Holy 9:00 a.m.

Ordinary Time, 17 Sunday, August 30, 2015

St. John’s Episcopal Church Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Welcome to St. John’s. We are very glad you have joined us for worship today.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II begins on page 355 of the . The lessons are from the Holy Bible (New Revised Standard Version). The hymns, unless otherwise noted, are from the Hymnal 1982. All are printed here for your convenience.

Please silence all electronic devices.

Silence is kept following the lighting of the candles.

Prelude Preserve us Lord with your word (fr Cantata 6) J. S. Bach Prelude in F Major (BMV 556) J. S. Bach

At the sound of the all stand and sing the following hymn. Praise to the living God Hymnal 372

All standing, the Celebrant says

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and . People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

2 The Celebrant says

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following is sung three times, all standing

Collect of the Day

Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

3

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-9

All sit.

So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

4 Psalm

Remain seated. The psalm is sung to the tune Crimond, Hymnal 663.

5

Second Reading James 1:17-27

A Reading from the letter of James.

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

6 All stand and sing the following hymn. Any child who wishes to attend is invited to “Children’s Chapel.” Those attending ‘Children’s Chapel” recess during the following hymn.

Rejoice, ye pure in heart (verses 1-3) Hymnal 556

7

Holy Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

All stand.

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Dr. Charles Hawkins

8

All stand.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

9 Prayers of the People

All stand or kneel.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Brian; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people.

Pray for the Church.

Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.

Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

10 Celebrant concludes

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession of Sin

All kneel.

The Deacon then says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence.

Minister and People

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The stands and says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

11 Peace

All stand.

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord. Holy

The Celebrant says

O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11

Offertory I will bow Shaker tune, arr. Frederick Chatfield

Presentation Hymn From all that dwell below the skies Hymnal 380

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the .

12 Great Thanksgiving

The people remain standing. A bell is rung.

Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

The Celebrant proceeds

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.

Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.

By your will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.

Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.

By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

13

14

The Celebrant continues

And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,

We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

Lord God of our Fathers; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.

Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.

A bell is rung.

15 The Celebrant then continues

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept.

The is sung by choir men with congregation to repeat each phrase. During time, we will sing three times with the following text: 1. Lamb of God 2.Bread of Life 3.Cup of Joy

16

The Celebrant says

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

In the Episcopal Church, all baptized persons, regardless of denominational affiliation, are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Communion Hymns

O Master, let me walk with thee Hymnal 660

17

Blest are the pure in heart Hymnal 656

[When all present have received, a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, if any, receives consecrated bread and wine from the Celebrant.

Celebrant In the name of this congregation, we send you forth bearing these Holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the Communion of Christ’s Body and Blood. People We who are many, are one body because we all share one bread, one cup.

The Lay Eucharistic Visitor, if any, is sent forth taking Holy Communion to one who was unable to be with the congregation this morning.]

18 After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The priest blesses the people, saying

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

19

Take my life, and let it be Hymnal 707

Dismissal

Deacon Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People Thanks be to God.

Postlude Fantasia in G minor (BMV 917) J. S. Bach

M 17 - © 2002 Peter Crisafulli. All rights reserved. Used by permission.M 34 - Words and Music © 1983 Lumko Institute. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Transcr. © 1983 Choristers Guild. All rights reserved. Used by permission.M 44 - © 2000 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.S 102 - Setting: Copyright © Church Publishing, Inc.S 128 - Copyright © 1976 Oxford University Press.S 165 - Copyright © 1976 Oxford University Press.

20 A Note on Today’s Readings

Proper 17: Sunday closest to August 31—Year B

The Sunday Gospel readings return to Mark’s Gospel today. This passage recounts one of the occasions when Jesus took the Pharisees and other experts on the Law to task for putting more emphasis on ceremonial and dietary rules than on the “weightier” requirements of God. It is not outer conformity to the Law but an inner change that brings us into a right relationship with God and with others.

The Law is intended to set the people of Israel apart from other nations, as Moses says in today’s reading from Deuteronomy. This is so that other nations, impressed by Israel’s righteousness and wisdom, will be drawn to Israel’s God. Jesus is actually reaffirming this Mosaic principle in the reading from Mark. (Christians need to remember that when Jesus criticizes the practices of his contemporaries he is not criticizing Judaism, but those whose practices undercut real Judaism.)

