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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Our Last Seven Sundays Together
- Summertime & The Livin' is Easy
- Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust
- Love Offering for The Fousts
- New Member! Welcome Jesse Roberts
- Hackney Scholarship Grant
- A Joyful Musical Celebration with The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
- 2 Nursery Volunteers Needed
- On the Way
- Photos from The Women of the Church Senior Adult Luncheon
- Softball Announcement
- Charlotte Pride Interfaith Celebration
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- Fall Children & Their Families 2025 Save the Dates
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Staff Contact Info
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Our Last Seven Sundays Together
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
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Well, beloved, we are beginning the last lap as congregation and senior minister. I am grateful to you for sharing this journey. I am also grateful to Delbridge Narron for offering keen insights last Sunday with the prayer, “God Bless America.” Paula and I were able to get away for a few days to observe our 49th wedding anniversary. However, we were able to join with you through livestream.
This coming Sunday, July 13th, I will offer a message entitled, ‘Jesus as Intentional Interim Shepherd.’ Sam Hearn will read our scripture from the Gospel of Luke 10:11-15. Kathy Bragg will guide us in a Call to Worship and offer our Prayer of Submission. We will also be blessed with guest musical worship leaders as the Charlotte Symphony Woodwind Quartet offers their gifts to God in our midst.
One of the unique blessings of fifty-one years of ministry has been my opportunity to mentor young ministers. In my retirement, I will continue to encourage and resource younger professional ministers. Sometimes, these young ministers need a confidant or an experienced friend. I have invited two of my young minister friends to preach in The St. John’s Pulpit in these final weeks of my pastoral ministry. Dr. Patrick DeVane will offer the sermon on Sunday, July 20th and Dr. Chris Thomas will be our guest proclaimer on Sunday, July 27th. Patrick is Senior Pastor of Georgetown Baptist Church in Georgetown, Kentucky. His message is entitled, ‘The Opposite of Distraction,’ based on The Gospel of Luke 10:38-42. Chris is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Wilson, North Carolina. His sermon will be entitled, ‘Don’t Let Them’ based on Colossians 2:6-19.
As we enter August, I have a special message for our children on Sunday, August 3rd. Therefore, I have asked Rev. Kheresa Harmon to be in the pulpit that day as I offer the message during Moments with the Younger Church. Kheresa’s message will be titled, ‘Everything Good is Breaking’ interpreting and applying Luke 24:13-35 and Revelation 4:1-4. We will experience communion on that Sunday by intinction with some children serving us.
Then, on August 10th, 17th, and 24th, I will offer my final three sermons. My thoughts will be guided by the following scriptures: Colossians 3:12-17; Philippians 3:12-16; and Philippians 1:3-7a. My messages will be focused on partnership, pressing on, holding fast, and Shalom. Noel and I are planning for the closing of our worship expressions on August 24th to close by our diaconate serving The Lord’s Supper and conclude by joining hands as we sing The Lord’s Prayer. During fifteen distinct calendar years, we have shared life in Christ through unique experiences. Our shared life in Christ and our partnership in God’s gospel now transitions into a different form.
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Summertime & The Livin' is Easy
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
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Do you enjoy summer? Extended daylight, outdoor fun, visits with family and friends, long walks, etc. Here are some ideas for you to consider pursuing during these summer days.
Go for a hike or a walk in a park.
Grill some of your vegetables.
Plant and care for something that provides you with a fruit, vegetable, or flower.
Nap in a hammock or on a porch or a deck.
Take a day road trip.
Play miniature golf.
Eat a popsicle.
Enjoy barbeque.
Go fishing.
Walk barefoot in the grass.
Listen to birdsongs.
Smell some flowers.
Take a bike ride along a trail.
Follow the paths of butterflies.
Make lemonade from scratch.
Gather a few seashells at the beach.
Visit a farmer’s market.
Enjoy a watermelon or cantaloupe..
Take photos of wildflowers.
Attend a baseball game.
Have a picnic in a park.
Watch a sunset.
Splash in a rain puddle.
Feel a summer breeze on your face.
Eat some ice cream covered in summer fruit.
Watch the clouds go by.
Listen to children playing outside.
Sit in the shade and tell stories with good friends.
What else would you add to your summer list?
| | Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust | | |
Please join us for a catered lunch in Broach Hall immediately following worship service on Sunday, August 24, to honor the ministry of Dennis and Paula Foust.
There will be no charge for your meal, but YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND!
Only register children if they will be eating with you in Broach Hall.
Otherwise, childcare will be available for free, starting at 11:30 AM, and includes a child-friendly lunch. YOU MUST answer YES to childcare and provide your child’s/children’s name(s) and age(s) when registering yourself.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
Register by clicking HERE!
