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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Active Faith: Part 1
- Church Conference on Sunday
- Men's Shelter Service Reminder
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Thursdays on the Town at Copper: Register Now
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Grand Slam Picnic: Register Now
- Senior Adult Picnic Soon June 29
- Mission Trip to Western NC THIS SUMMER
- Kindermusik Summer Schedule
- A Super Summer with Children's Ministries
- Softball Starting Soon
- On the Way to Captain Steve's
- Young Adults to Petty Thieves Brewing
- PGA Championship Volunteering with Right Moves for Youth
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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ACTIVE FAITH: Part One
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Since our early days together in the summer of 2011, we have discussed faith. We have especially focused on Active Faith. We have this phrase which a few people can explain, ‘Actively Faithful Faithfully Active.’ I’ve offered sermons on the subject. I taught Wednesday evening series around studies of its dynamics. I’ve guided small groups to discuss ‘Active Faith.’ Yet, it is my guess that most people still grapple with understanding the idea.
In part, this is because we have heard the word ‘faith,’ since before we were able to form words. Faith conveys a variety of meanings for people and people of influence in our early years helped set parameters of faith for us before we expressed our own perspectives. Some people use faith to mean trust and conviction, which can be so strong that it compels them to do things they might not otherwise do. Some people use the word ‘faith’ to convey a set of theological concepts and practices explained as, “I am of the Roman Catholic faith,” or “I am of the Baptist faith tradition.” Even then, many questions prevail. What kind of Catholic, what stream of Baptist? Several scholars discuss faith as a merger of divine and human power resulting in spiritually transformational actions.
Through the years, you may have met several people who merely refer to a biblical passage like Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” whether they understand its meaning. Others may cite a passage from James 2 such as, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead…just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” Ways of explaining faith are numerous. Some are even ungodly.
In the 1980s, I wrote articles around the relational themes of ‘FaithWorks’ and ‘FaithToFaith’. I also became involved with the ecumenical group Faith@Work, which began out of Church of the Savior in Washington, DC, envisioned by and pastored by Gordon Cosby. Through this involvement, I eventually published an article for their journal and became acquainted with people who were seeking integration of their faith journeys and their daily work. These people became my guides in exploring how faith and work relate as well as how we grow as followers of Christ through both a journey inward into our relationship with God through Christ and a journey outward in service. All of this was an effort to better lead Christ’s Church in the pathway of Active Faith.
As I have expressed ministry alongside you, you have heard me offer phrases to teach the application of Active Faith. Some of these phrases developed in my language of faith and leadership as I walked among those Christ followers in Faith@Work Network. You have heard me refer to Ministry in Daily Life, the Inward/Outward Journey and Gathered Church Scattered Church. I continue to learn from participants in this movement.
One person I met through participating in the Faith@Work Network and whose Active Faith was shaped by Church of the Savior is Marjorie Bankson. In her excellent book, ‘Creative Aging: Rethinking Retirement and Non-Retirement in a Changing World,’ she observes, “Never before have so many Americans reached retirement age with a social consciousness, advanced education, and such good health.” She cites how people are investing in longer life with a purpose and offers a challenge: “Out of the darkness, dawn comes. Let’s make these extra years count.” Beloved, this sounds like the way of Active Faith to me. How about you?
In next week’s article, I will discuss how Active Faith relates with Integrated Faith and Missional Church.
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Called Church Conference on Sunday at the end of Worship
This is a reminder that at the end of worship this Sunday, May 11, we will be called into a brief church conference. The subject will be an update on the endowment and a proposal about the usage of endowment funds. Attached are 2 documents with more information.
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Help serve at the shelter on May 16!
We serve at the shelter on the third Friday of each month and need your help on May 16. We still need 6 banana puddings and 4 servers! Sign up below.
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Thursdays on the Town at Copper
NEXT THURSDAY!
Our next Thursdays on the Town will be next Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 pm at Copper Modern Indian Cuisine. Register below!
Please sign up by Sunday, May 11 to reserve childcare.
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Grand Slam Picnic: Churchwide Event
Sunday, May 18
Our children and their families invite you to 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.
