Announcements for October 2

• Blessing of the Animals This Sunday
  Pets of all species (suitably restrained or contained) are invited to the Blessing of the Animal this Sunday, October 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the outdoor altar. Humans can come, too.
  
  
• Children’s Participation in the Offertory
  Remember, children are invited to participate directly in the offertory in Sunday services by bringing their own offerings to the altar. Non-perishable food items or items for the Humane Society are possible offerings, but God cherishes all offerings. Don’t forget to bring yours.
  
  
• Yarn Ministry
  Yarn Ministry will meet this Monday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room at the church. If you are unable to attend the gatherings, we also welcome items you create at home. Our handy work is donated to a number of charities. All levels of experience are welcome. If you would like to learn to knit, Sue O’Brien is willing to instruct. Yarn Ministry is not limited to just knitters, crocheters are also welcome. Hope to see you there.
  
  
• Sunday School Classes are Underway
  Christian Formation classes for children and adults are offered on Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m.
  
  
• Sing Handel’s Messiah
  The Illiana Oratorio Society begins the first of seven rehearsals for Handel’s Messiah on Monday, October 17, at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16248 South Park Ave, South Holland, from 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. Performance dates are Sunday, December 4, in South Holland and Saturday, December 10, at Trinity Christian College. For further information, contact Gale Michael.
  
  
• Benefit for Young Musicians
  A chamber music concert featuring the music of Robert Schuman, performed by Lisa Kristina and other musicians, will take place on Sunday, October 9, at 4:00 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church. The admission price of $25 will benefit the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra’s “Incredible Opportunity” program, which provides inexpensive group string lessons, including free loan of an instrument, to elementary school children in the south suburbs. Tickets are available at the door or on-line here. The Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit organization, and is also seeking donations of used string instruments, especially smaller-sized instruments for children.
  
  
• Caregiving and Spirituality: A Quiet Day for Those Who Care for Others
  Offered by the Spirituality Network of Chicago, this quiet day will be led by St. John’s parishioner Dr. Anne Edwards, psychologist and director of the Gerontology Institute at Purdue University, Calumet. Saturday, October 22, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palos Hills. For more information or to register, call (708) 497-9699 or e-mail info@SpiritChicago.org.

Reflection for October 2

We thank you, Lord, for the gift of animals in our lives. We thank you for animals that comfort us, delight us and give us companionship. We thank you for dogs and cats, birds and hamsters, guinea pigs and fish. We also thank you, Lord, for animals that give us wool and feathers to keep us warm. We thank you for the animals that give us milk, cheese and eggs to help us grow and to keep us healthy. We thank you for horses, donkeys and oxen that work hard on farms around the world. We thank you, Lord, for animals that eat plants and fertilize the soil, making it richer and more fertile for new growth and new life. We thank you, Lord, for the gift of insects, and especially bees, to pollinate fruit and vegetalbe plants for us to eat and flowers to give us joy. (Episcopal Relief and Development, The Abundant Life Garden Project: A Program for the Children of the Episcopal Church; Blessing of the Animals)

Announcements for September 25

• Blood Drive Results
  Praise God for everyone who offered to donate blood. 28 units were collected, exceeding Lifesource’s goal, and significantly exceeding the total from last year’s drive.
  
  
• Children’s Participation in the Offertory
  Remember, beginning this Sunday, children are invited to participate directly in the offertory by bringing their own offerings to the altar. Non-perishable food items or items for the Humane Society are possible offerings, but God cherishes all offerings. Don’t forget to bring yours.
  
  
• Regular Children’s Sunday School Classes Begin This Sunday
  Families should have received a confirmation letter with class information and locations. Whether or not you had a chance to register previously, all children are welcome. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m.
  
  
• Living Faithfully Adult Class Begins This Sunday
  The adult Living Faithfully class begins a study of emergent Christianity with a DVD featuring Phyllis Tickle. Join us in Classroom 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
  
  
• Flat Roof Replacement Underway
  Materials have been delivered to begin replacement of all St. John’s flat roofs. Weather permitting, the work should take 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. Check out St. John’s on Facebook to see photos.
  
  
• Taize Service at IJP this Thursday
  Infant Jesus of Prague will be offering a Taize prayer service this Thursday evening, September 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Taize is an ecumenical, meditative form of worship. All are welcome. St. John’s is exploring partnering with IJP to offer these services throughout the year.
  
  
• Field Trip to See Saint John’s Bible
  The St. John’s Bible is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in modern times. It is a spectacular work. A portion is currently on display at the Loyola University Museum of Art downtown. Parishioner Steven Russell is coordinating a field trip Thursday, October 20. Please contact him if you would like to participate.
  
  
• Blessing of the Animals Next Sunday
  The annual blessing of the pets takes place next Sunday, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the outdoor altar.

Reflection for September 25

Luther, when he said Sola Scriptura, shouldn’t be blamed for what happened, namely Protestant inerrancy. There was no way that Luther could have foreseen Protestant inerrancy. What we mean by inerrancy is the belief that the Bible is absolutely, word for word, the word of God: historically accurate, consistent (if you don’t read it!), and to be taken as a piece of history.

I love emergence theology. I’m persuaded by so much of it. It’s brilliant theology! One of the places I find it most appealing is that emergents will say, “Absolutely, the Bible is the word of God. It is God among us, but it is articulated in human speech and you cannot reduce God almighty to human speech articulation. Its worth to us is its actualness. To argue its historicity is to confine it down to the limitations of our own intellect. How dare we! What is the arrogance that allows for that position!” (Phyllis Tickle, Embracing Emergence Christianity).

