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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- From Dr. Don Gordon: Pentecostal Sundays
- Stewardship is Coming!
- Thursdays on the Town, October 9
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CROP Hunger Walk, October 19: Sign Up Now!
- Brotherhood of the Biscuit, October 17
- Fall Festival, October 26
- Basketball Registration is Live!
- NAMI Walks on November 8
- Rise Against Hunger: Thank You!
- Get Your Key Fob!
- MeckMin Friendsgiving
- Save the Date: Senior Adults Christmas Gathering
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- After Hours On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Pentecostal Sundays
by Dr. Don Gordon, Interim Minister
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There is a segment of the Christian movement — individuals and churches — who zealously pursue replicating the first Pentecost as described in Acts 2. They want to recreate Pentecost. They want to hear “a sound like the blowing of a violent wind coming from heaven” (Acts 2:2). They want to be “filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues” (2:4). They want an atmosphere of high energy, loud and vibrant worship. They want thousands of people saved and baptized (2:41). Their zeal in recreating Pentecost is so obsessive they are willing to manipulate people with flashing lights, pulsing music and staged babbling utterances. They really do believe, without Pentecost, the church is dead.
I think about Pentecost in a different way. For me, it’s not a template to be duplicated. Instead, it’s an example of how the Holy Spirit infiltrates a place and a people, bringing energy and engagement to a diverse population worshipping and extending the mission of Jesus Christ. Pentecost doesn’t have to be replicated. Instead, it’s a birthday marker for the church and a reminder that the Holy Spirit can break through and do God’s work when people gather in submission to God’s will.
I experienced the power and joy of Pentecost my first two Sundays at SJBC. During our church-wide conversation on September 14, I witnessed a highly engaged, vibrant and joyful congregation talking about the future of the church. Elders were dreaming dreams, young people were casting visions, and sons and daughters were prophesying — a biblical term characterizing speaking God’s truth (Acts 2:17). It was beautiful to see from my vantage point on the stage at the front of Broach Hall. People were heard. Voices were welcomed. Respect was granted. The Pastor Search Team was provided an essential tool in shaping their search for the church’s next pastor.
A second wave of pentecostal joy swept through the congregation the next Sunday as we gathered in the gym to prepare 15,000 meals for people desperate for food in foreign lands. Our brothers and sisters from the Together in Christ congregation of Sierra Leone joined us in this intergenerational act of service. What an inspiring picture, to see young children standing side by side with teenagers, adults old and young, all working together in the kingdom of God. We didn’t have people speaking in tongues, but a diverse body seemed to hear and respond to the same call of God’s Spirit to feed those who are hungry. We didn’t have people saved (as we normally use that word in Baptist circles), but we did have people giving up their time and energy, to build up God’s church and help rehabilitate the good name of Jesus in our angry, polarized world. We didn’t replicate the first Pentecost in a literal sense, but we did catch the spirit of Pentecost in joyful living and giving.
I’m glad I was in the room!
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STEWARDSHIP 2026:
Rooted in Faith, Growing in Purpose
This fall, we invite you to reflect on how your generosity helps St. John’s grow in purpose and deepen its impact. Our stewardship theme for the 2026 budget year is “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Purpose.” It’s a celebration of what we’ve built together — and a call to continue nurturing the mission we share. Commitment Sunday will be held during worship on November 9. Mark your calendar and begin considering your pledge for the coming year. Let’s keep the momentum going — with joy, wisdom, and faith!
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Thursdays on the Town at Urban District Market
Families, join us on Thursday, October 9, 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! Register soon!
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The Charlotte CROP Hunger Walk:
Hunger and Poverty Facts
- 1 in 10 people in Mecklenburg County live below the Federal Poverty Line. 12.8% across NC live in poverty.
- Homelessness is rising—right here and around the world.
- Over 700 million people across the world live in extreme poverty surviving on about $2 a day.
Most living in poverty are considered food insecure which means they have a reduced quality and variety of diet, may eat less, and have eating patterns that are disrupted due to lack of money and resources. Hunger is a complex issue. But together, we can be a part of the solution.
HOW DOES THE CROP WALK HELP? When we all give a little, it adds up to a lot—stable families, nourished children, and action that reflects our faith. Remember Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."
HELP US REACH THE SJBC GOAL of $10,000+ AND THE CHARLOTTE GOAL OF $200,000 TO END HUNGER!
HELP NOW WITH LOVE AND ACTION TO TURN HUNGER INTO HOPE:
WALK: Register and join the SJBC Team online.
CAN'T WALK? No problem. You can donate to the St. John's CROP Hunger Walk Team through Realm. On the donation page specify your amount, then change the Fund from "Budget" to "CROP Hunger Walk" at the bottom of the list.
Be a Spirit Walker and sponsor a St. John's walker.
For more help or information, reach out to James Laney or Debbie Pittman.
CROP WALK Details:
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Lunch at Broach Hall: After worship, 11:30 AM
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Walk check-in: 1:00–2:00 PM
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Walk starts: 2:00 PM
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Options: Surrounding neighborhood walk or a shorter campus track
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Extras: Plenty of parking, a bouncy house, and activities for the kiddos
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Brotherhood of the Biscuit: Dr. Don Gordon
The Brotherhood of the Biscuit will begin their fall meeting by meeting and hearing from our new interim pastor, Dr. Don Gordon, on Friday, October 17th at 6:30 am in the church lounge. Please let Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you are able to join us for biscuits, coffee, and fellowship that morning.
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2025 Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat
We need volunteers for our Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat community event on Sunday, October 26, 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!
Only Register 1 person per vehicle.
Please sign up by October 22.
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Basketball Registration is Live!
