WEEKLY MESSAGE
from Fr. Ripp
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Easter Miracles
I am a huge fan of saying that something great or miraculous is an Easter or Christmas miracle. I say it in a half-joking manner, but I also know that God is working behind the scenes in mysterious and powerful ways that we will never know. I wanted to share some of those that I have experienced just this week.
The first is that through the phone tree, where the staff and ministry leaders are calling on each member every week, we discovered that one of our families lost their jobs. Based on the discretionary fund balance, I had determined to give them a check to help them through this crisis. Today I walked into the office and had a note from Desiree Moultrie, our Director of Finance, which said that a parishioner had given a large check to the church for us to use in this time of need. Late last week, another family added to their monthly giving, indicating that they too wanted to help those in need. On Monday, April 6, I handed this family a check that was
THREE TIMES
larger than what I thought I could give. For them, this will undoubtedly be an Easter Miracle!!!
On Monday of Holy Week, Desiree said that we still owe $17,200 to Frost Bank for the construction loan covering renovations and the addition of the education building. We have $15,300 in our Capital Account that includes the gifts given throughout March, plus gifts from this week, along with the $10,000 that we keep in this account for emergency purposes. If that is confusing, know that when adding all three together, it is still $15,300. Another St. John's member called this week, indicated that their finances improved recently, and they want to give a gift to the church in order to pay off the loan. So… THIS WEEK, Desiree will send in a check to Frost Bank for the balance, and St. John's will be
DEBT FREE!!!!
In the midst of this pandemic, this is an Easter Miracle!!!
The greatest miracle of all is that Jesus was crucified, died, and buried. One of the pieces of this story is the act of stabbing him in the side to determine whether or not he was truly dead while hanging on the cross. The story includes this testimony to indicate that he did indeed die and then was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Having stood where he was crucified and buried, I can testify that for over two thousand years, people over the centuries believed he was dead. No one expected any more from him. Then when he was raised from the dead, he changed this world. Nothing could then separate us from God, save our own reasons. It is the greatest gift and the greatest miracle of all time.
I pray that we all experience the gift of Christ's resurrection power in our lives every single day and that we remind one another that we are a resurrection people.
In Christ,
Ripp Hardaway
Rector
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WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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COVID-19, Outreach, and Virtual Resources
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
| Live Streaming on Facebook
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Holy Week Schedule
Maundy Thursday
April 9 | 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday
April 10 | 12:00 p.m.
Easter
April 12 | 8:45 and 10:00 a.m.
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Facebook Live
- Daily devotions with Fr. Ripp at noon (Monday through Saturday)
- Sunday worship with Fr. Ripp at 8:45 a.m.
- Sunday Family Devotions with Fr. Ripp and Ms. Cheryl at 10:00 a.m.
The prayer and worship videos will be saved and uploaded to the church
website under the "Videos" tab located in the header menu and also on the
YouTube channel. Viewers are not required to have a Facebook account to view the live stream. Visit
St. John's Facebook Page, ignore the prompt to create an account, and then view the live stream and saved videos.
For assistance viewing any of the streaming services, contact the St. John's Communications Coordinator, Marjorie Nolan, by texting or calling (832) 729-3966.
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Virtual Services from Palm Sunday, April 5
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CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRIES
| Announcements & Resources
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Hello Children and Families,
I hope this Holy Week finds you and your family well. I know we are to continue social distancing, washing our hands, and staying home if possible. It does make it hard to not see our friends and family. I miss seeing you on Sundays and giving hugs! I have started some painting projects at home and yard work when it is not raining. Also, finding more time to read. What are some books you are reading?
Below are some activities I hope everyone will participate in while spending this Holy Week together at home.
Happy Easter Sunday! He has risen!
Resurrection Cookies
- My first cooking video is posted on Facebook and on our
website
. Please join me in the kitchen as we make these extraordinary Easter cookies and hear the Good Friday and Easter Sunday story. The recipe and scripture can be found by
clicking here
.
Stations of the Cross Scavenger Hunt
- Please enjoy this outdoor activity as we celebrate Holy Week. Use the backyard, hike through the neighborhood, or even do it indoors. Enjoy this interactive story during Holy Week by
clicking here
.
