E-Newsletter for Sunday, August 19

Our parish e-newsletter for Sunday, August 19.

From the Rector

Dear <<First Name>>,

As we enter the second-half of August, the ministry life of our parish is gearing up, as can be seen by the long list of upcoming events just in the next month!

There are two things on that list that I want to be sure to draw your attention to. First, be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, September 9, when our program year officially kicks off. We'll return to our regular service times of 8:30am and 10:45am. At both of those services, we'll do our special "Blessing of the Backpacks" for all those returning to school. More information on that is below. And, of course, Faith Formation and Sunday School resume that Sunday at 9:30am. As many of you know, Sunday School isn't our only offering for families with children. I'd encourage you to download a brochure for our children's ministry at St. John's, or pick one up at the Parish Information Table. We know each family has different needs and the brochure lays out the variety of Sunday options open to your household.

The evening of September 9, Bethany and I are hosting a Fall Open House at our home here in Grand Haven. More information on that is also below in the "Upcoming Events" section, but you can also RSVP if you know you are coming through the Open House Evite page. And, of course, there's a sign-up sheet on the Parish Information Table for that Open House if you'd prefer to RSVP that way.

The rain which we needed throuhgout much of the summer has certainly been coming. As I sit in my office with the cool humid breeze blowing though the window, I can almost smell fall just around the corner. I look forward to seeing many of you as people return from vacations and time away. There is much good ministry to be done here and it's a joy sharing it with you.

Through Grace,

St. Francis Garden Bricks

Would you like to be a part of safeguarding the future of our parish campus? Consider purchasing one (or several!) bricks in the walkway of the St. Francis Prayer and Meditation Garden to have inscribed in someone's memory or honor. You can download a brochure with more information or you can pick one up from the Parish Information Table.

United Way

The Ottawa County United Way's Day of Caring will take place on Thursday, September 20. Various organizations and churches have volunteers who help on a half- or full-day project in the Tri-Cities that day. Some of these projects include painting, lawn work, and other tasks that benefit the needy and local charitable organizations. If you would like to volunteer, or form a team of St. John's volunteers, please call Dave Swain at 616-842-4480 (W) or 616-402-9666 (C).

Volunteer Greeters Needed

Each week, before the late service, we have a volunteer greeter who greets people at the door as they enter our worship space, paying special attention to welcoming any visitors or newcomers. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact the Parish Office.

Pictorial Directory

In April we asked if anyone had a correction for the new pictorial directory that came out this spring. The only correction we have received, so far, is the area code for Bethany Cramer’s phone number found on page 16. The correct phone number is 615-519-8481. If you have a correction or have not received your new directory, please contact the Parish Office.

Love INC

Love In the Name of Christ opened a second resale store on Robbins Road in Grand Haven this past week! We are in need of additional volunteers to assist customers, price merchandise, help arrange displays, run the cash register, etc. If you enjoy working in a retail environment or would like to give it a try, please contact Becky Tjapkes at 616-846-2701 for more information.

New Diocesan E-Newsletter

Our diocese has hired a new staff person for communication and with that is coming a new diocesan e-newsletter. If you’d like to sign up to receive this newsletter, please send a request to Karmel in the Diocesan Office.

Diocesan 2012 Mission Opportunities

The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan is still seeking people to participate in domestic mission trips in Kentucky and New Orleans later this year. Details are available on the parish information table. To volunteer or for more information, contact Terry Dorcy at tjdorcy@aol.com or 269-349-3625.

Journey to Bethlehem

On December 6, 7, & 8, area churches and Habitat for Humanity will offer people of West Michigan a step back in time to the Birth of Jesus! Duncan’s woods will be the place. There will be Roman Soldiers, a town square and finally the nativity. We need set builders, actors and lots of additional hands! Go to the website to sign up. We need lots of people for this amazing event. Is the Lord calling you? Join us if you can.

