W eekly W o rd
Thanksgiving Birthdays of Liem and My-Linh Budzien, Joshua Pettigrew, and Paul Signet Rite of Confirmation of Gabe Booth, Ella Fosse, and Cassie Signet For Those In Need of Healing Continued healing for Eleanor Carter Patte Crampton’s sister Karen Fosse’s father Marti Kasdorf’s brother-in-law Tim Swale’s father Upon the Birth/Adoption of a Child Danny & Dominique Jessee on the birth of their son, Nathaniel William For the Bereaved Steve Rempe and family following the death of his mother
MON 5/15 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. TUE 5/16 9:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
ESL Level II (307) ESL Level IV (304) ESL Intro (308) “Once Upon A Time” Senior Ministry (Library) ESL Level I and II (307/309)
WED 5/17 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Adcock Huddle (Library) ECEC Chapel Cub Scout Leadership (Fellowship Hall) Adult Choir Rehearsal (301/303)
10:00 a.m.
FRI 5/19 8:00 a.m. SAT 5/20 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Weekly Word Input Submission deadline for this weekly newsletter is COB Tuesdays. Please submit all articles for publication to [email protected]. Due to high volume and limited space, announcements will appear for 2 weeks only. In addition, we reserve the right to edit content for space purposes. Please feel welcome to contact the Church Office with questions ([email protected] or 703-971-2210). Thank you. St. John’s Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Phone: 703-971-3581 E-mail: [email protected]
SUN 5/21 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Connection Corps (Library) Senior Connec+ Wellness (Fellowship Hall) Cub Scouts (304, 305, 306, 307/309, 308) Tiger & Wolf Dens (102/103, 104) Boy Scouts (Dining Room, Fellowship Hall)
THUR 5/18 10:00 a.m. XYZ (Craft Room) 4:00 p.m. SEELM Choir Rehearsal (308) 6:30 p.m. Prayer Team (Library) SEELM Bible Study (305) 7:00 p.m. Creative Fellowship (Craft Room)
St. John’s Lutheran Church 5952 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310 Phone: 703-971-2210 E-mail: [email protected] @stjohnslcms
Fifth Sunday of Easter May 14, 2017
This Week at St. John’s
ECEC Picture Day (Library)
Lutheran World Relief Quilts (Fellowship Hall) Worship Ministry (307/309) Praying in Color Orientation (Library) Praying in Color (Library) JOYSONG! Rehearsal (Sanctuary) SEELM Studies (Library) JOY! Worship Sixth Sunday of Easter Worship Service Discipleship 101 (Library) {SJLC@9:30} “Bioethics” (Fellowship Hall) Sunday School SEELM Choir Rehearsal (304) Worship Service with Holy Communion SEELM Worship (307/309) SEELM Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) SEELM Youth Group (305)
Weekly Word
Prayer Requests
10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
Worship Service with Holy Communion Discipleship 101 (Library) {SJLC@9:30} “Bioethics” (Fellowship Hall) Sunday School SEELM Choir Rehearsal (304) Worship Service SEELM Worship (307/309) SEELM Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) Highlights
Pastor Meehan is away this weekend with family celebrating his daughter’s (Mary Catherine) graduation from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg on Saturday, May 13. He will return to the Church Office on Monday, May 15. 2016-2017 Annual Reports Due Monday In advance of St. John’s June 4 congregational voters meeting, ministry leaders of our congregation are asked to summarize the year of ministry from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017 for the Annual Report. NOTE: Articles are due no later than Monday, May 15 and should be submitted electronically to the Church Office at [email protected]. Please submit your information using the template provided to you by the Council President. Should you have questions, contact the Church Office ([email protected], 703-971-2210). Thank you for your assistance. Senior Connec+ Wellness invites all seniors (55+ yrs) and members to the final spring session on Monday, May 15 at 11AM in the Fellowship Hall. Our 3 spring sessions focused on 3 important wellness themes. In March, we worked on flexibility and in April, strength. The final session will involve balance, though all 3 themes will be incorporated into exercises and discussion. Treat your body and spirit to wellness and fun! Lisa Marik will lead us with her creativity and spirituality.
