A Song of the Saints of God

Transcription

1 Committed to living a faith journey that is sacred, intentional, compassionate and inclusive. Worship Saturday, November 4 Daylight Savings Time Sunday, November 5 9:30 a.m. Sunday, November 12 9:30 a.m. Sunday, November 19 9:30 a.m. Sunday, November 26 9:30 a.m. Special Events Thursday, November 2 7:00 p.m. Celtic Eucharist, Party Saturday, November 4 9:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon Intro to World Religions A Song of the Saints of God I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true, who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew. And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green; they were all of them saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too. They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus' will. You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea, for the saints of God are just folk like me and I mean to be one too. #293, vs. 1,3 Hymnbook 1982 Text: Lesbia Scott, alt. Sunday, November 5 9:30 a.m. All Saints, Eucharist 10:45 a.m. Light Breakfast

2 November Calendar Wednesday, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 7:00 pm, Choir Rehearsals, Church Thursday, November 2 7:00 pm, Celtic Eucharist, Autumn Homecoming Saturday, November 4 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Intro to World Religions, The Jewish Tradition Turn your clocks back 1 hour! Sunday, November 5 All Saints Sunday 9:30 am, Holy Eucharist 10:45 am, Light Breakfast and Conversations 5:00 pm, Men s BBQ, Narthex Monday, November 6 7:00 pm, Discernment Meeting, Hospitality Room Tuesday, November 7 1:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room 7:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room Tuesday, November 14 7:00 pm, Vestry Meeting, Hospitality Room Friday, November 17 4:00 pm, Called to Be Revival, University of the Pacific Tuesday, November 21 1:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room 7:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room Thursday, November 23 Office Closed Thanksgiving Day Monday, November 27 5:00 pm, Stockton Chorale Set Up 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Stockton Chorale Dress Rehearsal Page 2 St. John s Episcopal Church

3 The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist Autumn Homecoming A Celtic Eucharist Celtic Prayers, Chants, Community Thursday, November 2, 2017 At 7:00 p.m. Potluck Snack Reception Follows Bring a favorite snack or beverage to share. November 2017 Page 3

4 From Our Priest-In-Charge The Rev. Elaine Breckenridge All Saints Celebration, November 5 Eucharist, Breakfast, Conversations All Saints is a favorite holy day of mine. I love singing For all the Saints and I Sing a Song of the Saints of God. I find thinking about the saints to be inspiring. But mostly, I appreciate this holy day because it gives me a moment in community to remember with love and sadness, the many people in my life who are no longer alive on this Earth. Over the years, I have lost many relatives, friends and faithful church members. And yet on All Saints Day, I feel their presence with love as we celebrate the communion of saints. We will celebrate All Saints Sunday, on November 5. As we have done in the past few years, our celebration includes a celebration of the saints on the church calendar and our remembrance of those loved ones who have gone before us. We have developed a lovely tradition by creating our All Saints banner. Names of friends and relatives who have died are inscribed on ribbons which are carried in procession on that Sunday. As the ribbons are flown overhead, I find it moving to have a visual image of being surrounded by these loving witnesses. This year we will have a special reading about the saints in place of an Epistle reading and a special announcement in the sermon regarding our Chapel Rejuvenation project. Following our church service, all are invited to a light breakfast in the narthex. We will continue to celebrate the saints as we eat and participate in table conversations. As we begin our Annual Giving Campaign, we will explore the theme, Loving like Saints. Who are the saints? How are we called to love like saints in this congregation and the world? Loving Like Saints Sunday, November 5, :30 am All Saints Eucharist 10:45 am Light Breakfast Table Conversations on the Saints Page 4 St. John s Episcopal Church

