My brothers and sisters in Christ,
A group from St. John’s participated in God’s Hands and Our Feet event at St. John’s Mendota. The event was Kids for Hunger, and we made 20,000 prepackaged meals on Saturday. We participated with probably 100 or so other people to package these meals to go all over the world, as well as in our country. The sobering fact is that 1 child dies of hunger every 10 seconds. Our world has more than enough to feed everyone. This should never happen, but it does too frequently. Thank you to this group for helping.
Claire Mae Wold was baptized yesterday. Big Brother was baptized in our church as well. And, hitting the perfect trifecta, Mom and Dad were married several years ago at St. John’s. Grandma and Grandpa, Susan and Mark, were soaking it all in. Three generations of Wolds gracing our church. It is a pretty rare event for a church, but we have been blessed to have it happen twice in one year (Bakers). Pretty cool.
Sunday School is back! Rally Day was yesterday. I think everyone is ready for a new year. Teachers and children are excited to come back and meet old (young) friends. I love the energy that the children bring to our church. Please pray over the children and the teachers this year that God opens up hearts and minds to his love. Most of us are not involved physically in Sunday School, but all of us can bathe them in prayer.
It was great having the Choir back. Their voices add so much to the worship service. Welcome back, voices.
My Dad is in Palliative Care. I found out Saturday morning. Today (Monday), they will talk about what kind of care he will have. Asking for prayers for his comfort and ours. I know most of you have walked this road before. It seems like our family has done it often. Still, it hurts every time. There is so much uncertainty in this process. It could be a week or a year. I heard a number of times already, people saying no one knows. Our faith tells us different. God knows.
I’m not sure if you have seen it. If you go out of our North parking lot and take a right, you will see a sign on your right that says Community Garden with an arrow pointing in that direction. Our gardeners work very hard throughout the year to produce a bountiful crop. Some of the stuff is picked and put on top of the refrigerator by our Blessing Box. This year, I have seen an increased number of people walking in the garden whom I don’t recognize. Another way our church helps our community, one tomato, one pepper, one squash at a time. Well done, gardeners!
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the 14 Weekend after Pentecost– Weekend of September 13 & 14
Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 51:1-10 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10