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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
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From Dr. Don Gordon: Ash Wednesday and My Sin
- Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten Services
- Brotherhood of the Biscuit: February 20
- Guest Preachers: Dr. Kremer on February 22 and Rev. Kearse on March 15
- Women of The Church Wreath Making Workshop: February 22
- Worship Led By First Baptist Church Raleigh Youth Choir: March 1
- Thursdays on The Town at Urban District Market: March 12
- Women of The Church Retreat: March 14
- 2026 Save the Dates:
- Youth Sunday: March 22
- Meet and Mingle: March 22
- Easter Eggstravaganza: March 29 at 11:30 AM
- Maundy Thursday Service: April 2 at 7:00 PM
- C3 Nature Walk: April 18 at 9:30 AM
- Youth Mission Auction: April 19 at 11:30 AM
- Happy Birthday Greer and Mae!
- A Update from Personnel Resource Team
- Basketball Schedule
- Shepherd's Charlotte's Tax Program
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- After Hours on Call
- Staff Contact Info
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Ash Wednesday and My Sin
by Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister
I recently watched the classic movie Judgment at Nuremburg, starring Spencer Tracy and Burt Lancaster. It’s a classic depiction of the depravity of humanity manifest not only in the German people, but in all people. The rise of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany ultimately led to the Holocaust where 6 million Jews were murdered. The Nuremburg trials were an early effort at international justice in the face of war crimes against humanity. The movie revealed the lengths to which people would go to deny or ignore their complicity in these crimes. Ernst Janning, played by Burt Lancaster, is a famous jurist in Germany who had held the esteem of legal advocates for justice throughout the world. Whereas most accused leaders of the Nazi Party denied knowledge of the atrocities which took place in their country, Ernst Janning spoke a hard truth which exposed his own evil as well as that of his peers. I quote him at length, because his words are so powerfully compelling and universally truthful:
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“There was a fever over the land. A fever of disgrace, of indignity, of hunger. We had a democracy, yes, but it was torn by elements within. Above all, there was fear. Fear of today, fear of tomorrow, fear of our neighbors, and fear of ourselves. Only when you understand that - can you understand what Hitler meant to us. Because he said to us: 'Lift your heads! Be proud to be German! There are devils among us. Communists, Liberals, Jews, Gypsies! Once these devils will be destroyed, your misery will be destroyed.'
It was the old, old story of the sacrificial lamb. What about those of us who knew better? We who knew the words were lies and worse than lies? Why did we sit silent? Why did we take part? Because we loved our country! What difference does it make if a few political extremists lose their rights? What difference does it make if a few racial minorities lose their rights? It is only a passing phase. It is only a stage we are going through. It will be discarded sooner or later. Hitler himself will be discarded... sooner or later. The country is in danger. We will march out of the shadows. We will go forward. Forward is the great password.
It is not easy to tell the truth; but if there is to be any salvation for Germany, we who know our guilt must admit it... whatever the pain and humiliation.”
Ash Wednesday is the pre-eminent day in the church for us to come to terms with ourselves before God. More than any other day, Ash Wednesday focuses directly on the theme of self-knowledge. Psalm 51, the Ash Wednesday Psalm, is the acknowledged masterpiece of biblical self-knowledge. “I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother’s womb.” Have there ever been any words spoken in any language that are so brutally honest about self. “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” The Psalmist takes all the responsibility upon himself. It’s not the government. It’s not his family. It’s not the culture. His sin and his complicity in the sins of society are on trial. On Ash Wednesday, we come together to acknowledge that God has a case against us, and to throw ourselves on his mercy.
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Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten Services
This year during the season of Lent, Caldwell Presbyterian will be our host for the ECOF Wednesday 12:00 pm services and 12:30 soup and bread lunches to follow. Donations received for lunch each Wednesday will be given to Nourish Up.
The schedule for which church is leading each 12:00pm noon service at Caldwell Presbyterian is listed below:
- Feb. 25 - Caldwell Presbyterian
- March 4 - Hawthorne Lane United Methodist
- March 11 - St. John’s Baptist
- March 18 - Novant Chaplains
- March 25 - Atrium Mercy Chaplains
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Welcome Our Guest Preachers!
We are excited to welcome back to St. John’s some of our former ministers to share their wisdom and passion with our congregation!
Please join us for these special speakers in our pulpit:
- Richard Kremer – February 22
- Martha Kearse – March 15
Each visit promises fresh perspectives, meaningful messages, and the chance to connect in powerful ways. Mark your calendars and spread the word!
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Brotherhood of The Biscuit
On Friday, February 20, at 6:30 am in the church lounge, Don Gordon will be our speaker and will share about his work with Creation Care.
Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to attend so that this month’s biscuit master, Stephen Davis, can have the appropriate amount of biscuits.
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Women of The Church Wreath Making Workshop Registration Closes Friday, February 20!
