October 24, 2019


Steak Dinner

The Men of St. John's Steak Dinner is this Saturday, October 26 at 6:00 pm in Nale Hall. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children; a chicken option is available.  Wine and Margaritas will be available for purchase.

Opportunity Drawing Prize List
This is not a complete list
  • Halloween decorations and candy
  • Christmas basket with door hanger
  • pizza stone set
  • wine basket
  • olive green backpack
  • camouflage tote bag
  • glass candy dish plus $15 Starbucks card
  • chest plus tea selection plus honey made by the  Milams' son-in-law
  • tea infuser with two cups and honey
  • British food basket
  • motorized shoe polisher
  • two ponchos (two winners)
  • Sherpa throw
  • shawl plus crystal jewelry set
  • St. John's sweatshirt (size L) plus pin plus $50 gift card to P.F. Chang's
  • portable lap desk with note pads, memo pad case and Swiss Gear wallet
  • painting plus wooden carving "God Bless America"
  • kids' basket plus a stuffed animal ram
  • mini painting with easel by local artist Kevin Winger
  • two more Christmas baskets
  • lots of books!
Tickets will be six for $5. Thank you to everyone who donated items.

Triple Header Sunday

Sunday, October 27 will feature three celebrations.

2nd Sunday of the Stewardship Pledge Drive - information on Saint John's income and expenses. Now Thank We All Our God.
Reformation Sunday - Remembering the importance of Martin Luther's vision of church. Pastor Al Stott will be preaching. 
At the 10am service, several of our children will be receiving 
Holy Communion for the first time. Let us all reflect on this action that is so central to our being Christians.

Stewardship Pledge Drive

Faith is a journey we make together, not a solo expedition. The annual Stewardship Pledge Drive is a time to reflect on the practice of intentional giving so that we live into the generous and abundant life God is calling us to live. Jesus said, "I come so that all may have life and have it abundantly." Living generously brings us closer to that abundant life. Now thank we all our God! 
A letter from the Vestry inviting you to make a financial pledge for 2020 will be in the mail around October 25. Consider increasing the level of your pledge by 1.6% (increase of Social Security benefits for 2020) or maybe even 5%. Or think of it this way, your new Priest will be working 25% more hours than your current Interim Priest. 
Every dollar pledged brings blessings to those who rely on Saint John's as a place for nourishment, education, companionship, praise and thanksgiving.

Where does the money come from to keep Saint John's operating? 
  • Fundraising $5,000 - 1%
  • Miscellaneous donations $7,000 - 1% 
  • Plate donations $10,000 - 2% 
  • Pledges $165,000 - 33%
  • ECS Head Start Lease Income $310,705 - 62%
How much money is allocated to each major area of operation?  
  • Buildings and Grounds $77,555 - 16% of operating budget
  • Pastoral Care/Outreach $63,804 - 13% of operating budget
  • Administration $105,608 - 21% of operating budget
  • Staff (salaries, worker's comp, payroll taxes, priest search)  $105,401 - 21% of operating budget
  • Mortgage and Interest  $142,858 - 29% of operating budget



                     2019 Budgeted Income
 



Charitable Donations from IRAs

If you're age 70½ or older, you can make up to $100,000 in annual cash donations to IRS-approved charities directly out of your IRA. These direct donations are called qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).
QCDs are tax-free and nondeductible. So, they don't directly affect your tax bill. However, they count as withdrawals for purposes of meeting the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules that apply to traditional IRAs after age 70½.
So, if you haven't yet taken your 2019 RMDs, consider holding off and arranging tax-free QCDs before year end in place of taxable RMDs. That way you can meet your 2019 RMD obligation in a tax-free manner while satisfying your charitable goals at the same time.
Lynn D. Boster, CPA, CGMA
Tax Partner, Vasquez & Company LLP
Parishioner at Saint John's
 
Planning for Advent and Christmas

Those interested in helping to plan the environment and worship services for Advent and Christmas are invited to gather in the Priest's Office on Sunday, November 3 immediately after the 10am service. The meeting will last for no more than one hour. All are invited to review the Gospel readings for the seasons before the meeting (http://lectionarypage.net).
 
