Vital Signs of Faith: GIVE
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by the Rev. Mark Anderson
Dear friends,
Our culture is constantly measuring the stuff we have accumulated. How new is your car? How large are your bank accounts? What is the square footage of your house?
When we are young, we are told that we need to make sure we secure our financial future. We need to maximize our IRA and our 401(k). We need to make sure our time is spent securing our future. We shouldn’t sacrifice time to help someone else unless we expect that person to return the favor.
When we are older, our culture tells us that we need to guard what we have accumulated. We are warned not to give away too much because a recession might be just around the corner. The economy could fall apart. Inflation could accelerate. Stocks could plummet.
So, what’s the core message of our culture? You will be happy if you have a lot of stuff. So, get as much as you can. Once you have some stuff and financial security, don’t let it go.
However, Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms.”
Our culture calls us to get stuff and guard our possessions. God calls us to give.
If you are reading this email on a phone or a computer, you presumably own that phone or computer. If left to their own devices, very few people will give away all they have. Our natural inclination is to accumulate, so our faith pushes us to think about our possessions differently.
As Jesus explained to his followers, generosity is one of the lynchpins of our faith. God gives to us: “it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom…” In return, we are called to practice generosity. “Give alms,” Jesus commanded.
This directive not only relates to our wealth. We are also called to give generously of our time. We are called to share our knowledge. We are called to share our joys with others, bringing laughter and love more deeply into our communities. We are called to generosity, even when it might mean that we aren’t double and triple secure with our own financial future.
Last Sunday, we launched a sermon series on four vital signs of the faith. This Sunday, we will continue this series by looking at our call to give. I look forward to worshiping with you, as we consider God’s generosity and the example this can provide for each of us.
In Christ,
Mark+
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Sunday, August 7, 2022
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Rev. Mark Anderson
9 a.m. Summer Breakfast
Thank you to the Cursillo Wednesday Group for sponsoring breakfast this Sunday!
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral*
Preacher: The Rev. Mark Anderson
Offertory Anthem: Treasures in Heaven
Arr. Joseph W. Clokey
The Cathedral Choir
There is no Children’s Chapel during summer; children are welcome to pick up Worship Bags from the Narthex.
*This service is live-streamed on our website and
YouTube channel.
11:30 a.m. Outreach Sunday Luncheon
Ken Horton, Literacy Alliance of NE Florida
Ingram Lounge
1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Dean’s Garden
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8:45 to 11:10 a.m. Hakimian Nursery Open
8:45 to Noon Cathedral Bookstore Open
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Creating a Rule of Life: Give
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We continue to prepare our hearts and minds to create our own rule of life on Rally Day, Sunday, August 28. This Sunday, we will explore the theme GIVE more deeply in the sermon series: Vital Signs of Faith.
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Outreach Sunday Guest Speaker and Luncheon August 7
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The Outreach Council is pleased to present another Outreach Sunday. Join us for a light lunch and a brief presentation from the Literary Alliance of Northeast Florida (formally Learn to Read). Our speaker will be Ken Horton.
Ken is the recipient of several awards for his work with literacy, including the First Coast News 12 Who Care Community Service Award celebrating local heroes. According to the Barbara Bush Foundation, one in five adults struggles to read basic sentences. That's why Ken has been teaching adults in the community how to read for more than two decades. “Teaching my class is actually the highlight of my week. I look forward to it. I can’t wait to get here," said Horton. View the video below to learn more about how Ken Horton helps advance adult literacy in Jacksonville.
We will meet in Ingram Lounge immediately after the 10 a.m. service. A light lunch will be served. All are invited!
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Parents or guardians with rising 6-12th graders can contact Megan Cochran to register for Youth Group, which resumes in September, and to get on the Youth Group email list.
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Edge Rock Indoor Climbing Gym
Who: All rising 6 to 12th graders
When: Sunday, August 7
Beginning at 11 a.m. with lunch at the church. Then we will go to the climbing gym.
We will climb from 12 - 2 p.m.
Edge Rock Gym provides an excellent experience for first-time climbers!
Check out their website (linked above) to learn more about their indoor climbing gym. For more information contact Megan Cochran.
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Arabic Food in Cathedral Bookstore
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Eman is selling new food items- hummus fatteh & Ozy grate- and new sweets- maamoul with dates & walnuts- in the Cathedral Bookstore after the 8 and 10 a.m. services.
