|
|
In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- A Word About Words
- Dove's Nest Collection: Urgent need for body lotion, body wash, tampons
-
Valentine's Day Tea: Sign Up Here
- On the Way Rescheduled
- Women of the Church Bake Sale on February 8
- Basketball Schedule
- Save the Date: Children's Mission Day
- Elizabeth 8K Road Race: April 26, 2025
- Rise Against Hunger Team Needed!
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
| | |
|
A WORD ABOUT WORDS
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
“In the beginning was The Word. And The Word was with God. And The Word was God.”
These words from the Gospel of John teach that words transcend themselves. Words are more than words. Words, like every other gift of The Creator, require faithful stewardship.
A few years ago, Wanny and Ashley Hogewood presented me with a very good book entitled A Word on Words, which is a collection of the best of John Seigenthaler’s interviews. The volume was compiled by Pat Toomay and Frye Gaillard.
I was familiar with Frye’s writing because Tom Peacock introduced me to his perspectives and capacities for healthy thought. I was also aware of Seigenthaler’s interviews because of living in Chattanooga from 1989 to 1996. Although Seigenthaler broadcast his interviews in Nashville for over forty years, several of his shows were rebroadcast on Public Television in the Chattanooga market. Seigenthaler served as editor of The Tennessean, founding editor of USA Today, assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and chair of the selection committee for the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. He was a dedicated advocate of the First Amendment and founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.
The book, A Word on Words, includes Seigenthaler’s interview with John Egerton and discusses Thomas Dixon, a native of Shelby, North Carolina and a graduate of Wake Forest College who used words to enflame racism and fear. This conversation reveals how words can be used to hurt or heal. After reading that interview, I had to order a copy of Egerton’s book, Speak Now Against the Day: The Generation Before the Civil Rights Movement in the South, published by University of North Carolina Press in 1995.
Beloved, we are living in a day when words matter. Words are thrown around like weeds flying from a weed-eater. Words are flung as if they do not have meaning. The phrase we learned as children, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is hyperbole. Words do hurt. They can hurt individuals, families, groups, people groups, and entire nations. Words transcend themselves.
Another book I am reading in these days is by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre. It is titled, Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies. We are living in a day when words are used as lies. In fact, some people are brainwashed by lies to the point they no longer recognize Truth or devalue Truth to a point of denying it a place of honor in their ethical choices. False accusations, smear campaigns, distortions, etc. have been normalized. McEntyre reminds us what our English teachers and parents taught us long ago – caring for language is a sacred duty and a moral choice. She states, “Like any other life-sustaining resource, language can be depleted, polluted, contaminated, eroded, and filled with artificial stimulants.”
I call you to join me in recommitting ourselves to care for words, to remember that words are gifts of God and transcend themselves. Words can be used for righteousness or evil. Words can reveal Truth, Compassion, Love, Grace, Justice, Peace, Forgiveness, Hope, Joy, Reconciliation, Redemption, etc. However, words can also be used to spread strife, fear, jealousy, suspicion, mistrust, enmity, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, etc.
Let us follow The Way of Jesus, exemplar of faith, who incarnated The Word of Life. Amen!
|
|
|
Dove's Nest Collection: Urgent Needs
Dove's Nest is a faith-based, free, residential recovery program for women and their children ages 3-11 as a part of Charlotte Rescue Mission.
They are currently in urgent need of the following items:
- Body lotion
- Body wash
- Tampons
Please place all items in the Giving Nook at the Main Entrance.
| |
|
Valentine's Par-Tea for Children, Their Families, and On the Way Friends
Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 11:30am in Broach Hall
Children, their families, and On the Way friends are invited to a par-tea!
Please join us on Sunday, February 9, immediately following worship, in Broach Hall for a tea party to celebrate Valentine’s Day. With savories, scones, sweets, tea, music, and more, the afternoon promises to be a sweet one!
Reserve your teacup by February 2. You may register on Realm or email Kheresa or Lee.
|
|
|
ON THE WAY RESCHEDULED
Lunch at Portofino Rescheduled for January 29
Due to the ice on the roads the morning of January 22, the St. John’s retired adults and friends will now meet at Portofino (Italian Cuisine) on 5126 Park Rd for lunch and fellowship on Wednesday January 29 at 11:30 am.
Please let Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you will be participating by Monday, January 27. Hope you can still join us for lunch and fellowship!
|
| |
|
Women of the Church Bake Sale
Saturday, February 8
The Women of the Church are sponsoring a Bake Sale for the spectators and players at the youth Basketball Games on Saturday, February 8.
This sale has many benefits. We want our own SJBC players on the basketball teams to feel our support, and this particular Saturday is a busy Saturday. In addition, the proceeds of this sale will go toward the purchase of new choir robes for our St. John’s children’s choirs. Sweets for our sweeties! And finally, so many folks who come to the basketball games are not SJBC families, and we enjoy chatting with them and sharing the warmth of our community. Please help us if you can by providing baked goods for that day.
Baked items need to be in Ziploc-type bags. Each bag will be $1.00. For example, 2 large or 3 smaller brownies, Rice Krispy Treats, cookies, cake, cupcakes, etc. Any item containing nuts or peanut butter should be marked on the bag. If your food is gluten-free, please mark that on the bag. Any items not sold on Saturday will be available for sale at the Main Entrance after church on Sunday.
