Sunday Morning Worship
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School
9:55 a.m.
(some classes start earlier)

Al-Anon, A

Did you know it takes just over $100,000 each month to operate the Saint John’s facility, conduct worship, offer our ministry & programs and support our many mission projects at the level committed?

It would truly be a blessing if the church received that much giving support each month, but it’s a fact that in most months, giving falls well short of the operating funds needed.

In January $68,496 was received (almost exactly the same as last January) while expenses other than interest on our property loan were $91,056. Interest added another $12,274. So you can see that we were short by about $22,000 before the interest.

We had planned for this possibility and borrowed $20,000 in early February through a short-term line of credit at the Texas Methodist Foundation at a very low (1%) cost. This allows us to operate during the part of the year when support lags behind costs and repay the borrowing when monthly giving exceeds our expenses.

The obvious solution to needing borrowed funds most months of the year is for every month to see an increase in giving. If you are already tithing (giving 10%), then thank you so much. How about asking 2 friends to join you in that practice? If you aren’t ready to try 10%, have you increased the percentage of your income that you do give? It’s worth some thought.

Come and See

“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single person contemplates it, seeing within it the image of a cathedral.” --Antoine Saint-Exupery

Many years ago our ancestors in the faith envisioned a new church on land beyond the Austin city limits. That rock pile that became a cathedral is the building we now call The Fellowship Hall.

Starting now a new weekly worship service is taking shape within the walls of that old Austin stone edifice. Thursday nights from 7:30—8:30 we gather for singing and prayer, opening our hearts and minds to God’s presence and action in our lives, receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion, and anything else God’s Spirit has in store for us.

What will it be like? That’s hard to say. Many people have been dreaming and envisioning this new thing for years now. As people join in, they will make it their own and it will evolve. Whatever it becomes, I’m pretty sure it won’t be exactly like anything we’ve done here before. As someone who loves staring into rock piles, I find that exciting.

As we, at long last, get this new worship venture underway, I want to say a big thank you to those who have worked so hard over many months. Thanks to Renee Speed, David Cappolino, and Bobbi Kaye Jones—that original flock of Gospel Birds—who dreamed and experimented this time last year. Thanks to Vicki Scott—our Queen Bee—and to Sheri Jones—our Thursday Night “Sallie”—and Sallie Sassano herself, for getting things organized for worship and hospitality. Thanks to Sara Young— our Stage Manager—and Ed Rupp for technical support. Thanks to the Memorials Committee and the Trustees for making it possible to transform the Fellowship Hall yet again. And finally, thanks to the new flock of musicians who are giving their time and talent to lifting us all up in song: Michael Hayes(guitars, vocals), Bobbi Kaye Jones(flute, vocals), Debbie Touchet(vocals), Hilary Marchbanks(vocals), Renee Speed(piano, vocals), David Cappolino(piano, vocals), Ryan Marchbanks(percussion, vocals), and Jon McFarlen(bass, vocals).

At the end of the day, we are a unique gathering of spirits joining together to worship God. Thus, I know and trust that God will be in this. As the Psalmist said, “For God will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up…(Psalm 90.11-12a).”

Out of town this weekend? Working on Sunday? Got a friend you’d like to invite to Saint John’s? Put Thursday night on your schedule and join us for A Gathering of Spirits—yet another way we are creating a community where God’s love changes people and God’s people change the world.

-David Gilliam

AT&T Austin Marathon

The AT&T Austin Marathon is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. this Sunday (February 17), on Congress Avenue between Cesar Chavez Blvd. and 2nd St. It will loop through Austin north to Northcross Drive via Bull Creek, Shoal Creek and Great Northern Blvd., and back south again via Woodrow, North Loop, Guadalupe and Red River, before finishing downtown on Congress Avenue at 4th St.

There may be traffic delays around Saint John’s due to temporary lane closures. Maps of the marathon route are available on the “Information” table in the gallery by the front door of the church.

Attention All Interested in the Walk to Emmaus

All in the Saint John’s congregation and beyond who are either interested in attending a Walk to Emmaus or have already attended, please contact Liz Stewart at 794-8322 if you did not indicate this last year on our Every Member in Ministry form. We are hoping to make the opportunity available to all who want to go, and encourage all who have been to participate in making it possible for “pilgrims” to attend!

