Voice in the Wilderness

We are the Church that serves

and spreads God’s love to everyone

News for the Week

of September 17, 2023

Home Visits

With Holy Eucharist

In addition to our on-line services, we also have Eucharistic Visitors who will joyfully bring Communion to those unable to come to our in-person services. Please contact our office at 623-582-5449 or click below.

Aloha Friday with Fr. Tim

That’s Just the Way It Is (Some Things Will Never Change)

 Several years ago, when I was serving as the chaplain at Ogden Regional Medical Center in Utah, I noticed an elderly gentleman walk past my office carrying a pink toiletry bag one day. He wasn’t moving very quickly. His feet shuffled and his arthritic hands seemed to have difficulty grasping the bag. I wondered where he was going. After I finished some office work, I went out on the hospital floor to do some rounds. As I passed an open door, I saw the elderly gentleman reaching into the pink bag. With each dive into the bag, his hand emerged with a different makeup applicator. His wife, also elderly, was a non-responsive patient in the hospital room. As she lay asleep on the bed in her hospital gown, covered by hospital issue bedding and a colorful homemade Afghan, her husband applied lipstick, blush, mascara, and eye shadow to her sleeping face. “She wouldn’t want to be seen in public without wearing makeup,” he told me, flighting back the tears that were lodged firmly in his throat.

Pilgrimage to the United Kingdom and Ireland May 2024

The pilgrimage will take place from May 7th to May 19th of 2024, the optional extension to Ireland extends the trip to May 23rd. We will see sights such as Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as sights in Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, and more. Pilgrimage price with self arranged airfare (Land-Only): $5,189. Price including airfare from Phoenix, AZ $6,945. Optional extension to Ireland will add $2,199 to the price. Go to our website at www.stjohnsaz.org and click on News and Events for more information and to register.

Godly Play Sunday School will begin September 17^th

Sunday, September 17, 9:15 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., Chilton Hall Rm 2

Class is from 9:15 to 9:55 for ages 4 years through 6^th grade. The Bible story will begin at 9:15 sharp. Families with small children are invited to sit in the front rows during either service.

Attention friends of the St. John's Youth Group:

We are happy to announce that we are continuing our relationship with PhLY, a local Episcopal/Lutheran youth program that celebrates our shared full-communion relationship. In addition to this, we would like to

continue to operate a St. John's chapter of our own youth group. In order to do this, we are in need of adult advisory support. If you are feeling called to serve as a mentor to our youth group program (middle school and high school ages), please contact the parish office. Adult supervisors are required to take trainings through the Episcopal Church to ensure familiarity with expected codes of conduct surrounding the safety of God's people. Are you called to mentor our growing youth group contingency? Please prayerfully consider shepherding our young people. 

“The End is Near” A Study of the Book of Revelation

Wednesday, October 4, 5:30 potluck supper, 6:30 Eucharist, 7:15 - 8:15 discussion, Parish Hall and Sanctuary. We will resume our study on October 4 on an every other week schedule. Each week’s discussion will last for approximately one hour. 

Attention Ministry Leaders

A new way of getting information to our flock. Please notice the step ladder of binders on the south wall shelf. They are there to add to the love we have for our ministries. You can add mission statements, pictures, sign-up sheets. Anything to bring more information to everyone that might be interested in any and all of our Ministries. They are empty now but please feel free to fill them will wonderful stories of our spiritual lives together. Contact Barbara Bratcher or Michelle Weaver if you have questions.

Kick Off Sunday

Click the link below to see more photos of Kick Off Sunday 2023.

Last Sunday's Birthday and Anniversary

Richard and Leslie celebrated their anniversary at the 8:00 service. At the 10:00 Shelly received her wedding anniversary blessing while her daughter Darby recived her birthday blessing. Bob and Kate celebrated their wedding anniversary at the 10:00 service.

September Stewardship Message

“Some people say, "give till it hurts." But God recommends that we give until it feels good. God loves a cheerful giver." 

Brian Close, pastor, and author 

Altar Flower Dedications for 2023

Please sign up for October flower dedications in the notebook on the Ministry Shelf on the south side of the parish hall. Suggested donation is $40.00. We can have more than one dedication on a Sunday if you want to split the cost. Contact the office for more information.

Attention Flower Lovers

We need your help to be sure that we have flower arrangements, that are paid for and dedicated by our church members, at the altar on Sundays. Right now there are just 2 people working to be sure we have special arrangements every week. We can give anyone some quick tips, or you can just pick up a complete bouquet and put in one of our vases. If we have a few more people, it makes the task much easier. Please consider joining us in this special ministry. 

Ministry Contact Marykay Nelson and Nancy Young 

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast and Bible Study

Saturday, September 16, 730 a.m - 9:30 a.m., Parish Hall

Ministry Contact Colin Smith and Dan Basche

Women Unlimited Greeting Card Making

Saturday, September 16, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Parish Hall 

Are you tired of paying outrageous prices for greeting cards? Please join Valerie Swick and August Tolle to make greeting cards. There will be some basic materials including Stampin’ Up stamps to create birthday, anniversary, thank you, and holiday cards. A sign up sheet is on the center table in the Parish Hall so we can make sure we have enough materials. Please bring a sweet or savory appetizer or dessert to share. If you have any questions, call or text Valerie at (602) 694-4629. 

