Other news
Check out our children's, youth and basketball pages for other announcements!
Advent season is almost here
As the Advent Season approaches, you are invited to make a donation for poinsettias in honor or memory of a loved one. Please send the information below along with your donation to the church office by Dec. 5.
- Your Name:
- In Honor/Memory of:
- Donation amount:
Christmas for the troops!
St. John’s is collecting Christmas stocking stuffers for the troops in Afghanistan. Major Herb Franklin, Jr. is the chaplain for the Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright, Arkansas. Five thousand soldiers of the Arctic Wolves have just completed the first six months of their 12-month deployment in Afghanistan.
Chaplain Franklin states that since the soldiers are living out of their duffle bags, they would appreciate some of the items below. Because shipping regulations require that every container be clearly marked with full description of each item, we will not be making up individual stockings. Instead we will ship boxes containing each of these separate items.
Financial contributions to help defray the cost of shipping will also be appreciated. Personal notes and cards and even drawings from children will be gladly accepted for shipping with the packages. The deadline for receiving the items for shipping will be on Sunday, November 27th. Please place your items in the church parlor or bring them by the church office. Thank you for helping with this great endeavor to show our support and concern for the troops.
FOOD ITEMS:
- No pork and nothing that will melt.
- Beef Jerky
- Tea, coffee, powered drinks, Gatorade
- Spices (Salt, Pepper, Tabasco, Seasoned Salt, Sugar and Creamers)
- Gum, Lifesavers, Hard Candy
- Chips
- Trail Mix
- Cracker, Cookies, Power
- Bars, Granola Bars
- Cereal
- Dried Fruit
- Microwavable Popcorn
- Nuts
- Soups
- Instant Oatmeal
- Rice Krispie treats
- Sunflower seeds
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:
- Games and Puzzles (Handheld)
- Magazines: Sports, Fishing and Hunting
- Playing Cards/Dice/Hacky-Sacs/Dominoes
- Writing Paper, Envelopes, Pens
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS:
- Baby Powder, Foot Powder
- Lip Balm/Chap Stick
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste, Toothbrushes
Announcing! “St John’s After School Program”
Our own St. John’s Child Development Center is now offering after school pick-up for children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Ms. Sharon Gay is the supervisor of this new program and she, along with a loving and dedicated staff will lead various activities such as arts and crafts, Bible lessons, help with homework, gym and playground time, snacks and computer/T.V. time.
If you are interested please call Brenda Strickland or Susan Brown at 224-2837.
Family Promise Update
Friends of Families Club 300 has been established to encourage individuals or families to support Family Promise in it’s mission. Why “300”? Because $300 times 365 (days in the year) equals $109,000—the approximate cost of the operation of Family Promise each year. Family Promise is asking that individuals, families, church groups and fraternal organizations please consider becoming members of Club 300 by making a three year commitment of $300 per year. Needless to say any and all donations are gratefully received as we continue this important mission to newly homeless families.
Our volunteers have been preparing for our Family Promise guests who will be with us on November 27th. We will need help in hosting families in the areas of overnight hosts and meal providers. If you would like to get involved please contact Ralph Melbourne through the church office.
Second Century Campaign
“I will establish your descendents forever, and build your throne for all generations.” Psalm 89:4
As a gentle reminder — We are preparing to celebrate one hundred years in our sanctuary. We are well on our way to meeting the needs out-lined in our Second Century Campaign. We hope to repair our Bell Tower, renovate our Sanctuary and replace the aging roof of our Family Activities Center (Gym). We will raise $1 million to pay for these and related repairs to our campus.
Already we are ready to begin repairs to the Family Activities Building.
Pledged and given—$251,170; our goal is $1 million.
Charge Conference Wednesday
Nov. 30, 2011 - immediately following Wonderful Wednesday Fellowship, our District Superintendent Rev. Susan P. Leonard-Ray will lead us in our Annual Charge Conference in the Fellowship Hall. If you are unable join us for our Fellowship meal, the Charge Conference will begin at 6 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Hospitalization
Is someone in the hospital we should know about? Due to the privacy laws we may not be aware if you, a family member, or a fellow church member is in the hospital unless YOU let us know. So, please call and help us keep our hospital list updated. We will honor your right to privacy if that is your wish. Call the church office at 224-6563.
Do You play an instrument?
Interested in being in a praise band? If so, please contact Maren Reaves at marenreaves@gmail.com.
Clothes Closet Is Serving More People
The second quarter (April—June) statistics show that 1,507 people were served. Nearly 4,000 articles of clothing were distributed, compared to 2235 in the first quarter. The ministry continues to grow each month! Donations of School Clothes are needed from size 4 through teen sizes. Children who are comfortable in the clothes and shoes they wear become far less self conscious and are better prepared to learn. Let’s help them out. Sheets and towels are also needed!
Volunteers are needed! We need to add to our list of substitutes to fill in when someone is ill or unable to come. Team leaders are needed for the fourth Wednesday of each month. Needless to say the Galloways will assist all new volunteers until a comfort level is reached in the new role. Come along and visit on a Wednesday and give it a try! Many thanks to all volunteers, donors, church staff and the community. What a great ministry and mission!
Fifth Saturday Hymn Sings!
When is the last time you were able to be part of a good old fashioned Hymn-Sing? It is a simple idea. We gather some choirs or smaller musical groups, we invite our area congregations to gather, and we sing our praise and thanks to God! The remaining dates of these Singings are:
March 31, 2012, at 6:30 p.m.
June 30, 2012, at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, 2012, at 6:30pm