This Sunday, (October 13) at St. John’s

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”  Jeremiah 29:4-7

The people were exiled.  The tendency would be to rebel… to not participate in the society… to drop out.  But the prophet Jeremiah delivers the message from God:  the people need to live the best lives they can.  Even though they are heartbroken and grieving.  They are to accept the reality of their lives.  They are to be concerned with the city where they are.  They are even to seek the welfare of that foreign, oppressive place.  In doing so, they will find their own happiness.

What a stunning statement.  Seek the welfare of your enemies!  Help your enemy to prosper!  Don’t fight against your enemy!  Don’t seek the destruction of your enemy!  Echoes of Jesus’ exhortation to turn the other cheek.

But how can we find contentment and happiness in the midst of our enemies? Because we find happiness and contentment when we continue to live the lives Christ asks us to live.  When we follow Jesus, we understand the world in an entirely different way.  Even our oppressors cannot defeat us.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca

My Schedule: Next week,I will be in Corbin on Thursday. Please feel free to contact me any time, however, by calling 859 -429-1659 or rev.myers2013@gmail.com.

Serving This Sunday:  Readers:  Mary Swinford and Ken Phillips; Eucharistic Minister:  Bruce Cory

Sunday bulletin: Bulletin 10-13-2013

This Sunday we start our annual pledge campaign. You should receive a letter in the mail this week asking for your pledge. Please prayerfully consider how you will financially contribute to the work of St. John’s Church in 2014. Receiving pledges by November 3 will assist with our planning for 2014.

Bishop’s Visit next Sunday, October 20 – Bishop Hahn will be making his annual visit to St. John’s on Sunday, October 20. Bp. Hahn will be speaking with those gathered for the Adult Forum at
10:00 am. There will be a potluck after the 11:00 am service to welcome Bp.
Hahn to St. John’s.

Formation Classes are available for children. If you can assist, please let Anne Day and Dura
Anne know. Godly Play will begin October 20 and be held every Sunday.

Fellowship cookout and games for the kids this Sunday October 13, 6pm at Corbin
Presbyterian Church. First Baptist Church will also be there. Bring a side dish if
you’d like.

Daughters of the King meets Wednesday, October 16, 4-5pm at the church.

ECW Diocesan-wide meeting, November 2, 10:30am, St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church, 1891 Parker’s Mill Road, Lexington. Come learn about Women of Vision, a scriptural-based leadership development program of the Episcopal Church Women by Jenny Ladefoged, Diocese of Tennessee. ALL women of the diocese are invited and encouraged to attend this time of worship, fellowship,
networking and learning. Opening Eucharist followed by a short business meeting and lunch and concluding with this energizing workshop.

United Thankoffering Sunday is November 3.

All Saints Sunday, November 3. We will observe All Saints Day and would like to read the names of those saints close to us who have died. To have the name of your loved one read at the service, please place it in the offering plate, or leave a message on the church phone or email webmaster@stjohnscorbin.org by October 27.

Belk Charity Sale – Saturday November 9, 6am – 10am. Tickets are on sale now for this special event. All ticket sales benefit the church. Tickets are $5.00 each, which provides admittance to this special sale as well as $5.00 off your purchase. Buy more than one ticket! They may be used at any Belk store. Also plan to buy an extra clothing item to donate to the residents of the homeless shelter. Information is at the kitchen window of the church. Volunteers are also needed to assist at the store on the day of the event. A sign-up sheet is available at the kitchen window.

Diocesan Ministry Fair: Saturday, November 9, 9:30am – 3:00pm at Emmanuel Church, Winchester. Register Now at:  http://diolex.org/blog/news/ministry-fair-november-9/

Bishop Hahn is inviting all of us to the First Annual Ministry Fair – Toward a More Excellent Way. A great gathering of music, fellowship and keynote address will be followed by three workshop sessions and a shared lunch. Workshops topics, include Christian Education in Small Parishes, Leadership For Vestries, Lay Ministry Updates, An Overview of the Gospel of Mark (for Our Liturgical Year A), and What’s New at Reading Camp. There will be six workshop choices for each session – something to help every parish and every participant find a more excellent way of ministry.

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