St. John's Episcopal Church

St. John’s Episcopal Church - Sunday, December 15, 2019

From Fr. Ray+

We are blessed to have numerous folks who volunteer their time and talent in the life of St. John’s Church.  Some of these volunteers are visible, while others work quietly behind the scenes.  Two of the most visible areas where folks volunteer are our Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers.  Acolytes assist in the worship service by carrying the cross in the entrance procession (the liturgical term is Crucifer), helping the priest set the altar for Communion and sometimes carrying the torches, Gospel Book and, on some occasions, the incense.  Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest by serving the chalice of wine to those who come forward for Communion.  Sometimes they take the consecrated bread and wine to folks in the hospital or who are homebound.  It is St. John’s custom that Eucharistic Ministers also read the lessons in worship.

Shortly after the first of the year I will be leading a training event for new Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers.  The training will be held on a Saturday morning in January and will take about ninety minutes.  If you would like to attend this training, please let me know.  In this season of giving, this is a wonderful way to give back to St. John’s.  I’m pretty sure that everyone who is currently serving as an Acolyte or Eucharistic Minister would be quick to say they are incredibly blessed to serve in these ministries.  As is usually the case, you receive far more than you give.

You can get more information about this training by calling the church office at 338-8115.

Blessings, Fr. Ray+

The St. John’s Christmas Eve Service will be at 6:00 p.m.  Our organist, Dr. Gabriel Statom, along with guest soprano Ms. Alyce Tarver, will provide beautiful music.  Be sure to invite your family and friends to join you for this delightful celebration of the birth of our Lord!

January 12 is the First Sunday after the Epiphany and is the date we remember The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We will be having one baptism on this date. If others would like to receive the sacrament of baptism, please contact me.

Our Annual Parish Meeting and Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 19, immediately following worship.  I encourage all members and friends of St. John’s to be present for this “once a year” important meeting. 

Worship and Education News:

Adult Sunday School:  Sunday at 9:15 am.

Worship:  December 15, the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Rev. Ray Brown

Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:4-9; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Hymn No: 56 (Verses 5 & 6), 76, 74

Pastoral News:

Please keep the following in your prayers:   Debra Richardson, David Henderson, Kathy Sullivan, Larry Bryant, Lynn Jordan, Ray Worley, Jim Howe, Nancy Howe, Parker Pace, Heather Treat,  Courtney Turner,  Rita Merritt, Mary Helen Lagarde, Jo Boone Wild, Gloria Higginbotham,  Kelly Faye Parker, Vivian Wright, Al Martin, William Brandon, Leo & Joan Schuster, Orville Jiles, Cedric Franks, Jr, Jeannie McCabe, Karen Foster, Kathleen Gibson, Susan Worrell, Jeffery Mink, Cole Jefferies,  Pat Wheeler, Buff Brothers,  Carol Spencer, Pat Jeffries,  Tommy & Carrie Galloway, Rev. Arnold Hearn, Bonnie & Charles Rowland, Rickey Johnston, and the family of Della Staton.

 

Outreach News:

Angels of Grace and Anchor Mission ministries: The item from their wish list this week is paper towels.

  Please place all of these donations in the red wagon at the back of the church to be blessed.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

 Thank you for your weekly donations.  They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

 

Church Office News and Announcements:

Dec 11, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

Dec 13, Friday, Drop by from 1 – 4 o’clock: Mike Fielder retirement celebration.

DEC 15, SUNDAY at 10:30:  Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Acolyte – Ann Lee

Lay Eucharist Minister – Ann Lee

Altar Guild – Betsy Wright

Altar Flowers – Ernest & Cathy Cunningham

Dec 18, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

Poinsettias Donations form below

ECW dues are set for $20 this year.  Checks can be made out to St. John’s and mailed or dropped by the office.

St. John’s T-shirts are available with sizes from S through XL.  The price is $15.  Located at back of church.

 

Contact info for Fr. Ray:

Cell: 501-291-6262    

Email:  rector@saintjohnshelena.org                                           

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone:  870-338-8115    

Email:   office@saintjohnshelena.org 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342

Street address: 625 Pecan St., Helena, AR 

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church - Sunday, December 8, 2019

From Fr. Ray+

This past Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of the Church Year in liturgical churches.   Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming,” and is a season of preparation.  As such, we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ in Bethlehem’s manger as well as for the coming of Christ at the end of time.  Especially, we prepare for his coming into our lives each and every day as Savior and Lord.