Covenant Class Registration

If you would like to go through our Deanery process to explore being Confirmed, Received, or Reaffirming Your Baptismal Vows this year, be sure to stop by the Parish Information Table. There are packets with a registration form and tentative schedule of the course. You can also download a packet and registration form, if you prefer. The registration form must be turned into the Parish Office no later than September 1. Possible candidates—particularly teenagers and parents—are welcome to a conversation about the process on Sunday, August 26, in the Guild Room following the late service

Help Feed the Hungry in our Community

Help Feed the Hungry in our CommunityYou have heard many times about the remarkable “Loving Spoonfuls” ministry of our parish that provides a healthy, hot meal for the hungry. We truly need your help. Since January of this year, Loving Spoonfuls has grown dramatically. We are now serving an average of 250 meals per month, a lunch every Sunday (1-2pm) and a dinner every Wednesday (5:30 – 6:30pm). This is a wonderful ministry both for you and your family! Every Sunday and Wednesday the meal will have already been planned, purchased, and the food will be waiting to be prepared. As always, there will be a kitchen Person-in-Charge always on the scene to help. Please sign up on the parish information table. Monetary donations are always welcome to help fund this program!

Connect with the Search for our 9th Bishop

The Search Team charged with nominating candidates for our next Bishop has created a website and Facebook page to facilitate communication throughout the diocese. The website, contains background information including the timeline for the search process and biographical information about the Search Team. The Facebook page, has short, timely updates about events and progress. If you are on Facebook, we request that you “like” the Facebook page. And please check the website, which will regularly have updated information regarding the status of the search process and how you can be involved.

Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain at St. John’s is a group of members who pray daily for the concern and well being of others. When prayers are requested for a person or situation the lead Prayer Chain member passes the request on to the other members of the group and prayers will continue daily until no longer needed. Please feel free to make use of this ministry at any time! The contact person for the Prayer Chain is Barbara Larson, 842-7575.

Harbor Hall

Love INC's new men's shelter, Harbor Hall, is in need of volunteer Resident Assistants. RA's have a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with the men living at Harbor Hall while ensuring that the residents follow their individual schedules. Most volunteers take one shift per week and meals are included while you volunteer. Weeknight shifts are 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Our big need right now is weekends with shifts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Please contact Becky at 616-846-2701 (or via e-mail) for more information about how you can make a difference in these men's lives.

St. John's Parish
524 Washington Ave
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: 616-842-6260
Fax: 616-743-5914
www.stjohnsepiscopal.com
•
Worship Times
Sundays, 8:30am
Sundays, 10:00am
Wednesdays, 12noon
Special Services Schedule
•
Parish Office Open
Mon.–Thur., 10am-2pm
The rector is also available
by appointment.
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Snow Policy
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We are a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, led by our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert.
www.edwm.org

Sunday, Aug. 19

Proper 15, Year B
8:30am • Holy Eucharist
9:55am • Prelude, Organ & Vocal - :Grand Partita in D Minor" Bernardo Pasquini
10:00am • Holy Eucharist
11:15am • Coffee Hour
1:00pm • Loving Spoonfuls
2:30pm • Benedictine Discernment Group

Readings
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58.

Food Pantry
Canned Fruit

8:30am Ministers
Ushers – Mark Kelley, John Gork; Vestry Greeter – Cinda Stark; Readers & Eucharistic Ministers – Ron Lindquist, Phyla Bramer; Altar Guild – Sara Hasbrouck, Lucy Welch, Greg Borgman; Communion Bread – Betty Wibert.

10:00am Ministers
Ushers – Dave Sanders, Robert Babcock; Vestry Greeter – Hazel Redman; Volunteer Greeter – Andrea Dickinson; Verger – Chuck Wibert; Readers – Elizabeth Clark, Andrew Dickinson; Eucharistic Ministers – Greg Borgman, Jane Freedberg; Crucifer – Josh Ryan; Interim Director of Music and Organist/Choirmaster – John G. Bryson; Soloist – Kathy McHenry; Altar Guild – Sara Hasbrouck, Lucy Welch, Greg Borgman; Communion Bread – Betty Wibert; Nursery – David & Nikki Theune; Coffee Hour – Scott & Michelle Walker.

