Announcements for February 17th

Fleece Blanket Donation

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 Monday, February 25th at 6:30pm in the undercroft.  If you are planning to help assemble the blankets please bring a sharp scissors and a ruler. We will be working with the fleece that was donated and if anyone had fleece purchased for this project we would appreciate your bringing it that evening.   Please contact Marilyn Kromer, Bev Keene, or Shirley Reilly with any questions.  Thank you.

Respond Now Needs Men’s Gloves!

Respond Now is asking for St. John’s help in collecting men’s gloves for this winter season. Any winter articles would be appreciated (hats, scarves, gloves, coats), but they have completely run out of men’s gloves to give out. Donations can be placed in the boxes at the top of the stairs to the undercroft.

Newcomer’s Reception – Friday, February 16^th at the Rectory, 5:00 p.m.

St. John’s Table – Sunday, February 24^th at 5:00 p.m.

The early church worshipped around the table, around a meal that we have ritualized into the modern mass. Join us as we reclaim an ancient form of worship, as we gather around the table and together seek the spirit’s movement in our own time and in our own community. Come to the Table!

Lector Training

There will be a Lector training session right after the 10 a.m. mass on Sunday, February 24. It shouldn’t last much more than 15 minutes. We have had a lot of changes and all lectors need to be informed of the tweaks in the ‘choreography.’ If you didn’t make the one last Saturday, please plan to attend this one. If you can’t make it, or no longer want to be a lector, please let me know. Thanks. Bill Moser.

TV Needed

The new Resource Room needs a 55-to-65-inch flat-screen television that can be mounted on the wall. It should have the capacity to connect to a laptop in order to run videos and Power Point presentations. Do you have such a TV in good condition that you can donate, or are you interested in donating a new one? If so, please contact Fr. Jeremy.

 “Recognizing Hate,” Event in Homewood

The SouthWest Interfaith Team (SWIFT), of which St. John’s is a member, was invited to attend an event put on by the South Suburban Housing Center concerning hate crimes, how to recognize them, and how to address them. The event will be at the Irwin Community Center in Homewood on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 6pm to 8pm. If you have any questions please talk to or email Bryan Burke.

SWIFT Speakers’ Forum, March 17 at St. John’s

St. John’s will be hosting the South West Interfaith Team’s (SWIFT) Spring Speakers’ Forum on Sunday, March 17. The topic is “Environmental Stewardship in Our Faiths” and will feature a Christian, Jewish, and Muslim speaker who will present the perspective of each faith on our responsibility to God’s creation. Registration starts at 2:30pm with the forum running from 3:00pm to 5:00pm with a Q&A following that. Those who cannot stay for the Q&A are free to not attend. There will be snacks and light refreshments throughout. If you have any questions please talk to or email Bryan Burke or Rob McManamy.

Daughters of the King meeting Saturday 9:30-11:00am in the Guild Room.

All women of the Parish are welcome.  We will be discussing our Lenten activities and planning for the Diocesan Meeting onApril 6th.  We will also continue with the study: The Quest; An Excursion Toward Intimacy with God.

Announcements for November 18th

Christmas Basket Program  https://www.saintjamescathedral.org/outreach/christmasbaskets.

We have one family left that needs sponsoring, so anyone who is able, please contact Fr. Jeremy to receive their Family Packet. This year’s deadline for dropping off your Christmas Baskets at St. John’s will be no later than Wednesday, December 5^th. If you are unable to shop and would like to be a part of this blessing, please give checks made out to St. John's, with "Revive Christmas Baskets" in the memo.  The youth of the congregation will be adopting/shopping and wrapping the presents for the family. Checks should get to the church by Friday, November 30^th.

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 Tuesday 11-13-2018 at 6:30pm.  If you are planning to help assemble the blankets please bring sharp scissors, a ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly.  Thank you!

Only 5 Spots Left to Help Feed the World! 

Join other St. John volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, as we pack nutritious meals for the world's malnourished children.  We will caravan from church (approx 1:00 pm) to the packing facility for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Aurora, IL, where we--along with over 200 other volunteers--will assemble and pack meals for shipment to the hungry.  It's fun fellowship with like-minded folks, it's perfect for chalking up service hours, and it is quite literally life-saving, soulful work.  Can't join us?  PLEASE consider donating money to cover the cost of the meals we will pack!  Each volunteer will pack $50 worth of food which translates to 216 meals!  Our goal is to raise $750...that's 3,240 meals. Make checks payable to Church of St. John with FMSC on the memo line.  Want to know more about FMSC?  Check out this amazing Christian organization at http://www.fmsc.org  If you want to go with us and help pack meals, please email Dee McManamy. There are jobs for everyone and for every ability from age 5 yrs upward. Need to sit while working? We've got those jobs, too!  If you signed up for this project during St. J's Ministry Fair in September, look for info emails soon with more details.  

