- Palm Sunday, April 1
7:55 a.m. Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar
8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist Church
Christian Formation classes will not meet
9:40 a.m. Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar and procession around Flossmoor
10:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist; Church
Youth Worship will meet on Palm Sunday at 10:00 in the Youth Worship room. - Monday in Holy Week, April 2
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist - Tuesday in Holy Week, April 3
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist - Wednesday in Holy Week, April 4
9:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist with Healing
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist - Maundy Thursday, April 5
6:30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist (with foot washing for those who wish), followed by the agape meal and the stripping of the altar.
8:30 p.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Friday) Prayer Vigil and Watch at the altar of repose - Good Friday, April 6
12:00 p.m. The Proper Liturgy for Good Friday
7:00 p.m. Good Friday vespers - Easter Eve, Saturday, April 7
3:00 p.m. Liturgy of Light for Children; Undercroft. With the raising of the A******* banner.
8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter with Holy Baptism
Friday, March 30, 2012
Holy Week Service Schedule
Announcements for April 1
- Palm Sunday Liturgies Begin Early
This Sunday, Palm Sunday, the liturgy of the palms begins at 7:55 a.m. at the outdoor altar, followed by the Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. in the church. For the later service, the liturgy of the palms begins at 9:40 a.m. at the outdoor altar, followed by a procession through the neighborhood. The Holy Eucharist begins in the church as usual at 10:00 a.m. Youth worship will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday. - Sign up for the Watch
The sign up sheet for the prayer watch Maundy Thursday evening through Good Friday is available in the back of the church. - Flower Donations
Please help bring beauty and the glory of spring to the church for our Easter celebration by making a contribution to the Easter flower fund. Special flower donation envelopes were included with the Easter letter and are also available in the pews. - Christian Formation Classes on Vacation for Palm Sunday and Easter
Christian formation classes for children and adults will be on vacation April 1 and 8. - Children’s Liturgy of Light – Saturday April 7
All children in the parish are invited to a special liturgy of light on Saturday, Easter Eve (April 7) beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the undercroft. We will light the Paschal Candle and prepare the children’s worship space for Easter. We will also raise the A******* banner. - Yarn Ministry Not Meeting in April
The yarn ministry will not meet on April 2nd, due to Holy Week. The next meeting is May 7th.
Reflection for April 1
When Jesus says, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), “he makes himself one, not only with my pain but with my sin—because I myself, and you yourselves, and all of us ourselves, are sometimes victims of others and sometimes torturers of others and sometimes both, and when we recognize this we are, as Jesus says to the scribe, ‘not far from the kingdom.’” To know this deeply is to do the work of Holy Week (Debra Dean Murphy, “Palms and passion,” CC blogs network, quoting Fleming Rutledge).
Friday, March 23, 2012
Announcements for March 25
- Palm Sunday is Next Sunday, April 1
The liturgy of the palms begins at 7:55 a.m. at the outdoor altar, followed by the Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. in the church. For the later service, the liturgy of the palms begins at 9:40 a.m. at the outdoor altar, followed by a procession through the neighborhood. The Holy Eucharist begins in the church as usual at 10:00 a.m. Youth worship will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday. - Christian Formation Classes on Vacation for Palm Sunday and Easter
Christian formation classes for children and adults will meet as usual this Sunday, March 25, then be on vacation April 1 and 8. - February Vestry Minutes Online
The minutes from the February meeting of the vestry, approved at the recent March meeting, are now available on this blog. Click the label for vestry minutes. - A Plea for Yarn
A plea for yarn donations for a group of elderly Japanese women from the tsunami ravaged fishing village of Shichigahamo, Japan. The yarn ministry group at St. John’s will be collecting yarn, new or partial skeins, knitting needles and crochet hooks for the next six weeks to send to the Yarn Alive Club in Japan. The article from the Wall Street Journal regarding the plea for yarn will be on display in the undercroft, along with a container for your donations through April 29th. For more information, please contact Mary Agnes Long or Sue O’Brien. - Organ Recital Open to All this Sunday
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family Music Director Mark Downey and Associate Organist Cathy Griesmeyer invite all to a special organ recital this Sunday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m. The recital will be followed by a Choral Evensong in celebration of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dinner will follow in the parish hall. The cost is free, but good will offerings will be accepted.
Reflection for March 25
When he was challenged by Jesus to accept a life of voluntary poverty, the rich young man knew he was faced with the simple alternative of obedience or disobedience. When Levi was called from the receipt of custom or Peter from his nets, there was no doubt that Jesus meant business. Both of them were to leave everything and follow. Again, when Peter was called to walk on the rolling sea, he had to get up and risk his life. Only one thing was required in each case — to rely on Christ’s word, and cling to it as offering greater security than all the securities in the world. The forces which tried to interpose themselves between the word of Jesus and the response of obedience were as formidable then as they are to-day.... But the call of Jesus made short work of all these barriers.... (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship).
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - February 20, 2012
Formation
The vestry assembled in the church at 7:00 PM for evening prayer, which included a lesson on Martin Luther.
Pastor Orr initiated a new form of worship at the outset of the meeting. Rather than Bible study, the vestry offered prayers of intercession and thanksgiving.
Present for the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, and Mark Moxley; treasurer, Clay Denton; and clerk, Susan Marquis. Candice Barrera, Stephen Hofer, and R.J. VanSwol were absent.
Parish Stewardship
Minutes
Frank So proposed, and Anne Edwards seconded a motion that the minutes from the December 19, 2011 meeting be approved. The motion passed. John Huntoon moved, and Bev Keene seconded a motion that the minutes from the January 8, 2012 budget meeting be approved. The motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Clay Denton announced that the parish has now been using ADP for payroll services since the beginning of the year.
On the one hand, we have had several unanticipated costs involving building maintenance and payment of our web host. On the other hand, we have received one overpayment of a pledge for the year; and we have saved on natural gas and snow removal as a result of the mild winter. Overall, our revenues are pretty good.
Audrey Ongman made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, and Anne Edwards seconded the motion. The report was accepted as presented.
Clay reminded vestry members that he had sent to all, via e-mail, a document titled, “When I Give $10 to St. John’s Where Does it Go?” This is a quick review of the accounting system that is used in the church, and it is meant especially for new vestry members.
Information
Rector’s Report
The rector distributed a fourth quarter report from 2011 of the Rector’s Discretionary Account. Greg Lawrence moved to accept the report. Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion carried.
Pastor Orr traditionally has distributed three-ring binders containing past treasurer’s reports, vestry minutes, and policy guidelines. This year she distributed them on disks.
We have a new permanent sexton, Ken Shells, who was recommended by vestry member Greg Lawrence.
Tracie Moxley and Patti Pohrte recently finished painting a mural in the youth worship room. It is a copy of the stained glass window in the Mary corner. This year there is an emphasis on youth worship as truly worship time as distinct from Sunday school.
Pastor Orr will present her annual Lenten classes on Wednesday evenings February 29th, and March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, with the topic this year being the Ten Commandments.
Pastor Orr spoke a bit to all vestry members, but especially to new members, about the importance of being exemplary parishioners, which includes coming to church regularly, pledging/giving of themselves, being friendly and welcoming, attending church events, and generally keeping the interest of the parish at heart. She distributed copies of “Behavioral Covenant Example – For a Governing Board,” “Guidelines for Our Work Together,” and “Examples of Unhealthy Congregational Norms” from a book Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences. The vestry read these excerpts aloud and discussed them.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
There were no reports.
Upcoming Parish Events
February 21st Pancake Supper
February 22nd Ash Wednesday with three services
March 23rd Fish Fry
Five Wednesdays in Lent – Ten Commandments class
Discussion and Decisions
Frank So quickly reviewed the work that has been done on St. John’s accessibility project. We hired an architectural firm and have plans and suggestions for the project. Now we need to look at internal fund-raising and grants.
