Children of God,
We had a very good start for the church’s World Hunger Fund. Last week we collected approximately 137 dollars. I made the comment at church about where can you donate 1 dollar and make it 4 dollars. Your donation is not only doubled by a donor up to 100,000 nationally, but also doubled up to 1,000 dollars locally. That is one heck of a return for your donation. If you are writing a check please make it out to St Johns and put ELCA World Hunger in the memo. This way the church can write one check to the Synod.
Happy to be back in Luke next weekend. We have been in the Gospel of John for the last 9 weeks or so.
We are at 7 minutes of silence during our prayer time for those who are participating. Honestly, I like the increased time versus 1 or 2 minutes. It is certainly not as rushed.
We are going to start a 4-week discipleship class on prayer right after Sunday worship next week (June 22). You do NOT have to take the 8-week session in order to participate in this class. It will be roughly an hour long. I hope you all consider participating. Even if you miss one class, we would love to have you attend.
Sue , Gregg and I went to the Synod Assembly last weekend. Many things were covered and I asked Sue to write up a report. The following is her report on the Assembly:
We as a synod are so very blessed and fortunate to have Stacie Fidlar as our bishop! WOW does she ever get a lot done and is so widely loved and respected! Bishop Fidlar is a quiet humorous presence of walking the talk while witnessing for solutions whether in IL or India or Tanzania. She is to be commended for her compassionate heart in touching and helping so many become part of the kingdom of God. Bishop Fidlar was recognized for 30 years in ministry since her ordination and was presented a stole made from the many scraps of the banners used this weekend.
On Friday the first of 2 resolutions was voted on for an ELCA Northern Illinois Synod National Day of Remembrance on September 30th to recognize Indian Boarding Schools. The goal is to recognize, teach, and learn of the many hardships that the Indian people incurred here in the US and elsewhere. Hopefully when you know better, you do better! The resolution to share this news and message was passed with 96% of the delegates voting in favor. In August all ELCA synods will meet in Arizona and vote on a National ELCA adoption of this resolution as well.
A vote was to keep the synod budget spending goals at $2,030,000 same as in the past year since giving is down and hopefully with prayerful consideration more monies will come in to cover so many outreach areas the synod takes part in. The budget is minimal for salaries in comparison to the multitude of efforts they do in mission work. For example, the NIS raised from their 137 congregations the following giving:
NIS ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response contribution of $267,912 in 2024 used in the US and the world.
NIS ELCA Lutherans World Hunger Response contribution of $350,487 in 2024 used in the US and worldwide.
NIS ELCA contribution for mission support contribution of $992,816.
As shown in Bishop Fidlar’s gospel lesson: We are a caring and giving synod called upon by Jesus himself to Peter after Pentecost in John 21:15-17. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, and each time Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep.” That is our command as Christians too.
A very heartfelt plea for this the 50th Anniversary of ELCA World Hunger appeal will be matched by a family up to $100,000 for all contributions made by mid-October to ELCA World Hunger with the slogan, “Lutherans Double Down!!”” This is the true meaning of multiplying loaves and fishes in action!!!
In the past 50 years we have cut hunger and poverty worldwide by 2/3rds! ELCA congregations have done so in local communities as well with 79 congregations of the 137 congregations in NIS committing support to ELCA World Hunger.
Remember Matthew 25: 35-40 “For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. And I (Jesus) say to you, “In as such as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
(Sorry- I know I write like I talk! LOL) On Saturday the 2nd resolution was so meaningful to me that I was seen on the screen shedding tears as all those who came forward to the microphone in front of us to speak were in favor of this resolution! Made my heart proud with tears of joy but sadness that some know of the marginalized living in fear or disappointment or judgement.
Resolution R2 is for the NIS to become a Reconciling in Christ Synod (RCS) which means we are to be a more inclusive welcoming church body to all who are marginalized in any way and welcome them openly into the ELCA’s Christ church. This God’s love and acceptance is for all people without exception. “Love God and Love our neighbors as yourself.” Remember Jesus himself was a disruptor for good. The love of God transcends all! When we commit to love all of God’s creation by reconciling in Christ through this adoption we as members of Christ’s body will help all feel welcome in a safe loving space and feel no rejection. This resolution passed and was adopted with 95% yes votes.
Gregg and I got much more out of this than we gave. Please consider being a delegate to not only support our church, but the entire mission of the ELCA through the Northern Illinois Synod.
Crossed mark and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the second Weekend after Pentecost– June 21 & June 22
Isaiah 65:1-9 Psalm 22:19-28 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39
Reading the Bible in a Year- Monday, June 16 to Sunday June 22
Day Jeremiah Psalms Proverbs 2 Thessalonians
Monday Ch 29:24-Ch 31:14 119:33-40 Ch 2
Tuesday Ch 31:15-Ch 32:25 25:1-10 Ch 3
1 Timothy
Wednesday Ch 32:26-Ch 34 119:41-48 Ch 1
Thursday Ch 35-Ch 23:37 119:49-56 Ch 2
Friday Ch 38-Ch 40:6 119:57-64 Ch 3
Saturday Ch 40:7-Ch 42 25:11-20 Ch 4
Sunday Ch 43-Ch 45 119:65-72 Ch 5-Ch 6:2