Vol. 78 Issue 39 Week of September 28 - October 4, 2020 |
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Worship on
October 4th
This Sunday morning we will participate with Christians around the world on World Communion Sunday. Our scriptures will be 1 Chronicles 15:1-2, 16, 28 and Psalm 98, and Rev. Dennis Foust will share a message titled, "Making Music Together." As we come to the Lord's Table to share in Communion you will want to have your elements to represent the bread and cup for you and those with whom you worship.
The worship video will be available at 8 am 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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A Word From Dennis
I know you’re busy. So, I will make this short and sweet.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness as the people of St. John’s. You are learning together, caring for one another, making decisions, communicating, reaching out by phone, giving attention to the health and vitality of our church and being as patient as possible during these months. Although we did not see this pandemic coming, we have been flexible discovering new ways of worship, prayer, mission, communicating, learning, stewardship, partnership and leadership. Please know I am grateful.
We are offering eight opportunities to gather on four Sundays. Please know it is essential for you to register for one or more of these events. We will encourage face coverings and abide by safe distancing practices as much as possible. I look forward to seeing those of you who feel safe gathering outdoors. And, please know we fully understand that many of you do not feel comfortable in crowds.
Please let me or Lee Gray know of any congregational care needs of which you become aware. We would rather hear about a need twenty times than to not hear at all.
To quote Ethel Harris, “I love you and don’t ever forget it.”
Shalom,
Dennis
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Gathered Church Opportunities
We miss one another. Although we are still being cautious, with temperatures moderating, we have planned four opportunities for the people of St. John’s to gather outdoors at the church on Sundays, October 11, 18, 25 and November 1. Two of these gathering dates will be focused on fellowship and two on vespers.
It will be necessary for each person to be pre-registered to attend. You will also need to bring your own folding chairs and tables for you and your family or a picnic blanket so that we can maintain appropriate physical distancing. We also encourage masks to be worn as well – except while eating of course. Trash cans will be provided for those days with food available and we ask that you only stay on the church campus for the time you have registered.
Click on the green buttons below to Register.
You may also register via Realm and the Connect App under Events.
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Food Truck Fellowship Sundays
Sunday, October 11th
We will register up to 50 persons for each time slot
Group 1 will gather from 11:15 to 12:00.
Group 2 will gather from 12:00 to 12:45.
Food Trucks
Queens Italian & Shaved Ice.
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Sunday, October 25th
We will register up to 50 persons for each time slot
Group 1 will gather from 11:15 to 12:00.
Group 2 will gather from 12:00 to 12:45.
Food Trucks
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Outdoor Vesper Moments for Devotion and Prayer
Sunday, October 18th
We will focus upon what has happened among us and through us during the pandemic months thus far and offer prayers for our members and extended concerns.
We will register up to 50 persons for each time slot
Group 1 will gather from 5:00 to 5:30 PM
Group 2 will gather from 6:00 to 6:30 pm
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Sunday, November 1st
We will observe All Saints Sunday and remember our members who have passed on ahead of us during the last year.
We will register up to 50 persons for each time slot
Group 1 will gather from 3:00 to 3:30 PM
Group 2 will gather from 4:00 to 4:30 PM
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If you have questions about these events and registration, please contact Derek by email or phone. |
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We're Walking In Person!
We've added the opportunity to participate in an in-person CROP Walk at St. John's! Following our Food Truck Sunday on October 11th, a short walk will take place beginning and ending at St. John's around the Elizabeth neighborhood. This will be a short walk in the spirit of the usual CROP Hunger Walk being held virtually this year.
You can find more information at the link below to sign up to walk at St. Johns, to walk at home, or support the team and efforts to end hunger financially. You may also mail contributions to the church office with CROP Walk on the memo line to the attention of Jacquelyn McAbee.
To join the team, sponsor a team member, or learn more, click the link below.
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Click the video below to learn about how the CROP Hunger Walk supports ending poverty in the the US and abroad. |
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Sunday Growth Groups (Sunday School)
You will now see weekly Sunday School class meetings listed in your Events listing in Realm and the Connect App. As we move forward we will be adding more information to these events and using Realm to track attendance and engagement. If you are unsure if your class is meeting you may send a message to the leader(s) of your class.
