This Week at St. John’s
May 21, 2023
Blessing of Graduates this Sunday – we celebrate 2023 graduates at both services today. Graduates this year include Kristy Hall Reel with a Master’s of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) from The Ohio State University; and Jane Windler, daughter of Anne Davidson, with a Master’s degree from Colorado State University.
Prayer for graduates (said by all)
In every beginning is an ending, O Lord, and in every end something begins. These graduates have completed this phase of their education and are now ready for new learning and experiences. Grant that childhood’s innocence and hope may remain alive in them, bringing joy as they mature. Grant that they may hear your still small voice in their heart saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Help them preserve old friendships while creating new ones. Grant that we who love them may help them find their own voice, their own words, and their own work in the true way of Jesus Christ, who knows the person they were created to be. We pray this in his name. Amen.
Blessing for graduates (said by priest)
God is above you, watching over you as a good shepherd.
God is below you, ready to lift you up in your weakest moments.
God is behind you, encouraging you when you want to give up and turn back.
God is in front of you, calling you forward in faith, even when you can’t see how it’s going to work out.
God is beside you, holding your hand no matter what you are going through.
God is within you, as close as every breath you take.
And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you this day and always. Amen.
Sunday School and Youth Roundtable – Children ages 3-11 who attend the 9:00 service are invited to Children’s Church. Please meet at the priest’s invitation – we’ll return to “big church” before communion. Children ages 3-11, meet us in the Atrium next to the sanctuary after the 9 a.m. service (about 10:15 a.m.) for Sunday School! We use the interactive Godly Play program to teach stories from our tradition in a hands-on manner. Middle and high schoolers, meet in the Atrium next to the sanctuary after the 9am service at 10:15am for Youth Roundtable! We’ll walk to a bakery in Old Worthington for fellowship, discussion of the Bible readings for the day, and a sweet treat.
Youth Group meets Sundays at 2 p.m. – We meet weekly, along with youth from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. This week we’ll gather at St. Stephen’s at 30 W. Woodruff Ave. on the Ohio State campus from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. 6th -12th graders welcome, and there will be snacks! Got questions? You can contact David Burman at DavidB@StJohnsWorthington.org.
Coffee and Conversation: The Sociology, Anthropology, and Theology of Evil— Join Sarah Iles Johnston, who teaches in OSU’s religion program, and Gia Hayes-Martin for a three-part series exploring evil. In this third week, Gia will follow up on Sarah’s perspective with a look at the theology of evil. Is spiritual evil “real”? (Spoiler alert: yes.) How do Episcopalians understand evil? What do we mean when we renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness and the evil powers of this world in our baptism? The series will meet one more Sunday, May 21, at 10:15 a.m. in Kilbourne Hall. All are welcome.
Cabaret! The choir will be holding its first annual end of season Cabaret on Sunday, May 21 at 5:00 p.m. in Kilbourne Hall. It will be a fun evening of music making. We’ll be serving dinner, songs, and laughter. Come and see the talented musicians of St. John’s performing sacred and secular music with our brilliant accompanist Stephen Sollars. A free-will offering will be accepted to support the purchase of sheet music for choir and organ. All ages are welcome! Please RSVP to music@stjohnsworthington.org or text 304-374-1666 (Choir Director Nick Taylor) so we can make sure we have enough food and seats.
Vacation Bible School – Kids aged 3-11 are invited to join us for Vacation Bible School this year! We’ll meet at the church from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays in June (that’s June 5, 12, 19, and 26). The theme will be diversity in the Body of Christ – how God calls many different people to be in community together. Kids from St. John’s or outside St. John’s are welcome! Please register no later than May 23. Here’s a link to the sign up sheet: https://www.stjohnsworthington.org/participate/for-children-and-youth/vbs/register-for-vacation-bible-school/
Upcoming Baptism Dates — St. John’s will celebrate the sacrament of Baptism on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, and during Bishop Wayne Smith’s visitation on Sunday, June 25. Preparation involves a conversation with a priest. If you are interested in Baptism for yourself or your child, please contact Gia or David.
Flower Donor today – is Susie Bonnell in thanksgiving for the life of George “Spike” Bonnell, III.
Worthington Interfaith Neighbors – Sharing Our Stories – Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 p.m., in person at Old Worthington Library, 820 High Street, and via Zoom. To request your Zoom invitation and meeting ID number, email windiversity@gmail.com. A Story from Bangladesh with Afsana Ferdousi, who was born in Bangladesh, finished medical school, and practiced family medicine there, before immigrating to the USA with her family.
St. John’s Book Club – is meeting on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom click HERE. Christian short stories are our focus at this time; The Best Christian Short Stories, edited by Bret Lott. The book can be purchased from Amazon’s selection of used book sellers. Please join us for some scintillating conversation. If you have any questions contact Teri Foley-Nelson, at foleynelson1@sbcglobal.net.
Light the World with Love – St. John’s presents a spectacular outdoor light show celebrating LGBTQ+ PRIDE! Come out to see the show, enjoy some snacks, and hear some inspirational music on the Worthington Green in front of St. John’s Church on Friday, June 9, Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11 from 8:00 pm until 10:00 pm. While enjoying the show, you can treat yourself to Kona Ice on Friday and Saturday between 8:00 and 9:00 and Chill Joy Frozen Treats between 8:00 and 9:00 on Sunday. The Worthington Chorus will perform on Friday beginning at 8:00 and there might even be some familiar faces performing on Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome! Please help us spread the word through social media and by word of mouth. You won’t want to miss it!
