EVENTS TO REMEMBER

The HOLIDAY ART &

CRAFT SHOW

Nov. 11 & 12

Dear St. John’s Family,

‘Thank you for giving to the Lord’ is our Stewardship theme for 2017. Our

Graffi! Wall is filling up with your notes of gra!tude for the places they

find God at work in their church and in their life. Each week I check for

new addi!ons to the banners, and each week I am inspired by the com-

ments that are shared by our members. The Psalmist David inspired this

wall when I read the 100th

Psalm: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and

his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.”

Thanksgiving and praise are posi!ve spiritual disciplines that build a

healthy life. Our world seems to thrive on cri!cism, cri!que and com-

plaint. This formula sets one person against another, and measures

one’s own value by degrading the value of another. At St. John’s our very

life is centered in posi!ve Chris!anity. The Eucharist, which stands at the

center of our weekly gathering, is offered to God with a prayer en!tled,

“The Great Thanksgiving.” Together the priest and people’s voices pray

words that recount the message of salva!on throughout the ages, the

gi5 of Christ’s redemp!ve acts, and our song of praise for God’s love.

Our thanks and praises are joined with “Angels and Archangels and all

the host of heaven” in our act of worship. That is why our response of

Stewardship is an act of worship rooted in praise and thanksgiving. It

recognizes that all we have and all we do is a response of gra!tude for

God’s mercy.

Each member is asked to prayerfully consider the gi5 they might pledge

toward our budget in 2017. Over half of our pledge cards were picked up

at the distribu!on table on two Sundays in October. The remainder are

in the mail and will soon be coming to your home. Prayerfully consider

your pledge and fill out the card. You can mail it to the church office,

drop it in the offering plate on Sunday or place it in the basket at the

front of the church. Every gi5 is a gi5 of gra!tude for all that God has

done. That is why we say, “Thank you for Giving to the Lord!”

Blessings,

Fr. Mike

November 2016

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 215 N. 6TH ST., FORT SMITH, AR 72901 (479) 782-9912 www.stjohnfs.org

Thanksgiving

Service

Nov. 23

noon

ADVENT

LESSONS

& CAROLS

Dec. 4

3:00pm

1st Sunday breakfast will be Sunday, November 6th from 9:00—9:30am in the Parish Hall.

1st Sunday Breakfast

Girl’s Night Out

A5er all the Thanksgiving feasts are over for this year, this group will meet on November 29th

at 6:00 pm at Logan’s Roadhouse, 5201 Rogers Avenue. There you can enjoy a steak or your choice of an entrée. We are very ecumenical so bring a friend and join in the good food and fellowship.

There will not be a Laymen’s lunch the last Thursday of November or December because those dates con-flict with na!onal holidays; regular luncheon mee!ngs will resume in January, 2017.

Laymen’s League

The Holiday Art and Craft Show

The Holiday Art and Cra5 Show will host its 20th annual show November 11th and 12th. 15 juried regional

ar!st/cra5ers will showcase their one of a kind handmade works. Guided tours of the historic stained glass

in the sanctuary of St. John’s will be at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Friday, November 11, and 10:00 am on Sat-

urday, November 12.

Saturday, November 12, Santa will be available for photos and selfies.

A por�on of all sales from the ar�st/cra�ers will go to fund the Sack Lunch Reloca�on Fund.

Show hours are Friday, November 11, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday, November 12, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

All members of St. John’s and all Sack Lunch Program volunteers are extended a special invita�on to shop

on Thursday evening, November 10th, from 5pm to 7:30pm. This pre-show invita!on is not extended to the

general public. Feel free to bring friends and family with you to the pre-show !me to shop and pick up

casseroles.

Saints Alive

St Alive will be on Fri. night, Nov 18th at 6:00 pm at the home of Jackie & Shirley Brown.

We will be serving: Beef Chili and White Chicken Chili for entree .

Address: 3101 South Jackson. This is located at south 31 and Jackson street. Corner house...

Each year our na!on sets aside one day for a day of “Thanksgiving.” The Episcopal Church recognizes this civ-ic holiday as a Feast-day for the church. At St. John’s we commemorate all we have to be thankful for as a na!on with a service of Holy Eucharist. This year’s celebra!on will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednes-day, November 23

rd. This sacred service will allow worshipers to focus on the spiritual side of the holiday and

then families can spend !me together on Thanksgiving Day.

Service of Thanksgiving

Daughters of the King

We meet at St. John’s on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Nov. 13th, at noon, is our next gathering in the Skinner Building.