Mark Moxley offered to research internal funding and try to get a sense of what our fundraising potential is within the parish and what the value is of engineering parts of the project from parish connections.
Anne Edwards volunteered to research grant potential.
Frank also noted that we need to investigate columbarium relocation or replacement.
After discussion, the vestry decided to meet for its annual retreat on Saturday, April 14th.
Closing
The vestry meeting concluded at 9:15 PM following prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved: March 19, 2012
The vestry assembled in the church at 7:00 PM for evening prayer, which included a lesson on Martin Luther.
Pastor Orr initiated a new form of worship at the outset of the meeting. Rather than Bible study, the vestry offered prayers of intercession and thanksgiving.
Present for the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; senior warden, Frank So; junior warden, Audrey Ongman; vestry members Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, Bev Keene, Greg Lawrence, Gale Michael, and Mark Moxley; treasurer, Clay Denton; and clerk, Susan Marquis. Candice Barrera, Stephen Hofer, and R.J. VanSwol were absent.
Parish Stewardship
Minutes
Frank So proposed, and Anne Edwards seconded a motion that the minutes from the December 19, 2011 meeting be approved. The motion passed. John Huntoon moved, and Bev Keene seconded a motion that the minutes from the January 8, 2012 budget meeting be approved. The motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Clay Denton announced that the parish has now been using ADP for payroll services since the beginning of the year.
On the one hand, we have had several unanticipated costs involving building maintenance and payment of our web host. On the other hand, we have received one overpayment of a pledge for the year; and we have saved on natural gas and snow removal as a result of the mild winter. Overall, our revenues are pretty good.
Audrey Ongman made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, and Anne Edwards seconded the motion. The report was accepted as presented.
Clay reminded vestry members that he had sent to all, via e-mail, a document titled, “When I Give $10 to St. John’s Where Does it Go?” This is a quick review of the accounting system that is used in the church, and it is meant especially for new vestry members.
Information
Rector’s Report
The rector distributed a fourth quarter report from 2011 of the Rector’s Discretionary Account. Greg Lawrence moved to accept the report. Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion carried.
Pastor Orr traditionally has distributed three-ring binders containing past treasurer’s reports, vestry minutes, and policy guidelines. This year she distributed them on disks.
We have a new permanent sexton, Ken Shells, who was recommended by vestry member Greg Lawrence.
Tracie Moxley and Patti Pohrte recently finished painting a mural in the youth worship room. It is a copy of the stained glass window in the Mary corner. This year there is an emphasis on youth worship as truly worship time as distinct from Sunday school.
Pastor Orr will present her annual Lenten classes on Wednesday evenings February 29th, and March 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, with the topic this year being the Ten Commandments.
Pastor Orr spoke a bit to all vestry members, but especially to new members, about the importance of being exemplary parishioners, which includes coming to church regularly, pledging/giving of themselves, being friendly and welcoming, attending church events, and generally keeping the interest of the parish at heart. She distributed copies of “Behavioral Covenant Example – For a Governing Board,” “Guidelines for Our Work Together,” and “Examples of Unhealthy Congregational Norms” from a book Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences. The vestry read these excerpts aloud and discussed them.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
There were no reports.
Upcoming Parish Events
February 21st Pancake Supper
February 22nd Ash Wednesday with three services
March 23rd Fish Fry
Five Wednesdays in Lent – Ten Commandments class
Discussion and Decisions
Frank So quickly reviewed the work that has been done on St. John’s accessibility project. We hired an architectural firm and have plans and suggestions for the project. Now we need to look at internal fund-raising and grants.
Mark Moxley offered to research internal funding and try to get a sense of what our fundraising potential is within the parish and what the value is of engineering parts of the project from parish connections.
Anne Edwards volunteered to research grant potential.
Frank also noted that we need to investigate columbarium relocation or replacement.
After discussion, the vestry decided to meet for its annual retreat on Saturday, April 14th.
