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 the Priest in Charge:
Dear Members and Friends of St. John's,
As you can see, with the notes below, we are coming up fast on our All Saints' Day celebrations, this time falling on Sunday, November 1 (also "time change" Sunday). With some gentle loosening of the in-person gathering guidelines from the Diocese, here's what we are planning - at least for now:
Our regular Sunday morning service will be broadcast from the church proper but still on Zoom and Facebook live at 10:00am. (Jorge and I will be the only ones inside the building.) During that service, we will read the memorial list of names of the departed and play the video of pictures that Jorge hopes to compile with your submissions. That service should look and feel very much like what you have been accustomed to these past several months.
Then, later that afternoon (time TBD and weather permitting), we hope to hold an outdoor service featuring special prayers and communion (in one kind) from the reserved sacrament. We are still limited to 50 participants, with masks and social distancing and pre-registration required. With it being early November, you might also plan to "dust off" that jacket or light throw to wrap around your shoulders. As you might imagine, this part of the day is still very much in the planning stages so stay tuned for more information.
During the month of November, we hope to open the church on certain days and for limited hours as a place of "pilgrimage" for prayer and meditation. More on those plans coming as well.
But hopefully progress - albeit very slow and careful.
Peace,
Terri +
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All Saints' Memorial Names |
This year, we will celebrate All Saints' Day on Sunday, November 1. It is our custom to read the names of those loved ones who have departed this life to live in the almighty presence of God. We will do this "live" during our service from the nave of the church that morning.
Please send an email (or just reply to this one) or call the parish office to submit your name or names for our memorial list. If you call and leave a message, please make sure that you spell the names if there is any chance for confusion. We certainly want to get these right! Names must be received no later than Wednesday, October 28, in order to be included on the list.
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All Saints Memorial Video
On All Saint's Sunday, we will be presenting a video tribute of photos of loved ones that have departed this earth. Please email a photo of any loved one you would like to share in this tribute to the church office at: info@stjohnscollegepark.com
If you do not have an electronic copy of the photo, please contact Jorge at the office and he will happily scan it for you!
All photos need to be submitted by October 29th. Thank you!
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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 20th Sunday after Pentecost
Join us via Zoom
October 18, 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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BIBLE STUDY
This week we begin a study of parts of the Book of Isaiah, one of the three "major prophets" of the Old Testament literature. In particular, we will be focusing on those parts of the book that have most strongly influenced the Christian writings of the New Testament. This evening, we start with a general overview of the book (all sixty-six chapters!) and then move to other portions for the rest of this month and next. Here's the proposed schedule:
October 14: General Overview (TONIGHT)
October 21: Isaiah and the Gospels - Matthew
October 28: Isaiah and the Gospels - Mark & Luke
November 4: Isaiah and Johannine literature - Gospel of John & Revelation
November 11: Isaiah and Pauline literature
November 18: Isaiah and Pauline literature with final wrap-up
November 25: Thanksgiving Break
Beginning in December, during the Advent season, we will enjoy learning more about the stunning artwork of John August Swanson that depicts the Advent and Christmas stories. Each week, our group will watch two short DVD videos that discuss the pieces in depth, relating them to the relevant scriptural passages. Discussion guides will be available for all participants.
After Christmas and the New Year's holiday, we will begin a study of the Book of Numbers, the fourth book in the Old Testament collection known as the Torah. This six-week exploration will take us up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
All studies will start at 6:45 PM using Zoom as our platform. (See the link above for log-in information as well as a link to the study notes for each week.) Here's hoping that everyone will join us for this journey! All are welcome and no advance preparation is required.
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EARLY VOTING stared this week and continues through Friday, October 30. If you have not already cast an absentee ballot and want to vote in person, this is an opportune period to make your civic voice heard since crowds and long lines are expected to be less than on Election Day, November 3.
Some of the Fulton County Early Voting locations:
East Point Library 2757 Main Street, East Point
Etris-Darnell Community Center 5285 Lakeside Drive, Union City
Georgia International Convention Center, College Park
Gladys Dennard Library, Union City
New Beginnings Senior Center 66 Brooks Drive, Fairburn
South Fulton Service Center 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., South Fulton
Southwest Arts Center 915 New Hope Rd SW, South Fulton
Welcome All Recreation Center 4255 Will Lee Rd., South Fulton
Early Voting Dates and Times:
October 12-24 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
October 26 -30 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sundays October 18th & 25th 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
If you have an absentee ballot and want to drop it off directly, please visit:
www.fultoncountyga.gov/absenteedropbox for locations.
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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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St. John's Food Ministry
Our 'To-Go' bag and 'Blessing' bag ministry continues to reach those in need within our community. We are seeing a steady stream of folks receiving these gifts and are also seeing an increase in participation in the program. Please keep this powerful ministry in mind when doing your shopping. We are always in need of non-perishable foods (easily opened and consumed), as well as men's socks and personal hygiene items. Thank you for all that you do, whether it be through donation of food items, or your time in helping prepare the bags. It makes a difference!
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Parish Notes... at least for now
GET YOUR FLU SHOT! With the coronavirus still very much a part of our life experience, please get this extra level of protection. Doesn't take long, most insurance plans cover the cost and it doesn't hurt.
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, October 18th, 2020:
First Lesson - Susan Schubert
Psalmists - Lisa Norton-Rotella & Andrew Hales
Second Lesson - Sherran Davis
Prayers of the People - Jane Foster
Musicians - The St. John's Singers
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 Am Bending My Knee
I am bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Through Your own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need,
Love towards God,
The affection of God,
The smile of God,
The wisdom of God,
The grace of God,
The fear of God,
And the will of God
To do on the world of the Three,
As angels and saints
Do in heaven;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each time in kindness,
Give Thou us Thy Spirit.
– From the Carmina Gedalica, a collection of Celtic prayers and hymns by Alexander Carmichael 1832–1912AD)
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