This Week At Saint John's
September 16th, 2021
Join us for Worship
this Sunday, September 19th
In person at 9:00 or 11:00 am
On Facebook Live at 11:00 am

Please join us for worship this Sunday when Rev. Hilary Marchbanks shares the sermon, Leading the Way: Changing the Game and shares reflections from the life of Jackie Robinson.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 13:1-19. Prayers will be led by Cheryl Broome and Children's Time by Laura Schwarcz. Our liturgist will be Jim Newman. Music this week is led by Cina Crisara, Ed Snouffer, and a chancel choir.

We will be broadcasting the service LIVE on Sunday morning at 11:00 am. You can now view the service live on our website at www.stjohnsaustin.org/live/. You can also continue to watch the service on Facebook if you prefer. After the livestream is over, you will be able to find a recording of the video at facebook.com/saintjohnsaustin/videos to watch anytime after Sunday morning.

Your prayer needs are important to us. To make a prayer request, click here or send an email to Rev. Cheryl Broome, Congregational Care Pastor.
Possible Scamming

There have been a few attempts of someone claiming to be Saint John’s staff asking for gift cards. This has happened with several local churches and via both email and texting. Know that Saint John’s staff will never contact you directly asking for gift cards. Only respond to gift card requests if they are announced in church or in official weekly emails. The name may list a staff member, but look at the phone number or email address to verify the person before you respond. If you are unsure, email the staff member directly using the email address on our staff page to confirm.

To learn more tips for internet safety, click this link or go to staysafeonline.org.
2021 Methodist Build
Volunteer Sign-up Deadline Extended to September 18th

At Saint John's UMC, we have participated in the Austin Habitat for Humanity's Methodist Build for many years. This year, we have made a commitment to raise $9,000 toward a home. Along with other area Methodist Churches, we will raise the funds for the home and work side by side with the homeowner. Please donate, if you haven't yet, using realm online giving, and selecting "Habitat/Methodist Build" from the dropdown menu. You do not need a realm log-in to give online. To see a diagram of how much we've raised, click here!

Click here to sign up to volunteer on October 2nd. We still have 11 volunteer positions to be filled!

Mark your calendars:
September 18th - First day of the Methodist Build and dedication. 8:00 am
October 2nd - Saint John's Volunteer Day 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Please email Randy Knighten at randy@stjohnsaustin.org if you have questions.
You are Called 2021

At Saint John's, we believe that everyone has been given gifts by God. We honor these gifts by giving our time, talents and resources. Together, we can all work towards creating a community where God’s love changes people and God’s people change the world.

Respond to God's call to ministry and leadership by filling out the questionnaire at bit.ly/sjurcalled21. We will record and use this information for future volunteer opportunities at Saint John's United Methodist Church.

We will consecrate the paper and electronic forms on Sunday, September 26th during the service.
Disciple II
Thursdays, starting tonight, September 16th 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Open to anyone who has taken Disciple I, this 24-week study we venture through the books of Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts. Deepen your understanding of Scripture, historical and literary context, spiritual disciplines, and how you might respond to Scripture in ministry with the world.

This class will be led by David Gilliam, Hilary Marchbanks, and Shelley Walters. If you have questions or have not taken Disciple I, please email hilary@stjohnsaustin.org.

Register at bit.ly/sjdisciple2.
Saint John's Pedalers Mamma Jamma Ride
This Saturday, September 18th

The Pedalers are gearing up to ride the Mamma Jamma Ride Against Breast Cancer. Ride day will be September 18th, starting and ending in Taylor, Texas. There are fully supported routes from 15-70 miles. This is a whole family activity! This year's beneficiaries are the Lone Star Circle of Care and the Big Pink Bus.

You can register (or donate directly) at https://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/stjohns.

