From Pastor Lyn

From Pastor Lyn

When I was a young teen, I prayed with all my fourteen-year-old zeal for God to send me a boyfriend… because of course everyone else had a boyfriend!

This was in the time before good weed-resistant seeds had been developed. Farmers would employ local teens from different towns to “walk” their bean fields. I was one of about 20 teens whose job was to literally walk through rows of bean fields to pull weeds—and occasionally use a sickle to chop out errant corn stalks.

As I walked, I prayed to God, asking for a sign of assurance that my prayers for a boyfriend were going to be answered. “God, if I come across three stalks of corn before I finish walking this row, that will be a sign that the next boy that talks to me is THE ONE boyfriend meant for me!”

Sure enough, I encountered three stalks of corn to be cut down by the end of the row. Exactly three!

My teenage heart started thumping as I left the row to get a drink. On the back of the farmer’s pickup truck was a big cooler with lemonade for our breaks. I could see a young man with his back to me pouring his lemonade. No one else was in line. I approached gleefully, thinking that my prayers were about to be answered. As I got closer, the young man turned around and offered me some lemonade, saying “hey, how are you doing?” I gasped as I took in his very acne-laden face, shiny metal smile, and gangly stature that was all arms and legs. I took the lemonade but couldn’t choke out a word. I quickly returned to my next row of beans. “God, I said, “you know I didn’t mean today, right?”

In today’s scripture lesson, we hear Jesus’ disciples asking for signs. “When?” they ask Jesus, will these terrible events occur? And Jesus doesn’t answer them directly because maybe like a young girl in a bean field, they were putting limits on God’s activity in the world!

Have you ever asked God “when?” or “how long?” If you’re human, I’m sure you have at some point or will sometime in the future.

When we think of salvation, often we think of it as a one-time-and-done-event. Jesus died on the cross and we were saved, right? But scriptures today talk about the signs of the times of a definitive “when?” but as an ongoing, process of God’s reign coming to us. Through living in Christ—together—we suffer pain and new life. And we don’t put our trust in signs, institutions, buildings, or rulers—we experience salvation each moment—in relationship with Christ and each other.

Next Weekend
Together In Christ—John 18:33-37

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).

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 24, 4-5 PM, YMCA, 202 St. Joseph Drive, Bloomington
All are invited for a service around what unites us, focusing on community. An ASL interpreter will be present. Pie will be provided following the service. A freewill offering will be collected for American Red Cross hurricane relief.

St. John's Book Club
Monday, November 18*, 1 PM, Gathering Area
The group will discuss Morning In This Broken World by Katrina Kittle. *Please note this is one week earlier than usual.

GriefShare Surviving the Holidays
Sunday, November 24, 1-3 PM, Loft
Emotions that may arise in the days ahead can blindside you. Surviving the Holidays will guide you through this holiday season. Find support to navigate the holidays in a healthy way. Register at www.griefshare.org/events/247867.

Church Decorating for Advent
Monday, November 25, 9 AM-2 PM
Many hands are needed to help prepare the building for Advent and Christmas! Contact Shari, if you can help or just show up.

Nativity Display
Saturday, December 7, through Sunday, December 15, Chapel
St. John’s member Mary McCallister will share her collection of more than 75 nativities from around the world  before and after weekend and midweek worship services. A “Search and Find” activity sheet is available to submit for a chance to win a nativity scene giveaway from Bob and Mary McCallister.

Coming January 2025, First Wednesday of the Month, 4-6 PM, Loft
Join Debbie Whelton and Kathleen Elder for a monthly support group focused on managing the day-to-day challenges of living without your spouse. To sign up or for more information, contact Debbie, (309) 846-1965.

Weekend Adult Studies
Saturdays, 4:05-4:55 PM, Gathering Area—discuss weekly scripture lessons
Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:30 AM
Lectionary Study, Loft—discuss the weekly scripture lessons
Video Study, Conference Room—Lost Cause by Dave Ferguson—sharing the gospel can be awkward; learn how to share the message of good news in this five-part video series.

