Vol. 79 Issue 33 | Week of August 16-22, 2021 |
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Worship on Sunday, August 22: Rev. Lee Gray as Proclaimer |
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We will worship this Sunday, August 22nd, at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. Rev. Lee Gray will offer a message called, "On Being One," from the St. John's pulpit this Sunday!
The worship theme is "The God Who Cares About Our Future" and the scripture passage is John 17:16-26. We hope you will join us in person or online, as we continue to live-stream the service starting at 10:30am on Facebook and YouTube. The live-stream and worship guide links will be sent out via email on Sunday morning for those of you joining us online.
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Leadership Report 2021
The Leadership Task Force presents this year's Leadership Report for your review. Keep in mind that during the pandemic, we are still determining which activities are feasible and will continue to enlist leaders as needs arise and situations stabilize.
We will have a church conference during worship on Sunday, August 29 with online voting available for those worshipping in person and virtually.
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2021 Deacon Nominees: Voting this Sunday!
On Sunday, August 22, the church will be called into conference to affirm our 2021 Deacon Nominees by way of online voting for those worshipping in person and online. A link to vote will be sent Sunday morning through email and through a QR code that will be provided on Sunday in the bulletin if you are worshipping in person. Check your email on Sunday for voting instructions!
The Leadership Resource Team is pleased to present its slate of nominees for the 2021 deacon election. Click here or on the button below to read about each of the nominees via our website.
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COVID-19 Task Force Updates
Face coverings are now required on campus at all times, regardless of vaccination status!
Although cases are rising, we plan to continue gathering and welcoming groups back into our facilities after Labor Day. Therefore, it seems apropos to inform you how we plan to operate in case you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after having gathered with others in our facilities. Our updates include a new face covering requirement for all who are in the building at any time as well as procedures to follow should you test positive for COVID-19.
First, the good news is that if you are vaccinated, your symptoms will be milder, and the chances of you being hospitalized or in a critical care situation are minimized. Therefore, we strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated. Your entire church staff has been vaccinated for several months and is looking forward to the upcoming boosters when they are made available. This is one more way in which can to love one another and love our neighbors.
Click the button below to read the latest updates from the COVID-19 Task Force. These were sent out in detail in a separate email earlier this week, as well.
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NEW Mobile Contactless Check-In
You can bypass the kiosks for check-in by using the mobile check-in feature available in your Realm Connect App. Simply open the app, tap on “Mobile Check-In” under "More" in the menu at the bottom of your screen and mark the events each family member will attend. This is available to you one hour before your class, meeting, or worship begins. Nursery and Pre-K children must check-in at the kiosk in their area in order to print a badge.
You can also use your Connect App to check-in virtually if you are attending worship or gatherings with us online! If you haven’t downloaded the free Realm Connect App, you can find it in the app store on your mobile device.
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Sandwich Ministry: We Need Your Help!
Throughout most of the pandemic, individuals at St. John's made sandwiches and bagged lunches from home for Roof Above. At this time, this ministry is transitioning to making sandwiches together, with face coverings, at the church to deliver to Roof Above.
We need your help with supplies for the 200 sandwiches we have agreed to make every month! On the third Sunday of the month, starting this September, we need one person to bring 200 slices of cold cuts (thicker slices, please) and one person to bring 200 slices of cheese to the 2nd floor parlor kitchen refrigerator. Reimbursement IS available!
Sign up below! Contact Jane Starnes at 704-535-0839 with any questions.
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Latest News from Refugee Support Services (RSS)
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Want to find out more about refugees in the Charlotte area and about services offered to them by local organizations? Sign up for Refugee 101, a one hour virtual information session by clicking here.
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RSS partners with the local chapter of the Society of St. Andrews, whose gleaners help harvest fresh vegetables and fruits from farms where produce might otherwise go to waste. If you would like to have your name added to a list of potential gleaners to be notified when gleaning opportunities arise you can fill out an interest form here and see the current RSS newsletter for information, which you may access here
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RSS continues to provide basic food items for refugees to help them stretch their limited resources. Learn more at their website here or sign up for email updates from RSS here.
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Serving Teams: Volunteering to Serve One Another
As we continue to regather and prepare for the return of more Sunday programming on August 22, some ministry areas are in immediate need of volunteers.
In Children's Ministry, our preschool care needs volunteers to serve on Sundays from 9 am and through worship to care for children under 5 on a rotation. If you are interested in this ministry area and willing to join the serving team, contact Rev. Allison Benfield.
In Youth Ministry, we are in need of volunteers to serve as Sunday school teachers and as Sunday evening group leaders. If you are interested in serving, please contact Rev. Nate Dove.
We also need volunteers to serve in on our Welcome and Hospitality teams as ushers and greeters on Sundays. Ushers serve to welcome members and guests to worship and greeters welcome those who attend the Sunday school hour. Please complete an information form if you can serve the church in this area by clicking here. Completing this form does not obligate you to serve but just to share your interest and availability with ministry leaders and staff.
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Tuesday Bible Study (TBS)
Mark: Finding Ourselves in the Story
Begins September 14th on Zoom
TBS begins to Zoom again with a new study guide starting Tuesday, September 14. Our facilitators invite you to participate in this exciting study of Mark: Finding Ourselves in the Story by Brett & Carol Younger.
We Zoom each Tuesday for ONE HOUR (11am-12pm). Facilitators rotate on an assigned schedule and use various methods to reflect on the study guide and Bible text. We seek active participation via facilitator prompts for group discussions and personal learnings.
This invitation is for new and returning participants. A Zoom link can be sent to you upon request.
Contact Steve Hoffman (704-604-9634) at hstevehoffman@gmail.com with your questions pertaining to registration and securing the study guide. Other facilitators include Janet Wade (704-519-8149) Dan Biber (704-953-2766) and Tricia Miller (704-364-3601).
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School Supplies for ourBridge for Kids
In the month of August, St. John’s is collecting school supplies for children being served by ourBridge for Kids, a new mission partner with St. John’s.
As you shop for your own kids’ supplies, or if you want to help a child be ready for school, pick up any of the following school supplies and leave them in the receptacle at the Main Entrance any time through August 22nd.
- Backpacks, Pencils, Crayons, Paper, Folders, Pencil Pouches, Markers, Scissors, Erasers, Notebooks, Glue Sticks
Uniforms for Highland Renaissance Academy
We will also be collecting uniforms for students at Highland Renaissance Academy in Charlotte as we have in the past. We are in need of boys' and girls' clothing sizes 5-14.
- White or Navy Collared Shirts
- Navy or Khaki Shorts, Pants, Skirts, & Jumpers
- Socks & Underwear
Donations may be dropped off at the Main Entrance no later than August 29th on Sundays or weekdays during church office hours.
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Prayer Concerns, Celebrations, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Andrew Adair, Carol Drye, Betty Fuller, Polly Hull, Tish Philemon,
Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas
Prayers for our world, especially those living in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti and the citizens of Afghanistan.
Sympathy to Mary Rickenbaker and her family in the death of her sister,
Kathleen Lightsey, on Monday night in Columbia, SC.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of 9-15: $4,492
Income through August 15: $661,626
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
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You can make contributions, view your giving history and pledge status, as well as update your pledge and giving information anytime by accessing your personal Realm profile online or via the Connect App. |
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Ministers On-Call Schedule
August 16-22: Kevin Gray
August 23-29: Dennis Foust
August 30-September 5: Nate Dove
Staff Contact Information
Lee Gray - 704-451-1309 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 15
Nate Dove - 704-662-2154 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 13
Kevin Gray - 803-524-0287 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 14
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