Like the Common Lectionary, the RCL is arranged in a three year cycle (years A, B, or C).  We are in year A (during which Matthew’s gospel is highlighted).  For most of us, the differences between the two lectionaries would be difficult to spot.  The major exception is that the RCL offers two “tracks” for Old Testament readings at Pentecost.  One track is very similar to the Common Lectionary.  The other (which we are using) arranges the Old Testament lessons in a semi-continuous narrative.  (Both lectionaries do this with the Epistle readings at this time of the year). 

All summer, we’ve been hearing great stories from Genesis and have been reading through Paul’s powerful letter to the Romans.  We will continue to read Romans until September 18.  We’ll stay in Genesis until August 21, when we will begin hearing stories from Exodus until October 23.

So now you know!  Come regularly and listen up, and you will hear powerful stories and learn a lot of Bible!

August Birthdays

2. Becky Rivas, Ruth Healy

3. Jane Graham

4. Charles Ukegbu

5. Peggy Roby

6. John Austin

7. Theresa Morah, Larry Sanchez

11. Gary Davis, Brian Simon

12.  Debbie Reeves

15. Tommy Duffie

16. Leigh Burns, Lynda English, Chichi Ukegbu

17. Virginia Greenway, Neva Frese, Julienne Stegall, Mary Hill

18. Martha Cheely

19. Jane Foster, Janet Musser

20. Lauren Abuol-Khair

21. Mary Warbert

22. Harold Bott, Loretta Buchanan

26. Johnny Eckles

27. Nathan Spring

28. Martha McLeod

29. Grant Tillman

Keeping in Touch: Gladys Wimberly has recently moved back into our area. She can be visited at the Ashley Glen Assisted Living Facility located at 441 Pine Point, Peachtree City, 30269. Her telephone number is 770-631-9676

An Invitation to a House Blessing

Jeanne Condrey would like to invite members and friends to join her when she has her new home blessed.  The house blessing will be held on Sunday, August 28, at 4:00 p.m.  Jeanne will provide the meat and drinks.  Please bring a side dish or desert to share.

From the Rector

The seductive weekly decision

My family and I had a wonderful two-week vacation during July.  This meant that I was away from St. John’s for three Sundays (it is very helpful not to be expected to preach the day after vacation is over).  I want to begin with a confession: I did not go to church the first two Sundays of my vacation.  But I did go on the last Sunday.  As is my custom on vacation, I went to a church with a different worship tradition from our own.  This year, I attended Emmaus Road Missionary Baptist Church (on Flat Shoals, near I-85).  The service (which lasted a full three hours) was lively, to say the least.  In the Pentecostal tradition of worship, the “house rocked” with vibrant music, dancing, and “call and response” preaching (“Amen!  Preach it, brother!”).  My friend the Rev. David Scott is the pastor, and I was warmly welcomed and enjoyed myself.

Even after only two weeks away, and while participating in a very different kind of experience, I could feel that I had been gone, and I was glad to be back in a worship service.  It is certainly not a mystery to me as to how good Christians get “out of the habit” of going to church (as I’ve heard many times over the years).  It’s very easy to sleep in, read the paper, goof off, play golf, etc.  Let’s face it: going to church takes effort, and after only two weeks away, I could feel how seductive it can be to make going to church a weekly decision, and one that would often go the other way.

But I was glad to be back in church because going is not a weekly decision for me.  I know what you’re thinking: “Sure, but it’s his job to be there.”  Well, it is, but going to church was not a weekly decision for me long before I sought ordination.  God willing, I don’t attend church on Sunday, even as a priest, because I have to, I’m afraid of going to hell, I’m afraid of what people will think if I don’t, it’s what “nice people do,” I don’t have anything else to do on Sunday mornings, I don’t enjoy sleeping in, or I’m trying to earn “brownie points” with God.  I go because worshipping God in community is a very important part of who I am.  As one of our songs says, “I was formed to proclaim God’s praise.”  A great deal of our identity comes from being shaped and formed, week in and week out, by worshipping God with our sisters and brothers.  When I don’t go to church, it is not a question of behavior; it is a question of identity — I am simply not being who God created me to be.

Once we’re aware of that, going to church can no longer be a weekly decision.  It becomes a life decision, not “Will I get up this Sunday?” but “Who will I be as a child of God?”  I’m not here to rap your knuckles — if you miss once in a while, it’s not such a big deal.  But if you “get out of the habit” (as I’ve heard so many times from people who very rarely attend), it is.  And, if you don’t mind me saying so, it’s no excuse.

If you haven’t been coming to church, or you haven’t been coming regularly, because it is much easier not to come, I want you to know that I understand.  It is seductive.  But I    also want you to know that as a brother in Christ, I implore you: reflect on whom you will be as a child of God, and act like it.  Our faith requires many sacrifices.  We are told that our very lives may be required of us, and we must “stay in training” to be prepared to give them.  Isn’t it odd, then, that one of the most neglected sacrifices asked of us is setting the alarm on Saturday night.  See you Sunday as we gather to proclaim who God is, and, in so doing, proclaim who you are.

Energy Audit Complete.

St. John’s is a member of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, an ecumenical group (started by Episcopalians) that works to develop ways for congregations to put their faith into action in caring for God’s Creation, with a focus on energy conservation.  (You might recall that this spring two folks from GIPL taught a well-attended Sunday school class on Caring for God’s Earth.)  Paul Brady has been active and helpful with regard to our membership and participation.

As a benefit of our membership, we participated in a pilot project that provided us with an energy audit conducted by Southface, an organization that promotes sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance.  The cost of the audit far exceeded our membership dues into GIPL.

