Pentecost

Sunday, May 19 is Pentecost Sunday. On Pentecost, the early church became unstuck. They found a power larger than any power they had known. It came from outside them but invaded their space. A lot of us get stuck and know the desperate need to have somebody open the door and let the wind rush in. Pentecost guarantees that the whole climate can change in a room, that the weather can shift, that people who thought they were stuck can be unstuck. Let's pray. God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may perceive, into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy. Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end. May your grace help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high, for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.

Dégagé

Volunteer Opportunity! We will be serving dinner at Dégagé Shelter twice in June! If you are available Sunday, June 2nd or Sunday, June 30th, please sign up on the Mission board in Fellowship Hall or contact Theresa Bileth at 616-826-3284. We arrive at Dégagé (144 S. Division) at 5:30pm to serve from 6-7pm. Carpooling from church is available upon request. 

West Parking Lot Closed

DTE Energy has begun construction to replace the natural gas pressure regulators and vaults under the old Bridge Street right-of-way. That right-of-way is our west parking lot.  Beginning this morning the west parking lot is closed.  Later today snow fence will be installed around the site and construction equipment will arrive. The major work effort begins tomorrow.

The carport drive remains open to cars dropping off passengers. Valet service will be available for drivers with handicapped permits. If you would be willing to serve as a valet please contact Jerry Krauss to volunteer. 

At some point in the project a trench will be cut across the carport driveway. A new gas main will be installed and the pipeline running under the carport pillars will be abandoned.  Steel road plate will be installed temporarily to keep the drive accessible on Sundays. 

Construction will last at least 6 weeks.  ​As part of the project the vent tubes currently in the parking area will be relocated to the right-of-way, opening up two more parking spaces. DTE will replace the asphalt disturbed and resurface the entire parking area as a thank you for our cooperation in this necessary infrastructure upgrade.   As a ministry of hospitality we are making the facilities and drinking fountains available to the construction crew, so if you see workers in the building we hope you will offer them our extravagant welcome and thanks for their work.

Jewish Film Festival

Celebration Cinema North presents the 15th Annual Jewish Film Festival, May 5 - May 9, 2013. The complete schedule of events is listed below.

Sunday, May 5,  4:30 p.m. Special Interview   6:00 - Dinner at the Cinema sponsored by Jimmy Johns.  7:30 p.m. "A Bottle in the Gaza Sea"

Monday, May 6 7:30 p.m. "The Last Survivor" documentary follow by a panel presentation

Tuesday, May 7  7:30 p.m. "Kaddish for a Friend" a German drama

Wednesday, May 8  6:00 p.m. Film Festival Dinner catered by Mdeiterranean Grills and 7:30 p.m. "Orchestra of Exiles" Documentary - Speaker : Josh Aronson, director.

Thursday, May 9  7:30 p.m.  "Remembrance" German-Austrian Film. ​

Visit www.jewishgrandrapids.org for more details.​

Vitality Day

The Michigan Conference of the UCC is  hosting an additional Vitality Day event on Tuesday, May 21 at 2:00 p.m.  Rev. David Schoen, will present "Becoming the Vital Churches and Disciples that Tomorrow Requires."  Contact Barb Paff at Barb@michucc.org to register or call (517)332-3511. This event will be held the United Church of Wayland, 411 E. Superior St., Wayland, MI.

Mother's Day Brunch

Treat your Mothers/Grandmothers to a wonderful Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12, at 11:00 a.m. following our worship service. Breakfast casseroles, sweets, juice, coffee, and tea will be served.

Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys

The Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys will present a free concert, “Heaven Comes to Earth,” on May 4 at 7 p.m. at St .Andrew’s Cathedral, 265 Sheldon Ave. S.E.

Westminster Abby choir director, Martin Neary, will direct the concert and prepare the choir for a CD release.  The concert of hymns and sacred music will include a free will offering.

Taize Prayer Service

Join us this Thursday, May 2, for our “National Day of Prayer—Taizé Service at 7:30 p.m., here at St. John’s.

The National Day of Prayer calls on all people of different faiths in the U.S. to pray for the nation and its leaders.

Prayer in the spirit of Taizé is meditative, where one invites God’s presence into one’s inmost being.  This ecumenical prayer style includes songs, Scripture, and an extended period of silence.

Join us for this special day of prayer!

Vitality Day April 20

St. John's will attend Vitality Day, sponsored by the Michigan Conference UCC, on Saturday, April 20.  As a registered congregation we can bring up to ten people for the cost of our congregational registration.  With Michael Piazza, co-director of the Center for Progressive Renewal and author of Liberating Hope as the featured speaker, this promises to be a premier day-long event for church growth and development.  We have openings for just seven people left.  You can attend for free and lunch is included.  If you would like to join our delegation, please contact us at office@stjohnsuccgr.org and we will be in touch with car pool and other information.  This event will be held at Edgewood United Church, UCC, 469 N. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI  48823

Reporting Ministry Touches Just Got Easier

St. John's has started counting ministry touches.  All of us do things that make a difference in the lives of people around us.  Those activities are ministry!  Help us count the ministry touches we do as a congregation by reporting your activities.  The on line form is easy and quick to use. 

We are participating in the United Church of Christ ​4/1 Earth project.  Report the hours you spend caring for the earth using our Ministry Touches form.

We are participating in the Michigan Conference 2x2 Campaign that counts volunteer hours and other kinds of support to community organizations by UCC members, friends  and churches. 

Report all your ministry touches, 4/1 Earth activities, and 2x2 contributions in one easy-to-use location.  And thanks for being engaged in ministry!