Announcements for May 27

• This Sunday is Pentecost: Wear Red!
  This Sunday, May 27, is Pentecost. It is an informal custom in the church for people to wear red to church on Pentecost, representing the “tongues, as of fire” that rested upon the disciples (Acts 2:1-4).
   
• Parish Picnic is Next Sunday, June 3
  A sure sign of summer, the traditional parish picnic will be held on the south lawn next Sunday June 3, beginning around 11:15 a.m. Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. If you can, bring a side or dessert to share.
   
• Last Call for Information on Graduates
  Are you, or is someone in your household, graduating this spring? High School? College? Graduate or professional school? Please call or e-mail the parish office with the details—the graduate’s name, the school graduating from and future plans, if known. A special “Parish is People—Graduates’ Edition” will be published with the e-vangelist next week. We will also recognize parish high school graduates during the 10:00 service on June 3.
   
• Looking Ahead: Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
  St. John’s ice cream social is a wonderful part of the Fourth of July tradition in Flossmoor. It is our gift to the community. Many volunteers are needed on July 4th, and also for set up and clean up. Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Also, contributions from parishioners help us continue to offer children’s entertainment at the event and to keep food costs low. Look for donation envelopes around the church.
   
• Sunday School on Summer Vacation
  Sunday School classes for children and adults are on vacation for the summer.
   
• Parish Office Closed for Memorial Day
  The parish office will be closed Monday, May 28, in honor of Memorial Day.
   
• South Suburban Summer Happenings (including Vacation Bible School)
  The South Suburban Ministerial Association has produced a flyer with information on at least some of the programs various faith communities are offering this summer. Copies are posted. Faith Lutheran Church in Homewood is again offering vacation Bible School for children, and First Presbyterian Church in Homewood offers an evening, inter-generational vacation Bible School.

Reflection for May 27

A Prayer for Memorial Day

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give you thanks for all those your servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them your mercy and the light of your presence; and give us such a lively sense of your righteous will, that the good work which you have begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 448)

Announcements for May 20

• Vestry Meeting
  The vestry meets Monday, May 21, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
   
• Wear Red for Pentecost
  Next Sunday, May 27, is Pentecost. It is an informal custom in the church for people to wear red to church on Pentecost, representing the “tongues, as of fire” that rested upon the disciples (Acts 2:1-4).
   
• Stay Informed and Help St. John’s (and the Joliet Deanery) Win Prizes
  The Diocese is offering prizes to the parish and deanery that sign up the highest percentage of new subscribers to the diocese’s biweekly electronic newsletter. It’s also a great way to keep up with everything that’s happening in the Diocese of Chicago. Sign up on the diocesan webpage.
   
• Seeking Information on Graduates
  Are you, or is someone in your household, graduating this spring? High School? College? Graduate or professional school? Please call or e-mail the parish office with the details—the graduate’s name, the school graduating from and future plans, if known. A special “Parish is People—Graduates’ Edition” will be published with the e-vangelist on May 3. We will also recognize parish high school graduates during the 10:00 service on May 3.
   
• Sunday School Ends This Sunday May 20
  May 20th is the last day of Sunday School classes. Classes will meet on the 20th, then we will celebrate the children and their participation in Sunday School during the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
   
• Parish Picnic – June 3
  The annual St. John’s parish picnic will be held on the south lawn following the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 3. Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. If you can, please bring a side dish or dessert, but definitely plan to come!
   
• South Suburban Summer Happenings (including Vacation Bible School)
  The South Suburban Ministerial Association has produced a flyer with information on at least some of the programs various faith communities are offering this summer. Copies are posted. Faith Lutheran Church in Homewood is again offering vacation Bible School for children, and First Presbyterian Church in Homewood offers an evening, inter-generational vacation Bible School.

Reflection for May 20

From Bishop Lee:

The city of Chicago is awash with preparation for the NATO Summit.... The Bible has a lot to say about [the issues raised by the summit]: money, fear and violence. While we may be unsettled by the NATO Summit and the conflict it engenders, as Christians, we cannot turn our back on it. But we can pray.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the leaders who gather now in Chicago, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, 823).

Announcements for May 13

• Ascension Day Service
  Thursday, May 17, is Ascension Day. This is one of the seven principal feast days of the church calendar. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
   
• Stay Informed and Help St. John’s (and the Joliet Deanery)
  Win Prizes The Diocese is offering prizes to the parish and deanery that sign up the highest percentage of new subscribers to the diocese’s biweekly electronic newsletter. It’s also a great way to keep up with everything that’s happening in the Diocese of Chicago. Sign up on the diocesan webpage.
   
• Seeking Information on Graduates
  Are you, or is someone in your household, graduating this spring? High School? College? Graduate or professional school? Please contact the parish office with the details—the graduate’s name, the school graduating from and future plans, if known.
   
• Sunday School Ends May 20
  May 20th is the last day of Sunday School classes. Classes will meet on the 20th, then we will celebrate the children and their participation in Sunday School during the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
   
• 5K Run to Benefit Respond Now
  Respond Now provides a host of outreach services to people in need here in the south suburbs. Located in Chicago Heights, Respond Now provides emergency financial assistance, food, clothing, and counseling. The first Respond Now Southland 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is scheduled for June 9, 2012, in Bicentennial Park in Olympia Fields. Or, if you’re not a runner, there’s also a 1⁄2 mile Donut Dash! More information and registration forms are available on the information tables at the church. Or visit Respond Now’s website.
   
• South Suburban Summer Happenings
  The South Suburban Ministerial Association has produced a flyer with information on at least some of the programs various faith communities are offering this summer. Copies are posted at the church.
  
  
• Pastor Orr quoted by Episcopal News Service
  Pastor Orr was quoted in an Episcopal News Service story on the ongoing exploration of reunification between the Diocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Chicago.  Read the story here.

Reflection for May 13

“There must be more to life than having everything!” (Higglety Pigglety Pop! by Maurice Sendak)

Announcements for May 6

• Music Director Peter Irvine Resigns
  The Rev. Peter Irvine, Director of Music at St. John’s since the fall of 2010, has resigned to focus more fully on his vocation as a priest and hospice chaplain. We thank him for his music ministry with us and pray God’s blessing with him in the future.
   
• Yarn Ministry Meets Monday
  St. John’s yarn ministry will meet this Monday, May 7th, 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.
   
• Bluegrass Concert May 20
  On Sunday, May 20, the Grande Prairie Singers present “Grande Prairie: My Old Mountain Home,” featuring the bluegrass mass A World Beloved, at 4:00 p.m. at Faith United Protestant Church, Park Forest. The concert includes a gen-yoo-wine bluegrass band, “What Wondrous Love,” and Charles Wesley's unforgettable “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown.” Tickets are available now from Betsy Burgwald for only $10 each.
   
• Adult Literacy: You Can Make a Difference
  The Adult Literacy Institute at Prairie State College needs volunteers for rewarding jobs and the chance to give back to the community. If you decide to volunteer, you will receive training, and you won’t be paired with anyone who is beyond your ability help. You can work as little as one hour a week to mentor one student or you can choose to work with more students. Tutors are needed in reading, writing and math. Most of the students are very motivated adults who work hard, but have had few opportunities for education. For more information talk to Bill Moser or call Ms. Dora Ivory at (708) 709-3724.

Reflection for May 6

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” “All the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil.” “Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.” Shakespeare? The King James Bible? Close—the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, the liturgical and literary masterpiece that (next to the previous two sources) has helped shape the English language and marks its 350th anniversary this year (“Anglican world marks 350 years of the book of Common Prayer,” www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens).