UPCOMING EVENTS AND WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2011
In the following weeks, we are asking the following ministries to participate in our Lenten Worship:
March 16 – Steward Board, Couples Ministry, College and Greeters Ministry
March 23 – Hospitality, Youth Ministry, Women’s Missionary Society, Children’s Ministry
March 30 – Praise Choir, Ushers, Fit to Serve, Scholarship
April 6 – Men & Women’s Ministry, Outreach Ministry
April 13 – Trustee Board, Music Ministry
The League of Women Voters of Naperville and the Naperville Sun, Co-Sponsor, Mayoral Candidates Forum and City Council Candidates Meet and Greet on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, North Central College, Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 South Ellsworth, Naperville, Illinois, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
On behalf of the Unit Church Usher’s League of Illinois’ Annual King and Queen Contest, the Fox Valley Usher Zone are having their second fundraiser for their King and Queen nominees, Brother Andre and Sister Charlene Carter. The fundraiser is a Fish Fry, and will be held on Friday, March 18, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. until at the Keystone Lodge #15, 1112 Kane Street, Aurora, IL. They are asking for a donation of $8 and $10 for a combo (Fish & Chicken). All proceeds raised will go toward providing scholarships. For tickets or if you have any questions or concerns, you may call Brother Andre and Sister Charlene Carter on (630) 364-8334 or you may call Sister Calretha Liggins on (630) 896-5587 or (630) 220-9188.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Saturday, March 19, 2011, from 8:45 – 11:30 a.m., there will be a sign up sheet in the atrium after service. Rev. Melanie
The Sign Singers will rehearse Sunday, March 20th at 8:00 a.m. and also immediately following worship.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Saturday, March 19, 2011, from 8:45 – 11:30 a.m., there will be a sign up sheet in the atrium after service. — Rev. Melanie
St. John AME Church will have a Blood Drive on Saturday, March 26th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Indoor Playground. To schedule your appointment, please go to www.heartlandbc.org or call Clareon at (630) 264-0882 or (630) 330-1796. Please eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to your donation. Every donor will receive a free pair of flannel pants! Photo ID is required.
The newsletter is now on the web page. If you would like a hard copy, please call the office.
Girl Scout cookies are to be distributed in the Youth Lounge.
The beautiful art work in the West Corridor is from Bigham Gallery. For the month his art will be displayed. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Bigham at (630) 842-4092. The art is available for purchase. The West Corridor is in front of the Fellowship Hall entrance.
Mother Beverly Thomas Fine Arts Institute is recruiting young musicians, dancers, artists, writers, and singers ages 13 – 19 years for a week session at Camp Baber, June 18 – 25, 2011. The cost per student is $300.00. The application deadline is April 30, 2011. More information is available on the website at www.bthomasai.com.
Thank you for volunteering at Northern Illinois Food Bank and Hissed House. The rotation process works because you care. If you would be so kind, and take a look at the dates below and share them with other members and friends who have not experience the opportunity to volunteer at Northern Illinois Food Bank or Hissed House, there is still time. Please contact Rev. Melanie Wilkinson with your date at wilkinsonnan@yahoo.com or call (630) 820-6965. Also we are accepting donations for Hissed House for the months of February and March. The items are Ibuprofen and Antiseptic creams and can be dropped off on Sunday.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK
March 19th, April 16th, May 21st,
June 18th, July 16th, August 20th,
September 17th, October 15th,
November 19th, December 17th
HESSED HOUSE
May 29th, July 31st, October 30th
CLOSE OUT SALE!! All ornaments are $10.00. Please purchase one of these keepsake ornaments on today. We have a very limited number of Souvenir Journals that you may purchase for $10.00 as well. We are trying to clean house and you can have these keepsakes in an effort to help us at a minimal cost.
Officers, let us be mindful of our responsibility to be in attendance during the Fulfillment Hour and/or Bible Study. I’d love to meet you in study as we all strive to become disciples and as we provide Spiritual Leadership for our congregation.
We once again would like to encourage the officers to participate in Bible Study and/or Fulfillment Hour.
Our Bible Study Session meets on Wednesday night with The Rev. Dr. Bob Price as the instructor. This session is a study on the Book of Colossians. It promises to be a great study.
Fulfillment Hour is in session with The Rev. Aaron Yeary as its facilitator. This six-week session deals with the subject matter, “Called to be God’s People”. Fulfillment Hour is 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Applications for the Delta Academy sponsored by the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Alumnae Chapter are available upon calling Linda Hawkinson. Female students between the ages of 11-14 are welcome to apply. The sessions for the Academy are as follows: April 9, 23; and May 7, all 2011. The sessions will be held at Roosevelt University Schaumburg campus
Those young people who are interested in the Beverly Thomas Art Institute to be held June 18th through June 25th, 2011 at Camp Baber in Cassopolis, MI, please see The Rev. Anthony Vinson, Director of Music and Arts. The areas of specialization includes art, dance, choral, jazz, creative writing, strings and Symphony Band
NOTRE DAME SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR RISING JUNIORS & SENIORS! Applications are now available for Notre Dame Summer Scholars June 19 – July 2, 2011 for rising juniors and seniors (Tuition based; limited scholarship assistance is available). 11 tracks of academic study offered. Application deadline is March 15, 2011.
