Sunday service for 11 June 2023

Today’s service is all on video, recorded this morning in the sanctuary. There is no manuscript today. Thanks to Lorna V for sharing her story of volunteering in Ghana this past spring, it’s a beautiful testimony to the work of God in another community.

* The video of today’s service begins with the final announcement: the citation from Presbytery regarding the meeting on the 20th of June to receive the Faith Nurture/General Trustee amendments to the Clyde Presbytery Mission Plan. Clyde Presbytery will meet on Tuesday 20 June when we expect that the Presbytery Mission Plan to be finally approved so we can move into the implementation phase, which includes pursuing St John’s vision of becoming even more of a community church. If you have questions about that, please feel free to ask Teri!

* Registration is open for St John’s Summer Exploratorium, our new summer holiday club for P1- P7 children, will be from 24-28 July, 9am – 1pm. More information and registration will be available soon. If you would be interested in helping with advance preparation (decorating, advertising, etc), or during the week in the kitchen (breakfast club from 8:30am, or lunch), or during the week with the programme (which requires being added to our Safeguarding/PVG register), please speak to Teri or Graham Bolster.

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and all Sunday worship is also online (or on the phone at 01475 270037, or in print). If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door. If you feel unwell, please worship online, to protect both yourself and others in our community.

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £2700 per week? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Teri and she can give you the treasurer’s details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 

*Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email devotions! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. Feel free to share with your friends, too!

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets in the manse on at 7:30pm. All are welcome as we finish our Bible-in-a-year…only the book of Revelation left to go, for the next two weeks!

* The Kirk Session meets on the 15th of June at 7:30pm in the sanctuary.

* A funeral service for Jim Hay will be held on Wednesday 21 June at 12 noon at the crematorium.

* A funeral service for Betty Kemp will be held on Thursday 29 June at 11am at the crematorium.

* Organist Philip Norris will play a recital in the St John’s sanctuary on Friday 23 June at 7pm. Donations at the door will be for both the church and Starter Packs.

* 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the 2nd Gourock Boys’ Brigade. Our anniversary Grand Charity Ball will be Saturday 9th September 6.00 for 6.30pm in Greenock Town Hall. Tickets priced £50 or £500 for a table of 10 are available now from BB leaders. The benefitting Charities have been selected and will be announced shortly. We are delighted to announce that every penny raised from ticket sales and our charity auction on the evening will go directly to our chosen charities. This event is open to all so please spread the word, book your table, put the date in your diary and look forward to what we are sure will be a Second To None evening of enjoyment and celebration.

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.