Thursday, January 27, 2011

Events & News from St. Andrew & St. John Episcopal Church

ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 EVENTS & NEWS

JANUARY 27, 2011

 

 

Worship

Sunday, January 30, 2011 – 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Scripture:

Psalm 15; Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Participants:

Celebrant: The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling

Usher: Fred Benson

First Lesson & Psalm: Elise Felton

Second Lesson: Mary Vekasi

Prayers:  Ann Benson

Chalice: Rita Redfield

Acolyte: Ted Fletcher (8:00); Margaret Fletcher (10:00)

Altar Guild: Dean Henry

Flowers: Susan Buell

 

Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. – A service that offers healing and hope to all.

Sunday Forums at 9:00 a.m.

The public is invited.

On January 30, the Sunday Forum embarks on a three-part series of discussions focused on a provocative book by Phyllis Tickle, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why.  Tickle, a lay minister in the Episcopal Church, recently received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Yale in recognition of the high quality of some 20 books she has written.  As one critic notes, The Great Emergence is one of those rare books that "make things make sense." Tickle sees a pattern of monumental shifts roughly every 500 years in the history of religious thought and authority.    Around 1000 A.D. western Christendom suffered a great schism; shortly after 1500 A.D., the great Protestant reformation occurred.  Now the "Great Emergence" signals a new spirituality, fresh opportunities for religious commitment without denominational barriers, and a renewed passion for social justice.

January 30, Sarah Flynn, will lead discussion on "The Great Emergence: What is it?"

February 6, Jennifer Reece, an ordained Episcopal priest, will lead discussion on the heart of Tickle's book: "How we got here"

February 13, Ted Fletcher, Senior Warden at St. John's, will lead the discussion on "Where we go from here”

 

v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v

 

 

 


MDI Episcopal Church Events

 

Appreciating Our Gifts: What exactly does it mean to be the Episcopal Church on MDI?  As we struggle with this question, it makes sense to identify the strengths of each individual parish and it's unique ways of doing God's work.  What does each parish on MDI bring to the island community?  We don't know—we need your help!  Corinthians speaks of the body of Christ thus:  “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  The body does not consist of one member, but of many.”  (I Corinthians, 12, 14)  

 

A gathering is being planned for Saturday, March 5, from 10:30 am until around 1 pm, at the Somesville firehouse, (bad weather date of March 6 in St. Savior's parish hall, following the combined service).  The purpose of this meeting will be to: identify strengths, to learn from each other, identify resources, and brainstorm ideas of how we can work collaboratively.  We know that there are things we could do together that we could not do as individual parishes, with limited resources and overworked individuals.  The Christmas card collection is an example of a project that showed us how much more can be done when we work together. It does not seem coincidental that the date available to us is still in the Epiphany season.  Perhaps we will have an 'epiphany', a revealing of God's purpose for the church of MDI.  We know that the whole is greater that the sum of its parts.  We as a whole, the Episcopal presence on MDI, the body of Christ, can accomplish much in bringing Christ's light to others!  Bring your ideas and join us for discussion and a light lunch on March 5th.

 

St. Mary’s and St. Jude’s:

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the Somesville Meeting House, Parish Hall. We are currently reading Richard Rohr’s “Everything Belongs”. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested. 

 

St. John’s:

Bean Supper - Saturday February 26, 5:30-7 PM to benefit the handicapped access project for the Church. Beans/fixins/beverage/pie included for a donation to the fund. Volunteers needed to bake/set up/serve/clean up - see sign up sheet in the undercroft. Cash donations to defray the cost of ingredients always welcome.

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

Church Calendar: St. John’s has posted a calendar of events on the web. You may access it: http://tinyurl.com/saintsmdi-schedule or there is a link at www.saintsmdi.org  

 

Church of Our Father:

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

 

St. Saviour’s:

The community is invited to a Valentine potluck dinner, Sunday, February 13, 6 pm at St. Saviour's.  Come on your own or bring your sweetheart ~ good food, fun and company for entire community, singles, couples and families. Beverages will be provided; all who are able are encouraged to bring a dish to share. The dinner is free and open to the public. Donations to St. Saviour's Fire Fund welcome.

 

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00.  On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

Community Supper – sponsored by the Outreach Board for any and all of our neighbors on Tuesday March 15th. There will be no cost, just an opportunity to eat together with old and hopefully new friends.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development:

Haiti One Year Report may be viewed at www.er-d.org/Haiti

News from US Disaster Program may be viewed at www.er-d.org/LamplightNewsletter

 

Community News:

Island Connections – Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals and groceries, to drive neighbors to healthcare appointments, and to shopping and community centers. As MDI's population ages Island Connections is getting more requests than ever. Often it’s just a short drive to a healthcare appointment or grocery store and back.  Island Connections match neighbors' requests with drivers' availability and geographic preferences. Call Mary Parker at 288-4457 for more information.