Today we begin reading through the letter of James. This encourages us to live our faith in concrete actions of love and mercy. True religion is based on carrying out its faith in lives of righteousness and mercy.

As the people of God we gather to remember what God has done, to remember God’s principles for living, and to realign ourselves with God. Out of our relationship with God, re-established in our liturgical and sacramental encounter, comes the power to confront and overcome evil, and the righteousness which draws others to God.

From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.

On the Ringing of During the Eucharistic Prayer

As you may have noted, the has been in disrepair for several weeks. While the bell is being repaired, we have, at many services, used an altar bell. The disruption to our typical way of doing things has generated some discussion (and some experimentation) about (and with) the use of bells in worship and made some question why we do things the way we do them.

You may be surprised to find that your questions about bells in worship are not unusual. Below, find a note from the Rev. Scott Lenoir about the use of bells. The Rev. Lenoir was the Associate Rector and the Interim Rector at St. John’s before his retirement and he often worships with us.

Scott and Charles discussed this matter when Charles first came to St. John’s. Charles recently asked Scott if he would share his thoughts on the subject with the parish at large.

A Note from the Rev. Scott Lenoir on the Ringing of Bells During the Eucharistic Prayer

Bells have been rung in churches for centuries as a call to worship and to highlight particular parts of worship. Recently St. John’s began ringing a brass bell during the Holy Eucharist rather than the outdoor bell, which has a short in it. Someone brought the brass bell out of its

21 retirement; it was given as a memorial several years ago. To me, the clear, crisp ring sounds more beautiful.

Priests have been taught how to do liturgy at seminaries across the world, and our liturgies pretty much look the same in the Episcopal Church, but ask any verger or lay Eucharistic minister, or , or choir director about the truth: No priest celebrates the same way.

It can be frustrating. For example, where does one ring bells? Some , especially those who were trained in the Dom Gregory Dix tradition, a high church tradition, rang bells four sometimes even five times during the liturgy of the table. In that tradition, which St. John’s is accustomed to, a server rings the bell at the singing of the (“Holy, Holy, Holy”), twice during the (“this is my body. . . blood”) and once at the Great Amen (“by him and with him and in him…. Amen.”).

The servers at St. Pierre’s back in 2000 (James Henry LeBatard especially, God rest my dear friend’s soul) shook their heads when the new priest came in (me) and changed that pattern of ringing to only twice: Bells were rung at the beginning and at the end of the Eucharistic prayer. “Why!” they asked, sometimes pleaded. “Because I said so,” I said. No, I didn’t say that!

I explained that the reason for only two taps at the bell is theologically based and taught to priests who studied under Marion Hatchett, who, like Dix, authored a tome of liturgical practice. Dr. Hatchett believed, as the Episcopal Church teaches, that the entire Eucharistic Prayer is consecratory. There is no part that is more important than the other; therefore, the bells should not highlight the Words of Institution with a bell as it makes it appear the words at this particular part of the prayer are more important. We do not have one a special moment, a particular word or second of time in the prayer that is consecratory. Not ringing the bells at the Words of Institution supports this theology. Ancient Roman Catholic liturgies instructed for the ringing of bells to highlight a particular consecratory moment. The Episcopal Church does not have this consecratory moment, as we believe the entire prayer is consecratory. Many churches do not even use bells, but I like them and use them, but maybe not in the way many of the priests who have served at St. John’s use them.

I never made an issue of bells as interim or associate at St. John’s, but in my opinion we should ring the bell in places that reflect our theology of the Holy Eucharistic in a more Anglican way.

A Note from the Rev. Charles Hawkins on the Ringing of Bells During the Eucharistic Prayer

Like Scott, I was taught by Marion Hatchett. In that tradition of liturgical practice, it is customary to ring bells at the beginning and the end of the Eucharistic Prayer. Previous priests at St. John’s have followed the liturgical tradition of Dennis Michno (which is based on the Roman Catholic practice of ringing the bells at several particular moments within the prayer). This is a classic example of there being more than one “right way” to do something liturgically. Hatchett and Michno disagree about the best practice and some priests follow one and some the other. The prayerbook, you will note, is silent on the issue, which means either is acceptable practice.

