating the season. Please register at
www.bit.ly/SJ_Holidays26 or contact Debbie Whelton, dkwhelton@gmail.com, for more information.

McLean County Housing Coalition Community Forum
Tuesday, November 17, 5:30 PM, Worship Center
Join WGLT and the McLean County Housing Coalition for a community forum on local efforts around affordable housing. Learn what's working, what's next, and how you can help. Panelists will include Kelby Cumpston, Bloomington/Normal Community Land Trust; Jeremy Hayes, Bloomington Housing Authority; Robbie Osenga, Catalyst Construction; Luke Talavera, McLean County Regional Planning Commission; Tyler Wiggs, Habitat for Humanity–McLean County. The evening will be moderated by WGLT's Ryan Denham, WGLT.

Save the Date—Quilters' Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Sunday, January 17, 2027, 8 AM-12 PM, Fellowship Hall
Help support the Quilting Ministry to purchase materials.

Guidebook and Directory
A new directory will be printed in the new year. If you have a business you would like to advertise in the directory, please contact Georgia, georgia@stjblm.org.

Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-8 PM, West Parking Lot
Children of all ages are invited to dress in costume and trick-or-treat from decorated trunks! Want to decorate your trunk? Sign up at www.bit.ly/SJ_Treat26.

Weekend Adult Studies
Saturdays, 3:50-4:35 PM, Gathering Area
Sundays, 9:45 AM, Loft
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.

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 sign up at www.bit.ly/JZ_Volunteer.

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.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, October 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.

Chaos
Monday, November 9, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
All senior high students are invited to a time of learning and fellowship.

Faith and Life Bible Study
Second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
Join Pastor David for The Countercultural Way of Jesus.

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
Share ideas and discuss downsizing in order to live a fuller life... with less. ALL are welcome!  Contact: Ellen Cantrell, ellendeecan@gmail.com.

Carrie Newcomer Concert
Saturday, November 14, 7 PM, Westbrook Auditorium, Illinois Wesleyan University
Folk singer and community building educator, Carrie Newcomer, will present a free concert, sponsored by Illinois Wesleyan University Center for Inquiry and Civil Discourse and the Bloomington/Normal chapter of Not In Our Town.

Lutheran World Relief Ingathering
Saturday, October 31, 9 AM-2 PM
Sign up to help unload and load boxes visit www.bit.ly/SJ_LWR26. So many people make LWR a success—volunteers who open thousands of packages, host visitors, bundle pens and pencils, roll personal care kits, hand-sew ALL the backpacks, pack trucks, visit with travelers, and so much more! And thank you to Thrive students, volunteers, and Abigail Circle for packing more than 1,000 kits!

Campus Ministry Meal Volunteers Needed
Mondays, 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.

Greeting Cards and Calendar Collection
Christmas, birthday, and get well cards are being collected and will be shared with the women at the Logan Correctional Center. The women appreciate being able to stay in contact with loved ones. Also, 2027 calendars are also being collected for the Midwest Food Bank. Please leave donations in the donation center in the Fellowship Hall (west) entrance. Contact Jane Frieden, (309) 831-6156, with questions.

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.

Recycling Furniture for Families
This organization that helps people get needed resources of furniture and household items is in need of help. Volunteers are needed in the warehouse to sort, repair, and clean donations, pick up and deliver donations, and clean the office. Contact Jamie, receptionist@rf4f.org, for more information or to sign up.

It's the Most Wine-derful Time of Year
Sunday, November 1, 2 PM, Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Mackinaw
Lutheran Women of Greater Peoria present a wine tasting for adults. Taste award-winning wines matched with samples of foods. Door prizes, crafts, games, raffle, and piano music. Tickets are $35 per person. Deadline for reservations is Monday, October 26. Contact Pepper, pepperbauer@att.net, for tickets.