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,
This time of year is my favorite season - cool nights, pleasant days and an ever changing landscape of color in trees and skies. For me, it is another reminder that in the wisdom of God's grand creation nothing ever stays the same. We regenerate and breathe and move and live - from our basic cell structure to the context of our everyday lives. As living persons, we would die if we didn't change. Thank you God for this infinitely wise lesson!
With this COVID crisis, we have basically been locked down for seven months now - getting used to having "church" online. But a slight change is in the wind...
On Sunday, November 1, we will celebrate All Saints' Day with two services - one our usual 10:00am offering via Zoom and Facebook plus a second "outdoor" service at 2:00pm here at the church. We will gather on the main lawn space in front of the gazebo (wrapped within the confines of the "horseshoe parking lot lanes") for a time of worship, prayer and sharing of communion from the reserved sacrament.
Following COVID safety guidelines:
- we will be limited to 50 people, including the ministers of worship
- participants must bring their own chair or a blanket to sit on
- participants must print out their service bulletin ahead of time and bring it with them
- everyone must wear masks and maintain a safe distance from each other (family units may sit together)
- no lingering or gathering in the parking lot before or after the service is permitted
- no singing allowed
- pre-registration is required - no "walk-ups" will be permitted
If you desire to be a part of this service, please notify the office by a return email or a message left on our voicemail service. Let us know your name, how many from your party will be participating and your best contact information. We will send out a special email next week with a link to the bulletin and a reminder of these safety protocols. In the case of rain or threats of a dangerous storm, the service will be cancelled and all participants notified by email or by phone call or text.
Let's pray for a beautiful fall afternoon on which to gather once again as a community. Let's take advantage of this brief window of opportunity to do so before the weather turns colder and these types of gathering will no longer be possible. All are welcome!
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 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Join us via Zoom
October 25, 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 21: Isaiah and the Gospels - Matthew (TONIGHT)
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 has begun 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 25th, 2020:
First Lesson - Jane Foster
Psalmists - Michael Isham & Michael Spring
Second Lesson - Val Valverde
Prayers of the People - Jane Graham
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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Breathe in me O Holy Spirit
that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit
that my works, too, may be holy;
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit
that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit
to defend that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit
that I always may be holy.
St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)
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