From Pastor Lyn

I want to thank all of you for your graciousness on our journey together these last years of ministry at St. John’s. YOU are beloved people of God to me, to each other, and to the greater mission in which we share.

My hope for this congregation is to continue to grow spiritually. Keep praying, attending worship, learning who God is and what God desires for you and this church. I know that God’s Holy Spirit has been leading us this far and will continue to do so as we rely on God’s faithfulness to us.

Because I am retiring, I will no longer be worshiping with you for some time. I will not be able to officiate at any worship services such as weddings or funerals. We will remain in each others’ prayers!

Most of all keep singing your praise to God. Let the music of your heart be full of joy always!

"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and even forevermore. May you hold fast to the memories we have shared, but look with great expectation to the 'new thing' God is doing among you."

Next Weekend—The Gospel According to Social Media
Matthew 10:40-42

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).

Children's Worship Bags and Pew Projects
Worship bags are available from the Gathering Area for preschool (orange bags) and elementary (blue bags) with activities to keep children engaged during worship. Please return the used bags to the bin as you leave the worship space, not the cart.  Children are also invited to take and keep a pew project sheet on top of the bag cart.

Pickleball
Thursdays through September, 9 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.

Faith On Tap Returns
Wednesdays, beginning June 24, 6:30 PM
Everyone is welcome! To be added to or removed from the e-mail list, visit www.bit.ly/SJ_FOT26. Weekly e-mails will be sent regarding food options at the week's brewery. Schedules are available from the Resource Counter.
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 Brewery and Beer Hall

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

Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
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.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, June 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, June 22, 6:30-8 PM, Back 2 School Alliance, 2031 Warehouse Rd., Normal
All senior high youth are invited to this service project. This will be the final gathering for the school year.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John's
Friday, June 26, Junior High Room
BLS Renewal (for healthcare providers)—10 AM-2 PM—$70
Heartsaver CPR/AED (workplace and community)—2:30 PM-4 PM—$60
St. John's members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown, michelleabrown1985@gmail.com, to register or for more information.

Noah’s Ark Job Opening
The Early Education Preschool at St. John’s Lutheran Church seeks a part-time Lead Teacher for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes for three-year-olds for the 2026/2027 school year. Candidates need to be Lead Teacher qualified per DCFS requirements and available 7:45 AM to 2 PM on class days. If interested, please contact Megan Thoennes, noahsark@stjblm.org, or Shari, shari@stjblm.org.

Sharing Jesus' Good News in Multi-Ethnic Contexts with Multi-Ethnic Leadership
Monday, June 22, 2 PM, via Zoom
Be bold, be brave, for the Lord your God is with you as we spread the good news of Jesus together! Led by Rev. Dr. Moses Barrios of Calvary by the Sea
Lutheran Church, Honolulu, Hawai’i, and Rev. Dr. Surekha Nelavala of the Multicultural Mission and Ministries in the Delaware-Maryland Synod, this event is open to all. To attend visit www.bit.ly/4vfVqQN (case sensitive) and use the following codes if prompted: (Meeting ID: 818 8446 7818, Passcode: 331005).

Refugee Book Discussion
Thursday, July 16, 6:30-8 PM
Refugee, a novel by Alan Gratz for middle schoolers through adults, features three young people on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. Books are available for no cost at local libraries and on the hoopla app. The intergenerational book discussion, sponsored by St. John's Mission Outreach team, will take place in-person and via Zoom. To register, visit www.bit.ly/SJ_REFUGEE, sign up at the Global Refuge table in the Gathering Area, or contact Betsy Huls, blhuls@live.com.

Zambia Pastors’ Children’s Education Fund
St. John’s has provided education funds for the families of the pastors of the ELC-Zambia for the past 14 years. These pastors are paid only $10 per month and must also do other work to support their families. They have told us that without our help, most of their children would not be able to go to school. The goal this year is to raise $12,000 for the school expenses of the 80 children of these pastors. To help reach this goal, please visit www.bit.ly/SJLCGive and choose Global and Local Missions Fund and Zambia Education Subfund.

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.

Traditional Worship Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed in the roles of ushers, greeters, and communion servers. Please consider serving in one or more areas. Training is available. Contact Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org, for more information.

Serve in our Community
Serve at Safe Harbor, Midwest Food Bank, or other local agency. Please visit www.stjblm.org/local to sign up or learn more about opportunities to give your time and talents.

Faith In Action Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, July 21, 1–2:30 PM, ARC, 600 E. Willow Street, Normal
Contact Stacey at (309) 827-7780 to learn more or fill out the volunteer interest form at www.bnfia.org/post-3988and someone will get back to you. Additional volunteers are needed to provide rides to medical appointments. There is also a need for men who would like to serve as a friendly visitor.

Tuesday Tee Time Grounds Crew
Tuesdays, 9-11 AM, Morton Building
Help beautify the church grounds with this dedicated group of volunteers. Contact Dave Lowe, (309) 824-9726 or dmlowe74@gmail.com, for more information.

Altar Flowers
Dedicating a flower is a lovely way to remember or honor a loved one. Dates for dedications may be reserved by contacting Georgia, georgia@stjblm.org or (309) 827-6121 ext. 214. Cost per dedication is $45.