We have been conscious of saving energy for some time.  (No, the overly warm church during the summer was not a effort to save energy.  Our cooling system needed work, which, thanks be to God, has helped.)  We have sold compact florescent light bulbs to parishioners, begun replacing our incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs, installed motion detector light switches in bathrooms (to prevent lights from being inadvertently left on all night), installed timers in our heating and ventilation system, and been careful to turn off lights when not needed.

The energy audit applauded these measures, and showed us a number of additional steps we can take to save energy, a goal which is good both for our budget and “this fragile earth, our island home.”  To our amazement, we actually do well when compared to national standards for churches.  There is much we can do to improve, however, and our Property Commission (Fred Daniell, chair; Gale Mull, Vestry Liaison) are working on Southface’s recommendations.

If you would like to see the energy audit, we have a copy available in the office (but please don’t remove it).  In the meantime, both at home and at church— last one out, turn out the lights.  

 Preparing for the Centennial

Plans for celebrating 100 years of St. John’s are well under day.  The celebration will not be limited to only one anniversary weekend, but will take place over the entire year with many special events and activities.

An important part of the celebration is to include as many former church members as possible.  If you know anyone that attended St. John’s in the past 100 years, (that’s a lot!), please let us know.  You can provide their names and addresses to the church office, give them to an usher on Sundays, call Debbie Reeves (770-463-1618), or Sue Johnson (678-964-8874), or email Carol at parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com.  In other words get it to us any way you can, as soon as you can.  The mailing list  is being compiled now and we want everyone to be included!

Also, if you are interested in helping with the celebration, the next committee meeting will be the second Monday of August, (Aug 8, 2005) at 6:00 p.m. at the church.  Please come.            

WATCH FOR DETAILS!

Stewardship  

by Debbie Reeves, Stewardship Commission

Isaiah 54:2-3

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.  For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.”

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word  be that goes forth from My mouth; It  shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Schedule Change for Ruth Healy

Beginning in September, Ruth will be working at the church on Wednesday and Thursday rather than Tuesday and Thursday.  She will be in the office on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beginning in September, the new schedule for morning prayer in the Parlor will be Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 9:15 a.m. 

Come join us for a uplifting spiritual morning.

Planning Meeting for Children’s Education  

When we baptize children, every one of us promises to do all in our power “to support these persons in their life in Christ.”  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 303).  An essential part of that support is to provide Christian education for our children and youth.  This is not something the clergy can do; the community of faith must step forward to teach and shape our children in the faith.  On Sunday, August 21, after the 10:30 service we will have a planning meeting to discuss children’s education for the upcoming school year.  Who should come?  Past and present teachers (who will have valuable insights into what works and doesn't), all parents, and anyone interested in teaching or helping with the program.

Lunch and childcare will be provided.  Please RSVP to the church.  If you need childcare, please give the children’s ages so we can plan accordingly. 

Our children are not just “the future of the church.”  They are the church now!  Come help plan a fun, creative, and formative year for them and us!

News from Gerry O’Connor

Gerry has been helping the Anglican Church in Myanmar (formerly Burma) raise funds to build a church in the remote and dangerous area of that country.  Though retired, Bishop George Kyaw Mya continues to spread his evangelism to devout Christians in remote areas.  These folks, who gather in open spaces sitting on bamboo mats for long periods of time, want to worship in a church building.  Bishop George began a fund raising campaign to build a church.  Jim Pritchett used funds from The Rector’s Discretionary Fund to respond to Gerry’s plea for financial assistance for the Bishop.  The Bishop is very grateful for our help in completing the outside church structure.  The interior has yet to be painted.  Pews, an altar, electrical fixtures, etc. are needed to complete the facility.  The dedication of “All Saints Church” is earmarked for Christmas this year, provided funds are made available to complete the necessary inside work.  If you would like to help,  please forward your contributions to St. Johns marked “for the church in Burma”.   Burmese soldiers are now persecuting faithful Christians.  Let our prayers be with our brothers and sisters in Christ in their endeavor.

Staff Changes:

New Bookkeeper to Come on Board:  Ernie Radaker has served as our Treasurer for over a year-and-a-half.  He computerized our accounting, trained counting teams, and spent many, many hours processing bills, cutting checks, and preparing financial reports.  It has required numerous hours each week, and we thank Ernie for his devoted and skillful service.

Ernie has informed the Vestry that he intends to change his role as of September.  He will no longer do the bookkeeping, which is so time consuming.  He has graciously agreed to remain on as the Treasurer.  After consultation with the Wardens and Finance Committee, the Vestry has authorized the Rector to hire a part-time bookkeeper.  By the time you read this, this new staff person will probably already be hired to begin work in September.

Our bookkeeper will be working on an hourly basis.  We respectfully ask that members of the parish fully fill out check request forms and avoid interrupting the bookkeeper so that we can maximize efficiency and minimize cost.  Thanks! 

New Sextons to Come on Board:  Our sexton (custodian), Calvin Fields, has cared for our aging buildings with concern and devotion since 1999.  He has asked to step down so that he may have more energy to devote to enjoying retirement.  We greatly appreciate the job Calvin has done, and are grateful that we’ll still see him (and Gwen) on Sundays.

Dennis Luck, who served as a sexton at All Saints’ Episcopal Church for ten years, has begun serving as a part time sexton working ten hours a week.  Because Dennis has a full time job elsewhere, he will usually work after business hours.  Please do not be alarmed, but be sure to welcome Dennis if you see him.

In addition, our own John Brady has joined the staff as a part-time sexton.  John will work 7.5 hours a week cleaning.  We are delighted that John has joined us.

Welcome to our new staff members!