~ Important News! ~
For reasons unknown to us, our original Facebook page has been "unpublished" by Facebook, and we are unable to post anything to it. 

We have created a new Facebook page (St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota, IL) and invite you to follow us there.

We are also sharing our worship services on our YouTube channel.
Go to www.YouTube.com and search for "STJ LUTHERAN MENDOTA".

Well, How Are You Doing Pastor?

The above question is one I receive fairly often these days and to be honest it is a difficult question to answer.  I know what folks want me to say and how most people want me to be, but to be honest, some days I am just not very good.

I would like to provide an update on what is happening in the lives of my grandsons and son-in-law as of late, as we all continue to figure out how to live without Lauren.  My son-in-law, Nate, is still a few years away from being able to retire from his commitment as a Special Forces Green Beret in the US. Army.  As such, Nate’s mom has retired a bit early and is moving out to Colorado Springs to assist with the raising of the boys.  As I write this month’s article, the grandsons, Lukas and Odin, are on their way back to Colorado with Grandma Elizabeth.  They have been on the East Coast with her this past week while Nate is on a short vacation in the Florida Keys.  It is good that she is able to retire a bit ahead of schedule to be with Nate and the boys.  I am thankful for such.  At the same time, I long to be with the boys and Nate to do my part in assisting with their care.  Although I can’t do as much as Nate’s mom at this point, I plan to do all I can.

So then, “How am I?”  I know I am a loved child of God and that carries me through.  I am also a human being and one who hurts deeply.  My grief comes on like the waves.  They are always there lapping against the shore.  Yet at times the waves are so large that I fear I will be overtaken by the depth of it all. It all comes crashing in.

So, thanks for asking, and thanks for asking Yvonne, too, as she mourns the loss of her dear sister, Carol.  Although our house is filled with waves of emotions these days, we are grateful for the prayers, love and support you have shown us.  It helps carry us through.

Remember God loves you, and so do I!           ~Pastor Ken Gibson

Office Closed

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The church office will be CLOSED on Monday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Pastoral Care

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If you find yourself in need of pastoral care or you or a family member are hospitalized, please contact the church office and we will put you in touch with Pastor Ken Gibson or Vicar Anthony Windau.  Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted. 

Church Office Hours

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The church office is open Monday through Thursday beginning at 8:30am.

The church office is CLOSED on Fridays and this is also Pastor Ken’s day off. In case of an emergency, you can reach Pastor Ken at (815) 861-9554.

Join us for worship on YouTube!

Simply click on the button above to go to our YouTube page.  Once there, you can watch any of our worship services (just double-check the date).

Online Giving to St. John's
is Now Available!

Thank you for supporting the mission of St. John's!

Dinner Is Ready!

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The theme for our youth ministry trip to Milwaukee is food.  Growing food, serving food, and even eating food!  Food is quite literally, vital, for our survival.  Everyone and everything needs to eat and drink in order to live.  In Scripture, Jesus feeds thousands upon thousands of people because He recognizes its importance, not only to live but to enjoy community with others.

Now, I like to eat — the start of my pot belly is proof of that.  But rarely do I get the opportunity to sit and share a meal with other people.  My routine, since I was young, is to sit in front of the TV and eat.  Now, of course, I have to guard my meal from my dogs, but we still sit and watch whatever looks good on Netflix.

My question is, when is the last time you shared a meal with someone?  With someone other than your family or friends?  Have you ever invited your neighbors over to eat?  Embarrassingly, I don’t often invite people over to my home — the girls would freak out.  But while I was at Lutherdale Bible Camp with a couple of our Confirmation students, I got to share every meal with new people.  I loved it.

Over the breaking of bread we shared in fellowship together, told stories, and got to know one another.  The world being small we discovered connections to each other or their congregations.  I had forgotten how nice it is to eat with other people.

And so, St. John’s, I’m going to ask you this July to share a meal with someone you normally wouldn’t.  It might be your neighbor, an old friend, or someone at Church.  Experience the joy that can come from eating together, laughing, and telling stories.  We’ll be doing that same thing in Milwaukee!  And then, tell me how it went!

Happy eating,
Vicar Anthony

Help Yourself...

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The Quilting Ladies have replenished the walker bags in the Narthex with lots of new bags. If you know of someone who would enjoy a walker bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to help yourself.

Our quilting group will meet twice in July: Tuesday, July 12th and Tuesday, July 26th.  You are invited to join them at 9am in the fellowship hall. You do not need to know how to quilt or sew to help create these beautiful quilts. All are welcome to join us for a morning of work and fellowship!