January 17, 2017, 6:00pm

Sarwar Alam, PhD

"Alam will introduce us to the Quran, one of the world's great holy books, by telling us about how it was re-vealed to the Prophet Muhammed. He will also talk about the Hadith, the collec!on of the Prophe!c tradi-!ons compiled centuries a5er Prophet Muhammad's death, which is used by Muslims, especially scholars and Imams. The Hadith is to the Quran in Islam as the Talmud is to the Torah in Judaism. Alam has been an Instructor at the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies, University of Arkansas, FayeSe-ville, since 2012.

Mindstretchers - A Brief Introduction

Monthly Moms’ Lunch – Our monthly SAHM Moms’ luncheon which is held at noon the second

Wednesday of each month will be Wednesday, November 9 at Green Papaya on GRAND (4412

Grand Avenue).

Playdates – None scheduled at this time. However, there may be new families and/or moms who

are interested in attending a play date and if so, please, please, please contact me and I will be

happy to set up something!!

Please know that anyone is invited to join us. We even have some “SAHMs wanna be” and a SAHGM

(grandma) who join us.

If there is someone who is interested in joining SAHMs for any event, please invite them & send me their

contact info (e-mail & mobile phone for texting) so I can include them on the reminders.

My contact info: mobile phone 479-459-5765, e-mail address lcburton@swbell.net

God’s Peace,

Lori Burton

SAHMs (Stay At Home Moms)

Laymen’s League Meeting Minutes - October

Eighteen aSended Saint John’s Laymen’s League lunch on September 29. Dave Arnold was recognized for preparing the ham salad and potato casserole. Members of the Building & Grounds CommiSee provided an update of the major current projects. The October mee!ng will be at noon on Thursday, October 27, in the Parish Hall. Mike Orite will prepare an Oktoberfest meal of bratwurst, fried potatoes, sauerkraut and a dessert. PeSus Kincannon mo!oned that the Laymen enjoy their annual steak dinner at 6:00 PM on Friday, Novem-ber 18, at the Saint John’s Skinner Building was passed. Cost will be $15.00 each for a bone-in ribeye steak with sides; please bring your own beverage. There will not be a Laymen’s lunch the last Thursday of November or December because those dates conflict with na!onal holidays; regular luncheon mee!ngs will resume in January, 2017.

Buck-A-Book

Because of your generous dona!ons and the dedica!on of our volunteers, we can finally say we are nearing the comple!on of the organiza!on of our inventory. How amazing! Separated into categories and fic!on now alphabe!cal, books may now be selected with greater ease. We appreciate your sup-port and suggest you consider our books for those on your Christmas gi5 list. Let us know what you’re looking for!

St. John’s Book Store & Gift Shop

As you read this, we will, in all probability, have unpacked our new Christmas merchandise. We know you will be as pleased as we are. It’s !me to make your holiday list. Our Fall Fes!val will be an ideal op-portunity to do your shopping. We will be open during the fes!val and look forward to seeing you.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS REPORT— September

The Building and Grounds CommiSee is chaired by Jean Kolljeski, Junior Warden, with members Father Mike Lager, Lou Skeen, Becky Ibison, John Cross, Jack Brown, Bill Chandler, Steve Irby and Gordon AlbriSon, Sexton. This team’s objec!ve is to maintain the condi!on and func!onality of all Saint John’s Episcopal Church proper-!es. The commiSee meets the last Monday of every month to manage church maintenance projects. Projects in-process include:

The Saint John’s fall clean-up day, scheduled from 9:00 AM- Noon on Saturday morning, October 29, across the en!re church campus. Par!cipa!on by all church families is invaluable to the success of this key event. Please plan to help. All workers will enjoy lunch together a5erwards in the Skinner Building.

Obtaining bids to repair the exterior wood of the bell tower and church building Upda!ng the Chambers Hall siVng room Replacing sinks in the Skinner Building’s south restrooms Evalua!ng repairs and updates to the sanctuary sound system Considering future alterna!ves to remodel the women’s restroom

Some recently completed projects are:

Installing a new entry door in the Nursery Room Restriping the Skinner parking lot parking space lines Finishing the parking lot by capping the wall, sleeving the posts, back-filling the earth, laying sod and relo-

ca!ng a visitor parking sign across Sixth Street to the Skinner lot Securing furniture for the Skinner Youth Room from the Hampton Inn

For the last several years Bishop Larry Benfield has made his annual visit to St. John’s in November or Decem-ber. However, the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be making his visita!on to Arkansas on the day the bishop was scheduled to come to St. John’s. Bishop Larry has rescheduled his visita!on for February 5, 2017. We will have Confirma!on classes that will start just a5er New Years for those interested in being Confirmed or Bap!zed.

The Bishop’s Visitation Schedule Change

6 1st Lesson— Lindsey Fielder

Psalm/2nd Lesson— Muggy Murray

Prayers— Becky Ibison

Chalice— Stan Vlademar & Muggy Murray

Chalice/Parish Hall— Rick Hayes &

Becky Ibison

13 1st Lesson— Terri Glasco

Psalm/2nd Lesson— Debbie Lee

Prayers— Becky Ibison

Chalice— Debbie Lee &

Becky Ibison

20 1st Lesson— Mack Skeen

Psalm/2nd Lesson—Rick Hayes

Prayers— Muggy Murray

Chalice— Debbie Chandler &

Rick Hayes

27 1st Lesson— Chris Glasco

Psalm/2nd Lesson— Helen Harper

Prayers— Rebecca James

Chalice— Muggy Murray &

Helen Harper

8:00 Worship Leaders

James D. ‘Jim’ Sparks Jean Sparks

Donald Stark Bowers Elizabeth Haupert Mr. & Mrs. Michael McFerran Nancy Wenderoth Patsy Cornelius Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Vick Mr. & Mrs. Dale Davis Mr. Sam Baker Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Foltz Mr. & Mrs. Mike DeWitt Mr. & Mrs. Jim Walcott Mr. & Mrs. Gene Rapley Mr. & Mrs. Harry Foltz Kelly or Marilyn Newton

James Elliott Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Vick Mr. & Mrs. Harry Foltz

*These dona!ons are only for Saint John’s Epis-copal Church. If your dona!ons were made to the Sack Lunch Program, they will have a list of donors.

Pick up your new church

directory on the glass

display case in the

Gi5 Shop.

St. John’s Directory Updates

Sunday Hospitality

8:00am

6 - 1st Sunday Breakfast 13 - Sandy McGowan 20 - Muggy Murray 27 - Debbie Chandler

10:30

6 - Becky Dunn 13 - Shirley Brown 20– Calline Ellis 27 - Jackie Sanders

1 - Bryan & Sara Goodwin 22 - Tom & Helen Harper 26 - Bob & PaV Gray 28 - Larry & Sandy McGowan

1 Aimee Montgomery

1 Andy Poirier

2 Lee Ann Vick

4 Sara Edmiston

11 Bonnie Johnson-Smets

15 A.J. Godwin III

18 Rose Ward

22 Cissy Goff

22 Bernard Johnson

23 Tyler Coats

23 Aaron Pryor

24 Eric Cli5on

26 Alex Leeper

27 Mike DeWiS

29 Darin Sharp

30 John Cross

30 Steve Irby

30 Will Robinson

30 WyaS Robinson

30 Laura Skulman

Raney Elizabeth Kincannon, born

October 23, 2016 to Andrew and

Christina Kincannon; weighs

8lbs,5oz., 19 inches. All are well! Grandparents are Pettus and Joan

Kincannon.

CONNECTIONS” Small Groups:

Need info or want to start a group around an interest you enjoy,

contact Jeannie McCabe,

Ministry Coordinator at

(479)221-4032 or

jmccabe@stjohnfs.org

NEW GROUPS!!!

♦ CreaBve Bible Journaling:2nd Mondays, 7-8:00 pm Skinner Bldg. All you need is a Bible or journal for this group, but if you have paints, brushes, markers, colored pencils, washi tape, or stickers, please bring them! See you there. Kandi Poirier NEXT GASTHERING—Nov. 14

♦ Weekday Book Study: 1st Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 First book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Available at Amazon and

Books-A-Million. Group meets at: Sake Restaurant, Garrison Ave.

♦ Missions Group: FORMING … “Honey Do” Ministry .. A group of helping hands will form to provide small handy-man projects/repairs for St. John’s members and beyond as !me and abili!es are available. Bob & Aimee Montgomery are co-ordinators. Contact them or Jeannie McCabe to be a part!!!

♦ Mind Stretchers –3rd Tues. of Month, 6:00 pm Skinner Bldg. Next Speaker: JAN. 17, 2017

♦ Rector’s Study - Wed. 5:15 pm in Youth Room of Skinner Building Sunday 9:15 am in Chambers Hall

♦ Vino League LAST FRIDAY of each month, at 7:00PM. If you would like to host, please let Kandi Poirier know who will get you on the calendar! OPEN DATES TO HOST: (Hosts select: (1) Venue—home or St. John’s; (2) wine & appetizer types, theme—optional)

October 28 Poirier Home February 24, 2017 November: NO VINO LEAGUE- THANKSGIVING March 31, 2017 December 30 (Champagne league April 28, 2017 for New Years!) @ the Poiriers May 26, 2017 January 27, 2017 June 30, 2017 (tentative) Please call or text Kandi, 479-414-5719 or email KandiPoirier@gmail.com to host!!!