Ping-Pong Table

The church has a ping-pong table that could be yours for the taking! It folds in half for moving and storage and is on wheels. You probably would have to buy a new net for it. If you or an organization you know of would like to have it, speak with Fr. Jeremy or Susan Marquis.

Interfaith Dinner, November 18^th

The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be having its annual interfaith dinner at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, November 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be lots of food and great conversation. Tickets are $20 and must be bought ahead of time. If you are interested please talk to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. 

Alternative Christmas Gift Market

Are you thinking about Christmas shopping? The Alternative Christmas Gift Market enables you to contribute to a charitable organization. An alternative Christmas gift to friends and family will benefit those in need. Your alternative gift to another will extend the true meaning of Christmas and ensure spiritual action after Christmas has passed and other gifts are forgotten or discarded. For each donation made, you will receive a decorative card indicating the name of the organization to which you have donated. This card can then be given as your alternative Christmas gift.

The following organizations will be included this year:

* Cancer Support Group                                              * Bakery Dos Corazones

* Christian Peace Makers                                 * ReVive

* The Night Ministry                                        * Respond Now

* Episcopal Relief and Development               * Holistic Riding Equestrian Therapy

You will be able to purchase donations in the amounts of $5, $10, $15 or $25. Payment will be made to Transfiguration. Order forms will be distributed on November 11th and November 18th. One the back of the order forms there will be a brief description of each organization. Order form will be collected along with payment in cash or checks made out to Transfiguration on November 18th and November 25th. Cards with a copy of the order form will be distributed to participants on November 25th and December 2nd.

Dinner Groups

Make new friends and reconnect with old ones ant St. John’s Dinner Groups. Groups of six to eight will meet at each other’s homes at least three times. You don’t have to host to participate. Conversation will flow, and it doesn’t even have to be religious! Sign up by November 25^th with Gale Michael, before or after mass. For more information, contact Gale Michael.

Announcements for November 11th

Christmas Basket Program  https://www.saintjamescathedral.org/outreach/christmasbaskets.

St. John’s is once again participating in the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing’s Christmas Basket Program. We are asking parishioners and church organizations to please volunteer and sponsor a family to provide them with a merry and memorable Christmas. Packets will be available in the undercroft that provide information about the families, such as the number of members and the corresponding family number they’ve been assigned. When you select a family, please print your name and phone number on the sign-up sheet next to the family number you are taking, and make sure you take the correct packet! This year’s deadline for dropping off your Christmas Baskets at St. John’s will be no later than Wednesday, December 5^th. If you are unable to shop and would like to be a part of this blessing, please give checks made out to St. John's, with "Revive Christmas Baskets" in the memo.  The youth of the congregation will be adopting/shopping and wrapping the presents for the family. Checks should get to the church by Friday, November 30. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT A FAMILY AND CAN’T MAKE IT TO CHURCH THIS SUNDAY, PLEASE EMAIL Fr. Jeremy with the approximate size of the family you are willing to adopt by November 11^th, 2018.

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup — Sunday, November 11^th

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, a ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly at 708-305-2540.  Thank you!

Interfaith Dinner, November 18^th

The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be having its annual interfaith dinner at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, November 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be lots of food and great conversation. Tickets are $20 and must be bought ahead of time. If you are interested please talk to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. 

Don't Throw Away Your Halloween Candy

Again this year we will be collecting left-over (or specially purchased) Halloween candy for the Manteno Veterans' Home. The facility serves up to 294 veterans with medical and special needs issues. The residents are provided with meals but not with extras, so candy is a real treat for them -- especially the fun-sized candy bars. You may donate opened bags of candy as long as the candy pieces are individually wrapped. There will be a donation box in the food collection area between the two staircases. The collection will continue through Sunday, November 11th, which, appropriately, is Veterans' Day.

Only 5 Spots Left to Help Feed the World! 

