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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
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From Dr. Don Gordon: Earth Day 2026
- Youth Mission Auction Registration: April 19 at 11:30 AM
- Brotherhood of the Biscuit: April 17
- C3 Nature Walk: April 18 at 9:30 AM
- Zoom Congregational Listening Session: Lay Leadership Structure: April 20
- Update from the Pastor Search Team: April 26
- No Sunday School for Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary Children on Sunday, April 26
- Sundaes on Sunday: April 26 at 11:30 AM
- On The Way: April 30
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Softball Season Announcement
- Finding Home - 25th Anniversary Luncheon of Lost Boys Coming to the USA: May 17! Mark your Calendars!
- Save the Date: Children’s Paint Party at Noah’s Art: June 6
- Ardis Joyce Ehrenbergers’s 100th Birthday!
- Happy Birthday, Alex!
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Earth Day 2026
by Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister
| | | | Earth Day, first celebrated on April 22, 1970, marked a turning point in public awareness of the environment. It mobilized some 20 million Americans and launched the modern environmental movement. Today, it is observed by more than a billion people worldwide, reminding us that care for the Earth is both a scientific necessity and a moral calling. | | |
I have often thought the Christian church ought to observe something like an “Earth Day” each year, in recognition that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). Honoring the earth is not worshiping it; rather, it is recognizing it as a gift to humankind—God’s provision for our daily bread and ongoing sustenance. Without Easter and the resurrection, we would have no hope for the life to come. Without the earth—God’s original creation—we would have no hope for the life that is.
As Christians, we believe that God created the earth for his glory and inspired Holy Scripture for our spiritual guidance. Since God is the author of both, they cannot ultimately be in conflict with one another. Any perceived conflict arises from a misunderstanding of science, the Bible, or both. Science helps us understand how the world works, including its origin and development. The Bible reveals who the Creator is and the purpose behind creation.
From the perspective of climate scientist and evangelical Christian Katharine Hayhoe, science and faith are not in conflict but in harmony. Science reveals the reality of climate change and its human causes, while theology calls us to respond with love and responsibility. As Hayhoe often says, “The most important thing we can do about climate change is to talk about it.” This simple act reflects a deeper truth: caring for creation begins with awareness, community, and action.
Scripture teaches that the Earth is God’s creation, entrusted to humanity for stewardship, not exploitation. Earth Day offers Christians an opportunity to live out this calling in tangible ways—reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, advocating for wise policies, and caring for the most vulnerable, who are often most affected by environmental harm.
This Saturday, SJBC will host a Nature Walk at 9:00 a.m. at James Boyce Park (click here for directions!). The purpose of this walk is simply to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. It invites us away from our screens and our noise, and into the quiet, healing rhythm of walking upon God’s earth. I hope many of you will join us for this time of connecting with God through nature.
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Youth Mission Auction Registration: April 19 at 11:30 AM
Ready. Set. BID! The silent auction items are now open online! If you still need to register as a bidder, please register on Galabid. The silent auction items will be available until Sunday at 12:30. We will close the silent auction at that time to begin our LIVE auction. Live Auction items are listed on the website to view, but will only be available in person. If you need to register for lunch, please register on Realm. Lunch is $20 for adults and free for children. There will also be BBQ available to purchase after the event. If you need childcare, or assistance registering, please email Lindsay at lindsaykwwilson@gmail.com.
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Brotherhood of the Biscuit: April 17
On Friday, April 17, at 6:30 am in the church lounge, Don Gordon will be our speaker and will share Part Two about his work with creation care - “What Science teaches us about Creation Care.” Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to attend so we can have the appropriate amount of biscuits.
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C3 Nature Walk: April 18 at 9:30 AM
SJBC will host a C3 (Christians Caring for Creation) Nature Walk on Saturday April 18 at 9:00am at James Boyce Park (click here for directions!). We will meet at the playground for opening instructions for a 30-45 minute walk through trails at the park. At the conclusion, we will gather for a time of reflection, facilitated by our Interim Senior Minister Don Gordon. The entire experience will last about one hour, giving people time to come to church and help set up for the Youth Auction if needed.
You can bring a dog on a leash if you like. We also ask you to bring your own water bottle so we don't have to distribute more plastic bottles into our ecosystem. Invite a friend if you wish. This will be a low key, easy-going event.
The purpose of this nature walk is simply to help us connect with God's creation and benefit from the all healing powers God's world has for us.
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A Message from Church Council: Looking Ahead: Leadership Structure Conversation - April 20
Over the past several weeks, church leaders have been listening and reflecting together on what kind of leadership structure will best support St. John’s life and ministry in the years ahead. This work grows out of our shared commitment to discernment, good stewardship, and the Baptist conviction that leadership is a shared calling of the whole congregation.
More detailed information about the proposed structure, including written responses to common questions, will be shared with the congregation in next week’s Family News. Those materials will describe where we are in the process and what opportunities remain for conversation before a congregational vote later this spring.
As part of that process, everyone is invited to a Zoom information and conversation session on Monday night, April 20 at 6:00pm. This session is especially intended for those who were unable to attend the April 12 congregational gathering and will focus on why this structure is being proposed, what it is designed to address, and what it does—and does not—decide. Details for joining the Zoom are below:
Topic: Congregational Listening Session: Lay Leadership
Time: Apr 20, 2026 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sjcharlotte-org.zoom.us/j/86594787040?pwd=jDKL9BgxzYUqYTA3PALkviIomjEGRD.1
We are grateful for the congregation’s care, patience, and engagement as we continue this discernment together.
