Picture the large oak tree growing just past our front door at church. It's been there for years and has withstood many seasons of snow, rain, and wind because of its deep root system. Like that tree, we are deeply rooted and growing in Christ. We bring glory to God through lives of gratitude.

We began laying plans for a capital appeal at St Luke's last winter with the theme "100% for 100 years" - suspended with the covid-19 pandemic. The time has come to restart that appeal in combination with our fall stewardship appeal. Again, we will use the theme, "100% for 100 years" and you will begin to hear and read more about the appeal in the next six weeks with celebration Sunday set for November 1st.

The following passage will be our Biblical foundation:

"So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:6-7

Our pastor and staff are aware and concerned that these are difficult times and, as a church, we want to support one another. Thank you to those who have contributed to the pastor's discretionary fund, and you are encouraged to contact Pastor Rob if in need.

Barb Roberts, Stewardship

​“Look! I’m doing a new thing;
    now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert,
    paths in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:19
 
This verse has been speaking to me this summer. God is speaking to the Israelites amidst their exile and, in previous verses, reminds them how beloved they are. They are caught in the wilderness, feeling forsaken, but God shines a light away from their confusion and misery and on the new and exciting things that are happening. “Look! I’m doing a new thing!”  This verse has been my constant reminder during this Covid season that God is active and moving and trying new things! God may be never-changing, but God’s work changes to meet the needs of the time and place and people who seek God’s care. What new thing is God doing through us? 
 
The Faith Formation Team met on Sunday, September 6th to plan our Fall programming. God is doing a new thing through us! We have decided on a hybrid model, incorporating in-person, online, and home-based activities. This model will allow us to observe our Covid group size protocols, to keep kids from being online too much, to encourage peer group interaction, and to build our families’ faith practices.  We will be meeting in small groups, scheduled around families’ busy lives, and will rotate which age groups will be meeting in person at church or online, and which will be given time to learn and grow as families. We will be supporting families through all of this by providing content and modeling best practices for faith formation. 
 
Our program year will begin with a kickoff meeting after Drive-in Worship on Sunday, October 4th (weather permitting-backup plans TBD.) We are excited to grow together and to partner with children, youth, and families in the new things that God is doing amongst us!

Sunday, September 13th
 
Worship Online at 8:30 AM and Drive In at 10 AM

This year is a little different; so too will be – God’s work. Our hands.
 
I’ve always enjoyed going from station to station, greeting people who are…
 
…filling Blessing Bags for Oasis, VEAP, and Tubman Center.
 
…making Plarn for Weaving Love MN
 
…quilting for Luther World Relief, St. Joseph Home for Children, and Bridging
 
…labeling Treats to handout from our float during the Heritage Day Parade
 
…working outside cleaning up our grounds being good neighbors.
 
Although many of those things are not available this year, we will still be able to serve. Look for the Mission Team’s article for the supplies we are encouraging you to gather for the Blessing Bags, and specific donations for VEAP. There is much work to do outside, so bring your rakes, lawn bags, clippers, saws, gloves and masks to tend to our grounds.  I’m excited that the youth will be having a Renovation Island Challenge between the Middle School and High School Students.
 
There will also be some surprises for Drive In Worship.
 
But we don’t need a specific day to do service, there are ways to be involved year round. Remember Service is one of our Core Values in living out our mission… Making Christ known.
​
St. Luke's has many volunteer opportunities. I encourage you to go to our Home Page www.stlukesbloomington.org and scroll down to the bottom. There you will find the links of the organizations we partner with year round; each one is represented by one of our members. Is there an organization that you volunteer with and want to invite other members to join you? Inform the Mission Team and as a Community of Faith, we will support you in your ministry.
 
Thank you all for your service in Jesus name.
Blessings, Rob

​At the St. Luke's Congregational meeting, Sunday, August 30, 2020, the congregation voted to approve the following: The installation of new boiler system and the installation of a solar panel array.

Motion - St. Luke's Congregational Council to enter into a contract for the installation of a new boiler system for $90,000.  Motion carries: 81 - yes   4 - no

Motion - St. Luke's Congregational Council to enter into a contract for installation of a solar panel array for $150,000. Motion carries: 77 - yes   8 - no

Thanks to all of you who attended the meeting on a beautiful summer Sunday morning and thank you for your support as we move forward on these initiatives! 
Larry Nelson
Congregational President