Voice in the Wilderness

We are the Church that serves

and spreads God’s love to everyone

News for the Week

of February 11, 2024

Home Visits

With Holy Eucharist

In addition to our on-line services, we also have Eucharistic Visitors who will joyfully bring Communion to those unable to come to our in-person services. Please contact our office at 623-582-5449.

Aloha Friday with Fr. Tim

The Episcopal Church: Theology Built on a Solid Foundation

The Christian Church has been around since Jesus established it some 2000 years ago. And ever since the very early days of the Church, Christians have not agreed on everything theological or liturgical. Peter and Paul, two of the earliest apostles, are known to have been vocal in their disagreements with each other. And these disagreements have not always ended in reconciliation. Sometimes the Church splinters and divides, intentionally or otherwise. The Church in the East split from the Church in the West in the Great Schism of 1054. The Protestant Reformation and the English Reformation happened in the 16th century. The Methodists broke off from the Episcopalians. Lutheran sects continued to break off from each other. The Anglican Church in North America broke off from the Episcopal Church over issues like the ordination of women and beliefs about same-sex marriage. There are over 200 million Christians in the United States today, but their understandings of what the Church means can be vastly different.

St. John's Walk to Jerusalem

This week we walked 595.29 miles!

We have walked a total of 3,014.58 miles! The Nelsons are our distance leaders for this week, Ron with 45.8 and Marykay with 40.26.

Food Pantry Super Bowl Food Drive

The Food Pantry Ministry is sponsoring a food drive leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Support your team by donating non-perishable food to St. John's Food Pantry. There will be 2 boxes set up respectively for the San Francisco 49erss and the Kansas City Chiefs. If you donate an item that is on the Food Pantry Ministry Orange Shopping List, it will count double towards the winning score! In 2023, the Food Pantry Ministry supplied food for 1493 adults and 627 children. In January we served 42 families.

Super Bowl LVIII Coffee Hour 

On Superbowl Sunday, February 11, wear your favorite team's apparel to church and join the Hospitality Ministry after services to enjoy some fellowship before the big game!

Black History Month Inspirational Message from Mae Sinclair

After announcing the Super Bowl Food Drive, Craig Cantrill called Dan Bashe up and helped us thank Dan for all his years of service at the Chris Becker Dining Hall.

Chris Becker Dining Hall the End of an Era

Well, it was a wonderful run for St. Johns-30yrs.. We had about 100 from our church at this soup kitchen over the years, and have many great memories of the people that we met and served there.  I have 2 best parts about serving there- 1st is all the friends from our parish that served with smiles, love, and great attitudes- you were truly great blessing to me and those we served. 2nd best part for me was many of the wonderful staff and those thousands of needy but wonderful clients. We are looking for a place in Northwest Phoenix/Glendale to serve, but so far -no luck. When we served earlier this week, we tried to give away almost everything (except summer things), but we had a fair amount left; it was a fun madhouse! I took all the rest downtown where it was very happily received. We will continue to look for a good place to serve, and if we find it, we'll let you know. A thousand blessings and thanks to all who served, and donated clothing, jackets, sweaters and a hundred other useful and needed things to these children of God. We left our mark there with our love and CHOCOLATE MILK!    Dan Basche

2024 Paws for Vets Annual Golf Tournament

Saturday, May 11, 7:00 a.m., Coyote Lakes Golf Course, Surprise AZ

Tournament registration is now open! Click link below to register.

Volunteers are needed to help make this tournament a success. You may email Kirstie Myers at kirstie_myers@icloud.com to volunteer.

Last Sunday's Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

At the 8:00 service Donna celebrated her wedding anniversary.

At the 10:00 service Maxine, Aiden and Carley received their birthday blessings.

First Sunday in February is Scout Sunday

Fr. Tim welcomed our Scouts that were here for the 10:00 service for Scouts Sunday. They have also collected over 100 pounds of food for our Food Pantry.

