From Pastor David

If you have read the Daily Blessings for this past Friday, you will pick up a common thread in the here. In my devotion on our passage from 1 Timothy 6, I mentioned the phrase “keeping the main thing, the main thing.”

I think that it must be the work of the Holy Spirit that this phrase keeps wandering through not only my thoughts but also conversations I’ve had with others. Over the past couple of days, the topic has come up at least three times in conversation—with people inquiring about membership at St. John’s, during a conversation after our recent council meeting, and over lunch today with colleagues. Each time, the discussion has centered around the cross of Jesus Christ.

When designing the Worship Center, we reached the finishing details in a space that had not even been voted on yet. But these conversations are where you learn what you take for granted and what is really important. As we were talking about the organ, the color of the trim, and I believe the question was asked, “Do you need to have anything else up front?” I don’t know if it was me or someone else who then said, “You mean besides a cross?” Then someone said, ‘Do we need a cross?’ and I believe, without letting one neuron pass from one part of my brain to another, I said, somewhat firmly, ‘Yes!’ Then the conversation went in some pretty creative directions. I am pretty pleased with the result—combining our past with the central part of worship.

Now, there are many versions and styles of the cross, but as a symbol and a reminder of our faith, the cross remains central. We may have opinions on political parties, music styles, the color of the carpet, and whether we should spend our budget on this ministry or that building repair, but at the center of it all is a cross, not to be worshiped, but to remember what God in Christ Jesus has done, and continues to do for us in our baptisms. The cross stands as a central reminder of who we are and what we are to be about. This object, which once meant the end of life, became for Christians a vibrant reminder of new life each day in God’s grace, flowing from this building into the life of the world in which we worship, give, grow, and love in Jesus name.

Next Weekend—Take Heart
2 Timothy 1:1-14

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).

Book Club
The group will not meet this month due to scheduling conflicts. The book for October 27 will be The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Kaffehuset
Wednesday, October 1, 10 AM Refreshments, 10:30 AM Program, Fellowship Hall
All are welcome—young and not-so-young, members and guests. This month: Eric Mattson, Regional Director, Growing Hope Globally, will share how his early life experiences shaped his perspective of “living in the middle,” providing him with a unique blend of rural and urban, business and volunteer, and religious and academic viewpoints. He will share how he became impassioned with his work, helping build global connections to promote agricultural development.

Grief Support
Wednesday, October 1, 4-6 PM, Loft
Join Debbie Whelton and Kathleen Elder for a monthly support group (meeting the first Wednesday of each month) focused on managing the day-to-day challenges of living without your spouse. To sign up or receive additional information, contact Debbie, (309) 846-1965.

Children’s Fall Movie Night and Parents Night Out Event
Friday, October 3, 5:30-7:30 PM, Parish Life Center
Children ages two to 10 are invited to a cozy evening of fun. Come in pajamas, enjoy pizza and activities, and watch a heartwarming faith-based movie. The caring team will ensure everyone has a fantastic time! Please register your children at www.bit.ly/STJ_KidsFallMovieNight. While the event is free, donations for pizza are appreciated. While the children enjoy this event, parents are invited to enjoy fellowship together at Keg Grove. Please RSVP to Kelly Schlouch, (630) 669-4633.

St. John’s Flu Clinic
Sunday, October 19, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, Conference Room
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season by visiting the free flu clinic, hosted by the HyVee Pharmacy Department. To receive the vaccine, you will need to provide a pharmacy insurance card. If you are 65 or older, please bring your Medicare card (red, white, and blue). Three options are available: the standard flu shot, high dose for individuals 65 and older, and an egg-free option for those with egg allergy. No appointments in needed. Contact Kerri with questions.

Funeral Luncheon Coordinators
Do you have a heart for serving people in their time of need and enjoy working with others? We seek to add members to a wonderful group of funeral luncheon coordinators. For more information contact Georgia Hash, (309) 827-6121 ext.214.

Adult Studies
Saturday, 4-4:45 PM, Gathering Area
Study on the book of Luke. Contact: Debbie Whelton.
Sundays through October 19, 9:45-10:30 AM, Loft
Study on the books of Timothy. Contact: Pr. Lyn.

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

Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is studying the book of Romans, using the study guide Together by Grace—Romans by Augsburg. Contact: David Roehrig.

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. No registration is necessary to attend, but parents need to sign in their children prior to worship.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
What the Women Saw—study the lives of Mary, Martha, Mary Magdalene to learn from their faith and failures. Contact: Gloria.

Simple Living Decluttering Group
First Sunday of each month, 9:30 AM, Loft
The group will be reading Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker. Everyone is welcome. Contact: Ellen Cantrell.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John’s
Saturday, October 11, Junior High Room
• Family and Friends CPR (non-certification)—11:30 AM-1:30 PM—$65
• Heartsaver CPR/AED (workplace and community)—2-4:30 PM—$65
St. John’s members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown to register or for more information.

Guide Book & Directory
Guide Book Publishing publishes a directory for our congregation with information about ministries, committees, activities, and events plus a directory of all members. This book is provided and mailed to each member at no cost. If you have changes, additions, or deletions that have occurred in your family over the past year, please update your family’s record in Shelby or contact Georgia, (309) 827-6121, ext. 214. If you own or manage a business and would like to learn about advertising in the book, contact Georgia.

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. Contacts: Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Vicky Kramer, (309) 530-1604.

Volunteer Receptionists Needed
We are looking to increase the pool of substitutes for the reception desk team. Volunteers cover open morning and afternoon slots Monday-Thursday, answer phone calls, and assist with basic office tasks. If this is of interest to you, please contact Georgia, (309) 827-6721 ext. 214, to help.

The Big Give Collection
Drop-off: Saturday, October 4, 4-5 PM, and Sunday, October 5, 9-10:30 AM and 11:30 AM-1 PM, Morton Building
Join Home Sweet Home Ministries, Midwest Food Bank, and Thrivent Financial to collect items for Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need. Purchase any combination/number of the following box contents and bring to the drop-off: box of stuffing mix, cans of corn, cans of green beans, cans of cream of mushroom soup, box of mashed potatoes, envelope of gravy (no jars), regular pouch of french fried onions, can of cranberry sauce, box of pie crust mix, can of pumpkin pie mix, can of evaporated milk, and turkey (gift card). Visit the display in the Lobby for more information and a printed shopping list.

Global Refuge
Global Refuge, formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, works in partnership with the ELCA in welcoming refugees to the U.S. Through November, the Mission Outreach team will share information on immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, and how we can support them. Asylum seekers are those who flee their home country and seek refuge in a different country due to persecution based on race, religion, ethnicity, social group, gender, or political opinion. However, unlike refugees who apply for protection outside of the United States and then are referred to nonprofit agencies to be resettled, U.S. law requires asylum seekers to file for protection while physically in the United States or at a land border. Contact Betsy Huls, (309) 830-6450, to help with this effort or with questions. For more information, visit www.globalrefuge.org.

Journey By Faith
The Journey by Faith Debt Reduction appeal is an intentional step to lower our mortgage principal before an interest rate increase in February. Every gift given to the appeal through the end of the year will be applied directly to pay down the mortgage. Please prayerfully consider how you can participate, and visit www.bit.ly/SJLCGive or scan the QR code to give. TOTAL RECEIVED TO DATE: $397,500 from 102 donors.