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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- We Are Not the First to Dwell in a Post-Truth Age
- Clergy Appreciation Month
- Happy 104th Birthday, Jerry Jerman!
- Craft and Bake Sale this Sunday!
- Fall Festival!
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How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda Tyler Book Release: Register Here
- Happy Birthday!
- NAMI Walk
- Renaissance Festival with St. John's Young Adults
- Basketball Clinics and Sign Ups
- On the Way
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Thursdays on the Town: RESCHEDULED!
- ourBridge for Kids International Festival this Saturday!
- Welcoming New Friends Dinner in November
- Thankful Art Party for Children and Families
- Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon
- CBF Regional Gathering on November 21
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update & Hurricane Helene Fund Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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WE ARE NOT THE FIRST TO DWELL IN A POST-TRUTH AGE
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
When Paula and I were parenting our children toward maturity, we taught them that lying is wrong. We did for three reasons: we are committed to the way of Jesus that leads us to God and we want our children to have the same commitment; as we were growing up, our parents taught us that we should not lie; and throughout our lives, we have seen the damage caused by lies.
This past week, I have spoken with pastors and friends in Western North Carolina to offer encouragement. These folks have been impacted by lies told about the help Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is bringing to their region. The recovery has been hampered because of these lies. Lying is wrong. The truth matters.
In November 2016, the Oxford Dictionary named ‘post-truth’ to be the word of the year. Our use of the term increased by more than 2,000 percent during 2015. This new-term, ‘post-truth’ describes ‘abandonment of verifiable data,’ and ‘alternative facts.’ Another word for ‘post-truth’ is lie.
We are not the first generation to dwell in a post-truth age. Centuries before Jesus taught us how to live in ethical and moral ways, Leviticus taught the way of holiness. “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another.” (Leviticus 19:11)
Later, proverbs were collected to teach this foundational principle to young people. “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” (Proverbs 15:5)
In contrast to this way of life, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” One commentator interprets this phrase as, ‘I am the way to the truth about the life God wants you to have.’
Once again, here’s the TRUTH. Truth matters.
Throughout the Bible, truth is expressed as the way of Godliness, righteousness, holiness. Lies are condemned as evil. This was true then. This is true now. This will always be true.
Let us renew our commitments to live by God’s truth in ways that are true. Let us refuse to subvert truth. Let us build a better world based on truth – not on alternative facts.
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Did you know that October is Clergy Appreciation Month?
This month is a time to recognize and thank clergy, deacons, chaplains, and church staff for their service and dedication to our community. The Women of the Church encourage you to reach out to all of these people to let them know how much we appreciate them and their "on-call" support and guidance throughout the year.
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Happy 104th Birthday!
Mrs. Jerry Jerman will turn 104 on October 23! Wow!
Please join us in wishing her a happy birthday by sending her a Birthday card. At 103 she decided it was time to move into the home of her son in law and daughter – Norm & Betty Hill. The mailing address is:
Jerry Jerman
7709 Orchard Park Circle
Harrisburg NC 28075-8736
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Annual Craft & Bake Sale to Benefit Playground Renovations
THIS Sunday, October 20
The Needle and Craft Ministry will have a Craft and Bake Sale THIS Sunday October 20th in Lasater Hall from 11:30 to 1:00pm. All proceeds will go to support the playground renovations.
For those interested in donating crafts or baked goods:
The team will be in Lasater Hall on Friday, October 18 from 9:00 to 12 noon setting up for the sale and will accept craft items at this time. They will also accept craft items and baked goods on Sunday Oct. 20 in Lasater Hall beginning at 9:00am. The sale will be in Lasater Hall from 11:30 - 1:00 after the Worship Service.
Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. We will only accept cash or checks on the day of the sale. Our children will benefit from these renovations.
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Fall Festival with Trunk-Or-Treat
We Need Volunteers!
October 27, 3-5pm
We need volunteers for our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat community event on Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at SJBC. This is an event for our community and we hope you will come out and give them a big St. John's welcome!
How can you volunteer?
- Provide your vehicle that you can decorate.
- Candy, stickers, pencils, etc. as treats for your trunk.
- You in costume, too!
Sign up on Realm by October 20. Prizes will be given to the most festive trunk!
Questions? Contact Liz Benton or Kheresa Harmon.
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Less than a week away from the Amanda Tyler book release and conversation
October 22 at 6:30pm in Broach Hall
At 6:30pm, on Tuesday, October 22 in Broach Hall, we will host the book release of Amanda Tyler’s significant writing, How to End Christian Nationalism.
How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it.
The event will be videotaped but not livestreamed.
This event is free, but registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email with the information you'll need to attend. Register BELOW.
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Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday to Riley Cardella and Amelia Benton!
Riley will celebrate her birthday on October 30. She is Colleen and Marc Cardella's daughter.
Amelia will celebrate her birthday on October 27. She is the daughter of Liz and Jordan Benton.
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NAMI Walk on October 26
Join the St. John's team!
Come join your church family and one of our residential ministry partners, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), on Saturday, October 26 for a mental health awareness walk at The Mint Museum - Randolph. Contact Amanda Morrison with questions at Amorrison@sjcharlotte.org. Click HERE to join our team or support our team by donating.