Announcements for September 18

• Participate in the Parish Blood Drive – This Sunday, September 18
  St. John’s is sponsoring a blood drive (in memory of parishioner Jackie Campbell) this Sunday, September 18. Appointments and more information are available online at www.lifesource.org. Walk-ins are also welcome! Remember to bring a photo ID. The blood drive will take place in the education wing.
  
  
• Vestry Meeting This Monday
  The September meeting of the vestry is this Monday, September 19, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Children’s Sunday School Activities Begin This Sunday
  Children of all ages are invited to gather in the Atrium this Sunday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. to help paint this year’s glass murals. Regular Sunday School classes begin next week, September 25.
  
  
• ECW Potluck on Wednesday
  The women of the church are having a pot luck luncheon this Wednesday, September 21, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
  
  
• Delegates Needed for Diocesan Convention
  The annual convention of the Diocese of Chicago takes place November 18 and 19 the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. Please speak to the Rector ASAP if you would like to represent St. John’s as a delegate. More information on Convention is available here.
  
  
• Living Faithfully Adult Class Begins Next Sunday
  Next week the adult Living Faithfully class begins a study of emergent Christianity with a DVD featuring Phyllis Tickle. Sign up in the undercroft if you would like to order a participants’ handbook.
  
  
• Taize Service at IJP
  Infant Jesus of Prague will be offering a Taize prayer service, Thursday evening, September 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Taize is an ecumenical, meditative form of worship. All are welcome. St. John’s is exploring partnering with IJP to offer these services throughout the year.

Reflection for September 18

Reflecting on Being Part of a Community
The U.S. Attorney in Chicago, Patrick Fitzgerald, recently commented that too many people think corruption is a problem just for law enforcement. “And if I could have a dollar for everyone who’s ever come up to me after we’ve convicted someone to say, ‘Yes, we knew he or she was doing it all the time and we wondered when someone was going to get around to do something about it,’ and I bite my lip, but I want to just smack them up side the head and say, “Well the person you wanted to do something about it was you’” (Posted here at WBEZ).

Announcements for September 11

• St. John’s Jubilation is This Sunday – September 11
  St. John’s annual fall kick off, brunch bunch, ministry fair, Sunday School registration, community celebration, all around Jubilation takes place this Sunday, September 11, following the 10:00 service in the undercroft. Explore displays on the many ministries and activities that are a part of the life of our parish community. Everybody is invited!
  
  
• Sunday School Registration
  Children’s Sunday School Registration takes place at the Jubilation. Look for the Sunday School table. Next Sunday, children of all ages are invited to meet in the Atrium during the 9:00 education hour to help create this year’s children’s murals.
  
  
• Brunch Bunch This Sunday
  In conjunction with the Jubilation, brunch bunch will be serving hotdogs and various “picnic” salads. You do not need to bring anything, although if a few people could bring, homemade desserts it would be greatly appreciated by all!
  
  
• Interfaith Community Remembrance – Tenth Anniversary of 9.11
  The South Suburban Ministerial Association is sponsoring this service on Sunday, September 11, at 4:00 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church. All are welcome.
  
  
• Bishop Lee’s Reflection on the Anniversary of September 11
  Bishop Lee’s reflection is printed with the prayer list in the Sunday service leaflet. It is also posted here on the Diocese of Chicago’s Blog.
  
  
• Sign Up For Parish Blood Drive – September 18
  St. John’s will be sponsoring a blood drive (in memory of parishioner Jackie Campbell) next Sunday, September 18. Sign up sheets and more information will be available at the Jubilation or you may sign up online.
  
  
• Federal Job Search Seminar
  The South Suburban Interfaith Job Search Network, of which St. John’s is a member, will host a “Federal Job Search Seminar” led by John F. Costello. Even in this difficult economic climate, the federal government remains a relatively reliable employer. Mr. Costello has led over 800 seminars helping job seekers secure federal employment. The event will also provide suggestions for improving resumes. It takes place this Wednesday, September 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Community House at Flossmoor Community Church (2218 Hutchison).
  
  
• Taize Service at IJP
  Infant Jesus of Prague will be offering a Taize prayer service, Thursday evening, September 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Reflection for September 11

Reflecting on the Anniversary of September 11
Most of the hard sciences depend on methodologies that prove or disprove certain hypotheses. But the truth we encounter when we speak of God is something quite different. I can’t “prove” any of the things that matter most to me. How to prove that love is better than hatred? That community is preferable to isolation? That life is stronger than death? These things you can only celebrate, ponder, experience and explore. Like art or poetry, music or dance, you need to experience them (Bishop Jeffrey D. Lee).

Announcements for September 4

• St. John’s Jubilation is Next Sunday – September 11
  St. John’s annual fall kick off, brunch bunch, ministry fair, Sunday School registration, community celebration, all around Jubilation takes place next Sunday, September 11, following the 10:00 service in the undercroft. Come share a meal with fellow parishioners and catch up after the summer. Register children for Sunday School. Explore displays on the many ministries and activities that are a part of the life of our parish community. Everybody is invited!
  
  
• Interfaith Community Remembrance – Tenth Anniversary of 9.11
  The South Suburban Ministerial Association is sponsoring this service on Sunday, September 11, at 4:00 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church. All are welcome.
  
  
• Parish Office Closed for Labor Day
  The parish office will be closed Monday, September 5, for the Labor Day holiday.
  
  
• Sign Up For Parish Blood Drive – September 18
  St. John’s will be sponsoring a blood drive (in memory of parishioner Jackie Campbell) on Sunday, September 18. Sign up sheets are available in the undercroft or you may sign up online.

Reflection for September 4

A Prayer for Labor Day:
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 261)