You may sign up on Realm or contact Kheresa.
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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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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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A Super Summer with Children's Ministries!
Sunday School for Summer:
Beginning June 1, children ages 3+, will join Kheresa in Room 221 for Sunday school: Summer-Style! Summer classes will meet from 9:15– 10:15am. Our children will worship with their church families at 10:30am. Please note that Sunday school will not meet on July 6 and August 24.
Kheresa does need one adult volunteer to serve alongside her on the following Sundays:
- July 27
- August 17
- August 31
If you would like to volunteer, please let her know.
Summer Nursery:
Our babies – children 2 years of age will meet as scheduled throughout the summer, with worship care provided weekly.
Summer Specials:
Our children are invited to dive into summer specials with their church family!
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Paint, Play, and Party: Mark your calendars for Friday, June 27 starting at 1pm! We will spend the afternoon in Belmont, where we will paint at Little Bit of Art Studio; play at Stowe Park; and party at Bumblebee Creamery.
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Learn to Knit and Crochet: Rising 2nds graders and up are invited to join Kheresa and the ladies of our Needle Ministry to learn the basics of knitting and crocheting. Our Needle Ministry will meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. If your child would like to learn a new craft and make friendships that will last a lifetime, contact Kheresa.
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Serve Sandwiches: Rising 1st graders and up are invited to join Kheresa and members of our Sandwich ministry to make sandwiches for our food insecure friends. Our Sandwich Ministry will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10-11am. If your child would like to serve, please contact Kheresa.
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Work at the Charlotte Diaper Bank: Children, ages 5+, are invited to work with Kheresa at the Charlotte Diaper Bank on June 19, 10:30 am-12:30pm. If your child would like to serve, please contact Kheresa by June 8.
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Softball season is right around the corner, and signups are now active.
The softball season starts the first week of June and runs through the end of July. If you are 18 years old or older and are interested in playing, please email Dan Redding at dpredding2@gmail.com. It's a co-ed league, and there are 2 games a week played at Providence Baptist Church on Randolph Road.
We hope you will join in on the fun!
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On the Way
Captain Steve's on May 21
On The Way (St. John’s Retired adults and friends) are going to lunch at Captain Steve’s on Wednesday, May 21. The address is 5645 NC-49 Harrisburg NC. We will meet there to eat at 11:30am. Feel free to meet us there at 11:30 am or carpool from the church and leaving at 10:55 am. Please email Lee Gray LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to participate. The deadline to sign up is Monday May 19.
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Join the Young Adults for Trivia at Petty Thieves!
Join our Young Adult Resource Team (YART) for Trivia Night on Tuesday, May 27, 6:30-9pm, at Petty Thieves Brewing Company!
Questions? Reach out to Kheresa Harmon and/or Aidan Salmeron. Register below so we know who to expect.
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Attention All Golfers and Friends of Golfers!
Would you like to be part of the action at the PGA Championship being played in Charlotte from May 15 – 18 at the Quail Hollow Club? Right Moves for Youth (RMFY) is offering that opportunity and you can help!
RMFY provides peer support, counseling, and fun/educational activities to keep kids in school. Their goal is for each student to graduate from high school with a plan for their future success. It’s an excellent organization that has long been supported by St. John’s and St. John’s members.
RMFY has secured the opportunity to run a concession stand at the PGA Championship from May 12 – 18, with proceeds going to support the organization. But they need our help!—volunteers to staff the stand. It’s great chance to experience the excitement of a major golf tournament firsthand.
Click here and here to learn more and read ALL the details before signing up.
Please click below to learn more about the volunteer opportunities and click green button to sign up.
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Joseph Freeman, Jacob Goodson, Richard Sealy, Anne Sutton
Continuing Prayer: Mary Rickenbaker, Jeck Warren
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Financial Update
2025 Full Year Budget: $1,241,000
Income received through April: $396,718 (32%)
Community and State Mission Offering: Goal $7,000
Income received through May 5: $10,170 (145%) (GOAL SURPASSED!)
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- May 5-11: Kheresa
- May 12-18: Dennis
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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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