Closing
The vestry meeting concluded at 9:15 PM following prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved: March 19, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Announcements for March 18
- Fish Fry is this Friday, March 23
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s Lenten fish fry is Friday, March 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the undercroft. Tickets are $12 for adults; $5 for children; $30 maximum for a family. Take out meals will be available. All profits will benefit PADS. This year’s event will also feature jazz and blues entertainer, Smiley Tillman. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors! Sign up in church on Sunday or call the parish office by Tuesday, March 20, so we can get a head count. - Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets this Monday, March 19, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer in the Church. - Brunch Bunch This Sunday, March 18
Everyone is invited to enjoy corned beef and cabbage at brunch bunch this Sunday, March 18, following the 10:00 a.m. service. Bring a side or dessert if you can, but most importantly, come! - Little Hands – This Sunday afternoon, March 18
All children of the parish (and friends) are invited to participate in the Little Hands outreach ministry. The next meeting is Sunday, March 18, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. We will set up rain barrels and do some outdoor clean up around the parish. - A Plea for Yarn
A plea for yarn donations for a group of elderly Japanese women from the tsunami ravaged fishing village of Shichigahamo, Japan. The yarn ministry group at St. John’s will be collecting yarn, new or partial skeins, knitting needles and crochet hooks for the next six weeks to send to the Yarn Alive Club in Japan. The article from the Wall Street Journal regarding the plea for yarn will be on display in the undercroft, along with a container for your donations through April 29th. For more information, please contact Mary Agnes Long or Sue O’Brien. - Holy Family Organ Recital Next Sunday
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family will host a special organ recital next Sunday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m., followed by Choral Evensong, to honor the Annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. All in attendance are invited to stay afterward for a casual potluck dinner in the Parish Hall. There is no charge, but goodwill offerings will be accepted. So, if you’ve never heard Holy Family’s magnificent pipe organ, why not give your ears this simple auditory treat.
Reflection for March 18
So we come to the central declaration, more central for Christian faith than even “The Word became flesh,” for that depends for its inexhaustible wealth of meaning on the actual mode of the incarnate Life. But here is the whole great truth. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that everyone that believeth on him may not perish, but have eternal life.” This is the heart of the Gospel. Not “God is Love”—a precious truth but affirming no divine act for our redemption. “God so loved that he gave”; of course the words indicate cost to the Father’s heart. “He gave”; it was an act, not only a continuing mood of generosity; it was an act at a particular time and place (William Temple, Readings in St. John’s Gospel, commenting on John 3:16).
Friday, March 9, 2012
Announcements for March 11
- Parish Directories Available
New, updated parish directories are available on the information tables. - Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday
Remember to set your clocks forward one hour this Sunday morning, March 11. - Brunch Bunch Next Sunday, March 18
Everyone is invited to enjoy corned beef and cabbage at brunch bunch next Sunday, March 18, following the 10:00 a.m. service. Bring a side or dessert if you can, but most importantly, come! - Little Hands – March 18
All children of the parish (and friends) are invited to participate in the Little Hands outreach ministry. The next meeting is Sunday, March 18, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. We will set up rain barrels and do some outdoor clean up around the parish. - Catch Our Fish Fry!
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s Lenten fish fry is Friday, March 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the undercroft. Tickets are $12 for adults; $5 for children; $30 maximum for a family. Tickets will be sold at the door, but please call the parish office by March 20th to reserve your spots. All profits will benefit PADS. This year’s event will also feature jazz and blues entertainer, Smiley Tillman. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors! - Job Search Network Workshop
The South Suburban InterFaith Job Search Network is hosting a special workshop next Tuesday, March 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at B'nai Yehuda Beth Shalom in Homewood. Entitled “From Hiring to Hired,” the program will be led by Faith Newman, Assistant Director of Human Resources at Olivet Nazarene University in Rolling Meadows. Admission is free and, if time allows, you can also have your individual resumes critiqued by an expert at no charge. The synagogue is located at 1424 183rd Street. For more details, call (708) 721-1219, or e-mail questions to Interfaithjobsearch@gmail.com. (Or corner St. John's liaison to the Interfaith Network, Rob McManamy.) - St. Patrick’s Path – A Lenten Meditation
Experience Celtic spirituality through the work and personality of its greatest advocate, St. Patrick. A quiet day hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, Sauk Trail and Orchard in Park Forest, March 17, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The quiet day is facilitated by the Rev. Dr. David Moffett-Moore, pastor of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Frankfort, IL. Moffett-Moore is author of Life as Pilgrimage: A View from Celtic Spirituality. Suggested donation, which includes lunch, is $45. Email info@spiritchicago.org or call (708) 497-9699 to register.
