News & Notes 8/26/2010
Dear St. John’s Church Family,
My “plate” is pretty full today, so this issue of “News & Notes” will be short ‘n sweet.
Brenda Borchers mentioned to me that she will post the registration form for Youth Groups on our church’s website (www.stjohnsdover.org) tonight. Check it out, if you need to register, or need your youth to register.
I would also mention that this is true for the Sunday School as well. Go the “Ministries” - then to “Education” - then to “Registration Form.” We will begin receiving registration this Sunday both before and after worship.
There are still quite a number of places still to be “claimed” in the clean-up of the Sunday School rooms. Please check the sheet out on the rolling bulletin board in Hartford Hall soon.
No one has signed up for Coffee Fellowship again this week? Can you do it? Or probably more importantly, will you do it? Give MaryAnne MacKenzie a call and let her know.
One of my wife, Wendy’s favorite uncles passed away this week. His funeral will be in Burlington, VT. on Sunday, which means we will be away when our congregation gathers for worship. Todd Warfield has agreed to fill in at this late time. My thanks to Todd, and to my whole church family for affording me flexibility like this.
A special offering will be received this Sunday - by Rita Murphy and other crew members for the Dover Friendly Kitchen. They are seeking our support to purchase the food that they prepare for the meals that we offer to our neighbors. The next time we will serve the Friendly Kitchen is in September, and our coffers are pretty low at the moment. Please be as generous as you can. The folks will stand, holding soup pots, in the narthex after worship this Sunday.
The Lay Leadership Committee was scheduled to meet in Sunday evening. As I will not be home by then, I’m rescheduling the meeting until Monday evening at 7 PM. I’m sorry that some of the Committee will not be able to attend then, but we simply need to keep plugging along to get our work done. I hope you’ll understand.
Our Elevator is up and running! We passed inspection, and got the go-ahead to use it! Praise God! The Trustees will be working on details about keys to the elevator, etc. Instructions will be posted - ’cause it doesn’t run exactly like the elevators in hotels, etc. But it’s great to have, and a great way to make sure that people with physical conditions prohibiting climbing stairs will be included in everything the church has to offer.
I share the sad news that a member of St. John’s Church, Frances Browne, went to be with the Lord late yesterday afternoon. Fran is Lois Smith’s sister-in-law. She was diagnosed late last year with pancreatic cancer, and she put up a valiant, faithful battle. Please keep her husband, Russell, and all their family in your prayers. I don’t know the details of the funeral at this time.
We heard this great news from Claire Bloom today, about her husband, Keith Launchbury: We have GREAT news! Keith is being discharged, and we are coming home on August 30th! No visitors please for the first few days while we
adjust to new living arrangements! We will put notice out when we are
ready for visitors!
Then there was the time the preacher’s 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.. ‘Well, Honey,’ he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. ‘I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.’ ‘So, how come He doesn’t?’ she asked.
Ouch!! I think that’s all the news I have - and I know it’s all the time that I have! I won’t see you in church this Sunday, but look forward to seeing you soon! Peace, Mark