Announcements for July 8th

SWIFT INTERFAITH PICNIC JULY 29TH

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual summer picnic from 1pm to 5 pm, July 29 on the church grounds of Peace Memorial United Church of Christ (10300 W 131^st St, Palos Park). There is no charge, but bring a side dish if you can. There will be lots of food, a clown, a bouncy house, a piñata, games for the kids, and lots of great conversation with our Jewish, Muslim, and Christian neighbors. If you are interested in attending, please speak to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke by July 17^th so we can get a rough headcount.

Fourth of July Ice Cream Social

A big thank you to all who helped in any way to make the Ice Cream Social a success, even with the weather not cooperating. Whether you helped set-up, contributed flowers, loaned card tables, scooped ice cream, cut watermelon, put up tents, moved tables and chairs, greeted guests, served ice cream and cold drinks, prayed, or helped take everything down, cleaned up and stored away, or made a financial contribution, it could not have happened without you. THANK YOU!

  

RUMMAGE SALE

You can begin dropping off items for the Rummage Sale in the Senior High Room (next to the priest’s office) Sunday, July 8, and continuing during times the church is open until the 19th. Please donate clean, wearable adult and kids’ clothes, toys, furniture, tools, books, dishes, antiques, knickknacks, outdoor/camping gear, etc. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Rectory Project, and we hope to make the sale an Outreach to the greater community. A prominent North Shore Episcopal church makes over a million dollars each year on their rummage sale, so we have a high standard to meet. We’ll have volunteer sign-up sheets on Sunday, July 8, after everyone has a chance to rest from the Ice Cream Social.

Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-Up in Oak Forest

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be doing a litter cleanup project at the Yankee Woods forest preserve in Oak Forest (just north of Central Avenue and 167^th Street) on Sunday, July 8. The clean-up will be from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with ice cream afterwards. Gloves, sticks, bags, and water will be provided. 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 July 4 to sign-up.

Announcements for July 1st

SWIFT INTERFAITH PICNIC JULY 29TH

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual summer picnic from 1pm to 5 pm, July 29 on the church grounds of Peace Memorial United Church of Christ (10300 W 131^st St, Palos Park). There is no charge, but bring a side dish if you can. There will be lots of food, a clown, a bouncy house, a piñata, games for the kids, and lots of great conversation with our Jewish, Muslim, and Christian neighbors. If you are interested in attending, please speak to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke by July 17^th so we can get a rough headcount.

Fourth of July Ice Cream Social

St. John’s Old Time Community Ice Cream Social begins after the Flossmoor Children’s Parade, Wednesday, July 4th. The parade begins at 10 a.m., and we will begin serving around 10:15 a.m. Twistina and Strawberri will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes. Come enjoy ice cream and cool drinks. Hot dogs and cookies are available for purchase. (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)

  

RUMMAGE SALE

You can begin dropping off items for the Rummage Sale in the Senior High Room (next to the priest’s office) Sunday, July 8, and continuing during times the church is open until the 19th. Please donate clean, wearable adult and kids’ clothes, toys, furniture, tools, books, dishes, antiques, knickknacks, outdoor/camping gear, etc. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Rectory Project, and we hope to make the sale an Outreach to the greater community. A prominent North Shore Episcopal church makes over a million dollars each year on their rummage sale, so we have a high standard to meet. We’ll have volunteer sign-up sheets on Sunday, July 8, after everyone has a chance to rest from the Ice Cream Social.

Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-Up in Oak Forest

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be doing a litter cleanup project at the Yankee Woods forest preserve in Oak Forest (just north of Central Avenue and 167^th Street) on Sunday, July 8. The clean-up will be from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with ice cream afterwards. Gloves, sticks, bags, and water will be provided. 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 July 4 to sign-up.

Announcements for June 24th

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

July 4th is only two weeks away. St. John’s Ice Cream Social is our gift to the people, young and old, of Flossmoor. Financial contributions are needed to help cover the cost of the children’s entertainment. And many volunteers are needed to run the event. Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Look for the red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church.

