Christmas Pageant Sign-Up: Extended for One More Week!
This Sunday, October 16, will be the last Sunday to sign up for your desired roles in this year’s Christmas Pageant! Please be sure to mark all the roles for which your kids are interested, and pick up a rehearsal schedule when you drop your kids off for Sunday School. We have parts for everyone and will draw names out of a hat in the instance of a tie. Role assignments will be announced at the Kick-Off Brunch on Sunday, November 13.
If you miss this Sunday’s sign-up opportunity and are interested in participating in the Christmas Pageant or volunteering, or have questions or concerns, please contact Whitney Wolf at wwolf@104.237.132.142 prior to October 17.
Calling All Moms! Mom’s Mornings Begin This Thursday
Thursday, October 13, 8:45 a.m., Discovery House
Join us at 8:45 a.m. at Discovery House (918 South Orleans Avenue) this Thursday, October 13, to kick off our monthly moms group. With the devotional Bible study Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood as our guide, you will learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be, while garnering strength and support from your peers in a comfortable and judgement-free environment. Let this group be your haven. Come for as little or as long as you’d like. Coffee and morning treats will be provided. Little ones are welcome.
St. John’s Fathers Ministry Service Project
Sunday, October 16, 9:15 a.m., Parish Hall
Join the Fathers Ministry on Sunday, October 16, in the Parish Hall for their Holiday Letters for Heroes party! The event will take place after the 9:15 a.m. service in conjunction with our Parish Breakfast. Parish children will be using their creativity to write thank you letters to service members deployed overseas over the holidays. The Fathers will set up and decorate two tables for letter writing, kids’ puzzles, and Veteran’s Day wreath-making.
Grown-ups can write a letter too! A drop box for letters will be set up the week of the event. Let’s show these heroes our appreciation for their sacrifice and service. See you there!
Pumpkin Painting Party
On Sunday, October 23, we will host our annual Pumpkin Painting Party from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) and we will have everything you need to make your pumpkin a beautiful and festive addition to your Halloween decor. Parents, look for our sign-up stand following the 9:15 a.m. service on October 16, as well as an evite coming soon to your inbox from Katie De La Cruz. Questions? Please contact Whitney Wolf at wwolf@104.237.132.142.
St. John’s Fathers Ministry Annual Camping Trip
Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12
This year’s St. John’s Fathers Ministry camping trip is upon us. This year’s trip will be November 11 and 12 at Lakewood Retreat in Brooksville, FL.
This is one of the easiest camping trips you will ever attend. Do not worry if you haven’t been camping before – this is a “team event.” We welcome dads and children to come early on Friday, starting after lunch. Friday is really the meat of the trip and there are many activities such as canoeing, nature trails, and the animal farm that can be enjoyed. Arrival during daylight is ideal, especially for setting up your tent! If you are planning to purchase a tent, we would recommend the type that pops up, one which you do not need to run bendable poles through sleeves.
The camping trip is a simple event that our children look on with fond, powerful memories. We cannot emphasize enough how profoundly and positively this little adventure impacts them. Dads, be prepared to stand up and say a few words about why you are proud of your child(ren) during the kettle corn campfire on Friday night. An example: “Hello, I’m Kaivon Madani. This is my daughter Shahla. Shahla is a great swimmer. She has a wonderful imagination. She works hard at school and makes almost all A+’s, I’m so proud of her and so glad she is here tonight.”
Furthermore, as the date approaches, Kaivon will be asking fathers to sign up to take responsibility for a single task such as manning the grill, cleaning up after dinner, running the s’mores station, cleaning up after we leave on Saturday, etc.
Save the date, VBS 2017 will be June 19 through 23. Details to follow in early 2017. If you’re interested in volunteering and being a part of the plan, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142
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Our next meeting will be on Sunday afternoon, October 16, in Discovery House. Junior EYC (6th to 8th grades) will meet from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Senior EYC (9th to 12th grades) will meet from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.. We will all share a meal together at 5:30 p.m. Our plan is to meet each month on the first and third Sundays.
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!
Adult volunteers, we can’t do it without you! In order to hold youth group, we must have additional adults on hand to support Fr. Ackerman. Please contact him if you can help.
Youth Bowling at Pinarama!
October 30, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Pinarama
It’s time to brush off your bowling skills and get ready to have fun! Junior and Senior EYC will meet together at Pinarama on Sunday, October 30 , from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. for some bowling fun – South Tampa style! Please bring $5 to help cover the cost of the lanes and shoe rental, plus a little extra if you plan on purchasing any snacks. Youth will need to be dropped off and picked up at Pinarama (5008 South Dale Mabry Highway), and we will be finished in time to still make the organ concert that evening at the church at 5:00 p.m.. Our regularly scheduled EYC meetings will continue to be on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays of the month. See you there!
EYC Food Sign Up
It takes a lot to make a successful youth group, but most of all it takes FOOD and EYC at St. John’s is no exception! A major part of our meetings is the fellowship and fun we have while sharing a common meal together with both the Junior (6-8 Grades) and Senior (9-12 Grades) EYC groups.
If you can help out by arranging for food for our bi-monthly EYC meetings, we would very much appreciate the help! Click here to sign up.
