Soup, Sustenance, and Stewardship

Gather with us Wednesday, Oct 24 at 7pm for a five week stewardship series where we’ll share soup suppers and meaningful discussions!

What do you think of when you hear the word “stewardship?” It often brings to mind giving money to pay the church’s bills, but stewardship is about much more than money.

Stewardship refers to how we handle all of the resources God has given us. It’s about our priorities for use of our time, our talents, and our treasure. It’s about our trust in God’s provision and our gratitude to God. It’s about our vision for the church through which God works to supply people’s spiritual, social, and physical needs. Giving money generously and joyfully, along with our time and talents, is our natural response to God’s generosity with us.

St. John’s UCC will offer a 5-week study of Christian stewardship beginning Wednesday, October 24 from 7pm to 8:30pm at the church (1934 Bridge Street NW). Volunteers will be asked to provide soup so we can enjoy a light supper along with our discussion.

Bill Newsom will lead the discussion along with Pastor Wes Jamison and other members of our Stewardship Team. Free study materials will be distributed by email. If you would like to participate, or if you have questions, please contact Bill Newsom at bill.newsom@comcast.net or 616-260-4321

Pumpkin Carving Contest

On Sunday, October 28, after our 10am Totenfest service, we will be carving pumpkins together in Fellowship Hall! Please bring your pumpkins, your carving tools, and your kid-friendly carving kits. There will be prizes! On a day where we celebrate the memory of loved ones in such a meaningful Totenfest service with tributes and photos of those who are with us in spirit, let’s also share time and laughter together as we carve pumpkins with our church family. All are welcome!

Fall Congregational Meeting

Reminder: Sunday, October 21 after our 10am service, we will meet in Fellowship Hall. Meeting packets have been available for viewing on our church website StJohnsUCCgr.org. If you need the password for the “Secure Members Page” in order to see our budget and other details, or you are in need of a printed copy of the meeting packet, feel free to contact the church office at 616-453-2497 during office hours. See you at the Fall Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 21 at 11am!

Afternoon Installation Service

Gather with us on Sunday, October 14 at 3:00pm, as we celebrate the official installation of the Reverend Wes Jamison as the new Pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ. We are proud to have the Rev. Dr. Nicole McDonald as our guest preacher and representatives of the Grand West Association, the Michigan Conference of the UCC, and the wider community in Grand Rapids and beyond at this special service in the life of our St. John's family. A reception will follow. All are welcome! StJohnsUCCgr.org.

Chili Cook-Off & Bread Auction Oct 7

Chili Cook-Off! After our 10am worship service on Sunday, October 7, we will have our annual community chili cook-off. Bring your favorite crock pot of chili, or just bring your appetite for this free event. We have two categories, meat and non-meat. Please sign-up on the fellowship board at church, or by calling our office at 616-453-2497. We can't wait to taste all of the creative recipes. You are always welcome and invited to participate at St. John's UCC.

World Communion Sunday Bread Auction! In addition to our Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Oct. 7, we will hold our annual Bread Auction. Please bring your favorite homemade or store bought breads. While enjoying our chili lunch, we will auction off the breads to those who are present to raise money for our youth programs. We look forward to your dessert breads, fruit breads, sandwich bread, pita, taboon, and breads of many cultures and traditions. Thank you for your delicious donations and supportive purchases. What a fun Sunday for foodies and friends. You are always invited to gather with St. John's UCC. 

Choir & Handbell Rehearsals!

On Thursday, September 20, we begin a new season of St. John's UCC Choir and Handbell rehearsals with our Director of Music, Joel Gary. Handbell Choir meets from 6:15pm - 7:15pm, and Chancel Choir meets from 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Thursday night rehearsals are a lot of fun, and a great way to add to your St. John's experience. See you on September 20th! StJohnsUCCgr.org.

Meet Our Pastor Sept. 9!

Reverend Wes Jamison will officially join our St. John's family at our Fall Kick Off on Sunday, September 9, 2018! He will be our new settled pastor which our hardworking Pastor Search Team presented to the congregation and our congregation voted to call. We welcome him with open arms to ministry and fellowship with us. We look forward to exploring what God has in store for us in this exciting new season of St. John's UCC.

Rev. Jamison is excited to join us in life and ministry. He looks forward to getting to know us better as we listen for the voice of God. He's excited to worship, serve, and dream with us toward a better, more just world for ALL of God's children.

Please join us at our Fall Kick Off Day to meet Rev. Jamison and worship with us. Of course, please stay for the food, fellowship, and games after service.

Blessing of the Pets Service

Blessing of the Animals! Please bring your pets to St. John's UCC on Sunday, September 30 at 10am! We enjoy meeting and blessing this beautiful part of your family each Fall. Please make sure cats are in a crate or kennel bag, dogs are on a leash or harness, and all others (hamster, guinea pig, ferret, fish, snake, turtle, etc) are in safe and comfortable containers. Kids are welcome to bring their favorite stuffed animal for a blessing as well. Help us make the September 30th worship service and coffee hour fellowship memorable by bringing your beloved pet to St. John's United Church of Christ. 1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

2018 Fall Kickoff Sept. 9!

It's time! Fall into church with friends and family on Sunday, September 9 at 10am as we celebrate Fall Kick-off at St. John's United Church of Christ! Gather at our 10:00am Worship Service as we welcome Rev. Wes Jamison into the life of the church as our New Pastor! Witness the excitement of our little ones as they begin a new year of children's programs in our worship center classrooms. Learn more about upcoming opportunities. Experience our free community lunch with new friends after service at our 11:00am Pork Roast, Potluck, Pie Baking Contest (categories for fruit, non-fruit, and most unique pie,) and several interactive Yard Games on the lawn for adults and kids. Bring a dish to pass or just bring your appetite. Invite your friends!

Members: Please bring table service for your family (plates, silverware, cups). We will have these items available at the potluck table for all of our guests, but would like to facilitate an easier clean-up for our volunteers who wash dishes. Thank you. See you there!

You are welcomed and invited to participate in the full life and ministry of St. John's UCC whatever your race, age, sex, marital status, financial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, or ability. 1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. StJohnsUCCgr.org.

Cookout & Potluck Sunday!

Sunday, July 15, 10am - 12pm, you are invited to come celebrate Rev. Dr. Robyn Gray on her last day as the Interim Pastor at St. John's United Church of Christ. Invitations and emails have gone out, but this is another reminder that ALL are welcome to come share the meal. We would love to see you and meet your friends.

You are invited to our special 10am service and 11am cookout! German and Polish meats on the grill, buns, cupcakes, coffee, water, juice, and all the fixin's are provided. We will also have a full potluck buffet! Last names A-M: Please bring a side dish or fruit. N-Z: Please bring a salad or dessert for the potluck table. Gather with us as we express our deep gratitude for Robyn Gray and our Pastor Search Team.

1934 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. StJohnsUCCgr.org.