Here is a schedule of events currently planned: Blessing of Advent Wreath (Dec. 1), Gather Christmas decorations (Dec 7), Blessing of the Creches and Greening/Cleaning the church (Dec 8), Advent Quiet Day (Dec 14), 3rd Sunday of Advent (Dec 15), 4th Sunday of Advent (Dec 22), Christmas Eve services at 5pm and 9pm (Dec 24), Christmas Day celebration at 10am (Dec 25), Baptism at 10am service (Dec 29), New Year's Eve service with Labyrinth at 3pm and Communion Service at 4pm (Dec 31), Epiphany and degreening the church (Jan 5).
 
Monthly Report
 


Arts & Crafts Magazines

A treasure trove of magazines for those interested in arts and crafts can be found on the counter in Nale Hall. First come, first served.
 
Pet Food Ingathering

The Diocesan Convention is November 8th-9th at St Margaret's in Palm Desert. The congregation at St Margaret's hosts a large weekly ministry for people struggling in the Coachella Valley.  Many of them receive unconditional love from their pets and often have to choose between buying medications or food.  Help us help others keep their loving companions at their side by bringing pet food donations. Dry dog and cat food is recommended.
There will be a box in Nale Hall for your contributions. Thank you.
 
Thanksgiving Blessings in a Bag
 
Please bring your "Blessing in a Bag" donations to Church on November 24th, the Sunday  BEFORE Thanksgiving, so they can be distributed to needy  families in the South Bay.

Grocery List:

$10 Gift card from any local grocery store or a cash donation
Candied Yams   
Gravy   
Stuffing Mix       
Boxed Potatoes       
Rice      
Canned Vegetables
Cranberry Sauce      
Cake Mix     
Jello or Pudding Mix
Pie Crust in Foil Pan       
Small Bottle of Oil
Aluminum Foil

 
Clergy Appreciation Month

Only about a week remains in October,
the official month to show our clergy our appreciation for their inspiration, leadership, counsel and all that they do for us at St. John's. Please use the opportunity to shower them with notes, cards & letters, etc.
The box will remain in the narthex until the end of the month, but its removal doesn't mean that our show of appreciation should end. Continue on - THEY will.   Thank you, Cathey, Jack, Al and Tom. Be Blessed!
 
Women of St. John's Meeting
 
The Women of St. John's will meet in Nale Hall on Monday, November 4 at 3 pm. 
Please note the earlier time; we will be finished in time to drive home before dark.
 
Calendar of Events:

Office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday-Thursday.
The office is closed on Fridays. 

Steak Dinner and Opportunity Drawing
Saturday, October 26, 6:00 pm
---
Reformation Sunday and First Communion 
Sunday, October 27
---
Tuesday Night Bible Study 
Tuesday, October 29, 6:00 pm
--- 
Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Wednesday, October 30, 9:30-11:00 am
---
No Choir Practice
Wednesday, October 30, 5:30-7:00
---
Daylight Savings Time Ends-Set Your Clocks Back 1 Hour
Sunday, November 3, 2:00 am
---
All Saints/All Souls Commemoration
Sunday, November 3
---
Healing Service
Sunday, November 3, 11:30 am 
---
Planning for Advent and Christmas
Sunday, November 3, immediately after 10:00 am service
---
Women of St. John's Meeting
Monday, November 4, 3:00 pm
---
Pledge Ingathering
Sunday, November 10

Prayers

We Are Available in Your Time of Need

If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed, 
please call 619-483-7883 or email  [email protected]

Prayer List
 
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.  

For our Military
 
Matt, Drew, Cody,  Cameron,  Chariti, 
Mark,  Sean, Jonathan,  TK,   Christopher, 
Timothy,  Jeremy,  David,  Jonathan,  Nick, 
Jamal,  Matt, Daniel,  Jocelyn, Devon, 
Taylor, Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian and Richie.

  For Strength in Time of Need

Scott, Betty, Rob, Florence, Eva, Kenny, Patty, Karina, 
Flo, Heather and Steven, Dee and Barb, Joe, Paul and Marilyn,
Nancy, Gabriel, Abraham, Nicole, Jamie and Paula, Ryan and Ricardo.
 
For the repose of the soul of Barbara Ervin.
May light perpetual shine on her.

Those unable to come to services, but thankful
for their continuing connection with Saint John's, 
especially Lois, Roland  and  Juanita.   

For Churches in Transition in our Diocese

All Saints', San Diego
St. Thomas, Temecula
Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
St. Margaret's, Palm Desert
St. John's, Chula Vista
St. David's, San Diego
All Saints', Vista
St. Paul's, Yuma
Holy Cross, Carlsbad



Opportunities For Service

Pill Bottle Ministry

Did you know that in developing countries, the pill bottle and cap is often more expensive than the medication inside. You can donate your empty prescription bottles! Just drop off your empty prescription bottles in our collection bucket located in the foyer- no need to peel the information off.  Our volunteers will take care of that for you! We will wash them and ship them to Matthew 25: Ministries.  Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Our pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.

Please note that we can currently only collect the clear orange prescription bottles.  We have found that the others do not benefit the program.
Thank you for your support!
Emergency Food Pantry:

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17
The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. It's easy to donate! We will focus on a different food category each month. Pick up a flyer from the narthex, carry in your car until your next trip to the market, purchase the food, and place it on the table in Nale Hall before the end of the month.  During the month of October, our featured items will be soup, ramen noodles and crackers.  Thank you for your support!
  

Scripture Readings For This Week

Readings for Sunday, October 27, 2019

Sirach 35:12-17
Psalm 84:1-6
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Readings for Wednesday Morning Prayer

Psalm 119:49-72
Revelation 5:1-10
Matthew 13:10-17

Celebrant's Schedule

Here is our upcoming celebrant's schedule:

Sunday, October 27
Presider: Fr. Tom
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Fr. Al

Sunday, November 3
Presider: Fr. Tom
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Fr. Tom

Sunday, November 10
Presider: Rev. Cathey
Gospel: Rev. Cathey, 8:00
            Fr. Jack, 10:00
Sermon: Rev. Cathey

Weekly Bible Study  and Morning Prayer 

Tuesday night Bible Study meets on  Tuesdays from 6-7:30 pm  in the youth room.  For information, please contact Mike Gollihur
at 619-852-4960  or  [email protected].  
 
Every Wednesday, Saint John's will have Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Bible Study from 10 am to 11. 

From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley

I thought the October 27, 2019 reflection in "Forward Day by Day" was very good as concerns our November 10 In Gathering, Pledge Sunday. The author is Sandra T. Montes. She is a consultant to  the Episcopal Church Foundation, active member of several acting groups and committees across the Episcopal Church, and a church musician in high demand. She makes her home in Houston.   The scripture reading is from the Apocryphal Book of Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach, in the Bible.

Blessings, hugs, and lots of love, 
Fr. Jack.

Sirach 35: 12-13.  Give to the Most High as he has given to you, 
and as generously as you can afford. 
For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.

I do a lot of talking and teaching about stewardship, which I learned through my parents' examples and teachings.  I remember a priest who told me 
he was ashamed because he could not tithe. He had struggled his whole
 life to financially support his two children and was nearing  retirement age, 
yet had never had a full-time income with the church. He had to have two other jobs to supplement his salary - and still it was not enough.
"How can I ask my parish  to tithe when I can't?" This man needed to hear
that God isn't disappointed or ashamed of him.
Remember the widow's mite? Sometimes 1 percent is all we can afford, even with 100 percent gratefulness and generosity in our hearts. God is the one who repays sevenfold. I have seen God's incredible, nonjudgemental generosity all my life. It has been more than sevenfold  of what I have ever given. 
Thanks be to God.
 
The Vestry



 
Karen Duignan-Senior Warden
(619) 470-1647
David Dennehy-People's Warden
(619) 429-4747 
[email protected]
Terry Farrelly - Treasurer
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Diane Gustafson 
Mark Jordan
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young

Calling Committee

Tim Attaway
Lynn Boster
Alice Burnham
Bob Dunn
Jane Ferguson
Helena Livingston
Lynn Young

Approved Minutes for the August 28th Vestry meeting can be found here: 


To our Saint John's Family:
Here is your weekly newsletter highlighting important events at St. John's Episcopal Church.  You can also find news about St. John's at  www.saint-johns.org.

We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or  [email protected] .

Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews and Sunday bulletin.

Emergency Contact Information

If you had a medical emergency at church on Sunday morning, would the Wardens or church  staff know who to contact? If you would like to add someone to St. John's emergency contact  list in case of such an emergency, please contact Maria, our parish secretary (619-422-4141 or
[email protected]). A sign-up sheet will also be available in the church lobby to collect this information. Please provide your name, the name of your emergency contact, their relationship to you, their phone number and/or their email address. This is one more way we can show how we love one another.
 
Reporting Misconduct
 
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, ([email protected]), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, ([email protected]), 760-583-0485.

Safeguarding God's People
 
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth 
And too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
May God take your lips and speak through them;
May God take your hearts and set them on fire.
-William Sloane Coffin

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phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/483-7883
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