“Preparing for the IncarnaBon” An Advent Quiet Day December 3—10-2:00 Lunch Included

As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we are confronted with the holiday frenzy. This year, you are invit-ed to a quiet day at the start of the season of Advent, the season of preparation. There will be opportunities to enter into quiet, holy listening through periods of silence, teachings on the Lord’s Prayer, times of meditation and prayer, Tai Chi, and creative Bible Journaling. A quiet lunch will be served. Day retreat cost: $10.00 The quiet day is offered by members of two small groups at St. John’s: The Seekers (a Cursillo reunion group) and The Bible Journaling Connections Group. Registration: Forms on hallway bulletin and soon to be ONLNE. OR complete form below and submit.

Cut here Quiet Day RegistraBon

Deadline—Wed. Nov. 30

Name _______________________________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________ email _________________________________________________

Special needs: Dietary needs/restric,ons:

Submit with non-refundable registra�on fee to: Jeannie McCabe or Church Office

Kid’s Korner

NOVEMBER 2016 Volume 13 Issue 11

Symbol: E HWY (eee high-way) E-ducation H-ome W-orship Y-outh Groups

EHWYWY

Youth Ministry Mission: To create an environment for youth and their families that gives a sense of com-munity, invites people to belong to the Body of Christ, and empowers each to do God’s work through acts of love and service. Providing Community that Empowers

2016-2017

Youth Event Dates Nov. 4-5 PreHap Happening LiSle Rock Nov. 18-20 Happening #36 LiSle Rock Nov. 24-27 Thanksgiving Break

2017

Mar 10-12 Winterstar / Camp Mitchell

Mar 18-21 or 23-26 Sprg Brk Msn

April ?? TBAYurt Camp Out

Apr 16 EASTER

Apr 28-29 Acolyte Fes!val –LiSle Rock May 21 Graduate Celebra!on July 14-17 Tulsa Mission Trip

AYE Youth Weekend … “Servant Leadership”

Four from St. John’s met with eighty others from around the state at the annual event, AYE (Arkansas Youth Event). The theme of the weekend was shared through small group work, an evening Eucharist, and reflected in the event t-shirt. The group honored Rick & Helen Hargreaves, the retiring camp directors. Their leadership on the mountain has been a model of “servant leadership” for the past 15 years. Youth also went on hikes, enjoyed field sports, some craft activities and just being in the beauty of the mountain.

Kid’s Korner Vol. 13 Issue 11 NOVEMBER 2016

W-orship Y-outh Groups

A C O L Y T E S Acolyte Master: Mike Tickler

Asst. Acolyte Master: Randy Meyers & Gordon Strauss Scheduler: Eden Buergler

Contact Eden ASAP with December scheduling

needs

STARFISH– 6th-12th

Dolphins—3rd-5th

NEW PLAN for 2016-17:

1st Sundays— Both Groups Meet in

Skinner Building for lunch and singing. Then divide into two groups for program. Parents welcome to join for lunch and visit while groups meet.

2nd Sundays—STARFISH Only

ALL are needed!!! Meet for lunch and SACK LUNCH PREP..

Monthly Parish activities for whole family

NOV 6 STARFISH & Dolphins

Heifer Int’l & Bowling

Parent Helpers: Hossleys

13 STARFISH

SACK LUNCH PREP

Parent Helpers: Poiriers

20

Both Groups

Chrismon Tree

12:00-2:00

Thgvng Week

27

DEC

4 STARFISH &

Dolphins

Mission Shopping Parent Helpers: L. Burton & B. Ward

4-Lsns & Carols at 3:00

11

Pageant

Costume FiVng —ALL/a5er 10:30

STARFISH:

SACK LUNCH PREP

Parent Helpers: ???? HELP!!

17 /Saturday

10:00 Pageant

Rehearsal Parent Helpers: Napier & K. Poirier

18 /Sunday Christ-mas Pageant

24 Saturday

Christmas Eve Services: 5:00, 10:30

25 Sunday

CHRISTMAS DAY

One Service-10:00

JAN 1

No Mee,ngs

Fully Relying On God ….. In MISSION

Children’s Chapel Meets In the Children’s Chapel Each Sunday during 10:30 service

New curriculum … Whirl / Lec!onary based Parents: Children’s Bulle�ng contain topics to con�nue the conversa�on at HOME.

