When did you first learn to clean a toilet? Mine was at church. My family attended a small church on the edge of town. The sanctuary was a converted Hanger on Airport Road. There was a small building attached that had 2 bathrooms, the pastor’s office, and a lobby area that served as the Fellowship Hall, Sunday School, and the Board Room by simply moving tables and chairs around. We also had to set up the folding chairs in the sanctuary most Sunday mornings.


It is there were I experienced the power of what Theologian Martin Luther’s understanding that Every Member was a Minister. Ordinary daily jobs are holy callings. People serve God and love their neighbors through their everyday work, not just inside a church building. Christians are called to share God's word, comfort one another, forgive sins, and show compassion in daily life.


Luther did not abolish the office of the pastor. He believed trained and ordained ministers are still needed to preach the Word, baptize and serve Communion. But the pastor was not set apart from other holy work, even cleaning toilets.


In this little church everyone pitched in. My mother taught Sunday School. My father was a worship leader helping with the readings and prayers. Both of them helped serve communion. As a family, one Saturday a quarter, we helped clean and set up church for Sunday morning.


I remember the pastor being there one of our Saturday mornings. He was in his office working on his sermon when we arrived. My parents asked if we should come back later so we wouldn’t disturb him. He replied, “No, Thank you for coming. Actually, I could use a break, let me help you.”


That was the day I learned how to clean a toilet from the pastor. He cleaned the first toilet and then told me it was my turn. I reluctantly took the toilet brush. He squeezed in the toilet bowl cleaner and told me to scrub the toilet. He laughed as I basically stirred the water. He told me, “Use a little mustard.” which confused me more. With his direction and patience, I cleaned my first toilet.


Here at St. Luke’s, we have 11 toilets and 4 urinals. There are 528 members (ministers) which comes out to each person cleaning 1 toilet or urinal every 35 days. Thank Jamie, St. Luke’s custodian, for her good work.


I thank each person here at St. Luke’s who does holy work whether it’s yard work, cooking, ushering, leading worship, helping at the tech desk, singing, helping with children and youth ministry, knitting, sewing, quilting, caring for one another, welcoming and greeting, hosting, bringing treats, clearing snow, giving blood, serving with Feed My Starving Children, Fisher House, Loaves and Fishes, Meals on Wheels, Oasis, The Sandwich project, Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage, Lift Garage, VEAP, Altar Guild, playing music, serving communion, making cards, dishwashing, tillering, office support, leading a Bible Study or small group, giving an offering, and more…


This Fall we will be walking through the Book of Acts. It is the story of Jesus handing over the ministry to the people. May we continue doing the Acts necessary to help make Christ known to one another, our community, and the entire world.


This Sunday, come for worship at 8:30 or 10:00 AM and plan to stay after to participate in God’s Work Our Hands. Together we will be living out Luther’s theology of every member being a
minister, doing holy work, that Jesus has handed to us.  ​

It’s good to be home after some vacation time and leading the 2026 High School BWCA Mission Trip - more about both of those at a later time. What I’m interested in sharing is what has been shared with me and all who are interested.


COVID was a season I would like to forget; however I am thankful that because of it, St. Luke’s offers live streaming and recorded worship. Although I was not in worship the last two Sundays, I had the privilege to attend through our recorded worship. Thank you to the Sound, Video, and Camera Techs. Thank you to all the members who attend in person adding their voices to the hymns/songs, so that I can sing with you digitally. Thank you to Andrea, St. Luke’s Director of Children and Family Ministry leading Children’s Time. Thank you to those who lead worship, lector, musicians, singers, and those who give the sermons/messages. Thank you to the Office Staff who post the worships on X (formerly Twitter), and on our youtube.com/stlukesbloomington page.


On the youtube page there is the live recorded worship as well as a Music and Message only option. It is also fun to read the Facebook Chats and the occasional Youtube Comment. Attending worship whenever and wherever I am is such a privilege.


