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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Mother Teresa's Courageous Prayer
- Special Guest Choir and Musician this Sunday
- Nourish Up Food Drive this Month
- Happy Birthday!
- Children's Sabbath on October 6
- Potluck Lunch on October 6
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CROP Walk on October 6: Register Here
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Thursdays on the Town: Register Here
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Women of the Church Retreat: Register NOW Below by October 7
- Basketball Clinics
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How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda Tyler Book Release
- On the Way for October and November
- Craft and Bake Sale
- Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
- Church World Service Event
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- On Call Rotation
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Financial Update & Global Missions Update (Almost to our goal!)
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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MOTHER TERESA’S COURAGEOUS PRAYER
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Beloved, please read every entry in this issue of Family News. Notice each way you and your church are continuing the work of Jesus in these days. The next few weeks offer so many opportunities for you to invest yourself in God’s mission. Therefore, I am offering a brief thought for you to ponder. It is my hope that you are encouraged by these words. By the way, if you would like to be more spiritually prepared for worship this coming Sunday, read the following verses of scripture three to five times this week: Hebrews 10:23-25.
One of my favorite prayers by Mother Teresa of Calcutta is this:
“May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.”
This is one of the most courageous prayers I have ever encountered. Think about it. If God answered this prayer for us, our hearts would be so open that terrorists would fall inside. We would search through all the folks who are now held in our hearts, and we would find people motivated by hatred, abuse, greed, selfishness, violence, ignorance, lies, theft, misuse of power, manipulation, prejudice, racism, and on and on. This is a courageous way to pray.
However, I confess to you that I need to pray this prayer regularly. I need to have a more courageous prayer life. Do you?
I need to pray for God’s love – the way God loves me and you – to transform my life. Through the years, I have seen a few people open their hearts so wide that the whole world fell in; – and it is beautiful when it happens.
It seems to me that one of the things we need today is courageous prayer open to God’s love. I’m going to work on this in myself. And I invite you to join me if you dare.
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Welcoming St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir and Jeremy Lamb this Sunday
As we re-enter our beloved Sanctuary this Sunday, September 29, we will celebrate with good music. We will be joined by Youth 4 Christ, the youth choir of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church.
This group is comprised of youth ages 5-16 and they are an intricate part of the worship experience at St. Luke, singing bi-monthly and for special services. They are directed by DJ Boyd, St. Luke’s Minister of Worship and Arts.
In addition, we will have a guest cellist, Jeremy Lamb. Jeremy joined the Charlotte Symphony in 2017. After receiving his bachelor’s from the Peabody Conservatory, he performed with orchestras including Pittsburgh Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Sapphoro Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic and on Broadway’s Aladdin. Our Chancel Choir looks forward to performing this week’s Choral Anthem with him. Welcome Jeremy!
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One More Week for the Nourish Up Food Drive
When you are shopping for groceries this week, simply add items from the list below to your shopping basket. Bring all of your donations to the Giving Nook in the Main Entrance.
Especially needed:
- Beans, canned or dried. Not green beans
- Canned corn, peas
- Cereal
- Canned peaches
- Flour, sugar, salt, pepper
- Preserves, any kind
- Peanut butter
- Oatmeal
Thank you for the abundant donations thus far!
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Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to Jack Whipple on September 27! He is the son of Elizabeth and John Whipple.
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Children's Sabbath
Children Leading Worship on World Communion Sunday
October 6, 2024
Please join us for worship on Sunday, October 6, World Communion Sunday, as our children lead us in all aspects of worship - from singing and reading Scripture to leading in prayer and taking communion. This is a special Sunday and we hope you will plan to join us at 10:30am, our regular worship time.
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Don't forget about the Potluck Lunch next Sunday!
Sunday, October 6 after worship and before the CROP Walk
Some of you remember frequent potluck lunches and dinners in churches of yesteryear.
On Sunday, October 6, we will gather in Broach Hall for a potluck lunch between worship and CROP Walk. The program for lunch will include a report from the Church Council on the CONVERGE information gathered last spring.
Here is how the potluck works.
- The church budget will pay for the meat.
- If your last name begins with A – L, you bring a vegetable/side dish.
- If your last name begins with M – Z, you bring a dessert.
See you there! Let us get this new church year started.
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Exciting news about the CROP Hunger Walk!
A generous SJBC member is offering to match up to $1,000 any additional CROP Hunger Walk funds raised within the next week
To this point, SJBC walkers and supporters have raised $4890 (82% of our 2024 goal).
Through this matching gift, all donations received between Wednesday, 9/24 and Wednesday, 10/2 can be increased to ensure that St. John’s exceeds our 2024 goal of $5000.
In the coming week, let’s work together to raise as much as possible in order to take advantage of a very generous offer! Walkers, please be sure to let Debbie Pittman or James Laney know if you have received checks or cash separate from online giving so they can be counted.
Let’s do this! Walk Day, October 6, is quickly approaching!
