This Sunday (April 19, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on April 16, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Third Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, Pgs 224-225

I am in Pennsylvania this week, because my granddaughter makes her First Communion, a rite in the Roman Catholic Church. They usually pick this Saturday after Easter, because the Gospel is always about Jesus appearing after his resurrection and eating with his disciples. The Gospel confirms that Jesus is ALWAYS present with us during communion. Jesus ALWAYS shares this meal with us.

The sharing of our communion meal institute by Jesus on Maundy Thursday and reinforced in his resurrection appearances, has been continued ever since. It reminds us that death did not win. It reminds us that the most powerful government of the time could not silence the Son of God. It reminds us of what is everlasting and what is important about life and living life. It’s not what the world says, it’s what Jesus Christ taught us… love one another…love is the key….

Open our eyes, Lord…

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca will be on vacation next week, through April 22. For pastoral care emergencies, call the Rev. John Bukhart, 606-521-0345.

Godly Play: All children are invited to participate in Godly Play, a special program of Spiritual development each Sunday morning at 10:00am.

Adult Forum: This week we begin a 5-week series on Ten Ways to Pray. Jeff Davis will lead us in centering prayer and body prayer.

Daughters of the King: The Regional Luncheon Meeting for Daughters of the King will be held Saturday, April 25, 11:30am – 1:30pm. All women members and those interested in becoming members are invited! Please let Shelia Phillips know if you would like to attend.

Diocesan Leadership Training: Diocesan leadership training sessions will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church, Somerset on Friday May 8, 5:45pm-9:00pm and Saturday, May 9, 9am – 4pm. Let Rev. Rebecca know if you’d like to attend this important and informative training. The focus is on effective communication and effective community behaviors. The format is a mix of lecture and small group discussion.

Belk Charity Sales Day: Belk department store will host a Charity Sales Day on Saturday, May 2, 6am – 10am. Buy tickets for $5.00 to get into this special sale. The church keeps the money and you get $5.00 off an item for each ticket you have. Members of the ECW will be selling tickets prior to the event.

Grow Appalachia: The Grow Appalachia committee will meet Thursdays evenings at 6pm through April and May.

Rotary Scholarship Scramble: Participate in or help sponsor the Dave Hudson Memorial Rotary Scholarship Scramble, Friday, April 24, London Country Club. All proceeds benefit college scholarships for local high school students. See Rev. Rebecca for more information.

Fun, fun, fun: The next Family Game Night is April 24^th from 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Those who wish to, may gather at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for their fish fry at 5:45. The cost is $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children for a full meal.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

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

Love is the Key (Sermon) February 18, 2015 – Ash Wednesday

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

Sermon – February 18, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Ash Wednesday

Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing. Joel 2:12-13

Please be seated.

On Monday night, I just happened to watch the Grammy Tribute to Stevie Wonder. Different artists performed Mr. Wonder’s Works. The concert was so wonderful, especially since much of the music of Mr. Wonder is familiar to me. And the people in the audience were on their feet most of the time. They were stars and celebrities, dancing and moving to the music. I could feel the happy party in my living room. It’s just one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.

Yet, even more than the music, was Mr. Wonder’s closing remarks:

“I can’t leave this stage, this building, this planet without letting you know how much I thank you. I love you. I don’t have to know you. I may not have ever met you or ever meet you. But I want you to know that I love you. I love you first of all because the God that I serve says that we should love everyone. I also love you because it feels better to love than to hate and I believe that if we can just come together, because we must come together, because, I mean, we are at spiritual warfare and we must without question let the world know that love is king and queen. . . . I believe that if we come together, as it is said, when 2 or more believe, then almighty God is between it, Let us come together. Let us fool everyone who thinks it’s impossible. Let’s make the impossible so very possible by loving. Love is the key ….” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxDrJ-tyHpE

Love is the key.

So what does that have to do with Ash Wednesday…. A day when we begin our season of penitence…of taking a good look at ourselves?

