Announcements for July 21

Bishop Lee’s Call to Prayer and Action 
In response to the issues raised by the George Zimmerman trial and verdict, Bishop Lee has published a Call to Prayer and Action. It may be found here.

Diocesan News: Chad Senuta Called as Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry 
During the past year, Chad Senuta has been serving on the diocesan staff as interim associate for youth and campus ministry. He has recently been called to fill the position on a permanent basis.

Wednesday Morning Service
For the next few weeks, the 9:00 a.m. Wednesday service will be Morning Prayer with special intercessions for healing. The Holy Eucharist will resume August 7.

St. James’ Commons Block Party 
Sunday, September 15, from 3-6 pm the Diocese of Chicago will host a block party on the plaza. There will be food, fun for kids, lively music, choirs from across the diocese and tours of the new diocesan center. Mark your calendars. Everyone is invited.

Reflection for July 21

Vocation
Vocation has to do with recognizing life as a gift and honoring the gift in living…. In the Gospel, vocation means being a human being, now, and being neither more, nor less, than a human being now. And, thus, each and every decision, whether it seems great or small, whether obviously or subtly a moral problem, becomes and is a vocational event, secreting, as it were, the very issue of existence (William Stringfellow, A Second Birthday).

Announcements for July 14

Wednesday Morning Service
For the next three weeks, the 9:00 a.m. Wednesday service will be Morning Prayer with special intercessions for healing. The Holy Eucharist will resume August 7.

St. James’ Commons Block Party
Sunday, September 15, from 3-6 pm the Diocese of Chicago will host a block party on the plaza. There will be food, fun for kids, lively music, choirs from across the diocese and tours of the new diocesan center. Mark your calendars. Everyone is invited.

Reflection for July 14

Renewable Energy
Energy, William Blake said, is eternal delight. But Blake was wrong; energy is a youthful, and therefore transient and corruptible, delight. Eternal delight reveals itself not when we possess energy in natural abundance, but when our energy is depleted and then mysteriously renewed by a source outside ourselves (Carol Zaleski, “Renewable energy: On the other side of mortal travail, Christian Century, November 30, 2004).

Announcements for July 7

Fourth of July Ice Cream Social THANK YOU 
Once again, the ice cream social was a glorious success. Thank you to Gale Michael for coordinating the event, and to the many, many people who helped prepare, set up, serve and clean up.  Photos are posted on St. John's Facebook page.

Sunday Morning Prayer Ends in July 
Beginning this Sunday, July 7, St. John’s will no longer offer Morning Prayer at 7:40 a.m. on Sundays.

Reflection for July 7

A Litany for our National Life 

Almighty God, giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. They restore us, though we often destroy them. Heal us. 

We thank you for the great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them. Forgive us. 

We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them. Inspire us. 

We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light. Enlighten us. 

We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again. Renew us. 

Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name. Amen. 
(Book of Common Prayer, pp. 838-839)