Our CLUE-themed ministry fair was so much FUN—meeting people, hearing about several ministries and receiving new signups, eating hot dogs, AND solving the mystery of Foster’s missing organ shoes. Whew! What a great day! Thank you to EVERYONE who participated! The whodunnit summary:

—Who: the priests

—What: using the crook of the lucifer

—When: during lemonade & cookies

—Where: shoes were hidden in the youth room

—Why: Foster played their least favorite hymn

—How: "Three Kings of orient are" were helpers

UPDATE: the culprits have repented, and the shoes have been returned to their happy owner.

Save the date of Saturday, November 19, for St. John's Simply Divine Holiday Bake Sale!! This year's co-chairs are Leah Cayson and Emily Marsh Nazarchyk. Email Leah or Emily to be added to the bake sale volunteer list!

Our next supply drive is kicking off in support of Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation! During August and September, we will be collecting supplies to stock Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation’s supply closet! These items will be given to adult patients who could use a bit of extra support upon discharge. They need: new underwear, new socks, and (not necessarily new) jeans, tennis shoes, coats, shirts, blankets and sleeping bags. Donations may be placed in the brown bins near the office and in the church narthex.

Select a free magnet or sticker (or both!) for your car, notebook, computer, phone—anywhere you want to show your St. John's spirit! Also, available to purchase are tumblers ($5) and cotton tote bags ($10)! All of these items can be picked up in the Parish Hall. Magnets and stickers can be mailed, too.  Shirts and caps are in the planning stages!  Contact Ann Stewart with any questions, [email protected].

This Sunday and next are available for an individual, family, or group to host after the 10:30 a.m. service! We ask you to provide cookies (~3 dozen), set up, serve with a smile, and clean up! St. John's will provide lemonade, cups, napkins (labeled and stored in the kitchen/refrigerator), and a small table (in Narthex). Sign-up by emailing Suzanne Thompson. 

Are you searching for a spiritual experience which will stimulate your faith growth (a closer walk with God)? EfM may be your answer! EfM is a Christian Formation course offered through the School of Theology at University of the South-Sewanee. It is an extension program for the laity and will be held at St. John’s. It is designed to help the laity to live into their spiritual gifts. Please contact Sandy Barr at: [email protected] or (Cell) 256-318-2277 or contact the church office. We will begin after Labor Day, September 11.

We're singing more songs you selected this Sunday! Come worship and sing your heart out on Sundays in August at the 8:00 or 10:30 service. We want to hear you sing joyfully!

Our faithful office volunteer, Jack Williamson, for months, has been sorting through boxes and boxes of photos, newspaper articles, and other items highlighting the history of St. John's, and he has organized these items into several albums! We invite you to join Jack on Wednesdays in August between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. in the library to look through the albums, not only for the fun of going back in time, but to document any memories you may know about the photos. Bring a snack, and we'll have some coffee and water for you!

Hospice of the Valley's 7th Annual Kickball Tournament is back on the field Saturday, September 10 at Wilson Morgan Park, and St. John's wants to play!  Beginners, experts and everyone in-between are more than welcome to join in the fun. To play, you must be high school age and up. Any age can be part of the pep squad! Let the office know if you want to be a team member or want to help support the team with refreshments and loud cheers from the bleachers. Proceeds benefit Hospice of the Valley's Goodwill Services. 256-353-9615 or [email protected]

The Backpack Food Program provides supplemental food to elementary school students on Fridays throughout the school year beginning this month. The success of this outreach ministry relies on volunteers to shop and pack. We are excited to announce all volunteer spots are filled through October! Future schedules will be available soon. As a volunteer, please attend an informational meeting in the Parish Hall on NEW DATE Sunday, August 28, following the 10:30 service. Sally Marsh will share an overview of the program and highlight essentials for shopping and packing.

Thank you to all who donated supplies and gave monetary contributions! We dropped our last CAR FULL of supplies and backpacks off at FACES today and they were so very appreciative. They still have students, specifically high school students, who are coming in now that they have their supply lists. What is not used in the next few weeks will be held for new foster children who have entered the system without a backpack or school supplies.

Our next gathering of fun and fellowship is set for Wednesday, August 24 (6PM) at Moe's Original Bar-B-Que (202 Moulton St. E). Save the date and bring your friends!  Childcare will be available at the church from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please let Sally Marsh know if she can expect your child(ren).

Fun and creative bible lessons are being offered downstairs in the Children's Chapel on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. for children. Nursery care for our youngest, too. 

This Week!

• Wednesday, August 17th - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: Bible Study & Games @ Highpoint Market
• Thursday, August 18th - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: High School Girls' Bible Study, Contact Mother Sarah for location!
• Tuesday, August 23rd - 7:30 a.m.: High School Girls' Bible Study @ The Wiley's House

More fun events and important dates in this week's youth newsletter and on the Facebook group page!

It's been a rough few months in the garden. Heat, drought, and construction activities have given those involved with this project a new appreciation for our fellows whose jobs sometimes require a daily dose of extremes in the weather.

We are so grateful for our talented and energetic construction leader, Ellis Chenault, who designed and built our new beds. And we are thankful also for all other volunteers who worked to make it all happen. Most of our new plants are thriving. The grassless areas in the garden have been seeded with white clover and covered with straw and we’re seeing some tiny sprouts. 

Common Ground is not what is used to be and not what it will be! Be sure to visit this special place often.

Altar flowers dedications are given to the glory of God and in memory, thanksgiving, or celebration for people or events that are important to that donor. A donation of $60 will sponsor the flower arrangements arranged by the Flower Guild. We accept one dedication per Sunday. If you would like to make such a gift, please complete a contribution form and return to the office. Please call the office with any questions. Available Dates: August 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25.

• Secure online giving via Tithely. You may use an e-check, debit card, or credit card for a single gift or automatic recurring gifts and options for where your gift applies.
• By mailing a check to St. John's, 202 Gordon Drive SE, Decatur AL 35601. Please note on memo line where your gift applies.