22 I’ve decided that since we have multiple services at St. John’s, there is room for both! To that end, we will continue the Michno tradition at the 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. service and we will switch to the Hatchett tradition at the 9:00 a.m. service.

Prayers for the Week of August 30, 2015 Madonna flowers are given to the honor and glory of God by JoAnne Calhoun in memory of Bud Calhoun and in thanksgiving for Anna, Bryce, and Cal Calhoun. is given to the honor and glory of God by Linda Knight in thanksgiving for Linda Healy. This week we remember Charles Thomas, John Cox, Melissa Thompkins, Dorothy Cater, and Freda Mead. This week we celebrate the birthdays of Constancio Merced, Parick Hayes, Bob Spear, Lori Lowry, Gordon Richerson, Michael Caldwell, and William Mauldin. In our Diocesan Prayer Cycle we pray for St. Luke’s, Brandon, St. Peter’s, Brandon, and St. Matthew’s, Forest. On our Panamanian Prayer Cycle we pray for the church schools of the diocese. In the Anglican Prayer Cycle we pray for the Dioceses of Sebei (Uganda). Prayer for Those in the Armed Forces: Joey Ranson, Corey David Ingraham, Elizabeth Daniels, Thomas Daniels, Lance Simon and James Wise. Prayers are offered daily by the Daughters of the King.

Prayers for the Sick Almighty God, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Parish Family: Gene Newman, Kay Woods, Jan Waterhouse, Ed Krecker, Marge Aldrich, Chuck Aldrich, Roselyn & Lindy Ross, Ouida Atkins, Jim & Linda Shaw, Hazel Hall, Charlie Ashby, Jean Boley, Terry Armstrong, Amanda N., Pat Spear, Charlie Melton, William Lewis, Fran Newby, Jim Lancaster, Charles Fowler, Frank Hedges, Marilyn Hoard Extended Family: Ann Kolesar, Stephen Griffies, Brett Ashley, Vera Barton, Marlene Mclean, Leota Ray, Gladys Efaw, Roger Collier, Lillian Delzell, Judy Braun, Will Newman, Frances Kennedy, Claudia Reda, Teri Coate, Keith, Blake Jackson, Judy Nash, Donna Brown, Emily Lee, Lois Majure, Diane Hutchinson, Joan Mercer, Frannie Brown, David Kulick, Huron & Bessie Virden, Scott, Floyd Patrick, George Sparkman Greater Community: Shirley Angus, Eric Smith, Jackson Tharpe, Karen Sock, Rosemary Gonzalez, Belle McCann, Judy Williams, Julia Gregg, Butch and Paula, Mikel Anthony, Karen Nelson, Gail Banks, Hannah Raymo, Monty Noblitt, Norma Langdale, Betty Smith, Melissa Lee, Dee Smelly, Connie Avera, Betty Page, Delores Carter, Gary Michaels, Brianna Medina, Robert, Kathy Grizzard, Glen Angus, Stacey Randall, Angela Clary, Daisy Clauselet Pilot, Arthur Carlisle, Helen Lloyd, Margaret Moniet, Leroy, Patrick, Victoria, Glenn, P. Bell,Tim

23 Cyrus, Vanessa, Amy, Donna & Rodney, Brian Gurney, Kendall Lamb, Nichole Gilbert.

Welcome

Welcome! Thank you for worshiping with us today. If this is your first time to worship at St. John’s, please fill out the visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin. And, please join us for coffee in the Parish Hall following the service. Children’s Chapel is held during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service each week. Children process to the Children’s Chapel during the “ Hymn” (the hymn that follows that second lesson). All preschool and elementary school age children are invited to attend Children’s Chapel. Nursery Care is available for young children during the 9:00 a.m. worship service, Adult Bible Study (or, Adult Forum), and the 11:15 a.m. service. The “Joy” Room next to the nursery has live video and audio of the service for parents with unhappy babies.

