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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- This Sunday's Pulpit Guest: The Rev. Dr. Chris Thomas
- Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust
- Love Offering for The Fousts
- Pride Volunteers Needed!
- On the Way!
- Make a Joyful Noise - Rehearsals Resume July 30!
- Back-to-School Breakfast and Parents’ Meeting
- Fall 2025 Cookout for Children and Families
- Youth In-Town Missions Wishlist
- Thank you to Rev. Dr. Patrick DeVane
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- Fall Children & Their Families 2025 Save the Dates
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Pulpit Guest This Sunday: The Rev. Dr. Chris Thomas
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
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As I mentioned last week, one aspect of ministry I will carry into retirement is my relationship with several younger pastors. Of course this includes our youngest son and daughter in law, Caleb and Mary Beth. It was a blessing to introduce you to Patrick DeVane last Sunday – and you to him.
This Sunday, it will be my blessing to introduce you to another young colleague, The Rev. Dr. Chris Thomas. His sermon will be entitled, ‘Don’t Let Them’ based on Colossians 2:6-19.
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I met Chris more than twenty years ago when he was a student at Samford University. It has been my privilege to have numerous mentoring conversations with Chris through the years. I was gifted with a father who was an excellent pastoral model. Through the years, I have been graced with several other mentors and colleagues who have been sounding boards, encouragers, confidants, and honest conversation partners. However, some young ministers have no person woven into their family or relational fabric who can mentor. Patrick and Chris are two of those whose ministries carry a few of my fingerprints. It brings me joy to see them serving well in healthy churches.
Chris Thomas is Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina. He and his wife, Sallie, are parents of two energetic boys, Kohl (11) and Carter (9). Chris holds degrees from Samford University (BA in Religious Studies), Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology (DMin). He enjoys reading, being outside (especially in or on the water with a fly rod), and working with his hands. He loves telling stories, listening to stories, and sharing in the creation of stories by walking alongside others in this journey called life. Along with his role as Senior Paster of FBC Wilson, Chris serves on various boards and councils for organizations including the National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, CBF of North Carolina, Day 1, Hope Station of Wilson, NC, and Ring Lake Ranch (Dubois, WY). He is a regular contributor to "The Welcome Table" (www.welcometable.co), the Day1 radio program, and has contributed articles and chapters to several books.
| | 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. | | |
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Charlotte Pride 2025 is Saturday and Sunday, August 16 & 17, First Ward Park and surrounding streets in Uptown Charlotte. On Sunday, August 17th, join us to shout, "GOD LOVES EVERYONE!" along the Charlotte Pride parade route. Can’t walk, but want to still show your support, volunteers are needed to cover the booth both on Saturday and Sunday. Booth Volunteer slots are for 2 hours each.
We need volunteers to cover the booth:
- Saturday, August 16, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 17, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
If you have any questions please contact Amanda Morrison at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org
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On the Way
Las Margaritas, Thursday, August 21
St. John’s retired adults and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Las Margaritas (4426 E. Independence Blvd.) at 11:30 am on Thursday, August 21.
Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to attend so our reservations can be adjusted for the right number of people.
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Make a Joyful Noise – Rehearsals Resume July 30!
We’re back! Handbell and Choir rehearsals kick off Wednesday, July 30, and we’d love for you to join us in a new season of worship through music.
Handbell Rehearsal
🕔 5:45–7:00 PM | 🎯 Handbell Suite
(Previous musical experience preferred)
Choir Rehearsal
🕖 7:15–8:45 PM | 🎯 Choir Suite
(Open to all who love to sing!)
Whether you're returning or stepping in for the first time, this is your invitation to make music, build community, and glorify God in a joyful, welcoming space.
Questions? Contact Noel Lance at nlance@sjcharlotte.org or 704.287.8434.
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| | Back - To - School Breakfast & Parents' Meeting | Children and families are invited to our annual Back-to-School Breakfast on Sunday, August 24 at 9:15 a.m. in the SJBC Library Commons. Following a continental breakfast parents will meet with Kheresa to discuss Children’s Sabbath, the Nativity Play, and the new Sunday school year. |
Fall 2025 Cookout for Children & Families | |
Let’s "fall into Fall 2025" with a cookout at the home of Kelli, Eric, Hailey, and Grayson McCombs (6508 Calvert Commons Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 6!
Please RSVP here by September 1.
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Youth In-Town Missions Wishlist
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| | Thank you to Rev. Dr. Patrick DeVane! | |
Thank you to Rev. Dr. Patrick DeVane from Georgetown Baptist Church in Georgetown, Kentucky, for serving as our Guest Proclaimer on July 20, 2025. We are grateful for your presence and the message you shared with our congregation.
Thank you Linda for sharing these pictures!
| | 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 Walk 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:
Judy Kersey, Richard Sealy, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer:
Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
Sympathy:
Beth Gray, Lee Gray’s sister, passed on ahead of us on July 12. A memorial service to honor Beth’s life and ministry will be held at Providence Baptist Church (sanctuary) on Friday, August 8 at 11:00 am.
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
June Financials
Budgeted Income - $620,500
Actual Income Received - $619,253
Income over (under) budget - ($1,247)
Actual Expenses paid - $616,650
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit) - $2,603
Global Missions Offering - $23,000
Income Received thru July 20 - $5,835
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- July 21-27: Kheresa
- July 28-Aug. 3: 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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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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