“The one who gathers in summer is wise.” - Proverbs 10:5a
My family growing up was guilty of not attending church in the summer. I did attend summer Bible camp which had 10 worships in a week, that’s just one less worship than summer Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day. In college for five summers I worked at a Bible Camp which was 10 weeks, thus it added up to 100 worships – I was good for almost two years!
As you know it doesn’t work that way. Worship is a time of praise, renewal, and relationships; love God and love your neighbor as yourself in Jesus name. When I would return to worship after being away, I realized how much I missed it. I hope the same is true for you. Worship is one of the core values, simply what every Christian should do, “Day by day, as [the disciples] spent much time together in the temple…praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47
Here at St. Luke’s we continue both worship times, Children’s Church and Jubilee year round. With live streaming worship, it’s important to have strong voices sitting in the Choir area on Sundays during the 8:30 AM worships. You do not have to be a Choir member to share your voice. The Bells will play at least once during the summer.
Know that summer worship is important to church growth. On average the same number of visitors will attend a church June, July, and August, as do September through May, minus Christmas and Easter. If you meet a visitor before worship, help them follow the order of worship. Fill out your welcome card, in doing so someone visiting is more likely to do so as well. Please introduce yourself to those you do not know. Ask their name. Invite them to enjoy a drink and treat following worship. Introduce them to other members. Pray for them during the week. Look for them if they return and welcome them back by name. Remember it is a godly act to know another’s name (Isaiah 43:1c).
One of the best ways to attend worship is by volunteering. Being scheduled helps motivate you to attend. Thank you to all who lead worship – Ushers, Sound, Video, Cameras, Assisting Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, Welcome Desk, Communion Assistants, Treat Host and Bakers, Dishwashing Team, Tellers, Prayground and Children’s Church Leaders. That’s over 25 people every Sunday. If interested in helping out simply contact the office@stlukesbloomington.org 952-881-5801.
And then there are all the other activities…
The Spring Celebration, Wednesday, May 25 is the last night of Wednesday Night Live and the Kick-Off to St. Luke's Summer Calendar. A congregational event of Service making 300 sandwiches for the Sandwich Man, renamed 363 Ministries. He delivers 2,000 sandwiches 363 nights per year, only taking Christmas and Easter off. We will celebrate our service with a cook-out including hotdogs, s’mores and more…
Julie Klein’s Retirement Celebration, Sunday, June 5 after each worship.
Blood Drive, Thursday, June 9, 1-7 PM. You must schedule an appointment: call 1-800-RED CROSS and enter SL or click here to sign up online. Questions contact the church office.
Visual Evangelism, every Monday and Wednesday The group meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 until 12:00. (not on 5/30) Come earlier or later, whatever works best for you. An hour put in by you is an hour less for someone else. There are no rules. You can work on anything that fits your talents. Contact Mark Dunham property@stlukesbloomington.org with any questions.
Wednesday Night Campfire Worship, June 15. We gather at Atonement Lutheran Church fire ring in the back. It starts with a light meal followed by a campfire style worship; still determining other summer Wednesday worships.
High School Mission Trip to the BWCA - June 19-25. Open to all 8th-12th Grade students. Younger students are invited with a parent/guardian. Adults always welcome. Cost $350. Only 6 spots remaining. Scholarships Available.
Pastor Mark Schoenhals who served St. Luke’s from 1998-2009 will return to preach at both worships on Sunday, June 26 as one of our 100th Anniversary Celebrations. More info coming. 
Vacation Bible School - June 27-30. Children 3 years old - 5th Grade are led by 6th–12th Grade Students and Adults. It is the best week of the summer. Click here to register for VBS. Click here to sign up to volunteer to help with VBS. 
Camp Wapo is Full with 11 students attending.
Blessing of the Animals and Backpacks is Sunday, August 28.
God’s Work Our Hands is Sunday, September 11.
Rally Sunday the Choir Returns, September 18.
And we will end the summer with an Adult Sailing Trip around the Apostle Islands – September 23-25.
Look forward to seeing you in the weeks and months ahead – whether in person or online for worship or one of the many other opportunities. Remember…
​“The one who gathers in summer is wise.” Proverbs 10:5a

1. Music Sunday – 8:30 and 10 AM Worship
Thank you to St. Luke’s Music Teams – Choir, Jubilee, and Bells! St. Luke’s is blessed with amazingly gifted members who help us praise God. Much thanks to the Music Staff:
St. Luke’s Choir Director: Bernie Asher
Bells of Praise Director: Alanna Teragawa
Jubilee Praise Team Leader: Greg Anderson
Come and enjoy a morning of Praise and Worship.

2. Promise Tree Planting – Following the 10 AM Worship (~11 AM)
What a way to kick off our 100th Anniversary! Long before St. Luke’s was planted here at 1701 West Old Shakopee Road; the first Lutheran Church in Bloomington, the Old Oak Tree in front of the Education Wing stood and still stands, with hopefully many years ahead. Following God’s planting of both that tree and St. Luke’s our first act for the 100th Anniversary is planting another tree in our backyard near the corner of Irving Ave. S. and 100th Street.

