WEEKLY MESSAGE
from Fr. Ripp Hardaway
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Normalcy
One of the longings during this pandemic is for a normal day, normal conversations, and normal activities. We see how much each of us longs for normalcy when allowed to go about in life as restrictions are slowly lifted. There are so many people now out in stores and the community. I can tell life has been significantly altered though when I cringe as I see people shaking hands, hugging, or not wearing masks. Remember when masks were for those robbing banks?
As much as we desire normalcy, we are also dealing with the reality that it is almost impossible to know what that will be like now. How long will social distancing and mask-wearing last? What information are we to trust from the many different sources? I wonder if you are overwhelmed by all of the information available and the fact that so much the information seems to contradict each other.
Most of all, we long to have some normalcy in our worship. And yet, when we can come together again, it is just going to be different. We will not be able to shake hands, touch, go without masks, and the like. But it won’t change the power of God. God still shows up, the resurrection power of Jesus is still manifested, and our lives are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.
As we move toward the Church’s celebration of Pentecost, remember this reality. God is still normal. Being a resurrection people remains as our normal way of viewing the brokenness of this life. The Holy Spirit is with us each and every day, empowering us in our call to live as a people who love God, love our neighbor, and help others get to know the saving grace of God.
I thank the Lord that through all this chaos, there is the presence of our creator, savior, and sustainer. And that is so normal.
In Christ,
Ripp
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OUR PEOPLE AND PARISHIONERS | All About Our People
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MAY ANNIVERSARIES
Brent and Maureen Bullock 5/5, Carl and Mary Bourgeios 5/18, Tom and Marjorie Nolan 5/21, David and Shannon Drichta 5/22, Larry and Karen Shumway 5/22, Robert and Janet Harris 5/27, Bennie and Kathy Bock 5/29, David and Kathy Simmons 5/29, Charles and Kay Keigley 5/30
BIRTHDAYS
| May 28 - June 3
Preslee Dupriest 5/21, Karen McCarty 6/1, Robert Harris 6/2
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WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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COVID-19, Outreach, and Virtual Resources
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Coffee Hour Zoom with Fr. Ripp | Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00 p.m.
You're invited to our second Virtual Coffee Hour with Fr. Ripp! Not a coffee drinker? No worries, grab a drink of your choice and join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00 p.m. This is a come-and-go Zoom event that's an opportunity for the people of the church to talk with Ripp live and visit with others who want to connect. Stay five minutes or the entire hour, it's up to you!
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WORSHIP & CLASS SCHEDULE
| Live Streaming on Facebook
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- Worship and Prayers Sunday, May 31 | 8:45 a.m.
- Family Devotions Sunday, May 31 | 10:00 a.m.
- Children's Chapel Sunday, May 31 | 2:00 p.m.
- Noonday Prayers Monday-Saturday | 12:00 p.m.
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Virtual Altar Flowers given by God.
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Men's and Women's Bible Studies are Meeting on Zoom!
Join the
Men's Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. The class focus is on the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday and there is always stimulating discussion. If you just want to call in and be part of the discussion you can! No computer necessary! Email Roy Lund at
lindaroy@earthlink.net or call (713) 858-1320 for the Zoom meeting information.
Ladies Bible Study
is back beginning on Thursday, June 4 at 9:00 a.m. to restart our weekly “summer sharing” tradition via Zoom. Bring meaningful readings or meditations to share with the group. The lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday will also be provided for individual study. Email invites with link to join will be sent Tuesday before each session. If you aren’t sure if you're on the email list and would like to join, please email Carrye Franzel at
carrye@gvtc.com
or call (830) 237-6370 for Zoom information.
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Noonday Prayer Volunteers Needed
St. John’s needs more volunteers to lead noonday prayers. There are just a few requirements to serve in this new ministry:
· Internet access at home
· Smart phone
· Active Facebook account
· LOVE for Jesus
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Education for Ministry (EfM)
If interested in participating, please contact Carol Folbre at
carol.folbre@gmail.com. This is a fabulous learning community for seekers of Christ. If interested, Carol will talk with you and show you how to register online by
July 1st.
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Family Faith Night on Zoom this Sunday at 5pm
Family Faith Night continues this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join in to connect with friendly faces and catch up with fellowship and a lesson. For the Zoom meeting information, contact Bethany Green at
bgingera@hotmail.com
or message St. John's on Facebook.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
| Announcements & Resources
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Hello children,
Have you been out and seen God’s glory in nature lately? Anyone drawing or taking pictures of wildlife? Please share them with me so we can all praise God’s work! You can send them to
cheryl@stjohnsnb.com
or text pictures to (210) 663-8074.
Pentecost Sunday
Use this link
to find a coloring page for
Pentecost
. This is a great day to fly a kite, learn another language, and revisit the Fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and love (
Galatians 5:22-23
).
Camp Outreach Update
Camp Outreach is going viral this year! Well, maybe not, but it will be an online experience. Parents should have received an email with all the details. We will begin on June 8. Please register online so we will have an accurate count. Each family will be gifted with the children’s book
The Very Best Day
based on Bishop Curry’s Ways of Love, and a prayer labyrinth will be given to each child. These labyrinths have been lovingly made by our sewing team: Ann Amoroso, Shannon Drichta, Susan Morgan, and Paula Warren. Contact me at
cheryl@stjohnsnb.com
with questions.
