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This week at Saint John's
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Rev. Paul Escamilla shares the message "Life uninterrupted." The Chancel Choir leads us in worship at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.
The Communion offering will go to Heroes Night Out, an Austin-based resource center that connects veterans and their families with the resources and benefits available to them through local, state and federal agencies.
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Church Conference - November 9
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The annual Saint John's Church Conference will be held Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. District Superintendent Teresa Welborn will preside.
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Year-to-date financial update
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Through the first nine months of 2014, General Fund income is within 1% of budget, and ministry expenses are right on budget (as detailed below). Thank you, Saint John's, for your faithful partnership in the gospel work through the ministry of financial giving.
Through 9/30/14 YTD Actual YTD Budget
General Fund income $760,590 $767,902
General Fund expense $826,996 $827,248
- Finance and Extravagant Generosity committees
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Region XIII's Thanksgiving Basket Project collects non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards to distribute to families who can't cover extra food expenses during the holidays. Pick up a tote bag in the Gallery, fill it with the items on the list attached to the bag, and return to the church by Monday, November 10. For more information, please contact Sheri Jones, Director of Missions, at [email protected] or 512-452-5737.
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Last call for women's retreat
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Registration ends Sunday for our annual Women's Retreat November 7-8, 2014 at Summers Mill Retreat Center in Salado.
The retreat begins at 3 p.m. Friday, November 7 and ends at noon on Saturday, November 8. Cost is $65 sharing a bed/$90 for your own bed . Register here. Contact Hilary Marchbanks at 512-452-5737 or [email protected] with questions.
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We invite you to join us on Sunday, November 2 for our Saint John's Remembrance Dinner for 2014.
We will gather at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate the lives of all family members and friends who have passed away. Please bring your loved one's favorite dish or dessert as well as photos or other mementos to display on tables around the room. Also bring your happy memories and fun stories of your loved one to share with those at your table. In this evening, we hope you may find connection with others who have experienced similar losses, and find joy together in celebrating your loved one's life.
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Square One Lunch - Monday
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Saint John's is looking for volunteers to serve lunch on Monday, November 3, as part of iACT's monthly gathering for refugees in the Austin area. The lunch will be served to between 60 and 80 people. Volunteers will meet at the church and caravan to Central Presbyterian Church. To sign up, please contact Brad Howe at [email protected]
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African Children's Choir returns December 7 for CD release concert
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Lynne Dobson (left) and Sara Hickman in Uganda with the choir.
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Mark your calendars for a very special music event! The African Children's Choir returns to Saint John's on Saturday, December 7, for a concert celebrating the release of the group's new CD collaboration with Austin musician Sara Hickman. The CD, Love is a Journey, will be released in December.
Sara, who is a member of Saint John's, performs with the the current touring choir, Choir 42, on the CD, which is executive produced by another Saint John's member, Lynne Dobson. The two visited Uganda this past summer to volunteer and collaborate with the choir on the songs.
The African Children's Choir is composed of children ages 7 to 10. Many have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. They represent all the children of the continent and demonstrate the potential of African children to become strong leaders for a better future in their land. Over the past 20 years, the children have appeared in thousands of concerts around the world.
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Veterans meeting - November 11
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The veterans group's regular monthly meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 11. The speaker will be a representative from the Senior Resource Center. The group will also have an Orientation Session in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 3 for Capital Idea, the job training program for high school and GED grads thru Austin Interfaith and Austin Community College. It prepares folks for good paying jobs in healthcare and union-related positions, and assistance with books, tuition and child care. The group meets monthly at 5904 Wynona. For information contact Gary Flemmons at 512-565-2340 or Al Lindsey at 512-923-1687.
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Needs for Alternative Gift Market
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Gifts of Hope, Saint John's Alternative Gift Market, is slated for Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Two of the most popular booths at the Market are the Saint John's Mission Booth and the Bake Shop. Once again, all bakers and crafters are called into action! For more information about providing craft items for the Market, please e-mail Nancy Williams at [email protected].
If you love to bake, The Bake Shop may be the perfect way for you to contribute. Please consider sharing your specialty with Market shoppers. For more information about the Bake Shop, email Eva Jordan at [email protected] or call her at 512-619-7118.
If you have a friend who loves to bake or to craft and doesn't get the newsletter, please help them get in touch with Nancy or Eva to learn how to get involved.
Click here to visit the Alternative Gift Market page.
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Games Day: A group gathers in room 201 every first Thursday of the month, at 9:30 a.m. to noon, to enjoy table games, refreshments and socializing.
Movie Day: A free movie is shown every third or fourth Thursday, at 10 a.m. The group brings sack lunches to eat while discussing the movie afterwards.
Cokesbury Choir: The Cokesbury Choir is another activity enjoyed weekly by those who like to sing every Wednesday morning at 10:30 in the music room. It is another opportunity for socializing, since some of the group usually go out for lunch after rehearsals. It is also an opportunity for ministry, since the choir goes to different retirement facilities for sing along's each month. Everyone is welcome.
Museum trip: Mark your calendars for our trip to see the free exhibit of "The Making of Gone with the Wind" at the Harry Ransom Center on Friday, November 21. The bus will leave Saint John's 9:30 a.m. Cost is $5.
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Reading together at Saint John's
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The Intentional Faith Development (IFD) Committee recommends a classic, Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson. This book provides guidance and ideas for introducing spiritual disciplines in your life. Each week, the IFD Committee recommends a theological or spiritual book through this column. To submit an idea, contact Hilary Marchbanks, Associate Pastor, at 512-452-5737 or [email protected]. Have you been looking into these books in our column? Let Hilary know that too!
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The Lamar Middle School band has partnered with a mattress supplier to raise funds for its trip to Indiana. The same mattresses can be found at large retail stores, but can be purchased at the fundraiser at a much lower cost. A preview of the beds will be set up in the Lamar gym on November 16. All mattresses have warranties, with delivery and haul off available, just like the mattress stores. Each sale will benefit the band booster club which helps offset the costs of trips and makes scholarships available based on need.
Questions? Contact Kerri Rowland at [email protected].
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Sara Hickman joined on October 19. Sara is a mom, musician and enthusiast of life. We welcome Sara to our Saint John's family!
Jean Manlove joined Saint John's October 19. She first became aware of Saint John's as she shopped at HEB when she moved here six years ago to be near her family. Jean is an active volunteer with our Postal Pros and takes tai chi at Saint John's. In her leisure time she enjoys family, reading and movies. We welcome Jean officially to our Saint John's family!
Leonard and Dorothy Mitschke joined Saint John's on October 19 after many years of being faithful attendees. Leonard is an instrument machinist who loves fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time with his family. Dorothy loves gardening, cooking and spending time with family. We welcome Leonard and Dorothy officially into our Saint John's family!
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Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed!
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The famous Saint John's Pumpkin Patch is open through Halloween!
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Hope Food Pantry
Monetary donations are
now being collected to buy turkeys for Thanksgiving distribution. Make checks payable to Saint John's with "Hope Food Pantry" written on the memo line.
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Birthdays
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October 31: Sandy Barber, Sondra Creighton, Charlie Umphress
November 1: Katie Atherton, Rick Herndon
November 2: Mary Watts
November 3: Jennifer Collins, Sheri Hanson, Diane Jurbergs, Hilda Reilly, Penny Smith-Kerker, David Whitworth
November 4: Gary Newsom
November 5: Liam Collier, Taylor Morris, Keith Tanski
November 7: Mia Arrendondo
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Saint John's UMC
2140 Allandale Road
Austin, TX 78756
512-452-5737
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