Join other St. John volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, as we pack nutritious meals for the world's malnourished children.  We will caravan from church (approx 1:00 pm) to the packing facility for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Aurora, IL, where we--along with over 200 other volunteers--will assemble and pack meals for shipment to the hungry.  It's fun fellowship with like-minded folks, it's perfect for chalking up service hours, and it is quite literally life-saving, soulful work.  Can't join us?  PLEASE consider donating money to cover the cost of the meals we will pack!  Each volunteer will pack $50 worth of food which translates to 216 meals!  Our goal is to raise $750...that's 3,240 meals. Make checks payable to Church of St. John with FMSC on the memo line.  Want to know more about FMSC?  Check out this amazing Christian organization at http://www.fmsc.org  If you want to go with us and help pack meals, please email Dee McManamy. There are jobs for everyone and for every ability from age 5 yrs upward. Need to sit while working? We've got those jobs, too!  If you signed up for this project during St. J's Ministry Fair in September, look for info emails soon with more details.  

Ping-Pong Table

The church has a ping-pong table that could be yours for the taking! It folds in half for moving and storage and is on wheels. You probably would have to buy a new net for it. If you or an organization you know of would like to have it, speak with Fr. Jeremy or Susan Marquis.

Announcements for November 4th

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, a ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly. Thank you!

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup — Sunday, November 11^th

Yarn Ministry — Monday, November 5^th at 7:00 pm in the Guild Room

Interfaith Dinner, November 18^th

The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be having its annual interfaith dinner at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, November 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be lots of food and great conversation. Tickets are $20 and must be bought ahead of time. If you are interested please talk to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. 

Don't Throw Away Your Halloween Candy

Again this year we will be collecting left-over (or specially purchased) Halloween candy for the Manteno Veterans' Home. The facility serves up to 294 veterans with medical and special needs issues. The residents are provided with meals but not with extras, so candy is a real treat for them -- especially the fun-sized candy bars. You may donate opened bags of candy as long as the candy pieces are individually wrapped. There will be a donation box in the food collection area between the two staircases. The collection will continue through Sunday, November 11th, which, appropriately, is Veterans' Day.

All Souls Day — Friday, November 2^nd at 7:00 pm.

You can still bring photographs and/or mementos of loved ones who have passed away for us to include in our Shrine of Remembrance for this All Saints Day, which will remain up through the month of November. You can give them to Fr. Jeremy or drop them by the church office. Also, please send your list of names that you would like to be remembered in the All Souls bulletin to the church email.

Only 5 Spots Left to Help Feed the World! 

Join other St. John volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, as we pack nutritious meals for the world's malnourished children.  We will caravan from church (approx 1:00 pm) to the packing facility for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Aurora, IL, where we--along with over 200 other volunteers--will assemble and pack meals for shipment to the hungry.  It's fun fellowship with like-minded folks, it's perfect for chalking up service hours, and it is quite literally life-saving, soulful work.  Can't join us?  PLEASE consider donating money to cover the cost of the meals we will pack!  Each volunteer will pack $50 worth of food which translates to 216 meals!  Our goal is to raise $750...that's 3,240 meals. Make checks payable to Church of St. John with FMSC on the memo line.  Want to know more about FMSC?  Check out this amazing Christian organization at http://www.fmsc.org  If you want to go with us and help pack meals, please email Dee McManamy. There are jobs for everyone and for every ability from age 5 yrs upward. Need to sit while working? We've got those jobs, too!  If you signed up for this project during St. J's Ministry Fair in September, look for info emails soon with more details.  

Ping-Pong Table

The church has a ping-pong table that could be yours for the taking! It folds in half for moving and storage and is on wheels. You probably would have to buy a new net for it. If you or an organization you know of would like to have it, speak with Fr. Jeremy or Susan Marquis.

Announcements for October 28th

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, a ruler and a marker.  If you would like to donate towards supplies, please contact Shirley Reilly at 708-305-2540.  Thank you!

Blue Jean Yard Cleanup — Sunday, November 11^th

2018-2019 Directory

A new edition of the directory is underway, and a draft has been placed in the back of the church. This Sunday, 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.

Yarn Ministry — Monday, November 5^th at 7:00 pm in the Guild Room

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.

Interfaith Dinner, November 18^th

The South West Interfaith Team (SWIFT) will be having its annual interfaith dinner at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Homewood on Sunday, November 18 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be lots of food and great conversation. Tickets are $20 and must be bought ahead of time. If you are interested please talk to Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke. 

