This Sunday (June 7, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on June 4, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Proper 5, p. 229, Book of Common Prayer).

Our Collect this week asks God to inspire or breath through us so that our thoughts may be right or in line with what God desires. But it’s not only our thoughts that must be right….it is that once that happens, we MUST TAKE ACTION!

I don’t know about you, but that’s quite a process for me. First of all discerning whether my thinking is in line with God’s Will. In 12-step groups, you are cautioned about this. You’ll hear things like, “when I’m in my head, I’m behind enemy lines.” You hear people talk about the “chatter in their heads,” which is often our negative talk to ourselves. Sometimes people talk about the “committee in their heads.” Yes, our thinking can be dangerous to our health and wellbeing.

Silencing that chatter in our heads requires some work and discipline. Prayer can help. Writing it all out on paper can help. Talking to others can help. All of these actions of getting that chatter out of our heads, make room for God’s guidance to enter.

And just as we do this as individuals, I suggest we must do this in our communities. We can have community thinking that “lives” in despair or in denial or in negativity or in rigidity. We need to get this chatter out of our collective thinking so God can enter in.

Taking action isn’t always easy, but I’d say it’s impossible if we haven’t gotten all of our chatter and non-God thinking out of the way!

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Pastoral Needs: If a pastoral need arises, please call the church office at 606-528-1659 and leave a message. Voicemail messages will automatically be forwarded to a member of the vestry who can arrange pastoral care. You may also contact the senior warden, Bruce W. Cory, by phone at 440-227-0035 or by e-mail at bwcory@gmail.com

This Sunday: Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin will join us for the Good-goodbye as we say farewell to Rebecca.

Next Sunday: On June 14 we will be welcoming the Rev. Terry Taylor who will be present to celebrate with us the Holy Eucharist.

Adult Forum: Next Sunday we continue a summer series on the Gospel of Mark.

Al-Anon Family Group: An Al-Anon Family Group will meet in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

KCEOC Summer Lunch Program for youth ages 18 and under, Monday through Friday, 11:50am – Noon, St. John’s Church Park. Youth can pick up their lunch and enjoy it in the park. The program ends on July 31. Please spread the word!

Gather at 6pm on Wednesday evenings for a service and fellowship.

Celebration of the Ministry of Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin, June 21, 3:00pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington. Join in this celebration of Kay’s ministry in the Diocese of Lexington.

The next Family Game Night will be a family movie night, possibly outdoors, 6:30-8:30pm, June 26. Bring your favorite snacks and drinks.

2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently adopted Mission Statement; Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
Repurpose the parlor.
Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under. St. John’s is serving as a site Monday through Friday at 11:50am until noon through July 31. Youth can get their lunch and enjoy it in the St. John’s Park.

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This Sunday (March 22, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on March 19, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise…. Collect for Fifth Sunday in Lent, Book of Common Prayer, pg. 219

Love is not always easy, is it? That’s a huge challenge in being a Christian. Last Sunday, we heard, “God so loved the world….” The passage is inclusive and broad. God loved the world…God loved all of creation. That’s what we are charged to do.

Yet, as humans, we’re judgmental. We find it easier to love people who are more like us and who think like us. We judge people who are not like us or think differently from us. Sometimes we judge them harshly. We don’t always understand other people and how they live their lives. We give our love conditionally, based upon our judgement about who deserves our love.

We need God’s grace to love fully. We need God’s unconditional gift. Thankfully, we have it…

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca

Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be in Lexington Tuesday and Corbin Thursday and Friday. Her Sabbath Days will be Monday and Wednesday. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 orpriest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

A Confusion of the Spirit: Holy or Distilled? Saturday, March 21, 10am – noon. The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, a priest in North Carolina and one of Rebecca’s professors at General Seminary, is coming to Corbin to raise our community’s awareness about addiction and recovery. As a recovering individual himself, Stuart is very much involved in helping churches, congregations and individuals deal with the disease of alcoholism and addictive illness. He will also preach at the Sunday service.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke will talk about recovery from addiction.

The Vestry adopted the following Mission Statement for St. John’s Church: Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ.