Flowers for the Altar
Thank you to Jon and Nolan Hagy for the flowers in remembrance of those who serve in the military last Sunday. If you would like to create flowers for our virtual services, place your flowers (any medium) in the yellow box outside the office doors or text me (210) 663-8074 to arrange a pick-up. The flowers will be delivered to St. John’s members the week after the service. Be sure to put your name on your design.
Children’s Chapel
Lessons post to our media channels (Facebook, YouTube, and St. John’s website) at 2:00 p.m. each Sunday. This week we will talk about Pentecost. Wear red on Sunday and join me in Children’s Chapel. Father Ripp and I will see you live on Facebook on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for a Family Devotions service.
Hope and love in Christ,
Ms. Cheryl
Read Ms. Cheryl's letter from last Sunday, May 24 by
clicking here
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Resources from Ms. Cheryl
Cheryl Smith, Director of Children and Family Ministries, has compiled a list of resources during this time at home. Click the link below to read. Email
cheryl@stjohnsnb.com
with questions or for more information.
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Children's Chapel lesson from Sunday, May 24, led by Ms. Cheryl
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Youth Compline Every Sunday Afternoon
Emma Kypuros, Youth Leader, will have weekly Compline meetings for all youth on Sundays at 4:15 p.m. and evening prayer on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. This is a good time to get together virtually so that we may still join in prayer and community. We will be able to connect on a lot of the things we're going through right now. It's a weird and uncertain time, but togetherness and intentional times set aside to practice our faith and prayer are even more important than ever.
Emma will send the Zoom invitation link each week before the scheduled time and will hopefully see all of your faces there. Other family members are welcome too! Email Emma at
emma@stjohnsnb.com
to sign up!
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HOW TO WORSHIP ONLINE
| Tutorials and Resources
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Facebook Live
- Daily devotions with Fr. Ripp and guest leaders at noon (Monday through Saturday)
- Sunday worship with Fr. Ripp at 8:45 a.m.
- Sunday Family Devotions with Fr. Ripp and Ms. Cheryl at 10:00 a.m.
- Children's Chapel at 2:00 p.m.
The prayer and worship videos will be saved and uploaded to the church
website under the "Videos" tab located in the header menu and also on the
YouTube channel. Viewers are not required to have a Facebook account to view the live stream. Visit
St. John's Facebook Page, ignore the prompt to create an account, and then view the live stream and saved videos.
For assistance viewing any of the streaming services, contact St. John's Communications Coordinator, Marjorie Nolan, by texting or calling (832) 729-3966.
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ZOOM App Tutorials
| Use for small groups, fellowship, & bible study
This
YouTube ZOOM tutorial provides online tutorials for the app. St. John's will use ZOOM for virtual meetings and classes.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND DWTX
| Announcements & Updates
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Family Camp (Session 3) at Mustang Island
June 11-14, 2020
Gather your family for awesome fun in a Christian community led by Fr. Ripp. Surf lessons, crafts, games, s'mores, music, worship, and more. $395 for family of one, $535 for family of two, $700 for family of three, $860 for family of four, each additional child $180 and each additional adult $270. Children 24 months or younger at time of session no charge. This includes 1 room, 8 meals per person and activities.
Visit
www.dwtx.org
Summer Camp for the latest details.
Questions? Contact
lynn.corby@dwtx.org
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Please read the
attached statement
from the Diocese in regards to COVID-19 and the 2020 Summer Camps schedule and payments.
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ST. JOHN'S UPDATES
| Continuing Classes and Ministries
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Prayer Requests Available
| Contact the Prayer Warriors
Have an urgent prayer request? T
ext Pat Jefferson at (713) 899-1566 with the request and she will alert the warriors.
The Forward Day by Day Devotionals
New devotional booklets have arrived! Please contact the office at (830) 625-2532 prior to coming if you would like to pick up a copy. To have a booklet mailed to you, send your request to
office@stjohnsnb.com.
Bishop Reed's Letter to the Diocese
Fr. Ripp would like the church to read the most recent letter from Bishop Reed regarding the phased reopening of churches in the diocese.
Click here to read.
Church Closure
| How to contact the church office
St. John's Episcopal Church will be closed until further notice out of an abundance of caution regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The situation is being assessed carefully and updates will be provided as they become available.
Jenny Montgomery, Assistant to the Rector, is able to access office email, so please contact
office@stjohnsnb.com
with any questions.
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COVID-19 Resources on the St. John's Website
The St. John's website has a COVID-19 page with resources from Fr. Ripp, Bishop Reed, and the Diocese of West Texas.
Click here to read.
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2020 Vestry Members
Linda Lund,
Sr. Warden; Don Greer,
Jr. Warden; Jim Whitcomb,
Treasurer
Paul Anthony, Janet Guillen, Bruce Howard,
Carol Lenker, Adrian Quintanilla, and Tori Smith
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