5 Worship News CELTIC EUCHARIST, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 7:00 P.M. The next Celtic Eucharist, on Thursday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. is titled, Autumn Homecoming. Participants will learn about the Celtic winter season and the spiritual practice of letting go. Chants, scripture, Celtic readings and music by Kristy Wells will be part of the service. In keeping with the Celt s love of the circle, the service is celebrated in the round. All are welcome to come to the Circle. DAYLIGHTS SAVINGS TIME SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Remember to turn back your clock one hour before sleeping on November 4. You will not want to miss All Saints the next day! All SAINTS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 9:30 Rite of Remembrance Our annual celebration includes the remembrance of loved ones who are in the nearer presence of God. Names of loved ones are inscribed on ribbons and carried in procession reminding us that we are surrounded by the all the saints. We thank Kathleen Bell for inscribing the ribbons. Light Breakfast and Table Discussions, 10:45 Our celebration of all the saints will continue over a light breakfast following the Eucharist. In preparation for our annual giving campaign, guided table conversations will take place focusing on the saints. Who are the Saints? How can they guide us to be saints in God s world now? What does faithful stewardship of the saints look like? Traditional Lord s Prayer The traditional Lord s Prayer will return to the liturgy on November 5. To meet the needs of those who prefer traditional or contemporary words of the liturgy, we use both forms of the Lord s Prayer. The traditional version will be in place until the Easter season when we will return to the Rite II version. November2017 Page 5

6 Education and Spiritual Renewal Where Can I Go From Your Presence? The Jewish Tradition SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4, 9-NOON Our partnership with the Interfaith Peace Project continues this month. Again we will welcome Fr. Tom Bonacci as our presenter. Last month s event was a presentation that creatively included elements of teaching, preaching and storytelling. This month s topic is, Gleaning from the Jewish Tradition Fr. Tom offers the following introduction: For the Christian, Judaism is our Mother in faith and the ways of God. We are heartbroken over the troubled history of Jews and Christians. But, now more than ever, we are grateful for the advances made in more recent times between Jews and Christians. We will explore the splendor of the Hebrew Bible to appreciate anew the wisdom of our Mother in faith. The power of Tradition presented in story, ritual, and remembrance will surge through our consciousness inviting us to praise the God who would liberate us all. Our reflections will conclude by appreciating the Judaism of Jesus. On December 9, we will explore the Islamic Tradition. A sign up sheet for registration is available on the barrel in the narthex. There is a ten dollar free will offering. Copies from last month s program are also available. Page 6 St. John s Episcopal Church

7 Adult Forum in November Living the Questions DVD Series and Discussion November 12, 19 & 26 Education and Spiritual Renewal Adult Forum in November Love Your Muslim Neighbor As Yourself The Adult Series resumes with a new video series exploring the Islamic Tradition. It will be held at 11:15 on Sundays, November 12, 19, 26. The series is introduced by the editors, saying this, Much of what passes as information about Islam is weedlike disinformation rooted in stereotype and watered by fear. In this series, Islamic and Christian scholars offer reliable information about what Muslims believe, how they live out their faith, and how we all can be about building relationships across the lines of faith. This Series will be a nice complement to Fr. Tom Bonacci s presentation on the Islamic Tradition on Saturday, December 9, 9-noon. Here is a sneak peak about what to expect from Fr. Tom: The association of Islam and terrorism seriously compromises the well-being of Muslims and all peoples of Faith. Our reflections on Islam will encourage us to experience Islam as a dedicated way of life centered in God. Exploring the Pillars of Islam, we will discover how we might live our own lives for the glory of God and the benefit of others. The faithful Muslim is inspired by the words and deeds of Mohammad (pbuh) as the exemplar of what it means to hear and live the words of the Holy Quran. Isaiah 55 provides the words and imagery to experience the interplay of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. November 2017 Page 7