Stations of the Cross
- If anyone would like to visit the cross stations located around St. John’s, there are child-friendly booklets in a container outside the Children’s Gathering backdoor. This could be an outing for families and someplace without crowds. The booklets are for your child to keep. Hand sanitizer is out there too😊
Children’s Chapel
- lessons will be posted on Sunday this week. Father Ripp and I will see you live on Facebook on Easter Sunday at 10:00 a.m. If you miss the live stream, the Easter Sunday services will be posted to our website that afternoon.
I am praying for you and looking forward to when we are all together again.
Hope and love in Christ,
Mrs. Cheryl
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Resources from Ms. Cheryl
Cheryl Smith, Director of Children and Family Ministries, has compiled a list of resources during this time at home. Click the link below to read. Email
cheryl@stjohnsnb.com
with questions or for more information.
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April PCK Newsletter
The new
Parenting Christian Kids Newsletter
for March is linked below. This month, the theme is
Explore the Meaning of Easter
- a hopeful topic.There is a review of the movie
Trolls: World Tour.
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Children's Chapel
Each Sunday, Ms. Cheryl, Director of Children and Family Ministries at St. John's, will provide an online Children's Chapel lesson for everyone to learn and enjoy. The lessons are available on the
St. John's YouTube Channel
and will also be posted on Facebook and the church website.
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Children's Chapel lesson from Palm Sunday, April 5, led by Ms. Cheryl
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Youth Compline Every Sunday Afternoon
Emma Kypuros, Youth Coordinator, will have weekly Compline meetings for all youth, on Sundays at 4:15 p.m. and evening prayer on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. This is a good time to get together virtually so that we may still join in prayer and community. We will be able to connect on a lot of the things we're going through right now. It's a weird and uncertain time, but togetherness and intentional times set aside to practice our faith and prayer are even more important than ever.
Emma will send the Zoom invitation link each week before the scheduled time and will hopefully see all of your faces there. Other family members are welcome too! Email Emma at
emma@stjohnsnb.com
to sign up!
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND DWTX
| Announcements & Updates
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Primary Camp at Camp Capers
May 31-June 6, 2020 | Grades 3-5
This session is lead by Fr. Ripp! Summer camp at Camp Capers offers people ages 8-18 the opportunity to experience the unconditional love and friendship of a Christian community through each of our 1-week sessions. Through God’s grace, Camp Capers is committed to offering fun, life-changing experiences to children and youth in a safe, Christ-centered community. Visit
www.dwtx.org
Summer Camp page for pricing, scholarship info, and more details on Camp Capers.
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Family Camp at Mustang Island
June 11-16, 2020
Gather your family for awesome fun in a Christian community led by Fr. Ripp. Surf lessons, crafts, games, s'mores, music, worship, and more. $395 for family of one, $535 for family of two, $700 for family of three, $860 for family of four, each additional child $180 and each additional adult $270. Children 24 months or younger at time of session no charge. This includes 1 room, 8 meals per person and activities. Visit
www.dwtx.org
to learn more. Questions? Contact
lynn.corby@dwtx.org
.
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Please read the
attached statement
from the Diocese in regards to COVID-19 and the 2020 Summer Camps schedule and payments.
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OUR PEOPLE AND PARISH | Birthdays & Anniversaries
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APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
Jen and Paul Anthony 4/6, Bill and Lynn Campaigne 4/11, Jim and Joanne Whitcomb 4/19, Reid and A’ndrea Fisher 4/20, Becky and Mike Luft 4/25
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
| April 9 - April 16
Mikey Forgione 4/11, Peter Carlson 4/12, Kathy Simmons 4/12, Mike Forgione 4/13, Lynn Broussard 4/16, Heidi Forgione 4/16
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2020 Vestry Members:
Linda Lund,
Sr. Warden; Don Greer,
Jr. Warden; Jim Whitcomb,
Treasurer
Paul Anthony, Janet Guillen, Bruce Howard, Carol Lenker, Adrian Quintanilla, Tori Smith
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