“GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS”
As our project for “God’s Work. Our Hands” annual day of service on September 13, 2026, we are collecting items for the Safe Space Dinners program, an outreach ministry of Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia.

See the back cover of today’s worship folder for a list of items that may be donated.
If you prefer, you may donate cash (or write a check) to be used to purchase the requested items. The noisy offerings that will be collected on September 27 and October 18 will also be donated to this program.

CALLING VOLUNTEERS
The August 2026 newsletter contained an article 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 either Jan Samson or the church office at (803) 781-3311 or office@stjohnsirmo.org.

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 have decided to follow a different plan, so we are no longer collecting empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls. Thank you for the donations received, and we will save them to use at a later date.

We look forward to seeing you at Mini VBS!

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 eighth commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” (Ex. 20:16; Deut. 5:20)

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, Wade Roof, will participate in the dedication of Pomaria’s newly completed building addition. The dedication service will be followed by a reception.

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.

WEEKEND RETREAT FOR ELEMENTARY KIDS
A weekend retreat for all elementary aged kids will be held on October 10-11, 2026 at Camp Kinard in Batesburg-Leesville, SC. This is a great chance for our kids to learn more about Jesus and meet other Lutherans from across the South Carolina Synod.

There will also be a track for parents!

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