Vol. 79 Issue 14 | Week of April 5-11, 2021 |
|
Worship on April 11, 2021: Eastertide
This coming Sunday morning we will worship together online. The scripture passage is 1 John 1:1-2:2. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "The Speed of Forgiveness."
The worship video will be available at 8am via our YouTube channel and at our website under the Worship tab for you to view. You can also link to worship from the Realm Connect App Events list.
If you missed worship last weekend on Easter Sunday, click here! We were so overjoyed to be able to worship in person with one another last weekend outdoors. It was a wonderful celebration of worship. Please click here or below to see a beautiful video produced by Nate that captures the sights and sounds of the worship services on Easter Sunday.
SOME NEWS FROM DENNIS
Thank you for the many ways you celebrated God’s resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday! It was very good to see so many of you. And, thank you for all your positive comments as you tuned-in through our digital media. The music, prayers, scripture reading, smiling eyes peeking out from behind face coverings, cookies and chalk drawings by children made for a perfect day.
|
|
Developing a Plan to Re-Gather
Our COVID-19 Task Force is developing our Re-Gathering Plan. As the number of persons being vaccinated increases, we are designing a phased approach. Our varied ministries require that we take gradual steps during the coming months. Our Youth begin meeting in person during April. Two Food-Truck Fellowships are planned for May 2 and 23 with an emphasis upon our graduating high school seniors on May 23. During June, our Chancel Choir will begin rehearsing in the Sanctuary observing physical distancing protocols. During June, the staff will increase office hours and will transition from videotaping worship expressions to live streaming on Sunday mornings. Eventually, we will be able to begin registering a certain number of persons to be present in the sanctuary for our usual 10:30 worship experience. We will introduce further details in next week’s Family News.
|
|
VIRTUAL Elizabeth 8K Road Race 2021
As the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities come together to provide strength and support. While we all hope that we are approaching the end of the COVID-19 nightmare, the race committee has concluded that they cannot safely and responsibly hold the Elizabeth 8K Road Race in person in 2021.
However, in the spirit of bringing the runner community together and in order to support a great COVID-related cause, they are excited to offer a virtual Elizabeth 8K event this spring from May 15th to May 23rd.
A portion of this year's proceeds will benefit ElizabethCares, an initiative founded in March 2021 by the Elizabeth Community Association in partnership with the Elizabeth 8K. ElizabethCares was born as a response to the pain the pandemic caused to our communities, and to date over $26,000 has been donated to local non-profits such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed the Front Line, Loaves and Fishes, Urban Ministry Center, the Learning Collaborative, Friendship Trays and St. John’s Baptist Church COVID relief fund.
The goal for this year is to personalize this race for you. Run, walk or bike anytime from May 15 to May 23, either along the official Elizabeth 8K route or a route of your choosing. Upload your results via our website or automatically via the ASICS Runkeeper™ app. Each participant will be sent a commemorative 2021 Elizabeth 8K leather coaster and will be eligible for a variety of non-traditional awards, e.g. best selfie, most creative course map, etc.
If you would like to register, please click the button below.
|
|
PRAYING ON THE 22nd OF EACH MONTH
Some of you will remember The Rev. Fran Cook who was Minister for Youth with St. John’s a few decades ago. For several years, Fran has been a chaplain with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. A few years ago, Fran brought forward a season of prayer to connect houses of faith with the police department.
Last year, 2020, was a horrendous year including increasing violence, a world-wide pandemic, civil unrest, and a contentious election. It also introduced creative and relational ways to policing and new ways in which to involve community organizations in addressing public safety so that all residents feel safe.
In a recent conversation with Fran’s office, I discussed this year’s prayer emphasis connecting the police department and congregations. Fran’s office agreed to give to St. John’s the 22nd day of the month. Why the 22nd? Because this is our centennial year; St. John’s began in 1922. So, I am asking you to join me in praying for the following visions on the 22nd of each month through our centennial year. Here are the four prayers to guide your focus:
- Pray for our community as we look more deeply into the causes of unrest, homelessness, and injustice which worsened in the pandemic and work together to respond in acts of loving kindness through tangible ways that make a difference.
