St . John’s Episcopal Church 1 13 Madison Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-262-1937 Fax: 334-262-1931 Emai l : churchoff ice@st johnsmontgomery.org

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #376

Montgomery, Alabama

36104

The Eagle is available on the internet at

www.stjohnsmontgomery.org

Holy Cross Day

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 Holy Cross Episcopal School

4400 Bell Road

9:15 am – Litany of Prayer

for The School and our Founders

in The Chapel of the Annunciation

10:00 am – Holy Eucharist

in Melanie Kelley Hall

Reception to follow in the Library

Kick-Off Sunday is Sept. 11

Sunday school for all ages will resume that day

After the 10:30am service there will be hot dogs and a slip & slide

Bring towels and swimsuits for kids!

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St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Seventeenth Sunday af ter Pentecost

RE-COMMITTING

September 14 , 2016

Eagle St. John’s

“Have you not known, have you not heard those who wait for the Lord shall mount

up with wings like eagles.”

Isaiah 40:28,31

St. John’s Episcopal Church 113 Madison Avenue Montgomery, Alabama 36104 334-262-1937 Fax: 334-262-1931 Rector: Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr. Associate Rector: Candice B. Frazer Daniel P. Strandlund Staff: Libby Poole Financial Administrator Fay Worrilow Parish Secretary Anne Tippett Assistant to the Rector Christian Formation Sarah Collier Director of Children’s Christian Formation Steve Frazer Interim Director of Youth Ministries Music: Joel Gregory Organist and Choirmaster Maintenance: Mike Jarrell, Superintendent Myron Smoke Mary Parent Vestry of St. John’s: Lawrence Hughes, Sr. Warden Mark Harris, Jr. Warden Class of 2017 Kathleen Bradford Marney Garzon Lawrence Hughes Will Marks Keith Miller Andrea Screws Todd Westhauser Class of 2018 Phillip Brown Libby Fitzpatrick Reggie Hamner Mark Harris Caroline Lawson Jean McDowell Lori White Class of 2019 Ashley Hamlett Jim Marshall III Betty Mathews Dee Moody Chuck Moore Dudley Perry Geoff Stough Treasurer Helen Wells Clerk of the Vestry Anne Tippett

As a priest I am used to people apologizing to me for their church attendance. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there lately - we’ve been out of town so many weekends.” When I see people at a Saturday even-ing event they’ll often say, “See you in the morn-ing.” And usually I do. I think people do really want to come to church and regret when they’re not here. But lots of things take us away from our desired practice of worship.

This time of year, the comments I hear from people about church attendance take on a little different tone. “I’ve missed things so much and can’t wait to get plugged back in. The new classes sound great: I’m really looking forward to the fall schedule.” For many people, there’s a real excitement about getting back to church and Sunday School. Not only do we feel guilty about missing but our desire to be part of things is enhanced. The goodness of recom-mitting to worship and classes is very real. Not only do feel like we should be here, we want to be here.

There’s actually some great value experienced in coming back to church after a break. (There’s also great value in rarely missing worship but that will be a subject for another time.) We realize the re-wards we have been missing. We see that the prac-tice of worship and participating in a class actually is very helpful, that life isn’t as good as when we are regular in our attendance. Absence can make the heart grow fonder in church matters too.

Of course the value is realized not simply due to the absence but through the recommitting. Returning to worship, coming back to classes, brings a fresh real-ization about things. We are encouraged by the re-committing, we see that our re-engagement is help-ful, we come to see that the effort is rewarded.

We also see that God is not waiting for us with pun-ishment or wrath. When we return after a period of time of being away, we sense God’s great joy in our increased effort. We feel a spirit of forgiveness is-sued. We are welcomed by a light spirit of celebra-tion rather than some heavy obligation. Homecom-ing is joyful, not shameful.

Whenever we return to the Lord we are welcomed with joy, with peace and comfort, with an energiz-ing charge. There we can imagine the joy in heaven over the return of one wandering soul. There we

know that grace is ever present, pervasive, and ulti-mately determinative.

More people join churches in August and early Sep-tember than at any other time. Many people find this to be the time they recommit after a brief or lengthy absence. Many things begin anew in the life of the church in the next couple of weeks. Will you begin anew? If so, you’ll find a welcoming God who never ceases to invite us into the kingdom. Recommit to worship, prayer, and study. The king-dom of joy awaits.

