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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Days Between Pentecost & Memorial Day
- Worship on May 26 and June 2
- Community & State Mission Offering: Ends this Sunday!
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A Divine Center Prayer Guide: Download here
- Holy Grounds
- New Sunday School Class Coming this Fall for 3-year-olds
- Nursery Volunteers Needed!
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Thursday on the Town for June: Register here
- Senior Adult Picnic in June
- Summer Worship Series
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Wet and Wild Parent's Night Out in August: Register here
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Days Between Pentecost and Memorial Day
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Less than two years after I arrived in Charlotte, my father passed on ahead of us. The reason I use my middle initial is to honor him. Wayne Luther Foust was a fine man and a faithful example of pastoral ministry while being a husband and dad. I wish you could have known him, and he could have known you. By the time we moved here in 2011, his heart was too weak to travel. I still miss him every day. His body is buried in the National Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri; site of the publication, Stars & Stripes, a newspaper which began when Union soldiers started publishing news of the war. The paper continues to be published today. Since Dad was a linotype operator in the 1950s, and a pastor who became an editor, writer, and publisher, this seems to be a good burial spot.
Every year, on Memorial Day, we give attention to the families of those who have lost their lives while in service of their country – whether during peace time or war. I have known and cared for some of these families through the decades. Each year, I think of the Burns, the Wilhoits, the Thurmans, the Troutmans, the Winslows, and others. Yet, we have also expanded Memorial Day a bit to remember people with whom we have been close; especially those who left a mark on our lives. Hopefully, somewhere amidst the opening of swimming pools, ending of school years, trips to the beach or mountains, and family cookouts at the lake, you can reflect on how those who have passed on ahead of us are still influencing us.
Since I began my service as your senior minister in August of 2011, we have experienced more than two-hundred deaths. And this does not count those relatives and friends you have grieved who were not or are no longer members of St. John’s. We grieve together a bit too often if you ask me. At times, we do not have time to process our grief before we are grieving the loss of another friend or relative. Grief can saturate us and ooze out in odd ways.
Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. Sometimes it bumps up against Pentecost. Every three to four years, Pentecost (the fiftieth day after Easter) falls on Memorial Day weekend, but it moves around. This year, Pentecost was observed eight days BEFORE Memorial Day. Next year, Pentecost is observed thirteen days AFTER Memorial Day. Since Pentecost precedes Memorial Day this year, I had a reflection that may offer an aha moment for you in these days between Pentecost and Memorial Day.
Pentecost reminds us how God’s Holy Spirit empowers our witness, emboldens us to continue God’s mission revealed in Jesus, provides us with strength, guides us in the path of discipleship, and assures us of God’s faithfulness.
On this Memorial Day, as I remember families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, I also remember all those veterans and their families who still struggle with injuries, memories, burdens, and guilt. To some extent, they lost their lives too. Their burdens are sometimes so heavy that estrangement becomes their lifestyle and homelessness their address. Let us pray on these days between Pentecost and Memorial Day that a fresh wind of God’s Spirit will blow on the lives of many who grieve allowing sorrows to be lifted on the wings of doves as God’s peace descends to lift the soul wounds which are often misunderstood.
Shalom!
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Worship on May 26 & June 2
Trinity Sunday & Graduation Sunday
As we move toward the summer, our expressions of worship in the beautiful St. John’s sanctuary will include celebration and inspiration.
- May 26 - We join Christians around the globe to observe Trinity Sunday. Rev. Kheresa Harmon will offer a sermon entitled, ‘or, for the Love of Pretzels’ based upon John 3:1-17.
- June 2 - We will observe our long-standing annual tradition of celebrating with our High School graduates as they serve as worship leaders. Dr. Foust will present a word to the graduates as they transition into young adulthood.
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2024 Community and State Mission Offering
ENDS THIS SUNDAY!
We have raised $6,125 towards our 2024 goal! This Sunday is the last Sunday to donate towards our goal.
This year, we will present our gifts to two mission partners. The first $5,000 will be given to support the work of Together for Hope. All gifts beyond the first $5,000 will be given to Church World Service.
You can give online through Realm or by cash/check in your offering envelope and designating to Community and State Mission Offering.
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A Divine Center
A shared daily journey for the people of St. John's
As you live through this Christian Year, you may find this resource helpful as you pursue your inner sanctuary, your holy place, your Divine Center. In addition to Daily Scripture Passages, a Daily Prayer Focus is provided for each day so our congregation can be united in scripture and prayer each day through this year.
Here are the readings for this coming week:
- Thursday, May 23, 2024: Proverbs 14:23 People with Jobs
- Friday, May 24, 2024: Matthew 5:13-16 People Discouraged in Their Work
- Saturday, May 25, 2024: 1 Corinthians 15:58 The Vocation of Our Discipleship
- Sunday, May 26, 2024: Matthew 28:18-20 The Trinitarian Commission of Discipleship
- Monday, May 27, 2024: Matthew 19:13-15 Weekday School Director, Lydia Olmsted
- Tuesday, May 28, 2024: Proverbs 1:8-19 Middle School Youth
- Wednesday, May 29, 2024: Proverbs 2:1-15 Parents of Youth
- Thursday, May 30, 2024: Proverbs 3:1-10 High School Youth
This current list contains readings and focus points for May 19-August 31, the season of Pentecost. Click below to download the guide.