Any questions, please contact Chris Sparks at cmsparks@gmail.com.
NAMI Walk 2021
September 25th

The Saint Johns Steppers will be participating in this year’s NAMI Walk in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central Texas on September 25th. The walk will not only raise money for NAMI, but will also raise awareness about mental illness. This year’s Walk will be a hybrid walk where you can either “walk your own way” and/or participate in the actual Walk on the 25th. If you are interested in walking with the Steppers or interested in sponsoring the team or one of it’s walkers, please visit the Steppers webpage at namiwalks.org/team/steppers or contact Paul Mollenhauer at pcmollenhauer@gmail.com. NAMI Central Texas provides free classes, support groups, and information about mental illness, so your support will be much appreciated.
Fostering Conversations about Diversity
with Guest Speaker Pamela Bensen Owens
Wednesday, September 29th  7:00pm

This guest speaker series is designed to foster conversations about what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean in our local community and context. We will hear from different leaders in the Greater Austin area who are in this work.

Our first guest is Pamela Benson Owens, CEO of Six Square and President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, a unique consulting firm that is dedicated to assisting for-profit, nonprofit, and faith-based entities. She serves on the faculty of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Austin Community College and enjoys helping fundraising professionals in understanding not only the fundamentals of fundraising but also donor motivations. Pam leverages humor and honest storytelling to create memorable and applicable strategies for sustainable and substantive change.

She is a proud Texas A&M Aggie where she earned a degree in Journalism and a certification in Diversity Education, and completed her graduate work at St. Edward’s University with a Masters in Human Services with a concentration in Conflict Resolution/Mediation. Pam has also completed coursework at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and currently serves as a DEI consultant for the Rio Texas Conference of the Methodist Church.

Sign up to join us at bit.ly/sjfosterconvos1
Saint John's Pumpkin Patch returns
Save the date!

Unloading the truck will take place Sunday, October 10th after the 11:00 service this year – breakfast tacos will be provided! Volunteers get first pick of the pumpkins, and they can purchase their favorites at the end of the workday. All are welcome, even if you can't carry pumpkins, we still need help with setting up our patch!

You won't want to miss out on this fun-filled tradition. Sign up to volunteer by going to bit.ly/sjpatch21. If you have questions about volunteering, please call the church office at (512)452-5737 and ask for our Pumpkin Patch coordinator, Rebecca Witte.
Church Council Meeting
Tuesday September 28th at 6:30 pm

Saint John's Church Council's next meeting will be Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. The council meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month and all church members are invited to attend. To attend this meeting, please obtain the Zoom link from Business Administrator Duane Roth at duane@stjohnsaustin.org.
Grants Available from Saint John’s Endowment Fund
Application Deadline is October 1st

Have an ideal for a special project that will support Saint John’s mission or benefit the membership? Each year, grants from the earnings of the Saint John’s Endowment Fund are awarded to Church organizations to support programs, improvement projects and initiatives not currently funded through the annual budget. Since 2015, 24 projects have been approved for funding by the Endowment Fund Committee and as the Fund grows, more good work can be supported.

Deadline for submitting applications for 2021 is Friday, October 1st. All applications must be formally supported by at least one of the Church’s Standing Committees or an organization created by the Church Council. If you missed the Q&A session about applying for endowment grants, you can still view the presentation with frequently asked questions on our website's endowment page. Guidelines for Applying for Endowment Fund Grants and the 2021 Application Form are available from Committee Chairs, Duane Roth (duane@stjohnsaustin.org) in the Church Office and the Fund Committee Chair, Karen Ann Norris (kannnorris@yahoo.com).
Invitation to Experience: "I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist."
Edited by Rudy Rasmus  
Mondays, October 4th - 18th  6:30 - 8:00pm

 In this book, Rudy Rasmus reveals his story, then collected and reveals the stories of nine other Black Americans. He opens a window into invisible grievances and sorrows most of us have never experienced. Ten Methodists share their experiences with us in I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. These individuals share their hearts and thoughts with us, the reader.

What might happen if we opened our hearts and minds to listen? What might we be able to accomplish if we noted the pain, the disheartening dismay of these other Americans? What if we continued to pay attention and found a way to join with God’s people to change the world?

