Thanks for reading our weekly email newsletter! We hope that it gives you useful and relevant updates for all the events and activities here at St. John's. Feel free to forward this email to your family and friends so they can be included in the "wider circle" that we're drawing here in College Park.
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A Message from Michael Spring
What is a church?
“Church” comes from Old English cir(i)ce, cyr(i)ce, related to Dutch kerk and German Kirche, based on medieval Greek kurikon, from Greek kuriakon (dōma) ‘Lord's (house)’, from kurios ‘master or lord’. So a church is the Lord’s house.
We don’t believe God is limited to a church building, so “Lord’s house” is poetic, a metaphor. God is so much greater than any building.
“Parish” is another word we use. Its roots are para (near) and oikos (house). “Parish” might not jump out at you from the roots, but “parochial” will. In much of the world (certainly Louisiana, parts of England) a “parish” is all the people living in a geographical area, like a “county”. A “parish priest” ministered to all the people in such an area, regardless of their religious affiliation.
In the Nicene Creed we talk about “one catholic, apostolic church.” That is certainly not a building, or a place. The Greek word translated as “church” is ecclesia, really means a group of people who are called out, named by the larger group to be exceptional. In the creed we name “church” as all who claim Jesus.
Our “church” was disrupted by the corona virus- or was it? Several folks have remarked about how they are much surer of other people’s names, after worshipping with them on zoom. We are forced by circumstance into a deeper knowledge of each other.
No one misses the Sacrament of Holy Communion more than me. (liturgy means the work of the people. “Communion” describes people in relationship) but I don’t miss church. We have marvelous church; warm, energetic, and creative- and more intimate.
St. John’s is a people, not a place.
Believe me, I don’t discount our marvelous church building. After all, I was married there, all three boys were baptized there, my mother, father, and brother were memorialized there- I love the place, but I love the people more.
Whatever turmoil may arise out of our current situation, we must preserve the real St. John’s. After all the shouting is over, we belong to each other.
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Compline
Night Prayer
Join us via Zoom
Thursday 7:00pm
For the Compline Service:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 843 7684 4017
Password: 848486
(see Zoom instructions below)
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Sunday Worship
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Join us via Zoom
September 20, 2020 at 10:00am
For the Sunday Worship Service:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 890 4465 2335
Password: 704817
(see Zoom instructions below)
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Morning Prayer
Every Tuesday and Thursday Morning
Join us via Zoom
10:00am
For Morning Prayer:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 291 729 9738
Password: 30337
(see Zoom instructions below)
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Bible Study
Every Wednesday
Join us via Zoom
6:45pm
For Bible Study:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 291 729 9738
Password: 30337
(see Zoom instructions below)
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Notes from Rev. Terri
BIBLE STUDY:
This month we will continue exploring the book of Proverbs, as we focus on what's happening in our world today. Our discussions focus on these following topics;
EVIL Wednesday, Sept. 16
GUIDANCE Wednesday, Sept. 23
JUSTICE Wednesday, Sept. 30
All studies will start at 6:45 PM. Hoping that everyone will join us for this journey!
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COMPLINE: We meet on Zoom each Thursday evening at 7:00pm to say together the "goodnight prayers" of the church, using the beautiful texts from the New Zealand Prayer Book. The service itself is brief - about 15 minutes or so - and a bulletin has already been prepared. Join us this week and check it out.
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Updated guidelines for small group gatherings, pilgrimage and some pastoral occasions are now posted on the Diocesan website (www.episcopalatlanta.org) if you want to review or download. If either of those options are unavailable to you, please contact the parish office and we will be glad to mail you a hard copy.
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In remembrance:
Ms. Marie Garrett: Committed volunteer at the Bargain Shop for over 60 years. Asking for prayers for her family and her friends in their loss.
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Be Prepared! Voter Education Update:
As we were not able to get enough registrants for a 'live' event, we will be instead making available a video to view, supplied by the Fulton County Voter Education team. Please look for future announcements on how to watch this important informational video.
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First Responders Appreciation
There has been some interest in reaching out to our First Responders and letting them know how thankful we are for their service to our community and how appreciative we are of their sacrifices on our behalf.
If you would like to participate we are planning to collect notes and cards and deliver them to the responders. Write your sentiments on an index card, sheet of paper or card. We would like to start directing our efforts towards the Police, Fire and Ambulance workers in our community.
Drop off your best wishes before Thursday, October 29th and we'll get them sorted out and directed to the correct recipients.
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Parish Calendar Notes... at least for now
As we noted in the Town Hall meeting on August 9, the Bargain Shop will be closing by the end of the year and the property will be sold with proceeds being used to fund Community Outreach through the parish.
We need to clear the existing inventory in preparation for this closing. The shop is no longer accepting any new donations. During this pandemic, the shop hours are 10:00am until 2:00pm, Monday through Friday.
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Ministers of Worship for this coming Sunday, September 20, 2020:
First Lesson - Val Valverde
Psalmists - Michael Spring & Celeste Hall
Second Lesson - Phyllis Smith
Prayers of the People - Jane Foster
Musicians - Ms. Charlotte Savoy
Communications Director - Jorge Darr
** if you have a 'speaking' role in this Sunday's service, please log-in to Zoom by 9:45 for a microphone check and any updated instructions. Thank you!
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To join any of our worship services via Zoom, here's what you need to do:
(1) If you have not already downloaded the Zoom application and if you have a laptop, tablet or cellphone that has a camera, then you can download the Zoom app at no charge. Just go to www.zoom.com to do this, following the prompts to set up your own 'account.' I would suggest doing this in advance of Sunday's service since the app can take a while to download to your device.
(2) Download a copy of the bulletin for the service by clicking the appropriate button above. You can then print and follow along with the service.
(3) Then, at the specified meeting time (or a few minutes before), click on the appropriate button to access the link to enter the Zoom service.
You will then be connected into the video meeting. All participants will be 'muted' upon entry so that we can begin the service in quiet; however, everyone participating via video can see the faces of other participants and will be able to hear the readers/speakers. At various times during and at the end of the service, everyone will be 'unmuted' and all the channels will be left open for a 'virtual' exchange of the Peace (most likely a noisy time!).
If you do not have a 'camera-enabled' device and/or would prefer to join the meeting by simply calling in with your phone, use 1-929-205-6099 as the toll-free number to do so, using the same meeting ID and password as listed above. You will be connected for audio only.
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I Arise Today
I arise today
In the name of Silence
Womb of the Word,
In the name of Stillness
Home of Belonging,
In the name of Solitude
Of the Soul and the Earth.
I arise today
Blessed by all things,
Wings of breath,
Delight of eyes,
Wonder of whisper,
Intimacy of touch,
Eternity of soul,
Urgency of thought,
Miracle of health,
Embrace of God.
May I live this day
Compassionate of heart,
Clear in word,
Gracious in awareness,
Courageous in thought,
Generous in love.
By John ‘Donohue in the book “To Bless the Space Between Us – A Book of Blessings”
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