This Sunday, September 9, St. John's will kick off a new Sunday School year!  Sunday School for children will now take place during the 9:00 a.m. service.  Children will process out of the church during the opening hymn and return later in the service.  The curriculum will follow the liturgy, with age-appropriate crafts, activities, and learning.  Singing, snacks, and hands-on outreach to Uganda will also be a part of each session, as children meet in age-specific groups, then come together as a group.   

Between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services, stay (or come early) for adult Sunday School and coffee hour fellowship.  There will be activities for children on the sports deck, as well as quiet time for them to read or color during this time as well.

Join us September 9 to begin an energizing new year of growing in our faith!

Save the Date! 
St. John's Centennial Celebration is Saturday, September 29!

We are also looking for parishioners' help in locating photos of St. John's history.  Any baptism, wedding, Easter, or Christmas photos are welcome!  We will carefully scan and return them in the same condition.

As Long as we Both Shall Live... Keeping the Promise

September 21 and 22  

Join Better Marriages Florida for a weekend of celebration of your commitment to your marriage at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.  The event features time for romance, laughter, and skill-building workshops for strengthening connectedness with your spouse.  This is a wonderful chance for you and your partner to feel refreshed and energized!  Child care will be provided.  The fee for the weekend is $99 before August 31 and $129 after that date.

For more information or to register, visit www.bettermarriagesfl.org or call 813.505.5505.

Parish Baby Shower

for

Mother Stefanie Taylor

Saturday, September 22, 2012

11: 00 a.m. to ??

Rudisill Parish Hall

So we can plan for seating and food,

RSVP by Monday, September 17,  

to Peggy Curlin at 287.0176 or pcurlin@verizon.net.

If you would like to help with decorations or food,  

contact Miriam Faircloth at 839.2838 or miriam19@verizon.net.

St John's will offer the program Walking the Mourner's Path beginning September 25, with group meetings held weekly on Tuesday evenings for eight weeks.  The program is designed for individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one at least 6 months ago.  Walking the Mourner's Path is a small group experience whose goal is to help participants begin to heal and find a renewed joy in living.  Sessions are held at 7:00 p.m. in the School's Lower Division Library, upstairs at the Orleans campus; the last session is on Tuesday, November 13.  For more information, contact Fr. Randy Hehr or Jan Elliott in the parish offices at 259.1570 or click here to find more information at St. John's website.

The Dominican Republic is in Need   

The Tampa Deanery built the San Pedro and San Pablo church and school on ground not far from the area shown in the photograph.  The structure was designed to serve not only as a church and school, but also as a hurricane shelter and community center, and it was used as a shelter in this most recent storm.  Fr. Emilio Fumero sent a report that 100 people in La Barquita were affected by the flood waters and 13 have taken lodging in San Pedro y San Pablo.  The corrugated metal buildings alongside the flooded street in the photo are not storage sheds, it is in these buildings and others like them that the people of La Barquita actually live.

Having a Baby? The Newborn Celebration Ministry Wants to Know! 

If you or someone you know in our parish is welcoming a baby into the family, please let us know.  St. John's loves our little ones and we want to celebrate them by bringing the family a meal and our best wishes!    

If you would like to be part of the ministry, the volunteers of the Newborn Celebration Ministry would love your assistance.  Please contact Tweed Eckhard at 743.1494 or Vera Farmen at 434.6771 to participate or to share the happy news of a new baby in our parish family.