Vol. 79 Issue 24 | Week of June 14-20, 2021 |
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A Summer of Regathering Begins
Some Thoughts from Dr. Foust
Well, I enjoyed hugging some choir members as they arrived for rehearsal last night. And, I look forward to hugs and handshakes with many of you this coming Sunday. Let me offer a few thoughts:
- I realize registering for worship seems like a hassle (and it is), but this is not forever. In a few weeks, our need to register for weekly worship will no longer be necessary.
- As you arrive on Sundays, you will be asked to check in. This may feel a bit like another hassle. But, it is not. This is a new procedure to invest in strengthening our relational community and providing better congregational care. This prevents us from needing to pass the registration pads along the pews during worship or take attendance in groups/classes. Here’s what you can expect - You will find several IPad Kiosks. You will enter the last four digits of your phone number or your name, then check in with a couple of more touches. This can be done in 15 to 30 seconds and will help our staff and church leadership provide better ministry in several ways.
- YES, WE WILL ALL WEAR FACE COVERINGS DURING WORSHIP. Once our children can be vaccinated, our COVID19 Task Force will reconsider this need. I will only remove my face covering when I am preaching or offering worship leadership. Other worship leaders and staff will follow the same protocols. I appreciate your compassion as we ‘love one another.’ Our children are very special to us. By wearing our face coverings we are showing our children that we love them and we are exemplifying the active faith we desire them to embrace.
- Our worship will continue to be live streamed on both our YouTube and Facebook channels.
Once again, please know of my deep love for you and my appreciation of you. The many ways you have expressed commitment, vision, and mission through these past sixteen months display a healthy and vibrant faith community. Please continue to live into those ten minutes per day in prayer as we begin regathering physically and spiritually ‘ALL TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER.’
Shalom,
Dennis
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Worship on June 20, 2021:
In-Person Worship Begins!
We will worship together this Sunday in person for those who can participate and will continue to live-stream the service for those of you worshiping with us online. This coming Sunday morning, Dr. Foust will offer our message called, "A Vision for God's Domain," with a focus on the next part of the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:10, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," as well as Luke 13:18-19.
Will you join us in person this coming Sunday morning for worship? Register ahead of time through your Realm account or with the button below. We hope to see you! It is very important that you register in advance. If you need assistance, please contact Mallory at [email protected] OR 704-477-3349! She is happy to help you register for worship.
If you are unable to be with us in person, do not worry. We know that some of you might not be comfortable gathering in large groups or you might live at quite a distance. We understand and we welcome your participation virtually on Facebook or YouTube. The worship video links will be sent out via email each Sunday at 8am.
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This Sunday continues our summer sermon series, "All Together Through Prayer," and we are excited to hear from several different proclaimers throughout the summer, in addition to Dr. Foust, including:
- Rev. Nate Dove on Sunday, July 11
- Sabrina Gilchrist, Executive Director of Right Moves for Youth, on July 18
- Derek Henson on August 8
- Lia Benton on August 15
- Rev. Lee Gray on August 22
Our services will continue to be live-streamed each Sunday morning on the St. John's Baptist Church Facebook AND St. John's Baptist Church YouTube Channel as we begin in-person worship. You can also find it on our website under the Worship tab to view.
Remember to read our Regathering Plan at the link here to learn about all protocols we have set in place for our regathering.
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Need to Schedule a Meeting or Event?
Follow these guidelines as we reopen our campus...
As we begin to reopen our campus to worship and gathering in groups, we would like to update you on the process for scheduling meetings and events. The availability of the church to host gatherings does not obligate us to have all meetings and events on-site, but to accommodate the best option for your group or ministry area. All meetings and events should be added to Realm by group leaders or church staff, and all events and meetings at the church building should be scheduled by contacting the Church Administrator, Jacquelyn McAbee ([email protected] or 704-333-5428 ext. 20) for available space. We are also exploring how to set up hybrid meetings where some might meet at the church and others at home or elsewhere virtually. One good lesson we learned during our time apart was how we can use technology to stay connected and conduct meetings and fellowship. The link below has all the details for scheduling events and meetings for group leaders, teachers, committee chairs, and task force leaders.
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Attention! Important Security System Updates!
Use the call button at any entrance to enter the building!
We have upgraded our security system! Instead of the codes you once had to enter the building, we are now using key fobs. Key fobs are used to access three exterior entrances and various interior doors.
If you would like a key fob of your own, please visit Jacquelyn in the church office Monday-Thursday between 10am-3pm to pick one up.
You can enter the building during office hours by pressing the call button at any entrance.
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A Summer of Regathering: All Together through Prayer
Pray with St. John's for 10 minutes each day!
Through this summer, as part of our “All Together through Prayer” emphasis, please include the following prayer focus points in your prayers each day in June:
- Thursday, June 17 – Families with Youth
- Friday, June 18 – North Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
- Saturday, June 19 – People preparing to regather in our St. John’s sanctuary
- Sunday, June 20 – World Refugee Day
- Monday, June 21 – Alliance of Baptists
- Tuesday, June 22 – Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
- Wednesday, June 23 – Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care
- Thursday, June 24 – Palestine/Israeli Conflicts
- Friday, June 25 – Chris Mullis, Head Custodian
- Saturday, June 26 – Alliance Center for Education Head Start
- Sunday, June 27 – Persons Living through Homelessness
- Monday, June 28 – Members Living in Continuing Care Retirement Communities
- Tuesday, June 29 – North Carolina Council of Churches
- Wednesday, June 30 – Deborah Thon, Custodian
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Support Freedom School Scholars
As you know, we are hosting QC Family Tree’s Freedom School this summer. While we can’t volunteer in person this year, we can volunteer in various ways to support the scholars and staff as they learn together. You can check out opportunities to serve and sign up by clicking the link below.
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Save the Date!
Women's Retreat on November 5-6, 2021
Save the date for the 2021 Women's Retreat sponsored by the Women of the Church. The retreat will take place starting the evening of November 5 through November 6 at the church. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details to come soon!
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Sign Up to Make Sandwiches for Roof Above
We need 10 people to make 20 sandwiches for next Tuesday, July 20!
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. The next date we need sandwiches is Tuesday, July 20!
Even if you have signed up to make sandwiches in prior weeks, you must sign up again to make sandwiches for each specific week you are available to help. Please check the sign up to see if you have already signed up or not.
From 10-11am on the date you sign up, please drop off your sandwiches at the Main Entrance. From there, a member of the Mission Resource Team will deliver the 200 sandwiches to Roof Above.
We will continue this through the summer and re-evaluate this approach before the fall begins.
If you and/or your family can commit to making 20 sandwiches for Roof Above, please sign up here and look at available dates:
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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),
Tish Philemon, Andrew Adair, Carol Drye
Sympathy to Michael and Lydia Farnsworth on the death of Michael's
Aunt Frances Dykes in Houston, Texas.
Sympathy to Mike York in the death of his father, Carroll O. York, on June 2.
A memorial service for will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in the Chapel at McEwen (formerly Harry & Bryant Company), 500 Providence Road,
Charlotte, NC.
Congratulations to Steven & Kimberly Follis on the birth of their daughter,
Joy Christine, on June 16!
Congratulations to Anna and Blinn Cushman on the birth of their twins on June 16! Carol McLeod is the proud grandmother!
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of June 8-14: $19,710
Income through June 14: $529,804
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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