From Pastor Lyn

“Why did the girl throw the clock out the window?”

“She wanted to see time fly!”

Time certainly does seem to go by quickly… most days!

As the early church continued to grow in the generation after Christ’s resurrection, many Gentiles (Greeks) were being added to their numbers. Greeks had a two-fold concept of time. Chronos was an understanding of time related to tasks, lists, days, and dates. Cairos was an understanding of time that captured the big picture from a large universal view of life and the world. The long stretch—the overarching view of time that God sees, but that is hard for us humans to imagine…let alone focus on in our Chronos-led lives.

But for me, the time has come when God is calling me to just “be”… to take a view of life in a bigger and slower picture. To rest in God’s love with my husband, family, and friends.

With that said, I will be retiring from my call here at St. John’s on June 30.

It is such a joy to look back at all the amazing ways God has blessed us together on this journey of faith. Your graciousness and affirmation have taken us through five years with me as your Interim Deacon to Pastoral Intern and finally to Associate Pastor. Through
it all, God’s faithfulness through you has been a shining beacon in our life together.

There are many congregations in our area without pastors, so I have been filling in wherever needed. I hope to continue helping these churches in retirement.

Thank you seems so inadequate to say. I am grateful—to the staff, to each of you, and to God for this time to be in ministry together. May God bless you richly as you continue to share Christ’s light to each other and the world!

Next Weekend—The Power of Promise
Acts 2:1-21
Please wear red for Pentecost!

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).

Pentecost Weekend
Pentecost is not only about the birth of the church, but also about many languages coming together in one place to praise God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Next weekend, we will be invited to pray The Lord’s Prayer simultaneously in five different languages. In preparation for this unique worship experience, we ask that you choose a new or familiar language from last weekend's bulletin insert. Additional copies are available on the tables outside worship.

Graduation Blessings
All 2026 graduates are invited to receive a blessing at worship services on May 30 and 31. If you would like for your graduate (high school through doctoral and other terminal degrees) to be recognized and receive a blessing, please register at www.bit.ly/SJ_GRAD2026.

Children's Bags Update
Next weekend you will see improved worship bags for preschool- and elementary-aged children! Bags will be available for pick-up from the Gathering Area with separate carts for preschool (orange bags) and elementary (blue bags). Bags contain age-appropriate activities to help keep young St. John's members and friends engaged during worship.

St. John’s Book Club
Monday, May 18, 1 PM, Fellowship Hall
Book Club will discuss The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. The June selection is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawson. New readers are welcome!

Bloomington/Normal Housing Coalition Care Fair Volunteers
Thursday, May 21, Eastview Community Center, next to The Bridge
St. John’s participates in this coalition that is sponsoring this fair for neighbors experiencing homelessness. The coalition needs volunteers to guide participants, serve a meal, and help set up/take down. Clients attending will have the opportunity to get a warm shower or haircut, enjoy a meal, visit with agencies who provide services, pick up essentials, and receive a care package. For more information contact Shari, shari@stjblm.org, or visit www.bit.ly/BNHC_CareFair.

New Member Opportunity
New members will be received the weekend of June 6/7 at all worship services. If you're interested in learning more about the membership process at St. John's, please contact Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org. To be included in the next membership group, please let Kerri know by Thursday, May 21.

Faith On Tap Returns
Wednesdays, beginning June 24, 6:30 PM
Watch for t-shirt orders coming soon!
June 24—Lil Beaver
July 1—Casper
July 8—Analytical
July 15—White Oak
July 22—Fiala Brothers
July 29—Keg Grove
August 5—Destihl Brewhouse

Weekend Adult Study
Saturdays, 4-4:45 PM, Gathering Area
Choosing Forgiveness—everyone is invited! Contact Debbie Whelton,
dkwhelton@gmail.com for information.

Sundays, 9:45 AM, Loft
God’s Unbreakable Promises—a study of the promises God.

JoyZone Children’s Ministries
Sundays, during 10:30 AM worship; final day for the school year is May 17
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.

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

Thrive Junior High Program
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM, Junior High Room, final day for the school year is May 20
All junior high students are invited to a time of learning with Pastor Shemiah, followed by snacks and fellowship.

Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is discussing Daniel by J.D. Greear. Contact David Roehrig, xusaf1@gmail.com, for information.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, May 18; June 1, 15, and 29; and July 13, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
The group will study The Daniel Prayer: The Prayer That Moves Heaven and Changes Nations by Ann Graham Lotz. All are welcome to join.

Senior High Gatherings
Monday, May 18, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
Monday, June 22, 6:30-8 PM, Location TBD
Monday, July 20, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
Monday, August 17, 6:30-8 PM, Location TBD
All senior high youth are invited to these gatherings.

St. John’s Quilters
Tuesdays, 9-11:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to help make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and enjoy a time of fellowship. Please note the earlier time. Contact Marsha Johnson,
(309) 299-9338, or Sue Stombaugh, (309) 825-7553, for more information.

Worship Technology Team Orientation Sessions
Wednesday, May 20, 6 PM (Streaming System)
Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 PM (Streaming System)
Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 PM (Sound System)
Be part of the team that supports worship through livestreaming and sound. New volunteers are required to participate in one or more training sessions,
before they are scheduled to serve for a worship service. Please sign up for as many training sessions as you'd like at www.bit.ly/SJ_Tech26. Contact Marvin, marvin@stjblm.org, to learn more about the Tech Team.

Red Cross Blood Drive at St. John's
Saturday, May 30, 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 Red Cross beach towel as a thank-you for taking the time to donate. Contact Lynn Carpenter, (309) 830-2588, with questions or to donate food.

World Refugee Day
Observed annually on June 20, this day is an international United Nations designated day to honor the strength, courage, and resilience of more than 123 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. St. John's Mission Outreach team will have a display on June 13/14, featuring missions partner Global Refuge and the book Refugee by Alan Gratz. An intergenerational in-person and Zoom book discussion will take place on Thursday, July 16, from 6:30-8 PM. A limited number of books and graphic novels will be available at the display, courtesy of a Thrivent Action Team grant.

Madagascar—Did You Know?
Rainforest Falls is coming this summer!  The VBS offering will go to the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar.  Of the approximately 200,000 species of animals found on Madagascar, around 150,000 are found nowhere else. There are more than 100 species of lemurs on the island of Madagascar, and 90% of its wildlife is native to the island. There are no lions, giraffes, or hippos in Madagascar, despite what is sometimes portrayed!  Despite Madagascar’s wealth of biodiversity, 90% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.   

VBS Help Behind-the-Scenes
Decoration Donations—Donate or lend items to transform the church into a rain forest. Please put your name on items to have them returned. Needed items: silk ferns, vines, or greenery; large stuffed snakes, lizards, lemurs, tropical birds, frogs, or monkeys; large silk/plastic tropical flowers. Please drop off items to the Lobby by May 24.

Take-home Projects—Visit the Lobby for take-home project packets. Supplies and instructions are included in the packets to make paper chain vines and palm tree leaves. Please pick up as many projects as you can complete. Finished projects should be returned to the Lobby by May 24.