Gather All Seniors are invited to the next monthly fellowship meeting of “Once Upon A Time” Senior Connec+ on Tuesday, May 16 at 10AM in the Library. The group will share unexpected changes that are blessings in life’s journey. Join us! Creative Fellowship Quilt Tying The Creative Fellowship is ready to tie Lutheran World Relief Quilts and we need help! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 20 at 9AM. This is a great opportunity to Join Jesus On His Mission by “Doing Good.” These quilts are much needed by folks who have so little or who have lost so much. Everyone from age 10 and up is welcome – anyone who can tie a knot. We will show you what to do. The purpose of quilt tying is to hold all the layers of the quilt together so the three layers don’t shift. We hope you will join us—refreshments will be provided. Questions? Contact Karen Kemmet ([email protected], 703-971-5492). Praying in Color We gather on the third Saturday morning of most months for a peaceful hour of prayer with pens/colored pencils in-hand to pour our prayers onto paper in the form of lines, doodles, shapes, and color as the Lord leads us through His Word. This month, we meet on Saturday morning, May 20, in the Library. No drawing skills needed, just a desire to quietly pray. Supplies are provided. Please join us! If you are new to this prayer form, please arrive at 9:30AM for orientation. Our hour of prayer begins at 10AM. Emergency Evacuation Practice Drill is scheduled to take place at the close of worship services on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21. This annual exercise helps us know how to exit the church building in the event of an emergency, and will be led by Rich Guzman. Ascension Day occurs 40 days after Easter and we give thanks for Jesus’ ascension into heaven. An evening service of Holy Communion will be held on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 25 at 7:30PM. Hello All Needle Workers The Prayer Shawl Ministry will hold its quarterly meeting on Saturday, June 10 at 10AM in the Library. Bring your finished shawls, lap robes, and prayer squares for collection; pick up a pattern for your next project. We will discuss our next quarterly meeting and next dedication. Also, we are looking for someone to lead this loving, rewarding endeavor. Please give your prayerful consideration and contact Eileen Hand if you are interested ([email protected]). Festival of Pentecost concludes the 50-day Easter season, and celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Special Pentecost worship services are planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4 with a bluegrass setting for worship with Holy Communion. Red is the liturgical color for Pentecost with the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, so you are invited to wear red for worship on this weekend. We will recognize St. John’s graduating high school seniors at the 10:45AM service on June 4, and will also rejoice with the Aljamous family at the Baptism of their two youngest children, Ward and Badr, also planned for the 10:45AM service. Immediately following the 10:45 service, a reception in the Fellowship Hall will honor our graduates as well as Ward and Badr Aljamous. The reception will flow directly into the congregational voters meeting, which also will take place in the Fellowship Hall. “Come, Holy Spirit, come, and fill the hearts of your faithful people with the fire of your love.” Communion Kneelers Refurbishment Project 2017 A complete refurbishment of the beautiful needlepoint cushions is underway and the $8,000 project has been funded by several memorial funds and Creative Fellowship.
After service or during the Sunday School hour, please feel welcome to come with your children to the altar rail and practice so they are comfortable coming and kneeling to be blessed during communion distribution. With the assistance of all St. John's families, we should be able to extend the life of our kneelers for another 38 years.
Disciple Today in Sunday School the children studied “Jesus Appears to Thomas” (John 20:19–31). We, like Thomas, doubt what we cannot see. Through His Spirit, God gives us eyes of faith that we might see Jesus in Word and Sacrament, and believe in Him. Discuss with your family: “When is it hard to trust and believe in the promises of God? Who is the source of our faith?”