Because, during this time, we are asked to repent. To repent means to turna round…to change our ways. In our Lesson, Joel, the prophet says that God wants us to return with all of our heart…God wants us to acknowledge how our behavior has been so harmful to the world, so harmful, that our acknowledge makes us weep and mourn and fast. Tearing our clothing as a sign of repentance will not be enough….we must feel the depth of turning away from God Deep within our heart…we must know how our turning away from God, tears our hearts apart.

Yes, there are many ways we turn away from God. One way is our failure to love. We’d rather hate than love.

We also believe that truly loving everyone is impossible. We look at our world. Even here in Corbin last week where a 16-year-old child killed most of his family and endangered the lives of others. Or the many killings by ISIS/ISIL, most recently in Egypt. There is so much evil out there, and we become cynical, skeptical and unbelieving about the power of love.

Yes, we know God wants us to love one another – to love our neighbors as ourselves. But don’t we pay it lip service? Don’t we think it’s a huge fantasy and not even possible? Haven’t we turned away from God in this regard? And in doing so, we have harmed the world and we have harmed each other. We have given more power to hate than to love!

So, during this Holy Lent, return to God. Don’t doubt, but believe. Weep and mourn and fast because we have given in to the world and given in to the power of hatred rather than the power of love.

Think about what you can do to be more loving…what you can do to not let the hatred of the world overpower the love God calls us to. Let’s strive to be like Stevie Wonder who told us the other night…. “I love you. I don’t have to know you. I may not have ever met you or ever meet you. But I want you to know that I love you.” Let’s believe deeply in our hearts that “Love is the key.”

Amen

This Sunday (February 15, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on February 12, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, pg. 217, Book of Common Prayer

The season of celebration that the light has come into the world, also known as Epiphany, is fast coming to an end. This Collect for the Day leads us into the next season of our Church year – Lent. But first, there are a few more days of celebration. Before the walk up calvary on Good Friday, the true glory of Christ was revealed to Peter, James and John, on the Mount Tabor, known as The Transfiguration.

Mt. Tabor, site of The Transfiguration.

In our region, winter is gray and especially in February, feels long, but our church year reminds us that Christ brought great light, great awareness to us. Christ brought and brings great joy. So, let’s enjoy the celebration..the revealing of Christ’s Glory. Join us Tuesday evening at 6pm for our annual pancake supper. Celebrate our life in Christ. Then you will be ready for the long walk through Lent to Calvary.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

The Flowers on the Altar this Sunday are given in memory of Ed VanGorder by June VanGorder.

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. 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.

Rebecca’s Schedule Rebecca will be in Corbin this week,Tuesday and Wednesday, and attending Diocesan Convention in Morehead Thursday through Saturday. Her Sabbath Day will be Monday, February 16. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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

Adult Forum: This Sunday we conclude our series on the Blessing of Same Gender Relationships. Mary Swinford will lead the session. Next Sunday, we begin a series on Appalachia. Professor Joseph Pearson, who teaches history at Union College, will speak about the race riots in Corbin.

Grow Appalachia! We’ve received a grant for $4,530 for our community garden through Grow Appalachia. The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/ The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Sunday, February 15, after church.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 – 7:30pm. Come for this truly Episcopal tradition to end Epiphany and prepare for the start of Lent. Free Will donation.

Ash Wednesday Services will be held on February 18, at 9am and 7pm. Eucharist and imposition of ashes will occur at both services.

The Annual International Dinner will be held February 28, 7pm, London Community Center. Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of London and Corbin, the proceeds of the dinner support the eradication of polio. Tickets are $25 each. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will provide of match of $100 for a purchase of 2 tickets. Tables of 8 are also available for $250. If you’d like to attend this fun event or if you’d like to provide food for it, please see Rebecca.

Interested in becoming a member of St. John’s? Please let Rebecca know. Receptions and confirmations will be held on Saturday, April 18, at the Cathedral Domain during St. George’s Day weekend.