On May 1-4 there is a women’s walk scheduled at Baptist Highland Lakes about 45 minutes from Saint John’s. Both Rev. Pat Thomas and Liz Stewart will be there as team members for the weekend. We think it will be a great opportunity for the women of Saint John’s who have been waiting to go to take this step in your spiritual journeys!

On Sunday, Feb. 17 following our 11:00 a.m. service we will have a lunch for all interested. Those who have been on a “walk” are asked to bring a dish to share. Those who are interested in going (men and women) please come enjoy lunch and find out more about the Walk to Emmaus for addtional information. If you are planning to attend our luncheon, please let Liz know by calling the number above or by emailing Liz. De colores!

Weekly Noon Communion Service in Chapel

Join us for mid-week worship in the Chapel as we share music, scripture, a message and the holy meal of Communion. We celebrate weekly communion at 12:10 p.m. each Wednesday.

Pat Thomas will provide the message on Feb. 20. Make this worship service a part of your schedule!

Thursday Night Worship 7:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

February 21: Bobbi Kaye will bring a message on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and the meaning of Holy Communion. Songs written by Gillian Welch, Peter Mayer and other classic communion hymns led by The Gospel Birds.

A Future with Hope Campaign Nearer to Goal

Commitment cards continue to flow in for our campaign to support Saint John’s general fund (budget) in 2008. As of February 10th total commitments are $830,552 from 188 individuals and families. Our goal is annual commitments for $900,000 and we have reached 92% of goal so far.

It’s not too late to make your commitment, but the 2008 campaign is nearing completion. Please ask for a card at the church office or request that we mail you one. All Saint John’s family members are encouraged to give regularly, proportionally to income—and to consider making a commitment, for indeed we have “A Future with Hope!”

Prayer Thoughts

Discipleship Witness, Sunday February 17 by Al Lindsey

That's me on the far right of the picture, with my three sons and two daughters-in-law, as the six of us prayerfully give each other neck massages.

My question is “what does it mean to ‘pray without ceasing’?” To attempt to give an answer I will be relating three separate incidents from my life: one old, one new and one semi-recent. Tune in this Sunday, same times, same stations.

Grace & Peace, Al

Saint John's, A Praying Congregation

by Liz Stewart

A week and a half ago we kicked off our 2008 prayer campaign, “Saint John’s UMC: a praying congregation”. In last week’s newsletter, I noted that prayer teacher extraordinaire Jane Vennard of CO believes the ministry of a “praying congregation” is simply to help us prepare our hearts for prayer. This leads the question, “how do we prepare our hearts to truly become a praying congregation?” Last week’s article mentioned that talking about prayer is an excellent starting point. This can be as easy as asking people about their prayer life, and asking what prayers are on their hearts. It can be assuring those in your circle you will include their concerns in your prayers.

If talking about real-time prayers and praying feels awkward, Vennard suggests we begin by thinking and talking about how we learned to pray. Speaking of how we learned to pray gets our memories flowing and allows stories to naturally emerge. It helps us open up and get the prayer conversations going.

My earliest memory of prayer is praying with my dad before bedtime when I was a pre-schooler. We thanked God for various blessings, and then named each person in our extended family and asked God’s blessing upon each. (This photo would have been taken around 1968, about the time of these memories.) My dad was a newspaper reporter and this picture must have been taken one day when I was “working” with him at his office and we were having discussion of something of great interest…looking at this photo today I think that conversation could accurately have been described as a prayer!)

By the time I was in college I had a well-memorized very long prayer that was dutifully recited each night. My next big prayer memory was in 1997 when I was a pilgrim on a Walk to Emmaus and was given the opportunity to pray aloud for the first time. I was so nervous; and it was an exhilarating experience.

Prayer comes more naturally to me now, but the discipline of prayer is something I’m still working daily on to improve. Preparing our hearts for prayer can certainly include the practice or discipline of praying. I’ve noticed that prayer inspires more prayer and authentic prayer, for me, encourages a more healthy and balanced life. It certainly creates in me “warm heart” experiences, and isn’t that what really illustrates spiritual connection? I hope so.

Won’t you start thinking of how you learned to pray, and share some of those memories with me or others? And may we all become more prayerful, especially during this season of Lent.