Manage Boy Scout Car Wash Please come out and support Boy Scout Troop 1107 on Saturday, May 27, 9AM-3PM, St. John’s parking lot. All proceeds will go toward sending 25 boys to 2017 Summer Camp Liberty in Farmington, Pennsylvania. Your Lifetime Plan for Giving provides generous gifts for family and ministry. It is planned today; it blesses tomorrow; it proclaims Christ, who alone endures forever. St. John’s has procured the services of the LCMS Foundation to provide estate and Christian gift planning services. For more information, contact Robert Wirth, LCMS Foundation Gift Planner ([email protected], 716-863-4427) or Mark Gilbertson ([email protected]). Annual Congregational Voters Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 4 (the Festival of Pentecost), following the 10:45AM service. The meeting, which takes place in the Fellowship Hall, will be preceded by a reception in honor of St. John’s graduating high school seniors. That reception will then flow directly into the congregational voters meeting. All voting members of St. John’s are invited and encouraged to attend. On the agenda will be election of congregational officers for 2017-2018, presentation of the 2016-2017 Annual Report, and a recap of ministry during the past year. A mailing to households in the congregations will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the meeting, per St. John’s By-laws. Questions? Please contact Caral Spangler, St. John’s congregational President ([email protected], 703-768-9566). A list of candidates is posted on the “Gather” board in the Narthex.
Invite Haiti Servant Trip January 2018 Is God nudging you to go to Haiti? If so, you can talk with any of the 30 people in our congregation who have gone to Haiti with our teams. You are invited to come on the next St. John’s Servant Trip to Haiti (Saturday, January 6 through Saturday, January 13, 2018). This will be our 10th annual trip to Haiti in support of the Village of Hope/Lazarus Project. This mission supports a school (Village of Hope), a medical center adjacent to the school, and an orphanage for disabled children. You can sponsor a child through the Village of Hope. For additional information about the Village of Hope/Lazarus Project go to www.villageofhopehaiti.org. Plan to attend our first planning meeting on Tuesday, September 19, at 7:30 PM in the Library. Questions? Contact Greer Putnam ([email protected], 703-684-8949).
Aljamous Family Update The Aljamous family enjoyed a day out on Saturday with members of St. John’s. There was a special delivery recently of two bikes for the two little boys, Ward and Badr, compliments of Jim and Debbie Haugan. Joy abounded! Ongoing doctor and dentist appointments for family members continue as team members ensure that everyone gets to their respective appointments. Thank you to all who are helping with transportation! The two oldest children, Qusai (20-year-old son) and Ethar (18-year-old daughter) continue at their jobs and are thankful for the income received from these. We are exploring ways to help these two individuals get their GEDs (General Equivalency Diploma) since their high school education was disrupted while in Syria and Jordan. Balqis (17-year-old daughter in 9th grade) got a glowing interim report from her school, and Ward (6-year-old son in Kindergarten) is quickly learning English. The two youngest children, Ward and Badr (4-year-old son) are very interested in learning how to ride a bike since their friend in the neighborhood shares hers with them. Their friend's family speaks Arabic as well as English, which is very helpful to them. Dad, Faraj, and Mom, Kamelah, are becoming much more fluent in English after only three months here, and Kamelah spends her free time studying an English/ Arabic dictionary. We are preparing for Ward and Badr’s Baptism on the Festival of Pentecost – Sunday, June 4, at the 10:45AM service. In all things, we give thanks and praise to the Lord who is doing amazing things in the lives of his people. To God be the glory! Questions? Contact Diane Brody ([email protected]).
In My Corner—Stories From People You Know Our small group, Missional Community, was scheduled to meet the Tuesday after Easter. One of our regulars, Karen Kemmet, could not attend so she sent an item to share with the group. It is a great example of Discipleship Practice #2: listening to what God is saying to us as we read and hear His word and in the sermons as well. Karen said, “Pastor Campbell’s sermon on Easter Sunday spoke to me and coincided with my recent reading of James. (James 1: 22-24) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” If we procrastinate “doing” something to join Jesus, we are not living our lives as Christians. We need to take that step forward and out; take a chance; pray for guidance; “do.” We might mess up; we might not get it quite right; but God can fix it or maybe it was His plan for us to mess up because He has a better plan or a better way. He can make lemonade out of our lemons! The group was encouraged by Karen’s sharing and the idea of “doing” and not just waiting or talking resonated in our various stories that evening. This is a good example of how a Missional Community works. If you ask Karen what a Missional Community is, she says, “To me, our Missional Community is family, our sharings and discussions are inspirational for living a Christian life, is motivation to get out there and ‘do’– join Jesus on His mission.” You can join our group on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7-8PM at La Madeleine’s in Kingstowne. Or, there are several other groups at different times and locations—talk to Jan or Paul Swicord for more info. Karen Kemmet and Christy Hoins
MON 5/15 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. TUE 5/16 9:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
ESL Level II (307) ESL Level IV (304) ESL Intro (308) “Once Upon A Time” Senior Ministry (Library) ESL Level I and II (307/309)
WED 5/17 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Adcock Huddle (Library) ECEC Chapel Cub Scout Leadership (Fellowship Hall) Adult Choir Rehearsal (301/303)
10:00 a.m.