Reading Camp Meeting, February 26, 10:15am. A group is forming in Corbin to support sending at least 5 children from Corbin to Reading Camp at Pine Mountain Settlement, July 12-18. We are also exploring the possibility of starting a Reading Camp program in the area. If you are interested in helping recruit children, mentor children, volunteering for Reading Camp, or raising funds, let Rebecca know.

Pot Luck Sunday: Next Sunday February 22, 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, depending upon the Bishop’s visit and our Annual Meeting.

Join Rebecca and the Members of Corbin Presbyterian Church at 3:00pm, Sunday, February 22, as they install their new Pastor, The Rev. Lisa Eye.

Family Game night is the 4^th Friday of the month. The next Family Game Night is Friday, February 27, 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Pizza will be provided.

The Vestry is considering how best to use the space that is now our Parlor. Various ideas have included using the space as a welcome and information place, where information is available about St. John’s, our various ministries, and our members. Another idea is to have a prayer space with candles that can be lit for specific prayer intentions. If you have comments or other ideas, please see a member of Vestry or Rebecca.

Two furnaces replaced, 1 more to go! The furnaces located in the sacristy and the parish hall have been replaced. Thanks so much to all who donated! Now we need to replace the furnace in the rectory. Cost is just under $1,700 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

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.

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

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.

United Thank Offering. Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church. The next collection will be in the spring.

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.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

This Sunday (January 11, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on January 8, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:5

Most of us have had many “first days.” There is the first day we remember. There is the first day we went to school. There is the first day we met our best friend or our spouse. There is the first day we lived after someone we loved had died. So many first days….

This Sunday we’ll here this short passage from Genesis about the first day…truly the first day. It’s hard to imagine that. But what we do know about first days is that they represent something new and different…something that dramatically changes our lives and how we live them. There can be incredibly hard first days, but there can also be incredibly important and hope-filled first days.

If we’re not living the life God has called us to, we can start trying again. We can have a new day…a first day of living in a new way. We’re only 11 days into the New Year. What first days do you think God is calling you to?

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca

01-11-2015 Bulletin Renewal of Baptismal Covenant

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rev. Rebecca will at St. Agnes’ House Monday, January 12, through Thursday, January 15. Her Sabbath day will be Friday, January 16. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

Adult Forum: In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. Next week, Rebecca will be reviewing the History of the Episcopal Church’s Decision.

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

Your prayers and presence are requested at the ordination to the Priesthood of Andrew Hege, on Saturday, January 17,10am, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington.

Youth Group Bowling. The youth ages 13-18 will go bowling Sunday afternoon, January 18, 1-3pm at Forest Bowling Lanes, Corbin. Please see Rev. Rebecca if you’d like to go.

The Diocesan Stewardship Commission is offering an update on their work prior to Diocesan Convention. Join Rebecca on Tuesday, January 20, at 7pm at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro to hear this update. We can ride together and leave about 5 so we can eat dinner together. The Bishop is also offering scholarships for teams from parishes to attend The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (www.tens.org) conference in Texas in May. Please let Rebecca know if you’re interested in either of these events, as well as assisting with stewardship at St. John’s.

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, January 21, 9am, in the Sanctuary.

Reading Camp Meeting, January 21, 10am. This meeting will be with people in Corbin interested in helping children read. We will look into recruiting children from Corbin for the Pine Mountain Camp, as well as connecting them to the local programs supporting reading during the school year. We will also discuss raising money to support the children and the camp. If you’d like to be part of this, please let Rebecca know.

Grow Appalachia! We’ve received a grant for $4,530 for our community garden through Grow Appalachia. The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/ The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Wednesday, January 21, 6:30pm.

Worship Committee will meet Friday, January 23, 4:30pm to plan Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. All are welcome!

Game Night, Friday, January 30, 6:30-9:00pm. Everyone is invited to Game night on Friday, January 30, hosted by the Young Adults of the parish. Pizza will be provided. Bring snacks and your own drinks.

The annual Acolyte Festival will be held Saturday, January 31, 10am – 3:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.