Finding Church Events & Activities
When you access Realm, you can see when your groups and teams are meeting, link directly to Zoom meetings, send messages and share information with others, and even link to the worship service each Sunday.
You can visit your personal profile from your computer by clicking here or download the Realm Connect App to your smart device and log in. If you need assistance with setting up your profile or need to reset your password contact Derek or Jacquelyn.
To see a general online calendar of church meetings, events and activities click here.
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Do You Need to Conduct a Meeting Via Zoom?
All of our church meetings and events have gone online and this fall will see an increase in events that need Zoom access. If you are a ministry leader and need to conduct a meeting or event via Zoom, contact a minister to assist with setting up your meeting. The general church calendar is available here to review scheduled meetings and events. Once a minister has set up the meeting link in Zoom, it will be available to participants invited in the Realm Connect App and Online. Zoom meetings and events that are open to the entire church will be shared via email.
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From the Heritage Room
Even though the church building has been closed, work has continued in the Heritage Room by bringing information home on which to work.
Binders have now been completed for each of the decades of the church from the 1920's through 2010's. These binders contain information (articles, letters, programs, pictures, and other ephemera ) for each of the decades. A binder about the church staff is almost completed.
In addition, thanks to a gift of funds from the endowment distribution administered by the Ministries Panel, four of our earliest membership books have been repaired. These books contain membership information since the beginning of the church. As you can tell from the "before" and "after" pictures, the covers and bindings of these earliest books were in extremely bad condition. The refurbished books were returned from the conservator a couple of weeks ago.
We continue to record our membership information in this series of red books. There are two more books in Mallory's office and when someone joins as a member with St. John's, their information is added and notations are made when a person dies or otherwise leaves the church membership. The last number assigned was 8553 with others to be added soon.
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Membership record books from the early years of the church before repair. |
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Membership record books after repairs funded from the endowment distribution. |
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Lastly, about a month ago, we were contacted by the family of the grandson of Dr. Joseph Gaines, our first minister (1922-1928), wanting to donate items from Dr. Gaines to the church. The donation includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and diaries of Dr. Gaines. The diaries include listings of all his sermon titles and records of other speaking engagements and a listing of new church members each Sunday.
A couple of personal entries--
"May 8, 1922-- Begin housekeeping , 405 Crescent Avenue"
"June 6, Elected member of Myers Park Club."
He frequently notes playing golf in these diaries. One of the most interesting items discovered in the collection is a note on the back of an early picture of the sanctuary indicating that Dr. Gaines was very involved in the plans for the building of the sanctuary. The roundels in the sanctuary windows were based on drawings made by Dr. Gaines. We are extremely grateful to the Gaines' family for this donation.
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Dr. Gaines' personal journal pages from May 1922 noting events such as St. John's first Men's Banquet to raise funds for the Community House, first marriage, and first teachers meeting. He and his family began housekeeping at 405 Crescent Ave on May 8, 1922 according to these pages. |
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Dr. Gaines kept a detailed record of his sermons noting the title, date, scripture, location, and audience. Most Sundays list two sermons. October 7, 1922 is listed as Rally Day with 388 present in Sunday School and the Lord's Supper was shared at the evening service. |
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Our new series of Clergy Conversation Hours continued this week with Lee Gray. Upcoming hosts are: Allison Benfield, October 5; and Nate Dove, October 12.
Details on each meeting are available in the Realm Events Listing and will be sent via email on Monday mornings.
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas, Peggy Russ,
Alison Zieglmeier (daughter of Ken and Donna Scott), Andrew Adair,
Barbara Ledford, Tom Bryson, Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey)
The family of Carol Injaychock following the death of her mother Verna Fore.
Our Weekday School and Head Start Students and Staff.
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Please email info@sjcharlotte to share a prayer request, thank you, or celebration. |
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of September 23-29: $7,310
Income through September 29: $786,247
Annual 2020 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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Welcome Back Mallory!
Today we welcome back Mallory Brown to our administrative staff following her maternity leave. You may again contact her regarding questions about church programming, including the Family News, Realm, and other church communications.
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