If you were in church a few weeks ago you maybe heard me mention sirens. No, not the wailing sound blared out by police cars and ambulances. I mean the creatures from the Greek epic, The Odyssey, penned by Homer in the 8 th century BC.
Now, if you are like me, you may have drifted off to sleep at the very mention of classical Greek literature. If you have, then let me shout “WAKE UP!” in your ear, because I promise you something interesting if you make it to the end of this article. (I should point out that my relationship with classical Greek and Latin is like my relationship with kale. I know it’s supposed to be good for me, and I’d like to be able to brag that I consume it, but frankly, it all sounds rather too boring to be spending my time on. Today I’m only going to consume 2,000 calories, and none of them will be wasted on kale. In the same way, I can maybe read 20 books this year, and none of them will be classical literature.)

Blessing of the Backpacks is scheduled for Sunday, August 10. All children are encouraged to bring their backpacks to the All Age Service OR 10:30 a.m. service, and they will receive a special blessing and blessing tag for the new school year.

The Honduras Mission Team would like to thank everyone for your support this year. We felt your prayers with us during the week. We were able to see and treat more than 700 patients. More details will follow in the coming weeks. Our team is much bigger than the 19 that traveled to Honduras. We had 35 people from the Espritu Santo that worked along side us during the week.Every person that printed labels, labeled bags, drove a bus, said a prayer, or made a donation is part of the Honduran Mission Team. Thank you.

Click here to read more about the trip!

You're invited to join Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) for Walk With Me, a vigil in observance of the 60th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jonathan Daniels. This vigil takes place in preparation for, and on the eve of, the Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage on August 9. Jon Daniels, who was an EDS seminarian at the time of his death, left the comfort of the EDS campus in Cambridge for the work of desegregating churches and fighting for voting rights in Alabama.

Join us this summer (May 11-Aug. 31) for a short, lively service for all ages. We’ll sing, pray, have Communion together, and enjoy an interactive message from 9:30—10 a.m. on the third floor of the education building.

Our next Chamber Music Concert is scheduled for August 24 at 4 p.m. Details coming soon!

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fresh seafood, community spirit, and meaningful impact! Lobsterfest is back, and this year, your support will directly benefit Ascension Day School and Respite, organizations dedicated to providing exceptional education and compassionate care.

 Tickets: www.RiverRegionLobsterfest.org  

The idea of mission is a core principle of the Christian faith. At St. John’s we are committed to partnering with God to do his work of redemption in this world by assisting those in need through financial giving, hands on assistance, and donating needed items to the poor, the sick, the friendless, the prisoner, the homeless, and anyone in need. From working with local charities and nonprofits to international mission trips, members of St. John’s make it a point to be involved.

Learn more here:

Your prayers are requested for the following parishioners:
Rick Durden, Dave Funk, Emily Crump Johannes, Valinda Johnson, Carma Marks, Richard McCrory, Pat McDonald, Eddie McDowell, Martha Collier Mosely, Cameron Napier, Bud Nason, Elizabeth Potter, Jim Power, Shirley Price, Scott Simmons, Johnny Smith, Debbie Steindorff, Barbara Wallace

Prayers are also requested for these friends: 
Emma Allshouse, Gail Alsobrook, Mac Burton, John Ferguson, Bob Geddie, Stephanie Holmes, Janet Hutto, Charles Lewis, Leslie Little, Karen Pacheco, Pam Slate, Ron Skoneki, Madera Spenser, Chandler Taylor, Connie Thomas, Katherine Weidner, Frank Winkler, Sharon Carney Wright

August 10 (2nd Sunday) 

7:30 a.m.
Lector: Fred Matthews
Usher/Greeter: Ashley Roseboro
Altar Guild:  Nancy Benner

10:30 a.m.
Altar Guild: Josie Eskridge
Lector and Intercessor: Maria Pacheco, Sarah Spratling
Eucharistic Ministers: JR Marshall, Dudley Perry
Ushers/Greeters: Keith Miller, Mark Chappell, Mary Martin Mitchell, Cole Wise
Flower Guild: Caroline Lawson, Laura McLemore
Flower Delivery Team: Maria Pacheco, Anne & Reggie Hamner, Allison Prillaman
Videographer: Scott Mitchell