From the Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates shawls, prayer squares, and cancer caps for church members and some community groups. These are distributed throughout the year by church members and groups to those who are homebound, ill, and cancer patients. If you have a family member or friend that you would like to give one of these items to, please contact the church office and make arrangements to pick it up. Some of our items are on display this weekend—feel free to take a shawl, cap, or prayer square.
In past years prayer shawls were provided for all graduating high school seniors, and in 2025 we gave the graduates prayer squares. Pink prayer squares have been provided for the Susan G. Komen Pray for the Cure worship service held at St. John’s in September. The creation of cancer caps started when a member asked if we could make a hat. We now provide caps, squares, and shawls to Carle Cancer Center, Illinois Cancer Center, and Mid-Illinois Hematology and Oncology.
A multi-generational group meets in the Gathering Area each month on the second Wednesday at 6:30 PM and on the third Monday at 1:30 PM. Everyone is welcome, even if you do not knit or crochet. We can teach you and have simple patterns to follow to get started. We hope to offer our creations to more people and are always looking to help with other needs.
Each meeting we bless the items made by the members with the following prayer:
Gracious and Loving God, may these shawls, caps, and prayer squares knitted and crocheted with love and many prayers, bless the one receiving it. May that person feel the comfort, healing peace, and love of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit knitted or crocheted into each stitch by a loving,
praying person. May the warmth it brings and the colors it bears soothe the body, heart, mind and soul of the wearer.
We invite you to join for fellowship and to experience the joy of creating for others.
Next Weekend—One Word, One Worship
Hebrews 11:29–12:2
Preaching: Pastor Lyn Kern
A Journey of Faith
Because of the journey of faith that this congregation began in 2020, St. John’s has expanded our capacity to serve—reaching new families, deepening our ministries, and hosting our community.
Now we continue this journey of faith together. On August 17 we will kick off Journey by Faith debt reduction appeal as an intentional step to reduce our debt before our interest rate doubles in February 2026.
With $4.9 million remaining, we invite every member to prayerfully join in as we step forward in trust and unity. Every dollar given to this journey reduces what we will owe later—and keeps our payments closer to what they are today.
Thank you to those who have already given so faithfully. Your generosity is paving the way for a smoother road ahead. For those who are still considering, please help St. John’s multiply the impact we can have on our community and beyond.
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).
One Worship Service
Sunday, August 17, 10 AM
Plan to attend this special annual event when the entire congregation will worship together. Everyone attending school in the fall is encouraged to bring their backpack for a Backpack Blessing. A boxed lunch and fun activities will follow worship. There is no cost for lunch, but you must register to have one reserved no later than end of day Sunday, August 10. There will be a freewill offering basket available. Volunteers are needed to help set up on Thursday, August 14 and to serve and clean up on Sunday. Sign up to reserve a lunch or volunteer to help at www.bit.ly/OneWorship25.
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.
Summer Family Fellowship Potluck and Playtime
Sunday, August 10, 11:30 AM-1 PM, Gathering Area/St. John’s Playground
Families with young children are invited to get to know each other better! Start with a potluck lunch (please bring a dish to share) in the Gathering Area, and following lunch, families are invited to the playground for fellowship and play. For more information, contact Meghan Frizzell, (847) 436-7512.
Back-to-School Party
Sunday, August 10, 12-2 PM, South Lawn , by the Morton Building
All incoming 6th-12th grade students are invited to the party! A light lunch will be served followed by water games, slip ‘n slide, kiddie pool kickball, and color wars! Wear a swimsuit or something that can get wet and messy. Bring a friend! There is no cost to attend. Please sign up at www.bit.ly/STJ_BTSParty.
Hospitality Team
Do you have a heart for making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for? A new Hospitality Team is being formed to serve on a rotating schedule, offering a warm presence and support during funerals, New Member Receptions, and other special events throughout the year. Contact Kerri or Georgia to learn more.
Prayer Ministry
Prayer is a vital part of faith and life at St. John’s. Requests are received for individual needs as well as for others, the world, and the church. You are invited to join a Prayer Ministry opportunity:
• Prayer Chain—receive prayer requests by e-mail and pray for them privately
• Weekly Prayer Group—meet via Teams each Thursday at 11 AM to pray together over a shared list of joys and concerns
Both groups are grounded in a commitment to confidentiality and reverence for each request. Contact Kerri to be part of one of these groups.
Farewell and Thanks to Amy Rademacher
Join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to Amy Rademacher as she concludes her time at St. John’s on August 17, after nearly six years of service in Children’s and Junior High Ministry. Amy has poured energy, creativity, and care into nurturing the faith of the children and families of St. John’s. Her leadership has built a strong foundation for the future. While Amy will be missed, we are grateful that her dedicated team of Children’s Ministry volunteers will continue to guide and support this ministry through 2025. Please pray for Amy as she steps into this next chapter and in celebrating all she has shared with St. John’s.
Saturday Study
Saturday, 4-4:45 PM, Gathering Area
All are invited to a study on Jonah during August. Staring in September the study will cover the book of Luke. Contact Debbie Whelton, (309) 846-1965 , for more information or just show up.
Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
Everyone is welcome to a study on the Sensible Shoes Series by Sharon Garlough Brown’s book 3, Barefoot, available on Amazon, led by Gloria Jameson. Contact Gloria for details and a study guide.
Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is discussing Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics. Contact: David Roehrig.
CPR Courses Offered at St. John’s
Saturday, August 23, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal—11:30 AM-2 PM (healthcare providers)—$65
• Heartsaver CPR/AED—3-5:30 PM (workplace and community)—$65
Wednesday, August 27, Junior High Room
• BLS—10 AM-1 PM (traditional course for healthcare providers)—$75
St. John’s members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown to register or for more information.
Children’s and Junior High Ministries Program Packets Available
Beginning Sunday, August 17 and throughout the school year
Children’s and Junior High Ministries Program Packets will be available at the Info Hub. Parents of children ages 3 years through 8th grade are encouraged to pick up a packet (one per family) containing details for all programs, yearly calendars, registration links, and volunteer needs. Each packet contains information for both Children’s and Junior High Ministries.
Bible Presentations and Blessings
Sunday, August 24, during the 10:30 AM worship service
All kindergarten, 3rd, and 6th grade students, or any child through 6th grade who doesn’t have a Bible, are invited to receive an age-appropriate Bible and blessing at the 10:30 AM worship service.
6th-8th Grade Thrive and Confirmation Orientation
Wednesday, August 27, Fellowship Hall
6:30-7:15 PM—Wednesday Night Information and Bible Exploration Workshop
All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and parents are asked to attend. Please bring your bible. If you haven’t received a bible, one will be given to you that evening.
7:15-8:30 PM—Confirmation Program Information Session
All 8th grade students and parents are encouraged to attend. Contact Pr. Lyn with questions.
St. John’s Quilters
Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to help make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and enjoy a time of fellowship. We also are in need of home sewers. Contact Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Vicky Kramer, (309) 530-1604.
2026 Council Nominations
Nominations for Council Members are now being accepted. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else from the congregation, please complete the application online at www.stjblm.org/council or pick up a paper copy from the Resource Counter in the Gathering Area. Completed applications should be sent to Steve BeMiller by August 17. Contact Steve, (309) 825-4962, for more information.
45+ Years of Unstoppable Love for Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
Donations are pouring in! Thank you! We especially need pens, notebooks, and toothbrushes. We also appreciate towels; please remember that LWR requests dark towels only. Pick up a shopping list from the display or visit the Amazon wish list at www.bit.ly/SJ_LWRList and have donations shipped directly to the church. Contact Vickie Robertson with questions.
Faith In Action Mum Sale
Choose 9”, 12”, or 13” mums in various colors. All mums are provided by Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses. Order by August 29 at www.bnfia.org/mums. Pick-up will be Wednesday, September 11, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM, in the south St. John’s parking lot.
At St. John’s we use a member database called ShelbyNext. The ShelbyNext Database allows you to access the St. John’s directory, view your personal giving or make a financial gift, register worship attendance, view service opportunities, and more. Access the database visiting the St. John’s website: www.stjblm.org. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Log In button. If you do not know your username, contact Shari, and you will be sent a log in link to get started. In addition to the database, you can also download the ShelbyNext Membership App to access the directory, check in to worship, give online, or check the calendar directly from your smartphone. Visit your app store and search for ShelbyNext Membership. Use the domain name stjohnsbloomington to sign in. Your username and password are the same as your log in for the ShelbyNext database on your computer. Contact Shari for login help.
Prayers and blessings
If you or a loved one will be hospitalized or undergoing outpatient care, please let us know. Contact Kerri, (309) 827-6121 ext. 223. If you or a loved one is listed and should be removed, please let Kerri know.
Hospitalized/Recovering In Need of Prayers
Barb Sny
Condolences
Jim and Monika Cavanaugh on the passing of her mother, Henny Schulz
Partners in Ministry and Healing
• The Lutheran Church of Madagascar
• Christ Lutheran Church, Quincy, Illinois
• Carle BroMenn Patient Access
• Staff and patients of OSF St. Joseph Hospital
• Agape ISU—A partnership of the Lutheran Student Movement and Judson Fellowship
Keep in Prayer
Curt Addicks, Chris Behl, Gary Brandenburg, George Childers, Andrea Choban, Nancy Clark, Marilyn Dichsen, Bryan Fischer, Cyrus Garnett, Sandy Irwin,
Bunker Kuethe, Mark Kuhn, Tom McKenna, Julie Megli, Nicholas Mueller, Amy Hurliman Parry, Joanne Scanken, Lois Skillrud, those who live in senior living communities and care facilities, and the homebound.
Prayers for Those in the Military
Dustin Ahlschwede, Benjamin Baur, Sara Coakley, Casey Grogg, Mike Heuer, David Lehr, Jason Lenz, Andrew Mueller, Jason Murphy, Richard Mutari Jr., Tyler Nelson, Zach Poehlman, Jaxon Themanson, John Allen Wagner, A.J. Wunderlin
For Our Congregation
For God's wisdom to fill our Council and Call Committee as we seek a new Associate Pastor. For the candidates who may be seeking a call; that they are filled with discernment from the Holy Spirit.
Altar Flowers
In honor of all caregivers, given by Walt and Linda Crowley