8 Adult Education Contemplation and Conversation Contemplation and Conversation now offers an afternoon and evening group. It will be held twice during the month of November, meeting on Tuesdays, November 7 and 21. (Think first and third Tuesdays to remember). It will be offered twice on those days at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. We gather in the Hospitality Room. All are welcome to this small group. No experience in meditation is required. Our pattern is to have a theme for reflection, consisting of scripture and spiritual readings. We sit in silence for twenty minutes. In a safe space, we then share aspects of our prayer experience with one another. The companionship in prayer and conversation is very supportive of the spiritual journey. Tuesday, November 7 and 21 1:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room 7:00 pm, Contemplation and Conversation, Hospitality Room The People of Faith Book Study The People of Faith Study Group concluded its study of Esther at the Monday, October 9 meeting. This was the third topic in the series of Uppity Women of the Bible. A decision was made to recess until January 8, 2018, before beginning the study of Judith. The Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe is the guide for this video series. Notes on Judith include, This fascinating volume examines the story of Judith, who takes things into her own hands including the head of a brutal warrior chief. Judith, from the Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament, reads like a historical novel. The Uppity Women of the Bible study has included the Themes of Ruth, Song of Songs, Esther, and concludes with Judith. New participants are welcome to join the study of Judith. Studying the earlier topics is not a prerequisite. Contact Ruth Diekman, group facilitator, for additional information. Page 8 St. John s Episcopal Church

9 Parish Life Men s BBQ Sunday, November 5 The men of St. John s will gather on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Please sign up at the Ministry table and enjoy great food and fellowship! Please join us! Vestry The next Vestry Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14 in the Hospitality Room at 7:00 pm. Happy Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23, 2017 Our Soul Kitchen is on a break for the months of November and December. Soul Kitchen Community Dinner Our next Soul Kitchen is scheduled for January 28, 2018 See you then! November2017 Page 9

10 Loving Like Saints For the saints of God are just folk like me and I mean to be one too. Dear Friends of St. John the Baptist, One of my favorite hymns from childhood is called, I Sing a Song of the Saints of God. It details some of the attributes of the saints of old, surely some of them legends. But it is verse three that continues to impress me. They lived not only in ages past, there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is bright with joyous saints who love to do Jesus will For the saints of God are just folk like me and I mean to be one too. Our Annual Giving Campaign begins this year on All Saints Sunday. Keeping with the season, our theme is Loving like Saints. As we study some of the famous saints of history, what characteristics can we glean from their lives that might assist us in our spiritual journeys? For me three words come to mind. Saints are dedicated, generous and compassionate. And yet as I thought about those words, I also recalled people in my life as well as people in this congregation who have modeled those noble words. It lead me to ask the question of myself. If I mean to be a saint of God, how do I embody those words? One way is by establishing a regular and faithful pattern of giving of my financial resources to St. John the Baptist Church. I do this by filling out a pledge card. Twice monthly on the days I get paid, I return a portion of my salary to this congregation by writing a check (well I send it electronically!) My regular and sacrificial giving is one way that I practice trying to be like saints whom I admire. It is also an indication of how I have invested myself in the life of this congregation. I don t always live up to my spiritual and personal goals but I try to be consistent in my giving. And as I do, I am proud to stand in the company of so many faithful others who have done the same for this congregation. I think about the faithful stewardship of Deacon Gini Hart, Yvonne Schildt, Vanadeane Brooks, Cecil Brewer, Gretchen Nelson and many others. And because these saints are in the nearer presence of God, I imagine them with us, encouraging us all to become better and more faithful stewards of this congregation. Page 10 St. John s Episcopal Church

11 Annual Giving Campaign This month, before you fill out a pledge card, your vestry invites you to think about the saints, both the saints of old and the living saints whom you admire. Chances are the saints you admire were also faithful stewards of all of God s gifts. Think about how you can follow their example and with them practice Loving like Saints. If you have never filled out a pledge card this is the year to do it. And if you are a giver of record, please consider raising your pledge by at least one percent. I know that you will find that regular giving of your financial resources changes you. It actually leads one into becoming dedicated, generous and compassionate. Baptism names us as a saint of God but faithful stewardship makes us into the saints of God. As our hymn says, may we all grow in the joyous fellowship of the communion of saints and make the world a brighter place. Faithfully, The Rev. Elaine Breckenridge 2018 Annual Giving Campaign Loving Like Saints Dedicated Generous Compassionate All Saints Sunday November 5 Loving Like Saints Light Breakfast Table Conversations on the saints November 2017 Page 11

