Ice Cream Social Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Ice Cream Social by scooping ice cream, cutting watermelon, setting up tents and tables, arranging flowers, pouring lemonade and iced tea, serving ice cream, lemonade and iced tea, grilling hot dogs, selling food, helping the balloon ladies, greeting the community, attending, cleaning up, donating to the entertainment, and most importantly, praying for good weather. The weather was glorious and attendance was good. This event would not work as well if all of you didn’t support it. THANK YOU!!!
Wednesday Healing Service
For the next three Wednesdays, the Wednesday morning healing service will be Morning Prayer with special prayers for healing. The Holy Eucharist will resume August 6.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Reflection for July 13
A Hard Silence
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer known for writing contemplative music and for his love of bells and silence. In an interview, Pärt said that “silence must be approached with a feeling of awe. And when we speak about silence, we must keep in mind that it has two different wings, so to speak. Silence can be both that which is outside of us and that which is inside a person. The silence of our soul, which isn’t even affected by external distractions, is actually more crucial but more difficult to achieve” (NPR, June 2; Christian Century, July 9, 2014).
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer known for writing contemplative music and for his love of bells and silence. In an interview, Pärt said that “silence must be approached with a feeling of awe. And when we speak about silence, we must keep in mind that it has two different wings, so to speak. Silence can be both that which is outside of us and that which is inside a person. The silence of our soul, which isn’t even affected by external distractions, is actually more crucial but more difficult to achieve” (NPR, June 2; Christian Century, July 9, 2014).
Friday, July 4, 2014
Announcements for July 6
Storm Update
St. John’s did not lose power for any extended period of time, nor was there any wind-related damage on the church property. Phone service and internet were out Tuesday and Wednesday. Everything is now again up and running.
The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
More next week, but thank you to everyone who has helped out with the ice cream social.
Addressing Gun Violence
The National Council of Jewish Women presents “Do Not Stand Idly By – Make all communities safer from gun violence.” The event will be at B’Nai Yehuda Beth Sholom Congregation Am Echad, 1424 West 183rd in Homewood, at 7:30 p.m. on July 9. The presenter is Rabbi Joel Mosbacher. Pastor Orr will also be participating. For more information look for the poster in the undercroft.
St. John’s did not lose power for any extended period of time, nor was there any wind-related damage on the church property. Phone service and internet were out Tuesday and Wednesday. Everything is now again up and running.
The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
More next week, but thank you to everyone who has helped out with the ice cream social.
Addressing Gun Violence
The National Council of Jewish Women presents “Do Not Stand Idly By – Make all communities safer from gun violence.” The event will be at B’Nai Yehuda Beth Sholom Congregation Am Echad, 1424 West 183rd in Homewood, at 7:30 p.m. on July 9. The presenter is Rabbi Joel Mosbacher. Pastor Orr will also be participating. For more information look for the poster in the undercroft.
Reflection for July 6
Declaration of Dependence
One of the things that I am always reminded of when I read the Declaration of Independence is that the title of this document reveals only half of the story. Independence from Britain is clearly asserted, but the writing goes further, spelling out exactly what this new experiment in democracy would be dependent upon. This document is also a "declaration of dependence" in that it clearly states its reliance on certain core beliefs and values… The writers make it clear throughout the document that freedom is dependent upon equality and the right to create a fulfilling life.
I find this assertion of core beliefs and values inspiring, because we live in a time when it seems many people can tell you more easily what they don't believe in than what they do believe in. We live in a time when people define themselves more by what they are independent from than what they are dependent upon. This, of course, is natural when a person is questioning beliefs they have held and are in a period of transition, but I sense that many people end up getting stuck in this ‘in between’ stage, thus having a hard time articulating the core beliefs and values that their lives are built upon (The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, The Living Compass Wellness Initiative, July 4, 2014).
One of the things that I am always reminded of when I read the Declaration of Independence is that the title of this document reveals only half of the story. Independence from Britain is clearly asserted, but the writing goes further, spelling out exactly what this new experiment in democracy would be dependent upon. This document is also a "declaration of dependence" in that it clearly states its reliance on certain core beliefs and values… The writers make it clear throughout the document that freedom is dependent upon equality and the right to create a fulfilling life.
I find this assertion of core beliefs and values inspiring, because we live in a time when it seems many people can tell you more easily what they don't believe in than what they do believe in. We live in a time when people define themselves more by what they are independent from than what they are dependent upon. This, of course, is natural when a person is questioning beliefs they have held and are in a period of transition, but I sense that many people end up getting stuck in this ‘in between’ stage, thus having a hard time articulating the core beliefs and values that their lives are built upon (The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, The Living Compass Wellness Initiative, July 4, 2014).
Friday, June 27, 2014
Announcements for June 29
Blue Jean Sunday – This Sunday
Please wear your gardening clothes, bring a rake or clippers, and stay after church this Sunday, June 29, to help with landscape work. Everything is growing well and we would like the grounds to look their best for the July 4th Ice Cream Social.