Parish Announcements for the Week of August 30, 2015

Christmas Bazaar & Cookie Walk Planning Meeting during Sunday School hour today, Sunday, August 30, 10:15-11:00 a.m. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT SPECTACULAR! Bazaar will include: Preserves, Pickles, Cookies, Baked goods, Christmas Decorations & Wreaths, Poinsettias, Plants, Book Nook, Victorian Tea at 11am and 12:30 pm. Children’s Corner. Bring your talents! We invite your children’s performing groups to entertain! Christmas Bazaar & Cookie Walk set for Sat. December 5, 9:30 – 1:30. Bazaar will include: Preserves, Pickles, Cookies, Baked goods, Christmas Decorations & Wreaths, Poinsettias, Plants, Book Nook, Victorian Tea at 11am and 12:30 pm. Children’s Corner. Bring your talents! We invite your children’s performing groups to entertain! Contact Toni Norman 365-9598. Proceeds benefit Outreach Ministries of St. John’s. Contact Toni Norman 365-9598. Proceeds benefit Outreach Ministries of St. John’s. Soles for Souls. Students are collecting old shoes. For more information contact John Switzer. Family Night at Wonderful Wednesdays. “Family Night” has now moved to the first Wednesday of the month. Come this week to celebrate parish birthdays, share cake. Fun for the whole family. For more information contact Cecil George Smith. Youth Led Bible Study for Youth has moved to Monday evenings. Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the EYC room. Office Volunteers. St. John’s needs office volunteers. Sign up for regular hours or to sign up as substitutes or monthly helpers for newsletter. We work off an on-line rotation, so if you need to be out, it is easy to ask for a substitute – with the click of a button. The office volunteers keep parish life moving! Please consider and send Charles or Cynthia your email address for entry into the rota-system. Opportunities for flowers given in thanksgiving or memorial are available. Sign-up book is on the ministry table. Education for Ministry (EfM)...Do you want to know more about the Bible? Do you want to know how to think more clearly about what you believe as a Christian person? Would you be willing to examine these issues carefully and thoughtfully? Then EfM is for YOU! Education for Ministry (EfM) comes from the Episcopal School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. It’s a year long program that begins with the study of the Old

24 Testament and proceeds in subsequent years to study the New Testament, Christian theology, and the Church’s history. One year at a time is elected…go as far in the process as you choose. Once the group is formed a common meeting time will be established for weekly meetings. It’s rigorous, fun, and adds a firm foundation for the searching Christian’s journey into faith. There is a tuition charge for the nine month long program (scholarships are available) and inquiry is welcomed. Call the mentor, Susan Ray at 424-9765. Brochures describing the program will be distributed the last two Sundays in the month. Jackson County Pet Shelter . Jill Roth has been in contact with Jessica at the Jackson County Pet Shelter about donations for August. She said they are still in need of puppy and kitten food. They are also in need of Cat Litter and Bleach. Jill asked about brochures that can be passed out telling about their facility and making people more aware of their facility and their needs. She said that there has been some discussion on this but no action has been taken. However, at this time if anyone would like information, they can pull up the website under Jackson County Animal Shelter or contact the shelter with any questions. Jill will be collecting donations of the above items throughout the month of August. Jill will deliver them to the shelter every Friday. Greeters Needed. Would you enjoy offering a handshake and a smile? Sign up to greet for one of St John's three as a greeter. Please contact Cindy Johnson [email protected] or (314) 616-4622 Another Op'nin Another Show: The Gulfport High Madrigal Singers will present a free concert from the golden age of M-G-M and classic Broadway musicals. The concert will be hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church of Ocean Springs on Thursday, September 10th. The concert will begin at 7pm in the parish hall, with the doors opening at 6:30 each night. Admission is free. Did you know…There are 344 households in the parish directory. 30% of those in the directory do not receive the Grapevine via mail. There are 371 households on the Grapevine mailing list. 33% of households on the Grapevine list are not in the parish directory. If you are receiving the Grapevine via the mail, but wish to be taken off the Grapevine mailing list, please let the parish office know. If you are not on the Grapevine mailing list, but wish to be placed on the Grapevine mailing list, please let the parish office know. We are updating the Grapevine mailing list. You can also receive the Grapevine via email. Click the link on the parish website and follow the step by step instructions to sign up.

Mark your calendar: Sunday, September 27, Lay Ministry Fair. Fun, fellowship and opportunity.

We are a busy parish with many opportunities to play and pray together. Pick up a St. John's Ministry Card and/or sign-up to participate in upcoming events. Sign-Up sheets are in the parish hall every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.