What are our 3-5 goals for 2015? Vestry is considering various goals to reflect our mission statement. Ideas include sacristy renovation; support of LGBT people, possibly through a chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) or ongoing support of Union College’s Gay/Straight Alliance; Support for people dealing with addictions and their families; opening up the amphitheater and park to church bands; providing our parish hall to other religious groups; more ecumenical church services. What do you think we should be doing to put our mission statement into action?

Wednesday Evenings During Lent through March 25, 6:00pm, series on Appalachia. Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia. Next Wednesday, Professor Jimmy Dean Smith will lead a discussion on the second half of the movie, Matewan.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Thursdays through March 26. If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Diocesan Convention has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 28, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Lexington.

Donations are being accepted until March 29, for flowers to decorate the church for Easter. Use the donation envelopes and write if the donation is “in honor of/in memory” of a loved one or a special occasion. Donations in any amount will be accepted.

Honor or remember a loved one through altar flowers. Please sign up on the Flower Donation Chart and let us know if you’d like the flowers to be “in memory of/in honor of” a loved one or special occasion. We suggest a donation of $20. Please place your donation in the envelopes provided.

The Altar Guild and Worship Committee will meet Friday, March 20, 4:30-6:00pm to plan for Holy Week and Easter. If you are able to assist with altar and worship preparation for this busy week of the Church year, please try to attend or let Rev. Rebecca know.

Make a Covenant with St. John’s! God has made unconditional covenants with us that God will always be with us, always be our God. Likewise, through our annual pledge, we state our promise and obligation to the mission and work of the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Our mission and work not only includes our worship, Grow Appalachia, and family game nights, but also God’s work in our region through our Diocese and in our nation and world through The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion. If you’d like to make a covenant with St. John’s through a pledge, please see Rebecca or Gay Nell Conley.

Reading Camp Meeting, March 26, 10:15am. The Reading Camp Group is working on raising $2,000 to support five children at the Pine Mountain Settlement Reading Camp, July 12-18. If you are interested in helping recruit children, mentor children, volunteering for Reading Camp, or raising funds, let Rebecca know. St. John’s has committed to raising $400.

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter Services, Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3

Monday through Thursday, 10am, Morning Prayer
Wednesday, April 1, 6:00pm – Stations of the Cross
Thursday, April 2, 7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Service with Eucharist, Washing of the Feet, and Stripping of the Altar
Thursday, April 2, 8:30pm – Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Prayer Garden Vigil
Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Morning Prayer with consuming Reserved Sacrament
Saturday, April 4, 7:00pm, Easter Vigil followed by Champagne and Chocolate Reception
Sunday, April 5, 11:00am, Easter Day Celebration, followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the Children

This Week (December 21) at St. John’s

Posted on December 18, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, BCP, pg. 212

We will read this Collect of the Day on Sunday. I love the vision of it. That God would daily visit us and work in us every day. This doesn’t say that we ask God to visit us, but assumes God DOES visit us daily!

Then, because of these daily visits for which we don’t even ask, a mansion would be created in us for the coming of Jesus Christ. Not just a room or any old house, but a mansion! A beautiful, huge place for Christ to dwell.

My prayer for you is that you may feel God working in you, building that mansion where Christ dwells..

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 12-21-2014

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Corbin through Thursday, December 25. Rebecca will be on vacation Friday, December 26, through Friday, January 2. During her vacation,.the Rev. Peter Helman is available for pastoral emergencies. He can be reached by text or phone at 940-735-1235. You may also leave a message for Rebecca by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Christmas Eve Services:
9:00 am – Morning Eucharist.
7:00 pm – Evening Candlelight Service.
11:00 pm – Midnight Candlelight Service.

After the 7pm and 11pm service, we will have a chocolate and champagne/wine/sparkling cider reception.

Christmas Day: 9:00 am – Morning Prayer

Adult Forum: During December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles, BCP 867-876. Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination. Are the Articles still relevant today? Join the discussion. There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. If you’d like to lead a session, please see Rebecca.

Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

Getting ready to decorate the church for Christmas.

Greening of the church will take place after the service this Sunday. Bring your lunch and help out!

Youth grades 7-12 are invited to a retreat, “A New Year in the Spirit” at Cathedral Domain, Saturday, December 27 – until Tuesday, December 30. See Rebecca for more information.

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.

