Thursday, October 18, 2018

Announcements for October 21


Got Freshmen?  We'll Send Care Packages!
If you know a college freshman who would enjoy a fun care package, please give us their name and mailing address. If your freshman attends school locally, they need a care package too! Everyone can help. Look for our collection area in the undercroft this Sunday; we'll collect items until Wednesday, Oct 24.  Keep it simple and inexpensive. Appreciated items are gum, pencils, ChapStick, individual packs of Kleenex, lotion, etc.  So far, we have seven young women and five young men on our list. Questions?  Contact Dee McManamy, Margi Strombeck, or Mike Madden.

Fleece Blanket Donations
The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center provides fleece blankets to all children with whom they conduct sensitive interviews.  At this time they are running out of blankets.  We will be putting together blankets on Sunday 11-11-2018 after the 10:00am service and  Tuesday 11-13-2018 at 6:30pm.  If you are planning to help assemble the blankets please bring sharp scissors, ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly.  Thank you!

2018-2019 Directory
A new edition of the directory is underway, and a draft has been placed in the back of the church. Over the next two weeks, please look at the information we have listed for you (the entry under your name as well as birthdays/anniversaries, and if you are listed as a contact for a group) and verify that everything is correct. If you need to update anything, take a pen and correct it right in the directory. Any written changes noted will be changed in the master copy of the directory before copies are made.

Who Has Church Keys?
Also located in the back of the church will be a sort of sign-up sheet for anyone who has been given a church key. If you currently have a key, please write your name down (first and last name). We’ve never kept a record of how many people have keys, and it is good practice that we start doing so for insurance purposes. Thank you in advance for helping us out with that.

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup – Sunday, November 11th

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Announcements for October 14th


Got Freshmen?  We'll Send Care Packages!
If you know a college freshman who would enjoy a fun care package, please give us their name and mailing address. If your freshman attends school locally, they need a care package too! Everyone can help. Look for our collection area in the undercroft this Sunday; we'll collect items until Wednesday, Oct 24.  Keep it simple and inexpensive. Appreciated items are gum, pencils, ChapStick, individual packs of Kleenex, lotion, etc.  So far, we have seven young women and five young men on our list. Questions?  Contact Dee McManamy, Margi Strombeck, or Mike Madden.

SWIFT Event
SWIFT will be hosting an event called “Women in Faith” on Sunday, October 14th at Faith United Methodist Church (15101 South 80th Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462). This will be a speaker’s forum offering insight from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish perspectives. Registration for the event is at 2:30 pm, with the program taking place from 3:00-6:00 pm. SWIFT also encourages those attending to bring along a toiletry item to donate to Respond Now. If you have any questions, please contact Rob McManamy.
  
Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-up at the Little Red Schoolhouse
The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be spending a morning working to help protect the trees by clearing out invasive species around the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs, IL on Saturday, October 13, 10:00am to 12:00pm. Light refreshments, gloves, and tools will be provided and a ranger will be on-site to help with identifying invasive plants. This is a great opportunity if you need community service hours for school as well as a great opportunity to work and talk with people of different faiths. Contact Bryan Burke by October 10 to sign-up.

Fleece Blanket Donations
The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center provides fleece blankets to all children with whom they conduct sensitive interviews.  At this time they are running out of blankets.  We will be putting together blankets on Sunday 10-21-2018 after the 10:00am service or 10-23-2018 at 7pm.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly at 708-305-2540.  Thank you! 

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup – Sunday, November 11th

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Announcements for October 7th


A Note from Fr. Jeremy
Dear Friends,

Someone told me this week that she didn’t think this day would ever arrive.  I hope that she was exaggerating the way we all did as children when we thought Christmas would “never” get here.  But I realize that this has been a long road for you. Transitions are always difficult, even for the best prepared congregations.  I delight with you all that Brave and I have finally arrived. We are slowly getting settled in the Rectory and look forward to hosting an open house soon(ish).  Your parish leadership has done a commendable job, in the search process and in preparing St. John’s and the Rectory for our arrival.  I hope that you will join me in saying thank you, thank you, thank you!!  You all should be commended as well for the great care you have taken in maintaining the life and mission of St. John’s during this time of transition.  This is not always the case – and I would venture to say is most often not the case.  
We are looking forward to joining you in worship for the first time this Sunday and to beginning our common ministry together.  We have so many opportunities to impact our community and to make known the life-giving, life-affirming love of God in the person of Jesus Christ.  So let’s make this Sunday, “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday,” and begin this this next chapter in the life of St. John’s.  Again, thank you to everyone who was involved in making this day “finally arrive,” from the Search Committee and Vestry, to those who have worked so hard to renovate the Rectory, clean the church, purge the stuff that collects so quickly and easily, wear their nametags, and to all of you who kept praying and preparing all along and for your presence in this wonderful community.  I can’t wait to meet you all!

Grace and peace,
Fr. Jeremy

Nametags
This will be Fr. Jeremy’s first Sunday with us, so make sure you put on your nametag to help him start getting to know everyone’s names. Additionally, if anyone needs a replacement nametag or cannot find theirs, simply drop off the old one in the box outside the parish office (or a note if yours is missing). It will be replaced for you.

Got Freshmen?  We'll Send Care Packages!
If you know a college freshman who would enjoy a fun care package, please give us their name and mailing address. If your freshman attends school locally, they need a care package too! Everyone can help. Look for our collection area in the undercroft this Sunday; we'll collect items until Wednesday, Oct 24.  Keep it simple and inexpensive. Appreciated items are gum, pencils, ChapStick, individual packs of Kleenex, lotion, etc.  So far, we have seven young women and five young men on our list. Questions?  Contact Dee McManamy, Margi Strombeck, or Mike Madden.