Yours faithfully,

Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr.

Page 2

Adult

Christian Formation

Opportunities

F A L L 2 0 1 6

The Seventeenth Sunday af ter Pentecost

THE LESSONS: Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 51:1-11 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 THE HYMNS: 410 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven 646 The King of love my shepherd is 377 All people that on earth do dwell THE COLLECT: O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee, mer-cifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Flowers on the Altar this Sunday are to the glory of God

and in memory of: Charles Andrew Harris, Sr.

Lucille Jackson Harris Julia Marks Dozier Jane Dozier Harris

Charles Andrew Harris, Jr. Audrey Clingman Pinkston

Charles Mitchell Pinkston, Sr. Charles L. & Ilona Grey Pinkston

Fred D.& Louisa Clingman

MINISTERS SERVING THIS SUNDAY

ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER: Joel Gregory ACOLYTES: D. Eskridge, W. Kelley, I. Behr, M. Tippett, B. Westhauser, W. Hamlett, S. Behr, A. Kelley LAY EUCHARIST MINISTERS: C. Moore, E. Lawlor, M. Hughes, W. Haynes LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS: M. Hughes VESTRY: 7:30 D. Perry 10:30 M. Harris, K. Bradford, R. Hamner, G. Stough ALTAR GUILD: N. Benner, F. Hughes, A. Hamlett PASTORAL CARE:M. Moody, N. Bradford, K. Bradford, D. Arrington FLOWER DELIVERY: S. & S. Marks, A. King, N. Buzard Flowers by the St. John’s Flower Guild

J O Y A N D C O N C E R N Your prayers are requested for the following parishioners: Merrily Seawell, Betty Robison, Peg-gy Gelpi, Avis Gunter, Francis Beaulieu, George West, Eddie McDowell, Doris Kline, Dottis Robin-son, Joe McGough, Cynthia Hill. We give thanks for the birth of a daughter, Alexandria Lynn, to Sarah and Sam Collier. We pray for one who has died, Karen R. Jarrell (daughter of Karen and Mike Jarrell). Prayers are also requested for these friends: Masha Kloberg, Samuel Graves Lowrey III, Kayleigh McClendon, Jenny Dodson, Tricia Dunn, Robert Douglass McNeil, Jerome Prevo, Selena Prevo, Anita Hubbard, Alli McQueen, Wayne Williams, Wendy Roller, Avery Holston, Isobel Lisann, Mike Kelley, Jodie Dunlap, Linda Haney, Peggy Lanier, Stephanie and Andrew Hollon, Jannah Bailey, Leslie Tomlin Gettys, Thomas Tartt, Davis Sarrett, MK Fletcher, Chuck Evans, Anna Pruitt Harri-son, Jordan Cairo, Jenny Bethea, Camp Hughes, Doug Berry, Mike Moore, Jean Shackelford, James Tauton, Sharon Power, Tony McLain, Marion Randall, Carole Clark, Tonya Booker, Leslie Vallely, Barbra Garrett, Gloria Davis, Cary Anderson, Lonnie Hamilton, Preston Stephens, Leigh Lawrence, Harvey Fillister, Larry Offitt, Hart Stemple, Bailey Brannen, Ann O’Connor, Smiley Kirkpatrick, Emogene Bryan, Peggy Powell, Andy Silverman, Bayron Binkley, Shannon McCrory Nelson.

Please notify us when you are sick or hospitalized so that we might provide pastoral care.

What Do YOU Believe? Led by The Rev. Robert Wisnewski

Meeting in the Archives Room September 11 – October 23, Continuing November 20 – December 11

Just what do you believe as a Christian and how have you arrived at those beliefs? Are you changing what you believe? Where do you go for help to figure out belief dilemmas? What are you questioning right now? Do you struggle with what others tell you the bible says? How has the Episcopal Church helped you come to your beliefs? How has it made things more difficult? This course, with presenta-tions from the Rector and group discussion to follow each week, will look at many of the subjects of belief having to do with the Christian faith. Hopefully we’ll learn from each other and deepen what we believe as each participant is encouraged to develop a healthy personal theology.