Please join Karen Hale and Patsy Hickey for three weeks in October to discover these stories, listen and learn from each other, dream about ways we can help, and begin to act for a better future for us all.

Sign up to join us at bit.ly/sjblackchristianmethodist
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 3rd at 4:00 pm

On or around The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, Christians around the world gather to honor the patron saint of animals and creation with prayers for all creation and a blessing of the animals. Saint John's will celebrate Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 3rd at 4:00 pm at the playground.

Bring your animals, on a leash or in a cage, for a personal blessing from Rev. Georjean Blanton, giving thanks for their place in God's world and in our lives. We will gather masked and distanced outside.
New Website FAQs

Our website, found at www.stjohnsaustin.org, has a brand new look! It will now be easier to access information on our website and watch our online services – along with many other improvements!

If you are used to the layout of the old site, you may be wondering where to find your most frequently accessed links. The following list of frequently asked questions should help, and if you have more that are not addressed, please feel free to email Natalie Young, communications coordinator, at natalie@stjohnsaustin.org

Q: Where do I find the broadcast service on our new site?
A: The service can be found by clicking the "Resources" menu tab and then "Livestream" or by going to www.stjohnsaustin.org/live/.

Q: How do I log in to Realm, mySaintJohn's account?
A: Under the "Resources" menu tab, you can click mySaintJohn's Realm Log in or scroll down on the home page until you see the familiar mySaintJohn's cloud logo.

Q: How do I give online?
A: Click on the "Giving" menu tab to see options to go to "Online Giving" or click on "Why We Give" to learn more about the ways that your generosity supports Saint John's community.

Q: How do I submit a newsletter article?
A:You can submit a newsletter article by clicking on the "Resources" menu tab and then clicking on "Forms and Requests" on that page, you will find all available forms including "Newsletter Article Request" and a new form called "Host an Event, Meeting, or Class". This new form will be your one stop for filling out a room request, getting your event on the calendar, creating a mySaintJohn's event registration, applying for a fundraising permit (if needed), and submitting a communication's request.
September Communion Rail Offering
Peace with Justice Sunday

The Communion Rail Offering for September is "Peace with Justice Sunday". It is a special offering made annually to the United Methodist Church. The UMC Book of Resolutions states that "We must renew our call for social transformation, for the quest to open the doors of opportunity for all, to distribute resources more equitably, and to provide better care for persons in need." This offering enables the UMC to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs.
September Worship Series – “Leading the Way” 

Q. What do Jackie Robinson, Sonia Sotomayor, and Saint John’s 4th graders have in common?

A. September’s worship series!

In September, we’re looking at leaders in history who were the first in their field. As our 4th graders get their Bibles from Saint John’s, we’ll head to the early church in Colossae, the Brooklyn Dodgers field, the plains of Kansas, and the halls of the Supreme Court to learn from those who lead the way.

September 19th – Leading the Way: Changing the Game
Matthew 13:1-19, message from Rev. Marchbanks

September 26th – Leading the Way: Stepping Up
Jeremiah 1:4-10, message from Rev. Marchbanks, and celebration of 4th graders receiving their Bibles.
Birthdays This Week

September 16th: Kym Cooper, Paul Tata, Ruby Airhart, Calley Welborn, Tom Hurt, Charlotte Kretzler
September 17th: Alice Morgenroth, Marc Airhart, Lindy Wood
September 18th: Ana Sherbert, Alison Whitworth, Tim Hill, Jessica Rushing, Allison Brubaker, Samuel Moore
September 20th: Danny George
September 21st: Maddie Dixon, Melissa Holt, Candy Wolfe


You are invited to make gifts to the Endowment Fund throughout the year in celebration of a birthday. To honor your special person, place a check in the specially marked envelopes found in the Gallery or click here to give online.
Saint John's United Methodist Church | 512-452-5737 | stjohnsaustin.org