RUMMAGE SALE

We’re planning an all-parish rummage sale for Saturday, July 21. We’ll begin collecting clean, useful items of all sorts July 8. The proceeds will be used for the Rectory update, and we hope to use the sale as an outreach to all members of the community. Everything will be priced to sell, and the leftovers will go to Restoration Ministries in Harvey. If you have questions, please contact Bill Moser. We hope the entire parish will support this effort. Thanks!

 Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-Up in Oak Forest

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be doing a litter cleanup project at the Yankee Woods forest preserve in Oak Forest (just north of Central Avenue and 167^th Street) on Sunday, July 8. The clean-up will be from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with ice cream afterwards. Gloves, sticks, bags, and water will be provided. 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 July 4 to sign-up.

SWIFT INTERFAITH PICNIC JULY 29TH

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual summer picnic from 1pm to 5 pm, July 29 on the church grounds of Peace Memorial United Church of Christ (10300 W 131^st St, Palos Park). There is no charge, but bring a side dish if you can. There will be lots of food, a clown, a bouncy house, a piñata, games for the kids, and lots of great conversation with our Jewish, Muslim, and Christian neighbors. If you are interested in attending, please speak to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke by July 17^th so we can get a rough headcount.

Announcements for June 17th

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

July 4th is only three weeks away. St. John’s Ice Cream Social is our gift to the people, young and old, of Flossmoor. Financial contributions are needed to help cover the cost of the children’s entertainment. And many volunteers are needed to run the event. Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Look for the red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church.

RUMMAGE SALE

We’re planning an all-parish rummage sale for Saturday, July 21. We’ll begin collecting clean, useful items of all sorts July 8. The proceeds will be used for the Rectory update, and we hope to use the sale as an outreach to all members of the community. Everything will be priced to sell, and the leftovers will go to Restoration Ministries in Harvey. If you have questions, please contact Bill Moser. We hope the entire parish will support this effort. Thanks!

  

Care for Our Common Home: Interfaith Forest Clean-Up in Oak Forest

The SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) will be doing a litter cleanup project at the Yankee Woods forest preserve in Oak Forest (just north of Central Avenue and 167^th Street) on Sunday, July 8. The clean-up will be from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with ice cream afterwards. Gloves, sticks, bags, and water will be provided. 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 July 4 to sign-up.

Announcements for June 10th

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

St. John’s Ice Cream Social is a wonderful part of the Fourth of July tradition in Flossmoor. It is our gift to the community. Many volunteers are needed for preparation at 9 a.m. on July 3rd, for set-up at 9 a.m. on July 4th and for clean-up around noon afterwards. Can you contribute time to help set-up, host or clean-up for the event? Contact Gale Michael to volunteer.  Contributions from parishioners help us continue to offer children’s entertainment at the event and to keep food costs low. Look for red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church.

RUMMAGE SALE

We’re planning an all-parish rummage sale for Saturday, July 21. We’ll begin collecting clean, useful items of all sorts July 8. The proceeds will be used for the Rectory update, and we hope to use the sale as an outreach to all members of the community. Everything will be priced to sell, and the leftovers will go to Restoration Ministries in Harvey. If you have questions, please contact Bill Moser. We hope the entire parish will support this effort. Thanks!

Announcements for June 3rd

Parish Picnic

This year, our annual Picnic & Garden Planting, which will include a celebration of our Confirmands, will take place after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, June 3^rd. Everyone is invited for food and refreshments, socialization, and to take part in planting the parish garden. Everything grown in the garden will be donated to Rich Township’s Food Pantry.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

We’re gearing up for the St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social scheduled for Wednesday, July 4th. Twistina and Strawberri will entertain us by twisting balloons into amazing animals, hats, and other shapes. We’ll have ice cream, cold drinks, hot dogs and cookies. All this happens immediately following the 10 a.m. Flossmoor Children’s Parade and runs through about noon. Your participation is what makes this event a success. Are you able to bring in some wildflowers or flowers from your garden? Can you put up flyers around town? Can you help move tables and tents outside? Can you meet and greet our guests? Can you scoop ice cream or cut watermelon on July 3rd? Do you have a card table or two that we can borrow? How about (and this is for everyone) praying for glorious weather? Contact Gale Michael with offers to help and/or questions.

