Blog

This Sunday at John Knox

You're invited to join us this Sunday, January 16, in-person or online - 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 2:1-11

Dear Friends, Family, Beloved Children of God,

Thursday afternoon, the Session approved the following motion (via an email vote) “to ask everyone to wear a mask in the church until the end of the month (three Sundays).” The Session will reevaluate this decision at their next meeting in two weeks (1/25/2022)to determine if we should extend further into February or until Marion county is out of the red.

I know we are not in total agreement on masking 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

Porten / Lagerlof Wedding - January 16

The Wedding of Kelly Porten and Karl Lagerlof will be held on Sunday, January 16, at 2 pm at John Knox Presbyterian Church. You may join the wedding via the Facebook stream. They are planning to be at JKPC the following Sunday so that everyone can offer up congratulations in person to them.

Church School Suspended

Due to the rising number of Covid cases the adult church school led by Patty McKinnon has been canceled through the end of January. The Education Team and Patty will be reevaluating at the end of the month to see if it is safe for the class to reconvene. Thanks for your understanding as we want to keep everyone safe during this surge in the pandemic.
 
Due to the lack of attendance, the Education Team has made the decision to cancel the church school classes for the children and youth through the end of the school year in May. Starting in the fall, we will reevaluate the need to reconvene these classes. This was not a decision that was easily made. The Education Team will begin to assemble “Church School Take Home” boxes which will have lessons, crafts, games and songs which the parents and children can do at their leisure. We will begin with five lessons and request feedback from the parents 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.

Check Out the Mission Bulletin Board!

Be sure to stop by the Mission Bulletin Board located in the south hallway outside the sanctuary doors. You'll find a new letter from Jon and Kelly Simpson, and they're bringing us up to date on what's happening in their lives as they journey with God. Also, a letter and certificate of thanks from the Salvation Army for our participation in their Angel Tree program for 2021.   You can be counted on to nurture our Open, Caring, Community even in these difficult times. Way to go, John Knox! ~ The Mission Team 

Annual Congregational Meeting - January 23

On Sunday, January 23, 2022, there will be one Combined Worship Service at 10:30 am to include the Ordination & Installation of Officers, with the Annual Congregational Meeting taking place immediately following. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We look to the coming of 2022 with reluctance and hope. We are reluctant that COVID will continue to plague us in different ways as variants continue to form. We also look with hope that God is with us and nothing can separate us from the love we have in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is his birth we have celebrated. We hold onto the promise that Christ is with us always and no matter what we face, Christ will see us through it. 

Crazy Cards Has Been Rescheduled

Please note that Crazy Cards has been re-scheduled for Saturday, April 30, in the Fellowship Hall. Please look for more information as we get closer to April.  

Christmas Joy Offering

We will be collected through mid-January. This offering aids retired church ministers on fixed incomes and future church leaders among many others. A pamphlet is included with today's bulletin that includes more information about this special offering. When donating, please make your checks payable to the church and allocate it to the Christmas Joy Offering. You may support this offering until mid-January. The portion we retain for the use of the church will be allocated to the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you from the Mission Team. 

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