Join us for a special Women of the Church (WOC) sponsored event on Sunday, February 22, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM in the Church Lounge. This will be a wonderful time of creativity, fellowship, and fun!
Event Highlights:
- Activity: Create your own beautiful wreath
- Cost: $20 (includes wreath materials and lunch)
- Childcare: Provided for your convenience
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Sign-Up Deadline: Please register here by Friday, February 20. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, craft, and enjoy a delicious meal together. We look forward to seeing you there!
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FBC Raleigh Youth Choir @ St. John’s
Join us in welcoming the FBC Raleigh Youth Choir as they lead us in
worship on Sunday, March 1. The choir is directed by former St. John’s staff members Maureen and Warren Howell.
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Thursdays on The Town at Urban District Market
- When: Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 6:00 pm
- Where: Urban District Market (2315 North Davidson Street)
- Families, join us on Thursday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at the Urban District Market for good food and fellowship! There is something for everyone, so bring the kids!
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Register here!
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Women of The Church Retreat
The Spiritual Growth Committee invites all women of the church and community to join us for a one-day, in-town retreat led by Stephanie Massey, daughter of Gearlene and Steve Hoffman. We will focus on returning to altars of compassion as a spiritual practice, rooted in inner stillness and shared community, reminding us that healing and growth happen through connection, mutual care, and remembering our deep belonging to one another.
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Location: Broach Hall
- Registration Fee: $20 covers all materials and lunch/snacks/beverages.
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Registration Deadline: March 9, 2026. Register here!
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2026 Save The Dates
- Youth Sunday: March 22
- Meet and Mingle: March 22
- Easter Eggstravaganza: March 29 at 11:30 AM
- Maundy Thursday Service: April 2 at 7:00 PM
- C3 Nature Walk: April 18 at 9:00 AM
- Youth Mission Auction: April 19 at 11:30 AM
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Happy Birthday Greer Benton and Mae Redding!
Greer Benton, son of Liz and Jordan, will celebrate his birthday on February 20.
Mae Redding, daughter of Carly and Dan, will celebrate her birthday on February 23.
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An Update from The Personnel Resource Team
The Personnel Resource Team wanted to share some great news regarding our Youth and Young Adults. Lindsay Wilson, who has done a phenomenal job leading our youth, has graciously agreed to stay on until the end of the calendar year. Once a new Senior Minister is hired, per the SJBC Handbook, they, along with the Chair of the Diaconate will call for the assembly of a search team and the search team will execute the duties of finding a permanent part-time minister for youth and young adults. The goal is to have someone hired by the end of the year. The Personnel Committee will continue to help and provide assistance as needed. We ask that you continue to pray and support Lindsay, our youth and our four seniors to make this the best year it can be.
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Basketball Schedule for February 21
- 6 & Under Co-Ed - 3:15 pm @ St. John's
- 8 & Under Boys 1 (Lassiter) - BYE
- 8 & Under Boys 2 (Morgan) - 2:15 pm @ St. John's
- 8 & Under Girls - BYE
- 10 & Under Boys - 11:00 am @ St. John's
- 10 & Under Girls - 1:15 pm @ Hickory Grove Baptist
- 12 & Under Boys - 12:00 pm @ St. John's
- 12 & Under Girls - 10:00 am @ St. John’s
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Shepherd's Charlotte's Tax Filing Assistance Program in Partnership with AARP Tax Aide
For the past 25 years, our Residential Partner, the Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte has partnered with AARP Tax Aide to provide tax filing assistance free of charge. They serve countless older adults, particularly those with lower to moderate income, from February to April, with their free tax preparation. Our IRS-certified AARP volunteer preparers are only certified to do NC or SC Taxes, and no rental properties.
When:
Mondays & Tuesdays, February 9 – April 14
Where:
Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center (1073 Providence Road)
Appointments can be scheduled online here. You can also call the Shepherd’s Center office at (704) 365-1995, or stop by the second floor across from the Parlor & Heritage Room— they truly enjoy visitors!
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Martha Fowler, Dale Johnson, Gayla Tyson
Continuing Prayer:
Anna Lynn Kearse, Syble Carson (Sister of Selina Swafford and Leonard Balentine)
Sympathy:
We express our sympathy to the family and friends of Anne Sutton who passed on ahead of us peacefully February 12. Please keep her niece, Karen Lisenby, and close friend, Teri Franklin, in your prayers. We will share the service arrangements as soon as they are complete.
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Click here for a PDF version. The 2026 Budget was approved by Church Council and Deacons, with final congregational approval on Sunday, February 15.
2026 Full Year Budget: $1,230,000
Month of January
Actual Income received: $72,423
Income over(under) budget: ($30,077)
Income over(under) prior year: ($18,820)
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Feb. 16 - 22: Lee
- Feb. 23 - Mar. 1: Don
- Mar. 2 - 8: Kheresa
| | - 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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