Children’s Palm Sunday Processional

All children are invited to participate in the Palm Sunday Processional, March 16th during the 11:00 a.m. service. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 10:50 a.m. to collect our palms and receive instruction. Children of all ages are welcome--parents of toddlers bring your little ones and participate too!

CROP Hunger Walk 2008 - Sat/Sun March 1-2, 2008

Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2, 2008
The CROP Walk for Hunger is an annual nationwide event sponsored locally by AAIM. In 2007, walkers representing some 110 faith communities and other organizations raised almost $122,000. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised stay in Austin to support food needs in local agencies. The rest go to more than 80 countries to alleviate hunger worldwide.

Be a CROP walker for our church in 2008.

Contact Pat Stewart (506-8367).

Bring Your Basket

Children's Easter Egg Hunt
Palm Sunday, March 16, Noon
(immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service)

Bring your basket to the Children's Easter Egg Hunt! All children 5th grade or younger are invited to participate in this annual event. Each child will need to bring 1 dozen “stuffed” plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt. Please make sure all eggs are numbered 1-12.

Easter eggs should be placed in the labeled containers provided in the Gallery prior to the 11:00 a.m. worship service. After the service all children and parents should gather in the Fellowship Hall for information and hunt locations. Hope you will be able to attend and don’t forget your basket!

The Children’s Ministry Needs You

We need teachers to teach the 1st-4th graders in Sunday School. The commitment is minimal and the reward is great. We provide the curriculum and basic supplies; you plan and teach! Please prayerfully consider supporting this important education ministry! Please prayerfully consider this gift of ministry! If you have any questions, please contact Kim Graley (507-3141).

Current teaching opportunities:

• February 17, and 24: Games Teacher & Assistant, Storytelling Teacher & Assistant
• March 2 and 9: Art Sunday: Two Assistants
• March 16: Video Sunday: Video Teacher and Assistant
• March 24 and 30: Video Sunday: Games Teacher and Assistant, Cooking Teacher and Assistant

Attention Families

Are you already planning your summer vacation? Make sure to plan it around Vacation Bible School. Mark your calendars and plan to attend V.B.S. the week of July 14-18. The week will be filled with fun Bible adventures, games, music, crafts and more! Kids ages 4 (by May 1) through entering 4th graders are invited to join us from 9:00 – 12:00 each day. More details to come.

Vacation Bible School Director Needed

As with any ministry of Saint John’s, Vacation Bible School depends on the commitment from many volunteers to make this event happen. We are currently looking for a V.B.S. Director to help coordinate and organize this event. The director will help in recruiting a team of volunteers and work with last year’s director in planning for supplies, set-up etc. We would like to have a V.B.S. Director in place by the end of February. Please contact Kim Graley at 452-5737 for details.

Additional VBS Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are also needed to to teach in the various VBS learning stations. This event takes at least 15-20 adult volunteers not including the ten youth that help out each year. Please prayerfully consider volunteering to help with Vacation Bible School so that we can provide a wonderful week of mission/outreach, learning, and fun for children within Saint John’s and our community!

Senior Adults Games Day -Thursday, March 6

The first Thursday of every month, senior adults meet in room 208 at 9:30 a.m. for Games Day. Join us for dominos, cards and board games.

Change in Newsletter, E-newsletter

If you receive the Saint John’s Newsletter via email, you will soon notice a change. As part of our continuing effort to be more efficient, spend less time, and save money, we will begin sending the e-newsletter as an Adobe .pdf attachment, instead of the current .html format. If you don’t speak computerese, not to worry! You’ll probably just be able to click on the attached file and view the newsletter easily. If not, you can contact Diana Mullin at the church office, and she (hopefully!) will be able to “fix it”. An email with more information will be sent prior to the change.

Gardening as Prayer Text

Several people have asked for a transcript of Tom Spencer’s “gardening as prayer” talk last Sunday at Saint John’s. It is now on his website. Click here to view the transcript.

Enfolded in Prayer

submitted by Kathy Kyle

“My prayers do not change God; my prayers change me by uplifting my attitude to align with the divine plan. Prayer is the means by which I adjust my perception to see the good outcomes ahead for myself and others.

Like brilliant beams of sunlight reflecting off a mirror, my prayers for healing shine out to enfold and comfort others. I do not plead with God to change a situation. I affirm that the loving presence of God is active in and through my life and in and through the lives of those for whom I pray.

