However, health regulations prohibit the clergy from being informed when our parishioners are in the hospital, so we will not know if you or someone you love is there unless you tell us. W e want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email
L
et mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13
This Week in
St. John’s
Thursday, September 1
10:00 a.m.
No service today
The Holy Eucharist and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch
11:45 a.m., Peterson Room
No meeting today
The Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group continues next week. The readings the group will study are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday.
Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
CWBS is studying Amos and Hosea . After conversation and a light breakfast (fruit & some type of bread) that members take turns bringing, the study starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends shortly before 8:00 a.m.; a few people may leave early if they have to go to work.
All women of St John’s and their friends are welcome; the current group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ’s church. For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study Resumes
On Tuesday, September 6, the Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study will gather to begin a study of “The Gospel According to Luke.” We will be using the study guide Luke for Everyone by N. T. Wright.
The group invites all interested women to join them in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on alternate Tuesdays. On September 6, Mary Jane Schenck will facilitate the first discussion, which will focus on Luke 1 and 2. For more information, you may contact Joan McKay at mckayjhm@aol.com or Pat Wilson at 644.4640 or patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com. For help in ordering the study guide Luke for Everyone by N. T. Wright, contact Melinda Pendino at 215.3421 or melinda@palermolistings.com. She will place an order in early September if there is interest. The book is also available from Amazon and other booksellers.
Wednesday, September 7
12:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
Wednesday Nights In St. John’s
6:30 p.m., Parish Hall
The Wednesday Nights Group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at pgamefla@aol.com for more details.
Breaking News
Storm Closures
Due to the impending storm, St. John’s School will be closed tomorrow, Thursday. There will be no Wednesday Nights in St. John’s tonight, and the Men’s Interactive Bible Study and Lunch will not meet tomorrow. We plan to resume regular schedules on Friday.
Join the Parish in Service on Saturday, September 24
The Fathers Ministry is organizing a service event at Metropolitan Ministries on Saturday, September 24, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This opportunity is open to everyone (not only fathers), although the minimum ages are 8 years old with adult supervision, 14 years old without supervision.
We will be assisting as needed in the soup kitchen, sorting donations in the warehouse, or picking vegetables in the local community garden. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Daniel Ringhoff at dringhoff@hotmail.com or at 545.5287. Metropolitan Ministries will need a final count a week in advance, so RSVP by September 16.
EYC (Youth Group) Kick-Off: Sunday, September 11
That’s right, it’s time to get the group back together…youth group, that is! It’s a new year with a new look. St. John’s Youth Group is now called EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) and our first meeting will be on Sunday afternoon, September 11,
in Discovery House. Junior EYC (6
th
-8
th
Grades) will meet from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Senior EYC (9
th
-12
th
Grades) will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m.. We will all share a meal together at 5:30 p.m. We will also be discussing the schedule of events for the rest of the year.
If you are looking for a fun and welcoming place to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, serve others, and learn about our faith, than EYC is the place for you! Contact Father Ackerman at cackerman@104.237.132.142 if you have any questions. See you there!
Welcoming Whitney
Kaivon and Crystal Madani invite fellow parishioners, particularly parents of children in Sunday School, to join them in welcoming Whitney Wolf to her new role as Director of Children’s Ministries and Parish Life with a casual dinner at their home. The event will take place on Sunday, September 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Crystal to RSVP or to learn more details.
Great Beginning to the Children’s Ministry Year with Backpack Blessing and Families Celebrating in Faith
We kicked off our Monthly Family Services in the Parish Hall with record attendance. All the children brought their backpacks for a special blessing and even the littlest ones were honored with a token of celebration. We look forward to welcoming families in the Parish Hall on the last Sunday of each month for a casual and kid-friendly alternative to the formal service in the church, allowing us to introduce our youngest children to Episcopal lessons and traditions in a more relaxed environment. See you next month on September 25!
Baseball with the Bishop
The date for the annual Baseball With the Bishop event is Friday, September 23. The event is the Rays vs Boston Red Sox. Lower level tickets are $25 (a $35 value). Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, September 9. Please send your check to the parish offices, payable to St. John’s. A portion of the sale of each ticket will benefit the Episcopal Charities Fund. Contact Kaivon Madani with questions at kaivonmadani@hotmail.com.
