We shared a glorious Easter Sunday together this past Sunday. Thank you to Linda Crowder for this picture! | | |
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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Following the Real Jesus by Dennis W. Foust
- Meet and Mingle THIS Sunday!
- Happy Birthday
- Real Estate Task Force Listening Session this Sunday
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Thursdays on the Town at Copper: Register Now
- Church Conference May 11
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Grand Slam Picnic: Register Now
- On the Way on April 30 to Old Salem
- TreeFest for Young Adults this Saturday
- Nursery Volunteers Needed This Summer
- Senior Adult Picnic Soon!
- Juice Boxes Needed
- Mission Trip to Western NC THIS SUMMER
- Shred-A-Thon
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Following the Real Jesus
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
What follows Easter?
For centuries, the Sunday after Easter Sunday was called, ‘Low Sunday.’
Most people think of it as Low Sunday because the attendance is much lower than Easter. However, the Sunday after Easter was called ‘Low Sunday’ for a theological reason.
The ancient Church recognized the eighth day of Easter as the day when Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed him the scars in his hands and side. This day was called ‘Low Sunday’ to engender calm emotions and to lower excessive expressions of celebration as the Church entered a more consistent pursuit of reverence and spiritual renewal with reflection.
Low Sunday was a day to be honest about doubts and questions while beginning a lifestyle of deeper commitment, humility and modesty. In some cultures, heads were bowed throughout worship to acknowledge the need for quiet and sincerity. Low Sunday is no longer recognized. Today, most traditions of the Church refer to the Second Sunday of Easter as ‘Thomas Sunday,’ or ’Bright Sunday,’ or ‘Renewal Sunday.’
One perennial emphasis on Sundays following a celebration of God’s resurrection of Jesus is this: ‘Searching for the Real Jesus.’ There seems to be more confusion than clarity today as to who Jesus was and what he came to reveal about God’s character, about God’s will for humanity, and about God’s mission for God’s people.
During my young adulthood, I became concerned about the words in a familiar song which was often sung on Sunday evenings during worship. The chorus went like this:
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
I had not mentioned my concern to anyone, but it just seemed as if Jesus couldn’t “belong” to me – or to anyone. This approach to individualistic discipleship bothered me. It still does.
One evening, my father and I were in the Oldsmobile and Johnny Cash came on the radio singing, ‘Personal Jesus.’ If you’re in worship on Sunday, I’ll pick up this story at that time. We will read the story of the Emmaus Road journey from Clarence Jordan’s Cotton Patch Gospel. Through this story, we will renew our quest of searching for the real Jesus. We will follow this search throughout the summer.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BRIGHT COLORS THIS SUNDAY.
Get ready to hear the St. John’s Children’s Kazoo Band and sing, “I’ve God the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart,” accompanied by David Erdman on guitar. Come prepared to welcome guests and plan to stay after worship for a few minutes for our ‘Meet & Greet’ in the Library Commons.
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Meet and Mingle THIS Sunday, April 27!
Our next Meet & Mingle will take place on April 27 after worship in the Library Commons area. All guests are invited to join us! Children are welcome.
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Happy Birthday!
Addison Norris will celebrate a birthday on April 28. She is the daughter of Stacey and Russell.
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Real Estate Task Force Listening Session, THIS Sunday, April 27
The Real Estate Task Force is hosting a listening session this Sunday, April 27, in Broach Hall at 8:30 am. We look forward to sharing an update on what we’ve learned about our challenges and considerable opportunities. We will be done before the Sunday School hour starts.
Doughnuts and coffee will be provided!
Hope to see you there!
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Thursdays on the Town at Copper
Outing for Parents of Children
Our next Thursdays on the Town will be May 15 at 6:00 pm at Copper Modern Indian Cuisine. Registration has opened.
Please sign up by May 11 to reserve childcare.
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Called Church Conference on May 11
Please mark your calendars for May 11 when we will call the Church in to a brief conference at the end of worship. The subject will be an update on the endowment and a proposal about the usage of endowment funds. More details on the proposal will be shared next week.