Episcopalians at Pride! We are proud to participate in Columbus Pride along with other Episcopal churches in Central Ohio. We participate both by joining the parade, and by holding our annual Pride Mass. Pride Mass: Thursday, June 15, Reception at 5:30 p.m., Mass at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity on Capital Square (125 E. Broad St., Columbus) We’re gathering at Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings and we are thrilled to have the Rev. Winnie Varghese preaching. All are welcome to attend.
Columbus Stonewall PRIDE March/Parade June 17th – Please join us for the 2023 Stonewall Columbus Pride March being held Saturday June 17th! Last year over 17,000 marchers, representing a vast array of non-profits, activists, community organizations, and more helped celebrate and recognize our LGBTQ+ community. We will be walking in the March with other Episcopal Churches and will convene at Trinity Church downtown around 9:00 a.m. to then walk the approximately 2 mile-route (FYI- we may have to wait anywhere from 1-3 hours before our group enters the March). The route travels North on High St. toward Goodale Park, where the March ends. As Christians in the Episcopal Church we have the opportunity to share our message of love and acceptance to the LGBTQ+ community. A display and sign-up sheet with be in the Atrium starting Sunday May 21st. For more information, please contact Lily Balukjian (Thompson) or Jean Duncan (The Outreach and Social Justice Committee)
Door Security Updates – The hardware and software for our door security was updated in late April. Access is now by fob, rather than numeric code. If you need access to the building during hours other than worship, contact Virginia at VirginiaN@StJohnsWorthington.org with information on when you need access, and which doors.
The Presentation by the Organ Committee on April 30 – can be viewed on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/v4zlA0UJORQ. The 30 minute presentation by Steve Ellcessor and Stephen Sollars begins around the 5 minute mark of the April 30 service recording.
The Readings for Next Sunday Are – Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 7:37-39
Centering Prayer – Mondays, 1:00 p.m. Click this Zoom link (Meeting ID: 876 4837 0994; Passcode: 408290; One tap mobile +13126266799,,87648370994#,,,,*408290#). If you are interested, contact Teri Foley-Nelson, at foleynelson1@sbcglobal.net.
Suggested Grocery Items for Food Pantry Donations – for next week: fruit cups or canned fruit; toilet paper. You can place your food and toiletry donations in the food baskets in the atrium. You can also give online at www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/donate/ or www.gladdenhouse.org/food-pantry. Another way to help is by volunteering yourself – check out www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/volunteer/ to learn about volunteering at our local pantry, or www.midohiofoodbank.org to learn about the needs and opportunities at the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Do You Have Family or Friends Who You Want Included on the Weekly Prayer List? If so, please contact Virginia in the office at VirginiaN@stjohnsworthington.org or 614-846-5180 ext. 306, with their first names. Names will remain on the list for three weeks unless there are additional instructions. If you want longer term prayer by the intercessory prayer group, please contact Jo Pascoe at 614-885-1773 and leave a message or twopas@aol.com.
Pastoral Care Concerns – If you have a pastoral care concern, please contact one of the clergy. Gia may be reached at 614-846-5180, ext. 302, 220-219-1880, or GiaHM@StJohnsWorthington.org. David may be reached at 614-846-5180, ext. 308, 220-219-1880 or, or DavidB@stjohnsworthington.org. 220 area code is a local number.
If you are seeing this as a paper copy, the links are available on: https://www.stjohnsworthington.org/news/announcements/
People for whom prayers have been asked
And we pray for:
Monroe III
Elaine
Larry
Ralph
Jo
Annie & Pelayo
Susan & Ed
Josh & Cara
Danielle
Davida
Ted & family
Chris
Ann
Elizabeth
Donna
Judy
Charlie
Mike & Mary
Frank
Mary
Katherine
For our service men and women and all first responders
(Allow time for
others to pray)
For all those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, here and throughout the world
For those who are
unemployed or
underemployed
(Allow time for
others to pray)
For all who experience fear or exclusion
(Allow time for
others to pray)
For those in prison or bondage – in body or spirit
(Allow time for
others to pray)
For peace and for all those who suffer from war, including the people of Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan and all of the many other countries that are at war in the world today.
Parish Cycle of Prayer
Mary Bailey
Tom & Donna Bailey
Nate Baker
Bob Baker & Janet Souder
Kevin & Natalie Ballard and family
The Departed
We Give Thanks
For the life of George “Spike” Bonnell, III
For the people of St. John’s and for their ministries
Notes:
St. John’s has two separate prayer lists.
To add names to the “public” prayer list as seen above, please call the church office at 614-846-5180, or send an email to VirginiaN@stjohnsworthington.org. Names added to that sheet will remain on the prayer list for three weeks, or shorter if requested. Last names are not used. If you wish prayers to be continued, simply list the name on the prayer list again. Of course, you may always add names aloud during the prayers of the people.
There is also a “private” intercessory prayer group staffed by several volunteers from within the parish. To have your prayer request included on the prayer chain, please contact Jo Pascoe at 614-885-1773 and leave a message or twopas@aol.com
The post This Week at St. John’s – May 21, 2023 appeared first on St. John’s Episcopal Church | Worthington, OH.