100 Black Men of Chicago has several Summer Programs for High School Students. If you would like a copy of the listings, please call the office.
Do you have compassion for Seniors over 60? If so, The Salvation Army Golden Diners need you. Volunteers are needed to help serve meals. For more information, you may call Kolleen Rojas at (630) 232-6676 or email her at Kolleen_Rojas@usc.salvationarmy.org, or visit their website at www.salarmychicago.org.
Do you know a kid who’s making a difference in your community through volunteering? Nominate them for the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program today! This year Kohl’s is recognizing over 2,100 kids, ages 6-18, with more than $415,000 in scholarships and prizes ranging from $50 Kohl’s Gift Cards to $10,000 scholarships. Nominate a Kid NOW or learn more at: www.kohlskids.com.
DuPage County Health Department is offering Dental Discount Programs starting at $59.00 per year for individuals, or $69.00 per year for families. If interested, please call (877) 354-NZCo (6226) or visit www.nacodentalprogram.com.
College of DuPage is offering a Health Care Camp during the Spring Break for some area high schools. It includes hands on activities and field trips. Great resume-builder for high school young men interested in health careers. Admission is FREE but pre-registration is required. To register, call (630) 942-3692 or send an email to gayanna@cod.edu.
The Retirement Research Foundation announces continuation of funding through its Accessible Faith Grant Program to enable Chicago area houses of worship to make their facilities more accessible. With such improvements, older adults and people with disabilities may be able to participate more fully in the programs, services, and activities of the facilities. Houses of worship in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry County of Illinois are eligible to apply for a grant. Grants may be awarded for up to 50% of a project’s total cost, for a maximum of $30,000. Applications will be accepted from March 1, to June 1, 2011. Grants will be announced in the fall of 2011. The full description of the program, application form, tips for completing the application and additional flyers are available on the Foundation’s website: www.rrf.org or by contacting The Retirement Research Foundation, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Suite 430, Chicago, IL 60631, (773) 714-8080.
To enhance the beauty of the Church, the art work in the Church Corridors and Multipurpose Room are from the private collection of Pastor and Mrs. Hawkins. It’s on loan until the Church is able to furnish their own art. Please be respectful of the art work and do not tough or destroy. The art work in the Reception Office, and Youth Lounge, and other pieces throughout the offices were donated to the Church by Clayton and Johnene Adams and Steve Connor.
Along with the web page, the screen monitors, we have added two bulletin boards which will hopefully provide and enhance the communication process of our Church. The bulletin boards are located close to the south end of the Fellowship Hall and the north east entrance of the Church.
Do you enjoy sports? Do you like having fun and working with kids? Do you like spending your summer days outside? Do you want to improve your coaching/teaching skills? If this sounds like you, come work for Skyhawks, the largest provider of sports programs for kids. Skyhawks is looking for teachers, coaches, college students and high school students who are interested in teaching young athletes (ages 3-12) the rules, techniques, and strategies of the Soccer, Beginning Golf, Track and Field, Baseball, Tennis, Lacrosse, Basketball, Volleyball, Skateboarding, Flag Football, Roller Hockey, and Cheerleading during the summer, in the Chicago area. If interested in working, please apply online at www.skyhawks.com. For additional information, contact Max Andrews at mandrews@skyhawks.com
Sharing Connections Furniture Bank in Downers Grove has an urgent need for gently-used FIXED-SIDE cribs less than ten years old. Pack & Plays are also desperately needed. Or, please consider a financial donation earmarked for the SCFB Crib Fund. Residents of Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, and Winfield can schedule a free pick up of large furniture, including cribs, by calling (630) 971-0565, x300, or by visiting their website. The website www.sharingconnections.org explains what items are accepted. Please note that they cannot pick up small items. If you are donating a Pack & Play, please bring it to the SCFB warehouse at 5111 Chase Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Sharing Connections Furniture Bank also currently needs silverware and cleaning products for their clients. If you can donate these, please drop them off at the warehouse. The warehouse is open to receive donations Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm and Saturday from 9 am until noon. Sharing Connections Furniture Bank is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning once per month for four months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. Their website address is www.cleaningforareason.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Fund: Are you looking for a way to donate to the MLK Memorial Fund that will not cost you anything? If yes, read below and click on the link for the MLK Memorial. Yahoo is donating $.05 every time someone uses the toolbar to do a search. It does not seem like a lot, but if you look at the number of times you do a search per day, week and month, plus the number of times your friends and family do the same, that 5 cents builds to dollars very quickly. Also, please tell all your family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances about this endeavor, the more people that use the tool, the larger the contribution that will go towards the fund. Please click on the web address below and download the “MLK Build A Dream Toolbar” and use this Toolbar for ALL of your searches.