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Update from The Pastor Search Team (PST)
On Sunday, April 26, we are excited to present our candidate for Senior Minister at 9:15 a.m. in Broach Hall. Children of all ages are welcome to attend. Please note that childcare will not be provided that morning so that our volunteers may participate in this special time.
The search team will offer a 30-minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Afterward, we will move to the sanctuary for worship.
In keeping with SJBC tradition, we will hold a church conference that morning. At the request of our ministers, this will take place at the conclusion of the worship service to avoid disrupting the livestream.
How will this work?
Following the service, we will have a brief intermission to allow guests to depart, families to pick up their children, and childcare volunteers to join us in the sanctuary. We will then reconvene for the vote. All members present are eligible to vote, which will be conducted by a show of hands.
We are grateful to be part of this sacred moment in the life of St. John’s and look forward to seeing you on April 26!
Grace and peace,
Leslie Bragg
Chair, Pastor Search Team
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During the churchwide Q/A session on April 26, nursery and Sunday school classes for children will NOT be held. Children of all ages are invited to attend the Q/A session. Nursery will be provided during the worship hour. Worship care for preschool children will be available as well. |
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Sundaes on Sunday: April 26
Children and families, let’s make sundaes on Sunday! Join us in Broach Hall following worship on Sunday, April 26 for an ice cream sundae bar. After a sweet treat, we will make door decor for 32 families living at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Register here by April 24.
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On The Way: April 30
St. John’s retired adults and friends will be On The Way to Lexington Barbecue for lunch and a train ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer on Thursday, April 30. Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org by Sunday, April 26 at the latest if you plan to attend. That way, we can provide transportation for everyone from to the church. The cost will be $40 (please pay day of the trip) and will cover your lunch, the train ride and museum entrance, and transportation there and back. Meet at the church at 9 am, and we should return by 4:30 pm on April 30.
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Softball Season Announcement
If you or someone you know is interested in playing softball with St. John’s please let Dan Redding dpredding2@gmail.com or Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org know. The season runs from May to early August with all games being played at Providence Baptist Church on weeknights from Monday to Thursday. You must be 18 to play, and though most players are male, we do have at least one female on our roster. The competition level is mild to moderate (and the fellowship level is high) with players of varying skill levels. We need a fairly large roster as players go on vacations throughout the summer.
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Finding Home - 25th Anniversary Luncheon of Lost Boys Coming to the USA: May 17! Mark your Calendars!
Last week’s Family News promised, that in the following weeks before the May 17th luncheon we would learn more about the difficult journey that preceded the young men’s arrival in the USA. Perhaps hearing some of their story from Lubo Mijak, one of the Lost Boys will provide a truly authentic account of the perilous days before coming here... This account is bit of what he shared, when he spoke at Queens University.
“I am known as one the Lost Boys of Sudan... because I spent most of my lifetime in refugee camps… I was eight years old when my village was attacked by Sudan government militia. I was tending cattle in a cattle camp about 3 hours from my home. It was a happy time in the cattle camp, and we used to sing songs about how proud we were as Dinka men to have so many cattle”.
In the distance, Lubo reports, that they could hear booms and gun shots. They soon learned that the militia had attacked the village and killed everyone and destroyed their homes. Lubo again. “Then they came to the cattle camp, attacked us, and took all of our cows. During the attacks, I hid in the river with other boys. After the attacks ,we came out of hiding and found no cows and no people...we walked along the river thinking we would go back to the village to our families. But we met the enemy. So we moved along the river to
Ethiopia. It took 3 months.”
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Happy 100th Birthday, Ardis Joyce Ehrenberger!
Please join us in wishing Ardis Joyce Ehrenberger a very Happy 100th Birthday and in honoring a truly momentous occasion. May her day be filled with love, laughter, and warm wishes as she marks this milestone celebration.
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Happy Birthday, Alex!
We celebrate with Alex Norris, son of Stacey and Russell. Alex will celebrate his birthday on April 17.
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Dale Johnson, Gayla Tyson
Continuing Prayer:
Warren Howell, Anna Lynn Kearse, Vivian Ann Wilson (Jane Lineberger’s sister-in-law)
Sympathy:
Please remember Julie & Doug Hammond, and their adult children - Drew Hammond, Amy Ruhl, Grace Rogers, and Davis Hammond - in the death of Varion Spear (Julie’s mother) on Saturday, April 11th in Dunwoody, Georgia. The service to honor Varion’s life will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 11 am at Dunwoody Baptist Church.
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2026 Full Year Budget – $1,230,000
Budget thru March - $307,500
Actual Income Received - estimate - $255,979
Income over(under) budget - ($51,521)
Income over(under) prior year - ($22,180)
March Financials will be published in next week's Family News!
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Apr. 13-19: Kheresa
- Apr. 20-26: Lee
- Apr. 27- May 3: Don
| | - Todd Stillerman - (704) 763-6611
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Staff Contact Information
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Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister - 704-333-5428, ext. 2012; 919-972-1933 (cell)
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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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Noel Lance, Minister for Worship & Music
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Kristina Hartzell, Interim Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
- Chloe Salmeron, Children's Choir Director
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Liza Wade, Media Coordinator
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