Join in helping plant the tree.
3. Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon – Following the Tree Planting (~11:15 AM)

Like the story of the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) we celebrate all the workers. Whether you have been a member for decades and participate in a dozen ministries or are new to St. Luke’s and are still considering when and where to serve, come and enjoy a meal in your honor. We are the Body of Christ and each individually members of it. Everyone is welcome. All contributions no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is, makes all the difference.

There is still room for you! Thank you to all who RSVPed through the Evite.
​Sign up by Noon, Thursday, May 26: Evite, email office@stlukesbloomington.org or call 952-881-5801.
Plus One! St. Luke’s Holy Hoops Basketball Tournament – 1 PM at Augsburg College

St. Luke’s High School Basketball Team finished in third place out of six teams. They will be playing in the first round at 1 PM. With a win they play in the Semi-Finals at 2:15 PM. With another win they play in the finals at 3:45 PM. We will update the St. Luke’s Facebook Page after each game played.
From one member a full team was gathered. May a child lead us. Who will you invite to join in St. Luke’s ministries?

Friday, May 20, 2022
Do you come to Church to pray? Do you come to Church to engage socially? Do you come to Church to dress up and sing? Do you come to Church because you have skills?
My children come to church for the yummy treats after worship and for Children’s Church.
There is something special about gathering with others for the same purpose. I believe that events to bring people together for a common purpose is a gift that God has given us. Getting together with Community and learning about each other is vital to living out the word.
When’s the last time that you came to Church for Game Night????
GAME NIGHT!!!!! All welcome!!!
The Faith Formation Team invites you to come and play games, meet your neighbors, share a snack, and win some prizes.
When: Friday, May 20, 2022                     
Where: Fellowship Hall
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
***We will have several games ready to play for ALL AGES, as well as a special Scavenger Hunt and Word Find to celebrate St. Luke’s 100 year Anniversary. Feel free to bring your favorite game and/or favorite store bought snack to share.
For questions or more info, please contact: emilys@stlukesbloomington.org or Kebens3@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!

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They say April showers bring May flowers, so I am hoping to see Minnesota come back to life soon, as I am sure the rest of you are as well. This winter has been brutal, what winter in Minnesota isn’t? Now that spring finally seems to be on its way, we have some fun things happening this month in May working toward community outreach. Five opportunities…
First, we will be packing meals with Feed My Starving Children again this month, on May 14 at 9:00 AM. Last time was a great success and we hope to get more hands-on deck to pack even more meals.
If you’ve never joined in on a Feed My Starving Children journey, you work in an assembly line with your team to pack as much food as you can for a few hours. It is a great place to not only help children around the world facing food insecurity, but you can also get to know your neighbors with great conversations.
Last month, we successfully packed 63 boxes, which equaled to a total of 13,308 meals which will feed 37 children for an entire year!
Second, thank you Andy Hayden for your years of service with Loaves & Fishes. We are grateful that Jan Pankratz has answered the call to replace Andy as the coordinator.If you are interested in joining St. Luke’s crew (we serve the 3rd Wednesday of each month) at Loaves & Fishes, contact the office.
Third, Oasis for Youth is having an Open House on Thursday, May 19 th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Come visit their newly remodeled space and join for a community celebration.
Fourth, going back to the last blog I wrote, planting even just one tree back out in nature helps our ecosystem tremendously. It will help filter our air with all the other trees, it will provide shade to humans and animals alike, and will provide a safe home for birds, squirrels, chipmunks, etc. Thank you for helping the planet! We invite you to help plant the “Promise Tree” on Sunday, May 22 nd . More information coming.
Fifth, I would like to bring your attention to what used to be called “the Sandwich Project.” It is now called Sandwich 363 (they serve all but two days out of the 365 days in the year – Hence the name). Did you know that in Minneapolis alone around 18% of people live under the poverty line? It is a number that, unfortunately, keeps growing every year everywhere throughout the Twin Cities. Many children depend on food in the school system for them to even have one full meal. The more sandwiches we can make, the more food security we can provide to people in need. This is a great way to directly assist our neighbors here in the Twin Cities who face food insecurity.
So please join us for the Spring Celebration, Wednesday, May 25 th at 5:30 PM as we fulfill the goal of making 300 sandwiches. After serving others, please stay for a cook out and games for all ages. More info will be coming out. Please sign up.

I am so proud of the work that the people of St. Luke’s have done, and continue to do, around our community and the world with incredible acts of service. I am excited to see what we can do in the future to get even more accomplished to help people in our own communities and around the world who face poverty and food insecurity. Thank you for your generous hearts and hands and I ask God to continue providing us all the strength to keep helping to the best of our abilities.

The Missions Team is hard at work bringing even more community outreach opportunities, if you have any ideas, please reach out to anyone on the Missions Team and we will be sure to bring it up at our next meeting! Again, thank you so much for the work that this congregation has done over the years, let’s keep this momentum going!
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Britt Halaas