“Lord Teach us to Pray” Led by the Rev. Candice Frazer

Meeting in the library September 11 through October 9

This five week course will delve into understanding and establishing a Rule of Life by exploring a variety of prayer disciplines. Participants will be encouraged to explore various disciplines during the week in between classes and have an opportunity to process through those practices on Sunday before being introduced to a new set of practices. The hope is that by actively evaluating each prayer prac-tice, participants can begin to shape or re-shape their prayer life and discern a practical Rule of Life.

Living the Good News Led by Dudley Perry

Meeting in the small dining room Year-round

This class offers an in-depth look at the lectionary readings for each Sunday. After receiving some historical background on the readings, participants discuss how God was working in the lives of the characters involved and what that means for us. Exploring the scriptures prepares our hearts and minds to be more engaged in the hour of worship that follows.

St. John’s Eagle Page 3

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S

SUNDAY, Sept 11 7:30 am Holy Eucharist 8:15 am Breakfast in the Parish House 9:15 am Christian Formation for all ages 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Kick-off activities 5:00 pm EYC Jr. 6:00 pm EYC Supper Jr. & Sr. 6:30 pm EYC Sr. MONDAY, Sept 12 8:00 am Women’s Bible Study in the Loft 12 Noon Clergy Led Bible Study Small dining room 6:00 pm Men’s Group @ 2519 Agnew Street 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study 1319 Magnolia Curve TUESDAY, Sept 13 7:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:30 am Prayer Group WEDNESDAY, Sept 14 5:30 pm Holy Eucharist THURSDAY, Sept 15 12:05 pm Holy Unction and Holy Eucharist 6:00 pm Adult Choir Practice

St. John’s Faithfulness

Required Weekly

$34,236.77

Received Sunday

$18,040.06

Required to Date

$1,232,523.72

Received to Date

$1,165,383.35

Building Fund Debt

$560,000

Outstanding Building Pledges

$195,230

Episcopal Church Women of Alabama FALL CONFERENCE 2016

Friday, SEPT. 30 – Saturday, OCT. 1 @Camp McDowell

Hosted by the Tennessee Valley Convocation

$45 registration fee includes all meals Overnight lodging is an additional charge,

with several affordable options http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?

oeidk=a07ectq39jmd032a892&llr=6j5tcyxab

ST. JOHN'S BAZAAR 2016 DAY! NOVEMBER 16, 2016

ECW Sip & See ALL women of St. John's are invited!

Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 pm

Drinks and Mediterranean Salad

At the home of Seibels Marshall 3025 Jamestown Ct.

RSVP 334-262-1937 or anne@stjohnsmontgomery.org

Cooking Workshops

It is almost time for cooking, fun, and fellowship to prepare the delicious food to sell in the Pantry at St. John’s Bazaar on November 16! We need lots of help so mark your calendars for the cooking workshops now! Workshops will begin at 10:00 a.m. September- Tuesday, September 27 and Thursday, September 29 October- Tuesday, October 4; Thursday, October 6; Tuesday, October 11; Thursday, October 13; Tuesday, October 18; Thursday, October 20; Tuesday, October 25 and Thursday, October 27 November- Tuesday, November 1; Thursday, November 3; Tuesday, November 8 and Thursday, November 10 We are also seeking new recipes. If you have a recipe that you would like to share and would like to host a workshop, please contact Debbie Schremser at 306-2043 or dschremser@bellsouth.net or Jane Barganier at 399-9718 or perdidojjb@charter.net. Look for more specific information every week. We look forward to seeing you for a “cooking good time”.

Young Adults Events!

First Supper Club is Thursday, September 22nd at the home of Andrew and Carley Monroe, 2639 Girard St. “Game Day Tailgate” is our food theme. Our Young Adults’ Group is for all members and friends of St. John’s who are in their 20s or 30s. If you’re not on the regular distribution list and would like to be, please let Daniel know! And if you ARE a regular member, spread the word! Dan-iel@stjohnsmontgomery.org

EYC SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH:

9:15 am - 10:15: Sunday School

5:00 - 6:00: Jr. EYC 6:00 - 6:30: Jr. and Sr. EYC Community Dinner

6:30 - 7:30 Sr. EYC

7th & 8th grades are Jr. EYC 9th - 12th grades are Sr. EYC

Hope to see you Sunday!! Don't forget the kickoff Sunday picnic!!

Swimsuits and towels!!