Upcoming Events

Click here for our full Parish Google Calendar.

EVENING PRAYER: Everyone is welcome to our regularly monthly service of Evening Prayer, beginning at 6:40pm, in the Nave, on the third Monday of every month (right before the Vestry meeting). The next Evening Prayer will be Monday, August 20.

WORSHIP GATHERING: Join us on Tuesday, August 21, from 6pm-7:30pm, in the Guild Room, for the next "Worship Gathering." This is a casual time for thoughtful conversation about our worship life as a parish. Bring a snack and/or beverage to share as we talk about our parish's worship of God.

CONFIRMATION PREP MEETING: The registration form for the Confirmation class must be turned into the Parish Office no later than September 1. Possible candidates—particularly teenagers and parents—are welcome to a conversation about the process on Sunday, August 26, in the Guild Room following the late service.

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY: In observance of Labor Day, the Parish Office will closed on Monday, September 3. Our parish staff can always be reached by calling the Parish Office and following the prompts for their voice-mail, or for the Pastoral Emergency Page.

CHOIR PRACTICE RESUMES: Our parish choir resumes rehearsals on Wednesday, September 5, from 7:30-8:30pm in the Nave. New members are particularly welcome to join the choir's ministry leading our worship.

PROGRAM YEAR KICK-OFF!
Sunday, September 9

Service Time, Children's Ministry and FF Hour
Our regular service times, 8:30 and 10:45am, resume on Sunday, September 9. Faith Formation hour and Sunday School also resume that Sunday at 9:30am.

Blessing of the Backpacks That same day, we'll also celebrate our annual "Blessing of the Backpacks" at both services. Everyone returning back to school, whether child, college student, or adult, is welcome to bring their backpack or other sign of their work so that all may be blessed as we head into another school year!

Rector's Fall Open House That evening, Fr. Jared and Bethany are hosting an open house at their home (14915 Robinwood Ct) in Grand Haven. from 5:00pm-8:00pm Feel free to drop by anytime during the open house. They'll be providing a main course food, if you'd like to bring a snack, side, or beverage to share, that'd be welcome! So that they can get an accurate picture of how many are coming, please RSVP at the Evite page or on the Parish Information Table.

PRAYER SHAWL KNITTING GROUP: We meet on the second Tuesday of each month and will resume on Tuesday, September 11, at 1:00pm, in the Guild Room. We have a supply of shawls on hand and if you know of anyone who would benefit from a prayer shawl, please contact Ginny Guy or Barb Larson.

HOLY CROSS DAY: Our next celebration of a Feast of Our Lord is Friday, September 14. Join us that evening at 6:30pm for a service of Holy Eucharist with Hymns as we celebrate the exaltation of the holy cross of our Lord.

CALLING ALL WORSHIP MINISTERS: Our beginning of the year Fall Worship Minister Meetings will be on Sunday, September 16. All those serving in a ministry are asked to be there to discuss plans for the upcoming year. Opportunity will also be given to train new members to any of these ministries. Acolytes will meet immediately following the late service (their meeting is absolutely mandatory will include lunch). Eucharistic Ministers will be at 2:00pm. Readers will meet at 3:00pm.

PARISH VISION DISCERNMENT GATHERING: As a part of our parish's "Raising the Roof" vision discernment process, on Sunday, September 16, from 5:00pm-8:00pm, the Vestry and a "Wider Circle of Leaders" will gather in the Parish Hall for a potluck and conversation about who our parish has been historically and who we are being called to be in the future. Specific people in leadership roles have been invited to this event, but if you feel a strong desire to come and were not yet invited, feel free to come as well.

St. John's is a diverse Christian community following Jesus’ teaching through
liturgical worship, education and outreach.

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