Noah's summary of Wednesday:
Today was a good day! We did a lot. First we got up and ate breakfast. Then we went to a mall, we browsed and shopped. Then we went to Belle Isle state park and saw a lot of art. There were fountains, green houses, a conservatory, a giant slide that was fun. We were there for 2 hours. Then we went to eat at a place called hockey town. The food was delicious. Then finally we went to Ford Field. There was good music, 30,000 Lutherans and some heart felt speakers. It was a blast and I memory I will have for life.
Road Notes from Oscar on Tuesday
Oscars summary of Tuesday:
Today started at Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston IL, our host church. We got up and served, we cleaned our rooms and the fellowship hall at Grace to thank the congregation and to just be polite.
After all was clean we packed the bus and got on the road around 9:30. We stopped to eat lunch at a park. The ride was smooth, we passed right by the Pickwick theater in Park Ridge.
The bus ended in Detroit. We have not passed through the center of the city yet. We had our group discussions where we got our gathering bibles. The day ended with us boys getting to watch the all star game.
Road Notes Kenzie from Monday
Kenzie's summary of Monday:
On Monday morning we woke up earlier then usual. we drove to victory reigns a ranch that helps children with disabilities, so they pretty much do therapy by riding. Some of us painted and stained in the arena, while others were grooming and cleaning up horses. We spent a couple ihours there and then left to shower at a local YMCA. I have to say those showers felt nice after a hot sweaty day. We then headed to millennium park where we saw the bean. We walked from there to Ed debevics for dinner. That was a fun experience. We then headed back to grace Lutheran (where we stayed in Chicago) for a good night sleep before heading to Detroit the next morning.
Road Notes from Alyssa and Sydney
Alyssa/Sydney's summary of Saturday/Sunday:
We journeyed on a bus...for a LONG time. We got to a town right outside of Chicago and went to a beautiful church named Grace Lutheran. We were all amazing at how beautiful it is. The next day we were welcomed to worship with the grace community. We sang for them the song awesome God (I couldn't sing because I had stitches in my mouth so I helped them with the actions). It was very touching to feel so welcomed in the Grace community.
After worship we helped grace with a service project. We helped them clear a garden so it can be used again. After yummy tacos in a bag for lunch we went to community cornerstone outreach. We helped them clean floors and bathrooms, make dinner for the residence of the homeless shelter and sort items for their free store. It was a really fun experience meeting all those people at the soup kitchen but also sad. Seeing all those adults, teens and children there was rough because this is everyday for them. Even with the struggle we know they face everyday, they were so nice to us and they made us seem welcomed. They needed our help and we were so glad to give it to them.
After being at CCO we went out to eat in downtown Chicago. The restaurant we ate was called Pizanos. We ate Chicago style pizza which was really good.
We ended our night with group discussion about racism and how we might encounter it in Detroit.
Today was amazing.
Youth worship and serve in Evanston
The Jamestown Youth Gathering bus stopped in Evanston Illinois for a few days of service, worship, and fun. After worshiping at Grace Lutheran, their host church, the youth served a meal at a soup kitchen. Sunday night they traveled to downtown Chicago for some sightseeing and a trip for some Chicago deep dish pizza. .
National Youth Gathering Departs!
Over 30 youth and chaperones from the Jamestown area boarded a bus and left for the National Youth Gathering at 4:30 am on Saturday the 11th.
Palm Sunday
This Sunday begins with the cheers of the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem by waving palm branches and paving the road with their cloaks. In worship we begin with shouts of joy, but then move into the story of Jesus' passion- his betrayal and death. We will hear the story of Holy week from Mark's Gospel this year. As we enter Holy Week, we enter the story of what Jesus has done for us.
Welcome back Pr. Suzi!
Join Pr. Suzi for Sabbatical conversation and sharing this Sunday between services and again at 2 pm at Babb's Coffee Shop. Monday, she will be speaking at Caribou Coffee at 10 am
Bon Voyage Pr. Suzi!
Pr. Suzi begins her sabbatical today. Since 2009, Pr. Suzi has walked with St. John's through revamping the youth education programming, pastoral transitions, and the arrival of a new colleague. The root of the word "sabbatical" is sabbath. As we hear in Genesis, "And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done." (2:2) And also in Deuteronomy, "Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God: you shall not do any work." (5:12-14a) We give thanks for the abundance of care and ministry that Pr. Suzi has coordinated and facilitated among us and we hope that this sabbatical is a time of rest, refreshment, renewal, and re-creation for her.
Pre Baptism Class/Baptism Class this week!
St. John's expects all families seeking a baptism to meet with a pastor for some conversation about the promises made at baptism. This class accomplishes that conversation in a group setting. Join Pr. Erik on Oct. 15th or on Dec. 10th to learn more about baptism at St. John's. We will gather for a meal at 6 pm and move to the fellowship hall for conversation at 6:30 pm We will spend about an hour meeting and discussing the promises as well as the mechanics of baptism. Children are welcome to attend.