|
|
In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Words - Pastor and People: Part One
- Churchwide Survey
- Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust
- Love Offering for The Fousts
- Pride Volunteers Needed!
- WOC August School Supply Collection for ourBridge
- AGO Concert
- Youth In Town Missions
- Retirement Drop-In Celebration
- On the Way!
- Annual Back to School Breakfast & Parents' Meeting
- Youth Parent Meeting
- Faith Journey Book Study Starting September 8
- WOC Luncheon
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- Fall Kickoff Cookout for Children & Their Families
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
| | |
|
Words - Pastor and People: Part One
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
| | |
A few days ago, as I was packing up my library, I came across a box with 30 to 35 copies of my book of sermons entitled, ‘CLAP & CHEER.’ This collection of sermons includes manuscripts from my first year in The St. John’s Pulpit. You will find these books on a table next to Amanda’s office. What I desire is to connect this book from my first year with you to our future as a church. Therefore, all proceeds from the book will be deposited into the St. John’s Playground Fund. Please place $20 per copy in the box above the book table. We can raise about $700 toward this important project. Consider purchasing a copy for your child or grandchild who will play on the playground in the future.
This connection between the first year of my ministry alongside and among you and St. John’s future is a tangible reminder of how many people have come before us and how many will follow us. Through fifteen different church years, we have journeyed together. We have celebrated births, new members, graduations, answers to prayers, new beginnings, spiritual commitments, baptisms, ordinations, decisions to express the inclusiveness of God’s gospel of love and acceptance, and marriages. We have also grieved together more than two hundred times as members of our church have passed on ahead of us. Celebration and grief are two experiences we have shared as pastor and people.
A few ideas I have initiated through these years include words. The word ‘Shalom’ will be the title of my last message to you on Sunday, August 24th and the last word spoken as I leave the sanctuary after we sing The Lord’s Prayer together following communion.
Another phrase several people have noticed is “passed on ahead of us.” The term, “passed away” suggests a person is away but we know not where. In John 14, these words of Jesus are recorded: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Our loved ones pass on ahead of us to the place where we know – the place Jesus has prepared for all of us.
With the words printed on the back of our worship folder each week, I have tried to teach you that each of you is a minister of God’s work. Thus, we say, “Ministers – Every Participant in God’s Servant Church.” I have reinforced this theme often by using phrases such as “Ministry in Daily Life,” “Scattered Church on Mission with God,” “Gathered Church in Worship of God,” and “Missional Church.” This perspective is based on a historic Baptist principle often called ‘Soul Freedom’ or ‘Ministry of the Laity (which means ministry of all God’s people). Therefore, the professional ministers of St. John’s are not hired servants. Professional ministers of St. John’s are called by God and this membership to equip God’s people for the work of ministry. These professional ministers have pursued training in their fields and in the practice of congregational ministry. These Equipping Ministers do not make the church happen; they guide you in making healthy and vitalized ministries occur as you live as Christ’s Church in the world.
One other place where I have introduced new words is in our worship of The Living God. Each Sunday, the first prayer is a “Prayer of Submission.” Many congregations use “Prayer of Invocation.” To ‘invoke’ is to summon or request. In our shared theology, God is not a distant deity awaiting our summons or request to be present in our worship. The Living God is a constant Presence. As we prepare for worship, God is involved with us. As we enter the sanctuary, God is awaiting our gathering with attentiveness. Therefore, I introduced the “Prayer of Submission” as an intentional act of recognizing God’s Presence and Holiness as the One to whom we willingly submit as the authoritative Lord and guide for our lives and our life together.
Beloved, words are just words, until they become flesh among us. Let us follow Jesus’ example.
| | |
Help define the hiring profile for our next Senior Minister! | |
The St. John’s Pastor Search Team is tasked with identifying and recommending the next Senior Minister following Dr. Foust’s retirement in August, and your perspective on the type of candidate we should look for is important. We are asking for your participation in two ways:
- Step 1 is completing a quick survey to capture your thoughts on the demographics, background, and characteristics of an ideal candidate.
- Step 2 will come in September when we gather as a church for a conversation based on the survey results, and to further refine any input on key priorities for the Search Team.
Details on what we are asking you to do now:
-
Please take a few minutes now to complete the anonymous survey by clicking on the link provided here, or by entering the link address in your browser. https://forms.gle/Q1Dda2Fhq8wgWwZj6
- There are 9 questions that ask you to select from options provided, and one question for you to provide any additional input you feel is critical.
- Each member or regular attendee is asked to share their input, meaning there will be multiple surveys completed for each family. We just ask each person to use the link to complete your input once.
Paper copies of the survey are being sent to those members who normally receive a printed version of the Family News. However, if you are unable to complete this online and need a paper copy to complete, please reach out to Amanda Morrison in the church office. Please return your paper copy to the after hours box outside of Amanda's office.
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and we are excited to receive your input! Thank you for your prayerful attention to this important part of our process.
~ St. John’s Pastor Search Team
|
| Retirement Luncheon for Rev. Dennis W. Foust | | |
Please join us for a catered lunch in Broach Hall immediately following worship service on Sunday, August 24, to honor the ministry of Dennis and Paula Foust.
There will be no charge for your meal, but YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND!
Only register children if they will be eating with you in Broach Hall.