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.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

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 (November 30) at St. John’s

Posted on November 27, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus…. I Corinthians 1:4

A blessed and happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. On many Sunday afternoons, after everyone has gone home from church and the busyness of the day has subsided, I find myself in a state of gratitude. A blessed and joyous state of gratitude.

I think back over the morning and there are so many places of grace. There’s the rambling, but always interesting and challenging discussion at Adult Forum; the anticipation of seeing everyone show up, greet each other, and fellowship, even to the point where church doesn’t always start on time. There’s the sounds of the choir practicing. There’s the children telling me about their week and some new thing they’ve learned. There’s the blessing of our worship together. I look out and see your earnest faces. I look out and see the children, copying my motions during the Eucharistic prayer. And when you come forward, the way you hold out your hands for the bread of life is always a special moment.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks to God for you, the parish of St. John’s, Corbin.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

My Schedule

I am on vacation until Saturday. Next week, I will be in Corbin Tuesday and Wednesday. My sabbath days will be Monday, December 1, and Friday, December 5.

This Sunday we welcome Emily Cardwell to the pulpit. Emily is in the supervisory
part of discerning a call to ministry for the Diaconate. She has been supported in this process
by a discernment committee and her Vestry at St. John’s in Versailles, as well as by her husband,
Jeff and their three children – Leah, Quinn and Willa. She has been assigned to St. Agnes House
for her supervisory reflection, while also being given the opportunity to preach here in
Corbin. Emily is on the Pastoral Care team where her focus is prison ministry, and she finishes
up her third year as a Vestry member next month.

Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm. Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns.

Adult Forum
This week and 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.

In 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.

Wednesday Morning Eucharist
Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am in the Sanctuary.

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm. Bring your donations to the church on Friday during the day. Also create an event on your Facebook page to invite your friends!

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9. Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22. If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.

You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

A St. Nicholas Festival for children will be held on Saturday, December 6, 4:00pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.

Join Rebecca at Mission House in Lexington for Eucharist and lunch on Tuesday, December 9, 11:30am. Break bread together and meet and visit with Diocesan Staff. A tour of St. Agnes’ House will also be held.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14. Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing. Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

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

You’ve heard about BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY. On DECEMBER 2, start your ADVENT with #GivingTuesday at http://bit.do/domain2014, a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving. From 12:00 am to 11:59 pm EDT, supporters of participating nonprofits like THE CATHEDRAL DOMAIN can go online to connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible donations. All contributions from this campaign will be used to support the ministry of the Cathedral Domain. You can schedule your donation at any time and it will be processed on
December 2.

Remembering our Veterans!

Posted on November 11, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Veterans’ Day 2014

We remember those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Silvestre Alaniz, Army, 2008-present
John Echols, Air Force, 2001-present

Jason Beams-Jackson Leslie Carter

Larry Conley James L. Disney

Ed Van Gorder Joseph Justice

Taylor Justice Calvin C. Moore, Jr.

Elmer Parlier Ken Phillips

Don Sullivan Cecil E. Davis Lamar R. Jones Fred Mainord Richard Swinford Gary Snider

Jim Weaver Otto Goff

Ralph Goff Bobby Phillips

Victor Jordan Glenn Campbell

AJ Jones Tom Terry

Bill Wiser

Perils of Christians in Pakistan, Wednesday, October 22, 6:30pm

Posted on October 20, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Join us this Wednesday after the 6pm service for a brief, 30-minute overview of the perils of being a Christian in Pakistan presented by Tom McClure. Questions and answer session to follow.

Thanks for the words of appreciation!

Posted on October 20, 2014 by St. John's Episcopal Church

On Friday, October 10, the Corbin Times Tribune had a Pastor Appreciation on page 12A. Thanks to everyone who helped put that together. I really appreciated it. Here’s a copy of the page and the St. John’s Entry. I know a number of people were involved, especially Laura Love, who wrote the words, and Elmer Parlier, who took the photo.

Thanks for this kind appreciation in the Corbin Times Tribune on October 10. I know many were involved, but only know two for sure – Laura Love and Elmer Parlier.

I was in some great company! Corbin Times Tribune October 10.