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Grand Slam Picnic: Register Now
Sunday, May 18
Children and families, let’s batter up for a Grand Slam Picnic honoring one great catch, our pastor, Dr. Dennis Foust! Meet us at the Broach Hall Ballpark immediately following worship on Sunday, May 18. Register by May 11.
You may sign up on Realm or contact Kheresa.
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On the Way: St. John's Retired Adults and Friends
Old Salem on April 30
We will go to Old Salem on April 30. We will meet at the church at 9am that day and return around 5:30pm. The cost is $65 due to the church for bus rental and museum entry. You will need to pay for your lunch at the museum cafe. Please make your reservation by emailing Lee Gray at lgray@sjcharlotte.org today!
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TreeFest Hang Out for Young Adults
April 26 at 3pm
Join our Young Adult Resources Team (YART) at this year’s TreeFest, which is on Saturday, April 26 at NoDa Brewing.
YART is getting together to hang out and chill out at this event - meet us around 3pm at the welcome table! Questions? Reach out to Kheresa Harmon and/or Molly Belong.
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Summer 2025 Nursery Volunteers Needed
One adult volunteer is needed to serve with our nursery on Sunday, July 20, 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Two adult volunteers are needed to serve with our nursery on Sunday, July 27.
Please call, text, or email Kheresa to help.
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Calling All Senior Adults (ages 75+)!
Senior Adult Picnic June 29
Save the date of Sunday, June 29 for the annual Senior Adult Picnic held in Broach Hall immediately following the worship service. Details coming soon! Sponsored by Women of the Church.
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Juice Boxes Needed
Juice boxes are needed for our children, ages 2+. You may leave any juice box contributions in Kheresa’s office.
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Youth and Young Adult Mission Trip to Western North Carolina this Summer
We continue to express our compassionate commitments to the people of western North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. We have sent clothes, goods, coats, food, and finances over the past several months. Now, we want to send some volunteers.
If you would like to be part of our Youth and Adult Mission Trip the week of June 15-20, please volunteer by calling the church office and asking Amanda to place you on the list. You do not need to stay all week. If your schedule only allows you to be with the group a day or two, your help will be appreciated. The needs literally change every week.
We will be in touch with potential efforts during May so as to have all our ducks in a row by June 1. We will be staying with Mars Hill Baptist Church and working at various sites in the area.
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Shred-A-Thon 2025 — Free Secure Document Shredding! Shred Away Identity Theft!
Join Shepherd's Center Charlotte for a morning of safe, secure, and FREE document shredding — and so much more!
- Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- St. John's Baptist Church Parking lot (300 Hawthorne Lane)
- Rain or Shine — We're Shredding Either Way!
What to Expect:
- Secure On-Site Document Shredding – Protect yourself from identity theft by safely disposing of sensitive papers.
- Coffee Truck – Grab a cup while you shred!
- Community Resources – Learn about valuable services and organizations in your neighborhood.
No RSVP Required – This event is free and open to the public!
Simply stop by with your documents and enjoy a morning of community, connection, and peace of mind.
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Joseph Freeman, Richard Sealy, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer: Mary Rickenbaker, Jeck Warren
Longtime St. John’s member and former church secretary Ace Millsaps passed on ahead of us on April 11 in Raleigh at the age of 96. A memorial service and reception in celebration of Ace’s life will be held at 11am on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Springmoor LifeCare Center Auditorium, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC.
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Financial Update
2025 Full Year Budget: $1,241,000
Through March
Budgeted Income: $310,250 (25%)
Actual Income Received: $278,159 (22%)
Income over (under) budget: ($32,091)
Actual Expenses Paid: $329,262 (27%)
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit): ($51,102)
Community and State Mission Offering: Goal $7,000
Income received through April 21: $8,700 (GOAL SURPASSED!)
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- Apr. 21-27: Dennis
- Apr. 28-May 4: Lee
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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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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Interim Minister for Worship & Music and Organist
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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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