Announcements for October 31

• All Saints Prayers for the Faithful Departed
  On Wednesday, November 3, at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist we will offer special prayers for all of the faithful departed, particularly those who have died within the last year. If you would like to have anyone remembered in these prayers, you may pass along their name(s) by: placing a note in the offering plate this Sunday, calling the parish office, or sending an e-mail to sje2640@gmail.com.
  
  
• Final Week for ‘Brother Al’ Lobsterfest!
  All orders must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3, either in the Church office or in Rob McManamy's e-mail box, for us to book the proper number of seats on next Friday's Delta Airlines flight from Boston to O'Hare. Upon arrival, the crustacean cargo will be transported to our church kitchen, where they will be iced down and available for pick-up from Noon to 6 pm next Saturday in the undercroft. So, if you haven't done so yet, please help us honor the memory of beloved Brother Al Kromer by supporting this fundraiser for his favorite charity, Children's Oncology Services of Illinois, as well as for Episcopal Relief & Development, South Suburban PADS and the Rich Township Food Pantry.
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory next Sunday, November 7
  Everyone is invited to the annual All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory Sunday afternoon, November 7, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Parishioners and guests of all ages are welcome.
  
  
• Holiday Cookie Walk
  With all the warm weather we’ve had this fall, it is hard to believe that it is nearly time for our thirteenth annual Cookie Walk. You know what that means! We’ll be calling soon to ask you to bake your festive cookies or make candies. Please say “Yes.”
  
  
• Fall Landscape Work Day
  Mark your calendars for the fall landscape work day, Saturday morning, November 13.
  
  
• Daylight Saving Time Ends Next Weekend
  Daylight Saving Time ends next Sunday morning, November 7. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.

Reflection for October 31

Reflections on Giving from the Vestry

Giving feeds the soul; it keeps our perspective heavenward. It is the perfect antidote to the consumerism and materialism that constantly threaten to distance us from God –Tracie Moxley

The people are The Church; I value being part of The Church, a worship community, the body of Christ, committed to a way of life that is open and receptive to being part of God’s redeeming work in the world. We gather regularly to listen to God’s word, share bread and wine, coffee and conversation. When we leave our sacred space, strengthened, we are better prepared to be God’s faithful servants in the world. I generously support the Church because I need to be part of this faith community; I need to participate in the regular worship services and learning opportunities so I may take the peace and love I experience in community out into the world to share with others. –Mary Jean Bond

Announcements for October 24

• Annual Pledge Campaign
  It is that time of year when we are all called to consider that portion of our overall personal stewardship that is the annual financial pledge to sustain the mission and ministry of St. John’s. Information and pledge cards will be mailed soon.
  
  
• Brotherhood of St. Andrew Meeting
  The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will meet this Sunday in the undercroft after the 10:00 a.m. service to discuss details of the upcoming Brother Al Kromer Memorial Lobsterfest set for November 6.
  
  
• You’re Invited to Murder at the Library, Saturday, October 30
  You’re invited to Murder at the Library, an interactive murder mystery play featuring St. John’s members Mary and R.J. VanSwol. This program, coordinated by the Park Forest Public Library and Village of Park Forest, is Saturday, October 30 at 2 pm at Dining on the Green, 349 Main St., Park Forest. Registration is being taken at the Park Forest Public Library and the Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department and costs $5 per person. For more details, see Mary VanSwol or call the library at 708-748-3731.
  
  
• Holiday Cookie Walk
  With all the warm weather we’ve had this fall, it is hard to believe that it is nearly time for our thirteenth annual Cookie Walk. You know what that means! We’ll be calling soon to ask you to bake your festive cookies or make candies. Please say “Yes.”
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory November 7
  Everyone is invited to the annual All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory Sunday afternoon, November 7, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• Fall Landscape Work Day
  Mark your calendars for the fall landscape work day, Saturday morning, November 13.

Reflection for October 24

Reflections on Giving from the Vestry

Stewardship time is a time for reflecting on the gifts that God has given me: my health, friends and family, and especially my church and church family. God has blessed me so much: how can I not give generously? –Donna Blackburn, Senior Warden

Your generosity today honors the legacy of those who gave before... sustains the ministries upon which so many now rely... and helps ensure that St. John’s will still be here to meet the spiritual needs of future generations. If our church means as much to you as it does to my family, then I pray that you will be able to give to that which already gives so much to all of us. –Rob McManamy

Announcements for October 17

• Vestry Meeting
  The October meeting of the vestry is this Monday, October 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Little Hands Meets Sunday Afternoon
  All grade school-aged children are invited to this year’s first meeting of the Little Hands Ministry at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, in the undercroft. (Older or younger children who are interested are also welcome.) We will make “official” Little Hands tee shirts and discuss outreach projects for this year. Little Hands is an opportunity for children to participate in a ministry of service.
  
  
• Next Daughters of the King Meeting is October 16
  St. John’s chapter of Daughters of the King will meet Saturday, October 16, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (starting with a light breakfast). We’ve started a new study from the national office, reflections that undoubtedly will encourage discussion as well as our commitment to prayer. Please join us in the Guild Room. All women of the parish are welcome.
  
  
• Christian Book Club Meets Thursday, October 21
  The new Christian Book Club meets at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, October 21, in the Guild Room. For more information about this group, contact Steven Russell.
  
  
• Lobsterfest is Coming November 6
  The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s fall lobster sale fundraiser is coming soon. This year’s Lobsterfest is in memory of active Brotherhood member Alan Kromer. Look for flyers around the church. Help spread the word and order your own lobsters today!
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory November 7
  Everyone is invited to the annual All Saints’ Open House at the Rectory Sunday afternoon, November 7, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• Fall Landscape Work Day
  Mark your calendars for the fall landscape work day, Saturday morning, November 13.

