Midweek Lenten Worship: “Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism”
Our first midweek supper and worship went, I thought, well. Those in attendance appreciated the opportunity to enjoy a light supper, and then not feel rushed to go downstairs for a worship. I counted 31 in attendance, which was more than we had for midweek Advent in the chapel. We heard and reflected about the first promise in the Affirmation of Baptism service, "to live among God's faithful people." The remaining weeks of our series will address the other four. Time is 6:00 for supper and service at 6:30, all in the Fellowship Hall. Done by 7:00 pm.
Here is our schedule and a list of our remaining themes:
- March 20 Focus: To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper
- March 27 Focus: To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
- April 3 Focus: To serve all people, following the example of Jesus
- April 10 Focus: To strive for justice and peace in all the earth
Next Healthy Congregations workshop tomorrow (Saturday)
Don't forget that our next Healthy Congregations workshop is tomorrow, March 16, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Pastor Rob will be focusing on Vision and Mission, and helping us identify what this is and looks like at St. John's. Our Transition Team and Endowment Mission Task Force have also been invited to attend. I have notified Rob of the extra people coming, and he will bring extra materials. Mike B. is taking care of refreshments, so thanks, Mike!
Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee met Thursday afternoon, most for us to get up to date on what's happening. Here's a summary list:
- Transition Team will meet next Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. We will continue our orientation to the work the Team needs to do, and how to get it done.
- The Endowment Mission Fund Task Force will meet Saturday, March 23, 9 am for their first meeting
- Mike has been in touch with Hartland Mechanical to get estimates on repairing the water leak in the furnace room. Hartland will also prepare a program of maintenance for the heating system, and will begin an assessment of how to add air conditioning to the sanctuary.
- Spring Cleanup Day will be a Saturday in April, TBD. Stay tuned.
- The parking lot will need to be resealed and restriped, in order to preserve the investment in our new surface. Cost will be $5-6K.
- Mike and Pat will meet with employees (office manager, janitor) to discuss any pertinent issues regarding their employment at St. John's.
- Office staff will meet with Advanced Computer Connections from Norwalk to them to present their plans to get the technology in the office and church building up to date. This will include upgrades to computers, repair of network connections, and a consistent and strong wireless internet signal throughout the building.
Visits this week
Sharon K. is now at Bellevue Care Center, and will be for a few more days, recovering from a total knee replacement surgery. She appreciates the cards, messages and visits. On Monday I filled in for Pr. Katie to do the monthly communion service at the Willows. Several of St. John's members were present -- others I visited in their rooms. On Thursday I visited Clara R., one of our 90 somethings (Clara is 95), and Deb C., Vanessa K's mom, who lives with Vanessa and her family.
Two receive First Communion Instruction
I have a fifth and a sixth grader who I met with on Sunday after worship for Holy Communion instruction. Their parents have requested it, and came at about the same time, so it worked well to instruct two together at the same time. Hopefully, both families will be on board to involve the kids in the Confirmation program. One of the youth still needs to be baptized, so will be meeting again with that family to prepare him for that.
Bishop Daniel's weekly message
You can read it here.
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