Reflection for March 11
Looking into the faces of the great “masters of suspicion”—Freud, Marx and Nietzsche—[Paul] Ricoeur did not flinch. Yes, they were reductionists, denying the full range of power for religious symbols. But religion, said Ricoeur, urgently needs their furious efforts to “liquidate the idols.” Only through the most nihilistic and destructive criticism can people of faith be freed from idolatry to discover anew religious truth. “It may be,” said Ricoeur, “that extreme iconoclasm belongs to the
restoration of meaning” (Thomas G. Long, “Idol smasher,” Christian Century, March 7, 2012).
restoration of meaning” (Thomas G. Long, “Idol smasher,” Christian Century, March 7, 2012).
Friday, March 2, 2012
Announcements for March 4
- Parish Directories Available
New, updated parish directories are available on the information tables. - Catch Our Fish Fry!
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s Lenten fish fry is Friday, March 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the undercroft. Tickets are $12 for adults; $5 for children; $30 maximum for a family. Tickets will be sold at the door, but please call the parish office by March 20th to reserve your spots. All profits will benefit PADS. This year’s event will also feature jazz and blues entertainer, Smiley Tillman. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors! - Yarn Ministry
We will meet this Monday, March 5th 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 experienced are welcome. If you would like to learn to knot, Sue O’Brien is willing to instruct. Yarn Ministry is not limited to just knitters, crocheters are also welcome. Hope to see you there. - Lenten Study at St. John’s continues on Wednesday evenings
Pastor Orr is offering a study course on Wednesday evenings during Lent again this year. This year’s topic is the Ten Commandments: Their Interpretation and Relevance in Contemporary Society. Classes take place in the church from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Each class will stand alone. Come to the whole series, or come whenever you can. - Honoring Pastor Orr’s Ordination Anniversary
Contributions in honor of Pastor Orr’s 20th ordination anniversary will be sent to her seminary, Virginia Seminary, to help rebuild the seminary chapel, destroyed by fire in October 2010. Contributions will be received in the undercroft or parish office through March 4. - Faith in Films: Amish Grace on March 9
The story of the strength of a community and their powerful commitment to forgiveness after a gunman kills five children in the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The film will be shown in the Guild Room, Friday, March 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Reflection for March 4
An Exhortation
If we are to share rightly in the celebration of those holy Mysteries [the Holy Eucharist], and be nourished by that spiritual Food, we must remember the dignity of that holy Sacrament.... Examine your lives and conduct by the rule of God’s commandments, that you may perceive wherein you have offended in what you have done or left undone, whether in thought, word, or deed. And acknowledge your sins before Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life, being ready to make restitution for all injuries and wrongs done by you to others; and also being ready to forgive those who have offended you, in order that you yourselves may be forgiven. And then, being reconciled with one another, come to the banquet of that most heavenly Food (An Exhortation, Book of Common Prayer, p. 316-317).
If we are to share rightly in the celebration of those holy Mysteries [the Holy Eucharist], and be nourished by that spiritual Food, we must remember the dignity of that holy Sacrament.... Examine your lives and conduct by the rule of God’s commandments, that you may perceive wherein you have offended in what you have done or left undone, whether in thought, word, or deed. And acknowledge your sins before Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life, being ready to make restitution for all injuries and wrongs done by you to others; and also being ready to forgive those who have offended you, in order that you yourselves may be forgiven. And then, being reconciled with one another, come to the banquet of that most heavenly Food (An Exhortation, Book of Common Prayer, p. 316-317).
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