Come and share in the celebration! Margaret Ann Johnson, who provides care to our children every Sunday, has a new home and we would like to help her celebrate by hosting a house warming party. Everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, July 18, in the parlor, following the 10:30 worship service. If you would like to bring a gift, Margaret Ann is in need of almost any general household items such as, flatware, dishes, glasses, cups, pots, pans, curtains, bed spreads and yard and garden tools. We know anything will be appreciated.

Following the party, Jim and those who would like to join him, will go to Margaret Ann’s house for a house blessing. Maps will be available, but parking is extremely limited, so plan to carpool.

If you have any questions please call the church office at 404-761-8402.

On June 27 I will be leaving with 32 other Atlanta folk on an Interfaith Pilgrimage! Thirteen Protestants, thirteen Jews, and six Muslim make up the group. The purposes of this pilgrimage are for us to get to know each other personally, to worship in the faith of each, and hopefully remain in contact after the trip. Our destinations are Morocco and Andalusia, Spain, both places where at times in history, these three faiths lived together in harmony.

It’s going to be fun! We had a trial run at the Imperial Fez restaurant on Sunday. Can you imagine sitting on cushions on the floor eating only with your right hand? (I’m left handed!) No utensils, only that hand. The tables are round and each course is presented on a platter in the middle of the table. Food is up for grabs. Until we got to Baklava, I had no idea of what we were eating, but it was good.

I’m taking my camera and hope I can manage to get some good shots. I look forward to sharing them on my return which will be July 7th.

If you would like to submit an article or information to be published in the Eagle Notes, all information must be in the church office no later than:

July 22 for August publication

August 19 for September publication

September 23 for October publication

October 21 for November publication

November 18 for December publication

December 16 for Jan., 2005 publication

Please have information on diskette or e-mail to: parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com).

History is important in a parish. In order for us to be able to provide for the future, we must understand that St. John’s represents the work, dedication, and sacrifice of so many who came before us. It is their vision for the future and willingness to sacrifice in their time that accounts for our ability to serve Christ at St. John’s in our time.

Not long ago, Calvin was cleaning out some nook or cranny (of which we seem to have a endless supply, all untouched for years), when he came across a faded notebook recording the activities of the Memorials Committee from 1956-57, the time when the “new” church was being completed, and parishioners, having already committed to a capital campaign to pay for the building, were now stepping up to the plate to furnish it. I thought you might like to see part of a letter dated March 15, 1956 from the Rev. Bruce LeFebre, rector from 1955-57 (who died suddenly while on a trip in 1957). I’ve also included the list of furnishings and costs (in 1956 and 2004 dollars) that came with the letter:

My dear Parishioners:

This is the Golden Anniversary year for St. John’s, for it was on the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1906, that the seven charter communicants first met and became St. John’s Church. As we think back on it, we are amazed at the faith and courage demonstrated by this little group. In December of that year they moved into their new Church building (our present building) [currently our Hardin Street parking lot]. We cannot say too much in praise of them, nor can we feel too grateful for the richness of our heritage in this parish.

****

I am . . . enclosing with this letter the final, exact prices for the Church furnishings. Any member of the Memorial Committee, the Parish Secretary, or the Rector will be happy to talk with you about buying a memorial gift in honor of your loved ones. . . .

Faithfully your friend,

Bruce. W. LeFebre

Obviously, they furnished the building. We are approaching our Centennial Anniversary in 2006. As we prepare, we should be asking ourselves, “How will those who come after us view our dedication, sacrifice, and vision? Let’s continue to make them (and God) proud.

Jesus of Nazareth, Mark 8: 36

Jesus had many sayings about money, riches, and rich people; in the above passage Jesus is speaking of the idolatry of money. In his day, sacrifices were a common practice in worship, whether they were offered to the God of Israel, or to any of the number of gods/idols in the Greco-Roman-Near Eastern pantheon. Sacrifice required giving up a specific offering of value (animals, children, harvested goods) in exchange for the god(s)’ favors. In the case of the “man” in the introductory quote, “he” gained the “world” by giving up his “soul”—Jesus fully understood the consequences since he had been made a similar offer in his struggle against temptation in the wilderness.

But what would Jesus have understood by the “world” when he spoke of it above? We can only speculate, but in his own trials in the desert he was offered the opportunity to rule all the kingdoms of the earth, and even tempted to play God in front of all the religious people in the Temple. What would an ordinary Palestinian Jew in the first century C.E. have imagined the world to be if it had been offered to him? We can only speculate, but for the marginalized Jews that Jesus ministered to it may simply have meant a full stomach, a good crop, or a good haul of fish. It may have meant a generous supply of good wine and softer clothing. Perhaps it was simply not having to work so hard for such a meager living. It may have been all the above and more, but for however much or little it was in the imagination of Jesus’ listeners, it was not worth the “soul.”

What has changed between then and now is the spectacular bounty the modern world temps us with, utterly unimaginable to a person living in the first century.

What has not changed between then and now are the terms of the exchange. Our time and Jesus’ time are so different, but they have this in common: it’s still a bad deal. the world of your choice for the deeply discounted price of…your soul.

(Total as of May 31, 2004)

YTD Actual YTD Budget

Commitment Payments: 90,096 82,732

Total Revenues: 116,986 108,775

Total Expenses: 106,746 111,843

Net Total: 10,240 (3,069)

Family Life is collecting pre-paid phone cards to pass out to clients. We also provide them for members of the U.S. armed forces whose family members are in a Family Support Group (1-171st Aviation Battalion) we help sponsor. These cards can be purchased at most retail stores and vary in price from $5.00 and up. If you decide to purchase one to donate, it can be sent to the Family Life Ministries office at 2810 Church Street, East Point, Georgia 30344

Family Life is still in the process of collecting recipes for our 2nd cookbook. We have approximately 100 recipes, but we need more. And, if there is a story to the recipe, we would love for you to take time to write it down. A favorite ladies group recipe, congregation, or children or grandchildren. Please be generous and send them as soon as possible. Each one is appreciated.

Dear Friends,

Gale, Anne and I were deeply touched that so many of you were able to attend Anne's bridal shower. We want to especially thank Carolyn and Kathryn Pierce for such a gorgeous display of wonderful appetizers and desserts. I told Gale the table looked like a feast for a bishop! It was clear they had worked very hard on this lovely shower. Another big thank you goes to Linda English for her pretty chocolate covered strawberries and her assistance with the party.

To those of you who attended and brought such lovely gifts, we are very grateful. We know your lives are very busy and giving up a Sunday afternoon is precious time. Thank you for sharing it with us. To those of you who sent gifts, we wish you could have joined us, but were honored by your generosity.

I am disappointed I didn't get a chance to say good-bye to some of you near the end of the shower. I had to be at the Primary School at 4:00 for a few minutes. Please forgive me.

Anne will be thanking you personally, but I wanted to let you all know how much we appreciated this time with you. Again, thank you for your love, time and gifts.

Most Sincerely,

Jeanne Mull

We welcome Phil and Maureen Sewell into the membership of St. John’s. They are transferring from East Point Christian Church. The Sewell’s address is 1855 Washington Road, East Point, 30344 and their telephone number is 404-766-7801.

Seven Habits of Healthy Parishes