Return your Intent Cards for "Live Generously" Campaign!
By now you should have received and had a chance to review the latest mailing in our Live Generously stewardship campaign. We're asking everyone to think and pray about this, and return the cards to worship this weekend, or to mail to the church office in the enclosed envelope. If you have misplaced or not received it, you can view/download/print a version of the mailing HERE, and the Intent Card HERE. The Stewardship Team and I have completed our cards, and we're hoping for a 100% participation from Coucil. My Intent Card will reflect a 10% increase in my giving in 2021 over 2020, and a plan to set up monthly automatic giving through one of my financial services providers. Thank you for your generosity!
Covid rate increases
Covid 19 cases continue to rise in Ohio. I encourage everyone to make the best choices for your own health and safety. One thing that our Plan of Return (to in-person worship) -- implemented at the end of May -- did not address was under what conditions we would again suspend in-person worship. Some congregations have implemented a system based on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System (OPHAS) to determine if and when to suspend in-person worship. This is a color coded guide called the Ohio COVID-19 Risk Level Guidelines for the Public, and includes the now familiar colors of yellow, orange, red and purple, with recommended restrictions of citizen activities. Some congregations have decided to suspend in-person worship whenever the advisory system indicates red or purple for the county in which the congregation gathers for worship.
I have asked the Executive Team to meet briefly after worship on Sunday to discuss some contingency plans for possible suspension of in-person worship. Let the team know if you have any concerns or suggestions before we meet on Sunday.
As I said last week, I continue to recommend Dr. Michael Osterholm and his weekly podcast as reliable sources of scientific information regarding the pandemic, and link to the weekly episodes in Weekend Update emails. You can listen to this week's episode HERE. You may have noticed that Dr. Osterholm was named by President-Elect Biden to the pandemic task force for the new administration.
Sympathy
Three of our St. John's family entered the Church Triumphant this past week. We extend our sympathy to the family of Betty Norman and Glenn Wahlers, who died on Wednesday, and Carol Hildebrand, who died on Thursday. Funeral for Carol will be Monday morning at the church at 10:30 am, for Betty also on Monday, 2:00 at Foos and Foos, but for family only, and for Glenn, TBA.
Annual Meeting Options and Membership Update
Don't forget -- the Annual Budget and Election Congregation Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 22, immediately following in-person worship. We expect to begin no later than 11:00 am. There will also be a Zoom option for attendance at this meeting. This is a repeat, but just a friendly reminder: to help prepare for this meeting, and to also gather information regarding worship participation, contact information updates, and any needs for pastoral care, a survey has been prepared to receive your input.
If you haven't already, please click or tap on link below, complete and submit the survey. It should only take a minute or two of your time. Thank you very much!
Congregational Meeting Attendance Survey
Offering report
Week of October 14 - November 13
62 Contributors
- 2020 - $14,775
- 2019 - $15,917
- 2018 - $20,264
Upcoming Diakonia class taught by Chris Young!
Former St. John's member Pastor Chris Young is encouraging members of Eastern Conference congregations to register for the next session of Diakonia, a program of adult Christian learning and Discipleship. Here's a description of the course:
Course Description: We will learn why communicating the gospel is the heart of who we are as the church. We will deepen our own prayer lives as we listen for the ways the Spirit empowers each of us to become more confident in sharing our faith. We will explore the difference the gospel makes in our own lives, and why it can make a difference in the lives of others. Then we will share in the rich experiences of “how” and “where” lives are being changed through Christ’s mission to love the world. We will find our own voice. We will learn to lead the way in unbinding the gospel in and through our own congregations.
The course meets on five Thursday evenings via Zoom in December and January. Click HERE for a complete course description, schedule, and info on registration.
Spaghetti is Ready!
Linda, family, staff and board have been very busy recently with preparations for their big Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser Sunday. I received this email from Linda:
With a little tomato sauce stress and drama ... I am very happy to say that we now have all of the ingredients needed to make 325 spaghetti dinners for Sunday! Woohoo! Because of the number of tickets sold, we will not have extras for people to buy on Sunday. They will have to wait until the next dinner :) With COVID being so close to home, we will be short some volunteers but we know God will provide and all will be OK here. Our prayers are with all of those who have tested positive, those who have to quarantine, and especially with those who have symptoms.
If you bought tickets, be sure to pick up your dinners after worship on Sunday. Your tickets have instructions on what to do to get your dinners delivered to your car.
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