Vol. 79 Issue 10 | Week of March 8-14, 2021 |
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Worship on March 14: Lent IV
This coming Sunday morning we will worship together online to continue this season of Lent. We will focus on the theme of "Compassionate Living" as a dimension of spiritual growth. The scripture passages are Matthew 9:35-38 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "Seeing More Than Crowds."
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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Vote on the Proposed Financial Ministry Plan for 2021
People of St. John’s, your commitment to God’s work is amazing and humbling. We ended 2020 with a deficit of $6121 but then we received $9000 towards the 2020 budget in January, so we actually had a small surplus.
Thankfully, then, St. John’s begins 2021 in good financial shape. We received 176 pledges totaling $886,202 towards the 2021 budget. Given the pandemic, the Finance Resource Team proposed a flat budget for 2021, as shown:
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The Finance Resource Team has approved this budget and submitted it to Church Council, which approved it unanimously, to the Administrative Deacons, who approved it, and to the Diaconate, which has also approved it.
Given that we cannot meet as usual, we ask that you direct questions and comments to Sally Young, Deacon Chair, and Chase Bailey, Finance Resource Team Chair.
Please vote for or against the proposed budget by using the appropriate button below by March 19, 2021.
Additionally, as you know, we received a PPP loan that enabled us to pay salaries and utilities beginning in the second quarter of 2020 for both the church staff and Weekday School staff. Your strong giving enabled us to set aside funds in a restricted account to repay that loan if required. We received documentation on March 8, 2021 stating that the loan has been forgiven. Sally, Chase, and Administrative Deacon Chair Nancy Wilson will shortly appoint a task force to study and recommend what we should do with the money we set aside and do not need to use to repay the PPP loan.
VOTE BELOW:
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Do you vote for or against the proposed budget?
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OUTDOOR WORSHIP CELEBRATION ON EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 4
Yes, we must still be careful – wear our face coverings and maintain physical distance. And, we are making plans to gather outside on Easter Sunday for two services of worship. We realize many of our folks should not gather on Easter – even outside – due to safety. Those of us who gather will wear face coverings and set our lawn chairs 6 to 8 feet apart. (Of course, inclement weather may change our plans. But, this is our good weather plan.) Register with the green buttons below for either time.
First Hour:
- Fellowship Time: 10:00 – 10:25
- Worship Celebration 1: 10:30 – 11:00
- Transition Time: 11:05 – 11:30
Second Hour:
- Worship Celebration 2: 11:30 – 12:00
- Fellowship Time: 12:00 – 12:30
As we prepare to proclaim God’s resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, mark your calendars – grab your face coverings – pack your lawn chairs – bring your flowers to place on the resurrection cross and RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR EASTER MORNING. Each worship celebration will last for 30 minutes. Kevin has enlisted brass musicians to join with Noel on the keyboard. Allison is preparing special activities for children (think chalk art). Nate is preparing to livestream the morning celebrations. Lee and Dennis are coordinating logistics. Don and Scott Hinson have located a ‘whisper’ generator to provide power for our portable sound system. Lindsay Wilson is baking cookies and Kim Allen is preparing lemonade. Our Sierra Leonese and South Sudanese congregations will worship with us. We will gather in the Broach Hall parking lot in amphitheater-style seating (again, bring your own lawn chairs). Parking will be in the Chapel and Main Entrance lots and in surrounding parking lots. Easter is a day of New Beginnings!
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Learn About & Volunteer with ourBridge for Kids!
Conversation on Monday, March 15 & Orientation Session Available April 15
On Monday, March 15, you will have a chance to meet Sil Ganzo, Executive Director of ourBridge for Kids on our monthly Community Connections Zoom call. Sil immigrated to the United States in 2003 from Argentina. The staff speaks eight languages, and all materials, including books and games, feature people of color and other cultures. Many parents were nervous about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools going remote this year because of COVID-19, so ourBridge for Kids pivoted their program. They are now a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools remote learning site and meal bundle pick-up site. “It's crucial for them to feel that they can actually do this. They can actually belong here, they can start over, and start a new life here," Ganzo says. Watch this video to learn more about ourBridge for Kids and join us on March 15 at 6pm on Zoom for a conversation with Sil Ganzo. Mallory will send out a link on Monday for you to connect.
Anyone who is interested in finding out more about ourBridge for Kids, the services offered, and the roles volunteers might play is invited to sign up for the April 15 virtual session. Volunteer opportunities range from regular small group reading help to classroom assistance to occasional help with special projects or events.
To sign up for the orientation session go to the link below:
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Holy Week Kits
Holy Week is March 28-April 3, 2021. This year, we are providing an opportunity for you to sign up for and pick up a customizable "Holy Week Kit" as a companion as you move through this week that begins with Palm Sunday and moves to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Each kit will contain palms, communion elements for Maundy Thursday, an order of worship for Maundy Thursday, and a Stations of the Cross devotional booklet. You can choose what items and how many of each item you want in your kit.
Please sign up by March 24. Pick-up for the kits will be Saturday, March 27 from 11am-1pm via a drive-through at the church.
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SUMMER CHURCHWIDE FELLOWSHIP EVENT TEAMS
We need teams to help plan and coordinate summer events. Our idea is to begin having two outdoor fellowship events each month in May, June, July, and August. Therefore, we need 8 teams consisting of 4 to 6 persons each. Your team would be responsible for one event. You could enlist Food Trucks, enlist a barbeque or pancake master or become even more creative.
If you are willing to be on a team – or if your Sunday School Group is willing to be a team – please email Mallory at mbrown@sjcharlotte.org before March 21 to let her know.
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Thank you to ALL who have received their COVID-19 vaccination! We are so thankful to see so many St. John's folks getting vaccinated! |
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas,
Alison Zieglmeier (daughter of Ken and Donna Scott),
Andrew Adair, Barbara Ledford, Tom Bryson,
Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey), Carole Ann Simpson,
Brad Sifford, Deacon Jones, Jerry McNeill
Sympathy to Jeck Warren in the death of her brother,
Robert Lasater, on March 7, 2021
"RD and I would like to thank our church family for the calls, texts, cards, food, and gifts over the last 2 1/2 months while he has been recovering from his 2 separate stokes and heart surgery. Please continue to keep RD in your prayers his voice is still extremely hoarse and he is still looking for a job. We love you all. We can’t wait to see you!" -Maggie and RD Bond
Sympathy to Carol and Gene Poole in the death of Gene's first cousin who was more like a sister, Sister Mary Jerome Spradley, of Belmont, NC.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of March 3-8: $13,498
Income through March 8: $203,613
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
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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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