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Thursdays on the Town
October 10
Parents of children, ages birth - 5th grade, please join us on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Catalina Kitchen and Bar (1942 East 7th St.). Find their menu here.
Free childcare will be provided.
Please register and reserve childcare by October 6.
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Deadline Extended to Register for the Women's Retreat
Please register by October 7
Women of the Church, you are invited to attend our 2024 Retreat on November 1-3 and the Blowing Rock Conference Center. Sabrina Gilchrist will be our facilitator for the weekend. What a joy it will be to spend the weekend with her as she leads us in focusing on Mary and Elizabeth as models of women affirming each other's gifts.
We hope you can join us! The cost for the whole weekend - including room, food, all sessions, and activities - will be $185 and must be prepaid. Register below or on Realm by OCTOBER 7.
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Special Announcement from the Women of the Church | | |
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Basketball Clinics starting in October
St. John’s members, participants, and visitors with children who could potentially play on the 6 & Under Co-Ed team – I want to be sure you know about the upcoming basketball clinics for our younger children. The clinics are the Mondays of October 14, 21, & 28 from 5-6pm in the St. John’s gym.
I also want to alert you to remember to use the code MEMBER if/when you register your child so that you will receive $50 off of the cost to play. If you know that your child will play you can register them below. (We are currently receiving registrations from people with some connection to the life of the church and those players who have played before.)
Thank you, Lee Gray
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How to End Christian Nationalism
Amanda Tyler Book Release on October 22 at 6:30pm
At 6:30pm, on Tuesday, October 22 in Broach Hall, we will host the book release of Amanda Tyler’s significant writing, How to End Christian Nationalism.
How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it. Join Amanda for a timely discussion about the threat of this dangerous ideology and learn about how she drew on her experiences, conversations with pastors and laypeople, research, Scripture and her Baptist convictions to write this new book.
This event is free, but registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email with the information you'll need to attend. Register BELOW.
Park Road Books will be present to manage book sales. Invite your friends.
This event will be publicized throughout Charlotte via a variety of media. You must register for this event below.
We will learn a core value of Baptist heritage as we practice religious freedom.
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On the Way
Outings for Retired Adults and Friends
Friday, October 25 – We will meet the church at 11:00 am to coordinate our carpools and then walk or drive to Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant for lunch at 11:15 am. After lunch people can carpool (or drive separately if they desire) to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. (4108 Minuteman Way 28208 – It’s on Charlotte-Douglas Airport land) We have tickets for 1:30 pm and they can receive us up to 25 minutes before or after that time. We will need to fine tune our number of tickets, so please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by October 17.
Thursday, November 14 – We have reservations for 20 at Mama Ricotta’s Italian Restaurant (601 S. Kings Dr.) at 11:30 am. We will carpool from the church and depart at 11:15 am or you can meet us there. Sometimes parking can be crowded though. Please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by Tuesday, November 12 so final adjustments can be made to our arrangements at Mama Ricotta’s.
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Annual Craft & Bake Sale to Benefit Playground Renovations
Sunday, October 20
The Needle and Craft Ministry will be having a Craft and Bake Sale on Sunday October 20th in Lasater Hall from 11:30 to 1:00pm. All proceeds will go to support the playground renovations.
If you are interested in participating with craft items and/or baked goods please contact Ruth Jackson or Tricia Miller. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. We will only accept cash or checks on the day of the sale. Thank you for your support, our children will benefit from these renovations.
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Fall Festival with Trunk-Or-Treat: Need Volunteers!
October 27, 3-5pm
We need volunteers for our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat community event on Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at SJBC.
How can you volunteer?
- Provide your vehicle that you can decorate.
- Candy, stickers, pencils, etc. as treats for your trunk.
- You in costume, too!
Sign up on Realm by October 20. Prizes will be given to the most festive trunk!
Questions? Contact Liz Benton or Kheresa Harmon.
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An Invitation from Church World Service
Open House Experience on October 3, 5-6:30pm
We invite you to our open house on Thursday, October 3 from 5-6:30pm at St. John's to experience firsthand the work we do and meet the passionate team behind our mission.
Enjoy light refreshments, connect with community members, and take a tour of our space in the CWS offices on the campus of St. John's.
This event is free, but registration is strongly encouraged to help us prepare and ensure a great experience for everyone. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more and get involved!
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Pauline Funderburk, Charles Gordon, Betty Herr, Arnold Philemon, Jeck Warren
Continuing Prayer: Shirley Ballard, Tom Bryson, Kathleen Bumgardner, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Shelly Zeigler
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through Sept. 22: $777,595 (64%)
Through August
Budgeted Income: $807,333 (67%)
Actual Income Received: $724072 (60%)
Income Over (Under) Budget: ($83,261)
Actual Expenses Paid: $764,425 (63%)
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit): ($40,353)
Global Missions Offering Goal: $25,000
Received through September 22: $23,140 (93%)
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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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