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Dear St. John's Family,
As we celebrate our Risen Lord Jesus who ascended into Heaven, we give thanks for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that remains with us through all things. Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came upon the early disciples who then turned their world upside down. Our world desperately needs a Holy Spirit revolution thru us that brings God's love, peace and Word to bear in our present moment.
IF NOT YOU...WHO? IF NOT NOW...WHEN? IF NOT HERE..WHERE?
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Act 1:8)
Be Blessed by Let the Fire Fall
Holy Spirit Blessings,
Fr. Joseph
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Parish Secretary
For any changes to current meetings and events on the calendar please notify parishsecretary@stjohnsnaples.com
Would you like to include your picture in the Instant Church Directory? Get familiarized with Instant Church Directory; it is a great way to get to know each other as well as communicate with one another using the information provided at your fingertips. Please email your photo (jpeg image) to parishsectretary@stjohnsnaples.com. For further instructions on how to download the app or log into your directory, please scroll down to the Instant Church Directory information in this Enews.
If you’re heading north for the summer, please stay in touch with St. John’s by sending your email address and contact information to Claudia at parishsecretary@stjohnsnaples.com and visiting www.stjohnsnaples.com. May you have a blessed and safe summer.
We look forward hearing from you.
Claudia Trejos
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Sr. Warden
The Unmasked Singer
Over the past year, what I missed the most was singing with the choir at the 10:00 AM Sunday services. I missed my choir family: Toni, Connie, Medea, Mary Lou, Sally, Phyllis, George, Charley, Charlie, Jimmy, and Ham.
Don’t get me wrong. Live streaming was a great bridge to in-person worship—Glenn continued to make glorious music, and we could sing along with Fr. Joe’s clear tenor. The e-ticket reservation system enabled us to come to church confident that we were adhering to the limits on attendance. I was so glad to come into His presence with singing—albeit seated back in the congregation and fully masked -- parking lot to parking lot. A few friends told me they were fearful coming to worship in person because, as they streamed the service on their devices, they saw people without masks, singing, and not socially distancing. I wasn’t especially fearful for myself, but I didn’t want to inadvertently discourage anyone from returning to church. Then we added the masked service giving those an option and showing them how much we cared.
We are so grateful to the Boulter family: Julian, So Young and Yasmin for leading our congregational singing—soon joined by Natalie, Kathy, Rosalind, and last, but by no means least, Ken.
Now that I’m a full two weeks beyond my second COVID vaccination, I’m shedding the mask. It may be fall before the full choir formally re-assembles, but until then I’ll join those who delight in making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Wherever and however you’re worshipping our amazing God, sing praises!!
Donna Beecher
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Jr. Warden
I am happy to say that St. John’s Buildings & Grounds are up to date and in excellent shape and all that is presently required to maintain them in this condition is routine maintenance. All of the current major projects and upgrades have been completed.
The next area that is going to be addressed is a complete renovation of the children’s play land. I am presently seeking vendors who provide and install this type of equipment. This will be a major project in that the area where the play land is located is within a storm water basin which must be certified periodically. As such, we can replace the play land equipment in the same general location but we cannot alter the capacity or function of the storm water basin.
Jim Etz
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Youth Program Director
Sunday School had a busy month learning about Easter and the ascension of Jesus. We have continued to work in our prayer journals, which all the children love! The children even enjoyed our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday! We will continue to learn about God through our Bible stories and hands-on activities. We will read bible stories that focus on: God is faithful and he does what he says, God knows exactly what I need, God always keeps his promises and God wants us to talk to him through prayer.
Sunday School is at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings. Children and teachers attending Sunday school are required to wear masks. We hope you can join us! The nursery will be available for the 10:00 AM Sunday morning service.
If you have any questions or would like to stay updated on what is going on with our Sunday school or nursery programs, please feel free to contact me at youth@stjohnsnaples.com
Dayna Sottosanti
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Please Give
You can mail your gift to the church a
St. John's Episcopal Church
500 Park Shore Drive
Naples, FL 34103
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Outreach Grant Celebration
St. John's awarded 10 Collier Charities $210,000 in 2020. One Charity will be in focus each month.
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Harry Chapin Food Bank of South West Florida
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Gift Report
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Harry Chapin Food Bank has modified our Fulfill Mobile Pantry distribution model to a drive-thru distribution. Our distribution moved from a choice pantry to the distribution of prepacked shelf-stable food kits, supplemented with fresh produce and products when available. Each kit is roughly 20 pounds of food that provides a family of four with enough food for five days. This model requires the purchase of food which is not our normal practice. Each week, Harry Chapin Food Bank distributes more than 1,500 kits in Collier County. The funds received from your generous parish were used to help provide one week of 1,500 food kits at our drive-thru distributions in Collier County. We are incredibly grateful to your parish for their faithful support during these uncertain times.
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St. John’s Shoppe is one of this parishes’ largest ministries. We offer quality “nearly new” men and women’s clothing. We have furniture, home accessories, and jewelry. We are open six days per week from 10 AM to 5 PM. The Shoppe is truly one of God’s wonders as for the past thirty-five years, we have been able to provide local charities with funds so that they, in turn, can help those that need help.
We will start limited hours on June 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021 from 10AM to 2PM. The COVID-19 has in many ways changed the way we operate our shop as well as how we live, yet St. John's Shoppe has continued to grow. We have wonderful volunteers, a great manager, an assistant manager, and devoted cashiers.
Your support is always welcome. If you have not visited the Shoppe in the past, we ask that you take a break from your busy life and come and see.
Stay healthy and God bless you.
Faye Bruso
Tamiami Square. 14700 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34110. 239-597-9518
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VIEW OF THE ALTAR - BLAST FROM THE PAST!
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National Prayer Day Thursday, May 6th, 2021
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
Go out into your community to pray with people and offer them encouragement. Start by praying together as a group and asking the Lord to lead you to the right people, and then praying with people as you feel led.
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Noteworthy News
Women's Bible Study meets Mondays at 10 AM in Sugden Hall through May 3. Women’s Bible Study will restart October 25. Questions? Please contact Jan Eveleigh at 239-682-5339.
Sisters for Life gather Mondays at 5:30 PM in Brewster Hall. Please contact Dee Hayes at 239-784-8759.
Co-Ed Bible Study continues as we study the book of Acts. Tuesday’s from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. We will meet in Brewster Hall. We welcome anyone who would like to join us. Contact Joan McCarthy at 331-625-2196.
Men's Bible Study fellowships on Wednesdays at 7:30 AM in Brewster Hall. Bring your own coffee. Plenty of room to distance. We continue our study of Matthew. Please contact Skip at ruchstewart@yahoo.com.
Order of St. Luke gathers Wednesdays at 10 AM in Sugden Hall.
OSL healing prayer continues on Sunday during the service. For healing prayer at any other time, please contact Vickie Bauch at 239-249-0957.
Stitches of Love will not meet until Friday, October 8, 2021 - 10:00 AM until noon in Brewster Hall. Questions please contact Jane Kindorf at 630-542-1243 or Mary Frances Aiken at the 239-450-3199.
Join 40DAYS4HIM and Lou Engle in a 40 day Yeshua fast for the repentance and revival of Israel from Wednesday (4/14)-Sunday (5/23). Register at www.louengle.com and fasting ideas at www.openheavenrevival.org.
St. John's worship services are Saturday 5 PM and Sunday 9AM & 10 AM. Join us in person or via live stream!
Enews deadline is Friday (May 14th)
Christian Healing Center of Naples announces Daniel Murray will lead healing and miracle evening at St. John’s May 12th, 2021 at 6 PM. Come and enjoy worship Daniel teaching expecting God for healing. Contact Mike@CHCNaples.org for any questions.
International Soprano Jeanette Vecchione-Donatti in concert Sunday, May 30th at 4:00 PM. Please join us for this very special afternoon of Opera & American Classics to raise money for the Community Pregnancy Clinics. An outdoor reception with refreshments will follow the concert. All are welcome! Please register at www.jeanettesoprano.eventbrite.com.
Memorial Day: The office is closed Monday (5/31) Happy Memorial Day!
We The Kingdom will be in concert at First Assembly of God in Ft. Myers on Thursday (6/17) at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available online.
Life Relaunch will be at St. John’s on the following dates: Women’s (6/18 -6/19). For more information, contact Susan Uresti at susan@liferelaunch.org.
Plan your Pilgrimage to the Holy Land June 20-29, 2022. For more information please contact Cathy Latimer at cathylatimer123@gmail.com.