SWIFT Event
SWIFT will be hosting an event called “Women in Faith” on Sunday, October 14th at Faith United Methodist Church (15101 South 80th Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462). This will be a speaker’s forum offering insight from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish perspectives. Registration for the event is at 2:30 pm, with the program taking place from 3:00-6:00 pm. SWIFT also encourages those attending to bring along a toiletry item to donate to Respond Now. If you have any questions, please contact Rob McManamy.

Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-up at the Little Red Schoolhouse
The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be spending a morning working to help protect the trees by clearing out invasive species around the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs, IL on Saturday, October 13, 10:00am to 12:00pm. Light refreshments, gloves, and tools will be provided and a ranger will be on-site to help with identifying invasive plants. This is a great opportunity if you need community service hours for school as well as a great opportunity to work and talk with people of different faiths. Contact Bryan Burke by October 10 to sign-up

A Thank You from Fr. Mike
Dear Sisters and Brothers, thank you so much for your generous gift last Sunday. Jane and I very much appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you all for letting me be your priest these past 11 months; you have taught me much about being a child of God. Please keep Jane and me in your prayers. May God’s Spirit bless you and keep you, and may his face shine upon you and give you Peace.
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike & Jane

The Blessing of the Animals – Sunday, October 7th at 4:30 pm.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Announcements for September 30th


Father Jeremy’s Arrival
In anticipation of Father Jeremy’s arrival, it would be a good idea for everyone to reacquaint themselves with their nametags. If you haven’t been wearing yours regularly, please make sure you find it and put on each Sunday so that Father Jeremy can start getting to know everyone’s names. Additionally, if anyone needs a replacement nametag or cannot find theirs, simply drop off the old one in the box outside the parish office (or a note if yours is missing). It will be replaced for you.

2018 ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 181st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will be held Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard. New this year: Registration fees include Friday Fun & Fellowship (dessert and dancing from 7-9:30 pm) and a Saturday networking lunch in the Junior Ballroom. Note: there will NOT be a dinner reception on Friday night. Please have dinner on your own and join us from 7-9:30 for dessert and dancing.
****If you are interested in serving as a delegate or an alternate delegate, please notify the parish office by WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018.
  
Yarn Ministry – Meeting Monday, October 1st at 7:00 PM in the Guild room

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Announcements for September 23rd


Father Jeremy’s Arrival
In anticipation of Father Jeremy’s arrival, it would be a good idea for everyone to reacquaint themselves with their nametags. If you haven’t been wearing yours regularly, please make sure you find it and put on each Sunday so that Father Jeremy can start getting to know everyone’s names. Additionally, if anyone needs a replacement nametag or cannot find theirs, simply drop off the old one in the box outside the parish office (or a note if yours is missing). It will be replaced for you.

2018 ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The 181st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will be held Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard. New this year: Registration fees include Friday Fun & Fellowship (dessert and dancing from 7-9:30 pm) and a Saturday networking lunch in the Junior Ballroom. Note: there will NOT be a dinner reception on Friday night. Please have dinner on your own and join us from 7-9:30 for dessert and dancing.
****If you are interested in serving as a delegate or an alternate delegate, please notify the parish
        office by WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018.

 Mum Sale
Thank you to ALL those who helped with the delivery, selling and hauling of the Mums.  We appreciate everyone who purchased mum(s).  The sale was a great success. Thank you to Mark Moxley for coordinating the purchase of the mums.

Yarn Ministry – Meeting Monday, October 1st at 7:00 PM in the Guild room

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Announcements for September 16th


Recital Announcement:
Michael Soto will be performing a recital at Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyola University campus on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 pm. The program features works of blind organists from the 15th to the 20th century, including Louis Vierne, George Shearing, and the final choral preludes of J.S. Bach. Admission is free, and free parking is available in the garage on campus. Loyola is located at 1032 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL.

Father Jeremy’s Arrival
In anticipation of Father Jeremy’s arrival, it would be a good idea for everyone to reacquaint themselves with their nametags. If you haven’t been wearing yours regularly, please make sure you find it and put on each Sunday so that Father Jeremy can start getting to know everyone’s names. Additionally, if anyone needs a replacement nametag or cannot find theirs, simply drop off the old one in the box outside the parish office (or a note if yours is missing). It will be replaced for you.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Announcements for September 9th


Mum Sale
Mums will be available for pick up on Friday, September 7th, from 5-7 pm or Sunday, September 9th, after each service at the church.  If you did not have a chance to order mums but would like to, we will also be selling them at Flossmoor Fest on September 8th from 10 am-6 pm.  You can help out by working a 2 hour shift or just stop by say hello.  If you would like to volunteer, contact Pat Smith-Huntoon.

Recital Announcement:
Michael Soto will be performing a recital at Madonna della Strada Chapel on Loyola University campus on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 pm. The program features works of blind organists from the 15th to the 20th century, including Louis Vierne, George Shearing, and the final choral preludes of J.S. Bach. Admission is free, and free parking is available in the garage on campus. Loyola is located at 1032 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL.

 St. John’s Ministry Fair
The annual Ministry Fair will take place this Sunday, September 9th, following the 10 a.m. service. This is your opportunity to learn about and/or sign up for all the different organizations and service ministries available at the church. Please make sure you attend and let your interests be known.