St. John's Women's Ministry

Christmas Caroling

2011-11-15T13:21:00.001-08:00

Friday December 16th

This event is open to EVERYONE! We will be boarding a bus and sharing the joy of our Saviors birth with our shut-ins and area nursing homes. This is a great family event! All are welcome, the more the merrier! We will have hot chocolate and doughnuts on the bus.

We begin at St. John's at 6pm and try to return by 9pm. Bring your friends and your friends friends~ open to all not just members of the church.

This is my favorite event of the year and I know if you join us you too will feel the same. It is such a joy to bring a smile to the faces of so many!

2011-11-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Make you own handmade Chrismtas Cards!

Christmas Cards--2 Dates-Different Cards each day!

Class One--Saturday November 12--10 am -3pm
Make 10 Christmas Cards -- all different!
You will need to supply your own envelopes and adhesive.

Class Two--Saturday November 25--10 am - 3 pm
Make 10 Christmas Cards -- all different!
You will need to supply your own envelopes and adhesive.

If you do both classes you will have 20 different original cards to send to your loved ones. Please be sure to RSVP early! Seats are limited.

No experience needed. Call Mary Jo 812-2639 for more details. You must RSVP to have supplies ready for you.

Planning meeting tonight!

2011-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

All right ladies! I know I have not been posting on here but I am going to give it one more shot and see if we can get members to use it to know what is going on with the women of St. John's. Hopefully we can promote it better this time around.

Please join us tonight as we plan the 2012 events! We will be working on budget and dates for events. Bring any ideas you may have or just come to fellowship with us. See ya there.

Where: St. John's west room
When: 6:30 pm Tuesday-November 15th

Our First Annual Women's Retreat!

2011-04-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

More details coming soon!

Women's Retreat

Where

Holdiay Valley Resort

More Info

We would love to have you join us. Our retreat will be featuring the Loving Well study by Beth Moore. You won't want to miss this. Time for connecting with other women of faith and building a stronger relationship with Jesus! The event will be all inclusive and have four different price choices.

We need your help with our newest fund raiser!

2011-03-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Card Party Fund Raiser Planning Meeting
Thanks to everyone who has been offering to help out with this fund raiser. We will have our first planning meeting on Monday, April 11 at 7pm. Please join us! The are many ways to help. Won't you consider joining us. We will need people to help plan, to help set up, to help clean up, to serve lunch, prepare lunch, to help get donations for basket auction, to help run basket auction, to help partner up card players with groups on day of event and so much more. Anyone can help so don't be shy! Call Mary Jo at 716-662-7888 or yourrep@roadrunner.com.

Join us on Tuesday Evenings for a book study.

2011-03-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

5 Love Languages Book Study

What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! We will be spending seven weeks, leaning, sharing and discovering though the study of the Book The 5 Love Languages. Won't you join us. Beginning on Tuesday April 5 and continuing each Tuesday through May 24th. We will not meet on April 19 as many will be going away during Spring Break. First meeting will be at St. John's and we will discuss moving to an off site location--Mangia, Panera, Coffee Shop or other. Meeting will run from 7pm to 8-8:15. If you will be needing a book please let Mary Jo know at 716-662-7888 or yourrep@roadrunner.com.

Bottles for Babies

2011-03-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this fun event last year. Well we are doing it again! You will be able to pick up a baby bottle at any of the services on April 9th and 10th. Start saving your change now! The thank you letter from last years donation is hanging on the Women's ministry bulletin board! We did a fabulous job--let's do it again! All funds raised go to the Harvest House Baby Ministry located in South Buffalo.

Do you need this today??

2011-02-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

God put it on my heart to share this video here--so I am assuming one of you need it today!

A thank you from Operation Write Home

2011-01-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

Our next card making date for cards for soldiers will be held on September 10th. We will have the congregation sign the cards on September 11th, the anniversary of the bombings. Hope you will be able to help us!

Save the date NOW!

2011-01-17T03:49:00.000-08:00

Save the date. We are all set for a wonderful night of relaxation and fellowship. We are sending out the date early so you can mark your calendars!

3 M Night--Movie --a real chick flick
Munchies -- pizza
Massages -- I have two people lined up so far but if we need more we can get more.

This is going to be super fun and we hope you will be there. More details will be given as the time gets closer but be sure to mark your calendars NOW!

Feel free to leave a comment with you choice of movie.

Love this--something to think about.

2011-01-07T09:23:00.001-08:00

The question for each man is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.

Frank Hamilton

Times Change--HE remains the same.

2010-12-29T04:53:00.000-08:00

This is interesting.....

2011 Planning Meeting

2010-12-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

We will be meeting to plan our events for the year! We would love to have your input. Please consider coming to the meeting with your ideas. We will be meeting on Tuesday (not Wednesday due to Pastor Nate's various studies) January 4th at 7pm.

