Dear Friends,
As I reflect on the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, I wonder, “Am I a Mary, or am I a Martha?” I hope that I am a little bit of both, because both exemplify good and healthy faith. Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him, learning from him, and worshipping him, reminds us that we need those times of contemplation, of worship, of basking in the presence of God. These times of quiet reflection reenergize us and are necessary for a healthy and mature faith. But remember what James says in his epistle, that faith without works is a dead faith. We build relationship with God in these times of quiet so that we can be challenged to put our faith into action. Martha, the dutiful sister, the one preparing the meal, feeding the people, cleaning the house, doing all the work that is necessary in a healthy ministry, reminds us that our faith requires action. Our mission, here at St. John’s, is to form disciples, to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. In Mary we see a disciple being formed, building relationship with God through Jesus. In Martha we see a disciple who is being the hands, feet and heart of Jesus, as she feeds those who are hungry and loving them with radical hospitality. We will soon be marking our first year here at St. John’s. As we continue living into this collaborative ministry together, I challenge each of us to consider how St. John’s is forming us to be disciples of Jesus in this trying world. But don’t stop there. How is our faith being put into action? How are we being the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to those around us?
Faithfully,
Fr. Jeremy
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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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Adult Christian Formation
Our exploration of the Spirituality of the Twelve Steps will continue Thursday, July 25th th at 7:00pm in the Resource Room. This study is based on Richard Rohr's book, Breathing Underwater. You can purchase the book on Amazon by clicking here.
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Calling all teens, tweens, and young folks!
St. John's will be hosting a Youth night on Friday, August 9th at 7:00pm in the Youth Room. Please join us for a time of fellowship as we enjoy pizza and other refreshments as well as a movie (movie TBA).
Any questions? Contact
Rev. Mike Bond at deaconmikebond@comcast.net
We hope to see you there and feel free to bring your friends!
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Serving this week:
8:00am Holy Eucharist
Lector: Kristy Petersen
LEM: M. J. Bond
Usher: Warren Becker
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Lectors: Sue O'Brien, Chris Pfeifer
LEMs: Steven Russell, Debbi Huggett
Acolytes: Kyle Dailor, Abbey Sutherland,
Ushers: John Huntoon, Stewart Scott
Greeters: Greg Lawrence, Zayda Stewart
Oblation Bearer: Mike Juskelis
Coffee Hour: Donna Blackburn, Ann Glascoff, Gale Michael
Altar Guild: Captain: Donna Blackburn, Janice Hickman, Kristy Petersen, Candice Barerra
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Cottage Meetings are Coming
The first phase of our Capital Campaign will begin in just a few weeks. Please mark your calendar to be in Church on Sunday, August 4 for our Kick-Off Sunday! On that day we will begin signing up to attend Cottage Meetings and our consultant, Linda Buskirk from the Episcopal Church Foundation, will be here to share with us and to answer any questions during a forum following both services. We will need everyone's input during this Discernment Phase as we begin to envision our future ministry as a Parish community, so please plan to join us for Kick-Off Sunday and to attend a Cottage Meeting.
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If you would like to learn more about our Capitol Campaign we encourage you to check
out https://www.mysje.org/capital-campaign.html. We will be posting updates about Cottage Meeting locations and other important information in the near future.
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Collect for July 21st
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son 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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Birthdays and Anniversaries this Week
July 20: Oliver Zigmund
July 21: Elaine Chisholm
July 24: Sarah Lawrence
July 24: Rodella Morgan-Knazze
July 25: Bill Sole
Happiest of Birthdays to you all. May God give you the strength and wisdom to smoothly surmount all the challenges life brings you. Stay blessed and enjoy your day to the fullest.
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Sarra's Reflections
Dear friends, this verse has been weighing on my heart this week. Why is it so easy for people to find fault in others? Easy to point out flaws, shortcomings, and differences.
Nowadays, because of the internet, it’s even easier to voice those opinions to a large audience. Hateful tweets and posts spread like wildfire, consuming readers’ hearts and minds in the process.
Further down in Ephesians Chapter 4 it says “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”.
It is my sincere prayer that we, as Christian individuals, strive to fill our minds with thanksgiving and our mouths with words encouragement for others.
Be kind to one another.
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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.
August 3, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
St. Gregory's, Deerfield
August 3, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Emmanuel, Rockford
August 8, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Ascension, Chicago
August 10, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
St. Edmund's, Chicago
August 10, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
St. Paul's, Peoria
August 18, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
St. Mark's, Glen Ellyn
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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.
St. John's Table is held every Sunday at 5:00 pm. Come join us and invite your friends.
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As many of you know our Music Director, Michael Soto, will soon be moving on to life's next great adventure. Please join us for cake and refreshments following the 10:00 am service on Sunday, July 28th as we say farewell and good luck to Michael.
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Save the Date!
The next Art in the Undercroft painting date is from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 29. Please reserve the date and join us for painting and lots of fun! All are welcome! The cost is $40 and proceeds go to the Rectory Renovation, Part 2.
This project will be a very impressionistic still life with colorful flowers.
If you haven’t attended previously, you may not know that this is how we start Art and Whine: (In our whiniest voices) I can’t draw a straight line. Fortunately we don’t work with straight lines!
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The St. John's website got an exciting, and long overdue, update! We're also in the process of transitioning emails.
You can reach Sarra in the office at:
office@mysje.org
or
Fr. Jeremy at:
Frjeremy@mysje.org
Check out our new website at https://www.mysje.org/
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This Week's Lessons
Amos 8:1-12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
Go to lectionarypage.net to read this week's lessons.
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The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual summer picnic on Sunday, July 28, 1pm-5pm on the church grounds of Peace Memorial United Church of Christ, 10300 W 131st St, Palos Park.
Cost to attend is absolutely free but please bring a side dish or a dessert if you can. There will be lots of food as well as a clown, bounce house, piñata, and games for the kids and of course plenty of opportunities for great conversations with our Jewish, Muslim, and Christian neighbors.
If you are interested in attending please speak to Rob McManamy (robmac0613@yahoo.com) or Bryan Burke (bryanburke93@gmail.com) as soon as possible so we can rough headcount. Also, if you need service hours for school and can help us to set up or clean up, please let us know, we always appreciate the help!
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Knit once - Pray twice
The Knitting group is providing a couple scarves-in-process if you feel you want something to do with your hands during mass.
The knitting bowl will be at the back of the church.
As you knit we encourage you to pray for the person who will receive the scarf.
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