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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- When Prophets Speak by Dennis
- Feb. 16: Youth Sunday
- Feb. 16: CROSSWALK
- Message from Personnel Resource Team
- Feb. 24: All Deacon Meeting
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Register: Syrup Sunday on March 2
- Basketball Schedule
- March 5: Ash Wednesday
- March 8: Children's Mission Day
- March 20: Thursdays on the Town
- Dove's Nest Collection
- Room in the Inn Collection
- WOC Bake Sale Thank You
- Valentine's Par-Tea
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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When Prophets Speak
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Recently, some people decried the way prophetic voices are treated today. It seems odd that people are surprised or confused. Prophetic voices have always been devalued, unappreciated, or misinterpreted by authoritative power structures.
When the ancient prophets began speaking words representing God’s Truth to power, a little more than 3,000 years ago, they were seldom affirmed. Throughout the centuries, prophets lived at the edge of society. Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Malachi were influential from the periphery and did not apply to be the community rabbi or pastor.
Prophetic voices always need to be considered by God’s people. True prophets remind us of God’s will, call us to spiritual renewal, and challenge us to refocus our priorities on God’s ways of justice, peace, mercy, care for the vulnerable, inclusion of the immigrant, compassion toward those living in economic poverty, and hospitality toward all persons pushed away as outsiders. Prophetic voices can bring radical change and cause disruption. The prophetic voice is needed today; however, it is not the only voice needed. We also need the pastoral voice, the wisdom voice, the visionary voice, the leadership voice, and the counselor voice, among others.
Because we are living in a shouting world it seems as if issues come at us like swarms of love bugs approaching our windshield on a warm North Carolina night drive to the coast. We need to realize that God’s Truth always presents to us a vision for how we should live and live together. For example, we should seek to be successful, but we do not build our successes by taking advantage of other people.
In my files, I keep an article published on September 9, 2018, by Susannah Heschel, daughter of Abraham Heschel. The article is entitled, ‘Two Friends, Two Prophets,’ and introduces us to the friendship and trust between Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr. They were from very different backgrounds. King grew up in Atlanta, Heschel came to the United States in 1940 as a refugee from Hitler’s regime in Europe. They often spoke together about how racism is the root of poverty. In March, 1965, they were arm in arm walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Both of these men were prophets in recent times.
These two men met in 1963 at a Chicago conference on ‘Religion and Race’ organized by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The bond between them was instantaneous. Being a prophet can get quite lonely. These two prophets dwelt in a common spirit. When you read the words of King and Heschel, you explore prophetic words that clarify God’s vision. We apply their words to our lives and our life together because they show us where we are falling short of God’s vision for humanity.
When prophets speak, God’s people hear a description of God’s vision and a prescription for how we can remedy the ills of our lives and our life together. Jesus described himself as one who speaks the word of the Lord. In John’s Gospel (14:23-24), Jesus is quoted, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.”
When we refuse to listen to prophetic voices, we are not merely prohibiting their voice, if the prophet is proclaiming the vision of God, we are rejecting the vision of God. That said, every voice that portrays themselves to be a prophet is not a prophet. Even pastors offer a prophetic word from time to time amidst messages focused on spiritual growth, discipleship, and a variety of other subjects. When a pastor offers a message clarifying God’s vision, they are offering their prophetic voice. Let all God’s people hear.
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This Sunday, Feb. 16: Youth Sunday
This coming Sunday, we will observe a wonderful tradition in our church as our youth lead us in worship. They will offer the prayers, lead us in prayer, read scriptures, provide a message for our children, receive our tithes and offerings, and preach the sermons. Please be present this Sunday.
Kenna Benton, Brooks Sorrell, and Laura Sorrell will lead us in worship that day. Using a passage from Philippians, they will reflect upon their spiritual journeys throughout their lives at St. John's.
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CROSSWALK on Sunday, Feb. 16, 9am in the Sanctuary
This Sunday is the third Sunday of the month. Please gather with Dr. Foust in the sanctuary for a few moments of congregational prayer prior to your Sunday School Ministry groups.
In addition to our Sunday CROSSWALK prayer emphasis, we will introduce a church-wide CROSSWALK prayer nexus during the 40 days of Lent. This idea was brought to me by the Pathfinders Sunday Morning Group and their teacher, Kathy Spence. Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5th, we are asking for church members to sign-up to pray. We will be asking for you to sign-up for each morning OR afternoon OR evening. Who or what you pray for is largely up to you. But, we ask that you pray for the life and ministries of St. John’s. The sign-up sheet will be simple and request you to enter your name for one time between March 5th and April 19th. Here is an example
DATE: Saturday, March 15th
AM _______________________________________________________
PM _______________________________________________________
EVENING ________________________________________________
Let us consider how the term, ‘CROSSWALK’ is both a word describing both our discipleship and a marked space providing a safe passage from one side of the street to another. As we pray together in the coming months, let us renew ourselves to discipleship as a CROSSWALK and seek for ways to help one another safely cross from yesterday into tomorrow.