Otherwise, childcare will be available for free, starting at 11:30 AM, and includes a child-friendly lunch. YOU MUST answer YES to childcare and provide your child’s/children’s name(s) and age(s) when registering yourself.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
Register by clicking HERE!
You are encouraged to write a note to the Fousts and either mail it to the church, leave it in the church office, or drop it in a basket provided at the luncheon.
| | Love Offering for The Fousts | | While planning continues for the 8/24 special service and lunch to celebrate Dennis' final service as our Senior Minister, we are also providing another way to give the Fousts a loving sendoff from St. John's. A special Love Offering fund has been set up as a tangible indication of our best wishes for Dennis and Paula from the St. John's family. If you would like to make a donation, just follow the special link below to give online, selecting the "Love Offering" option (the last one in the list of options). While this is the easiest and preferred method to donate, you can also put a check or cash in a separate envelope marked "Foust Love Offering" and drop it in the collection plate. Love offering donations are direct personal gifts and are not considered tax deductible donations to the church. To give online, click here. | | |
|
Charlotte Pride is Saturday and Sunday, August 16–17 at First Ward Park and surrounding streets in Uptown Charlotte.
We need volunteers to walk in the Charlotte Pride Parade on Sunday, August 17 and help us share the message: “GOD LOVES EVERYONE!”
If you can't walk but still want to support, we also need booth volunteers:
- Saturday, August 16: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 17: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(Booth shifts are 2 hours each.)
To sign up or ask questions, contact Amanda Morrison at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org
|
| |
OurBridge for Kids School Supply Drive | |
The Women of the Church are sponsoring a collection of school supplies and gently used or new school uniforms for our ministry partner ourBridge for Kids from now through September 15.
Our Bridge for Kids provides resources and out-of-school programs specifically designed for immigrant and refugee children and their families. Their goal is to address the social service gaps and help newly arrived children and their families adapt, develop a sense of belonging, and thrive in Charlotte.
Drop off bins will be available in the Giving Nook beginning this Sunday.
We are collecting the following items for the age and size range of K-8:
- Backpacks
- Binders, folders notebooks, and lined paper
- Dry erase markers, crayons, colored pencils, pens and pencil cases
- White, navy or red polo shirts
- Khaki or navy pants and shorts
I was a stranger and you welcomed me” Matthew 25:35. Help us extend a loving hand to these children as a new school year starts!
|
|
Retirement Drop-In Celebration for Dennis & Paula Foust
All Adult Sunday School classes are cordially invited to the Dennis and Paula Foust Retirement Drop-In Celebration on Monday, August 18 from 4:00-6:00pm at the home of Kathy & Rod Spence (1312 Hazelhurst Avenue). Please plan to drop in for a short visit to share your well-wishes with Dennis and Paula!
|
|
On the Way
Las Margaritas, Thursday, August 21
St. John’s retired adults and friends are invited to gather for lunch at Las Margaritas (4426 E. Independence Blvd.) at 11:30 am on Thursday, August 21.
Please email Lee Gray at LGray@sjcharlotte.org if you plan to attend so our reservations can be adjusted for the right number of people.
|
| | Back - To - School Breakfast & Parents' Meeting | Children and families are invited to our annual Back-to-School Breakfast on Sunday, August 24 at 9:15 a.m. in the SJBC Library Commons. Following a continental breakfast parents will meet with Kheresa to discuss Children’s Sabbath, the Nativity Play, and the new Sunday school year. |
You are invited to join the Faith Journey Book Study. We will begin meeting on Monday September 8 and will meet each Monday at 11:00 in the Church Lounge. Our book for the fall is Gospel Medicine by Barbara Brown Taylor. Books can be ordered by contacting Loretta Brown (lorettaybrown@gmail.com or 434-579-2669). All are welcome to this discussion group. For further information contact Kathy Bragg or Loretta Brown. |
WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ANNUAL LUNCHEON | Save the Date! Join us on September 14th, at 11:45 AM, for the Women of the Church annual luncheon and business meeting in Broach Hall. Details to follow! Please mark your calendar. |
| Fall 2025 Churchwide Save The Dates: | |
- Charlotte Pride August 16-17
- Luncheon for Foust Family Sunday, August 24
- Rise Against Hunger Sunday, September 28
- Children's Sabbath and World Communion Sunday, October 5
- Fall Festival Sunday, October 26
- NAMI Walk Saturday, November 8
| | |
Fall 2025 Cookout for Children & Families | |
Let’s "fall into Fall 2025" with a cookout at the home of Kelli, Eric, Hailey, and Grayson McCombs (6508 Calvert Commons Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 6!
Please RSVP here by September 1.
|
Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Judy Kersey, Ken Sanford, Debbie Stillerman
Continuing Prayer:
Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
Sympathy:
We express our sympathy to Lee Gray, whose sister, Beth, passed on ahead of us on July 12th. We also pray for Wilson and Warren in the loss of their aunt. A memorial service to honor her life and ministry will be convened in the Sanctuary of Providence Baptist Church on Friday, August 8th, at 11:00 a.m. Lee and the family will receive friends following the service.
|
| |
2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
Income Received thru July - $702,005
Global Missions Offering - $23,000
Income Received thru July 27 - $6,415a
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Aug 4 - 10: Lee
- Aug 11 - 17: Kheresa
|
| |
Staff Contact Information
-
Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
-
Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
-
Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
-
Noel Lance, Interim Minister for Worship & Music and Organist
-
Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
-
Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
-
Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
| | Follow Us on Social Media! | | | | |
