Dear Friends,
These last few days we have witnessed a hurricane of unprecedented power and devastation, and even as friends and family in the Carolinas are still dealing with the effects of this storm, we are thankful that those in Florida were spared major damage. But the damage and loss of life in the Bahamas has been devastating. More than half of Grand Bahama Island, the largest island in the Bahamas, was lying under the ocean. Much of it is still underwater and when the waters finally recede, the geography of that island will be forever changed. In times such as these, we pray for our sisters and brothers whose lives have been impacted and we pray for the repose of the souls who have died.
It is clear that each year, these hurricanes are getting more powerful and more devastating. I believe that these are times when, if we open our ears to hear, God is calling us to be better stewards of this earth we have been called to be stewards of.
The people of the Bahamas are in great need right now. There is no drinkable water on Grand Bahama or in the Abaco Islands and there are virtually no structures left habitable. The recovery will be years in the making. In the meantime there is a great humanitarian need for the basics of food, water, shelter, and healthcare. We will be collecting money to send to Bishop Laish Boyd, Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas & the Turks and Caicos Islands to support their humanitarian relief efforts.
Please click here to make a donation online, and be sure to designate your gift to "Hurricane Dorian Relief" found in the dropdown box that will default to the "General Fund". You can also give by texting SaintJohn and the dollar amount (i.e. SaintJohn $50) to 73256, or by placing a check in the offering plate or leaving it at the office, please be sure to put "Hurricane Dorian Relief" in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity and for helping our sisters and brothers in the Bahamas.
Faithfully,
Fr. Jeremy
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Come one, come all! Jubilation Sunday is the kick off to Fall!
This Sunday, September 8th, St. John's will be having it's annual Jubilation Sunday sign-up. If you've been sitting on the sidelines wondering what you can do to enrich your spiritual life have we got news for you. Jubilation Sunday will feature tables dedicated to 20+ Lay Ministry teams here at St. Johns who would love to tell you all about the various goings on that you can be involved in. Be sure to stick around after the service to learn more about how you can use your God given talents to enrich the lives of yourself and others.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
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Summer is that time of year when attendance is lower than usual as we all travel and enjoy the summer vacation. But unfortunately, the expenses of the Church do not go on vacation. Please consider maintaining your pledge and offerings during the summer through our new Online Giving option. Click the link above to go to the Online Giving page of our website and join us as we continue worshipping God through our generosity.
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2019-2020 Adult Christian Formation
Would you like to know more about what we, as Episcopalians, believe, and how we are formed to be followers of Jesus? Please join us on Sunday mornings beginning September 15 at 9:00am in the Resource Room as we spend a year walking through the Book of Common Prayer together and learning what shapes us. This is a perfect class for anyone who would is considering being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. This year's Confirmation and Reception will be the last one with Bishop Lee!
Registration is not required, but you should purchase the book to fully participate in the class. You can purchase Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices on Amazon.com.
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Serving this week:
8:00am Holy Eucharist
Lector: Tom Senesac
LEM: Kristy Petersen
Usher: John Huntoon
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Lectors: Mike Juskelis, Cyndie Knoll
LEMs: Debbi Huggett, Steven Russell
Acolytes: Kyle Dailor, Gale Michael, Rowan Moxley, Ruby Moxley
Ushers: Sam & Theresa Otoo
Greeters: Alison Deniston, Zayda Stewart
Oblation Bearer: Nancy Mulcahy
Coffee Hour: Pat Smith-Huntoon, Beth Blackburn
Altar Guild: Captain: Alison Deniston, Ginny McCollun, Joan Stevens, Margi Strombeck
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This week's Birthdays & Anniversaries
September 7: Matthew Turnquest
September 8: Greg Lawrence
September 9: David Freeborn
September 9: Nia Green
September 9: Maggie Oyster
September 9: Sarah Walter
September 12: Ginny Eysenbach
September 12: Marilyn Kromer
Heavenly Father, thanks to You we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for. Please bless those who are celebrating a birthday this week. May the next year bring them much joy and prosperity.