All Souls Day — Friday, November 2^nd at 7:00 pm.

This Sunday, please bring photographs and/or mementos of loved ones who have passed away for us to include in our Shrine of Remembrance for this All Saints Day, which will remain up through the month of November. You can give them to Fr. Jeremy or drop them by the church office. Also, please send to the church email your list of names that you would like to be remembered in the All Souls bulletin.

Don't Throw Away Your Halloween Candy

Again this year we will be collecting left-over (or specially purchased) Halloween candy for the Manteno Veterans' Home. The facility serves up to 294 veterans with medical and special needs issues. The residents are provided with meals but not with extras, so candy is a real treat for them -- especially the fun-sized candy bars. You may donate opened bags of candy as long as the candy pieces are individually wrapped. There will be a donation box in the food collection area between the two staircases. The collection will continue through Sunday, November 11th, which, appropriately, is Veterans' Day.

Only 7 Spots Left to Help Feed the World! 

Join other St. John volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, as we pack nutritious meals for the world's malnourished children.  We will caravan from church (approx 1:00 pm) to the packing facility for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Aurora, IL, where we--along with over 200 other volunteers--will assemble and pack meals for shipment to the hungry.  It's fun fellowship with like-minded folks, it's perfect for chalking up service hours, and it is quite literally life-saving, soulful work.  Can't join us?  PLEASE consider donating money to cover the cost of the meals we will pack!  Each volunteer will pack $50 worth of food which translates to 216 meals!  Our goal is to raise $750...that's 3,240 meals. Make checks payable to Church of St. John with FMSC on the memo line.  Want to know more about FMSC?  Check out this amazing Christian organization at http://www.fmsc.org. If you want to go with us and help pack meals, please email Dee McManamy. There are jobs for everyone and for every ability from age 5 yrs upward. Need to sit while working? We've got those jobs, too!  If you signed up for this project during St. J's Ministry Fair in September, look for info emails soon with more details. 

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 14^th at Faith United Methodist Church (15101 South 80^th 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 11^th

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 14^th at Faith United Methodist Church (15101 South 80^th 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 7^th at 4:30 pm.

Announcements for July 22nd

RUMMAGE SALE

The pre-sale for the parish is Friday, tomorrow, for 6 - 8 p.m.

The public sale starts Saturday at 8 a.m. Everything goes half price at noon. We need helpers to pack stuff up and carry tables down to the Undercroft after the sale from 2 - 3:30 ish. 

Thanks to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to make this a success!

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.

Announcements for July 15th

Huge Rummage Sale Needs Volunteers

Donate your treasures  in the mornings through Wednesday, July 18 at the church. If there is no one there, call Bill Moser (708-799-8225), Fr. Dwyer (219/798-7981), or Greg Lawrence (708/798-6239) to let you in.

Please contact Bill Moser to sign up to help with the Huge Rummage Sale.

We need volunteers:

·         Sorters next Monday - Friday mornings (July 16  - 20) from 10 to noon,

·         Cashiers and Room Helpers for the Pre-sale for parishioners from 6 - 8 pm Friday July 20.

·         Cashiers and Room Helpers in 2-hour shifts from 7:45 - 3 ish on the day of the sale Saturday, July 21.

Finally, we need bags, both paper grocery and plastic bags.

Donation letters will be available for tax purposes.

Thanks to all who donate and help in myriad other ways, especially Jane and Fr. Mike Dwyer!

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 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 November 12th

The Center for Independence Through Conductive Education

The Vestry of St. John’s has begun a preliminary conversation with The Center for Independence Through Conductive Education, a 501 C-3 non-profit corporation dedicated to helping people with motor disorders. This includes people of all ages with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and other motor dysfunction like stroke victims. This past summer the Center offered a 4 week “summer camp” for the first time in the Homewood / Flossmoor area. As a result, these preliminary conversations began after The Center for Independence approached St. John’s as they began looking for a location in the area that would best fit their needs. We would like our members to join us in exploring whether or not this program would be a good fit for St. John’s and our outreach within our greater community. We look forward to having more conversations about the Center for Independence Through Conductive Education in the coming months. If you would like more information about this conversation, please contact a vestry member and look for announcements regarding future meetings. Your input is anticipated and appreciated by the Vestry. They have a wonderful website where you can get more information on their program and services. www.center-for-independence.org.

