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Dear Friends,
As you all probably are aware by now, while we were away on vacation, someone vandalized the Black Lives Matter banner that has been out on the church lawn since June. Someone apparently took exception to the notion that “Black” lives matter, and changed it to “All” lives matter. Well, the misdirected machinations of a vandal has answered a question that has been lingering in my mind for a while, “Do our neighbors even know we’re here?” I am happy to say, that the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
That is both good for us, and a challenge to us. I discovered this week that our neighbor’s noticed when we put that banner up, and they felt a connection to St. John’s for being an ally to the black community (an ally because after all, we are a predominantly white community). I discovered that our neighbors have been talking about us, and when our banner was vandalized, and the police department asked us to take it down so as to not incite further anger in the community, they noticed that too. When we came home on Saturday, we found that the yard was filled with Black Lives Matter signs that our neighbors took from their own yards and filled the empty space left by a vandal. And the sidewalk wrapping around the church is filled with chalk drawings and messages, as if giving us a great big hug.
I have been reminded of something this week – we may not always be aware of it, but people notice us, and they notice what we say and how we respond to hateful acts. When we are silent, we are validating every negative preconception people have about the church, that we are only concerned with ourselves and that we aren’t willing to put action behind our words. The Gospel that Jesus calls us to follow (note that he never asked us to worship him, but to follow him) demands that we are a people of action, that we stand with and for those who can no longer stand on their own, and that we use our privileged and empowered voices to speak on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced. My challenge for all of us this week is that we our actions may show others God’s life giving, transformative love. As St. Francis is credited with saying, “Let us preach the Gospel always, and only if necessary, use words.”
Grace and peace,
Fr. Jeremy
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Worship for Sunday, August 23, 2020
Liturgy of the Word at 9:30 a.m.
Please click here to enter
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All in-person worship is still cancelled until further notice.
We are now in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan and the Diocese of Chicago's A New Season guidelines. During this time in-person gatherings of up to 100 or 25% of the building capacity (51 for St. John's) will be permitted while maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask. We are tentatively planning to resume in-person worship on the weekend of September 5th and 6th.
If you would like your group to resume meetings, you will need to comply with all the guidelines approved by the Bishop's Office and your Vestry. These guidelines can be found in the link on the homepage of our website. Also, all group leaders who wish to resume in-person meetings will need to speak with Fr. Jeremy first. Please reach out to him either by email or telephone. As we enter this time of a phased re-opening, please know that we are doing so by working closely with Bishop Lee and our Diocesan Staff to ensure that the health and safety of our people is paramount. Please continue to monitor messages from St. John's and our website for updates, and continue to follow all physical distancing guidelines and recommendations from our state and local authorities.
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Please note our new service times
(These times will go into effect when we resume in-person worship.)
Saturdays @ 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite 2 (using resources from Enriching our Worship)
Sundays @ 8:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite 1
Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite 2 (from the Book of Common Prayer)
Please remember that we will be limited to no more than 50 people gathering together in person. If you have been in the habit of attending our 10:00 am service, please consider attending either Saturday evenings or the 8:30 a.m. service on Sundays.
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We want to pray for you!
At St. John's we are blessed to have a number of faithful prayer warriors that are ready to pray for the health, safety, guidance, and/or well being of anyone in need. If you have URGENT prayer requests we encourage you to to reach out to Ginny McCollum, the Parish Office, and Fr. Jeremy to ensure your prayer request is shared with the congregation in a timely manner. It is especially helpful if you include exactly what you would like said in your urgent prayer request.
For non-urgent prayer requests please continue to contact Sarra in the office, via email or telephone, and she will make sure the request is added to the list.
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This Week's Lessons
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
Visit lectionarypage.net to read this week's lessons.
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Collect for The Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Youth Group will be meeting on Sunday, September 6th at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. All youth of St. John's are welcome and encouraged to attend. Questions may be directed to
Pat Smith-Huntoon.
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Parish Cycle of Prayer
Tom & Cheryl Senesac
Brandon Senesac
Matthew Senesac
Loving God, this week we lift up in prayer: The Senesac Family. Please bless them with an abundance of peace and an overflowing cup of joy. Help them to seek You in all that they do and shield them from illness, both mental and physical. May the light of the Lord be seen shining through their hearts. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
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Birthdays
August 21: Sam Otoo
Loving God, we come to you in thanksgiving, asking for birthday blessings for Sam.
May You lend a guiding hand in all that he does and lead him to destinations filled with joy and peace. Father, please help him grow in the faith and on the path that leads to love and life eternal.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen
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Need a little midweek spiritual socialization pick-me-up? Join us for Weekly Bible Study! Thursdays at 5:00 we will gather via Zoom to continue the study of the book of Matthew.
Click here to enter Zoom for Bible Study
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A memorial fund has been established in loving memory of Alison Deniston. If you would like to contribute to the ongoing ministry at St. John the Evangelist in her memory please feel free to do so. You can do this either by mailing a check to the church with her name in the memo line or make an online donation.
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We have resumed ordering physical Scrip cards. If you haven't tried it yet please check out shopwithscrip.com
to see how you can contribute to the church by simply doing your regular shopping. Questions may be directed to sjescrip@gmail.com
The next Scrip order will be submitted at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.
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THANK YOU!!!!!
For those of you who have been keeping your pledges current and those who have given extra to support the work of St. John's, THANK YOU!
We understand that the last several weeks have been challenging for many people, so if you have found that you need to adjust your commitment to the budget of St. John's, please let Sarra in the Church Office know.
We are confident that God will see us through the challenges that lie ahead and that we will come out of this being a stronger and more faithful community because of it.
Please continue to share your generosity by mailing a check to:
St. John the Evangelist
P.O. Box 25
Flossmoor, IL 60422
Of by setting up automatic bill pay through your bank (this is a free service of most banks). Or by clicking on the "Online Giving" button below. If you give online, please consider clicking the box that allows you to add 3% to cover the processing fees from the credit card companies.
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In addition to online giving there is also a text option.
Text "SaintJohn" to 73256 to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
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