From Pastor David

As we bring March to a close, we start to draw near to Holy Week and Easter celebrations. I highly recommend you attend Midweek worship and make time to walk through the Great Three Days by attending worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to help foster the full impact of the gift that is Easter. There will be no Saturday Worship on April 19, but you are invited to Easter Sunday, April 20, at 8:30 or 10:30 for celebration worship.

During this season, there are also many ministry opportunities to make the most of this blessed time. For instance, we will need a large number of readers for the Good Friday evening service, and for Easter, we will require additional assistance with communion and other tasks. If you are interested in any of these, please reach out to Kerri, kerri@stjblm.org, or consider saying 'yes' if someone asks you to serve!

One other “ask” is Garage Sale-related. You are welcome to bring your gently-used donations, but we could also use your help, particularly on the clean-up shift on Saturday, April 5. In past years I have seen the nearly miraculous transformation of the Parish Life Center as many hands come together to help pack up and distribute the leftovers to our ministry partners.   

I must confess I have several motivations for this particular fund-raiser. First, it helps me get rid of my extra stuff, and it is a blessing to many people in our community! Also, proceeds from the sale will help send St. John's youth to the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center (LOMC) for summer camp. This will be the first time I will not be able to help at the sale. This past year, I began serving as one of our Synod’s two representatives on the LOMC Board of Directors. It so happens that our annual board retreat coincides with the day of the Garage Sale. I appreciate the help that you can bring in my absence!

Next Weekend—Lent / Rely
John 12:1-8

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). Visit www.stjblm.org/lent for the complete Lent and Holy Week schedule.

Lenten Midweek Worship
Through April 9, 12 PM and 6:30 PM
Focusing on Adam Hamilton's The Lord's Prayer book. There are opportunities during the week for small-group discussion of the book under GROW.

Easter Lily Dedications
Purchase a lily in honor or memory of a loved one. Cost is $10 payable by check (note Easter Lily in the memo and place in the offering basket) or online at www.stjblm.org/give. Contact Gudrun with the dedication or specify in the online order form. Deadline to order is Monday, April 14.

Optional Meals Before Midweek Worship
11:15 AM Lunch and 5:15 Dinner, Gathering Area
Lunch of soup and bread with no sign-up and a freewill donation. A rotating menu will for dinner at a cost of $5 per meal. April 2 dinner menu: BBQ sandwiches, sides, desserts; April 9 dinner menu: Monical's Pizza, breadsticks, salad, desserts. Registration is required for dinner at www.bit.ly/SJ_LentMeal25.

2025 Central/Southern Illinois Synod Assembly Delegates
St. John’s will host and can send four delegates to attend the Assembly, held June 5-7. The theme is “Carry On in Christ's Mission,” based on John 14:12. To be considered as a delegate, please contact Pastor David or council president Mark Scott by Monday, April 7.

St. John's Book Club
Monday, March 31, 1 PM,  Gathering Area
Discussing The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. The next meeting will be April 28 to discuss The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple. New book buddies are always welcome!

Thrivent Choice Dollars Deadline
Thrivent members can direct Choice Dollars through March 31. If dollars are not directed to a specific organization, they will go into the national donation. St. John’s, Noah’s Ark Preschool, the Columbarium, and Faith In Action are all eligible to receive these directed dollars. Visit www.thrivent.com and log in to direct your dollars. Contact Chris Ayers for details.

Weekend Adult Studies
Saturdays, 4:05-4:55 PM, Gathering Area
Sundays, 9:30-10:30 AM, Conference Room
Following The Lord's Prayer book and video by Adam Hamilton, one chapter/week.

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 following the Children's Sermon.

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

Faith and Life Bible Study
Second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall
The study will follow Adam Hamilton's The Lord's Prayer book and video.

Friday Morning Men's Group
Fridays, 7:30-8:30 AM, Loft
The group is discussing Adam Hamilton's When Christians Get It Wrong. Please contact David Roehrig for more information.

Thrive Junior High Program
Wednesdays, 6:15-8:15 PM, Parish Life Center
Youth worship, small-group Bible lessons, and large-group fellowship and service.

Lenten Book Study
Wednesdays, following Midweek Worship, Loft and online
Discussing Adam Hamilton's The Lord's Prayer. For online login information, please contact Pastor David, dglesne@stjblm.org.

Men's Lenten Breakfast
Wednesday, April 2, 7-8:30 AM, DoubleTree Hotel, 10 Brickyard Dr., Bloomington
Enjoy fellowship, an inspirational message from Al Mueller (founder and CEO of Excellence in Giving), and a delicious hot breakfast! Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by visiting www.ibfoundation.org.

Kaffehuset
Wednesday, April 2, 10 AM Refreshments, 10:30 AM Program, Fellowship Hall
Kaffehuset meets the first Wednesday of the month and presents a variety of programs. All are welcome—young and not-so-young, members and guests. This month: Mark Jontry, Regional Superintendent of Schools will present New Grant Funds Help Renovate Space for Not-For-Profit Community Services Collaboration. Mark will discuss the $21.7 million grant awarded to Lifelong Access to renovate the former Pantagraph building, allowing for support services needed for people of all abilities in our community, to be provided in one location.

Grief Support
Wednesday, April 2, and each first Wednesday of the month, 4-6 PM, Loft
Join Debbie Whelton and Kathleen Elder for a support group for managing the day-to-day challenges of living without your spouse. To sign up or receive more information, contact Debbie Whelton, (309) 846-1965.

Holy Communion Workshops
• Learning Workshop—Wednesday, April 2, 7-8 PM, Fellowship Hall
• Creative Workshop—Sunday, April 7, 12:30-3 PM, Parish Life Center
• Learning Workshop—Wednesday, April 9, 7-8 PM, Loft
• Celebration during Maundy Thursday Worship—Thursday, April 17, 6:30 PM
Children 4th grade and up are welcome to attend to learn about Holy Communion at St. John's and what it means. A parent/guardian is required to attend each workshop with the child. Register for the Holy Communion workshops at www.bit.ly/STJHC2025. Contact Amy with questions.

Senior High/College Age Bible Study
Sunday, April 6, 6:30-7:45 PM, Junior and Senior High Rooms
Youth are invited to an evening of games, fellowship, snacks, and a Bible Study on the theme of hope. Friends are welcome! Contact Kerri or Kathy for more information.

CPR Courses Offered at St. John's
Friday, April 25, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal—10 AM–1 PM (traditional course for healthcare providers)—$75

Saturday, April 26, Junior High Room
• BLS Renewal—11:30 AM–1:45 PM (healthcare providers)—$65
• Heartsaver CPR/AED—3–5:30 PM (workplace and community)—$65

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

True North Vacation Bible School
Monday, June 16–Friday, June 20, 2025
This summer's VBS is expanding and will be open to kids ages 3 through 5th grade! Registration for kids will be open on Easter Sunday! Extra help will be needed to provide an exciting and safe week for St. John's kids and friends. See opportunities and sign up at www.bit.ly/SJ_VBSVols25.

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, for more information.

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. Supplies can be taken home and sewn on your own time. Kits are prepared and instructions are provided. Contact Marsha Johnson, (309) 299-9338, or Vicky Kramer, (309) 530-1604.

Lenten Collection for Oasis (formerly Center for Hope)
During Lent, St. John's will once again collect paper and cleaning products to help support this vital mission. Needed items include: baby supplies (diapers and wipes), paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues), and cleaning supplies (laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaners).