News from St. John's

A Voice in the Wilderness

2019-10-29

Hidden

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:3 ESV)

Where is your life hidden?
Paul, writing to the church in Colossae reminds us that our life...the life that matters...is the one that we share with Christ in our baptism.
The life that is buried with Christ.
The life that is dead to self.
The life that is found when I loose it and lose it.
Ah, but there lies the rub: letting loose of my life.

Sometimes I find that there are places where I still want to hold out. I hang on to control for all I am worth. I try to tell God the terms of my surrender while I "hide" in the stronghold of my self-will.
And God, who is rich in mercy, waits. Because "Love is patient" (1Cor. 13:4).

I throw out excuses and try to reason.
I make empty promises and tell myself that I really am in the right.
And yet He waits.

So I poke my head out (and a little white flag) and realize that I am surrounded by my friend, not my enemy! I find to my surprise and delight that I have nothing to fear. The self-will, which has run riot in my life, melts away as I let go of the old self, the old life, and find that my life has been hidden... secure, and safe all along!

Blessings,

Matthew+


	Coming up...

All Saints Day

This Sunday, November 3rd, we celebrate All Saints Day (November 2nd at Cranmer Chapel). It is a day when we celebrate those saints and martyrs, known and unknown who have gone before us.

Who are the "Saints" that have helped you grow in your life of faith?

Daylight Savings Ends Nov. 3

Remember: This weekend the clocks fall back Saturday evening for Daylight Saving Time. Plan accordingly, or you can be here early to help us set up.

Deacon Kaye is going on a mission trip!

On Monday, the 4th of November I will be leaving for Nogales, Arizona with several other members of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. This could be a real life changing experience! While I am gone I ask for your prayers.

We will be working in a shelter and a children's health clinic. This mission is part of our Baptismal Covenant, "to seek and serve Christ in all persons". My hope is that God will open my servant heart and to help me serve with my eyes and heart wide open.

I will give a talk at St. John's in Granby about our experiences after I return. This will be on Thursday, November 14th at 7:00 PM. All are welcome. (Hopefully, I will have pictures to share!)

Trunk (Trick) or Treat!

Thank you to everyone who made our participation in Trick or Treat Main Street on October 25th. We had a great time as we passed out goodies (full sized candy bars and bouncy balls) to the kids and families in our community. Check out a few pictures on Facebook here.

Eucharistic Visitor Training

St. John's held a Eucharistic Visitor training led by Kaye Piper on Saturday, October 26. Thank you to three of our members: Kristin Craig, Monica Fuqua, and Teri Jurgens who took part in this important training.

A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person, confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, who is authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration.

City Market Rewards Program

Do you shop at City Market or King Soopers? If you do, St. John's can benefit benefit every time you go grocery shopping. We are participating in City Market Community Rewards program. You can be part of this by enrolling here. Once you enroll, look us up by our Organization name: St. John's Episcopal Church or Organization Number: TU289

Church Directory

We are in the process of updating our church directory. Please click here to fill out your current information.

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