Practicing Our Faith Book Club

This month the Practicing Our Faith Book Club is reading Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor, a collection of short stories written in the final decade of her life. The book club will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00pm in the Guild Room to discuss the book. New members are always welcome!

Respond Now

The Daughters of the King are collecting personal items for the men and women that receive assistance through Respond Now. Suggestions: soap, shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, etc. Both full and travel-size are needed.

Halloween Candy

Please donate your individually wrapped leftover Halloween candy for residents of the Manteno Veterans’ Home. There is a collection box between the staircases, and the collection will continue through Wednesday, November 15^th.

Christmas Basket Program

St. John’s is once again participating in the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing’s Christmas Basket Program. We are asking parishioners and church organizations to please volunteer and sponsor a family to provide them with a merry and memorable Christmas. Sign-up sheets and family packets are available in the undercroft. This year’s deadline for dropping off the Christmas Baskets at St. John’s will be no later than Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

NOV. 12 - Annual SWIFT Inter-Faith Mixer/Dinner in Orland Park

Meet, greet and break bread with open-hearted members of other faiths next month at the annual SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) dinner, Sunday, November 12, at Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park. The traditional format of this fun event is to seat fellow SWIFT members at each table from all three Abrahamic faiths. The simple idea is to help promote dialogue and fellowship in a casual and communal setting ("Mohammed, please pass the butter?"). The Church is located at 151^st St & 80^th Ave., and doors open at 5:30 pm. The dinner runs from 6 pm—8 pm and tickets are $20 apiece. Please make checks payable to St. John's, and reserve your seat by Nov. 3. For more information, please contact our SWIFT ambassadors, Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

Parish Dinner Groups

Sign up for the 2018 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 12, 2017. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael.

Bible Study/Fellowship Group

This Bible study group will meet at members' houses for a pot luck dinner and fellowship once a month. Kids are welcome! The first meeting will be in January. If you are interested in joining, please contact Mary VanSwol, and state whether you prefer Saturday or Sunday from 5-7 pm. An official time will be announced closer to the date.

Wednesday Update

The Wednesday Eucharists meet at 9 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., Fr. Mike will lead a weekly bible study class. This is an all-parish class for both men and women. If you can, please bring your own NRSV bible, but don’t worry if you forget or don’t have one.

Small Group Surveys

Please take a few minutes and fill out the small group availability form located in the Sunday leaflet.  Each small group will last for approximately 90 minutes. You can place the form in the offering plate or give it to a search committee member.

Announcements for November 5th

United Thank Offering

The collection for the United Thank Offering (UTO) will be this Sunday, November 5, 2017. Please bring your UTO boxes, or you may save your box and transfer your gift to an envelope marked UTO. If you prefer to write a check, make the check payable to St. John’s and reference UTO on the MEMO line. Thank you all for supporting this wonderful outreach ministry

Respond Now

The Daughters of the King are collecting personal items for the men and women that receive assistance through Respond Now. Suggestions are: soap, shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, etc. Both full-size and travel-size are needed.

Practicing Our Faith Book Club

This month the Practicing Our Faith Book Club is reading Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor, a collection of short stories written in the final decade of her life. The book club will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00pm in the Guild Room to discuss the book. New members are always welcome!

Blue Jean Yard Clean Up – Will meet Sunday, November 12^th.

Yarn Ministry – Will meet Monday, November 6th in the Guild room at 7 PM.

Christmas Basket Program

St. John’s is once again participating in the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing’s Christmas Basket Program. We are asking parishioners and church organizations to please volunteer and sponsor a family to provide them with a merry and memorable Christmas. Sign-up sheets are available in the undercroft, so please start selecting the families you wish to sponsor. If you’ve selected a family, packets can be picked up in the church office. This year’s deadline for dropping off the Christmas Baskets at St. John’s will be no later than Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

NOV. 12 - Annual SWIFT Inter-Faith Mixer/Dinner in Orland Park

Meet, greet and break bread with open-hearted members of other faiths next month at the annual SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) dinner, Sunday, November 12, at Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park. The traditional format of this fun event is to seat fellow SWIFT members at each table from all three Abrahamic faiths. The simple idea is to help promote dialogue and fellowship in a casual and communal setting ("Mohammed, please pass the butter?"). The Church is located at 151^st St & 80^th Ave., and doors open at 5:30 pm. The dinner runs from 6 pm—8 pm and tickets are $20 apiece. Please make checks payable to St. John's, and reserve your seat by Nov. 3. For more information, please contact our SWIFT ambassadors, Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

Parish Dinner Groups

Sign up for the 2018 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 12, 2017. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael.

