“Our way of life in this world resembles a document that is still in draft form: things can be added or taken out, and alterations can be made, wherever one wants. But life in the world to come resembles the case of completed documents that have the King’s seal already upon them, and no addition or subtraction can be made. While we are still here, where changes can be made, let us take a look at ourselves, and while we still have control over the book of our life, and it is in our hands, let us be eager to add to it by means of a good lifestyle, and delete from it the defects of our former lifestyle.” – St. Isaac the Syrian
I read this quote last night as a part of my night office (prayers) and thought I would share it with my parish family. Saint Isaac lived in the later part of the 7 th century… but the words he writes could have just as well been written today. For many is the time I put everything in front of the spiritual life… or really and truly, the health of my soul… always thinking that it can wait, or that is in good enough condition. But when speaking with my spiritual mentors, I find that this is not the case. And the thing I should guard and strengthen before anything else many times takes a back seat. That is not how it should be and the struggle is just as great today as it was in the 600’s. So, think about your priorities, and what the book of your life looks like… and do not neglect it, for at the end of our days, it is what we are made from.
See you all around the parish.
Jeffrey+
P.S. Vacation Bible School is right around the corner and we need adult volunteers to help make this week possible. Please contact Shelby Gatewood to volunteer (601-433-7146). Help us make this the best week of summer for our children!
Vacation Bible School
‘MAKER FUN FACTORY’
CREATED BY GOD BUILT FOR A PURPOSE
July 10 – 14th
9:00 – 11:45 am
St. John’s Episcopal Church
- New friends
- Amazing experiments
- Creative Games
- Lip-smacking snacks
- Surprising adventures
- Incredible music
Call the Church Office for more information. Looking for ways to volunteer? Call, Shelby Gatewood 601-433-7146.
Invite your friends! Registration forms have been mailed to families with children in our parish and extra copies are available on the back table in the church and on the table by the parish office… or you can download one here: Download Registration Form
Honduras Medical Mission News
Applications are available for the 2018 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 2018 mission will be Saturday, February 10-Saturday, 17, 2018.
– Deadline for submitting applications is July 1, 2017.
– The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2017.
– There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 12, 2018, until Saturday after lunch January 13, 2018.
Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1500. The first $750 must be paid by September 15, 2017, with the remainder due December 1, 2017.
Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists; however, no medical experience is required! 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. Everyone is encouraged to apply, regardless of your background!
Individuals who do not wish to travel, but who want to support the mission, there are two ways to do so:
1. Word of Mouth! Almost everyone knows a doctor, a nurse, a veterinarian, a dentist, a dental hygienist, an optometrist, a pharmacist, or someone who loves to travel! Please, ask them to get the word out!
2. 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.
From the Diocese
Episcopal Churchmen Conference
June 23-25, 2017
Gray Center – Canton, MS
Gray Center Programs began this conference last year to be an annual event with a focus on establishing opportunities for the men of the diocese to come together. This is an opportunity for our men’s groups to reach across parish lines and focus on true outreach. We hope to strengthen relationships, make new friends in Christ, and broaden our common vision for advancing our mission as a Diocese. The retreat combines blend of peaceful, relaxation time, recreation and fellowship. Registration is available at www.graycenter.org.”
Mississippi Episcopal Cursillo
Cursillo Leadership Workshops
July 22, 2017
- Church of the Ascension, (Hattiesburg 3600 Arlington Loop)
- Church of the Resurrection, Starkville, (105 N. Montgomery Street)
- 9:00am until 3:00pm
- Much to be gained if interested in being a Weekend Rector or Head Cha Cha
- 5 Dynamic Topics
- Light breakfast (8:30) & lunch provided
- Donations accepted.
- email: cursillomississippi@gmail.com. Send your name and the parish you plan to attend.
- Cursillos in Christianity is a Movement which, by its own Method, attempts from within the Church, to give life to the essential Christian truths in the singularity, originality and creativity of the person. In discovering their potential and accepting their limitations, they will direct their freedom with their conviction, reinforce their will with decisiveness and direct their friendship with the virtue of constancy in their day-to-day life, personally and with others.
- Follow them on Facebook, Mississippi Episcopal Cursillo or look them up on the internet cursillo.dioms.org
2017 Flower chart
The Altar Flower Chart for 2017 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.
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.
We here at Saint John’s love reaching out to others and letting them know that they are loved by God, held in prayer and remembered. Our Pastoral Care Committee, E.Y.C. and Daughters of the King society would love to write notes of encouragement, send small care packages and simply let others know that they are prayed for and remembered. If you have a loved one who is shut-in, a college student or in the military, follow this link to fill out the form and let us stay in touch with them! The form is here: http://stjohnslaurel.com/?page_id=2037
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| For the Year |
Actual |
Budget |
Over/Under |
| Income |
|
|
|
| Pledges |
$ 139,123 |
$157,262 |
$ 18,139(89%) |
| Plate |
$19,415 |
$ 25,822 |
$ 6,407(75%) |
| Other |
$41,784 |
$ 37,169 |
$ 4,615( 112%) |
| Total |
$ 200,322 |
$220,253 |
$ 19,931(92%) |
| Expenses |
$228,499 |
$ 220,897 |
$ 7,602(103%) |
| BUDGET TOTALS |
$ 28,177 |
$ 644 |
$ 27,533
(4,375%) |
|
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O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Saint Johns Episcopal Church
541 North 5th Ave./ P.O. Box 1766
Laurel, MS 39441
office@stjohnslaurel.com
http://stjohnslaurel.com
601.428.7252 Office
601.422.7388 Mobile
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