Vol. 79 Issue 15 | Week of April 12-18, 2021 |
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Worship on April 18, 2021: Eastertide
This coming Sunday morning we will worship together online in this season of Eastertide. The scripture passage is Acts 3:1-16. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "Reclaiming Evangelism from Evangelicals."
The worship video will be available at 8am via our YouTube channel and at our website under the Worship tab for you to view. You can also link to worship from the Realm Connect App Events list.
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- Friday, April 16:
- 6:30am-Brotherhood of the Biscuit
- Sunday, April 18:
- 8:00am-Worship premieres on YouTube and Website
- 9:15am-Sunday Growth Group meetings on Zoom
- 10:30am-Worship premieres on Facebook
- 5:30pm-Youth Group meets safely in person in Broach Hall parking lot
- Monday, April 19:
- 8:00am-Finance Resource Team meeting online
- 11:30am-Faith Journey Book Study on Zoom
- 6:00pm-Community Connections Zoom call with Tina Postel and Lucy Bush Carter (see article below)
- Tuesday, April 20:
- 10:00am-Roof Above Sandwich drop-off until 11:00am (sign up below)
- 11:00am-Tuesday Bible Study on Zoom
- Wednesday, April 21:
- 7:00pm-Choir Zoom meeting
- Thursday, April 22:
- Anytime-Prayer on the 22nd Initiative (see article below)
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Community Connections:
Dialogue with Friendship Trays and Loaves & Fishes Executive Directors
Join the St. John's community in dialogue with Tina Postel, Executive Director from Loaves & Fishes, and Lucy Bush Carter, Executive Director of Friendship Trays, two of our Community Ministry Partners who will soon merge as one organization, during our COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Church-Wide Zoom Call on Monday, April 19 at 6pm.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about these two organizations and learn about their exciting merger coming in May. We invite you to join at 6pm on April 19. A Zoom link will be sent out on that day for you to connect.
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A Plan to Re-Gather from
Our COVID-19 Task Force
As more and more of our members are getting vaccinated, (and we do encourage vaccinations whenever possible), we deem it apropos to offer the following Re-Gathering Plan. Our approach is a gradual plan due to the following reasons:
- Our ministries are numerous and diverse, so progressive safety is our intention.
- April and May will result in steady growth of increasing members being vaccinated.
- Our children & youth under the age of 16 have no possibility for vaccines as of yet.
- Science is still gathering data as to how the variants are responding to the vaccines and whether those who have been vaccinated can still spread the virus.
Therefore, our COVID-19 Task Force will continue to monitor adjustments as we:
- Continue safety protocols established at the beginning of the pandemic regarding face coverings inside our facilities and observe physical distancing guidelines.
- Phase-in various activities through the spring and summer.
- Evaluate participation numbers for safe gatherings and distancing as summer unfolds.
- Begin requesting members to let us know when they have completed their vaccine. (Although Metro Charlotte is not expected to reach the 80% threshold of herd immunity until late summer/early autumn, St. John’s members may reach this number earlier and we may be able to adjust our numbers accordingly.)
APRIL AND MAY:
Facilities:
- Closed except for essential purposes;
Worship:
- Continue with our video taped (VT) expressions of worship;
Ministries:
- Weekday School and Head Start continue to operate in facilities;
- Our Youth begin meeting in person outdoors with Broach Hall as backup;
- Resource Teams and Growth Groups continue to meet virtually on Zoom;
- Growth Groups encouraged to schedule social gatherings for June;
- Two Outdoor Food Truck Fellowships – May 2 and May 23
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May 2: Hosted by Women of the Church (Loaves & Fishes Food Drive)
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May 23: Hosted by Brotherhood of the Biscuit (High School Graduates)
JUNE:
Facilities:
- Expanded office hours are implemented during the month;
- Encourage groups to meet in Broach Hall, Lasater Hall and other large rooms;
Worship:
- June 20 & 27 – Offer live streamed worship with staff & choir in sanctuary;
Ministries:
- Chancel Choir begins rehearsals in sanctuary observing physical distancing;
- Weekday School and Head Start break before beginning summer sessions;
- Our Youth initiate summer events to continue through July & August;
- Resource Teams and Growth Groups continue meeting virtually on Zoom and/or begin meeting in person in facilities while observing protocols.
- Volunteer service groups and ministry teams may schedule facility rooms.
JULY:
Facilities:
- Office hours are expanded to near normal;
Worship:
- July 4 - Offer video taped expression of worship;
- July 11, 18 & 25 – Offer live streamed worship with staff, choir and a certain number of members in sanctuary using Broach Hall as livestream overflow;
Ministries:
- Growth Groups encouraged to schedule social gatherings for July;
- Our Youth continue summer events;
- Resource Teams and Growth Groups continue meeting virtually on Zoom and/or begin meeting in person in facilities while observing protocols.
