CALLING VOLUNTEERS
There is an article in the August 2026 newsletter regarding the serving schedule and our plan to assign an usher on a weekly basis. With only one usher each week, we need an additional person to assist in counting the offerings after the worship service. The positions of usher and counter are open to men and women. The planned start date is now October 4. Volunteers for the counter position and volunteers not currently serving as an usher, altar guild member, lector, or communion assistant should contact the church office at (803) 781-3311 or office@stjohnsirmo.org. 

MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM in the Sunday School building as we use Martin Luther’s Large Catechism to explore what the Ten Commandments mean and how they continue to shape our lives of faith today. On Wednesday we will use Luther’s Large Catechism to study the seventh commandment “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19).

“GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS”
As our project for “God’s Work. Our Hands” annual day of service on September 13, 2026, we will collect items for Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia’s Safe Space Dinners program. See today’s flyer insert for more information.

MINI VBS
Mini VBS is coming on Thursday, September 17th from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM! Our Bible story will be Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. Children in Pre K4 through 5th grade are invited, but parents are required to arrange transportation. We will provide lunch and a snack.

For our art project, we need empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls. If you can save some for us, it will be very helpful.
We look forward to seeing you at Mini VBS! 

NOISY OFFERING
Last Sunday we collected $56.20 in noisy offering for Restoration Chapel, an outreach ministry of the SC Synod that provides support for women in addiction recovery at Kinard Manor in Greenwood, SC. When combined with amounts collected in July and earlier in the year, the funds designated for this organization total $590. 60. We will add some of our grant funds from Thrivent to round up to $600.00.

INSTALLATION OF THE REV. WADE ROOF
The installation of the Rev. Wade Roof as Bishop of the South Carolina Synod will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC, with a reception to follow. 

HISTORY PRESENTATION
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at Union Lutheran Church, 4077 Highway 378, Leesville, SC 29070 historian Steven Knapp from the Newberry Museum will talk about South Carolina’s participation in the Revolutionary War.

Lunch, catered by Shealy’s BBQ, will be served about noon. The cost is $20.00 per adult and $12.00 for children under 8 years old. Please send your check by September 9, stating the number of adults and the number of children, to:
Shealy Family Committee
226 Rocky Retreat Ct.
Leesville, SC 29070

For more information, call Donna Shealy at 803-730-2116.

WEEKEND RETREAT FOR ELEMENTARY KIDS
Do you have elementary kids at home? A weekend retreat for all elementary aged kids will be held on October 10-11, 2026. This is a great chance for our kids to learn more about Jesus and meet other Lutherans from across the South Carolina Synod. Stay tuned for more details—you won’t want to miss what’s in store!

JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE
Pomaria Lutheran Church has invited us to join them for their worship service on September 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM. During the service, our new bishop-elect, Wade Roof, who officially becomes bishop on September 1, 2026, will participate in the dedication of Pomaria’s newly completed building addition. The dedication service will be followed by a reception.