~ Important News! ~
"In-person" worship in the Sanctuary continues!
We also offer online worship each Sunday morning at 9am via Facebook Live.
Healer Of Our Every Ill
Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow, give us peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow. (ELW 612)
The refrain of this hymn speaks to me on so many levels and I rejoice when we have an opportunity to sing this hymn in worship. As I reflect on all that is happening in our lives these days, I am concerned that we are losing track of our identity and in that confusion of not knowing who we are, we then do not know how to be healed of all the ills that inevitably come upon us. So much of the pressures of our days appear to come to us as we are asked to claim allegiance to one group or another and at any given time. We may even feel forced into one identity or another. One group or another is asking us; “Are you X or are you Y? You have to be one or the other! There is no other way. You are with us, or you are not.” Often times we are making choices and allegiances that run counter to what we truly believe or even want to be associated with overall. “So, what are you getting at here Pastor?” you may be asking. My concern is this; in the midst of all the things we are asked to be and all the insistence that we be a part of one group or another we are losing the reality of our baptismal identify as a child of God as our paramount identity above all else. I am truly concerned that we risk losing our sense of who we are and whose we are above all else. Maybe next time we are asked to pick an identity we might simply say something like; “First and foremost, I am a child of God. Sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Or as my friend Kurt often shares when someone tries to identify him in some way, Kurt will often respond; “Well, no but I am baptized.” In knowing whose we are and who ultimately has the power to claim us beyond all our ills and bring true light to our lives, we can then come to wholeness and healing. Knowing our true identity, and living in that identity, we then have peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow. Jesus is the Healer of Our Every Ill. Let us claim this truth always. Amen. ~ Pastor Ken Gibson Join Pastor Ken for Daily Devotions
We hope you are joining Pastor Ken for daily devotions, Monday through Thursday mornings at 8am on St. John’s Facebook page. It’s a nice way to start your day!
Pastoral Care
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.
Church Office Hours
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. |
Online Giving to St. John's
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