- Volunteer service groups and ministry teams may schedule facility rooms.
AUGUST:
Facilities:
- Office hours move to normal hours.
- Encourage groups to meet in Broach Hall, Lasater Hall and other large rooms;
Worship:
- August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 – Offer live streamed worship with staff, choir and a number of members in sanctuary w/Broach Hall as livestream overflow;
Ministries:
- Resource Teams and Growth Groups continue meeting virtually on Zoom and/or begin meeting in person in facilities while observing protocols.
SEPTEMBER:
Facilities:
- Reopened with safety protocols as needed
Worship:
- September 5 – Offer video taped expression of worship for Labor Day weekend;
- September 12 and following – worship becomes more normalized to pre-COVID practices. Continue livestream as we did prior to pandemic.
Ministries:
- Continuously evaluate how to re-gather in smaller rooms as safe.
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Pray with St. John's on the 22nd of Each Month
Some of you will remember The Rev. Fran Cook who was Minister for Youth with St. John’s a few decades ago. For several years, Fran has been a chaplain with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. A few years ago, Fran brought forward a season of prayer to connect houses of faith with the police department.
Last year, 2020, was a horrendous year including increasing violence, a world-wide pandemic, civil unrest, and a contentious election. It also introduced creative and relational ways to policing and new ways in which to involve community organizations in addressing public safety so that all residents feel safe. In a recent conversation with Fran’s office, I discussed this year’s prayer emphasis connecting the police department and congregations. Fran’s office agreed to give to St. John’s the 22nd day of the month.
Why the 22nd?
Because this is our centennial year; St. John’s began in 1922. So, I am asking you to join me in praying for the following visions on the 22nd of each month through our centennial year.
Here are the four prayers to guide your focus:
- Pray for our community as we look more deeply into the causes of unrest, homelessness, and injustice which worsened in the pandemic and work together to respond in acts of loving kindness through tangible ways that make a difference.
- Pray for police officers and staff as to their safety and their integrity; for their physical and mental health, and for compassion and empathy as they serve our community.
- Pray for other public, health, and safety officials; pray for their strength and perseverance and wisdom to guide their decisions.
- Pray that all persons in our community realize they are created in the image of God.
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Make Sandwiches for Roof Above
Roof Above is in need of sandwiches and St. John’s has signed up to make 200 sandwiches once a month starting this month. We are asking 10 people to make 20 sandwiches on the third Tuesday of each month starting on April 20, 2021.
On April 20 and each month following from 10am-11am, please drop off your sandwiches at the Broach Hall parking lot area, near the Charlotte Family Housing entrance that faces Hawthorne Lane at St. John’s. From there, a member of the Mission Resource Team will deliver the 200 sandwiches to Roof Above.
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas, Barbara Ledford,
Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey), Carole Ann Simpson,
Mary Birdsong Brown (granddaughter of Stan & Martha Brown), Laura Sorrell,
Bryon Bullard, Tish Philemon, Andrew Adair, Nancy Burgess, Angie Wheeler
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We welcome Derek Henson as a new member of St. John's. Derek is a native of western Maryland and completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. After moving to Texas in 2007, he became connected to Cooperative Baptist Life through Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. There he served in a variety of staff and lay ministry positions. While a student at Brite Divinity School, of Southern Methodist University, he served as an education coordinator for Tarrant County Churches Together which facilitated a Children's Defense Fund Freedom School program. He also served as minister in training at Broadway before seminary graduation in 2018 with a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry. Prior to relocating to Charlotte in the fall of 2019, he served as Associate Pastor of Administration and Communication at the First Baptist Church of Worcester, Massachusetts. The variety of mission endeavors and commitments to social justice and inclusion have drawn him to join with us in ministry at St. John’s. Derek serves on our church staff as an administrative assistant. He oversees our Realm services, provides communication support and coordinates several administrative projects including being cross-trained as back-up for both Jacquelyn and Mallory. We are blessed to have Derek in our church and on our staff. Please welcome him into our membership with an email to dhenson@sjcharlotte.org.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of April 8-14: $11,906
Income through April 14: $297,757
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
Community & State Mission Offering Goal: $5,000
Received As of April 14: $4,080
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You can make contributions, view your giving history and pledge status, as well as update your pledge and giving information anytime by accessing your personal
Realm profile online or via the Connect App.
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Contact the Staff
To email a staff member, click on their name below
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