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Hosting an Indigenous People

by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister

Eight months ago, during a conversation with North Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, I was asked if we would like to host an indigenous people group. After hearing more about them and speaking with one of their leaders, I learned the group would lead worship for Covenant Presbyterian Church on November 13. So, I agreed that we would host them on November 20. I look forward to learning with you as we honor their culture.

The group named ‘Mending Wings’ is a group of fifteen youth and adults from the Yakama Native Nation. This weekend, we will meet fifteen members of this group. They are one of the Dancing Our Prayers teams who travel locally, regionally, and nationally sharing their culture, their expression of life in Christ, and their way of life. The youth and staff of Mending Wings will offer spoken prayers, present testimony, speak on conciliation issues between Native and non-Native America, and lead us in their expression of worship entitled, ‘Dancing Our Prayers.’ Those of us who have made reservations will then eat lunch together in Broach Hall and explore some Q&A moments.

The Yakama Nation includes more than 10,000 tribal members. They have a 1.3 million acres reservation in the state of Washington with a traditional use area of over 11 million acres where they have hunted, fished, gathered, and practiced religious ceremonies since time immemorial.

Each area has a name and a story of how it came to be. Generation after generation the Yakama people have passed along these stories and principles and practices understanding themselves to be stewards of the land to honor, protect, and restore the resources for those not yet born.

As St. John’s transitions into our second century, we are focused upon Building a Better World. One of the ways we do so is through a better understanding of all God’s people and the cultures which have developed through history. We look forward to what we will learn this Sunday.

Advent at St. John's

Do you hear what I hear?

We live in a noisy world. People are shouting at one another. Guns are firing. Bombs are exploding. This age of vitriol and violence can attack our emotions and erode our capacity to hear God’s messages. As we prepare our spirits to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we listen for God’s messages of hope, peace, joy, and love. During Advent, Dr. Foust will offer messages around the theme, ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ We will listen to beautiful music as we journey toward the glorious sounds of Christmas Eve.

Sundays in Advent and Christmastide

November 27: First Sunday of Advent

• Worship Theme: Do You Hear the Hope I Hear?

December 4: Second Sunday of Advent and Hanging of the Green

• Worship Theme: Do You Hear the Peace I Hear?

December 11: Third Sunday of Advent and Christmas Musical Celebration

• Worship Theme: Do You Hear the Joy I Hear?

December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent

• Worship Theme: Do You Hear the Love I Hear?

December 24: Christmas Eve

• Worship Theme: Moving Toward What We Have Heard

On Sundays, December 25 and January 1, we will NOT gather in our church’s facilities. The ministry staff will prepare and present recorded services helping you to express your worship with your loved ones on these two holiday Sundays. You can tune in online.

December 25: Christmas Day

• Worship Theme: Rejoicing and Renewal of Vision

January 1: New Year's Day

• Worship Theme: Following God’s Light

Churchwide Opportunities

• December 6: WDAV presents Lessons & Carols LIVE from St. John's Sanctuary at 7PM
• December 8: Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon in Broach Hall
• December 16: Serve at Men's Shelter, Need 6 servers and 9 banana puddings! Sign up here
• December 16: Room in the Inn Begins! Sign up here.

Children's Ministries:

• December 4 at 11:30am: Gingerbread House Decorating Party for Children and their Families; Register here.
• December 8 at 6:00pm: Thursdays on the Town for families with children at Abugida Ethiopian Cafe; contact Kheresa or register here if you need childcare
• December 11 at 11:30am: Children on Mission at Baby Bundles

Youth Ministries

• December 4: Poinsettia delivery after worship
• December 18: Youth Christmas Party in the evening, Haley will provide details

Young Adult Ministries:

• December 2: Brewery Night at Free Range Brewing



Throughout this month, our children lead us in sharing with others and welcoming new life into our world by supporting Baby Bundles. Baby Bundles provides baby essentials to families in financial need in the Charlotte area and empowers them to have a strong start with their newborns.