As we move into this new liturgical year, I wanted to remind you of several important dates that are coming up at St. John’s:

Our Christmas Eve Service will be at 6 p.m. and will include music by our organist, Dr. Gabe Statom, as well as a guest soprano from The Memphis Chorale. This lovely service will include candles, incense (very light…I promise not to get carried away!), familiar carols and Holy Communion.  It is a wonderful time to invite family and friends to join you as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.

January 12 is the First Sunday after the Epiphany and is the date we remember The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We will be having one baptism on this date. If others would like to receive the sacrament of baptism, please contact me.

Finally, our Annual Parish Meeting and Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 19 immediately following worship.  I encourage all members and friends of St. John’s to be present for this “once a year” important meeting. 

Blessings, Fr. Ray+

 

Worship and Education News:

Adult Sunday School:  Sunday at 9:15 am.

Worship:  December 1, the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Rev. Ray Brown

Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Hymn No: 56 (Verses 3 & 4), 65, 68

Pastoral News:

Please keep the following in your prayers:   Debra Richardson, David Henderson, Kathy Sullivan, Larry Bryant, Lynn Jordan, Ray Worley, Jim Howe, Nancy Howe, Parker Pace, Heather Treat,  Courtney Turner,  Rita Merritt, Mary Helen Lagarde, Jo Boone Wild, Gloria Higginbotham,  Kelly Faye Parker, Vivian Wright, Al Martin, William Brandon, Leo Schuster, Joan Schuster, Orville Jiles, Cedric Franks, Jr, Jeannie McCabe, Karen Foster, Kathleen Gibson, Susan Worrell, Jeffery Mink, Cole Jefferies, Bonnie Rowland, Pat Wheeler, Buff Brothers, Della Staton, Carol Spencer, Pat Jeffries,  Tommy & Carrie Galloway, and Rev. Arnold Hearn.

 

Outreach News:

Angels of Grace and Anchor Mission ministries: The item from their wish list this week is toilet paper.

Please place all of these donations in the red wagon at the back of the church to be blessed.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

Thank you for your weekly donations.  They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

 

Church Office News and Announcements:

Dec 4, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Healing Eucharist in the chapel.

DEC 8, SUNDAY at 10:30:  Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Acolyte – Ben Pittman

Lay Eucharist Minister – Gina Pillow

Altar Guild – Jayne Morris & Bennett Sellers

Altar Flowers – Tap Jennings, Jack Hornor, & West Hornor

Dec 11, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

Dec 13, Friday: Drop by from 1 – 4 o’clock; Mike Fielder's retirement.

Poinsettias Donations form below

ECW dues are set for $20 this year.  Checks can be made out to St. John’s and mailed or dropped by the office.

 

St. John’s T-shirts are available with sizes from S through XL.  The price is $15.  Located at back of church.

 

Contact info for Fr. Ray:

Cell: 501-291-6262    

Email:  rector@saintjohnshelena.org                                           

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone:  870-338-8115    

Email:   office@saintjohnshelena.org 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 7234

Street address:  625 Pecan St., Helena, AR

St. John’s Episcopal Church - Sunday, December 1, 2019

From Fr. Ray+

Our Thanksgiving Eucharist will be celebrated this coming Wednesday, November 27 at 6 p.m.  If you haven’t gone “over the river and through the woods” this lovely service is a great way to start your Thanksgiving.  We will sing hymns that are traditionally associated with Thanksgiving and will, of course, celebrate the Eucharist, which is a Greek word that means “to give thanks.”

This coming Sunday, December 1, is the First Sunday of Advent, so the Adult Sunday School Class is starting a new Advent/Christmas series entitled “A Thrill of Hope: The Christmas Story in Word and Art.”  In this video-based course, world-renowned biblical scholars and an internationally known professor of preaching from Candler School of Theology offer their expertise in discussions of how the familiar Advent and Christmas texts from Matthew and Luke are brought to life in the art of John August Swanson.  Swanson’s art tells Bible stories in finely detailed, brilliantly colored paintings and original prints…”  The class will include a video of about eight minutes, followed by discussion.  As is always the case, I will be glad to offer this class at a time other than Sunday morning if several folks are interested.

Blessings, Fr. Ray+

 

Worship and Education News:

Adult Sunday School:  Sunday at 9:15 am.