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Young Adults Head to the Renaissance Festival
Saturday, November 16
We’re excited to invite the young adults of St. John’s to join us for a fun-filled trip to the Renaissance Festival on Saturday, November 16 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Let’s meet at the church around 9:30 AM to carpool and arrive ahead of the crowds—plus, it’ll help us secure enough parking!
Tickets are $34 for adults and $20 for kids ages 5-12, and the easiest way to grab them is through the Renaissance Festival's website (click below). Come dressed in your best Renaissance attire and make some memories together!
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Basketball Clinics starting in October
Mondays, October 14, 21, 28 from 5-6pm
St. John’s members, participants, and visitors with children who could potentially play on the 6 & Under Co-Ed team – I want to be sure you know about the upcoming basketball clinics for our younger children.
The clinics are the Mondays of October 21, & 28 from 5-6pm in the St. John’s gym.
I also want to alert you to remember to use the code MEMBER if/when you register your child so that you will receive $50 off of the cost to play. If you know that your child will play you can register them below. (We are currently receiving registrations from people with some connection to the life of the church and those players who have played before.)
Thank you, Lee Gray
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On the Way for October & November
Outings for Retired Adults and Friends
Friday, October 25 – We will meet the church at 11:00 am to coordinate our carpools and then walk or drive to Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant for lunch at 11:15 am. After lunch people can carpool (or drive separately if they desire) to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. (4108 Minuteman Way 28208 – It’s on Charlotte-Douglas Airport land) On the tour there are places to sit down and you can go at your own pace.
We have tickets for 1:30 pm and they can receive us up to 25 minutes before or after that time. We will need to fine tune our number of tickets, so please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by October 17. Please bring $20, cash or check payable to St. John's, the day we leave in order to pay for your ticket at them museum.
Thursday, November 14 – We have reservations for 20 at Mama Ricotta’s Italian Restaurant (601 S. Kings Dr.) at 11:30 am. We will carpool from the church and depart at 11:15 am or you can meet us there. Sometimes parking can be crowded though. Please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by Tuesday, November 12 so final adjustments can be made to our arrangements at Mama Ricotta’s.
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Thursdays on the Town: RESCHEDULED
November 7
Parents of children, ages birth - 5th grade, please join us on Thursday, November 7 (rescheduled date) at 6:00 p.m. at Catalina Kitchen and Bar (1942 East 7th St.). Find their menu here.
Free childcare will be provided.
Please register and reserve childcare by November 1.
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ourBRIDGE's 11th International Fall Festival is this Saturday!
Join in for the 11th International Fall Festival, happening on October 19th, from 3-7 PM!
ourBridge for Kids will be hosting the most diverse event in the city this Saturday, featuring performances that represent cultures from all around the world. From thrilling performances to a fun petting zoo, this festival will be an incredible celebration of global unity and culture!
The event will be at 3925 Willard Farrow Dr, Charlotte, NC, United States, North Carolina 28215.
Did we mention this is a free event? Because it definitely is! Everything, including the food, will be free! But we need your support to keep it that way in the way of donations & volunteers.
Donate here!
Volunteer here!
Can't wait to see you there.
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Welcoming New Friends
Building relationships with newly arrived individuals and families from other countries and cultures by becoming a Fruitful Friend
Wednesday, November 13, 5:30-7:00pm in Broach Hall
We invite you to join us for “Welcoming New Friends” on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in Broach Hall. We will share a buffet meal, followed by a program that focuses on the work of Refugee Support Services and their Fruitful Friends program. Fruitful Friends pairs volunteers with RSS program participants to build friendships, share cultures, and provide support. Sharing experiences, information and insights with us will be Pamela Dellinger and Esther Schmidt from Refugee Support Services.
Make dinner reservations by noon on Friday, November 8.
$15/person or $36/household
Must pay for dinner AT THE DOOR by cash or check.
Register on Realm or contact Amanda Morrison in the office at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org or 704-333-5428, ext. 0. No reservation needed for program only, which begins at 6:00PM.
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Thankful Art Party
Sunday, November 17
All children and their families are invited to bring their favorite sweet or savory pie, along with their artistic skills, to Broach Hall immediately following worship on Sunday, November 17, where we will join Cindy Osborne for a Friendsgiving Lunch and Thankful Art Party. Registration will open on November 1.
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Save the Date for the 2024 Senior Adult Luncheon
Date: Thursday, Dec. 5th
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Place: Broach Hall
More details to follow
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Pauline Funderburk, Arnold Philemon
Continuing Prayer:Tom Bryson, Kathleen Bumgardner, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Jeck Warren
We express our sympathy to the family and friends of Charles Gordon. Charles passed on ahead of us on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Please remember his children Tracy, Chuck, and Nicole, as well as his partner Judy Roberson in your prayers. A memorial service for Charles will be held on Thursday, October 24 at 2:00 in the Sanctuary with a reception in Lasater Hall to follow.
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through October 14: $850,523 (70%)
Western North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
Received through October 14: $10,240
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- October 14-20: Lee
- October 21-27: Kheresa
- October 28-November 3: Dennis
- November 4-10: Russell
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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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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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