RUMMAGE SALE

We’re planning an all-parish rummage sale for Saturday, July 21. We’ll begin collecting clean, useful items of all sorts July 8. The proceeds will be used for the Rectory update, and we hope to use the sale as an outreach to all members of the community. Everything will be priced to sell, and the leftovers will go to Restoration Ministries in Harvey. If you have questions, please contact Bill Moser. We hope the entire parish will support this effort. Thanks!

Announcements for July 16

Want to attend the SWIFT Picnic? RSVP by July 17!

St. John's recently became the 15th area congregation (and first Episcopal church!) to join the SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT), which promotes harmony and joint community service among the three Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  This month, our first opportunity to participate in a SWIFT event is here.  On Sunday, July 23, from 1-5 pm, at Peace Memorial Church UCC, in Palos Park (10300 West 131st St.), SWIFT will be hosting its annual picnic for families from all member congregations.  Please attend, if you can, and feel free to bring along a friend or two.  Fun and food for all ages will be provided, from BBQ, desserts, and soft drinks to balloons, a bouncy house, piñata, and even a clown.  Embrace this opportunity to share faithful fellowship with your Jewish, Muslim, and Christian neighbors!  RSVP by Monday, July 17 to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke   For more about SWIFT, go to www.swiftinterfaith.org, or visit the group's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SWIFT-South-West-Interfaith-Team

       The Daughters of the King

The Daughters of the King are once again sponsoring the Back to School Backpack Give Away through Respond Now.  We are seeking contributions of folders and wide-ruled spiral notebooks for the backpacks.  The deadline for the supplies will be Sunday, July 30^th.  Please contact Cyndie Knoll if you have questions or need more information.  Collection boxes will be provided in the atrium lobby.

Ice Cream Social

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, making and pouring lemonade and iced tea, serving ice cream, lemonade and iced tea, grilling hotdogs, 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!!!!!!!

Announcements for July 2, 2017

Thank You from Pastor Orr

My deepest thanks are for the privilege of sharing so many experiences of your lives and spiritual journeys.  Thank you also for the many heartfelt notes.  A huge thank you to everyone who was a part of the farewell brunch:  the planners and workers, the senior wardens, and everyone who attended.  (To everyone who took photos, I’d love to see them!)  And, finally, thank you for the generous purse.  I pray for God’s presence and guidance with you all, as individuals and as a parish, as you journey forward.  –Kristin+

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, Monday, July 4.  The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.; we begin serving around 10:15 a.m.  Skiddles and Twistina will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes.  Come enjoy free ice cream and cool drinks.  Hot dogs will be available for purchase.  (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)

SWIFT Annual Picnic                                                                                                                    South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual picnic on Sunday, July 23^rd at Peace Memorial Church, 10300 W 131^st St. Palos Park from 1pm – 5pm.  The picnic is only open to members of the 15 congregations that make up SWIFT (including St. John’s), but you are welcome to bring a friend or two if you would like.  There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of other food as well as a bounce house, a piñata, and a clown.  It should be lots of fun and a great opportunity to share fellowship with our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish neighbors.  If you have any questions please ask or e-mail Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

 Search Committee

The Vestry wants to make sure all members of St John’s who are interested in being considered for the search committee to select our new Rector have an opportunity to do so. If you would like to be considered, please let us know by emailing or calling the parish office. 

You can also contact the Wardens, Greg Lawrence or Steve Hofer if you would like more information.

