This Sunday sees a trifecta of celebrations and a nod to a Feast Day. Firstly, this Sunday is Baccalaureate Sunday, and at the 10:30 service, we will bless and honor our graduates. It’s also Youth Sunday, and the EYC will be taking over many of the leadership roles. They are teaching all of our Sunday School classes (even the adult), and providing leadership in the 10:30 liturgy. Josh Flowers, one of our seniors, will be preaching at both the 8:00am and 10:30 services. And it’s also Mother’s Day- so we will hand out roses and sing a hymn thanking God for our mothers- it is our custom to give all of the ladies, young and old, roses, whether they are biological mothers or not- for in some way, just as Mary was given the title of Mother of the Church, so to with all the ladies of the parish. The Feast of the Ascension is this Thursday, and although we aren’t able to celebrate it in our traditional manner this year, the music and prayers will pay tribute to our Lord’s ascending to the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
With all that said- please make your best effort to come and honour the graduates, support our youth as they teach the little ones and the adults (that means get your kids to Sunday School), and help us celebrate all of the mothers in our lives and the life of the parish.
See you all Sunday,
Jeffrey+
Buy a Saint John’s tumbler!
An Altar Guild Ministry and project
The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD
Help Needed
We have been asked to help a young man, in his early 20’s, currently residing at Pine Grove Group home (across from the Laurel Fairgrounds) requesting a ride to church each Sunday. He is a life long Episcopalian desiring to attend St. John’s. He loves church but has no way to get here. If you are interested in helping provide transportation to this young man, please call the office for more information.
Upcoming at St. John’s
Youth Sunday, Baccalaureate Sunday and Mother’s Day – May 13th 10:30 Mass
Pentecost Jazz Mass – Sunday, May 20th at 10:00am
Downtown Church’s Vacation Bible School @ First Methodist – June 18 – 22
2018 FLOWER CHART
The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.
Honduras Medical Mission
Important information about the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission:
First, applications are available for the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission and can be found on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website: http://www.dioms.org/Ministries/honduras.html
There are a few important dates to remember:
* The dates for the 2019 mission will be Saturday, February 9-Saturday, 16, 2019.
* Deadline for submitting applications is July 15, 2018.
* The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2018.
* There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 11, 2019, until Saturday before lunch January 12, 2019.
Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1500. The first $750 must be paid by September 15, 2018, with the remainder due December 15, 2018.
Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists. There are also openings for general support for which no prior training is necessary! We always need Spanish-speaking applicants, but there are translators present for those who don’t speak Spanish. So please – encourage your parishioners to apply, regardless of their background!
Second, if you have individuals who do not wish to travel, but who want to support the mission, there are two ways for them to do so:
1. Word of Mouth: Almost everyone knows a medical professional or someone who loves to help others and travel! Encourage them to apply.
2. Financial Donations: While team members pay for their own expenses, the mission does fundraising to raise the money to purchase medicines, supplies, and tools needed to serve the team. We also offer small grants to the community for infrastructure, economic, and educational improvements. Any support of these activities – either by individuals, vestries, or servant ministry groups is welcome. Donations may be sent to the
Honduras Medical Mission c/o Sandra Perkins
P. O. Box 2006 Tupelo, MS 38804.
If you, or your parish, have questions about the mission, feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Deborah Monsour Sebrell
Honduras Medical Mission Committee Chair
(601)668-0992 cell
Hondurasmedicalmission@earthlink.net
An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School
Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.
A Tip O’ The Biretta
