Vital Signs of Faith: GOD |
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by The Rev. Mark Anderson
Dear friends,
Over the next four weeks, we are going to look at four vital signs of our faith or four indicators to help us gauge our spiritual health. The sermons at St. John’s will focus on these vital signs, and when Rally Day arrives, you will be invited to develop a plan to strengthen your spiritual life within a framework of these four vital signs: God, Give, Grow, and Group.
We are launching the series this Sunday by examining our relationship with God. Why is a relationship with God important? What can you do to grow in your relationship with God? How will you be changed as you grow closer to God?
The first sentence of the first book of the Bible identifies God as the subject: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God is the one who creates; God is the focus. God is at the core of our faith.
Just as God is at the heart of our faith, God is meant to stand at the heart of our lives. It is a beautiful paradox that we become more fully human by focusing more fully on God. It’s almost as though the power of God’s love crowds out the brokenness in our lives and in the world. As we read in John’s Gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
As we foster a relationship with God, we can learn to worry less about societal pressures, cultural expectations, and social comparison. As we focus our attention on God, the distractions that diminish the best of our nature fade away: hatred, fear, condemnation, and prejudice. Irenaeus, a bishop and mystic in the 2nd century, eloquently expressed this principle when he said, “the glory of God is a person fully alive.”
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we consider how we can become more fully alive by growing in a relationship with God!
In Christ,
Mark+
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Sunday, July 31, 2022
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral
Preacher: The Rev. Mark Anderson
9 a.m. Summer Breakfast*
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral**
Preacher: The Rev. Mark Anderson
Offertory Anthem: O for a closer walk with God
Arr. Charles Villiers Stanford
The Cathedral Choir
There is no Children’s Chapel during summer, but children can pick up Worship Bags from the Narthex on the way into the service.
*Summer breakfasts continue; thank you to the Outreach Council for sponsoring breakfast this Sunday!
Christian Formation will resume in September.
**This service is live-streamed on our website and
YouTube channel.
1 p.m. Church Without Walls
Dean’s Garden
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8:45 to 11:10 a.m. Hakimian Nursery Open
8:45 to Noon Cathedral Bookstore Open
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Creating a Rule of Life: God |
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Please watch the video above to see what we are preparing for Rally Day 2022, Sunday, August 28. This Sunday, July 31, we will begin to explore this theme more deeply when we kick off a 5-week sermon series: Vital Signs of Faith. We look forward to having you join us each week as we prepare to create our own rule of life on Rally Day. |
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Parents or guardians with rising 6-12th graders can contact Megan Cochran to register for Youth Group, which resumes in September, and to get on the Youth Group email list.
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Edge Rock Indoor Climbing Gym
Who: All rising 6 to 12th graders
When: Sunday, August 7
Beginning at 11 a.m. with lunch at the church. Then we will go to the climbing gym.
We will climb from 12 - 2 p.m.
Edge Rock Gym provides an excellent experience for first-time climbers!
Check out their website (linked above) to learn more about their indoor climbing gym. For more information contact Megan Cochran.
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We will be holding baptisms on Sunday, August 14th at the 10 a.m. service. If you or someone you know is interested in baptism, contact Linda Rosengren. |
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Christmas in July Bookstore Sale |
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Last Chance! Sunday, July 31, 50% off Christmas merchandise. |
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Arabic Food in Cathedral Bookstore |
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Eman is selling new food items- hummus fatteh & Ozy grate- and new sweets- maamoul with dates & walnuts- in the Cathedral Bookstore after the 8 and 10 a.m. services.
Made with love by hand, her entrees and desserts are the perfect take-home snack or meal. Your support for this is a micro business is greatly appreciated. Cash is preferred, $10/item.
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Outreach Sunday Guest Speaker August 7 |
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Join us on Sunday, August 7, for Outreach Sunday with featured guest speaker Ken Horton. He is the recipient of several awards for his work with literacy, including the First Coast News 12 Who Care Community Service Award celebrating local heroes. He will share with us the rewards of helping people learn to read. We will meet in Ingram Lounge immediately after the 10 a.m. service. Refreshments will be served.
