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)

Announcements for August 28

• 2011-2012 Parish Calendars Available
  The calendar highlighting parish events for the coming year is now available. Look for yours via e- mail or pick up a copy at church.
  
  
• Blessing of the Backpacks is This Sunday, August 28
  Students (of any and all ages) are invited to bring their backpacks or book bags to the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, August 28. We will bless the backpacks and pray for God’s grace to be with all who teach and learn in the school year ahead.
  
  
• EFM Registrations Due Now
  Education for Ministry (EFM) is a small group-based program of study and reflection designed to educate and equip lay people for ministry. St. John’s EFM group meets weekly on Thursday nights. More information about the program is available at their website. There are several openings for new participants in St. John’s group. Please speak to Pastor Orr.
  
  
• St. John’s Jubilation – September 11
  St. John’s annual fall kick off, brunch bunch, ministry fair, Sunday School registration, community celebration, all around Jubilation takes place this year on Sunday, September 11, following the 10:00 service in the undercroft. Please come!
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.