Christmas Pageant Dec. 18, 10:30 service Costumes fitted—Sunday, Dec. 11, after 10:30 service Rehearsal FOR ALL; Sat. Dec. 17, 10-12:00 Pageant— Arrive & in Costume by 9:45, Dec. 18 Pageant during 10:30 Service

Vestry Members

Angela Covey,Sr. Warden 484-5134 2016 Jean Kolljeski, Jr. Wdn. 479-252-1360 2017 Eden Buergler, Secretary 462-8892 2017Bill Chandler 883-9576 2017 John Cross 459-0303 2017 Tony Flippin 629-6044 2018 Rick Hayes 561-8911 2016 Mary Beth Hoffsommer 414-4553 2016Becky Ibison 650-2833 2018 Ron Lawson 918-962-2436 2018 Jeff Pryor 783-1904 2016 Doug Shadell 479-462-1026 2018 Susan McCluney 479-414-7455 2018 Al Snider 806-2851 2016 Jim WalcoS 651-1898 2017

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY TEAMMary Ann Arnold

Team Leader – 452-1359 Telephone Calling Tree Coordinator

Pettus Kincannon Eucharistic Visitors - 651-0718

Staff Fr. Mike Lager,

Rector 221-4030

mlager@stjohnfs.org Jeannie McCabe

221-4032 Children/Youth Ministries

Tim Hess Parish Minister of Music

Vickie Phelan Administrative Assistant

David Arnold Parish Treasurer Harold Braswell

Financial Secretary Gordon Albritton

Sexton Dorothy Love

Saturday Receptionist Judy Trowbridge

Nursery Angel Hallmark Nursery Assistant Mary Ann Arnold

Volunteer Ministries Coord.

Worship Schedule Sunday

8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Monday - Friday

Contact Information Parish Office: (479) 782-

9912 Fax: (479) 782-4369

Office Hours Mon.-Fri., 8:00am--5:00pm

Website Stjohnfs.org

Email

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mary Jane Mustard

479-883-1488

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 215 N. 6TH ST., FORT SMITH, AR 72901 (479) 782-9912 www.stjohnfs.org

St. Scholastica Offerings

November 2016 = regular weekly mee!ngs

Mondays

7:00 AA Group

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

5:15 Rectors Class

6:30 Choir

Fridays

Saturdays

Sunday Schedule

8:00 Holy Eucharist

9:15 Chris!an Ed.

10:30 Choral Holy

Thursdays

5:30 EfM

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

SAINTS ALIVE

at

Jackie & Shirley

Brown’s

1

NSHS, BD MTG,

430PM

2

Rector’s Class, 515pm

3

Book Study, noon @

Saki’s

4

Vestry Reports are

due today

Pre-happening

5

DoK (Daughters of

the King) @ St. Theo-

dore’s in

Siloam Springs.

6 ALL SAINTS’

DAY

1st Sunday breakfast,

9-930am

STARFISH & Dolphins

Daylight savings Bme

ends

7

AA Group, 7pm

8

Vestry Mtg., 530pm

RVEC

9

SAHMs, noon @

Green Papaya

Rector’s Class, 515pm

10

EfM, 530pm

11

20th Annual

Art & CraJ

Fair

9am—8pm

12

20th Annual

Art & CraJ

Fair

9am—2pm

13 STARFISH - SACK

LUNCH PREP

Stewardship

CelebraBon

DoK, noon

14

GSC Ex Bd. Mtg.,

noon

Bible Journaling, 7-

8pm

AA Group, 7pm

15

16

Rector’s Class, 515pm

17

GSC Bd. Mtg., noon

EfM, 530pm

18 Saints Alive, 6pm @ the Brown’s

NewsleMer arBcles are due

19

20 STARFISH &

Dolphins, Chrismon

Tree, 12-2pm

ECW MeeBng

12:15pm in

Chambers Hall

21

22

Mind Stretchers,

6:00pm

23

Rector’s Class, 515pm

24 Thanksgiving

Day

25 26

27 1st Sunday of Advent

28

AA Group, 7pm

29

Girl’s Night Out, 6pm

@ Logan’s Road-

house

30

Rector’s Class, 515pm

Tom EllioM meeBng in

The library

St. John’s will be closed for the

Thanksgiving Holiday

HAPPENING #36 IN LITTLE ROCK