Please contact us by Thursday, July 13, 2017. We will be making the selections for the search committee at our Vestry meeting on Monday, July 17, 2017. 

Usher Pins                                                                                                                     

One of our usher pins seems to have wandered off.  If found, please return to the basket at the back of the church.

Announcements for June 25

       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 twisters Skiddles and Twistina, 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.

Announcements for June 18

Intercessory Prayer
Anyone who has a prayer request next week, please call the church office. Betsy Sloan will be in the office on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, or contact Betsy Elliot who will activate the prayer chain.

Wednesday Bible Study Class
St. John's Wednesday bible study class is on hiatus for the summer, but we will be joining Holy Family's rector and parishioners for a study of Isaiah on Tuesdays from 6:30 PM until approximately 8:00 PM at Holy Family in Park Forest. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Looking Ahead: Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
July 4th is only two weeks away. St. John’s Ice Cream Social is our gift to the people, young and old, of Flossmoor. Financial contributions are needed to help cover the cost of the children’s entertainment and many volunteers are needed to run the event. Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Look for the red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church.

SWIFT Annual Picnic
South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual picnic on Sunday, July 23rd at Peace Memorial Church, 10300 W 131st St, Palos Park from 1pm – 5pm. The picnic is only open to members of the 15 congregations that make up SWIFT (including St. John’s), but you are welcome to bring a friend or two if you would like. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of other food as well as a bounce house, a piñata, and a clown. It should be lots of fun and a great opportunity to share fellowship with our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish neighbors. If you have any questions please ask or e-mail Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

Announcements for June 11

Farewell Brunch
The Vestry looks forward to seeing everybody at the farewell brunch for Kristin on Sunday, June 18, which is her final Sunday with us. Festivities will take place in the undercroft after the 10 AM service. Please make certain to turn in your RSVP, notify Betsy or any Vestry member by tomorrow, June 12, so we have an accurate headcount. BUT even if you haven’t responded, please join us. All are welcome.

Wednesday Bible Study Class
St. John's Wednesday bible study class is on hiatus for the summer, but we will be joining Holy Family's rector and parishioners for a study of Isaiah on the next few Tuesdays from 6:30 PM until approximately 8:00 PM at Holy Family in Park Forest. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Ice Cream Social
We’re gearing up for the St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social scheduled for Tuesday, July 4th. Skiddles and Twistina will entertain us with their balloon creations. We will have ice cream, cold drinks, and hot dogs. All of this happens immediately following the 10 a.m. Flossmoor Children’s Parade and runs through about 12:15 p.m. Your participation is what makes this event a success. Are you able to bring in some wildflowers or flowers from your garden? Can you put up flyers around town? Can you help move tables and tents outside? Can you meet and greet our guests? Can you scoop ice cream or cut watermelon on July 3rd? Do you have a card table or two that we can borrow? How about (and this is for everyone) praying for glorious weather? Contact Gale Michael with offers to help and/or questions.

SWIFT Annual Picnic
South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be hosting its annual picnic on Sunday, July 23rd at Peace Memorial Church, 10300 W 131st St, Palos Park from 1pm – 5pm. The picnic is only open to members of the 15 congregations that make up SWIFT (including St. John’s), but you are welcome to bring a friend or two if you would like. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of other food as well as a bounce house, a piñata, and a clown. It should be lots of fun and a great opportunity to share fellowship with our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish neighbors. If you have any questions please contact Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

Announcements for June 4

Wear Red for Pentecost
This Sunday is the Day of Pentecost. It is an informal custom in the church for everyone to wear red symbolizing the tongues, as of fire, in the Pentecost story.

Parish Office Summer Hours
The parish office is now on summer hours. The office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

New E-vangelist Schedule
Beginning next week, the e-vangelist will be distributed electronically midday on Thursday. ALL submissions must be received in the parish office by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Please email or phone the office with submissions.