I don’t claim to know what is best for them, but I know that God does.”

–author unknown

Rev. Dr. Arun Jones installed to the John W. and Helen Lancaster Chair of Evangelism and Missions at Austin Seminary

Austin Seminary associate professor and Saint John’s Member Arun Jones was installed to the John W. and Helen Lancaster Chair of Evangelism and Missions on Nov. 28, 2007 in Shelton Chapel. Jones joined the Austin Seminary faculty in 2002 to teach mission and evangelism. He holds a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MDiv from Yale University Divinity School, and a BA from Yale University.

The son of Methodist missionaries in India, Jones was raised in India and came to the United States to attend Yale University. Upon graduation from college, he served as a mission intern and missionary for four years in the Philippines with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church and then attended seminary at Yale Divinity School. An ordained minister in The United Methodist Church, Jones has served congregations in Connecticut and New Jersey.

At Austin Seminary, Jones teaches courses on the worldwide mission of the church, as well as the church in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the history of evangelism in the U.S.A. He provides leadership on several faculty committees and is active in six scholarly guilds. Jones also preaches and teaches frequently in Presbyterian and United Methodist churches. In January 2008, Jones, co-led a group of Austin Seminary students (including Renee Speed) on a travel seminar to Bali and East Java. The seminar, titled, “Contextualization of the Gospel in Bali and Java, Indonesia,” will allow participants to study how Protestant churches in Hindu Bali and Muslim East Java are proclaiming and living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The John W. and Helen Lancaster Chair of Evangelism and Missions was established in 1990 by the First Presbyterian Church of Houston, Texas.

ed.- Article text taken mostly from news release issued by Austin Seminary on 11/16/07.

Lost and Found

• Black frame sunglasses, Eyeglasses
• Black REI gloves
• Child’s red knit gloves
• Black velvet headband
• Long sleeve blue t-shirt (ConocoPhillips logo)
• Black small cotton-spandex hoodie w/zipper
• Child’s pink, black and white purse with green “L”
• Fisher-Price Doodle-Pro toy
• Various Christmas plates
• Red and black insulated mug w/lid and handle
• Clear Pyrex bowl
• Various plastic containers (Ziploc, take-a-long, etc.)
• Book:The Powers that Be by Walter Wink
• Book:Prayers that Avail Much by Germaine Copeland
• Icicle light clips

If you recognize any of the following jewelry, please see Audrey in the church office.

• Large silver hoop earring
• silver teardrop earring
• Silver James Avery ichthus earring
• Pearl & gold earring
• Long dangling silver and bead earring
• Silver heart charm
• Gold butterfly charm
• Silver ring with mood stone
• Silver and turquoise ring

All 5th and 6th graders are invited to join their crew on Sunday mornings at the Youth House
for a very cool hour of donuts
and fun in Christ!
9:45-10:45 a.m.

Saint John’s staff and prayer group members pray for these people each week. To have your prayers of joys and concerns added to the list, please submit them in writing to the office. Please include your name and phone number.

• Marine Riley Callahan (Jane Wilson's grandson)
• Luc Dauvin (Hilary Marchbank's cousin)
• Wesley Ebbers (Susan Harrelson’s nephew)
• Matthew Huff (Diane and Tom King’s nephew)
• Wesley Iley (Cecil Allert's grandson)
• Brandon Kloppe (Elissa Kloppe’s husband)
• Cpl. Justin Kloppe (Elissa Kloppe’s brother-in-law)
• Damon McCullough (Virgil McCullough's cousin)
• Alexandria Ogg (Montgomery's cousin)
• Sean Pavelka (Kim Graley’s cousin)
• SSGT Hans Pugh (Tim Pugh's son)
• Brian Rabel (Mollie and John McColpin’s grandson)
• Cpl. Peyton Sackett (Randi Wardian’s friend)
• Jeff Smith (Audra Morgenroth's husband)
• Mark Tilma (Megan Montgomery's fiance)
• Col. Kenneth Tovo (Kathie’s brother)
• Thomas Walker (Johanna’s husband)
• Chester Wall (Karen Young's nephew)
• Scott Zaleski (Judy & Cy Zaleski’s son)