News & Notes 4/10/08
Hello St. John’s Church Family,
It’s great to be back at work again. I had a wonderful weekend as one of the leaders of a “Walk to Emmaus” weekend - and I thank this congregation for the flexibility that allows me to serve in this capacity every few years. I commend these weekends to you, and would love to talk with you about attending one if you are interested! They are wonderful instruments God has used to bless many!
I’ve heard many affirming comments about the Cluster Choir Festival last Sunday afternoon. In case you weren’t there, there were 137 vocalists - and I think about 20 dancers - who took part. I’ve heard from three or four different clergy in the Cluster about how they appreciated the hospitality that St. John’s Church extended. That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you, to all who created that spirit.
The Youth are gearing up for an enjoyable evening of Karaoke - undergirded by “Death by Chocolate!!” It happens this Saturday, beginning at 6:30 PM. If you don’t already have your tickets, it’ll cost $7.50 for adults, $4 for 5-11 year old children (children under five are free) — but if anyone contacts Brenda by noon on Saturday, you can still get the advance sale price of $6/$3. They were charging more at the door to encourage people to buy early to help plan for food quantities, so if you either call her (343-4424) or e-mail her (Godcayers4uandme [at] yahoo [dot] com). Add a little extra flare to the night by coming dressed as your favorite famous singer!! But come even if you don’t want to be in costume - for the dessert and the singing. This is a fundraiser for the youth to carry out some of their programming.
Sunday morning we’ll be celebrating Communion (we’re a week later than normal because I was away last weekend). As is our custom on Communion Sunday, special offering envelopes for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund will be in the bulletin. At the moment, even though our fund has been called upon quite a bit recently, the balance in the Discretionary Fund is about $650. Your faithfulness has kept this fund balance up!
Our next “Second Sunday Concert” will take place this Sunday afternoon, at 3:30 PM. Rabbi Larry Karol, from Temple Israel in Dover, will present the concert. Larry has written and recorded quite a bit of his own music - mostly relating to his Jewish faith. Much of that we hold in common with him. It should be a terrific afternoon. There’s no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be received. Hope to see you there.
Mike Capern shared this with me, and I want to pass it along to you: Climate change is an urgent issue that needs our action now - not 5 years from now. People around the world are helping to raise awareness, by keeping the issues on the front burner. I’m asking you to join us. If leaders in business and government are going to make it a priority to stop climate change, we need to speak up that we support action now. That’s why I’m asking you to add your voice today: http://wecansolveit.org/alliance
Throughout April, in anticipation of World Malaria Day on April 25, webconnected humanitarians can play a new interactive game at www.nothingbutnets.net, learning about net distribution and virtually delivering as many nets as possible before the sun goes down. Each time someone plays the game, a generous sponsor will donate $10 for a lifesaving insecticide-treated bed net.
Remember how much fun we had at Friendly’s Restaurant last year - for the fund raiser? Our Finance Committee has arranged for another evening just like it. If you like to go out to eat from time to time, and if you’d be apt to plan such an outing in early May, put May 7th, between 5 and 7 PM on your calendar - to come to the Friendly’s Ice Cream on Central Avenue in Dover. St. John’s Church will receive a percentage of all the sales (St. John’s people as well as others who come to eat) that the restaurant receives.
Looking ahead, we host our next Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, April 18th. I’m sure Jinny would love to have her “usual” donations of food-stuffs - and help - but the main thing is for blood donors.
And on April 19th, there are Cluster-sponsored workshops at the Eliot UMC, for our Finance Committee (how to do church audits), Walker Heritage Trust Committee (”How to Set Up a Wills and Legacies” Program), and Staff/Parish Relations Committee (how to work the pastoral evaluation instrument). I mention this as a reminder to the members of these three committees - but also to lift up for our whole congregation the hard work and extra effort that committee members offer to do the best ministry they can . . . and by extension, the best ministry that St. John’s Church can!
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, ‘If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?’ A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, ‘I think I’d throw up.’
Finally, someone sent me this link to Youtube, that I think is just amazing. You’ll enjoy it, I’m sure. http://donaldryan.net/2008/03/19/the-lords-prayer/
Have a great day. I look forward to seeing you in church!
Peace, Mark