Wednesday Bible Study Class
St. John's Wednesday bible study class is on hiatus for the summer, but we will be joining Holy Family's rector and parishioners for a study of Isaiah on the next few Tuesdays from 6:30 PM until approximately 8:00 PM at Holy Family in Park Forest. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Ice Cream Social
We’re gearing up for the St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social scheduled for Monday, July 4th. Skiddles and Twistina will entertain us with their balloon creations. We will have ice cream, cold drinks, and hot dogs. All of this happens immediately following the 10 a.m. Flossmoor Children’s Parade and runs through about 12:15 p.m. Your participation is what makes this event a success. Are you able to bring in some wildflowers or flowers from your garden? Can you put up flyers around town? Can you help move tables and tents outside? Can you meet and greet our guests? Can you scoop ice cream or cut watermelon on July 3rd? Do you have a card table or two that we can borrow? How about (and this is for everyone) praying for glorious weather? Contact Gale Michael with offers to help and/or questions.

Announcements for July 10

Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
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, making and pouring lemonade and iced tea, serving ice cream, lemonade and iced tea, grilling hotdogs, selling food, overseeing the children’s table, helping the balloon ladies, greeting the community, attending, cleaning up, donating to the entertainment and most importantly praying for good weather. This event would not work as well if all of you didn’t support it. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Help Local School Kids Start School in the Fall
The Daughters of the King are once again coordinating the collection of school supplies for Respond Now. This year they are particularly requesting that we provide spiral notebooks, folders and backpacks. They will be assembling the backpacks early, so all donations must be in to St. John’s by Wednesday, July 20. Look for a collection box in the west foyer.

Volunteer to Help Pets
Can you spare an hour on Saturday, July 16th? We need your help to package pet food for Best Buddies Pet Pantry. Local community food pantries will distribute the packaged food to their clients who need a little extra help in order to keep and feed their pets. It can make the difference between keeping their canine or feline best buddies at home or having to surrender them to shelters. This is an easy ministry for all ages. Please help on the 16th at 10 AM in the education wing.

Wednesday Service: Morning Prayer
This Wednesday, July 13, the 9:00 AM service on Wednesday will be Morning Prayer. The Holy Eucharist will resume August 3.

Vegetable Abundance
This week: Fennel, cucumbers, zucchini.

Announcements for July 3

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, Monday, July 4. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.; we begin serving around 10:15 a.m. Skiddles and Twistina will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes. Come enjoy free ice cream and cool drinks. Hot dogs will be available for purchase. (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)

Office Manager
Office Manager Diane Pugh has resigned, effective July 1. Unanticipated changes in her life, including the need to provide additional care for their son and the emergence of new professional opportunities, have left her life extremely busy and complicated. We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her and her family God’s blessings in the future.

Help Local School Kids Start School in the Fall
The Daughters of the King are once again coordinating the collection of school supplies for Respond Now. This year they are particularly requesting that we provide spiral notebooks, folders and backpacks. They will be assembling the backpacks early, so all donations must be in to St. John’s by Wednesday, July 20. Look for a collection box in the west foyer.

Vegetable Abundance
This week: kale. 

Announcements for June 26

Vestry Notes
During the June meeting of the Vestry we discussed the progress of the Columbarium project. Bids are being solicited, but contractors have been slow to respond. Vestry members reported on their contact with ministries in the parish as part of the Godparent project. We also talked about how to make the ministries of the church more visible to all members.

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 twisters Skiddles and Twistina, 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.

Help Local School Kids Start School in the Fall 
The Daughters of the King are once again coordinating the collection of school supplies for Respond Now. This year they are particularly requesting that we provide spiral notebooks, folders and backpacks. They will be assembling the backpacks early, so all donations must be in to St. John’s by Wednesday, July 20. Look for a collection box in the west foyer.

Vegetable Abundance
This week: lettuce, carrots and dill. Available free in the undercroft on Sunday.

Announcements for June 19

Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets this Monday, June 20, beginning in the church at 7:00 PM.