Attention Ministry Leaders

A new way of getting information to our flock. Please notice the step ladder of binders on the south wall shelf. They are there to add to the love we have for our ministries. You can add mission statements, pictures, sign-up sheets. Anything to bring more information to everyone that might be interested in any and all of our Ministries. Please feel free to fill them with wonderful stories of our spiritual lives together. Contact Barbara Bratcher or Michelle Weaver if you have questions.

February Stewardship Message

Time, Talent and Treasure

"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

-Winston Churchill.

St. John’s Giving and Attendance for January 28th

Pledge $4,340.00

Plate $342.00

Thrift Store $124.00

Food Pantry $110.00

Other $269.25

Mission Share to Outreach $908.96

Weekly Expenses $4,873.07

Attendance 138

Altar Flower Dedications - No Dedications for Lent

The Easter Lily sign-up sheet will be available soon. Please sign up for flower dedications on the clip board on the Ministry Shelf on the south side of the parish hall. Suggested donation is $40.00. We can have more than one dedication on a Sunday if you want to split the cost. If you would like have the flowers you dedicated, they can be picked up on Thursday. Contact the office for more information.

Announcements and Newsletter Submission Deadlines

Please submit all announcements for the Sunday, bulletin (white flyer) by noon on Wednesday. Announcements and pictures for the Weekly Email Newsletter (Constant Contact) by noon on Thursday. Submit by email to info@stjohnsaz.org. For questions contact Renee’ Taylor, Parish Administrator in the office.

Bible Study Between Services Led by Dan Basche,

Sundays between services, Chilton Hall, Rm 5

Please join us for adult bible study between services. Bring your bible, grab a cup of coffee, a treat and join us. Bibles are available.

Ministry Contact Dan Basche

Maeve and baby May joined Fr. Tim at the altar for Holy Communion Liturgy.

Godly Play Sunday School

Sunday, February 11, 9:15 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., Chilton Hall Rm 2

Class is from 9:15 to 9:55 for ages 4 years through 6^th grade. The Bible story will begin at 9:15. Families with small children are invited to sit in the front rows during either service.

No one wanted to help with moving the liturgical clock last week, but Fr. Tim did have help from Delilah and Maeve for the final blessing.

Vestry Meeting Between Services

Sunday, February 11, 9:00 a.m. between services, East Annex

Ministry Contact Tracy Hare

Harry Potter Goblet of Fire

Monday, February 12, 6:00 p.m. Dinner, 6:30 p.m., Study CH-Rm 6

Thank you to everyone who participated in the movie party! We will begin our study of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" We will gather at 6 pm for a meal. At 6:30 pm, we will begin our discussion of Chapter 1, "The Riddle House" through the theme of Riddles. I look forward to resuming our study of the Harry Potter series. 

Ministry Contact Jennifer Roland

Adult Education Series Lunch and Learn

Tuesday, February 13, 1:00 p.m., Parish Hall

We will be discussing pastoral care. Please join us for a fun and enlightening look at sermons and pastoral care. We alternate subjects each week. Everyone is invited to bring a brown bag lunch.

Men’ Fellowship Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 13, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Parish Hall

$7.00 per person. Please join us for our traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake and sausage supper. Fr. Tim and Deacon Chuck will also be burning palms from last year and blessings the ashes for the Ash Wednesday services.

Ash Wednesday Services on February 14th

Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary

No healing service or bible study this week.

St. John’s Closet Thrift Store

Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Chilton Hall, Rm 3.

Open at 8:00 March 2nd, for P.O.W. W.O.W.

Donations are accepted during the hours we are open.

Ministry Contact Les Brown and Mae Sinclair

Men's Fellowship Breakfast and Bible Study

Saturday, February 17, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Parish Hall

Ministry Contact Colin Smith and Dan Basche

Women Unlimited Game Day

Saturday, February 24, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Parish Hall

Bring your favorite board game and favorite sweet or savory snack to share for a fun day with the friends. Sign up in the parish hall.

