JANUARY 6, 2023

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:1

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Sunday Services @ 8:00am & 10:30am

REGISTER FOR ST. JOHN'S ONLINE DIRECTORY

~ View and download Contribution Statements ~

Church ministries, in parishes of all sizes, are successful when God calls someone to lead that ministry and their response is - "yes Lord send me". There are many examples of this relationship, the key to the success is that first we hear God calling us, and second, we say – yes Lord send me. 


Twenty-four years ago, Mary Lou McMaster responded to God’s call to serve the important ministry of African Palms. Thirteen years ago, when thinking it might be time to step back from the ministry, Mary Lou again heard God’s call and responded by serving as chair of the African Palms board. After thirteen years as board chair, and twenty-four years on the board, Mary Lou has stepped back from her official duties with African Palms. 


Serving on a ministry is not intended to be a “life-sentence”, and success is not measured in years. For Mary Lou the ministry of African Palms was just too important to look at the calendar. Having had the privilege of traveling to Tanzania with Mary Lou, I was able to witness how much this ministry means to her, and how much the life of this ministry has responded to her loving care. Mary Lou’s finger print, her very DNA, will be forever a part of African Palms and for that we give thanks to her and to God. 


Even now, in “retirement” from African Palms, Mary Lou still has a passion for the ministry, just ask her and learn; and then thank her. 


Many years ago, in another parish, I was washing a silver chalice and looked at the engraving on the bottom. The chalice had been given, many years prior, in thanks for the 50 years of altar guild service by someone who was still actively serving on altar guild. Time flies when serving God. 


The same is true for someone I know who taught Sunday School for over 30 years, and he said it was he who benefited from the ministry more than the children; which we of course know was a benefit to both. 


Serving God in a ministry of the church is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Listen, and then say – yes Lord send me. 


Peace

Fr. Henry+ 

Epiphany Dinner RSVP

Questions?

Please email Aparna Williams

or text to 301-775-1105. 

Please join us THIS Saturday, January 7th immediately after the 5pm

Evening Prayer service for the

Epiphany Spaghetti Dinner.

RSVP and let us know who will be attending the dinner.

BISHOP BUDDE’S VISIT

Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, annual visit to

St. John's is scheduled for Sunday, January 22nd.


Please mark your calendars and make plans

to join Bishop Budde for a morning at St. John's.

The Bishop will meet with St. John's Vestry following the service.


ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH IS SUNDAY, JANUARY 29th @ 9am

Please mark for calendars and plan to attend this important meeting.

ESTHER DEEL MINISTRY makes baby blankets and prayer shawls to present at Baptisms and to the sick or grieving. Anyone who enjoys knitting or crocheting is invited to our first meeting on Sunday, January 8th following the 10:30 service in the Parish Hall. Contact Julie Metcalf for more information.

VESTRY MINUTES - DECEMBER Highlights


STJEC Vestry met on December 21, 2022. Below are highlights of the meeting:


  • Vestry approved the following budgets - St. John's Episcopal School as well as the 2023 budget for African Palms.
  • 2021 Financial management draft audit was discussed
  • Housing Resolution for Fr. Henry and Mo. Shivaun were approved.
  • 2023 proposed budget for St. John's Church was discussed


The full Vestry Minutes are posted on bulletin boards outside of the Rector's office as well as outside the Meeting Room in the undercroft.

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Birthday Blessing to those

born in the month of

~ JANUARY ~


Johnna Gilchrist

Sally Thomas

Alexander Tuite

Julie Metcalf


Julie Bauduy

Kellan Butler

Eleanor Dhingra

Lindsay Cooper

Christian Knutsen

David Lee

Benjamin Schlackman

Naomi Wilkinson

Kent Fangboner

William Lederer

Mary McQueen

Mabel Dove

Elaine Bentley

Gus Schopp




May God give you many blessings today and always, may your dreams come true that you have much

peace, love, and hope.



May He command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.




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The CASSEROLE CLUB meets on the third Sunday of the month. This month's meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 15th at 12 noon in the Parish Hall. Please join us for an informal, safe assembly of people joined by their experience of deep loss at our next "Casserole Club" meeting. For more information and to RSVP please contact Bree Bruemmer.

St. John’s expresses God’s love throughout our communities. This week, these are the specific ways you can support our communities and share our love! 


~ FOOD PANTRY NEEDS THIS WEEK ~

Rice (small bags) | Spaghetti Sauce (plastic jars) | Cereal



Please check the expiration date before donating as we cannot use expired food items. THANK YOU.

MOCOATS

Coat collection continues through January matching specific coats with a specific need. Click the Amazon Wish List for a listing of coat sizes needed.

Collection bins are located in the solarium. Thank you for your donations!

Celebrating, Commemorating, and Honoring the life,

legacy and impact of

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

volunteers (12 years and older) are needed to work the St. John’s Food Pantry on January 16th @ 9:30am

(a day of service honoring

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) Volunteers are needed to sort food by group and expiration date. As some of the print is small, we encourage you to bring magnifying glasses. Work will begin at 9:30am at the church and finish by noon.

Please contact

Mary McQueen

if you are available to help.

ONLINE DIRECTORY

Register for Servant Keeper's online directory to

view and download 2022 contribution statements.

HOLY HOUSEHOLD 

HALF-HOUR

Sunday Morning

9:45-10:15am

in the Parish Hall

"An intergenerational Sunday School for ALL ages"

African Palms LOGO

AFRICAN PALMS

Volunteer packers needed Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 - 11am

starting on January 17th.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM continues the Journey toward "Every Member a Ministry" throughout the month of January. Please join Deacon Nancy in the lower level Meeting Room at 9am as we discover our ministries.

ADULT FORUM

Sunday mornings @ 9am Lower Level Meeting Room



JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Meeting ID: 833 0378 8008 Passcode: STJEC

COMPLINE
Wednesday Evenings
7pm on ZOOM

Meeting ID: 892 8549 6618
Passcode: STJEC

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Saturdays Mornings @9am

Meeting Room or ZOOM.


JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Meeting ID: 856 0058 2904 Passcode: 393887

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MONDAY MISSION SOCIETY

Prayers @ 7pm on ZOOM


JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Meeting ID: 821 4337 7915

Passcode: STJEC


THE NURSERY IS OPEN SUNDAY MORNINGS

 8am to 12pm

~ Children 5 & Under ~


Nursery Volunteer Rotation

Contact Mo. Shivaun

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY

~Grades 6th-12th~

 Sundays from 12-1pm

* includes a light lunch


JANUARY 22 | 4-6pm

Bowling

RSVP HERE

Use this list to pray for the sick, shut-in, bereaved,

or those merely in need.

Brenda Goodman

Donald & Susan Ferritti

Dee Milling

Matt Ladd

Jane MacDonald

"Young Dave"

Peter McWilliams

Tim Wittig

Lu Soukup

Mary Persinger


We pray that You bless your servants with Your loving care, renew their strength, and heal what ails them in Your loving name.


Amen.

GIVE online or MAIL your gift to:

St. John's Episcopal Church

PO Box 187,

Olney, MD 20832


Completed pledge certificate may be returned by mail or by placing Sunday's collection plate.

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3427 Olney-Laytonsville Road
Olney, MD 20832
301-774-6999