Announcements for February 7

Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, February 10. The Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, and 7:00 PM.

Shrove Tuesday: Pancake Feast and Burial of the Alleluia
The traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be held Tuesday, February 9, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children. All proceeds will benefit the youth group outreach projects. And all children of the parish are invited to come help decorate and bury the Alleluia banner for Lent.

The Observance of a Holy Lent
Guidelines for observing Lent (“Lent for Dummies”) and various resources are available on the information tables.

Lent Study Series
This year the Rector’s study series for Lent will explore the use of the Psalms in worship. Classes are Wednesday evenings, beginning February 17 at 7:00 PM.

Youth Group Resumes This Sunday, 4:00 PM
Welcome back from an extended break… just in time for Lent! We’ll take a positive spin on this traditionally dreary church season and see how beautifully we emerge at Easter. Bring a friend. Super-quick service activity. Super-simple planning for a spring party with IJP and Flossmoor Community Church youth. Plus something super-goofy. And all done long before the Super Bowl begins. Preguntas? Dee McManamy or Margi Strombeck.

Thank You from Pets and Their Families
Do our hands still smell like dog treats? Last Saturday, eight volunteers spent a couple of hours at St. John’s packaging treats for dogs whose families are registered at various south suburban township food pantries. The Best Buddies Pet Pantry program provides extra pet food assistance in order to keep pets in homes and out of shelters. Many thanks to our volunteers who did the packaging and to those who donated items over the past couple of months. Now the collection box is empty. When you bring in donations for the Rich Township food pantry, please consider bringing in dog or cat food. You can drop it off in the BBPP box next to the Rich Township baskets. Thank you!

Thank You from the Yarn Ministry
We thank you all very much for your HUGE support of the warm clothing collections we had this winter for PADS and Respond Now. With your and God’s help, we were able to keep many people in need warm this winter.

Announcements for December 6

Fall Pledge Campaign
If you have not already done so, please turn in your pledge cards as soon as possible. You may place them in the alms basins on Sunday or mail them to the parish office.

MIQRA: For Youth Grades 6 - 12
Miqra is a weekend youth retreat focusing on the Bible. Gather with new and old friends, have fun, and learn about the Bible. Sponsored by the Diocese of Chicago. Held at Grace Church, Oak Park, January 16-18. More information and registration HERE.

Children’s Christmas Pageant
The children’s Christmas Pageant is offered as the proclamation of the Gospel during the 4:00 PM service on Christmas Eve. Calling all kids! We will assign parts and read through the script after the 10:00 AM service Sunday, December 13. Additional rehearsals will be after church on December 20 and at 4:00 PM on December 23. Questions? Contact Pat Smith Huntoon.

Youth Group
Inner child to be unleashed this Sunday, 4 PM at St. John’s. Gather your friends and come for pre-semester finals fun and games. Designed to help you take a breather and a brain break before the craziness sets in. It’s St. Nicholas’ Day—come see if he brings goodies for you (even if you’ve been naughtier than nice this year)! Text Dee or Margi to let us know if you’re coming and how many friends you’ll bring.

Yarn Ministry still needs the congregation’s assistance
We will be collecting some winter clothing articles for the PADS Ministry. Donations of hand or machine made (store bought) scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens for men, women and children. PADS is also accepting coats and socks for all their people in need. Donated items, if not new, should be clean and gently used. We urgently request all the crocheters, knitters, and shoppers in the parish, to please help the Yarn Ministry make this another very successful project. Collections bins are located in the undercroft and at the office entrance. There is a PADS collection bin located in the undercroft, as well. Deposit items in any of the containers, Thank you. Collection dates are December 13 and January 31.

Handel’s Messiah
Illiana Oratorio Society is pleased to announce its performance of Handel's Messiah which will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015. It will be held at First Christian Reformed Church of South Holland (16248 South Park Ave, South Holland, IL) at 2p.m. This year's soloists will feature: Elaine DeYoung, Maria Bouwhamp-Luttjeboer, Jack Cotterell, and Douglas Anderson. All are welcome to attend!

Grande Prairie Singers Holiday Concert
The concert will be held at 4:00 pm, Sunday, December 13, at St Lawrence O'Toole Church in Matteson. Great selections from "In the Bleak Midwinter" to Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin" to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." See Bob or Betsy Burgwald for tickets.

Announcements for September 20

Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, September 21, beginning in the church at 7:00 PM with Evening Prayer.

Welcome Chad Senuta at 9:00 AM This Sunday
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s this Sunday, September 20. He will present a forum in the adult classroom in the Education Wing for parishioners of all ages during the 9:00 AM hour and will preach at the 10:00 AM service.

Last Call for Delegates for Diocesan Convention
This year’s annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will be held November 20 & 21 at the Westin Lombard. This year’s keynote speaker is the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms-Magdalene, a community of women who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction. Everyone is welcome to attend convention. If you are interested in serving as a delegate or alternate from St. John’s to the business sessions, please let Pastor Orr know by this Sunday, September 20.

Sunday School Classes Begin Next Sunday September 27
Sunday School classes for all ages begin next Sunday, September 27. Children do not have to be pre-registered to participate.

2015 – 2016 Parish Calendar Available
Copies of the coming year’s calendar of services and activities are available on the information tables.