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A NEW Sunday Opportunity for Parents
Haven't found a Sunday School class for you, parents? Is your class taking a summer sabbatical?
Holy Grounds may be the place for you!
Kheresa will begin offering this new faith formation experience for you weekly, beginning June 16 at 9:15am in the Church Parlor. Come for coffee or tea (it's free), fellowship, and prayer in a safe, sacred space.
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New Three-Year-Old Sunday School Class Coming This Fall
Can you serve as a teacher for these sweet little ones?
A NEW Sunday school class for 3-year-olds will start fall 2024. Teachers are needed to help Alexandra, Julien, Joy, Hailey, Walter, Amelia, Grace, Annie, and Liam learn about Jesus. Let Kheresa know that you want to serve!
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Nursery Volunteers Needed!
3rd Sunday of August ONLY
Nursery volunteers are needed for the 3rd Sunday August only. Please contact Kheresa immediately to serve.
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Thursdays on the Town
June 13 at 6pm at 1900 Mexican Grill
Parents of children, ages birth - 5th grade, please join us on Thursday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. at 1900 Mexican Grill (Elizabeth Avenue). Free childcare will be provided.
Please register and reserve childcare by June 9.
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Senior Adult Picnic
Sunday, June 23 in Broach Hall
Senior Adults (75+), save the date of Sunday, June 23rd for the annual Seniors' Picnic held in Broach Hall immediately after the worship service.
To register for the Senior Adult Luncheon on June 23rd please:
- Text "Senior Luncheon" and your name to 704-333-5428
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or call the Church Office at 704-333-5428 ext. 0
Please register by Tuesday, June 18.
Sponsored by Women of the Church.
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The Kind of Church Our World Needs
A Summer of Worship with St. John’s Baptist Church of Charlotte
June, July & August of 2024
Weavers skillfully combine different materials to craft durable fabrics and baskets. Similarly, the early Christians wove together Jesus' teachings and lifestyle to form loving communities. Embracing God's love and their love for humanity, they established resilient local churches. In today's world, we as a church, aspire to emulate this model, following Jesus' directive to love one another, exploring its implications in our worship and teachings. Our summer worship will consider various ways we can be this kind of church. Our equipping ministers will offer messages to explore practical applications of Jesus’ example of love.
See this summer's preaching schedule below.
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June 9 – A Church of Heartfelt Devotion, by Dr. Dennis Foust
June 16 – A Church that Forgives What Cannot Be Forgotten, by Dr. Dennis Foust
June 23 – A Church of the Vulnerable, by Rev. Kheresa Harmon
June 30 – A Church that Loves in Truth, by Rev. Lee Gray
July 7 – A Church that Models Interdependence, by Dr. Dennis Foust
July 14 – A Church Where Failure is Accepted, by Dr. Dennis Foust
July 21 – A Church that Lifts Up People, by Rev. Lee Gray
July 28 – A Church that Weaves New Clothes, by Dr. Dennis Foust
August 4 – A Church that Embraces Differences, by Dr. Steve Harmon
August 11 – A Church that Really Notices People, by Rev. Lee Gray
August 18 – A Church that Moves the World Forward, by Dr. Dennis Foust
August 25 – A Church that Shapes a People for God, by Dr. Dennis Foust
September 1 – A Church of Beautiful Grace in Action, by Rev. Haley Blackwell
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Wet 'n' Wild Parents' Night Out
Saturday, August 10
It’s gonna be wet! It’s gonna be wild! It’s gonna be splashingly fun!
Parents, drop your kids off at church at 5:00pm on Saturday, August 10. Our SJBC youth, Haley, and Kheresa will slip, and slide, and splash, and giggle, with children 3 years of age through 5th grade.
Childcare for babies - two years of age will be provided by Mon Aye and Zebb Young, two of our WDS teachers. They will be accompanied by SJBC youth.
The cost of the event is $10 per child, which will help cover the costs associated with dinner, snacks, and supplies.
We’ll dry off and be ready to meet parents at 8:00pm.
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Arnold Philemon, Jane Winn
Continuing Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Kelly Belcher, Tom Bryson, Mary Rickenbaker, Jack Crymes, Betty Mullins
We extend sympathy to the Baucom family in the death of Lloyd Baucom on May 18, 2024. Our prayers are with wife, Joan, son, Jay, and daughter, Jennifer at this time. A celebration of life will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 2pm with a reception in Jubilee Hall following the service. Please send an email to Mallory Brown at mbrown@sjcharlotte.org to request their addresses if you wish to send a note to Joan or Jay.
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- May 20-26: Kheresa
- May 27-June 2: Lee
- Jun. 3-9: Russell
- Jun. 10-16: Dennis
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget $1,211,000
Income received through May 19: $392,058
Through April 2024
Budgeted Income: $403,667 (33%)
Actual Income Received: $343,950 (28%)
Income over (under) budget: (59,717)
Actual Expenses Paid: $376,860 (31%)
Income/Expense Surplus (Deficit): (32,910)
2024 Community & State Mission Offering Goal: $5,000
Income received through May 12: $6,125
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Haley Blackwell, Minister for Youth & Young Adults - 704-333,5428, ext. 2013; 620-515-3558 (cell) (ON FAMILY LEAVE)
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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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Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, 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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