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.4698001/k.622A/Download the Toolbar.htm. Also, for those of you who are not aware, the unveiling and dedication of the memorial is scheduled for August 25-27, 2011 in Washington, DC. May God’s richest blessings be with you always. Fred Miller
The City of Chicago is accepting applications for a Fire Communications Operator 1. The location is OEMC, 1411 W. Madison Street; Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with rotating days off. The starting pay rate is $3,620.00 per month. There will be testing for this position. If you are interested in this position, please apply online at the City of Chicago’s website www.cityofchicago.org.
Do you have bold faith? Are you understanding, engaging, with an outgoing personality? Are you committed to following through an assignment? Do you have good communication skills, and are accessible? Are you willing to submit yourself to spiritual authority? If you answered yes to three or more of these questions then perhaps the Ambassador or Birthday Captain Ministry is a place for you to lead and serve. Pray, see how you are led by God for serving in the capacity of Ambassador or Birthday Captain. Contact Rev. Marilyn Barnes at rev.marilyn@comcast.net or via the Church Office at 630.898.5333 to volunteer or if you have questions.
Do you have a college student who is a member of the St. John Family? If so, the College Ministry would like to gather his/her contact information in order to organize social gatherings and correspondences with your student while away in school. Please see Stephanie Hatchett at the information desk in the Narthex to fill out an information card.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NEEDED AT SHARING CONNECTIONS FURNITURE BANK: Their warehouse has a critical need for the following items for low-income families who have been affected by life challenges including fires, floods, illness, and domestic violence: Dishes, cups or glasses, all purpose cleaner, baby items such as wipes, bottles, diapers, sponges, tables and chairs. These items will help a family keep their home and themselves with dignity this holiday season. Drop off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. We are located at 5111 Chase Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60505. Critical furniture needs include dressers, tables, and chairs. Drop off as above or call (630) 971-0565, x300 and leave a voice message for a truck pickup of large furniture items.
Paying for College Student Resource Guide (includes scholarships, internships, fellowships, resource books, and websites), Courtesy of U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressional District 34-California. Please call the office if you are interested in this Resource Guide.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an international, not-for-profit, public service organization. Their membership is predominantly African-American females. The Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta services Chicago’s western suburbs, and they are offering a four-year academic scholarship. This monetary award will be given to a deserving high school senior who will continue his or her formal education in a four-year college or university during the 2011/2012 academic year. Their renewable scholarship will be given to a graduating senior, based upon his or her academic potential, financial need, and a personal interview. There are three scholarship applications. Please call the office if you would like a copy of the applications.
Are you interested in working with St. John students away in college? Do you enjoy making cookies and sending care packages? Well, if so, the College Ministry is for you! Please see Stephanie Hatchett in the narthex after Church today, or contact her via e-mail Stephanie0618@aol.com.
Let’s not forget our Sick and Shut-Ins:
MEMBERS: Ms. Pearl Chapman, Ms. Ruth Roberts, Mr. Allen Keys, The Rev. W.D. Davis.
FAMILY MEMBERS: Ms. Winnie Thomas (Gwen Miller’s Mother), Ms. Dorothy Watson (Sandra Bennett’s sister)
If you would like more information of our Sick and Shut-Ins, please call the office.
To Pastor Hawkins & St. John AME Church Family: Words alone cannot express my sincere gratitude for your love, your thoughts, your prayers and your generosity during the illness and home going of my mother. I am eternally grateful to God for this my new family. — Sincerely, Rev. Anthony Vinson
Dear Pastor Hawkins & St. John AME Church Family: Thank you so much for the phone calls, cards, thoughts, and most of all, the prayers. Your love and support were felt even miles and miles away. Thank you for proving that St. John is truly the Church at the Caring End of Ministry! — Love, Brysen
To Pastor Hawkins & St. John AME Church: Thank you for your generosity. The beauty of your spirit is a blessing. — Carlton Jefferson
Please be aware that the facility is not available for Monday evening activities. You may schedule meetings, Bible Studies, and other activities Tuesday through Saturday.
You may call the office for any other announcements or view them on the web page at www.stjohnamec.org during the week.
Choir Rehearsal Tuesday & Thursday 7PM - 9PM & Saturday at 11AM.
Praise Choir Rehearsal, Sunday morning 8AM to 8:30AM.
Senior Adult Bible Study, Tuesday, 12:30PM to 2:00PM in the Multipurpose Room.
Bible Study, Wednesday 7:15PM to 8:30PM in the Multipurpose Room (study to resume in December).
New Members Class, Sunday 8:30AM to 9:30AM in the Conference Room.
Fulfillment Hour, Sunday 8:30AM - 9:30AM in the Multipurpose Room.
Fulfillment Hour (Ages 3-11), Sunday 8:30AM - 9:30AM in the Village Class Room (North East Corridor)
Youth Bible Study, Sunday, 8:30AM - 9:30AM in the Youth Lounge.
Children’s Church, Sunday, 9:30AM The Village (infants to 11 years) (North East Corridor)
Cub Scouts – Monday – Friday between 10AM & 2PM if interested. Please call the SJC office 630.898.5333.
Girl Scouts (5 and up) – Every other Tuesday in the Village at 5:45PM.
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