The snacks need to be at the church by 9:30 am on Saturday, February 8. If a Friday drop-off works better for you, the snacks can be left in the lounge near the gym before noon.
PLEASE RSVP by Wednesday, February 5 to Joanne Compton (joannewcompton@gmail.com; phone 704-502-2684) and let her know if you can help bake and what you are planning to bring. We are also looking for one more person to work an afternoon shift at our sale table on Saturday. If you would like to give of your time, and give yourself the treat of receiving joy as you give it, please call, text, or email Joanne Compton (information above). Thank you!
|
|
|
Basketball Game Schedule
January 25
- 6u Co-Ed – 10:00 am @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Cardella – 11:00 am @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Allen – 11:00 am @ St. John’s
- 8u Girls – 12:45 pm @ Park Rd Baptist
- 10u Boys Short – 1:15 pm @ St. John’s
- 10u Boys Barnhardt – 3:45 pm @ Providence Baptist
- 10u Girls – 11:30 am @ Park Rd Baptist
- 12u Girls – 10:30 am @ Providence Baptist
- 18u Girls – 2 games 9:30 am @ Trinity Episcopal & 1:45 pm @ Providence Baptist
February 1
- 6u Co-Ed – 3:00 pm @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Cardella – 2:00 pm @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Allen – 11:00 am @ St. John’s
- 8u Girls – 1:00 pm @ St. John’s
- 10u Boys Short – 12:30 pm @ St. Paul Baptist
- 10u Boys Barnhardt – 10:00 @ Mulberry Baptist
- 10u Girls - BYE
- 12u Girls – 5:30 pm @ Calvary Church
- 18u Girls – 10:30 am @ Trinity Episcopal
February 8
- 6u Co-Ed – 12:00 pm @ St. John’s
- 8u Boys Cardella – 11:30 am @ St. Stephen UM
- 8u Boys Allen - BYE
- 8u Girls – 10:00 am @ St. John’s
- 10u Boys Short – 2:15 pm @ St. John’s
- 10u Boys Barnhardt – 1:15 pm @ St. John’s
- 10u Girls – 3:15 pm @ St. John’s
- 12u Girls - BYE
- 18u Girls – 12:45 pm @ Mt. Harmony
|
| |
|
Save the Date!
Mission Day for Children
Children in grades 3 and up are invited to join us on Saturday, March 8 from 10am-2pm at FBC Mount Holly for CBFNC's Children’s Mission Day. More details soon!
|
| |
|
We are proud sponsors of the Elizabeth 8K Road Race!
As a part of our sponsorship of the Elizabeth 8K Road Race, happening on April 26 in the neighborhood around the church building, we are given 5 FREE race entries. If you are planning to run the race and want to enter for free, please email Mallory for a code.
This race is a family-friendly event with a competitive course in the Elizabeth neighborhood. Taking place each spring and welcoming over 1,300 runners to one of the city's oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods, the Elizabeth 8K has been a Charlotte favorite for almost 4 decades. The race starts and finishes just off of Elizabeth Avenue with the majority of the route weaving its way through the historic, tree-lined streets. Participants have several events to choose from:
- An 8K timed race for the competitive type
- A 1.5M untimed run/walk for the casual participants
- The Liz Kids’ Fun Run for the little ones: Even the little ones can get in on the action with this FREE fun ~50-yard dash. It’s for kids six and younger, and no registration is needed.
Again, email Mallory if you want a code to register for FREE to run this race.
|
|
|
Calling servant leaders!
Last year’s Rise Against Hunger food packing event brought together 6 congregations, 120 volunteers and led to nearly 20,000 meals being sent to our hungry brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone.
To bring this inter-generational service opportunity to life, we need a few leaders to serve on the planning committee to organize this late September event. Please contact Anna Cushman at annamcushmam@gmail.com or via text at 704-906-4406 by February 10 to express interest in serving the Rise Against Hunger 2025 Planning Committee.
| |
|
Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Pauline Funderburk, Martha Kiker, Ken Sanford
Continuing Prayer: Nancy Burgess, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Anne Sutton, Jeck Warren
Remember Paul Huffman, whose brother Charles passed on ahead of on Saturday, January 18
Remember Treva & Al Bridges, whose son, Ric Bridges, passed on ahead of us on Sunday, January 12
|
|
|
Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through December: $1,164,277 (96%)
December income and expenses will be reported later in January
2025 Draft Budget (Total Expenses): $1,233,000
2025 Pledge Goal: 150 Commitments, $900,000
2025 Pledges Received: 134 Commitments, $845,520
2024 Pledge Total: 140 Commitments, $884,000
|
|
|
Staff On-Call Rotation
- Jan. 20-26: Kheresa
- Jan. 27-Feb. 2: Russell
- Feb. 3-9: Dennis
- Feb. 10-16: Lee
|
|
|
Staff Contact Information
-
Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
-
Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
-
Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
-
Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
-
Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Organist
-
Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
-
Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
| |
Follow Us on Social Media! | | | | |
