Vol. 79 Issue 4 | Week of January 25-31, 2021 |
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Worship on January 31st
This Sunday morning we will worship together online to continue this season of Epiphany. The scripture passages are Deuteronomy Isaiah 58:1-12 and James 2:1-7, 14-18. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "The God Who Calls Us to Restore the Streets."
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.
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REPORT FROM COVID-19 TASK FORCE
In the early months of this pandemic, a COVID-19 Task Force was enlisted to offer knowledge, expertise, wisdom, and guidance to the church as we navigate these shifting sands of time. This 31-person group consists of physicians, nurses, medical professionals, safety and security professionals, facility specialists, attorneys, deacons, and church staff. Some of our physicians and other medical professionals will be on our Churchwide FELLOWSHIP Zoom call this next Monday evening at 6:00 pm. See article in this Family News.
At the outset of our efforts, the decision was made to follow the best science in our efforts. Twenty members of this participative leadership group met via Zoom on Monday, January 26th, to discuss “What are you sensing as a timeline for re-gathering in 2021?”
The group was unanimous in their RECOMMENDATIONS:
- We need to see the number of cases go down substantially in Mecklenburg County.
- It is still too early to safely re-gather inside our facilities.
- All members should be encouraged to make a vaccination appointment. (See below).
- As the weather warms in the spring months, more outdoor events can be planned.
- We will evaluate more specific plans for indoor gatherings in mid/late summer.
Options for VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS:
Please consider assisting one another so each person in our congregation receives their vaccination as soon as is possible. If you need assistance using a computer to schedule your appointment, please reach out to your pastoral deacon or a staff minister.
The availability of the vaccine is expected to expand in coming months. Trustworthy websites and phone numbers are included here:
- Mecklenburg County Public Health phone number is: 980.314.9400 (expect to wait)
- Both Atrium and Novant Health are using their system’s patient portals
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Winter's Wisdom
Women of the Church Virtual Retreat on February 13
What comes to your mind when you think of winter? What about a storm? Walking in the dark? Join us on our women’s winter retreat as we brave the cold, embrace the hard, and find power in the struggles that we deal with in our everyday lives, in our families, and our culture.
Stephanie Hoffman Massey is the daughter of Steve and Gearlene Hoffman, grew up at St.John’s, and will be facilitating our retreat. She serves as Director of Family Ministry at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.
Register at the button below!
Be sure that you receive a confirmation email after you register so that you know you are on the list. If you are not on Realm yet, please contact Jacquelyn McAbee at jmcabee@sjcharlotte.org or 434-579-1177 to be added to the list. You will receive Zoom link and retreat resources before the event. Hope you can join us!
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A BIG CHURCH-WIDE FELLOWSHIP HOUR ON ZOOM
Monday, February 1 at 6:00 pm
(Physicians Will Answer Questions)
On Monday evening, February 1, we will begin our new monthly Zoom call named – FELLOWSHIP. We will begin FELLOWSHIP at 6 pm. You do not need to be on the call the entire time. We have asked physicians in our church to be available to answer your questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Stop by for awhile and say hello. We can pretend it’s a ‘Drop by reception in Lasater Hall.’
An email with the link will be sent out the day off this fellowship hour.
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Tuesday Book Study
Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week
by Amy-Jill Levine
The Tuesday Bible Study (TBS) group invites you to join us for a Lenten reading and study of Amy-Jill Levine's, Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week, which begins on Tuesday, February 9th at 11am. We meet on Zoom for one hour each Tuesday for seven weeks. You are asked to purchase your own book. We welcome current participants and any others who wish to join us for the next seven weeks as we prepare for the Lenten Season.
In Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, Levine examines certain texts from the biblical narrative relating to the Passion story. She then uses the text to raise questions of ethics and spirituality for the ready and how each of us faces risk in our Christian experience.
Contact Steve Hoffman (704-604-9634) for information.
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WATER FOR TENT CITY - A GIFT OF LOVE
You have seen the news stories of many people living in what is being called, ‘Tent City,’ here in Charlotte. Shelters for those experiencing homelessness can only be partially full due to COVID-19. In addition, many persons have lost their jobs or their residences. Families want to stay together, but space is limited. Therefore, tent communities have developed as people seek ways of protecting themselves and one another.
Our Mission Resource Team is offering you an opportunity to offer support to these residents of Tent City. On the weekend of St. Valentine’s Day, we will offer two drive-through drop-off options. This will be our church-wide GIFT OF LOVE.