25 Praying it Forward Campaign A Capital Campaign for St. John’s

$725,000 - goal $737,506 – pledged (146 pledges) $269,622.63– paid on pledges (through July 31, 2015) $467,883.37 to go

Every Member Canvass of 2015 Annual Stewardship Campaign for St. John’s

$350,000 - Pledged Goal 150 - Pledges Goal

$330,266.10 - Pledged (through April 30, 2015) 136 - Pledges (through April 30, 2015)

*If you have not yet pledged for 2015, please do. It is not too late! Pledge cards are available in the narthex and on the ministry table in the parish hall.

Financial Update Year-to-Date Report: End of July

Actuals vs. Budget Tithes, Offerings, etc.: $228,738.62 $206,021.69 Expenses: $222,717.34 $239,994.87

*At the end of July, the parish was ahead of budget on tithes and offerings. And, the parish was under budget on expenses.

Typically, the parish runs ahead of budget on tithes and offerings early in the year because some parishioners pay their annual pledge to the parish in one lump sum at the beginning of the year.

As for the being under budget on expenses, it is largely a timing issue. Some anticipated expenses have not yet materialized.

Some of you have asked why our budgeted expenses are higher than our budgeted income. Expenses are higher than income because we are currently running a budget deficit. The difference comes from our cash reserves (our savings). When our cash reserves are depleted, we will either have to cut expenses for mission and ministry or raise more money via the annual Every Member Canvass.

26 This Week at St. John’s

Sunday, August 30 7:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite I - Early Service 9:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II - Family Service 10:10 a.m. – Adult Bible Study 11:15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II - Principal Service 4:30 p.m. – EYC

Monday, August 31 9:00 a.m. – Ultreya 6:30 p.m. – Youth Led Bible Study for Youth

Tuesday, September 1 1:00 p.m. – Daughters of the King 5:30 p.m. – Ultreya 7:00 p.m. – AA

Wednesday, September 2 10:00 a.m. - Adult Bible Study 4:30 p.m. – Ultreya 4:30 p.m. – Children’s Choir 5:30 p.m. – Public Service of Healing with the Holy Eucharist 6:15 p.m. – Wonderful Wednesday Dinner 7:00 p.m. – AlAnon 7:00 p.m. – Adult Choir

Thursday, September 3 8:00 a.m. – Ultreya @ Pat Spears 5:00 p.m. - Centering Prayer 7:00 p.m. – AA

Friday, September 4 2:00 p.m. – Friday Quilters 5:30 p.m. – Merry Widows

Saturday, September 5 11:00 a.m. – Bagpipe Lessons

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Serving Today, Sunday, August 30

Sun, Aug 30, 7:30 AM - 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Holy Eucharist, Rite I) Charles Hawkins Celebrant Charles Hawkins Preacher Jim Lancaster Deacon Lynda Knight Verger - Lead Verger Beau Cox - First Lesson Kay Cox Lector - Second Lesson Max McGraw Acolyte Merrill Markham Usher

Sun, Aug 30, 9:00 AM - 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Holy Eucharist, Rite II) Charles Hawkins Celebrant Charles Hawkins Preacher Jim Lancaster Deacon Barbara Mabry Verger - Lead Verger Harriet Perry Verger - Assisting Verger Terry Armstrong Lay Eucharistic Minister Clay Williams Lector - First Lesson Bill Angus-Barker Lector - Second Lesson Mark Seepe (sub req.) Intercessor Amanda Kilduff Acolyte David Crantz Jasmine Hill Torch Bearer Madison LeMaire Torch Bearer Bill Kilduff Usher Julie Kilduff Usher Kristin Pugh Chaplain for Children's Chapel

Sun, Aug 30, 11:15 AM - 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Holy Eucharist, Rite II) Charles Hawkins Celebrant Charles Hawkins Preacher Jim Lancaster Deacon Jan Waterhouse Verger - Lead Verger Dennis Cowart Verger - Assisting Verger Toni Norman Lay Eucharistic Minister Mike Montgomery Lector - First Lesson Wes Clearman Lector - Second Lesson Nita Owen Intercessor Pate Clearman Acolyte John Clearman Crucifer Sarah Heard Torch Bearer Caleb Little Torch Bearer Katrina Godsey Usher Justin Godsey Usher Marcia Blevens Teller Sharon Manuel Teller

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