From Pastor David

Like many of you, life at St. John’s is shifting gears and settling into new rhythms. This past week, we welcomed Noah’s Ark students and families back to school, and I met with eighth- and ninth-grade Confirmation students as we prepared for a year of study, growth, and celebration.

Even good changes can take time to get used to. For me, having a rhythm helps me keep the beat when life feels overwhelming. Long before I became a pastor, my parents helped establish a rhythm of faith through nightly devotions, prayer before meals, and weekly worship. Schedules changed and curveballs came, but those practices helped us grow and stay connected.

The goal is not perfect attendance or forcing our lives to conform to the church calendar—though we appreciate it when you make St. John’s a priority. What matters most is keeping the beat of faith going at home, at work, and at play. God goes with us. Whole faith for the whole family means faith for everyone, in every place and time.

Your family’s rhythm may look different from someone else’s, and that is okay. Faith is not another burden to add to the calendar. It is God’s steady gift, woven into the ordinary places where we live, love, learn, rest, and serve.

If your family has found creative ways to keep the beat of faith going, Pastor Shemiah and I would love to hear about them. Send us an e-mail, meet us for coffee, or stop by the office. Your story may encourage someone else who is searching for a faithful rhythm in this season.

We also extend a special welcome to the Rev. Kristen Schmid, who will preach this weekend. Pastor Kristen serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Transformational Communities in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod. Her position is supported by the CaSTLE Project—Community and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology—an initiative of Wartburg Theological Seminary that strengthens ministry in small-town and rural communities through a renewed focus on baptismal identity.

Although St. John’s is not part of the project’s primary demographic, we belong to a much broader community of disciples. We share a stake in helping congregations throughout our synod remain faithful, vital, and connected as we do Christ’s work together.

Next Weekend—Whole Faith, Whole Family
Matthew 20:1-16

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.

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.

Flu Shot Clinic
Sunday, September 20, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. Visit the free flu clinic hosted by the Hy-Vee 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; please check in at the Reception Desk in the Lobby.

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) AutumnFest
Saturday, October 10, 10 AM-3 PM, LOMC, Oregon, Illinois
Bring your family and friends and enjoy a day of fall fun, food, and fellowship! Pumpkin carving, cider pressing, wagon rides, and more! Lunch will be served from 11 AM–1 PM and the worship service will take place at 3 PM.

New Member Opportunity
New members will be received the weekend of October 10/11 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, October 1.

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 and cancer centers. If you or a loved one would benefit from one of these articles that are made with love and prayed over, please contact Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org. Contact Lynda Bogue, lsbogue@ilstu.edu or (309) 532-2083, for more information about the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

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 book 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.

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 contact Gabriella, gfabiano@stjblm.org.

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.

Chaos
Monday, September 14, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
All senior high students are invited to a time of learning and fellowship.

Monday Afternoon Study
Monday, September 14, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
The group will study The Gospel of John by Melissa Spoelstra, available from Amazon. Please get the book and attend September 14 to plan the study. Lesson 1 starts September 28. Contact: Gloria Jameson, ggjameson1954@gmail.com.

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

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! This group discusses how simple living and decluttering can bring us closer to God. September's topic will be How to create a simple stress-free Christmas. Contact: Ellen Cantrell, ellendeecan@gmail.com.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John's
Saturday, September 19, Junior High Room, 11 AM–3 PM— BLS Renewal (healthcare provider)—$70
3:30-5:30 PM—Heartsaver CPR/AED (workplace and community course)—$60
Tuesday, September 29, Junior High Room
10 AM–2 PM—BLS Renewal (healthcare provider)—$70
St. John's members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown, michelleabrown1985@gmail.com, to register or for more information.

Hopedale Growing Project
Help raise $4,760 to cover the cost of farmland rental in Hopedale, Illinois, where a corn crop was planted and has been tended by Hopedale Mennonite farmers all summer. Proceeds from the sale of the crop will be sent to Growing Hope Globally, who works with smallholder farmers in developing countries to grow lasting solutions to hunger. Visit the display in the Lobby to learn more! To donate, visit www.bit.ly/SJLCGive—select Global and Local Missions Fund and Hopedale Growing Project Subfund—or write a check to St. John‘s with Hopedale Growing Project in the memo line, and place it in the offering basket or drop it off to the church office. Mark your calendar for the Harvest Celebration on Sunday, September 27, 12 PM at Hopedale Mennonite Church in Hopedale, Illinois. Everyone is invited to the celebration lunch and program.

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.

Campus Ministry Meal Volunteers Needed
Mondays, October 6, 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.

Tuesday Tee Time Group Requests Transplants
Tuesday, September 15
The group 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, and they are needing volunteers to help with cleaning out sheds, laying new plywood, painting, cleaning, and helping with basic yard work and lighting. They also need new or slightly used appliances. If you would like to volunteer or have appliances to donate, please contact Mark Adams, bncommunitylandtrust@gmail.com or (309) 540-9868.

Fall Care Fair Volunteers Needed
Thursday, October 8, 11 AM–1 PM, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
The Care Fair brings our community together and connects individuals and families with local resources, services, and support. Volunteers are needed to help make the Care Fair a success. Sign up at www.bit.ly/46jvKI3.