Vol. 79 Issue 16 | Week of April 19-25, 2021 |
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Worship on April 25, 2021: Eastertide
This coming Sunday morning we will worship together online in this season of Eastertide. The scripture passage is Acts 4:1-22. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "Myth, Fallacy, or Gospel?"
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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Food Truck Fellowship on May 2!
12pm-2pm in the Chapel Parking Lot
Join us for a Food Truck Fellowship outside in the Chapel parking lot on Sunday, May 2 from 12pm-2pm. Food will be available from The Atomic Dog. The Atomic Dog offers hot dogs and brats any way you like them from a New York-style hot dog cart. Whether it's all the way, chili cheese, spicy mustard and sauerkraut, or just ketchup, The Atomic Dog has you covered and is excited to cater to St. John's! They also will be selling soft drinks and water. Click here for the menu.
For this gathering, please wear your face covering and bring your lawn chair or a picnic blanket to spread on the grassy area by the Chapel building. In addition to awesome food, we will put out some outdoor activities - hula hoops, chalk - for any children or children at heart as well as corn hole boards for those who wish to toss a few bean bags around.
Also, the Mission Resource Team will be gathering non-perishable food items for Loaves & Fishes on this day. During the event, please bring a few items to add to the barrels that will be placed outside the Main Entrance. Click here for a list of recommended items.
We know you all miss one another and want to see each other's faces! So, go ahead and register NOW for this great opportunity to enjoy some great food and wonderful fellowship amongst friends.
If it rains, we plan to gather at safe distances in Broach Hall and Lasater Hall.
You must pre-register for this fellowship event using the button below or through your Realm profile.
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Pick up Sunday Growth Group Literature on May 2!
If you would like to pick up your Sunday Growth Group literature on Sunday, May 2 from 12pm-2pm during the Food Truck event, it will be available. You do not have to be attending the Food Truck event to pick up your materials. If you need to make other arrangements to pick up, please contact Allison!
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Have you heard about VBS 2021?
VBS this year will be an at-home version which means you have the flexibility to decide when, where, and how you do VBS! You could do it all in one day, one week, or one month, or you could spread it out over the entire summer. You could take it on vacation for a rainy day activity. You could have some for when family visits or for when you visit family. You could do VBS with a group of friends. Be creative!
Each kit is filled with stories and crafts for 4 days of learning about Moses helping to lead the Hebrew people out of enslavement and into freedom. No screens are required, however, you will get links to videos of our stories and crafts for the week should you choose to use them. (We know everyone is super burnt out on screens right now!)
Each kit is designed for 1 child (PreK-Grade 5) and is $5. For more information and to register for a kit, click here. (We are trying a new way of registration this year using Realm, so please reach out if things aren't clear.) Please feel free to share with your friends who might be interested!
Kits will be distributed on Sunday, June 6 from 11am-1pm. Registration will remain open until we run out of kits.
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Developing a Plan to Re-Gather
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.)
Continue reading the entire plan for the next several months by clicking the button below.
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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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Social Justice Focus Group Launch
The Mission Resource Team is launching a new group focused on social justice (which would include systemic racism, economic mobility, and equity/equality issues).
Through study and discussion, this group hopes to develop educational programs and volunteer/service opportunities for the St. John's community.
If you are interested in this project (or if you are at least willing to participate in an introductory discussion), please contact Todd Stillerman (704-763-6611 or stillerman@gmail.com).
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Refugee 101 at Refugee Support Services (RSS)
RSS is one of our partners in serving refugees in Charlotte. If you would like to find out more about our new neighbors coming as refugees from around the world, and about the services being provided to extend welcome and support in their transition, Refugee Support Services is offering a virtual Refugee 101 session.
To tune in to one of these one-hour informative and inspirational virtual sessions sign up by clicking the green button below.
Next available times are on May 20 either at 9:30am or 7:00pm.
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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),
Mary Birdsong Brown (granddaughter of Stan & Martha Brown), Laura Sorrell,
Bryon Bullard, Tish Philemon, Andrew Adair, Nancy Burgess, Angie Wheeler
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of April 13-19: $24,377
Income through April 19: $322,134
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
Community & State Missions: $4,140
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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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