FRI 5/19 8:00 a.m. SAT 5/20 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Weekly Word Input Submission deadline for this weekly newsletter is COB Tuesdays. Please submit all articles for publication to [email protected]. Due to high volume and limited space, announcements will appear for 2 weeks only. In addition, we reserve the right to edit content for space purposes. Please feel welcome to contact the Church Office with questions ([email protected] or 703-971-2210). Thank you. St. John’s Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) Phone: 703-971-3581 E-mail: [email protected]
SUN 5/21 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Connection Corps (Library) Senior Connec+ Wellness (Fellowship Hall) Cub Scouts (304, 305, 306, 307/309, 308) Tiger & Wolf Dens (102/103, 104) Boy Scouts (Dining Room, Fellowship Hall)
THUR 5/18 10:00 a.m. XYZ (Craft Room) 4:00 p.m. SEELM Choir Rehearsal (308) 6:30 p.m. Prayer Team (Library) SEELM Bible Study (305) 7:00 p.m. Creative Fellowship (Craft Room)
St. John’s Lutheran Church 5952 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310 Phone: 703-971-2210 E-mail: [email protected] @stjohnslcms
Fifth Sunday of Easter May 14, 2017
This Week at St. John’s
ECEC Picture Day (Library)
Lutheran World Relief Quilts (Fellowship Hall) Worship Ministry (307/309) Praying in Color Orientation (Library) Praying in Color (Library) JOYSONG! Rehearsal (Sanctuary) SEELM Studies (Library) JOY! Worship Sixth Sunday of Easter Worship Service Discipleship 101 (Library) {SJLC@9:30} “Bioethics” (Fellowship Hall) Sunday School SEELM Choir Rehearsal (304) Worship Service with Holy Communion SEELM Worship (307/309) SEELM Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) SEELM Youth Group (305)
Weekly Word
Prayer Requests
10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
Worship Service with Holy Communion Discipleship 101 (Library) {SJLC@9:30} “Bioethics” (Fellowship Hall) Sunday School SEELM Choir Rehearsal (304) Worship Service SEELM Worship (307/309) SEELM Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) Highlights
Pastor Meehan is away this weekend with family celebrating his daughter’s (Mary Catherine) graduation from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg on Saturday, May 13. He will return to the Church Office on Monday, May 15. 2016-2017 Annual Reports Due Monday In advance of St. John’s June 4 congregational voters meeting, ministry leaders of our congregation are asked to summarize the year of ministry from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017 for the Annual Report. NOTE: Articles are due no later than Monday, May 15 and should be submitted electronically to the Church Office at [email protected]. Please submit your information using the template provided to you by the Council President. Should you have questions, contact the Church Office ([email protected], 703-971-2210). Thank you for your assistance. Senior Connec+ Wellness invites all seniors (55+ yrs) and members to the final spring session on Monday, May 15 at 11AM in the Fellowship Hall. Our 3 spring sessions focused on 3 important wellness themes. In March, we worked on flexibility and in April, strength. The final session will involve balance, though all 3 themes will be incorporated into exercises and discussion. Treat your body and spirit to wellness and fun! Lisa Marik will lead us with her creativity and spirituality.