Looking Ahead: Fourth of July Ice Cream Social
July 4th is only two weeks away. St. John’s Ice Cream Social is our gift to the people, young and old, of Flossmoor. Financial contributions are needed to help cover the cost of the children’s entertainment. And many volunteers are needed to run the event. Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Look for the red, white and blue donation envelopes around the church.

Parish Office Summer Hours
Parish office hours are reduced during the summer. The office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

Vegetable Abundance
I (Pastor Orr) participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). At the beginning of the season I buy a “share” in a local farm. Each week I get a box full of whatever is ready at that time—freshly picked, locally and organically grown. Occasionally I get something I don’t like (beets, fennel). Often I get more than I need. This summer I’m going to offer the abundance in the undercroft on Sundays. It’s free; take all you can use. The point is for none to be wasted. If you wish, on occasion, to make a contribution, proceeds will go to Respond Now. This week: lettuce, endive.

Announcements for June 12

Looking Ahead: Fourth of July Ice Cream Social 
St. John’s ice cream social is a wonderful part of the Fourth of July tradition in Flossmoor. It is our gift to the community. Many volunteers are needed on July 4th, and also for set up on July 3rd and clean up afterwards. Can you contribute time to help set up, host, or clean up for the event? Contact Gale Michael to volunteer. Contributions from parishioners help us continue to offer children’s entertainment at the event and to keep food costs low. Look for donation envelopes around the church.

Vegetable Abundance
I (Pastor Orr) participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). At the beginning of the season I buy a “share” in a local farm. Each week I get a box full of whatever is ready at that time—freshly picked, locally and organically grown. Occasionally I get something I don’t like (beets, fennel). Often I get more than I need. This summer I’m going to offer the abundance in the undercroft on Sundays. It’s free; take all you can use. The point is for none to be wasted. If you wish, on occasion, to make a contribution, proceeds will go to Respond Now. This week: carrots.

Announcements for May 5

Ice Cream Social
We’re gearing up for the St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social scheduled for Monday, July 4th. Skiddles and Twistina will entertain us with their balloon creations. We will have ice cream, cold drinks, and hot dogs. All of this happens immediately following the 10 a.m. Flossmoor Children’s Parade and runs through about 12:15 p.m. Your participation is what makes this event a success. Are you able to bring in some wildflowers or flowers from your garden? Can you put up flyers around town? Can you help move tables and tents outside? Can you meet and greet our guests? Can you scoop ice cream or cut watermelon on July 3rd? Do you have a card table or two that we can borrow? How about (and this is for everyone) praying for glorious weather? Contact Gale Michael with offers to help and/or questions.

Announcements for July 5

Ice Cream Social
A big thank you to everyone who did or is about to (depending on when you’re reading this) participate 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 hotdogs, selling food, overseeing the children’s table, helping the balloon ladies, greeting the community, attending, cleaning up, donating to the entertainment (you still can!) and most importantly praying for good weather. This event would not work as well if all of you didn’t support it. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

School Supplies for Respond Now
The Daughters of the King are coordinating our participation in a drive to collect school supplies for clients of Respond Now. Specifically requested: Children’s scissors (either safety or pointed are OK), “college ruled” notebook paper, and 2 inch ring binders. Please bring donations to church by Sunday, July 19. Thank you.

Announcements for June 28

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, Saturday, July 4. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m.; we begin serving around 10:15 a.m. Skiddles and Twistina will be twisting balloons into all sorts of fun shapes. Come enjoy free ice cream and cool drinks. Hot dogs will be available for purchase. (Financial contributions to help underwrite the event are still welcome.)

School Supplies for Respond Now
The Daughters of the King are coordinating our participation in a drive to collect school supplies for clients of Respond Now. Specifically requested: Children’s scissors (either safety or pointed are OK), “college ruled” notebook paper, and 2 inch ring binders. Please bring donations to church by Sunday, July 19. Thank you.