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Message from Personnel Resource Team
Due to changes in staffing for our custodial work for St. John’s, the Personnel Resource Team, is taking applications for a temporary Sunday custodian. This person will have responsibilities for unlocking our facilities on Sunday mornings and securing our facilities after our Sunday morning schedule is completed. Apply by contacting Amanda Morris at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org
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All Deacon Meeting: February 24
The next All Deacon Meeting is Monday, February 24, 7:30 pm, in Broach Hall. Panels will meet at 6:30 p.m.
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Register now for Syrup Sunday
March 2 immediately following worship
You are invited to join us for Syrup Sunday (formerly known as Fat Friday) on Sunday, March 2 at 11:30 AM in Broach Hall!
This will be a pancake lunch with games and a photo station.
Food will be provided by Brookscakes!
We ask that you please consider donating either ahead of time on Realm or at the door by cash or check! Checks should be made to St. John’s Baptist Church.
The suggested amount is $10 per person.
All money collected will be donated to Refugee Support Services!
Please register by February 28th!
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Basketball Game Schedule
February 15
- 6u Co-Ed – 11:00 am @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Cardella – 2:30 pm @ St. Stephen UMC
- 8u Boys Allen – 12:00 pm @ St. John’s
- 8u Girls – 10:00 am @ St. John’s
- 10u Boys Short - BYE
- 10u Boys Barnhardt - BYE
- 10u Girls – 3:15 pm @ St. John’s
- 12u Girls – 9:30 am @ Trinity Episcopal
- 18u Girls – 9:30 am @ Mt. Harmony Baptist
The Children & Youth Year-End Basketball Banquet will be on Sunday, March 2, 4-7pm in the gym and church lounge.
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March 5: Ash Wednesday
On the evening of Ash Wednesday, March 5th, we will gather at 6:30 to worship as we enter the Lenten season. On each Sunday, during Lent, we will offer prayers of confession to God and reflect on the meanings of Jesus’ words spoken from the cross.
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March 8: Children's Mission Day
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina is holding aChildren's Missions Day on Saturday, March 8, 10-2, at FBC-Mount Holly for 3rd-5th graders on the theme of Serving Together. Please let Kheresa know by February 23 if your child would like to participate. Your child is welcome to bring a friend.
Save the Date: Thursdays on the Town: March 20
Our next Thursdays on the Town for parents will be on March 20, beginning at 6:00 pm, at Puerta (1961 E. 7th Street). Free childcare is provided.
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Dove's Nest Collection: Urgent Needs
Dove's Nest is a faith-based, free, residential recovery program for women and their children ages 3-11 as a part of Charlotte Rescue Mission.
They are currently in urgent need of the following items:
- Body lotion
- Body wash
- Tampons
Please place all items in the Giving Nook at the Main Entrance.
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Room in the Inn Collection
Room in the Inn is an overnight homeless shelter program sponsored by the Roof Above organization. Through the Room in the Inn program, St. John's provides overnight hosting for homeless men on several Friday nights during the winter.
To support the RITI program at St. John's, please consider donating men's T-shirts, boxer briefs, athletic socks and toiletry items using the two Roof Above bins located in the Giving Nook area. Thanks for your support!
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Thank you from Women of the Church
The Women of the Church would like to thank the many folks who supported the Basketball Bake Sale on Saturday, February 8. Our customers were delighted by the wide variety of tempting baked goods provided by you generous SJBC bakers, and many of those customers came back for more of their favorites! The delicious treats put a sparkle in the eyes of the children and their families, and the joyful, welcoming banter of our volunteer workers filled their hearts, reminding all that Saint John’s is a place where Love comes in all sizes and types, and that Love is offered to all! The proceeds of our sale will be donated for the purchase of new choir robes for our children's choirs. Thank you!
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Valentine Par-Tea was a delight!
St. John's children and their families joined our On The Way folks for a lovely time at the Valentine's Par-Tea this past Sunday, Feb. 9. Savory treats, sweets, scones, and tea catered by La-Tea-Da. In addition to games and other activities, guests were treated ot music by Addison Norris and Alex Norris on the piano and Usula Bowen on the violin. Find more photos on Facebook and on Instagram.
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Joseph Freeman
Continuing Prayer: Nancy Burgess, Mary Rickenbaker, Anne Sutton, Jeck Warren
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Through December
Budgeted Income: $1,211,000 (100%)
Actual Income Received: $1,167,311 (96%)
Income Over (Under) Budget: ($43,689)
Actual Expenses Paid: $1,192,524 (98%)
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit): ($25,213)
2025 Pledge Commitments
2025 Pledge Goal: 150 Commitments, $900,000
2025 Pledges Received: 137 Commitments, $890,000
2024 Pledge Total: 140 Commitments, $884,000
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Staff On-Call Rotation
Feb. 10-16: Lee
Feb. 17-23: Kheresa
Feb. 24-Mar. 2: Russell
Mar. 3-9: Dennis
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
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Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
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Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
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Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Organist
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
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