Children and Youth
Seeking Young Readers for Monthly Family Services
We are looking for enthusiastic young readers to participate in our monthly Family Services. If your child is interested in doing a Reading or leading the Prayers of the People, please contact Whitney Wolf (wwolf@104.237.132.142) and we’ll put you on the list!
Sunday School Kick-Off: September 11
Our Fall Sunday School Program will kick-off on Sunday, September 11. Kids will convene in the Parish Hall at 9:15 a.m. for a lesson and will be returned to the church during The Peace/Greetings so that they may partake in the Eucharist with their families. After the 9:15 a.m. service concludes, we ask that families please join us BACK in the Parish Hall to grab a coffee, register your kids, meet the teachers, hear a few words about our fall program, and have some fun! We will be hosting a scavenger hut in the classrooms with a sweet treat for all who complete it.
As we prepare to kick-off a new year of Sunday School at St. John’s we would like to invite anyone who is interested in getting more involved with our program to contact Whitney Wolf ( wwolf@104.237.132.142 ) or 312.244.0871. We have positions open for Assistant Teachers and Substitutes as well as other part-time volunteer opportunities. Come help us make this year the best one yet!
Christmas Pageant Planning in Progress: Come Join Us!
It may be 99 degrees outside but we are already beginning to plan for our Children’s Christmas Pageant and would love to include interested volunteers early so that you can have a voice in the planning and we can make this great together. All talents are needed and welcome, so if you’re interested in learning more, please call Whitney Wolf ( wwolf@104.237.132.142 ) or 312.244.0871.
Events and Announcements
New Adult Formation Events Planned
Our mission at St John’s is to proclaim, by word and example, the good news of God in Christ, and to build a spiritual community forming Christians of all ages through worship, education, and outreach.We are formed within our church community through worship, continuous learning, intentional outreach, advocacy and service.The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation of the Episcopal Church describes Christian faith formation as “a lifelong journey with Christ, in Christ, and to Christ.”
Join us on the journey this fall as we explore what it means to be a Christian with Episcopalian theologian Marcus Borg, discover the great themes of the Bible, and enter together into the expectant waiting and preparation of Advent, the first season of the church year.Watch the Scroll and Compass for more details or contact Kathleen Moore at kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
Action Items and Opportunities
Candle Available
The candle in the sanctuary light is available on Sunday, September 4. Please contact the parish offices at 259.1570 or at parish@104.237.132.142 if you would like to take this opportunity to support St. John’s and honor a loved one.
Adult Volunteers Needed for EYC
Do you have a passion for youth ministry? Do you love to have a great time? Then EYC needs you! St. John’s Youth Group, now called EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) is looking for adult volunteers to assist with our meetings and outings. In particular, we are looking for those who can help with leading games and discussions. There will also be opportunities for volunteers to help with providing food, and we are always on the lookout for potential meeting locations with or without a pool (although we like to swim!). Contact Father Ackerman at cackerman@104.237.132.142 if you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions.
Volunteers Needed for Children’s Ministry and Parish Events
Are you interested in becoming more involved in the community here at St. John’s? The Children’s Ministry has a number of exciting events planned for this fall and all sorts of opportunities for participation. We encourage anyone who is interested in sharing their gifts – be it an hour or two of your time, or the desire to take on a larger project – to contact Whitney Wolf at 312.244.0871 or send an email to wwolf@104.237.132.142 for more information about what opportunities might best fit your interests and availability.
From the Parish Register
Birthdays
September 1, Ansley Kriz, Joseph Rugg, Helen Soash, Joseph Timberlake
September 2, Hailey Belfatti, Cary Brown, Virginia Coursen, Susan Hemmingway, Grace Hyatt, Ryan Martin, John Peterson
September 3, John Hodgson, Christina McAdams, Martha Straske
September 4, Alliston Duryea, Janice Gagliardo, Keith Gibson, Robert Gibson, Payne Harazda, Sally Olsson
September 5, Charles Sansone
September 6, Morgan Capen, Stephen French, Stephanie Galloway, Cynthia Harper, Molly Jensen, Jessie Reffue
September 7, Austin Blewitt, Ann Eatman, Stephen Horan, Roger Kurz, Paige Rodriguez, Meagan Scudder, Lynn Stanford, Laine Walker