 

Westside Food Pantry: Open the first Sunday (12:00-2:00) and third Sunday (12:00-1:00) of the month. The Food Pantry committee meeting will be held after church on Sunday, January 30- 11:30-1:00.  Questions? Susan- 244-3124 and Dean- 244-3935.

 

 

U     U  U  U  U  U  U

 

Keep in your prayers this week: Barbara, Vonnie, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim, Pete, Elizabeth, Ian and Oren, Ted, Ezra, Jonathan and Stella.

 

Military Casualties (January 17-20)

Afghanistan: Joseph Whitehead, Joshua Lancaster, Jason Amores, Amy Sinkler

Iraq: Michael Evarts

Gulf of Oman: Dominique Cruz                                                

 

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John                       

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Events and News

ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 EVENTS & NEWS

JANUARY 20, 2011

 

 

Worship

Sunday, January 23, 2011 – 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Scripture:

Psalm 27:1, 5-13; Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

Participants:

Celebrant: The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling

Usher: Ken Cochrane

First Lesson & Psalm: Margot Haertel

Second Lesson: Ann Benson

Prayers:  Susan Buell

Chalice: Ted Fletcher

Acolyte: Spencer Ervin (8:00); Rita Redfield (10:00)

Altar Guild: Margot Haertel

Flowers: Ginny Agar and Susan Buell

 

Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. – A service that offers healing and hope to all.

Sunday Forums at 9:00 a.m.

January 23 – Celebrating Life: Writing Obituaries on MDI, Nan Lincoln

January 30 – The Great Emergence: What Is It?, Sarah Flynn

February 6 – How the Great Emergence Happened, Jennifer Reece

February 17 – Where the Great Emergence Is Headed, Ted Fletcher

 

St. John's is responsible for the service at Sonogee on Sunday, January 23rd at 10:45 am. If you'd like to participate, please contact Michael Shook at mshook@gmail.com or 244-4425.

 

v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v

 

 

 


MDI Episcopal Church Events

 

Save the date! On Friday, February 4th, Island-wide Episcopalians are invited to “Come Home for Supper”— a time to share good food and friendship in small groups at the homes of parishioners from each church.  Look for the poster and sign up sheet at your church.  For more information, including details on hosting, please call Rita Redfield – 244-4025, Elaine Theriault – 244-946l, Diane Phipps – 664-3204, Dick Salisbury – 664-0116, or Dorothy Clunan – 244-5645.

 

Appreciating Our Gifts: What exactly does it mean to be the Episcopal Church on MDI?  As we struggle with this question, it makes sense to identify the strengths of each individual parish and its unique ways of doing God's work.  What does each parish on MDI bring to the island community?  We don't know—we need your help!  Corinthians speaks of the body of Christ thus:  “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  The body does not consist of one member, but of many.”  (I Corinthians, 12, 14)  

 

A gathering is being planned for Saturday, March 5, from 10:30 am until around 1 pm, at the Somesville firehouse, (bad weather date of March 6 in St. Savior's parish hall, following the combined service).  The purpose of this meeting will be to: identify strengths, to learn from each other, identify resources, and brainstorm ideas of how we can work collaboratively.  We know that there are things we could do together that we could not do as individual parishes, with limited resources and overworked individuals.  The Christmas card collection is an example of a project that showed us how much more can be done when we work together. It does not seem coincidental that the date available to us is still in the Epiphany season.  Perhaps we will have an 'epiphany', a revealing of God's purpose for the church of MDI.  We know that the whole is greater that the sum of its parts.  We as a whole, the Episcopal presence on MDI, the body of Christ, can accomplish much in bringing Christ's light to others!  Bring your ideas and join us for discussion and a light lunch on March 5th.

 

St. Mary’s and St. Jude’s:

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the Somesville Meeting House, Parish Hall. We are currently reading Richard Rohr’s “Everything Belongs”. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested. 

 

St. John’s:

Annual Meeting: This Sunday, January 23rd.

Epiphany Star Workshop—Margot Haertel will offer this class on Saturday, January 29, from 9:00-noon in the undercroft. The cost is $10 and paper will be provided. Margot will send you a lit of other supplies needed. Please sign up at the church office or call Margot at 244-0362. Proceeds will go to the Capital Campaign.

