It was fun just to relax and have fellowship with others. I enjoyed listening to the conversations that came out of the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to all who stayed and enjoyed some goodies and got reacquainted with each other. I enjoyed getting to know Emily and Simon, two new people coming to our church. I found out that Simon lives in Lake Wildwood. That makes three of us who live there. Small world. Thank you to the Evangelism team that hosted this event. We don’t do it often, but I enjoy it when our church has one service. I think we all need reminders that we are one church together.
Sort of a busy Sunday for St. John’s. We also hosted a picnic for the Southern area Pastors in the Northern IL Synod. Even though we meet once a month, it never seems that we are just able to relax and enjoy each other’s company. To our surprise, Bishop Fidler stopped in to say hello. It was the first time that I met the spouses of the Pastors who came. It was also the first time the Pastors met Patty.
You would have recognized the person on the grill. It was our very good church friend, Jeff Whalen. Lori was also buzzing about. Another person you would recognize is Dave and Barb Kromphardt. I think we need to be proud of our church. One of the bylaws in our constitution states that we are supposed to train others to preach the Good News. Our church has a very rich tradition of sending people out, either as missionaries, SAMS, or Pastors. You should be very proud of your church.
Well done, St. John’s. We hit our goal of collecting 3,000 dollars for World Hunger. Because of a generous donor, they will donate another 1,000 dollars. That puts us over 4000 dollars with one week to go. Let’s finish strong. The church will write a check out to the Synod from our church. I am very proud of you all.
On top of that, we cleaned the chalkboard for donations to Northview. Those items need to be turned in also on August 31. Someone asked why we don’t collect for other schools. First of all, Northview has a tremendous need that we are able to fill. Finally, I am hopeful that other churches support their schools in their community. We can’t do it for all, but we can do it for the school down the street. Another reason to be proud of all of you.
A couple of things to mark on your calendar.
1) Starting Tuesday, September 2, we will be working on the discipleship practice called Scripture. We will be doing this at the YMCA in Peru at 12:00 p.m. You do not have to have taken the 8-week course to join us.
2) If that time doesn’t work, I will be running the same 4-week course at the church starting on Wednesday. September 3 at 5:00 p.m. Again, you do not have to have taken the 8-week course to join us. All are welcome
3) September 7 is our first Sunday that we will be going back to 10:15 a.m.
4) Rally Day is on September 7. Time to bring the children to Sunday School. Parents, don’t forget that Paul Baker will be having a Bible Study during that time. It is a great way to model to your children that you are also learning. Truth be told, none of us should ever stop learning, including your Pastor.
5) Because of Labor Day, Monday, September 1, the church will be closed on that day.
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the 12 Weekend after Pentecost– Weekend of August 30 & 31.
Proverbs 26:6-7 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14
Reading the Bible in a Year- Monday, August 25 to Sunday, August 31
Day Ezra Psalms Proverbs Revelation
Monday Ch 10 146:1-10 Ch 14:14-Ch 15
Nehemiah
Tuesday Ch 1-Ch 2 147:1-11 Ch 16
Wednesday Ch 3-Ch 4 147:12-20 Ch 17
Thursday Ch 5–Ch 7:3 31:10-20 Ch 18:1-17
Friday Ch 7:4-Ch 8 148:1-6 Ch 18:18-Ch 9:10
Saturday Ch 9:1-37 148:7-14 Ch 19:11-21
Sunday Ch 9:38-Ch 11:21 149:1-9 Ch 20