Some churches have taken this experience to a whole new level, with having an Online Minister to welcome and engage those who are watching a live stream. There is another, “Live.Life.Church” that reruns their worship ongoing throughout the day for the full week. Each one is hosted by an Online Minister. Talk about “…becoming all things to all people that I might save some…” (1st Corinthians 9:22). The Apostle Paul knew he had to be open to change and variety so others would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.


All those positions listed above are tended by people who have the desire and are willing to make the commitment to help others worship whether in-person or online. Worship is one of St. Luke’s Core Values; how will you participate?


Thank you to Mark and Steve who gave the sermon/message last week. I enjoyed Mark’s message (Aug. 9) on “The Storms of Life.”  My key take away was “Replace a negative thought with a truth from God.” For Steve’s message (Aug. 16), “Sharing the Love of Jesus,” my key take away was the Rotary “Four-Way Test,” is simply following Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4).


Missed it? You too can hear their full messages when you attend St. Luke’s Worship whenever and wherever you are: youtube.com/stlukesbloomington ​

The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1

In the days and weeks ahead there will be children putting things into backpacks to head off to school and animals being left at home for the day. Lord we ask for your blessing for both and much more…

Lord we ask for your blessings for the teachers, para-professionals, administrators, custodians, bus drivers, school nurses and social workers, volunteers, lunch room and hallway monitors, parents and especially the children.

Lord we ask for your blessings on not only our pets, but all animals and creation itself; for veterinarians, farmers, forest rangers, and conservationists.

Join us Sunday, August 30 as we offering blessings for the start of the school year, for our pets and all creation.

8:30 AM – Worship in the Sanctuary

10 AM Worship outside welcoming our pets to join and receive a blessing

Let us extend our blessings to our neighbors by supporting VEAP, the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry, providing access to healthy foods (for both humans and pets), social services, and financial assistance. They also do a collection every year for school supplies. See the list below and prayerfully consider bringing a donation to share.

Most needed items:

• Hearty soups (high protein, low sodium)
• Canned proteins (salmon, chicken, beans)
• Canned fruit (pineapple, peaches, pears)
• Fresh, Non-Refrigerated Produce (apples, bananas, onions, tomatoes, avocados)
• Baking essentials (flour, corn masa, sugar, & spices)
• Canned vegetables (diced tomatoes, corn, peas, green beans)
• Cooking oil
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Infant diapers (size 4 & up)
• Baby wipes
• Cleaning items:
• laundry detergent
• dish soap
• Personal care items:
• shampoo
• toothpaste & toothbrush
• hand soap
• menstrual products
• adult diapers

School supplies most needed (Please make sure all items are new.):

• Backpacks
• Scientific calculators
• Wireless headhones/earbuds
• (These three are high-demand items and the most impactful as they’re the most expensive for families to purchase on their own.)

Traditional supplies requested:

• Spiral notebooks
• Crayons
• Washable markers

​
For more information go to: VEAP.ORG

EGO is an organization St. Luke's follows closely. Please see the following newsletter and offer them prayers as they navigate challenging conditions in Haiti.​

"May God protect and guide our Missions partners at Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage in Haiti as they have had to abandon their compound and possessions and flea for safety from warring gangs. Give comfort to the children and staff of EGO as they look for an encampment where they will not just live but thrive. Please flood Haiti with the Holy Spirit and bring peace." -  Bev Brosam

​“A Child Will Lead Us” is the overarching theme this summer.
All of our readings come from St. Luke’s Vacation Bible School, Camp Wapo, and the Youth Mission Trip to the BWCA.
This Sunday we complete Camp Wapo’s 6-Week Series on Wonder. Their theme verse is Matthew 19:26b: "With God all things are possible."
Every week we looked at God’s Wonder:
Week 1: Wonder of Curiosity - June 28
Week 2: Wonder of Mystery - July 5
Week 3: Wonder of Identity - July 12
Week 4: Wonder of Possibility - July 19
Week 5: Wonder of Community - July 26
(Recorded Worship or Message only are available on our Youtube.com/stlukesbloomington page.)
 