Thanks to everyone who took the Church Assessment Tool, or CAT survey. This Sunday (Nov 5), at 9:00 am in the adult education wing, the search committee will present the top level findings from the survey. Please come join the conversation and hear about what's next - the small group discussions. Sign up will begin on the 5th for the small groups, which take what we learned from the CAT and add greater detail to it. 

Bible Study/Fellowship Group

This Bible study group will meet at members' houses for a pot luck dinner and fellowship once a month. Kids are welcome! The first meeting will be in January. If you are interested in joining, please contact Mary VanSwol, and state whether you prefer Saturday or Sunday from 5-7 pm. An official time will be announced closer to the date.

Halloween Candy

Please donate your individually wrapped leftover Halloween candy for residents of the Manteno Veterans’ Home. There is a collection box between the staircases, and the collection will continue through Wednesday, November 15^th.

Wednesday Update

The Wednesday Eucharists will begin this coming week, November 8^th, at 9 am. Then, at 10 am, Fr. Mike will lead a weekly bible study class. This is an all-parish class for both men and women. If you can, please bring your own NRSV bible, but don’t worry if you forget or don’t have one.

Announcements for October 29th

United Thank Offering – IT’S EASY!

Notice the good things that happen each day? Give thanks to God for your Blessings and make an offering for each Blessing. Every penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar offered in thanks through the United Thank Offering (UTO) is given to God’s mission in the world.  Every coin and bill transforms Lives in the United States and around the world. Turn your gratitude for your blessings into blessings for others.

Respond Now

The Daughters of the King are collecting personal items for the men and women that receive assistance through Respond Now. Suggestions are: soap, shampoo, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, etc. Both full-size and travel-size are needed.

Blue Jean Yard Clean Up – Will meet Sunday, November 12^th.

Yarn Ministry – Will meet Monday, November 6th in the Guild room at 7 PM.

Christmas Basket Program

St. John’s is once again participating in the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing’s Christmas Basket Program. We are asking parishioners and church organizations to please volunteer and sponsor a family to provide them with a merry and memorable Christmas. Sign-up sheets are available in the undercroft, so please start selecting the families you wish to sponsor. This year’s deadline for dropping off the Christmas Baskets at St. John’s will be no later than Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

NOV. 12 - Annual SWIFT Inter-Faith Mixer/Dinner in Orland Park

Meet, greet and break bread with open-hearted members of other faiths next month at the annual SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) dinner, Sunday, November 12, at Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park. The traditional format of this fun event is to seat fellow SWIFT members at each table from all three Abrahamic faiths. The simple idea is to help promote dialogue and fellowship in a casual and communal setting ("Mohammed, please pass the butter?"). The Church is located at 151^st St & 80^th Ave., and doors open at 5:30 pm. The dinner runs from 6 pm—8 pm and tickets are $20 apiece. Please make checks payable to St. John's, and reserve your seat by Nov. 3. For more information, please contact our SWIFT ambassadors, Rob McManamy or Bryan Burke.

Fr. Jim Caldwell’s last Sunday with us will be October 29.

There will be a celebration of his ministry among us in the undercroft after the 10 am service. In gratitude for his service here, the Vestry would like to present him with a purse. If you wish to contribute to this, please place your check or cash (labeled “purse”) in the collection plate at next Sunday’s service.

Practicing Our Faith Book Club

This month the Practicing Our Faith Book Club is reading Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor, a collection of short stories written in the final decade of her life. The book club will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00pm in the Guild Room to discuss the book. New members are always welcome!

Parish Dinner Groups

Sign up for the 2018 Parish Dinner Groups continues through Sunday, November 12, 2017. Information and forms for signing up will be found on a table in the undercroft. Please join us even if you are not a “couple” or you can’t host a dinner in your home. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little bit better, please talk to Gale Michael.

Thanks to everyone who took the Church Assessment Tool, or CAT survey. Next Sunday (Nov 5), at 9:00 am in the adult education wing, the search committee will present the top level findings from the survey. Please come join the conversation and hear about what's next - the small group discussions. Sign up will begin on the 5th for the small groups, which take what we learned from the CAT and add greater detail to it