Ministry Contac Laura Leita

Faith Through the Arts Next Exhibit and Reception

Saturday, February 24, 4:00 p.m. - 6 p.m., Parish Hall

Our next exhibit will feature St John’s very own, Bob Trotter. Bob's presentation will be a talk and slide show on Curanderismo: Healing Through Faith, Prayer, and Traditional Knowledge. Please join us for Bob's presentation and the Meet the Artist ‘Nibbles and Sips’ reception.

Ministry Contact Marykay Nelson

Borderlands P.O.W. W.O.W. (Produce on Wheels Without Waste) Volunteers Needed

Saturday, March 2, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Parking Lot

Set-up starts 2 hours before opening to the public and clean-up takes about 30 minutes after. All help is much appreciated as without it we couldn’t provide the valuable service to our community! St. John’s receives 5% which goes towards helping feed the Veterans and our Food Pantry.

Questions: see Tracy Hare, Buz Isban or Pattie Prosory.

Blessings and Thanks, The Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. Team

Is God Calling?

Maybe our Creator is calling you to be a vital volunteer! Here are some ways to serve God & neighbor @ SJB:

Carfters Group Thank You

The Crafters would like to thank everyone who contributed to our ministry during our ministry minute last month. It is very much appreciated. Come visit on the second Saturday of the month and see if you would like to join in. We are looking for fabric that you may have in your closet, 5/8 " elastic, but would prefer not braided elastic, and seam binding double fold, extra wide in any color of the rainbow. If you buy the binding, buy 2 of the same color. we can make 3 dresses from 2 packages. At this time, we have plenty of pillowcases, but if you have any cute appliques that we can sew on the dresses that would be lovely. Keep this list and if you are at a garage sale you just might find what we need. Again, thank you for all the love you have shown us.

Ministry Contact Janet Lennon and Jill Kratzer

Prison Ministry Needs Postage Stamps

Postage stamps are needed for sending birthday and Mother’s Day cards to the women at Perryville prison. Please put the stamps in the Treasurer’s box by the office door. The cards and words of encouragement that are sent to the women incarcerated at Perryville Prison are always greatly appreciated as shown by their many heartfelt responses. Many thanks for thinking of the needs of others.

Spring Highway Clean-Up Ministry - Date Change.

Saturday, (New Date) March 9, 7:00 a.m. Meet for Breakfast at the The Place at 51st Ave and Bell, 8:10 a.m. meet back at the church to carpool to the site. Return to St. John’s 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. Please dress appropriately as it is sunny and windy there. Hats, jeans, sturdy shoes and gloves are highly recommended. We will have water, bags and bright vests.

Ministry Contacts Dan Basche and Mike Werner

Hospitality Ministry

Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this important ministry. It takes 6 people each Sunday to set up (2), keep up between services (2) and clean up (2). Sometimes there is a call for “all hands-on deck” when we have a funeral. Not having to worry about the after-service reception helps relieve some of the stress for those families. So please consider becoming a part of the welcoming hospitality that is St. John’s, The Church that serves and spreads God’s love to everyone. Remember many hands make light work.

Ministry Contact Dovie Templin and Jill Kratzer

Blessing Bags and Food Pantry Supplies Needed

Besides food pantry items, we also have smaller bags of food, water and personal hygiene bags to respond to those asking for help. (Cans with pull rings are helpful). Please pick up your Blessing Bags by the church doors.

Food Pantry - Always Needed and Appreciated                         

Spam, Canned Tuna and Chicken

Syrup and Pancake Mix (Complete)

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Cereal (hot and cold)

Blessing Bags - Always Needed and Appreciated

Vienna Sausages/Beanee Weenee

Snacks and Cookies (Individual)

Personal size hygiene products

Real juice Small Cans (V8, OJ, etc.)

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.

Ministry Contacts Craig Cantrill, Tacy Ingraham, Sally Trotter

Pastoral Care

Fr. Tim and Deacon Chuck are pleased to make themselves available for pastoral care at all times of the day and night. At the same time, they want you to know that they are very mindful about respecting the value of your privacy. If you would like a pastoral visit or telephone call, please let the office know. This way the clergy will know that it is safe and appropriate to contact you and they can be certain that their communication does not come at an unwelcome time.