From now through November 30, we will receive the following donations: burp cloths, bibs, and receiving blankets at the Main Entrance by the gym. There are white bins for items. We prefer new items but if you have very gently used items with no stains, those are welcome, too!

If you have any questions, please contact Kheresa at 910-890-3392.



Have you and your family turned in your Christmas ornament for the Centennial Christmas tree?

Please bring a Christmas ornament related to the Christmas story with your names on it to Fredda Kimball, Linda Crowder, or Amanda in the office today! The ornaments will be kept and used for future Second Century Christmas celebrations with any additional ornaments added by new (or current) members.

Additionally, we would like to have a display of past Christmas celebrations at St. John’s. This would include dramatic presentations, Christmas pageants, Hanging of the Green services, special choir programs, etc. If you have programs and pictures from any of these events, we would like to borrow for the display. You may give to Fredda Kimball, Linda Crowder, or Amanda. If pictures, please identify event, date, and names of those pictured if possible. Also please indicate whether you would like your items returned.

Coat Drive for Rebound Program at Charlotte Rescue Mission

The Charlotte Rescue Mission has a need for men’s winter coats for their Rebound program. MRT will be supporting a coat drive until the end of November. If you have any men’s winter coats that you could donate to help our neighbors please leave them on the clothes rack in Lasater Hall close to the stage. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.



Save the Date for the Senior Adult Christmas Gathering

If you are 75 years and older, please put December 8 on your calendar for the Seniors’ Christmas Gathering luncheon. Watch your mail for the invitation in early November!

Giving What We Have:

Trusting God to Multiply Our Commitments

“There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” John 6:9

Imagine the disciples handing that boy’s five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus and looking out at more than 5,000 mouths to feed. They must have wondered, “What good is a bag lunch among so many needs?”



As you look out upon all the needs in today’s world, you may also ask, “What good is my financial offering among so many needs?” This year’s financial stewardship campaign addresses this question.

Thank you all for the commitments you have already made to the 2022 Financial Ministry Plan. We are so grateful

If you still need to turn in your pledge card, please mail your card or drop it off with Jill Rackley, our Church Administrator, during office hours.

You can also pledge via Realm or call/email Jill at 704-333-5428, ext. 20 or jrackley@sjcharlotte.org.

Carolina Voices' Festival Singers, under the direction of Donna Hill, invites you to their opening concert: Illuminate.

After the dark of night comes the dawn. Light brings hope of a new day and the promise of renewal.

Many composers use the theme of light as their source of inspiration. The Festival Singers are delighted to share a few of these exquisite compositions during our fall concert, Illuminate.

Dan Forrest, a modern, prolific composer combines music with the text of Paul Wigmore that evokes light, joy, love, peace, and hope in Light Beyond Shadow. Additional music included in the concert are two settings of the ancient chant of Ubi Caritas by Forrest and Maurice Duruflé. Splendor by Elaine Hagenberg and a choral favorite, Wanting Memories by Yyse Barnwell round out the program.

Here are the details:

Illuminate

4:00 PM on Sunday, November 20, 2022

St. John's Baptist Church, Sanctuary

300 Hawthorne Lane

Charlotte, NC 28204

Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations

• Tarsha Williams, Martha Brown, Barbara McElwey

Minister On-Call Schedule

• Nov 14-20: Haley
• Nov 21-27: Dennis
• Nov 28-Dec 4: Kheresa
• Dec 5-11: Lee

Staff Contact Information

• Haley Blackwell, Minister for Youth & Young Adults - 620-515-3558 (cell)
• Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 12
• Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-451-1309 (cell)
• Kevin Gray, Minister for Music and Worship - 803-524-0287 (cell)
• Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 910-890-3392 (cell

• Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
• Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
• Noel Lance, Organist
• Dr. Matthew Manwarren, Associate Organist
• Amanda Morrison, Ministry Coordinator - 704-333-5428, ext. 11
• Lydia Olmstead, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 39
• Jill Rackley, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 20