October 23, 2026

Dear St. John’s Children's Families,

Join us this week for Fall Festival, and final signups for Holiday Tents!

St. John's Fall Festival

Sunday, October 25th 3 p.m. Parish Hall

Our annual Pumpkin Painting Party is being reimagined this year as a Fall Festival! Join us in and around the Parish Hall on Sunday, October 25^th for games like Bobbing for Apples, Crafts, Hay Rides, and (of course) Pumpkin Painting.

Our friends from Cornerstone Kids will be joining us as well, so come and make new friends!

Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tents

Saturday, November 14th 9 a.m.-Noon

The signup deadline is THIS Saturday (Oct 24th), and we only have 6 spots left!

Our annual Metro Ministries Holiday Tents Family shift (focused on 3rd-5th graders and their families) will be Saturday, November 14th from 9 a.m.-Noon! Our group will be helping in-need families prepare for Thanksgiving. Sign up today!

Children's Chapel Parents

We need your help!

Please sign up below to indicate which Sundays you plan to attend. Our goal is to have 1–2 parents available each Sunday throughout the semester, so your responses will help us coordinate coverage.

Children's Chapel meets every Sunday during the 9:30AM service. The children leave the main service before the Gospel, hear a Children's Sermon, participate in their own prayers, and then return to the church service during the Peace.

We need for every Children's Chapel family to volunteer for at least two Sundays per semester--but you are welcome to volunteer more often!

Thank you to everyone who has already helped so far!

Sunday School Teachers

We would love to recruit 2-3 more Sunday School teachers for our younger (Pre-K-5th grade) classes this year!

You wouldn't need to teach every week, and we follow a simple written program that corresponds to each week's lectionary readings.

Please let us know if you’re available to help!

Mark Your Calendars

October

• Fall Festival | Sun, Oct 25 | 3 p.m. | Parish Hall

November

• Christmas Pageant Signups Open | Sun, Nov 1|
• Metro Ministries Holiday Tent (3rd-5th Graders) | Sat, Nov 14 | 9 a.m.-Noon | 4900 W Lemon St
• Christmas Pageant Cast Reveal | Sun, Nov 22 | 10:45 a.m. (Breakfast Sunday) | Parish Hall
• Advent Wreath Making | Sun, Nov 29 | 10:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. | St John's Courtyard

A Prayer for Young Persons

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg 829)

813.259.1570 - www.stjohnstampa.org - parish@stjohnstampa.org