Gather All Seniors are invited to the next monthly fellowship meeting of “Once Upon A Time” Senior Connec+ on Tuesday, May 16 at 10AM in the Library. The group will share unexpected changes that are blessings in life’s journey. Join us! Creative Fellowship Quilt Tying The Creative Fellowship is ready to tie Lutheran World Relief Quilts and we need help! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 20 at 9AM. This is a great opportunity to Join Jesus On His Mission by “Doing Good.” These quilts are much needed by folks who have so little or who have lost so much. Everyone from age 10 and up is welcome – anyone who can tie a knot. We will show you what to do. The purpose of quilt tying is to hold all the layers of the quilt together so the three layers don’t shift. We hope you will join us—refreshments will be provided. Questions? Contact Karen Kemmet ([email protected], 703-971-5492). Praying in Color We gather on the third Saturday morning of most months for a peaceful hour of prayer with pens/colored pencils in-hand to pour our prayers onto paper in the form of lines, doodles, shapes, and color as the Lord leads us through His Word. This month, we meet on Saturday morning, May 20, in the Library. No drawing skills needed, just a desire to quietly pray. Supplies are provided. Please join us! If you are new to this prayer form, please arrive at 9:30AM for orientation. Our hour of prayer begins at 10AM. Emergency Evacuation Practice Drill is scheduled to take place at the close of worship services on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21. This annual exercise helps us know how to exit the church building in the event of an emergency, and will be led by Rich Guzman. Ascension Day occurs 40 days after Easter and we give thanks for Jesus’ ascension into heaven. An evening service of Holy Communion will be held on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 25 at 7:30PM. Hello All Needle Workers The Prayer Shawl Ministry will hold its quarterly meeting on Saturday, June 10 at 10AM in the Library. Bring your finished shawls, lap robes, and prayer squares for collection; pick up a pattern for your next project. We will discuss our next quarterly meeting and next dedication. Also, we are looking for someone to lead this loving, rewarding endeavor. Please give your prayerful consideration and contact Eileen Hand if you are interested ([email protected]). Festival of Pentecost concludes the 50-day Easter season, and celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Special Pentecost worship services are planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4 with a bluegrass setting for worship with Holy Communion. Red is the liturgical color for Pentecost with the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, so you are invited to wear red for worship on this weekend. We will recognize St. John’s graduating high school seniors at the 10:45AM service on June 4, and will also rejoice with the Aljamous family at the Baptism of their two youngest children, Ward and Badr, also planned for the 10:45AM service. Immediately following the 10:45 service, a reception in the Fellowship Hall will honor our graduates as well as Ward and Badr Aljamous. The reception will flow directly into the congregational voters meeting, which also will take place in the Fellowship Hall. “Come, Holy Spirit, come, and fill the hearts of your faithful people with the fire of your love.” Communion Kneelers Refurbishment Project 2017 A complete refurbishment of the beautiful needlepoint cushions is underway and the $8,000 project has been funded by several memorial funds and Creative Fellowship.
After service or during the Sunday School hour, please feel welcome to come with your children to the altar rail and practice so they are comfortable coming and kneeling to be blessed during communion distribution. With the assistance of all St. John's families, we should be able to extend the life of our kneelers for another 38 years.
Disciple Today in Sunday School the children studied “Jesus Appears to Thomas” (John 20:19–31). We, like Thomas, doubt what we cannot see. Through His Spirit, God gives us eyes of faith that we might see Jesus in Word and Sacrament, and believe in Him. Discuss with your family: “When is it hard to trust and believe in the promises of God? Who is the source of our faith?”
Manage Boy Scout Car Wash Please come out and support Boy Scout Troop 1107 on Saturday, May 27, 9AM-3PM, St. John’s parking lot. All proceeds will go toward sending 25 boys to 2017 Summer Camp Liberty in Farmington, Pennsylvania. Your Lifetime Plan for Giving provides generous gifts for family and ministry. It is planned today; it blesses tomorrow; it proclaims Christ, who alone endures forever. St. John’s has procured the services of the LCMS Foundation to provide estate and Christian gift planning services. For more information, contact Robert Wirth, LCMS Foundation Gift Planner ([email protected], 716-863-4427) or Mark Gilbertson ([email protected]). Annual Congregational Voters Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 4 (the Festival of Pentecost), following the 10:45AM service. The meeting, which takes place in the Fellowship Hall, will be preceded by a reception in honor of St. John’s graduating high school seniors. That reception will then flow directly into the congregational voters meeting. All voting members of St. John’s are invited and encouraged to attend. On the agenda will be election of congregational officers for 2017-2018, presentation of the 2016-2017 Annual Report, and a recap of ministry during the past year. A mailing to households in the congregations will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the meeting, per St. John’s By-laws. Questions? Please contact Caral Spangler, St. John’s congregational President ([email protected], 703-768-9566). A list of candidates is posted on the “Gather” board in the Narthex.