- Pray for police officers and staff as to their safety and their integrity; for their physical and mental health, and for compassion and empathy as they serve our community.
- Pray for other public, health, and safety officials; pray for their strength and perseverance and wisdom to guide their decisions.
- Pray that all persons in our community realize they are created in the image of God.
|
|
Can you help make sandwiches?
Roof Above is in need of sandwiches and St. John’s has signed up to make 200 sandwiches once a month. Pre-pandemic, people have gathered to make the sandwiches at the church. Of course, we cannot do this right now, so we are asking 10 people to make 20 sandwiches on the third Tuesday of each month starting on April 20, 2021. On April 20 from 10am-11am, please drop off your sandwiches at the Broach Hall parking lot area, near the Charlotte Family Housing entrance that faces Hawthorne Lane at St. John’s. From there, a member of the Mission Resource Team will deliver the 200 sandwiches to Roof Above.
On the third Tuesday of each month, please drop off your sandwiches at the Broach Hall parking lot area, near the Charlotte Family Housing entrance that faces Hawthorne Lane at St. John’s between 10am-11am so that someone from the Mission Resource Team can deliver them to Roof Above in a timely manner.
|
|
Calling All Youth for Unidiversity Camp!
July 20-24, 2021 in Maryville, TN
Register for Unidiversity by April 25!
Unidiversity is a week-long Christian summer camp for teenagers in grades 6-12. Camp is planned and led by church ministers and adult volunteers who have a passion for connecting teens with Christ and with each other. Unidiversity is celebrating its 27th year and will have camp this year at Maryville College in Maryville, TN.
The cost is $300 per camper payable online with registration. A deposit is required with the remainder due before the event. You may pay your balance at any time via your Realm account. A discount will apply to families with more than one camper.
Register with the button below or through your Realm account by April 25 or contact Nate Dove at ndove@sjcharlotte.org!
|
|
Community Connections:
Dialogue with Friendship Trays and Loaves & Fishes Executive Directors
Join the St. John's community in dialogue with Tina Postel, Executive Director from Loaves & Fishes, and Lucy Bush Carter, Executive Director of Friendship Trays, two of our Community Ministry Partners who will soon merge as one organization, during our COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Church-Wide Zoom Call on Monday, April 19 at 6pm.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about these two organizations and to learn about their exciting merger coming in May. We invite you to join at 6pm on April 19. A Zoom link will be sent out on that day for you to connect.
|
|
Together for Hope: Mission Partners
One of our direct mission partners is Together for Hope. We welcomed Anna and LaCount Anderson on a Sunday prior to the pandemic and plan to send a mission team to learn more about their work in 2022. Click here for a report to help you learn more about their ministry in one of the most impoverished counties in North Carolina.
|
|
Message from the Endowment Resource Team
The Endowment Resource Team is pleased and excited to provide you with another update on the St. John’s Endowment Fund. In 2020, we received ongoing contributions and several sizable bequests that increased the balance of the fund. Please read the letter linked below for more detailed information about the Endowment Fund.
|
|
Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
|
Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas,
Andrew Adair, Barbara Ledford,
Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey), Carole Ann Simpson,
Mary Birdsong Brown (granddaughter of Stan & Martha Brown)
As part of our A SEASON OF SUSTENANCE, we are alleviating hunger in Charlotte. On Wednesday, March 31st, St. John's worked with Roof Above (and with our Room in the Inn partner church, Caldwell Presbyterian) in providing 175 bagged lunches and a bottled water supply to homeless people supported by Roof Above. These homeless neighbors are currently staying at the
Days Inn on Little Rock Road through the end of April.
Thanks to all of our volunteers who helped with this!
|
|
|
|
Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of March 31-April 6: $17,347
Income through April 6: $285,642
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
Community & State Mission Offering Goal: $5,000
Received As of March 23: $3,655
|
|
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.
|
|
Contact the Staff
To email a staff member, click on their name below
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
