A message from The pastor St. John Journey september 2012 The Gospel lessons for autumn, September through October, are from Mark's Gospel, chapters 7 through 10. In these lessons Jesus begins to reach out into the neighboring peoples, rather than just the Jewish community. The Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus begging for her daughter to be cured. Jesus at first sees the woman as a foreigner and as a woman who is asking the impos- sible. But her faith wins the day, and Jesus shares with this woman the gift of healing for her daughter. We move to the story of the healing of the blind man, and as Mark turns our hearts and minds to the Cross, we find the disciples, the very followers of Jesus, are blind to the actual teachings of Jesus. As they walk with Jesus, they begin to question who is this man called Jesus. Is He the Messiah? I sit here reminded of the words found in the great hymn “Amazing Grace:” Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was blind But now I see. We have been freed by a wonderful gift. We have been saved by this amazing grace. Now we can see, no longer blind, but eyes open to the world. But more importantly, eyes open to the endless possibilities through Christ, our Messiah. We carry our cares, concerns, joys, and sorrows and see that through it all, Christ is with us. Pastor Scott 50th Anniversary Worship and Celebration On Sunday September 30th we welcome back to St. John, Kate Proctor Costa. Kate is a daughter of the congregation and is currently in her first Call in Culpeper, Va. We will Worship at 10:00 AM and enjoy lunch immediately following Worship. All Charter Members will be recognized on this special day.
Transcript
A message from The pastor
St. John Journey
september 2012
The Gospel lessons for autumn, September through October, are from Mark's Gospel, chapters 7 through 10. In these lessons Jesus begins to reach out into the neighboring peoples, rather than just the Jewish community. The Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus begging for her daughter to be cured. Jesus at first sees the woman as a foreigner and as a woman who is asking the impos-sible. But her faith wins the day, and Jesus shares with this woman the gift of healing for her daughter. We move to the story of the healing of the blind man, and as Mark turns our hearts and minds to the Cross, we find the disciples, the very followers of Jesus, are blind to the actual teachings of Jesus. As they walk with Jesus, they begin to question who is this man called Jesus. Is He the Messiah?
I sit here reminded of the words found in the great hymn “Amazing Grace:”
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was blind
But now I see.
We have been freed by a wonderful gift. We have been saved by this amazing grace. Now we can see, no longer blind, but eyes open to the world. But more importantly, eyes open to the endless possibilities through Christ, our Messiah. We carry our cares, concerns, joys, and sorrows and see that through it all, Christ is with us.
Pastor Scott
50th Anniversary Worship and Celebration
On Sunday September 30th we welcome back to St. John, Kate Proctor Costa. Kate is a daughter of the congregation and is currently in her first Call in Culpeper, Va. We will Worship at 10:00 AM and enjoy lunch immediately following Worship. All Charter Members will be recognized on this special day.
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Visitors from Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Southern Pines, NC
On Saturday and Sunday, September 8th and 9th, St. John will be hosting a group of approximately 22 people
from Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Southern Pines, NC. They will be here to see “David” at the Barter Theatre
on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, September 8th at 5:30 PM we will be providing dinner for our
guests. Please make your plans now to attend this time of fellowship with folks from another congregation. Host
families are needed for overnight accommodations for one couple and three women. The meal will be Lasagna
and salad. Sign up sheets to assist with this are on the bulletin board. Please make your plans to be here Sat. Sep-
tember 8th. The group will worship with us on Sunday morning at the 8:30 AM Service.
On Saturday, September 22nd the Washington County Sheriff’s Dept. will conduct a child safety seat check/bicycle check in the parking lot at St. John. In an effort to reach out to the community, the Evangelism committee will plan and coordinate the event. We plan to provide hog dogs, chips, cookies and juice for those participating. Adult and child flu vaccine will also be offered by the Washington County Health Depart-ment. The Evangelism Committee is asking the congregation to volunteer to help make this a successful event. Please volunteer by signing up on the insert in the bulletin on Sundays Sep-tember 2nd and September 9th, or by contacting Pastor Scott, Joel Rosen, or another member of the Evangelism committee.