The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
St. John’s Old Time Community Fourth of July Ice Cream Social begins after the Flossmoor Children’s Parade, Friday, July 4. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.; we begin serving around 10:15 a.m. Our clowns, Skiddles and Strawberry will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes. Come enjoy free ice cream and cool drinks. Hot dogs and cookies are available for purchase. (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)
“Like” St. John’s on Facebook
If you use Facebook, have you “liked” St. John’s? Search for St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor. Photos of recent events (like the Ice Cream Social) are typically posted right after the event. There are also event reminders and other posts about parish activities. For example: A recent post and photo highlighted the newly replaced carriage lights along the sidewalk. Another one showed the altar guild burning this year’s palms to be used for ashes on Ash Wednesday. The newest photo album shows the food garden being built and planted. And remember, when you “like” or “share” St. John’s posts, you are spreading the word about the life of the parish. Evangelism couldn’t be easier!
Please wear your gardening clothes, bring a rake or clippers, and stay after church this Sunday, June 29, to help with landscape work. Everything is growing well and we would like the grounds to look their best for the July 4th Ice Cream Social.
The Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
St. John’s Old Time Community Fourth of July Ice Cream Social begins after the Flossmoor Children’s Parade, Friday, July 4. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.; we begin serving around 10:15 a.m. Our clowns, Skiddles and Strawberry will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes. Come enjoy free ice cream and cool drinks. Hot dogs and cookies are available for purchase. (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)
“Like” St. John’s on Facebook
If you use Facebook, have you “liked” St. John’s? Search for St. John the Evangelist, Flossmoor. Photos of recent events (like the Ice Cream Social) are typically posted right after the event. There are also event reminders and other posts about parish activities. For example: A recent post and photo highlighted the newly replaced carriage lights along the sidewalk. Another one showed the altar guild burning this year’s palms to be used for ashes on Ash Wednesday. The newest photo album shows the food garden being built and planted. And remember, when you “like” or “share” St. John’s posts, you are spreading the word about the life of the parish. Evangelism couldn’t be easier!
Reflection for June 29
It takes practice
My eight-year-old grandson Alex’s Presbyterian church also understands the formative importance of practices. His mother helps with communion which is celebrated by intinction. Alex helps by holding the basket of bread and saying to each worshiper, “The bread of life.” His mother offers the cup and says, “The cup of salvation.”
One Sunday they were assigned to take the elements to the people sitting in the balcony. As Susan climbed the balcony stairs she realized that Alex was not following her. She turned around and saw him at the bottom of the stairs. “What are you doing, Alex?” she asked. He gave an answer that’s packed with theological and sacramental significance. He said, “I’m eating the bread of life. I’m hungry” (John M. Buchanan, “It takes practice,” The Christian Century, June 25, 2014).
My eight-year-old grandson Alex’s Presbyterian church also understands the formative importance of practices. His mother helps with communion which is celebrated by intinction. Alex helps by holding the basket of bread and saying to each worshiper, “The bread of life.” His mother offers the cup and says, “The cup of salvation.”
One Sunday they were assigned to take the elements to the people sitting in the balcony. As Susan climbed the balcony stairs she realized that Alex was not following her. She turned around and saw him at the bottom of the stairs. “What are you doing, Alex?” she asked. He gave an answer that’s packed with theological and sacramental significance. He said, “I’m eating the bread of life. I’m hungry” (John M. Buchanan, “It takes practice,” The Christian Century, June 25, 2014).
Friday, June 20, 2014
Announcements for June 22
Uplifting Update
At its June meeting, the vestry approved construction drawings for the installation of a vertical lift just off of the west foyer. The drawings and other information on the accessibility project are available in the undercroft.
Blue Jean Sunday: Help With Landscape Work
Please wear your gardening clothes, bring a rake or clippers, and stay after church next Sunday, June 29, to help with landscape work. Everything is growing well and we would like the grounds to look their best for the July 4th Ice Cream Social.
The Fourth of July is Almost Here!
Every year individuals and families from the broader Flossmoor community attend St. John’s Fourth of July Ice Cream Social. We always offer special entertainment for kids. This year our balloon twisting clowns, Skiddles and Strawberry, will be back. We seek donations from parishioners to help defray the costs of providing this entertainment. You can help us offer this event to the community. Look for red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church. You may place your donation in the offering plate or drop it off at the parish office.
Summer Parish Office Hours
Parish office summer hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until noon.
At its June meeting, the vestry approved construction drawings for the installation of a vertical lift just off of the west foyer. The drawings and other information on the accessibility project are available in the undercroft.
Blue Jean Sunday: Help With Landscape Work
Please wear your gardening clothes, bring a rake or clippers, and stay after church next Sunday, June 29, to help with landscape work. Everything is growing well and we would like the grounds to look their best for the July 4th Ice Cream Social.
The Fourth of July is Almost Here!
Every year individuals and families from the broader Flossmoor community attend St. John’s Fourth of July Ice Cream Social. We always offer special entertainment for kids. This year our balloon twisting clowns, Skiddles and Strawberry, will be back. We seek donations from parishioners to help defray the costs of providing this entertainment. You can help us offer this event to the community. Look for red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church. You may place your donation in the offering plate or drop it off at the parish office.
Summer Parish Office Hours
Parish office summer hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until noon.
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