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

Church Calendar: St. John’s has posted a calendar of events on the web. You may access it: http://tinyurl.com/saintsmdi-schedule or there is a link at www.saintsmdi.org  

 

Church of Our Father:

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

 

St. Saviour’s:

The community is invited to a Valentine potluck dinner, Sunday, February 13, 6 pm at St. Saviour's.  Come on your own or bring your sweetheart ~ good food, fun and company for entire community, singles, couples and families. Beverages will be provided; all who are able are encouraged to bring a dish to share. The dinner is free and open to the public. Donations to St. Saviour's Fire Fund welcome.

Update on Jonathan:  the patient is well into his recovery mode, doing out-patient Physical Therapy, resting and reflecting by the fire with his ice-pack, and feeling most appreciative of the good wishes, cards and goodies that friends and parishioners have sent or left off at the rectory. His healing is progressing slowly but steadily in the right direction, thanks to a successful surgery and the support and care of many along the way.

 

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00.  On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development:

Haiti One Year Report may be viewed at www.er-d.org/Haiti

News from US Disaster Program may be viewed at www.er-d.org/LamplightNewsletter

 

Community News:

The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast is recruiting volunteer mentors from Hancock County to work with individuals who are about to be released from area jails and re-entry facilities. There will be an orientation and training for mentors scheduled on four consecutive Tuesdays, January 18, 25, February 1 and 8, from 5:30-8pm at the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center, located on 3 High St. in Ellsworth. The orientation and training is free of charge and a light meal is included. For more information about RJP and to download an application, visit online at www.rjpmidcoast.org or contact the RJP office at 338-2742.

 

Westside Food Pantry: Open the first Sunday (12:00-2:00) and third Sunday (12:00-1:00) of the month.

 

U     U  U  U  U  U  U

 

Keep in your prayers this week: Barbara, Beth, Marjorie, Susan, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim, Pete, Elizabeth, Ian and Oren, Ted, Ezra, Jonathan and Stella.

 

Military Deaths (January 7-15)

Afghanistan: Ira Laningham, Robert Near, Benjamin Moore, Jarrid King, Zainah Creamer, Zachary Salmon, Omar Aceves                                                    

 

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John                       

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Events and News

ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 EVENTS & NEWS

DECEMBER 30, 2010

 

 

Worship

Sunday, January 16, 2011 – 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Scripture:

Psalm 40:1-12; Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

Participants:

Celebrant: The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling

Usher: Fred Benson

First Lesson & Psalm: Elaine Theriault

Second Lesson: Joan Bromage

Prayers:  Ann Cox Halkett

Chalice: Bob Theriault

Acolyte: Rita Redfield (8:00); Ted Fletcher (10:00)

Altar Guild: Joan Bromage

Flowers: Ginny Agar and Susan Buell

 

Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist at St. John’s

 

Sunday Forums at 9:00 a.m.

January 16 – The Church and the Sexual Abuse of Children, Robert Gossart

January 23 – Celebrating Life: Writing Obituaries on MDI, Nan Lincoln

 

St. John's is responsible for the service at Sonogee on Sunday, January 23rd at 10:45 am. If you'd like to participate, please contact Michael Shook at mshook@gmail.com or 244-4425.

 

v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v

 

 

 


MDI Episcopal Church Events

 

Save the date! On Friday, February 4th, Island-wide Episcopalians are invited to “Come Home for Supper”— a time to share good food and friendship in small groups at the homes of parishioners from each church.  Look for the poster and sign up sheet at your church.  For more information, including details on hosting, please call Rita Redfield – 244-4025, Elaine Theriault – 244-946l, Diane Phipps – 664-3204, Dick Salisbury – 664-0116, or Dorothy Clunan – 244-5645.

 

St. Mary’s and St. Jude’s:

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the Somesville Meeting House, Parish Hall. We are currently reading Richard Rohr’s “Everything Belongs”. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested. 

 

St. John’s:

Annual Meeting: January 23rd. Reports are due by January 17th.

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

Church Calendar: St. John’s has posted a calendar of events on the web. You may access it: http://tinyurl.com/saintsmdi-schedule or there is a link at www.saintsmdi.org  

 

Church of Our Father:

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

 

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00.  On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development, Haiti One Year Report may be viewed at

www.er-d.org/Haiti

 

Community News:

The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast is recruiting volunteer mentors from Hancock County to work with individuals who are about to be released from area jails and re-entry facilities. There will be an orientation and training for mentors scheduled on four consecutive Tuesdays, January 18, 25, February 1 and 8, from 5:30-8pm at the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center, located on 3 High St. in Ellsworth. The orientation and training is free of charge and a light meal is included. For more information about RJP and to download an application, visit online at www.rjpmidcoast.org or contact the RJP office at 338-2742.

