​“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

​St. Luke’s Collection until Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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St. Luke’s Summer Worship Series is “A Child will lead us.” Isaiah 11:6

This is not only Biblical, but Social. Children today will be our leaders tomorrow. It is important to care for and equip them so they will be able to do so.  

Thousands of students in the Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina school districts need help filling their backpacks this fall. St. Luke’s is supporting VEAP to help students’ academic success by making sure they have all the supplies they need for the year. VEAP distributes the supplies to the school districts with our support along with other local faith communities, businesses, and partners.

It takes a village. Every Child is Our Child.

What supplies are most needed?

Backpacks, scientific calculators, and wireless headphones/earbuds are high-demand items and the most impactful as they’re the most expensive for families to purchase on their own. If you are able, please consider making these a focus of your donations. Traditional supplies like spiral notebooks, crayons, and washable markers are needed as well. Please make sure all items are new. There is no need to organize your supplies. We sort and deliver right to the districts for distribution.

You can drop-off Backpacks, School Supplies along with nonperishable foods and household/personal items in the St. Luke’s VEAP bin by Worship Door C. Supplies can also be dropped off at VEAP’s door 4, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m.–noon. In order to ensure timely delivery to the school districts, please drop off your donations at church by Tuesday, July 28 or directly at VEAP by Friday, July 31. Items received after that day may be used to directly support families with young children in our Social Services department. VEAP also has an Amazon wish list so you can purchase the items and have them shipped directly to VEAP.