This week we will look at…
Week 6: Wonder of Calling - August 2
 
In the Bible, a "wonder" — is often paired with a "sign" — it refers to something that transcends the natural order and points us straight to God's majesty, power, and presence. Biblical wonders are never performed for entertainment or spectacle. They do three things: they reveal who God is, they invite us out of our mundane routines and into faith, and they authenticate God's messengers — such as Moses, Jesus, the disciples, the Apostle Paul, I would argue God’s wonder is in every believer, including you.
So, let me ask you: are you willing to take time to wonder? To be curious about the world, yourself and others? Or do you suffer from the sin of certainty? Things are the way they are…
I am grateful to be at St. Luke’s where we wonder. As members we see God revealed in our community and the world. We answer the call and invite others to join us. We authenticate the call by doing service for God and not for ourselves. If you do anything out of obligation, in order to receive accolades, or worse to view yourself as better than others, you are not doing so for God.
St. Luke’s is Called to Serve: https://www.stlukesbloomington.org/service-opportunities-in-the-community.html
We do so in the community: American Red Cross, Bridging, Exodus Lending, Fisher House, Lift Garage, Loaves and Fishes, Lutheran Social Services, Meals on Wheels, The Sandwich Project, and VEAP
In the world: Ebenezeer Glenn Orphanage in Haiti, Feed My Starving Children, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services), and Lutheran Disaster Response.
As a congregation we partner with these organizations to sharing God’s Wonder of caring, healing, reconciliation, and restoration.
August 8-15, high school students with adults will be going to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. (BWCAW). Our initial plan is to do some site and trail maintenance around Trout Lake. If the area is not available to us due to the wildfires the Forest Service will have a Plan B for us.
It is fitting that this week we will be living out the overarching scripture, “A Child Will Lead Us.” We will have a special speaker, one of St. Luke’s Youth, who will share God’s Wonders in her life.
And I know there is so much more we are doing as a church and individual members of it. I would love to hear yours in the comments.
As you go out into the world, live out God’s Wonder of Calling…
May you have the courage to show up.
May you carry what you have learned.
May you live with purpose and care.
And may you know that God is with you in it all. Amen.

There are children at St. Luke’s at least 6 out of 7 days a week.

St. Luke’s has Children’s Church every Sunday at both worships 8:30 and 10 AM. During the school year on during Wednesday Church Night there are 3 or 4 opportunities for specific age groups: Preschoolers and Parents, Children’s Ministry (Kindergarten - 2nd grade), Upper Elementary Ministry (3rd-5th grade), and Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade). During Vacation Bible School Preschoolers through High School age students fill St. Luke’s.

St. Luke’s Preschool meets during the school year from 9 AM - Noon, Monday - Friday. Not all the students attend every day, so although we are limited to 20 students/day, more than 20 students can be in Preschool.

A number of years ago, St. Luke’s opened its doors to Learning Tree Development Center, a childcare center that was located at Normandale College, but due to renovations, their space was eliminated. St. Luke’s Education Wing had open classrooms during the day, so now up to 38 children, infant through preschool age fill them year-round.

A fun God moment is when the former St. Luke’s Preschool Director retired, it was difficult to find a replacement. Learning Tree’s owner Barb Watson agreed to be the interim director for St. Luke’s Preschool. This created a beautiful relationship which benefitted both programs.

One of the difficulties families faced who wanted to send a child to St. Luke’s Preschool was the time frame, 9 AM - Noon. With the relationship with Learning Tree, now families can bring St. Luke’s Preschool students early and/or stay late making a seamless transition between pre and post care with Learning Tree.

The demand for childcare is increasing with Learning Tree having a waiting list. St. Luke’s North Star Cinema is no longer being used, with some of the seating in need of repair. The hope is that this summer the Cinema can be converted back to a classroom allowing even more children to come.

Current need is to find a crew of people who are interested in helping transform the space for use this Fall. If you are interested, please contact:

Pastor Rob Norris-Weber ([email protected]) or Director Barb Watson ([email protected]).

Jesus continued, “…and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” - Matthew 14:9