Invite Haiti Servant Trip January 2018 Is God nudging you to go to Haiti? If so, you can talk with any of the 30 people in our congregation who have gone to Haiti with our teams. You are invited to come on the next St. John’s Servant Trip to Haiti (Saturday, January 6 through Saturday, January 13, 2018). This will be our 10th annual trip to Haiti in support of the Village of Hope/Lazarus Project. This mission supports a school (Village of Hope), a medical center adjacent to the school, and an orphanage for disabled children. You can sponsor a child through the Village of Hope. For additional information about the Village of Hope/Lazarus Project go to www.villageofhopehaiti.org. Plan to attend our first planning meeting on Tuesday, September 19, at 7:30 PM in the Library. Questions? Contact Greer Putnam ([email protected], 703-684-8949).
Aljamous Family Update The Aljamous family enjoyed a day out on Saturday with members of St. John’s. There was a special delivery recently of two bikes for the two little boys, Ward and Badr, compliments of Jim and Debbie Haugan. Joy abounded! Ongoing doctor and dentist appointments for family members continue as team members ensure that everyone gets to their respective appointments. Thank you to all who are helping with transportation! The two oldest children, Qusai (20-year-old son) and Ethar (18-year-old daughter) continue at their jobs and are thankful for the income received from these. We are exploring ways to help these two individuals get their GEDs (General Equivalency Diploma) since their high school education was disrupted while in Syria and Jordan. Balqis (17-year-old daughter in 9th grade) got a glowing interim report from her school, and Ward (6-year-old son in Kindergarten) is quickly learning English. The two youngest children, Ward and Badr (4-year-old son) are very interested in learning how to ride a bike since their friend in the neighborhood shares hers with them. Their friend's family speaks Arabic as well as English, which is very helpful to them. Dad, Faraj, and Mom, Kamelah, are becoming much more fluent in English after only three months here, and Kamelah spends her free time studying an English/ Arabic dictionary. We are preparing for Ward and Badr’s Baptism on the Festival of Pentecost – Sunday, June 4, at the 10:45AM service. In all things, we give thanks and praise to the Lord who is doing amazing things in the lives of his people. To God be the glory! Questions? Contact Diane Brody ([email protected]).
In My Corner—Stories From People You Know Our small group, Missional Community, was scheduled to meet the Tuesday after Easter. One of our regulars, Karen Kemmet, could not attend so she sent an item to share with the group. It is a great example of Discipleship Practice #2: listening to what God is saying to us as we read and hear His word and in the sermons as well. Karen said, “Pastor Campbell’s sermon on Easter Sunday spoke to me and coincided with my recent reading of James. (James 1: 22-24) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” If we procrastinate “doing” something to join Jesus, we are not living our lives as Christians. We need to take that step forward and out; take a chance; pray for guidance; “do.” We might mess up; we might not get it quite right; but God can fix it or maybe it was His plan for us to mess up because He has a better plan or a better way. He can make lemonade out of our lemons! The group was encouraged by Karen’s sharing and the idea of “doing” and not just waiting or talking resonated in our various stories that evening. This is a good example of how a Missional Community works. If you ask Karen what a Missional Community is, she says, “To me, our Missional Community is family, our sharings and discussions are inspirational for living a Christian life, is motivation to get out there and ‘do’– join Jesus on His mission.” You can join our group on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7-8PM at La Madeleine’s in Kingstowne. Or, there are several other groups at different times and locations—talk to Jan or Paul Swicord for more info. Karen Kemmet and Christy Hoins