Made with love by hand, her entrees and desserts are the perfect take-home snack or meal. Your support for this is a micro business is greatly appreciated. Cash is preferred, $10/item.
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Basic A Class Begins Next Sunday
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Beginning August 14, we will start a five-week course in Basic Anglicanism. This is our opportunity to explore our particular faith tradition, Anglicanism, and our church, The Episcopal Church. Topics covered will include the Bible, the church's history, worship and liturgy, and discerning God's call in your life.
Upon completing this course, you will be eligible for confirmation on Sunday, September 25. All are welcome to learn more about their faith, whether or not you intend to be confirmed. If you have completed a confirmation class and would like to be confirmed, or would like to enroll in a confirmation class; please contact Megan Cochran in the office of Dean Kate Moorehead.
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On Rally Day, August 28, St. John's welcomes you back from the summer's fun, travels, and recreation. This year we will be creating a Rule of Life using the guidance offered in Dean Kate's new book Vital Signs of Faith.
Join us in Taliaferro Hall after the 8 a.m. service for a continental breakfast or after the 10 a.m. service to pick up sandwiches, chips and cookies.
Your exploration of the four vital signs GOD, GIVE, GROW, GROUP will begin in Taliaferro Hall, continue in Ingram Lounge and Cathedral House, and end in the Sanctuary. As you visit each area, you are encouraged to find one activity or discipline to add to your very own Rule of Life.
There will be snow cones and a waterslide for the kiddos, so pack a bathing suit and a towel. Come ready to have fun and to grow closer to God through a healthier spiritual life.
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Book Launch Party September 1
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Join Dean Kate in launching her newest book, Vital Signs of Faith. The event will include book signing and refreshments.
Order your copy from the
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DATE CHANGE: Slowing Down in a Hurry Up World
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This event is being rescheduled. It will no longer be held Saturday, August 13th, and the date is TBA.
Join the Rev. Eric Kahl for a mini-retreat called "Slowing Down in Hurry Up World." We will gather on the grounds of the Cathedral to explore the meaning and purpose of time as we live in an ever-expanding world that is calling us to an ever-increasing pace of life. Our time together will allow us to slow down and savor the end of the summer before the pace picks up for the school year. Perhaps allowing us to take some of that quiet rest with us into what's next.
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Cursillo #144 Registration Open for Fall 2022
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Camp Weed and the Cerveny Conference Center
11057 Camp Weed Pl, Live Oak, FL 32060
Cursillo is a three-day learning, sharing, inspirational experience of living in a Christian community. The objective of the Cursillo movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives.
Men’s weekend September 22 – 25, 2022
Rector – Larry Jones at Trinity Parish St. Augustine
Women’s weekend September 29 – October 2, 2022
Rector – Penny Snider at St. Joseph’s Newberry
As a reminder, all candidates must have a sponsor, so Cursillistas, please start looking for someone to sponsor on one of these life-changing weekends!
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Thanks to Outreach Ministry for a beautiful farm to table Sunday breakfast!
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Thanks to Luke Whipple and team for our beautiful bookstore landscaping!
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SJC parishioner and Boy Scout, Luke Whipple, oversaw a landscaping project for his Eagle project at the Brown House. His team included fellow Boy Scouts and his grandmother, Nina Searcy. Luke also raised the money for the project. Great job! We are so grateful for all of the hard work that makes our entrance so beautiful.
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Color of Law Art for Sale
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The Color of Law exhibition that highlights the impact of redlining in communities of color in Jacksonville will be on display throughout the summer.
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All pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Proceeds will go to the artist and the Cathedral Bookstore and Art Guild. The small wooden houses are each priced at $150/each and proceeds purchase a class for a first-time home buyer through Historic Eastside CDC.
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Sunday, August 7
Caro Powell, Heather Courtney
Monday, August 8
Kay Scranton
Tuesday, August 9
Nongongoma Seane, Blair Hakimian, JoAnn Carpenter
Wednesday, August 10
Amanda Sridasome, Heather Lawson
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Thursday, August 11
Corri Connally
Friday, August 12
Beth Wucker, Cora Thakkar,
Qais Abukhader
Saturday, August 13
Louis Russo, Laura Veal, Laurie Mullis, John Bass, Stacy May, Nikki Poole, Sharon Jordan
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