St. John’s Basketball registration is now live for children and youth. We will have teams for boys and girls ages 4-12. Please click on the link to register and see all the details pertaining to the upcoming basketball season. Click here to learn more and register now. Contact Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you have any questions.
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NAMI Walks: Nov. 8
St. John's is a sponsor of this year's NAMIWalks Charlotte. Join our team and support the work with NAMI!
"No one NAMIWalks alone," is the mantra we walk by at the community’s most important mental health fundraising event.
Some people walk together, in step and arm in arm. Others walk together in spirit. Still others, sadly, walk together in memory.
However, we raise money that connects those in need to the life-changing, even life-saving, mental health programs and guidance that NAMI offers.
We participate as a team. Each contributing what we can: time, effort, muscle, and commitment. What do you have to offer us? Because let me tell you, your contribution will make all the difference. No matter the age of a team member, or whether you’re a practiced athlete, when you join our ranks, it’s one big loud cheer the community will hear: We are NAMIWalks.
It's also a lot of fun. You get to meet new friends and reach goals you never thought you’d reach.
Won’t you join the joy with us? Together, we’ll be strong enough to lift hope itself!
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Thank You: Rise Against Hunger
St. Johnsians,
Your hair net looks great on you! Congratulations on a successful, Sprit-filled Rise Against Hunger food packaging event! We met our goal of packaging 15,000 meals! Together in Christ friends, young kids with their families, seniors, and everyone in between came together across generations, races, and genders to feed our hungry brothers and sisters around the world. It was truly beautiful. What I saw was more than service; it was love in motion, a community answering the quiet, powerful call to serve with humble and willing hearts.
I’d like to specially thank the following people for their role in planning and executing Rise Against Hunger 2025:
Kheresa Harmon
James Laney
Debbie Pitman
Ethel Harris
Joy Jarrett
Matt Comer
Liza Tindall
Marc Cardella
Lee Gray
Todd Stillerman
Lindsay Wilson & SJ Youth
Last but not least: ALL who generously give to The Hunger Fund. It’s this generosity that goes directly towards feeding people. The $6,100 cost to RAH pays for these 15,000 meals and the shipping costs to get them to hungry people. This would not be possible without this prayerful giving.
I hope you will pray with me for the people who will receive this food. The country designated to receive the 15,000 meals will be announced by RAH soon. May they know the love of Christ and hunger no more.
If you missed this opportunity to feed the hungry, look no further than CROP WALK on October 19. Register today.
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Get Your Church Key Fob!
Maintain your access to the church while ensuring the safety and security of our campus
As you know, St. John's has many doors, and it feels quite porous on Sunday mornings with all of them unlocked. The Safety and Security Task Force is trying to balance our desire to be hospitable with our need to be safe and secure. While we have greeters assigned to certain doors, it is not easy to staff every door, and sometimes volunteers do not report for their duty. (Our God is forgiving!)
Therefore, in the future, you may find that a fob would come in handy. On Sunday mornings, if you arrive at an unattended, locked door, you will still be able to get in via the Broach or Main Entrance by using a fob. (The Narthex doors will be open starting at 10 am.)
Here is how to order your fob today!!
- Key Fob forms can be found outside of Amanda's Office, in the Main Entrance Lobby, and the Broach Entrance Lobby Newsstands.
- Please fill out the form and place it in the white After Hours/Sunday Morning drop box beside Amanda's office.
- You may pick up your new key fob the following Sunday from the Reception Office behind the Sanctuary near the 5th Street Entrance. You can also pick it up by contacting Amanda and coming by the church office during the week.
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MeckMin Friendsgiving: November 20
For fifty years, Mecklenburg County’s diverse faith communities have gathered each fall in a spirit of unity, gratitude, and service. What began in 1975 as one of the Southeast’s first interfaith Thanksgiving services — initiated by Rev. Dr. Sidney Freeman of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte and Rabbi Harold Krantzler of Temple Beth El — has blossomed into a vibrant annual tradition.
Now reimagined as the Mecklenburg Interfaith Friendsgiving, this celebration reflects the rich cultural diversity and deepening interfaith connections of the region. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Myers Park Baptist Church (1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207).
Centered around the themes of Unity in Diversity, Gratitude, and Shared Humanity, Friendsgiving offers a family-friendly, welcoming space for all. Attendees will enjoy:
- A Ukrainian children’s dance team
- A local high school singer-songwriter
- Sikh musicians
- An African “drum call”
- Art and cultural displays from local Turkish, Ukrainian and Haitian communities
- An international buffet featuring global cuisine
This event is more than a celebration — it’s a powerful statement of solidarity at a time when spaces that celebrate diversity are increasingly rare and urgently needed.
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Save the Date: Christmas Gathering
St. John's Senior Adults (75 and older)
Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend our annual Christmas Gathering on Thursday, December 4th in Broach Hall at 11:30 am. Details to follow soon!
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| | Fall 2025 Churchwide Save The Dates: |
- All Saints Sunday, November 2
- NAMI Walk Saturday, November 8
- Friendsgiving, November 16
- WDAV Lessons & Carols, December 2
- Hanging of the Green & Nativity Play with Lunch, December 7
- Christmas Cantata, December 14: "Joy Has Dawned" by Lloyd Larson (featuring the Chancel Choir and members of the Charlotte Symphony)
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Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Mary Jo Breckenridge, Joe Trull
Continuing Prayer:
Anna Lynn Kearse, Mary Rickenbaker
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
Budgeted Income thru September - $930,750
Actual Income Received thru September - $902,682
Actual Expenses Paid thru August 31 - $818,022
Global Missions Offering - $23,000
Income Received thru September - $20,175
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Sept. 29 - Oct. 5: Don
- Oct. 6 - 12: Lee
- Oct. 13 - 19: Kheresa
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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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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
- Chloe Salmeron, Children's Choir Director
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Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
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