Congregational Meeting September 23
There will be a congregational meeting at 10:00AM on Sunday September 23rd, for the purpose of electing
church council members to begin serving in January of 2013. Anyone who is interesting in serving on church
council is asked to please contact Joel Rosen.
Jr./Sr. High Youth Group and Confirmation Class
The first meeting of the Jr./Sr. High Youth Group will be Sunday September 9th at 5:00 PM. We will meet in the
Fellowship Hall. Make your plans now to get started from the very beginning with the youth group. We will be
talking about plans for the Fall and other meetings. We will end with an Ice Cream Social, make your own Sun-
dae.
Seventh Graders are asked to come at 4:00 PM on Sunday September 9th . This will be the beginning of our Con-
firmation Year. We will meet every other Sunday before Youth Group Meeting. We will begin Confirmation
Seminar on Sunday September 16th during the Sunday School hour, this group is the 9th graders who will be con-
firmed on Oct. 28. We will begin at 10:00 AM, meeting in the Church Library. Parents of these students place
the date Oct. 28th in your calendar as Confirmation Sunday.
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The St. John Quilters have enjoyed a nice summer off from organized quilting. Regular quilting ses-sions resume on Tuesday, September 11th at 9:30AM. All ladies are invited to join in the fun, fel-lowship, and refreshments—no sewing experience is necessary!
Monday Evening and Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study Monday Evening Bible/Book Study begins September 10 at 7:00 PM. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall or Narthex depending upon availability of space. Pastor Scott will be leading a Book Study on the book by Wm. Paul Young, The Shack. Please make your plans now to attend this book study. Participants are asked to read the Forward and Chapter 1 in preparation for the first discussion.
Tuesday afternoon Bible Study continues to meet every other Tuesday. We will meet on Tuesday September 11th and Tuesday September 25th at 1PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a bag lunch and a drink and join us for a time of fellowship during the noon hour. At this time we are studying the books of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John.
NOISY OFFERING, SUNDAY September 30th
Start saving all your loose change to put in our Noisy Offering on Sunday September 30th.
All money collected will benefit EFiA. Paper money and checks also cheerfully accepted!
St. John Choirs
St. John’s 8:30 Musicians will continue to rehearse at
6:30PM and the Vocal Choir at 7:00PM on Wednesdays.
The 11:00 Choir will begin fall rehearsals at 7:00PM on Tuesday, September 4th.
All interested singers are welcome—no experience (or ability to read music) is required—just come and
make a joyful noise unto the Lord!!
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Garden News
The black eyed susans are past their prime and the fall mums are getting ready to burst forth in color. The
rose bush given to the church for our anniversary by Farris Funeral Service is producing big red blossoms
near the outside entrance to the fellowship hall.
Thanks to all the people pitching in to help out with the work. I will try to do the fertilizing, insect control,
and watering around the building but if you have some suggestions or advice, it is always welcome. All the
other work is there for the first person that gets to it. If you have questions, please call but I am at work 8 -5
weekdays. (home 628-5533, cell 608-8060). Don’t feel bad about not helping out. I live in an apartment
so these gardens give me an excuse to get outside and get dirty.
I have requested another load of wood chips for the forsythia banks. The last one did get spread on the north
side of the lower parking lots. But the Hillman highway side and the corner needs more.
Have a wonderful September.
Edie Hiltebeitel
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St. John’s Financial Summary
St. John has been blessed with a small surplus for the last four months. However, we are planning to hire Mu-
sic Leader(s) for the 8:30 and 11:00 services in September, which will increase our expenses for the remainder
of the year. Please continue to give generously!
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All Lutheran Women’s Retreat in Williamsburg, VA
Deadline to register is September 19th.
All pertinent information is below—a hard
copy of the brochure may be picked up in
the church office.
