My sisters and brothers in Christ:
We worship as usual this weekend: Our convenient community Holy Eucharist service this afternoon (Saturday, Oct. 22) at 5 p.m. and on the 23rd Sunday After Pentecost at 8 and 10 a.m. In the reading we’ll hear from Luke’s gospel, after he compares a self-congratulatory, tithing Pharisee to a penitent tax collector, Jesus Christ says, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” The church, of course, loves paradox, because it loves those who pledge and especially those who tithe.
Accordingly, on behalf of all your parish leaders, I again invite all our members to attend one of our stewardship meetings this year. The next one takes place this Sunday (Oct. 23) at 11:45 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Our drive is called “All For St. John’s.” We’ll review the year so far – our ministries and finances “€“ tell you our plans for 2017, and solicit your questions and views. (The photo shows youth group volunteer leader Bree Lazatin speaking at last week’s meeting about growing up in love and faith at St. John’s.) I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have about the bishop coadjutor search. The meeting will last about 45 minutes; a light snack or lunch will be served. We’ll do it one more time next Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. See you there.
While you’re at church this weekend, be sure to sign up for our “Tribute To Motown” fellowship dinner on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Cardinal Gym, with entertainment by Tony Odell Rogers and Lisa Naulls and dinner provided by Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill. We’re asking a minimum donation of $25 per person to help cover costs and make the dinner extra special. It’s the last fellowship dinner for the time being, so let’s take advantage of this opportunity to be together and say thanks to the Supremes of our amazing six-year run of colorful St. John’s fellowship dinners: DJ Gomer, Melinda Freese, and (present at the creation and in the early years) Andrea Patton.
The 10th person to write back with an answer to this question will get four dinner tickets as my guest: Who wrote “The Tracks Of My Tears”?
Yours in Christ’s love,
Fr. John
P.S.: Please plans to be back on campus next Sunday, Oct. 30 from 4-6 p.m. for our family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat event featuring games, snacks, music, and zanily decorated cars. Invite the neighborhood!..And please remember that we need the names of your St. John’s saints — members of the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before, all your loved ones and friends – for tthe All Saints Sunday bulletin on Nov. 6. Please email your names to Cindy at ca@stjohns-es.org.
P.P.S.: We give thanks for the St. John’s members who have joined fellow ministers from St. George’s and the Orange County Islamic Federation at today’s Corazon build in Mexico. Travel mercies as they head home this evening.
P.P.P.S.: Time to order your tickets to “The Beast And His Beauty,” the annual St. John’s School elementary division play. Performances are on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or on-line:
www.creativekidsplayhouse.com/production/the-beast-his-beauty-by-st-johns-students/