JoyZone Children’s Ministries
Sundays, during the 10:30 AM worship service
Children ages 3 years through 5th grade begin in worship sitting with their family and are invited to the Children's Wing following the Children's Sermon for age-approriate large- and small-group learning. Children may be picked up after worship from the Children's Wing. JoyZone will not meet Sunday, December 1; pew projects will be available for children.

Monday Afternoon Study
Mondays, 2:30-3:30 PM, Loft
Everyone is welcome to this study, led by Gloria Jameson. Contact Gloria with questions.

Faith and Life Bible Study
Second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
Join Pastor Lyn exploring the book of Ephesians using a study by N.T. Wright. This study hopes to encourage and strengthen Christians for the new tasks that lie ahead. All are welcome to attend. Note: the Fellowship Hall entrance will be closed Wednesday, November 20. Please enter through the main north entrance.

Friday Morning Men’s Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is discussing Adam Hamilton's, The Lord's Prayer. All men are welcome to be part of the conversation. Contact David Roehrig for more information.

Faith and Life Bible Study
Second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
Join Pastor Lyn exploring the book of Ephesians using a study by N.T. Wright. This study hopes to encourage and strengthen Christians for the new tasks that lie ahead. All are welcome to attend. Please bring a Bible.

Thrive Junior High Program
Wednesdays, 6:15-8:15 PM, Parish Life Center
Students will participate in youth worship, small-group Bible lessons and large-group fellowship and service opportunities. Register at www.bit.ly/Thrive_24.

Senior High Ministry
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 PM, Senior High Room
Students will experience worship, challenging group discussions, and engage in fellowship. Friends are welcome. Registration is not required.

Senior High/College Age Bible Study
Sunday, December 8, 6:30-7:45 PM, Senior High Room
This study is led by Kerri Cordray and Kathy Olson and will meet the first Sunday of each month in the new year. Contact Kerri or Kathy for more information.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John’s
Tuesday, November 19, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal—10:30 AM-12:45 PM (healthcare providers)—$65
• BLS—2-5 PM (traditional course for healthcare providers)—$75

Friday, November 22, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal—10:30 AM-12:45 AM (healthcare providers)—$65

Saturday, November 23, Junior High Room
• Heartsaver CPR/AED Skills*—9-10:30 AM (workplace and community)—$50 *must complete on-line course prior to attending

St. John’s members receive a 20% discount. Please contact Michelle Brown to register or for more information.

St. John’s Quilters
Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
The Quilters make quilts for Lutheran World Relief on Tuesday mornings during the regular gathering or on your own time sewing at home. At-home sewing involves sewing precut fabric into quilt tops or sewing binding to quilts that have been pinned together. Quilters are also seeking donations of flat bed sheets and yardage of fabric. For more information, please contact Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Vicky Kramer, (309) 530-1604.

Noah's Ark Book Fair
Monday, November 11, through Monday, November 25
Do some Christmas shopping and support Noah's Ark Preschool at the same time! Shop books and gifts for all ages from infant to teen. This year Noah's Ark is teaming up with Paper Pie, who sells Usborne and Kane Miller books, activity and puzzle items, as well as STEM kits. Visit www.bit.ly/NA_BookFair24 to shop. The preschool will earn a 50% match of sales of merchandise and books!

Christmas Eve Volunteers Needed
Communion assistants, ushers, greeters, readers, or technology assistants are needed for this special time of year. Visit www.bit.ly/STJ_ChristmasEve2024 to volunteer. Please contact Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org for more information.

Pledge Cards
It's not too late to make a pledge for 2025! Bring your completed pledge card to church and place it in the offering basket or bring it to the reception counter during business hours. You can also pledge online at www.bit.ly/SJ_Pledge25. Thank you for supporting St. John's ministries!

2025 Calendar Collection
Are you receiving more 2025 calendars than you can use? Please consider sharing them with the women at the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. Calendars can NOT be spiral bound and can be dropped off in the labeled bin by the Giving Center cabinets inside the Fellowship Hall (west) entrance of the church. Contact Jane Frieden, (309) 831-6156, with questions.