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September Stewardship
Lectionary Readings for the Month
Sept. 2
Deuteronomy 4:1-2,
6-9
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8,14-
15,21-23
Sept. 16 Isaiah 50:4-9a
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
Sept. 23 Jeremiah 11:18-20
James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please make arrangements with another
St. John Journey
Sept. 30 Numbers 11:4-6,10-
16,24-29
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
Sept. 9
Isaiah 35:4-7a
James 2:1-17
Mark 7:24-37
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Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30
Assistant
Minister Joel Rosen Charles Sansing Ray Whitner Ray Whitner no
Lector Steve Kluttz Charlie Garnett Dave Morris Joel Rosen 8:30
Usher Christine
Fields Christine Fields Bob Wolfe Cheryl Carrico Worship
Altar Guild Carole Ann
Rosen Louise Sansing Jean Harley Dianne Suhrbier today
8:30AM service
11:00AM service
Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30
Assistant
Minister Sandye Sollien Sid Vaught Joan Shaver Ken Croghan
Beth
Hiltebeitel
Lector Linda Brumleve Beth Hiltebeitel Ann Findley Richard Brumleve Bill Spencer
Acolyte Chris Dixon William Gifford Julie Kroll Chris Dixon Henry Davis
Reception Edie Hiltebeitel The Meachams The Bonhams Linda Brumleve 50th Anniv.
Counters Dave Henninger
Jim Kroll
Dave Henninger
Dianne Fiebrink
Gary Halverson
Mark Fiebrink
Mark Fiebrink
Dianne Fiebrink
Dave
Henninger
David
Bonham
Ushers The Spencers The Keens The Meachams The Honakers The Krolls
Altar Guild Rana Daston Edie Hiltebeitel Carol Halverson Betsy Bonham Helen
Findley
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EFiA Board Representative Needed Dear Members of St. John,
We need a representative on the Ecumenical Faith in Action (EFiA) Board. Charles Sansing has
served in that capacity for six years (two terms) and must now leave the Board.
The Board meets the third Monday of each month at 7:00PM, except for December, when there is no
meeting. Meetings are held in the Fellowship Hall at St. John.
St. John has had a strong partnership with EFiA since its inception. Please prayerfully consider taking
on this role. Let Charles Sansing or Joel Rosen know if you area willing to serve in this position. EFiA ap-
points new Board members in November to start in January 2013.
Thank you.
Charles Sansing
And God Said What?
Coming to St. Thomas Episcopal Church Saturday, September 29, 2012, 9:00AM-4:00PM
One-day workshop on the Bible—Understanding God’s Word through recognition of literary forms
With Dr. Margaret Nutting Ralph
Faculty Member of Lexington Theological Seminary (Kentucky) and Author of
And God Said What?
+Cost of the workshop is being underwritten by the Upper Room (a local ecumenical women’s Bible Study group).
+The catered lunch will cost $20, payable in advance.
+A love offering will be collected for a donation to “Nets for Life” (project to provide mosquito nets to Afri-can villages endangered by malaria.
+Registration is required (by mail or email):
Name: Telephone:
Address: Email:
(Make $20 check payable to St. Thomas, earmarked for Sept. 29 workshop lunch).
St. Thomas Church, 124 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210—- [email protected]
St. John Women’s Book Group
We will be "kicking off" this year’s book group by reading "ANGEL" by Mary E. Kingsley. Mary is a Kingsport
native and long time friend of Kelly Read. She currently resides in Washington DC and has published her first
novel! Set in east Tennessee in the 1970's "ANGEL" is the poignant, suspenseful, and surprising narrative of a
young girl's longing and struggle for the truth of her family's past. Mary will be joining
us for an author chat and signing on Thursday, September 27th at 6:30pm at the Mary
Connelly Penn House located across from the Tavern at 227 E. Main Street. You can
find her book on Amazon.com or download to your kindle!! HAPPY READING!!!!!
(Everyone bring a light appetizer to share & BYOW. Tea & Coffee will be provided!)
We are a community of believers, gathered by the Spirit, washed in Baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, nourished by Word and Sacrament, called to respond to God's gifts of grace, and set apart as disciples of Jesus Christ for a life of learning, witness, and service.