 

Westside Food Pantry: On January 2, the Westside Food Pantry gave out vouchers totally $13,470 to folks in need from the communities that we serve in Southwest Harbor, Tremont and Mt. Desert.

 

U     U  U  U  U  U  U

 

Keep in your prayers this week: Barbara, Bob, Norm, Judy, Molly, Vonnie, Beth, Marjorie, Susan, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim, Pete, Elizabeth, Ian and Oren, Ted, Ezra, Jonathan and Stella.

 

Military Deaths (December 28-January 7)

Afghanistan: Michael Beckerman, Maung Htiak, Jacob Tate, Eric Nettleton, Joseph Giese, Robert Pharris, Christian Romig

Iraq: Jose Delgado Arroyo, Jose Rosado                                                                   

 

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John                       

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Events and News

ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 EVENTS & NEWS

DECEMBER 30, 2010

 

 

Worship

Sunday, January 9, 2011 – 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Scripture:

Psalm 29; Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

Celebrant: The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling

Usher: Gus Carreno

First Lesson & Psalm: Mary Vekasi

Second Lesson: Ellen Gilmore

Prayers:  Patsy Fogarty

Chalice: Nicole Carreno

Acolyte: Ted Fletcher (8:00); Nicole Carreno (10:00)

Altar Guild: Mary Vekasi

Flowers: Ginny Agar and Susan Buell

 

Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist at St. John's

 

Sunday Forums at 9:00 a.m.

January 9 – Cooking for the Common Good, Larry Stettner

January 16 – The Church and the Sexual Abuse of Children, Robert Gossart

 

v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v  v

 

 

 


MDI Episcopal Church Events

 

Save the date! On Friday, February 4th, Island-wide Episcopalians are invited to "Come Home for Supper"— a time to share good food and friendship in small groups at the homes of parishioners from each church.  Look for the poster and sign up sheet at your church.  For more information, including details on hosting, please call Rita Redfield – 244-4025, Elaine Theriault – 244-946l, Diane Phipps – 664-3204, Dick Salisbury – 664-0116, or Dorothy Clunan – 244-5645.

 

St. Mary's and St. Jude's:

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the Somesville Meeting House, Parish Hall. We are currently reading Richard Rohr's "Everything Belongs". This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested. 

 

St. Saviour's Parish:

Jonathan has come through the surgery with flying colors. He is in room 4002 at Mercy Hospital, 1175 Fore River Pkwy, Portland, ME 04102, and will be there likely until Friday. No phone calls please at this point. Ruth will be happy to receive emails or ecards for him at ruthappleyard@gmail.com 

 

St. John's:

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

African Bible Study: Father Appleyard will be out of commission due to knee surgery for a few weeks, so the group has elected to take a break until January 13th.

Church Calendar: St. John's has posted a calendar of events on the web. You may access it: http://tinyurl.com/saintsmdi-schedule or there is a link at www.saintsmdi.org   

Annual Meeting: January 23rd. Reports are due by January 17th.

 

Church of Our Father:

Thursday, January 6—Feast of the Epiphany — 5:30 pm MDI joint Holy Eucharist at Church of Our Father, followed by a potluck (St. John members should bring desserts) and discussion about the MDI Collaboration.

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

 

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00.  On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

 

Episcopal Relief and Development, Haiti One Year Report may be viewed at

www.er-d.org/Haiti

 

Community News:

The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast is recruiting volunteer mentors from Hancock County to work with individuals who are about to be released from area jails and re-entry facilities. There will be an orientation and training for mentors scheduled on four consecutive Tuesdays, January 18, 25, February 1 and 8, from 5:30-8pm at the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center, located on 3 High St. in Ellsworth. The orientation and training is free of charge and a light meal is included. For more information about RJP and to download an application, visit online at www.rjpmidcoast.org or contact the RJP office at 338-2742.

 

Westside Food Pantry: On January 2, the Westside Food Pantry gave out vouchers totally $13,470 to folks in need from the communities that we serve in Southwest Harbor, Tremont and Mt. Desert.

 

U     U  U  U  U  U  U

 

Keep in your prayers this week: Barbara, Bob, Norm, Judy, Molly, Vonnie, Beth, Marjorie, Susan, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim, Pete, Elizabeth, Ian and Oren, Ted, Ezra, Jonathan and Stella.

 

Military Deaths (December 24-28)

Afghanistan: Kenneth Corzine, Garrett Miesner, Tevan Nguyen.

 

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John                       

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.