Friday Newsletter February 11, 2022
February 15, 2022 | Rev. Beth Wagner
A LIFE-GIVING I AM
This Sunday at John Knox
This Sunday, February 14, 2022, at 9:00 am for our Traditional Service or at 11:00 am for our Contemporary Service. If you wish to join us online for worship, you may do so through Facebook Live. Click here to watch our streaming live services. Please note: You do not have to have a Facebook account to view our services. Our scripture this Sunday is: John 6: 35, 41-51
Souper Bowl of Caring
The Mission Team will be collecting food and monetary donations this Sunday, February 13, 2022, which will be given to The Storehouse to aid them in providing nourishment to our neighbors in need. Please place your food donations beneath the table by the office door and Carol McKeown will be glad to accept your cash donations in her soup pot near the doors of the Sanctuary. Thank you for giving!
Spark Coffee Shop Hours
Please join Pastor Beth for coffee today at 10 a.m. at:
The Spark
1402 Main Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224
Death and Dying With Dignity
Join Pastor Beth as she explores the fundamental idea of dying with dignity. Our Christian core belief is that we belong to God in life and in death. We plan and celebrate the birth with birth plans, and showers. We decorate the nursery and start a college fund. Death is often not so carefully thought out. Yet, if we plan for a good death, we help our loved ones know of our desires for our final time on earth.
The class will meet on February 13 (5:30 p.m.)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5874514508 Meeting ID: 587 451 4508 and interact with class OR you can watch on Facebook LIVE
Just in, our final class on death and dying with dignity will be on Feb. 28th in person at church and via ZOOM. We will welcome a member of the Flanner Buchanan funeral home to walk us through pre-planning your funeral using the services of a funeral home. Come with yourquestions.
Office Closing Notice
The office will be closed Monday, February 22, 2022, in observance of President’s day.
Masking Update
At the January Session meeting, the Session decided to watch the Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map and if the county is in RED we will wear masking at church. When the county is ORANGE for two consecutive weeks we will return to masking is optional for vaccinated and strongly encouraged for the unvaccinated.
I know we are not in total agreement on mask-wearing! If we want to keep worshiping in person, this is the right thing to do. In consultation with the pastoral and music leadership, I have also reduced the amount of singing the congregation does during our service time. These measures are short-term in nature, and we will keep monitoring the numbers. At this time, we have several staff members either sick with the virus or waiting for test results because they are experiencing symptoms. The number of families within our community with active COVID is climbing. We pray that this less serve COVID will not leave lasting effects or cause serious harm to those within our community.
If masking is not “your thing,” then join us on Facebook Live for the next three weeks. If you have any concerns regarding these actions, contact Pastor Beth directly or contact one of our ruling elders. -Pastor Beth
Russel Heath's Visitation and Funeral Services
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Russel Heath will be held following his visitation from 10-11:30 am on Saturday, February 12 at John Knox Presbyterian Church. The service will be live-streamed on John Knox Facebook page. There will be a box lunch served after the service prior to going to Crown Hill Cemetery for the interment of his ashes. His obituary can be found on the Flanner and Buchanan website. Click here to view Russel's obituary.
Church School Updates
Due to the rising number of Covid cases the adult church school led by Patty McKinnon has been canceled until Marion County’s Covid numbers reach an orange status. Thanks for your understanding as we want to keep everyone safe during this surge in the pandemic.
The Education Team has made the decision to cancel the children and youth church school classes. The plan is to have prepared “Church School Take Home” boxes ready to distribute the week prior to Ash Wednesday, March 2. The lessons will go through Lent and Easter for eight weeks. Parents will be asked to give feedback to see if these are helpful. If you are a parent, please contact us if your family would like to receive one of these boxes.
Crew Car Wash Tickets
As a fundraiser for the 20/20 fund, we will be selling Crew Car Wash tickets in the hallway between services each Sunday in February. As in past years, each ticket costs $10, and half of that is given back to John Knox as profit. Tickets never expire and can be used at any Crew Car Wash in Central Indiana. With a new location just south of the Church on High School Road, this will be extra convenient for keeping your car clean and looking good. If you are not attending church in person right now and would like tickets, contact Barb Williams and we will arrange to get tickets to you. Thank you.
Remember to wear your masks while in the church building and stay home if you're sick in any way. We can all do our part to keep people healthy if we remain diligent and care for one another! If you are eligible to be vaccinated/boosted and have not already done so, please consider making an appointment today!
Blessings,
Pastor Beth