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The Literary Alliance of Northeast Florida
The Literacy Alliance needs a reading discussion group leader at one of the cathedral towers.
The volunteer will spend about 30 minutes in preparation and one hour a week with a group of 6-8 members who are good readers but need help getting to the next level. Training and guidance reading materials will be provided. The group meets in the middle of the day in a safe and secure location.
The number one qualification for such a volunteer is a love of people, followed by a love of reading.
Please call the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida at 904-238-9000 or contact Ken Horton at 904-608-8917 to discuss details.
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Mini-Retreat: Slowing Down in a Hurry Up World |
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Join the Rev. Eric Kahl on Saturday, August 13 for a mini-retreat called "Slowing Down in Hurry Up World." We will gather on the grounds of the Cathedral to explore the meaning and purpose of time as we live in an ever-expanding world that is calling us to an ever-increasing pace of life. Our time together will allow us to slow down and savor the end of the summer before the pace picks up for the school year. Perhaps allowing us to take some of that quiet rest with us into what's next.
Please register for this free event to help us plan.
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New: Basic A Class Begins Next Month |
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Beginning August 14, we will start a five-week course in Basic Anglicanism. This is our opportunity to explore our particular faith tradition, Anglicanism, and our church, The Episcopal Church. Topics covered will include the Bible, the church's history, worship and liturgy, and discerning God's call in your life.
Upon completing this course, you will be eligible for confirmation on Sunday, September 25. All are welcome to learn more about their faith, whether or not you intend to be confirmed. If you have completed a confirmation class and would like to be confirmed, or would like to enroll in a confirmation class; please contact Megan Cochran in the office of Dean Kate Moorehead.
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St. John's Cathedral Rally Day 2022 will offer the opportunity to create your own rule of life.
Join us in Taliaferro Hall for hamburgers and hotdogs cooked by the Brotherhood of St Andrew, or bring a chair to enjoy lunch outside. There will also be snow cones and a waterslide, so there is fun for the whole family!
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Book Launch Party September 1 |
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Join Dean Kate in launching her newest book, Vital Signs of Faith. The event will include book signing and refreshments.
Order your copy from the
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Cursillo #144 Registration Open for Fall 2022 |
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Camp Weed and the Cerveny Conference Center
11057 Camp Weed Pl, Live Oak, FL 32060
Cursillo is a three-day learning, sharing, inspirational experience of living in a Christian community. The objective of the Cursillo movement is to make Christian community possible in neighborhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives.
Men’s weekend September 22 – 25, 2022
Rector – Larry Jones at Trinity Parish St. Augustine
Women’s weekend September 29 – October 2, 2022
Rector – Penny Snider at St. Joseph’s Newberry
As a reminder, all candidates must have a sponsor, so Cursillistas, please start looking for someone to sponsor on one of these life-changing weekends!
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Color of Law Art for Sale |
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The Color of Law exhibition that highlights the impact of redlining in communities of color in Jacksonville will be on display throughout the summer. |
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All pieces in the exhibition are for sale. Proceeds will go to the artist and the Cathedral Bookstore and Art Guild. The small wooden houses are each priced at $150/each and proceeds purchase a class for a first-time home buyer through Historic Eastside CDC.
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Sunday, July 31
Kathy Estes, Graelyn Phipps-Poe,
Jackie Uitti
Monday, August 1
Mark Jenks, Jean Stratford, Jim French, Karen Hill, Haley Dyer
Tuesday, August 2
Kelley Taylor, Aaron Irving,
Christina Schneider
Wednesday, August 3
Clarence Fulton, David Alexander,
Makayla Kline, Gil Pomar
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Thursday, August 4
Sylvia Armsby, Adam Kline,
Antimony Delprete
Friday, August 5
Ruth Cook, Ben Clance, Lisa Smith, Malcolm Harmon
Saturday, August 6
Kimberly Hyatt, Jennifer Loesch
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