This Sunday (October 27) at St. John’s

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Tim. 4:7

Mrs. Hessie at a much younger age...

Mrs. Hessie at a much younger age…

When I was growing up, there was an older woman in church, named Mrs. Hessenberger.  She was a small, petite woman, who had been a widow for a number of years.  We called her Mrs. Hessie.   She was full of energy, always greeting people with a bouncy smile.

She was a devout Christian and church member.  On one of our youth group visits to her home, Mrs. Hessie showed us her prayer corner and gave us a card with her favorite prayer on it.  It was about caring for others.

While she never had any children of her own, she was enthusiastic about young people.  This was a time in the late 60’s and early 70’s when there was plenty of conflict between young people and older people.  Mrs. Hessie bridged the generational divide.  I loved visiting her and kept in touch with her as I grew into young adulthood.

Eventually, Mrs. Hessie could not care for herself and lived in a nursing home.  When I’d call her, she’d speak matter-of-factly about dying.  I felt uncomfortable about this, even though I knew she would be dying soon.  I knew better than to stop her talking in that way. She was speaking the truth

This prayer guided Mrs. Hessie's life

This prayer guided Mrs. Hessie’s life

about being at the end of her life…a truth I really didn’t want to hear.

The writer of this passage of 2nd Timothy reminds me of Mrs. Hessie, though.  He, too is at the end of his life and is speaking in a matter-of-fact way about his death.  I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Those three statements provide such comfort, I think.  I believe Mrs. Hessie embodied those statements and she, like the writer of 2nd Timothy, could face the end of her life in a straightforward way, filled with serenity and peace.  May we, like them, also be able to sum up our lives with such peace and confidence.

Blessings as you finish your week.

Rebecca

Oct 27 Bulletin: 

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

Next week’s schedule:

  • Wednesday, October30: 
  • 4:30pm Daughters of the King
  • 6pm Wednesday worship
  • Thursday, October 31: Trunk or Treat, Church Parking Lot, 6-8pm
  • Friday, November 1:  4pm Worship Committee
  • Saturday, November 2:  10:30am ECW Diocesan Meeting – St. Raphael’s Lexington
  • Sunday, November 3:  10am – Adult Forum and Godly Play; 11am – Worship – All Saints’ Day

Daylight Saving Time ends next Sunday, November 3.  Be sure to “fall back” and turn your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

Adult ForumRadical Welcome:  Embracing God, The Other and the Spirit of Transformation by The Rev. Stephanie Spellers is the focus of our Adult Forum through November 24. John Ira Harris will lead our session next Sunday on “How Radical is Your Welcome?”

Godly Play classes are available for children.  If you can assist, please let Anne Day and Dura Anne know.

Please prayerfully consider how you will financially contribute to the work of St. John’s Church in 2014.  Complete a pledge card today and place it in the offering plate.  Receiving pledges by November 3 will assist with our planning for 2014.  

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 priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org by Sunday, October 27.

We will honor our Veterans on Sunday, November 10.  We’d like to list our Veterans in the bulletin and read their names at this service.  Please submit the name, branch of service and the beginning and ending years of service by November 3 to be included.  You can place a note in the offering plate, or call the church or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

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.

 Let’s plan to attend the Diocesan Ministry Fair, Saturday, November 9, 9:30am – 3:00pm at Emmanuel Church, Winchester

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.

The Reverend Barbara Blodgett will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Blodgett teaches Pastoral Leadership at Lexington Theological Seminary. Prior to this she was head of Supervised Ministry for Yale Divinity School. Her fields of expertise are leadership, ethics, and excellence. Dr. Blodgett will offer a workshop in addition to her keynote address.

The Rev. Brandt Leonard Montgomery, Curate and Assistant Chaplain, University of Alabama to preach and teach on Sunday, November 10

I went to seminary with Father Montgomery.  He is excited to visit Corbin.  He will teach during the

The Rev. Brandt Montgomery

The Rev. Brandt Montgomery

Adult Forum regarding the civil rights movement 50 years later.  Below is information about Father Montgomery.

 Brandt currently serves as the Curate at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel & Student Center at the University of Alabama.  After graduating from Talladega High School in Talladega, Alabama in 2003, Brandt enrolled at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama, from which he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance, specializing in Trumpet Studies, in 2007.  On May 16, 2012, Brandt graduated cum laude from The General Theological Seminary of The Episcopal Church in New York, New York, receiving the Master of Divinity degree and being named his class’s recipient of the George Cabot Ward Prize for Biblical Reading and Service to the Church.  In addition to Canterbury Chapel, his ministry, thus far, has included service to 6 Episcopal parishes in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York.  Brandt was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan, Bishop of Alabama, on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012 and was ordained by the same as a priest on December 2, 2012 at Canterbury Chapel.

Communitywide Thanksgiving Service, Monday, November 18, 7pm, Corbin Presbyterian Church.  This ecumenical service is sponsored by the Ministerium.  The Rev. Myers will be participating in the service.

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Barn, 2-4pm.  A free Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the Barn.  Turkey, Ham, rolls, drinks, pied, mashed potatoes and corn will be provided.  If you’d like to bring a side dish, that would be terrific.  See June Sullivan for additional information.

ECW Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 7.  Plan now to attend this annual holiday event.  Planning meetings and chocolate making and craft making will begin soon. 

Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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