Reflection for October 17

Among my many rebellious behaviors is my refusal to ask God for stuff, especially before meals, especially out loud. Requests for divine intervention usually strike me as jejune and quixotic. Why should God grant one request when another supplicant is asking for the opposite? Why should one believer have the hubris to think her needs deserve special attention in the global schema? I do like the idea of prayer as a way to foreground one’s blessings. It unselfs the self, as the theologian Eugene Peterson would say. (Rhoda Janzen: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress (A Memoir of Going Home)).

Blessing of the Animals

Congratulations to all contest winners at the Blessing of the Animals!

Abby Orr won the largest pet contest; the smallest pet contest was won by Mousey Man, a hamster who lives with Ms. Mahler’s fourth grade class at Western Avenue School. A Lutheran pug named Guinness won the most mellow pet contest and Bella Madden won the prize as most energetic pet. Most pious pet was won by Maggie (a Border Collie/Husky mix), who lives in Chicago with Mary Kay, a friend of Tracie Moxley. Coco Behler was honored as the Pastor Klonowski Look Alike, and Brando Moser was chosen as the Pastor Orr Look Alike (shown above). Finally, the coveted award of Owner-Pet Look Alike was awarded to Neala McManamy, a Kerry Blue Terrier, and her family, the McManamy’s.

Announcements for October 10

• Welcome to the Rev. Peter B. Irvine
  Peter Irvine begins his new ministry this Sunday as St. John’s Director of Music. Welcome, Peter and Janet.
  
  
• Next Daughters of the King Meeting is October 16
  St. John’s chapter of Daughters of the King will meet Saturday, October 16, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (starting with a light breakfast). We’ve started a new study from the national office, reflections that undoubtedly will encourage discussion as well as our commitment to prayer. Please join us in the Guild Room. All women of the parish are welcome.
  
  
• Faith in Films Meets Friday, October 8
  Friday, October 8, Faith in Films will view Philadelphia. Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Jason Robards, Jr., star in this story about the human reality and tragedy of AIDS. This year the Faith in Films selections are keyed to the lectionary Scripture readings. For reflection on the theme “Have Pity on Us”: 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19.
  
  
• Fall Landscape Work Day
  Mark your calendars for the fall landscape work day, Saturday morning, November 13.
  
  
• Sing Handel’s Messiah
  The Illiana Oratorio Society begins Messiah rehearsals on Monday, October 18, 8:00 p.m. Seven rehearsals are scheduled at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16248 S. Park Ave. in South Holland. All singers are welcome in this our 63rd season. Performance date is December 5, 2010, 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Gale Michael.

Reflection for October 10

So everything points toward the Lord’s wanting us to make our own decisions and even our own mistakes, rather than ask him what to do. Learning from Solomon, we need to see that when we’re faced with tough decisions, what we need to pray for is not how to discern the Lord’s will for our lives, but how to discern good from bad. For we already know the Lord’s will for our lives: he wants us to learn how to discern good from bad... (“No Secret Plan: Why you don’t have to ‘find’ God’s will for your life,” by Phillip Cary, Christian Century, October 5, 2010).

Announcements for October 3

• Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers
  At the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, we will commission all those who minister as teachers in St. John’s Christian Formation classes.
  
  
• Blessing of the Animals This Afternoon, October 3
  Our annual celebration of the blessing God bestows upon us through companion animals will take place Sunday, October 3, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Outdoor Altar. Once again we will share this celebration with Faith Lutheran Church. All pets and their companions are welcome.
  
  
• Yarn Ministry Meets Monday, October 4
  Knitters of any skill level are invited to gather with the St. John’s yarn ministry Monday night, October 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.
  
  
• Daughters of the King to Meet October 6 & 16
  St. John’s chapter of Daughters of the King will meet Wednesday, October 6, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 16, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (starting with a light breakfast). We’re beginning a new study from the national office, reflections that undoubtedly will encourage discussion as well as our commitment to prayer. Please join us in the Guild Room. All women of the parish are welcome.
  
  
• Faith in Films Meets Next Friday, October 8
  Next Friday, October 8, Faith in Films will view Philadelphia. Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Jason Robards, Jr., star in this story about the human reality and tragedy of AIDS.
  
  
• Retreat Focusing on Hearing God in Nature and the Heart
  The Rev. Lynn Ramshaw and Sr. Evelyn Sommers will present an ecumenical quiet day focusing on listening to God in nature and within the human heart on Saturday, October 9, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Burr Ridge.
  
  
• Youth Symphony Benefit
  “Stairway to the Stars,” a concert at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17th at Freedom Hall in Park Forest benefits the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra’s “Incredible Opportunity” program, offering inexpensive group violin lessons, with rental instruments included, to students who can’t afford private lessons and have no string programs in their schools. The concert will include a string quartet, jazz combo, hammered dulcimer, and some of the young members of SYSO. Tickets are $10. Contact Lisa Kristina.
  
  
• Sing Handel’s Messiah
  The Illiana Oratorio Society begins Messiah rehearsals on Monday, October 18, 8:00 p.m. Seven rehearsals are scheduled at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16248 S. Park Ave. in South Holland. All singers are welcome in this our 63rd season. Performance date is December 5, 2010, 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact Gale Michael.

Reflection for October 3

For the Blessing of the Animals

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, O whales and all that move in the waters. All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever. Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, and all you flocks and herds. O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever (Song of the Three Young Men 56-60).