Worship:  December 1, the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Rev. Ray Brown

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent:  Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Hymn No: 56 (Verses 1 & 2), 58, 494

Pastoral News:

Please keep the following in your prayers:   Debra Richardson, David Henderson, Kathy Sullivan, Larry Bryant, Lynn Jordan, Ray Worley, Jim Howe, Parker Pace, Heather Treat,  Courtney Turner,  Rita Merritt, Mary Helen Lagarde, Jo Boone Wild,  Gloria Higginbotham,  Kelly Faye Parker, Vivian Wright, Al Martin, William Brandon, Leo Schuster, Joan Schuster, Orville Jiles, Cedric Franks, Jr, Jeannie McCabe, Karen Foster, Kathleen Gibson, Susan Worrell, Linda Jane McIntosh, Linda Lee Morganti, Jeffery Mink, Cole Jefferies, Bonnie Rowland, Pat Wheeler, Nancy Howe, Buff Brothers, Della Staton, Carol Spencer, Pat Jeffries,  Tommy & Carrie Galloway, and Rev. Arnold Hearn.

 

Outreach News:

Angels of Grace and Anchor Mission ministries: The item from their wish list this week is cleaning supplies.

  Please place all of these donations in the red wagon at the back of the church to be blessed.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

 Thank you for your weekly donations.  They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

 

Church Office News and Announcements:

NOV 27, Wed at 6:00 pm: Thanksgiving Service in the church.

Nov 29, Friday at 3:00 – 4:30: 90^th year celebration for Bennette Morris in the undercroft.

DEC 1, SUNDAY at 10:30:  Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Acolyte – Mike Fielder

Lay Eucharist Minister –

Altar Guild – Melody Rogers & Angie Fielder

Altar Flowers – Frances Howe

Dec 4, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Healing Eucharist in the chapel.

 

Poinsettias Donations form attached

 

ECW dues are set for $20 this year.  Checks can be made out to St. John’s and mailed or dropped by the office.

 

St. John’s T-shirts are available with sizes from S through XL.  The price is $15.  Located at back of church.

 

Contact info for Fr. Ray:

Cell: 501-291-6262    

Email:  rector@saintjohnshelena.org                                           

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone:  870-338-8115    

Email:   office@saintjohnshelena.org 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342

Street address:  625 Pecan St., Helena, AR

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church - Sunday, November 24, 2019

From Fr. Ray+

Psalm 100:3 invites us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; give thanks to him and call upon his name.”

I think when all is said and done, much of our lives as followers of Christ is about giving thanks.  It has been said that the simple two-word prayer “Thank You” is among the most important we can pray.  Within the next week you will have two opportunities to express the thankfulness that it is in your heart.  A bit more about each of those opportunities is mentioned in the following paragraphs.

This coming Sunday, November 24, we will be receiving our Estimate of Giving Cards during worship.  Completed cards can be placed in the offering plate, mailed to the church office at P.O. Box 770, Helena 72342, or dropped off at the church office.  Your 2020 financial commitment will help our church treasurer and vestry as they finalize our budget for the coming year.  Of far greater importance, your commitment is one way to express your love for Christ, the church and your neighbors who are served in his name.  It is also a way to say “Thank You” for your blessings.

We will have our annual Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, November 27 at 6 pm.  This is a wonderful way to start your Thanksgiving Holiday!  We will sing familiar Thanksgiving hymns and partake of the Eucharist, which is from a Greek word that literally means “the act of giving thanks.”

Blessings, Fr. Ray+

 

Worship and Education News:

Adult Sunday School:  Sunday at 9:15 am.

Worship:  November 24, the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Rev. Ray Brown

Readings for the Last Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 29; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm Canticle 4; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

Hymn No: 616, 493, 494

Pastoral News:

Please keep the following in your prayers:   Debra Richardson, David Henderson, Kathy Sullivan, Larry Bryant, Lynn Jordan, Ray Worley, Jim Howe, Parker Pace, Heather Treat,  Courtney Turner,  Rita Merritt, Mary Helen Lagarde, Jo Boone Wild,  Gloria Higginbotham,  Kelly Faye Parker, Vivian Wright, Al Martin, William Brandon, Leo Schuster, Joan Schuster, Orville Jiles, Cedric Franks, Jr, Jeannie McCabe, Karen Foster, Kathleen Gibson, Susan Worrell, Linda Jane McIntosh, Linda Lee Morganti, Jeffery Mink, Cole Jefferies, Bonnie Rowland, Pat Wheeler, Nancy Howe, Buff Brothers, Della Staton, Carol Spencer, Pat Jeffries,  Tommy & Carrie Galloway, and Rev. Arnold Hearn.