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Avow will host their annual “Armed Forces Appreciation Day” ceremony on May, 14, 2021 at 10:00AM-11:00AM at the Ispiri Center, 1205 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples, FL 34105. Reservations are required. Contact Mark Beland at 239-285-9300 mark.beland@avowcares.org with any questions or to reserve a seat.
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Christian Healing Center of Naples has a new location close to St. Johns at 3435 10th St. N., Suite 301, Naples, FL 34103. Call them at 239-315-4630 or visit them online at www.chcnaples.org
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God Bless America Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord
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Facility Key Release Form is available at the office. You will be asked to to fill out a form when a key is released. The key return date will be filled out by the office staff.
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For Lost and Found inquires, please contact the church office. We may have found your item! Any items found, please feel free to drop it off at the office.
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St. John’s WiFi system is present in all buildings.
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Pentecost Observance starts Sunday May 23rd. Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 40 days after Easter. Pentecost literally means the day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles causing them to speak in tongues.
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Parish People
New Members: N/A
Transfer: Zandy and Leslie Campbell
Deaths: Anthony Murray Leigh and Ruth Randazzo
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St. John's Pastoral Care
St. John's has robust pastoral care ministries that have been in place for years with numerous people involved.
Benevolence Fund is available for those in financial need via consultation with Fr. Joe. We also have numerous community contacts that can be of great assistance!
Caring Callers have contacted parishioners during the lock down and recently to provide encouragement. Thanks Katy!
Caring Cards are sent by Spirit Alive members to parishioners in need or for joyful encouragement. Fr. Joe also sends out birthday and anniversary cards monthly.
Pastoral Visitation can be arranged by emailing Fr. Joe at clergy@stjohnsnaples.com
Prayer Concerns can be emailed to Claudia at parishsecretary@stjohnsnaples.com with the name and concern. She'll share this with intercessors and they may be placed on our worship service prayer list.
Order of St. Luke offers healing prayer during worship services and Wednesdays. Please contact Vickie Bauch at gramv1951@icloud.com to schedule healing prayer.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors are available upon request by contacting the church office at 239-261-2355.
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Please Pray For
Darren, Linda & Dennis, Jackie, Mary Jane, Lucia, Leesa, Michael, David, Trish, Marty & Family, David, Sue, Susann, small businesses, St. John's Parishioners and Families.
Names are kept on the prayer list for 4 weeks unless the office is notified.
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All Your Heart’s Desire
“Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart’s desires.” Psalm 34:4 (TLB)
I was at West Virginia University for summer school when one of my girlfriends invited me to a Tuesday night prayer meeting. When I didn’t accept the invitation, she kept on. “Let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go,” she insisted. Halfway through the summer, I agreed.
The first night I went to the Newman Center, the center for Catholic WVU campus ministry, the church was packed by 250 college students in the middle of summer! The church was called Light of Life.
A young man played his guitar at the front of the church. I was so attracted to his peacefulness. Even though I had a solid Christian base, I’ve always had a churning within me but, as I listened to him play so serenely, I felt at peace myself.
At the end of the prayer meeting, the young man walked down the aisle. When he saw me, he said, “Hi.” I said, “Hi,” in return, and I never saw him again until school started in the fall. I’d later learn that my first night at Light of Life was his only night. The center needed a guitar player that Tuesday, and he’d volunteered. I became a regular attendee that summer hoping to see him again. I didn’t even know his name.
Although I was in a sorority and already had many friends, I began to make new ones from my involvement with the Newman Center. When Joseph Maiocco (that was his name!) returned to campus that fall, we gravitated toward one another doing things together with a group of on-fire Christians. On Friday nights, we ministered at Kennedy Youth Center, a low security prison for youthful offenders. We never really dated. We just were friends, but our friendship grew until we both knew it was something special.
Just before spring break, Joe said he thought we should both pray while we were away from one another, asking God to help us discern his will for us. While I went away with my sorority for spring break, Joe went to a monastery!
When we returned to campus to complete the term, Joe asked me what I felt the Lord was telling us to do. “You go first,” I told him, holding my breath. He said he felt the Lord was telling us that we’re going to be together, that we should commit to each other.
“I believe that, too,” I said, releasing my breath and smiling. From that time to this, through many trials and triumphs, we’ve been a good team. Not perfect, but committed. Committed to one another and to the God who continually gives us all the desires of our hearts.
Janet Maiocco
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Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter. It occurs 39 days after Easter Sunday. It is a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, according to Christian belief.
The Bible says Jesus promised the disciples that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and asked them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come.
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