Purchase cases of bottled water between now and the weekend of February 13th and 14th. Then, drive through the church parking lot on Saturday, February 13th, OR Sunday, February 14th, between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will have volunteers to remove the water from the trunk of your vehicle. You don’t even have to exit your car. Then, we will transport the cases of water from our St. John’s facilities to Tent City.
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Can You Tutor for Heart Math?
Spread the word! Heart Math Tutoring is looking to recruit 250 more tutors to start in January/February, which is NOW. You can find a blurb about what Heart Math Tutoring is below and a link to their website to sign up!
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Tutor with Heart Math Tutoring! Charlotte-Mecklenburg (CMS) schools and students need the community's help. Many of Charlotte’s elementary school students are performing below grade level in math, and with students learning from home this fall, individualized support is needed more than ever. Volunteering with Heart Math Tutoring is a fun, effective way to make a difference by working virtually with students each week. With the support of a Program Coordinator, volunteers use an easy-to-follow, proven curriculum featuring interactive activities and games. Tutors will work in teams to tutor students who are below grade level in elementary math. 98% of students tutored to date have met program growth goals, and 98% of surveyed volunteers would recommend Heart to others. Sign up today at www.hearttutoring.org/become-a-volunteer/.
- Sign up to tutor for an additional hour.
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They need about 20 more tutors to work with students starting ASAP to serve students who need tutors in our past cohorts. You can find the tutoring times and days of the week below. If any work for your schedule please let Program Director, Cydney Kramer, know at cydney.kramer@hearttutoring.org. [You do not need to attend another orientation!]
- Cohorts 1-5 (Start Week: ASAP)
- 9:55-10:55AM EST Monday’s
- 11:00-12:00PM EST Thursday’s
- 11:45-12:45PM EST Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s
- 1:20-2:20PM EST Thursday’s and Friday’s
- 1:30-2:30PM Monday’s (using Google Meets)
- 1:40-2:40PM EST Monday’s
- 2:00-3:00PM EST Wednesday’s
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Old Laptops Needed
Refugee Support Services (RSS) is in need of old laptops to help in the virtual services they offer to their clients. The laptops will be cleared of data and refurbished. The RSS staff train their clients in the use of the devices, which are then used to provide services they are still unable to provide in-person to the refugee clients they serve because of the pandemic.
RSS is also looking for volunteers to serve, remotely, as tutors for their clients working on the process of naturalization. Training for this is required and is done remotely by the RSS staff.
For more information about any of the above, contact the following:
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Prayer Concerns, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Polly Hull, Gene & Carol Poole, Elma Thomas,
Alison Zieglmeier (daughter of Ken and Donna Scott),
Andrew Adair, Barbara Ledford, Tom Bryson,
Carol Hager (sister of Betty Harkey), Carole Ann Simpson, R.D. Bond,
Brad Sifford, Deacon Jones, Betty Curlin
The service to celebrate the life and ministry of Erskine Harkey
is available by clicking here.
Sympathy to the family of Sara Page Lewis who passed on ahead of us on January 19, 2021. A memorial service will be held at a future announced date in the Chapel at Harry & Bryant.
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THANK YOU!
St. John’s, thank you for your continued faithfulness. You are truly an actively faith-full church. Every week, I hear stories of your conversations and how you are learning together, caring for one another, sharing one another's joys and sorrows, making decisions together, staying in touch by email or phone, giving attention to the health and vitality of our church and being as patient as possible during this pandemic. I know you are also involved in a variety of Ministries in Daily Life.
My prayers are especially focused on our children, parents, teachers, and school administrators during these days. And, of course, we pray continually for our members who live alone and have little or no family nearby. If you are like me, you are discovering new degrees of flexibility and patience. Although we are limited, we are doing our best to express our worship, prayers, mission initiatives, communications, leadership, and collaborative stewardship of gifts and resources in ways that fulfill our purpose of making earth more heavenly. And, thank you for using the one o'clock hour each day for our One-Another emphasis. This hour has become very meaningful to several of our members.
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of January 20-26: $14,447
Income through January 26: $69,233
If you have not turned your pledge in, please mail it to the church office to the attention of Jacquelyn McAbee at 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204. You can also enter your pledge in Realm (go to Giving/Pledge) or by contacting Jacquelyn McAbee, Church Administrator, at jmcabee@sjcharlotte.org or 434-579-1177.
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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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Contact the Staff
To email a staff member, click on their name below
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