 

Outreach News:

Angels of Grace and Anchor Mission ministries: The item from their wish list this week is laundry detergent.

   Please place all of these donations in the red wagon at the back of the church to be blessed.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

 Thank you for your weekly donations.  They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

 

Church Office News and Announcements:

Nov 20, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

NOV 24, SUNDAY at 10:30: Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Acolyte – West Hornor

Lay Eucharist Minister – Mike Fielder

Altar Guild – Maureen Jones & Nancy Hornor

Altar Flowers – Mr. & Mrs. Alan Hargraves, Jr. and Mr. & Mrs. David Bohannan

       NOV 27, Wed at 6:00 pm: Thanksgiving Service in the church.

Nov 29, Friday at 3:00:  See invitation attached.

ECW dues are set for $20 this year.  Checks can be made out to St. John’s and mailed or dropped by the office.

St. John’s T-shirts are available with sizes from S through XL.  The price is $15.  Located at back of church.

 

Contact info for Fr. Ray:

Cell: 501-291-6262    

Email:  rector@saintjohnshelena.org                                           

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone:  870-338-8115    

Email:   office@saintjohnshelena.org 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342

Street address:  625 Pecan St., Helena, AR

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church - Sunday, November 17, 2019

 

From Fr. Ray+

Each year I enjoy watching the changes in the farmland during my drives to and from Little Rock.  The barren fields of winter give way to the green fields of summer.  It seems like every time I make the trip I see how the corn, beans and cotton have grown just a little bit more.  Fall brings the harvest and then before you know it, the fields are barren again.  By November most of the harvesting is complete.  Then, on the fourth Thursday of the month we observe a special day of giving Thanks for our many blessings, including the recently harvested crops.  

It is also around this time of year that we observe a more focused emphasis on stewardship.  One part of that focus includes asking our congregation to complete their Estimate of Giving Pledges for 2020.  You will be receiving your card, along with a letter from me, in the mail in the next seven days.  I ask that you prayerfully consider your financial commitment to St. John’s for the coming year.  You may place your card in the offering plate on Sunday, November 24, mail it to the church office or drop it off to Marjie in the office.

 

Worship and Education News:

Adult Sunday School:  Sunday at 9:15 am.

Worship:  November 17, the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Rev. Ray Brown

Readings for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 28; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

Hymn No: 376, 488, 450

Pastoral News:

Please keep the following in your prayers:   Debra Richardson, David Henderson, Kathy Sullivan, Larry Bryant, Lynn Jordan, Ray Worley, Jim Howe, Parker Pace, Heather Treat,  Courtney Turner,  Rita Merritt, Mary Helen Lagarde, Jo Boone Wild,  Gloria Higginbotham,  Kelly Faye Parker, Vivian Wright, Al Martin, William Brandon, Leo Schuster, Joan Schuster, Orville Jiles, Cedric Franks, Jr, Jeannie McCabe, Karen Foster, Kathleen Gibson, Susan Worrell, Linda Jane McIntosh, Linda Lee Morganti, Jeffery Mink, Cole Jefferies, Bonnie Rowland, Pat Wheeler, Nancy Howe, Buff Brothers, Della Staton, Carol Spencer, Pat Jeffries,  Tommy & Carrie Galloway, and Rev. Arnold Hearn.

 

Outreach News:

Angels of Grace and Anchor Mission ministries: The item from their wish list this week is toilet paper.

Operation Christmas Child boxes:  Please place all of these donations in the red wagon at the back of the church to be blessed.

Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.

Thank you for your weekly donations.  They are all greatly appreciated and needed.

 

Church Office News and Announcements:

Nov 13, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

NOV 17, SUNDAY at 10:30: Holy  Eucharist, Rite II

Acolyte – Drew Fielder

Lay Eucharist Minister – Ann Lee

Altar Guild – Julie Pittman

Altar Flowers – Jayne & Walter Morris

Nov 20, Wed at 5:30 pm: Midweek Eucharist in the chapel.

Nov 29, Friday at 3:00: Invitation attached.

ECW dues are set for $20 this year.  Checks can be made out to St. John’s and mailed or dropped by the office.

 

St. John’s T-shirts are available with sizes from S through XL.  The price is $15.  Located at back of church.

 

Contact info for Fr. Ray:

Cell: 501-291-6262    

Email:  rector@saintjohnshelena.org                                           

St. John’s Church Office:

Phone:  870-338-8115    

Email:   office@saintjohnshelena.org 

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342

Street address: 625 Pecan St., Helena, AR