WHAT CAN WE DO WITH OUR LEGITIMATE ANGER?

by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister

Freedom is always fragile; for women, freedom has been shattered again, and it is maddening.

More than a century ago, Oliver Wendell Holmes, an associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1902-1932 wrote: “Even a dog distinguishes between being stumbled over and being kicked.” Holmes was known for his protection of civil liberties and his commitment to constitutional democracy.

Last Friday, June 24, 2022, every woman in this nation was kicked. Even those who don’t realize their freedoms were dismantled were injured. The majority of justices on the Supreme Court did not stumble over women; they kicked women. Conservative justices declared that women do not have the right to exercise personal freedom of choice and self-control in relation to all of their own health care decisions. This decision causes anger to rage within me. Along with many of you, I am livid over this ruling. I did not speak about this subject during worship on Sunday, in part, because my emotions and thoughts were not yet interwoven in pastoral ways. No doubt I am still weaving.

WHY I AM ANGRY: In part, my anger is due to the fact that five men and one woman who allows herself to be controlled by men can put state governments in charge of the health care decisions of women. I am bitter because the same people who pushed for this decision for government control of women’s health care choices usually support limited government control and assail taxation being used for programs to aid children who are economically poor. These same people continuously oppose providing healthcare for all citizens as well as resisting every effort to increase minimum wages for those living on $7.25/hour ($290 for a 40-hour week or $15,080 for 52 weeks – before taxes) so low-income adults can better provide for their children. These same people also screamed to the highest clouds when the government encouraged – not ordered – them to be vaccinated against COVID or wear masks to protect their neighbors. These same people do not want the government to put limitations on who should own an AR-15, nor push forward legislation to support public education. To proclaim concern for the unborn while refusing to care about children once they are born is hypocritical at best and evil (immoral, wicked, harmful, injurious, and disastrous) at worst.

However, let me be clear...

Loving Our Neighbors Around the Globe

2022 Global Missions Offering

Our goal for this year's annual Global Missions Offering is $25,000.

As of now, we have received $2,555 towards this goal.

Where will this offering go?

$20,000 will go to support our friends at the Nyarweng School, South Sudan. 

$5,000 will go to Project Ruth to support those affected by the war in Ukraine.

You can give towards this goal today by donating online and specifying Global Missions (button below), or by writing "Global Missions" in the memo line on your check.

In worship this Sunday, we welcome Dr. Steve Harmon to the St. John's pulpit. Dr. Harmon is the Professor of Historical Theology at School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. We look forward to welcoming him and his family, wife Kheresa and son Timothy, back to St. John's for the day!

Dr. Harmon will deliver a message called, "Standing Firm for Freedom," based on Galatians 5:1-15. 

He is the author of many books and has also published numerous journal articles, chapters in multi-author books, and general readership publications.

He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Forest City, North Carolina, and is an active member of the Commission on Doctrine and Christian Unity of the Baptist World Alliance, which he has represented in ecumenical dialogues with the Anglican Communion, the Catholic Church, and the Eastern Orthodox churches, and as a plenary member of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order. 

Please join us in person or online this Sunday at 10:30am!

Youth Mission Trip to Chicago: A Report

In case you missed worship on Sunday morning, check out the video above of Rev. Lee Gray, Wilson Gray, and Katherine Mae Rodden talking about their week on mission in Chicago.

Men's Shelter Service

Check your calendars! Just one click will get you on the list for this opportunity on July 15. Will you consider signing up for this great cause?

Click on the button below to sign up for service to our neighbors.

From the Heritage Room

If you have not yet had a chance to view, the 1950’s exhibits in the hallway will be on display for several more weeks.

A few more notes about the 1950’s—

Training Union on Sunday nights was a BIG event, for adults, old and young, and older children. There were competitions on the topics covered which included Bible Sword Drills, at the church, associational, and state levels. An elaborate Valentine’s Banquet was held to recognize the achievements of those in the program.

In April 1951, Dr. Broach declined an offer to teach at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. He told the church, “I find myself unable to overcome the conviction that I should remain at St. John’s”.

In September 1951, the church added an Associate Deacon Board for younger men to prepare for church leadership. Each of the Deacons chose a younger man to “mentor” from a list of nominees prepared by the Committee to nominate deacons.

In November 1951, opposition was voiced to the naming of an American ambassador to the Vatican. Dr. Broach preached a sermon entitled “Sweet Land of Liberty” concerning the separation of church and state that addressed the ambassador appointment. The church newsletter indicates that the church received over 6500 requests for a copy of the sermon. The church adopted a resolution in opposition on November 7, 1951. (The Heritage Room does not have a copy but is searching for one).

Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations

• Kathleen Bumgardner, Tish Philemon, Tarsha Williams, Ethel Harris, Gabriel Farhadian



Financial Ministry Plan Report

• Weeks of June 14-28: $28,543
• Income through June 28: $559,652
• Annual 2022 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,135,000



Ministers On-Call Schedule

• June 27-July 3: Lee Gray
• July 4-10: Lee Gray
• July 11-17: Dennis Foust

 

Staff Contact Information

• Amanda Morrison, Ministry Coordinator - 704-333-5428, ext. 11
• Dennis Foust, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 12
• Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-451-1309 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 15
• Kevin Gray, Minister for Music and Worship - 803-524-0287 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 14
• Jacquelyn McAbee, Church Administrator - 434-579-1177 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 20
• Mallory Brown, 704-477-3349 (cell)