12 From The Diocese A Safe Place for All of God s People A Three Day Revival with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry November 17, DeRosa University Center, University of the Pacific, Stockton, 4pm November 18, St James Cathedral Fresno, 1pm November 19, St Paul s Episcopal Church Bakersfield, 10am All events are FREE but we need YOU! Please register online: Page 12 St. John s Episcopal Church

13 From The Diocese Friday, Nov 17 University of the Pacific, Stockton DeRosa University Center 4pm Gathering, Welcome & Song 5pm Dinner & Fellowship 6pm Sacred stories of our neighbors, Song, Prayer and Reflection Saturday, Nov 18 St James Cathedral, Fresno 1pm Neighborhood Prayer Walk begins **The Chapel will be open for prayer and meditation **To watch the live stream of the prayer walk, go to Zoe Eden Hall 2pm Seating and Installation of Bp David **PB Michael Curry to preach and preside! **Doors will open at 2pm to begin the procession **Over-flow seating in Zoe Eden Hall; liturgy will be live-streamed and Eucharist celebrated in Zoe Eden Hall 4pm Cathedral Block Party **Food truck vendors will be available **Bring your selfie stick! Sunday, Nov 19 St Paul s Episcopal Church, Bakersfield 10am Holy Eucharist; PB Michael Curry to preach & preside **Over-flow seating in Grace Hall 12pm Brunch & Fellowship 1:30pm 1000 Yellow Bag Challenge November2017 Page 13

14 Adornments We are grateful for these donors whose gifts adorn our worship in November Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov 26 Dr. Elliott L. Adams in loving memory of my parents, Dr. Elliott & Grace Adams & my brother, Richard Arthur Elfonda Filomeo in loving memory of her mother, Maybelle Reddell for her birthday on November 5. Jan and Amanda Cariati in loving memory of Joe Cariati. Sharon Farnsworth in loving memory of her husband, George for his birthday, November 9. Mary Ellen Beckman in loving memory of her sister, Pauline for her birthday, November 22. Steve Manildi in loving memory of his mother, Shirley Parker for her birthday, November 30. If you would like to dedicate flowers in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving, please call the parish office at Page 14 St. John s Episcopal Church

15 November Celebrations 1: Eva Drummond 2: Susan Alford Jacquelyn George 3: Lucy Deak 7: Trenton Luiz Nancy Thompson Bruce Collins 11: Randy Knutson 12: Paula Saubolle 17: Martha Scott 20: Ruth Diekman 21: Kimberly Austin 23: Harrison Stone 24: Kathleen Martin 26: Fern Davis Barbara Wolterstorff 28: Richard Cress Isabella Langone Tom Ramonda Lauren Leffler 30: Matthew Tudor 12: Betty and Calvin Kugelman 14: Becky and Rick Loiacono 16: Patsy and Norman Lithco 25: Jeanne and James Ledbetter 27: Janie and Dick Williams 30: Karen and Kelly Olds In Memoriam We send our condolences to the family of Fred Hirning. A service was held for Fred on Saturday, October 21. Also, condolences to the family of Robert Loseth. His wife Marlene sent the following message to us: To my church family, Thanks to all of you for your words and hugs of love. Bob was ill for some time, but is now healed of all illness. He is at peace with our Heavenly Father and families. Love, Marlene, Rob & Andrea November 2017 Page 15

16 The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Rd. Lodi, CA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Lodi, CA Permit No. 161 Phone: Return Service Requested We re on the web