Faith Through the Arts is Proud to Present Our Next Art Opening and Exhibit by John Erwin

Saturday, September 16, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Parish Hall

Please join us for a reception and demonstration by this talented artist. Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served in the Parish Hall. His art will be on display at St. John's from September 13th through November 3rd.

St. John’s Closet Thrift Store

Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Chilton Hall, Rm 3.

Donations are accepted during the hours we are open. 

Ministry Contact Les Brown and Mae Sinclair

Bible Study Between Services Led by Dan Basche,

Sundays between services, Chilton Hall, Rm 5

Ministry Contact Dan Basche

Harry Potter Book Club

Monday, September 18, 6:00 dinner and 6:30 PM study, CH - Rm 6

“Order of the Phoenix: A Spiritual Journey with Harry Potter”. We discuss the spiritual themes in the books one chapter at a time. Ages 11 and up. It’s never too late to join us! Our discussion of Chapter 21, “Hermione's Secret” will be through the spiritual theme of Liminal Time, in the third book,

The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Ministry Contact Jennifer Roland and Fr. Harry Way

Food Pantry Ministry

Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Office

In August the Food Pantry served 134 adults and 58 children. Food donations are gratefully accepted during the hours we are open. Monetary donations can be made by check or through online giving. Make sure to indicate the donation is for the Food Pantry. Thank you, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Ministry Contact and Tony Martin and Henry Orth

Joyful Noise Choir Practice

Tuesday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary

Ministry Contact Jimmy Diaz

Military Veterans Ministry Meeting

Saturday, September 23, 9:30 a.m., Parish Hall

Ministry Contact Buz Isban

News from Black Ministry

Diocesan Black Ministry Roundtable

When: September 23, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12 pm

Where: Good Shepherd of the Hills Cave Creek

On Saturday, Sept. 23rd, the Rev. Canon Bruce Jackson and the Union of Black Episcopalians will host a roundtable discussion on the status and future of Black Ministry in our diocese. All are welcome to attend and participate and refreshments will be included. Please R.S.V.P. by September 15th by emailing The Rev. Canon Burce Jackson at [email protected]

Is God Calling?

Maybe our Creator is calling you to be a vital volunteer! Here are some ways to serve God & neighbor @ SJB:

Susan’s Purses

Our new ministry, in honor our own Susan Young, provides used purses for local homeless women. They are filled with hygiene products specifically for women. If you have gently used old purses taking up space in your closet please consider donating them this ministry. Please bring your donations of purses and women’s hygiene products to church on Sunday or to the Food Pantry when they are open on Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 to 1:00. Pick up a purse or two to give out from the brown bin marked Susan’s Purse in the Parish Hall.

Ministry Contact Yamile Bonilla and Ramona Lewry

Daughters of the King/Mac-Cro-Knit Club of Sun City West

The Daughters of the King and the Mac-Cro-Knit Service Club in Sun City West, are asking for your help in collecting personal hygiene items for the Battered Women’s Shelter in El Mirage. They are in need of small items such as brushes, combs, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. If you can help, please bring your donations on Sundays and put them in the Big Blue box in the Parish Hall on the south wall.

Questions, please contact Janet Lennon.                            

Ministry Contact Renee’ Taylor

Prison Ministry

Please continue with your generous donation of birthday and Christmas cards with no glitter or snow. Blank note cards are also needed as they are made into Mother's Day cards. Stamps are also appreciated.           

Ministry Contact Barbara Childress

Altar Guild

Are you a Martha or a Mark looking for a way to serve your clergy? Are you called to be a servant of the servant (our clergy)? No experience necessary, training will be provided. An eye for detail is helpful.

Ministry Contact Philip McKindley, Sacristan

Third Place Ministry for Food and Fellowship

Are you someone who loves to make guest feel welcome in your home? Does everyone always end up in your kitchen during a party? Then Third Place Ministry may be just the ministry for you! We are looking to add more members to the weekly schedule. Remember many hands make light work!

Ministry Contact Dovie Templin

Chris Becker Dining Hall

Cleaning out your closets? Please consider donating unwanted but in good condition clothing items to the Chris Becker dining hall. Dan Basche collects items all year long to bring to the soup kitchen when it is our turn to serve. Needed are summer items such as shorts, short sleeve shirts, t-shirts, socks, hats, caps, shoes and sandals. Cooler weather clothes for the winter; jeans and non-dress pants, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, blankets, sleeping bags that are no longer used or any cold weather accessories such as gloves, knit caps and even raincoats. There is a bin along the window to place these items. As always, they greatly appreciate all that you bring in and I'm sure the Lord smiles on your heart.    

Ministry Contact Dan Basche

Pastoral Care

Fr. Tim and Deacon Chuck are pleased to make themselves available for pastoral care at all times of the day and night. At the same time, they want you to know that they are very mindful about respecting the value of your privacy. If you would like a pastoral visit or telephone call, please let the office know. This way the clergy will know that it is safe and appropriate to contact you and they can be certain that their communication does not come at an unwelcome time.