You are encouraged to write a note to the Fousts and either mail it to the church, leave it in the church office, or drop it in a basket provided at the luncheon.
| | Love Offering for The Fousts | | While planning continues for the 8/24 special service and lunch to celebrate Dennis' final service as our Senior Minister, we are also providing another way to give the Fousts a loving sendoff from St. John's. A special Love Offering fund has been set up as a tangible indication of our best wishes for Dennis and Paula from the St. John's family. If you would like to make a donation, just follow the special link below to give online, selecting the "Love Offering" option (the last one in the list of options). While this is the easiest and preferred method to donate, you can also put a check or cash in a separate envelope marked "Foust Love Offering" and drop it in the collection plate. Love offering donations are direct personal gifts and are not considered tax deductible donations to the church. To give online, click here. | | |
Jesse Roberts became a member of St. John's on Sunday, June 29th. We are thrilled to welcome Jesse into our church family! |
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Hackney Scholarship Grant | |
Congratulations to our new College Bound Members and a special hello to our already in College Members!
The Martha Miller and J.P. Hackney Trust Fund was established in 1982 by the will of Mildred Hackney Smith for the benefit of members of St. John’s Baptist Church who will attend Furman University, Wake Forest University or Wingate University. If you will be attending one of these institutions for the 2025-2026 academic year, you may wish to apply for one of the Hackney Scholarship Grants. You may do so by writing to the Hackney Scholarship Committee and advising them of your desire to apply for a Hackney Grant, addressing to Russell.Norris@us.gt.com and amorrison@sjcharlotte.org.
St. John’s is indeed fortunate to have been remembered by Mrs. Smith in such a benevolent manner.
-The Hackney Scholarship Committee
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| A Joyful Musical Celebration - July 13 | | We are thrilled to announce a truly special worship experience! On Sunday, July 13, we will be joined by members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, who will lead us in a powerful offering of worship through music | | |
The woodwind quartet—featuring
🎼 Sam Sparrow (clarinet)
🎼 Hollis Ulakey (oboe)
🎼 Amy Orsinger (flute)
🎼 Joshua Hood (bassoon)
—will grace our service with soul-stirring melodies as we gather, perform two exquisite solo pieces, and uplift our hymns with their artistry.
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This is more than just a musical performance—it’s a sacred expression of praise and reverence. We warmly invite you to be present and allow your spirit to be lifted by this beautiful and moving musical worship offering to God.
Come, listen, worship, and be inspired.
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2 Nursery Volunteers Needed | 2 adults volunteers are needed to serve on the 4th Sunday of each month with our nursery for fall 2025-spring 2026 (September – May). Without 2 adult volunteers, we will be unable to fully staff our nursery on the 4th Sunday of each month. Please contact Kheresa as soon as possible to serve. |
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On the Way
Red Rocks Cafe Monday, July 14
St. John’s retired adults and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Red Rocks Café (4223 Providence Rd) at 11:00 am on Monday, July 14.
Please let Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend so our reservations can be adjusted for the right number of people.
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| Photos from The Women of the Church Senior Adult Luncheon on June 29! | | | |
Upcoming Softball Games
All taking place at Providence Baptist on Randolph Road
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- Wednesday 7/16 @ 7:00 pm
- Tuesday 7/22 @ 6:00 pm
- Wednesday 7/23 @ 6:00pm
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| Charlotte Pride Interfaith Celebration on August 10, 2025, at 4:00 pm. | | |
We would like to invite you and members of your faith group to the annual Charlotte Pride Interfaith celebration on August 10, 2025, at 4:00 pm.
The Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte, at 234 North Sharon Amity Road in Charlotte, will host this years’ service. It will last about an hour and will be followed by an after-service social and refreshments
| | Fall 2025 Churchwide Save The Dates: | |
- Charlotte Pride August 16-17
- Luncheon for Foust Family Sunday, August 24
- Rise Against Hunger Sunday, September 28
- Children's Sabbath and World Communion Sunday, October 5
- Fall Festival Sunday, October 26
- NAMI Walks Saturday, November 8
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Fall 2025 Children & Their Families Save The Dates: |
- Annual Back to School Breakfast for Children and Their Families on August 24
- Fall Kickoff Cookout for Children and Their Families on September 6
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns: Warren Lineberger, Machelle Morrison, Richard Sealey, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer: Guuk Awar, Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
Sympathy: Tom Bryson, passed on ahead of us on July 8. Please hold his daughters Barb and Joanna, as well as the rest of the family, in your prayers. We will gather in the Sanctuary for a service to celebrate Tom’s life and ministry on Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
Income Received Thru June – $615, 177
June financials will be published later in July.
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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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Noel Lance, Interim Minister for Worship & Music and Organist
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Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
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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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