~ Important News! ~
"In-person" worship in the Sanctuary has resumed!
We will also continue to offer online worship each Sunday morning at 9am
via Zoom and Facebook Live.

A Message from Pastor Ken...

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Hello Sisters and Brothers,

We want to thank all who have made us feel so welcome here at St. John’s.  Yvonne, Bob and I feel very much loved and we so look forward to getting to know folks over the next many days, weeks, months and years.

Bob has quickly become the church office hound as he comes with me every day to the church office.  He has settled in nicely to the routine and both of us are glad to be spending time with all the wonderful staff that we have at St. John’s.

Yvonne is settling into getting the parsonage all arranged and making such a wonderful home.  Most days yet she finds herself still unpacking boxes.  Truthfully, I think we have decided perhaps we have way too much “stuff.”  We truly do not want to move again for many, many, many years to come.

In truth we have been remarkably busy. So busy in fact, I am lamenting that I have not found a chance to go out and be on a combine or drive a tractor pulling a grain cart or do fall tillage work or anything.  Doing such was and will remain a desire of mine always especially now that we are down here in the heart of the grain belt.  I am sure my chance will come.

As the year now turns toward the last couple of months and the weather will force us indoors, it remains my prayer that we can all stay healthy.  These are trying times, but we will get through them.  As Luther would state; “This is most certainly true.”  We get through such times by doing as the church has done for over two thousand years and as our Lord commanded us to do.  We love one another, and in so doing we know the Spirit is with us. 

May God be with you all. 
Pastor Ken, Yvonne and Bob!

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.  Remember that because of privacy laws, the hospitals do not contact us when you or a family member are admitted. 

"Virtual Worship"
Information for November

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The Zoom log-in information for our November worship services have been set so that the Meeting ID and Passcode are the same for each week during November.  This is not an error.  We hope that it will make it easier for those logging in to Zoom.
 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8191024353
Dial up: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 819 102 4353
Passcode: 316316

The log-in information will also be emailed to you each Saturday at noon.
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You are also able to watch the worship services via Facebook Live even if you don’t have a Facebook account.  Using your web browser, search for St. John’s Lutheran Church Facebook page.  Once you find us, simply scroll past any invitations to create a Facebook page and you’ll see the Facebook Live video.

Commitment Sunday - November 8th

Included with this Eagle newsletter, you will find a commitment card and a sheet for “Time & Talents.”  These items were previously mailed to your home along with a letter from Pastor Ken. 

The mission for us at St. John’s has been a critical source of goodness for the Mendota area for over 160 years.  We have stood the test of our trials made possible through the commitment to our members and this community.  We now ask us all to commit again to the mission of sharing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to our life together in that task.   We ask you to consider filling these forms out as a spiritual exercise, knowing that in so doing we are once again committing to the historic ministry that is St. John’s Mendota.  We will, as a church, work through these times and we will also go beyond these times.  Please bring your commitments to worship with you on November 8th or simply return them to the church office.  Thank you.

Help Yourself...

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The Quilting Ladies have replenished the “Walker Bags” in the narthex with lots of fall themed bags.  If you know of someone who would enjoy a bag, or if you would like one, please feel free to take one.