The Family Reunion Sunday was a great morning of worship and fellowship. Despite the high temperature, the trees and tents provided shade for most people and God provided occasional strong breezes to cool everyone down.

WORSHIP: The location of the worship service worked better this year, as most of the people who came for worship were able to stay cooler in the shade by bringing their lawn chairs to sit in. Musicians led praise songs and hymns and Pastor John’s sermon taught on Hebrews 12:1-3, the theme verse for this school year. These verses reappeared in the children’s message to students who came up for a backpack blessing. They heard from Deaconess Michele about the endurance given by Jesus as the race of the Christian life is run. Their backpacks were then blessed, as Pastor John prayed for the students and teachers in all they will learn and work toward this year.

During the service, Michele Doel was commissioned and installed as Deaconess, and teachers Angela Aquino and Emilie Gross were installed as Called Teachers. See the Commissioning and Installation here.

The service wasn’t live-streamed but is now available to view on the website.

BLOOD DRIVE: The blood drive was a success, as the Red Cross was able to receive numerous donations in the school cafeteria amidst their current donation shortage. Every donor received a $20 Amazon gift card. Additionally, St. John’s received a $230 Amazon gift card. What do you think we should buy with the money?

CLASSROOM OPEN HOUSE: After church, worshippers followed our newly re-dedicated teachers into the school building. Classrooms were fully set up and decorated for the year and they got to interact directly with the teachers. It was a great opportunity for school parents to see their children’s classrooms, and for church families to get a peek into our school ministry

PICNIC: After worship, several volunteers jumped into action moving tents, chairs, and tables to make a seating space for the picnic. Many volunteers had prepared hot dogs, watermelons, and baked beans for the 150-200 people who stayed for lunch. People were able to stay cool enough under the shade of the tents to enjoy a time of fellowship as they ate.

All sorts of people chipped in to make this event a success. Many helped with set up, others responded to the needs of worshippers (like moving chairs out of the hot sun), and still others cleaned up at the end of the event. Plan on joining us for our next big event: Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 25.