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Cottage Meeting Sign-up
Make sure your voice is heard!
There are four Cottage Meetings left! If you haven't already signed up or attended a cottage meeting please check out the list of dates and times on our website. You can also sign up to attend a meeting at https://www.mysje.org/capital-campaign.html or on the bulletin board in the narthex.
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Art in the
(New and Improved) Undercroft
The next Art in the Undercroft painting date is Sunday, September 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. Please join us for painting, laughter, and lots of fun! The cost is $40 per person and all materials will be provided.
The proceeds go to the Rectory Renovation, Part 2.
This project will be a very impressionistic still life with colorful flowers.
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LOBSTERFEST RETURNS
October 19, 2019
Yes, the rumors are true! The Episcopal Men of St. Barnabas are bringing back the popular fall fundraiser after a seven-year hiatus. Start planning your neighborhood lobster parties now! The joint Men's Group of St. John's in Flossmoor and the Church of the Holy Family in Park Forest will be selling 1-1/4-lbs lobsters, flown in fresh from New England, to benefit the general capital needs of each congregation. Look for flyers with more details soon. And/or contact your nearest Men's Group representative with questions. Lobsters, both 'live' and cooked, will be available to be picked up from the respective church kitchens on that Saturday afternoon. Stay tuned!
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The Bishop Search and Nomination Committee needs your help. The schedule of listening sessions were published this week and will take place during the month of August. Please make an effort to attend one of these sessions and share your experiences of both blessings and challenges in our Diocese. The information gathered during these listening sessions will be used to compile our Diocesan Profile.
September 5, 7 - 8:30 pm
Grace, New Lenox
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18 years ago our country was devastated by the events surrounding the 9/11 attack. In remembrance of the lives lost, or otherwise impacted, St. John's will be holding a Memorial Mass next Wednesday, September 11th at 7pm. Local Police and Fire Departments have been invited to attend. Please join us for a time of remembrance and reflection.
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Have you ever wondered, "What if church was like a dinner party?"
On Sunday evenings it is! You're invited to join us as we worship much like the early Church did, gathering as a community around the table, sharing a meal that we all help to prepare. Come see how God's Holy Spirit is moving in our own time and community.
**Cooler weather is thankfully upon us and we will be having a chili supper this Sunday, September 8th! If you are planning to attend, please let Tonya Eisenberg know so you can be added to the email distribution. We would love for you to join us!
St. John's Table is held every Sunday at 5:00 pm. Come join us and invite your friends.
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Collect for September 8th
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Parting Thoughts: Conversations about living after loss
Parting Thoughts is an invitation to a three part series of conversations with Certified Life Celebrant, Silvia Gale. These conversations are for those who have experienced the death of a beloved--be it a parent, spouse, partner, child, family member or friend, and who are committed to finding health and wholeness for their lives again.
There is no cost to attend but we will be taking donations to offset the cost of the facilitator's travel.
Please join us for the first workshop on
Saturday, September 14 from 9:00-12:00
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This Week's Lessons
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139: 1-5, 12-17
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
Go to lectionarypage.net to read this week's lessons.
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SWIFT FALL FORUM: "Love Thy Neighbor?" -- SUN., SEPT. 22 -- As members of the SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT), St. John's parishioners are encouraged to attend this compelling program laying out interfaith perspectives on immigration, the true definition of 'neighbor', and our related responsibilities to each other as people of faith.
The event will be held on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 22, from 3:00 pm to 6 pm, at St. Michael's Parish in Orland Park. (See the attached flyer.) Scheduled speakers include Liz Young of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Abdul Malik Ryan, the Muslim chaplain at DePaul University, and Jessica Schaeffer, executive director of the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) of Chicago.
Doors will open at 2:30 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item donation for Respond Now.
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