From Pastor David

Last Sunday, during ONE Worship, you reminded me what the church is at its best. Even without electricity, with branches and downed trees all around, water in the mechanical rooms, and wet carpet in more places than I can name, you came to worship and to praise God. Your presence was a gift, and it surprised me just a little.

Embraced by the quilts made for Lutheran World Relief, with light shining in from the east and people of all ages and backgrounds gathered, we shared our unique gifts. Backpacks were blessed, Pastor Shemiah’s message was timely and a blessing to so many, and the meal of God’s grace was shared in abundance. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. As I wandered around the Gathering Area afterward, while we shared our box lunches, there was a spirit of wholeness, mercy, and hope even among those who had wet basements or trees down in or on their homes! It reminds me again of why we do what we do; why we gather to hear the Word, to share in the sacraments, to live into our values of Worship, Give, Grow, and Love! Turns out the power came on at 12:58 that afternoon, but with the power of the Holy Spirit, we didn’t miss it much, though I may have longed for the gentle breeze of air conditioning at several points of the morning!

As I have driven around and seen photos on social media, I have seen you out in the world doing what you can for your families and for your neighbors. While storm damage is never any fun, I was reminded, over and over again, that the things that truly matter were not damaged but rather multiplied. Tuesday, St. John’s was abuzz with activity, saws, and rakes… branches galore being piled up, and St. John’s doesn’t look any worse for the wear. We have several items that will need professional attention, but that is in motion. There will be several expenses as we discover the extent of damage to our HVAC systems and the like, but we are blessed to be in a strong position—spiritually, financially, and physically. All reasons to give thanks even in the midst of the storm!

Now we can turn our attention to what is next. JoyZone, Thrive, Chaos, and countless other ministries are gearing up for the fall, and we can’t wait to see where God continues to lead us as we Engage and Equip People to Embrace Jesus Christ.

Next Weekend—Whole Faith, Whole Family
Matthew 16:21-28

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. Children are also invited to take and keep a pew project sheet on top of the bag cart.

Bible Blessing
This weekend at all worship services children entering Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th grade will receive a Bible and receive a special blessing. If you have a child entering these grade levels, please encourage their participation.

Pickleball
Thursdays through September, 8 AM*, Rollingbrook Park, Bloomington
Everyone is invited to play pickleball with other members and friends of St. John's including those wanting to learn to play! For more information, please contact Chris Magnuson, cmagnuson26@yahoo.com, for information.

St. John’s Book Club
Monday, August 31, 1 PM, Gathering Area
Book Club will discuss By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. September 28 we'll discuss And Then We Hit a Rock by Greg Buenzli.

2027 Congregation 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 Joel Murphy by August 15. Contact Joel, joelamurphy@gmail.com (217) 653-1358, for more information. Elections will be during the congregational business meeting on October 17 and 18.

Flu Shot Clinic
Sunday, September 20, 9:30-12:30 PM, Office Wing, check in at Reception Desk
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. Visit the free flu clinic hosted by the HyVee Pharmacy. To receive the vaccine, you will need to provide a pharmacy insurance card. If you are 65 or older, bring your Medicare card (red, white, and blue). Shots available: standard flu shot, a high-dose option for individuals 65 and older, an egg-free option for those with an egg allergy, and the updated Pfizer COVID vaccine (added this year). No appointment needed.

Prayer Chain
You are invited to join the Prayer Chain and pray for members of St. John's family and community when there is a need. Prayer requests are sent to Prayer Chain members by e-mail, to support the church family during times of need, celebration, or concern. If you want to be part of this prayer ministry, please contact Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org.

Noah's Ark Preschool 50th Birthday Party
Sunday, October 4, 11:30-1:30, Parish Life Center
Everyone is invited to help celebrate the Preschool with pizza and cake, book walk, crafts, games, and more! The preschool is asking for donations of gently-used children's books for the cake walk prizes. Please drop-off donations to the Noah's Ark office during school hours.

Saturday Adult Study
Saturdays, 4-4:45 PM, Gathering Area
Everyone is invited to a study on the book of 1 Samuel. For more information, contact Debbie Whelton, dkwhelton@gmail.com.

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
ALL are welcome! The group is discussing Uncluttered Faith by Joshua
Becker and helping each other with decluttering tips. Contact Ellen Cantrell, ellendeecan@gmail.com, for more information.

2026 Central/Southern Illinois Synod Days
Northeast Conference—Saturday, September 12, 10 AM-3 PM, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 210 North Deerfield Road, Pontiac
For the Work of Ministry—Living out our Baptismal Calling—This is a day of worship, learning, fellowship, and relationship-building for all generations in each of the six conferences of our synod. Learn more and register at www.csis-elca.org/synoddays26. Registration closes August 24.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays starting September 14, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
The group will study TheGospel of John by Melissa Spoelstra, available from Amazon. Please get the book and attend September 14 to catch up and plan the study. We will start Lesson 1 on September 28. Each session includes a video; buying the book gives you access to the video at home. Invite a friend! Contact Gloria, ggjameson1954@gmail.com, with questions.

Lutheran World Relief
Stop by the display in the Lobby to see a poster showing where donations went in 2025. Currently, we have a need for notebooks (each backpack contains four), soap, and pencil sharpeners. You can also shop online at www.bit.ly/SJ_LWRList and have items shipped directly to the church. Towels, crayons, and notebooks are especially needed at this time. For more details, please contact Vickie Robertson, jbev.robertson@gmail.com.

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. Those who would like to sew at home are welcome to be part of this group. Please contact Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Sue Stombaugh, (309) 825-7553, for more information.

Campus Ministry Meal Volunteers Needed
Mondays, September 7, October 6, November 2, and December 7
Agape House (campus outreach of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod and Judson Fellowship) hosts weekly dinners open to students. Agape House plans and shops, and volunteers prepare the food. Please sign up to help at www.bit.ly/SJ_Agape26. Contact Marvin, marvin@stjblm.org, for more information.

Midwest Food Bank Work Day
Tuesday, September 8, 6–8 PM
Midwest Food Bank strives to alleviate hunger and poverty by gathering and distributing food donations to not-for-profits and disaster sites without cost to the recipients. Visit www.bit.ly/SJ_MWFB to sign up through their volunteer portal, Golden. New volunteers need to fill out a disclaimer form prior to serving. If you do not see the date listed that you wish to serve, please contact Steve Pruett, stevepruett829@gmail.com.

Tuesday Tee Time Group Requests Transplants
Tuesday, September 15
The group will be sprucing up the landscape areas around the church on this morning and requests your plantings of sedum or Solomon's Seal. If you will be thinning any of these plants from your yard, please consider donating them to the church. Plants can be delivered to the church garage by 9 AM.

Bloomington Normal Community Land Trust House Renovation
Work Day—Saturday, September 19, anytime from 9 AM-3:30 PM, 1309 Eastholme Ave., Bloomington
The Land Trust has purchased their first home! Over the next six to eight weeks they will be looking for volunteers to help complete minor maintenance—clean out sheds, lay new plywood, paint, clean, and help with basic yard work and lighting. They also need new or slightly used appliances for the home. If you would like to volunteer or have appliances to donate, please contact Mark Adams, bncommunitylandtrust@gmail.com or (309) 540-9868.