Announcements for May 3

The Parish Picnic is Coming: May 31 
Mark your calendars for the annual parish spring picnic, May 31, following the 10:00 AM service (a change from the originally published date). At the picnic we will also plant this year’s crops in the parish food garden.

Milkweed for Monarchs
Over the past 20 years the monarch butterfly populations has decreased by over 80%, primarily due to lack of habitat, specifically the milkweed plant, which is essential in the monarch life cycle. Several organizations are spearheading efforts to plant milkweed wherever possible. Milkweed seed packets are available in the undercroft. Take as many as you like to plant and share. (More information: The Xerces Society, Save Our Monarchs Foundation)

Yarn Ministry
The knitting group will meet Monday, May 4, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Guild Room.

St. John's shows generosity (and sweet tooth) at bake sale
Once again, St. John parishioners opened their hearts and wallets to the needs of others and raised $383 through the Youth Group coffee hour bake sale to help feed the hungry, locally and beyond, as part of the efforts of the Church World Service's CROP Hunger Walk. Our donations will directly benefit local agencies including Respond Now, Rich Township Food Pantry and South Suburban PADS, to name a few. A resounding THANK YOU from our Youth Group to all of you who showed your support through your baking, donations, purchases and, of course, consumption of all those tasty treats. Extra special thanks to Tonya Eisenberg and Bill Moser, whose surprise (and delicious) contributions were particularly appreciated.

Grande Prairie Singers Feature Mozart… and Michael! 
Sunday, May 17, is the final concert of the Grande Prairie Singers’ season, “Haydn and Mozart: Composers and Friends.” Selections include Mozart's “Ave Verum” (a St. John’s Choir favorite) and “Te Deum in C” and Haydn’s “Great Organ Solo Mass” featuring our own Michael Soto. The concert is at 4:00 p.m. at Flossmoor Community Church. Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door) and $10 for students and are available from Bob or Betsy Burgwald.