This Sunday (September 21) at St. John’s

Posted on September 18, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect, Proper 20, pg 234, Book of Common Prayer

Every service, we hear many Collects. A Collect is a prayer usually said by the priest that sums up the prayers of everyone. It “collects” the prayers of all. There is a particular format for a Collect and you can find more information here. Each Sunday, we hear the Collect for Purity, as well as a Collect for the Day.

This Sunday we’ll pray, Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things…. Wow, that’s a big thing to ask, isn’t it? Do we ever have moments without some anxiety, whether it’s about our loved ones, our health, or our economic situation? Seems like our lives are riddled with anxiety. Yet, that anxiety can pull us away from God…make us forget the source of our strength and of our life. So, this Collect reminds us to focus on things heavenly…to focus on God. Not that our anxieties are not real, but so our lives are in balance and so we can actually live our lives.

Anxiety paralyzes us. Anxiety makes us lose hope. Anxiety isolates us. Coming together each Sunday allows us to be with each other and to share our anxieties. It allows us to refocus our anxieties and transform them. Whenever anxiety gets the best of you, pray this Collect and then come be with the community of Christ at St. John’s!

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 09-21-2014

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House Tuesday through Friday this week. Her Sabbath Day will be Monday, September 22. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

A computer has been donated! We have received the generous gift of a new office computer. Thank you!

Adult Forum: The Adult Forum is reviewing and discussing the 39 Articles of Faith, pages 867-876 in the Book of Common Prayer through September 28.

Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program is for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am . All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Confirmation Classes: Confirmation classes are being held every Wednesday through October 1 from 6:30-8pm. All are invited. This week’s session will be structure of the Episcopal Church.

Godly Play Teachers needed. Godly Play teachers are needed. Training is provided. This is a wonderful program of spiritual development for children and we’d like to keep it going in the parish. Please let Rebecca know if you are willing to be trained and serve as a teacher for a period of approximately 1 month.

Pot Luck Sunday: Next Sunday, September 28, is our monthly pot luck. Bring a dish or drink to share. And all are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other. Our pot luck schedule shifts in October and November. Pot Luck will be October 19, when the Bishop visits; and November 16, when we have our Annual Meeting.

The ECW Annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 10:30am through lunch, Trinity, Covington. There will be a recognition of Honored Women. To attend, please contact Lisa Edwards, ledwards102@gmail.com, 859-341-7324.

Bring your pets to church to be blessed on Sunday, October 5. We will have a service outdoors in our park (or in the amphitheater). Pets should be leashed and/or in carriers.

Belk Charity Sales Day: The annual Belk Charity Sales day will be Saturday, November 8, 6-10am. Members of St. John’s are selling tickets for $5.00 for this special event. The church keeps the $5.00 and for each ticket you receive $5.00 off an item. We will also sell tickets on Thursday, October 2, 10am – 2pm. If you can help, please contact June.

We will be having an initial gathering of those interested in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew on October 5 after the Sunday service. To learn more, speak to Bruce Cory. You can also learn more from http://www.brotherhoodofstandrew.org/about.php

Furnace Needed: The furnace located in the sacristy, which heats part of the social hall and hallways must be replaced prior to this winter. Cost is $2,250 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. $1,000 has been pledged towards the replacement so far and Vestry has agreed to go ahead and have the furnace installed now. We’ll also need to replace two more furnaces over the next two years: one that heats the parish hall and one that heats the rectory. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box located on the table in the parlor, or placed in the offering plate marked “furnace.”

We will celebrate Latino/Latina Heritage Month at our service on September 28. If you’d like to read one of the lessons, please see Rebecca. In preparation, you can practice the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish:

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo,

santificado sea tu Nombre,

venga tu reino,

hágase tu voluntad,

en la tierra como en el cielo.

Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.

Perdona nuestras ofensas,

como también nosotros perdonamos

a los que nos ofenden.

No nos dejes caer en tentación

y líbranos del mal.

Porque tuyo es el reino,

tuyo es el poder,

y tuya es la gloria,

ahora y por siempre. Amén.

Month 2014 (# Sundays)	Budget YTD	Actual YTD	Monthly Budget	Actual Monthly
Total Revenue	$31,647.33	$20,909.06	$3,955.92	$2,193.00
Total Expense	$31,647.33	$30,289.27	$3,955.92	$3,249.69
Difference		-$9,380.21		-$1,056.69