Make you own handmade Chrismtas Cards!

2010-11-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Christmas Cards--2 Dates-Different Cards each day!

Class One--Saturday November 20--10 am -1pm
Make 10 Christmas Cards -- all different!
You will need to supply your own envelopes and adhesive.
Cost of the class is $18

Class Two--Saturday December 4--10 am - 1 pm
Make 10 Christmas Cards -- all different!
You will need to supply your own envelopes and adhesive.
Cost of the class is $18

If you do both classes you will have 20 different original cards to send to your loved ones. Please be sure to RSVP early! Seats are limited.

RSVP for Class One -- November15th
RSVP for Class Two -- November 28

Hope to see you soon!

Mary Jo

Love this.

2010-10-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

Come join the fun!

2010-10-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

You're Invited!
Stampin Up Holiday Workshop

October 30th

Holiday Workshop

Want to learn more about what Stampin Up! has to offer you for your holiday needs.

Come spend your morning creating this beautiful box of tags for FREE! That is right, I am hosting a workshop in my home and you are invited. Everyone will make this wonderful project and you will also leave with the written tutorial to re-create it. Bring a friend and receive a coupon for FREE Shipping on any order placed that day. There will be other prizes given away too. Earn a ticket for your chance to win. You can earn your tickets by doing any of the following things. RSVP and earn 1 ticket! Bring a friend that has never been to one of my events and earn 4 tickets and the Free Shipping coupon mentioned above. Place and order and receive a ticket for each $10 spent. Bring a treat to share with the group and earn 2 tickets. Show up on time and earn 2 more tickets. Book a workshop in your home and share the fun of Stampin Up! with your friends and family and earn 5 tickets! I hope to see you there.

Your RSVP must be to me by October 26th so that I have time to prep your supplies

Party Info

Saturday, October 30th
10am to noon
RSVP's mandatory due to amount of prep
Location --my home or other spot close by depending on the number attending.

RSVP by calling 662-7888 or e-mail yourrep@roadrunner.com

Spring Flowering Bulb Fundraiser!

2010-09-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

October 3-10

Be sure to participate in our flowering bulb fundraiser. It is a great way to help out our Women's Ministry while adding beauty to your home. The flowers are guaranteed and BEAUTIFUL!

Call Mary Jo at 662-7888 if you have questions.

We will be taking orders after all services on October 3rd and 10th!

Just for Laughs

2010-09-06T02:59:00.001-07:00

KIDS IN CHURCH
3-year-old Reese :
'Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying:
'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One particular four-year-old prayed,
'And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?'
One bright little girl replied,
'Because people are sleeping.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
'If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
' Ryan , you be Jesus !'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
'Daddy, what happened to him?' the son asked.
'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
'Did God throw him back down?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
'Would you like to say the blessing?'
'I wouldn't know what to say,' the girl replied.
'Just say what you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
'Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally the Cookie Swap recipes!

2010-08-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

We tried a new thing this year. We did a cookie swap but we also brought an extra dozen cookies for the City Mission. They people over there were so thankful for the homemade cookies. I finally finished making the recipe books. Here are the pages. If you click on each individual page it will show you the page in a larger format and you can even print it if you want!

Yummy, this made me hungry! Enjoy the recipes. Be watching for this year's exchange.

Mary Jo

Quote of the day--try this it really works.

2010-06-28T02:37:00.001-07:00

The only way to worry about nothing
is to pray about everything.

- Unknown

Love this! From the Brave Girls Club.

2010-06-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Overwhelmed Girl,

Do you have the completely irrational belief that so many of us have that
you can be everything to everyone....especially to those that you love? Do
you believe it’s your job to keep them all happy, to help them with everything
that they are struggling with and to then go out and save the world in your
free time?

Do you over commit and then beat yourself up when you under-deliver?

Are there a million things on your list that were really really important that
you didn’t even get to because you got caught up in doing things that weren’t
nearly AS important?

Ok now.....take a deep breath. Now...take another one. One more.

Remember that you are wonderful. You are loved.....and, phenomenal friend...
amazing woman.........you are a human being. You DO have limitations and it is
totally ok for you to say no sometimes....lots of times. In fact, it is essential.

When you don’t stop to rest....to think....to recharge....to remember....
to restore.....you end up grouchy, tired, uncreative, angry and numb to lots of
life. You are a sparkling, beautiful girl and we need that sparkle.....so STOP
today and make a list....prioritize it...be realistic. Say no to at least 3
things today..........practice.

Say yes to yourself....to joy...to rest....to being 100% present to the things
that matter most to you..instead of a tired and diluted version who has too much
to do to ever do her best at ANYTHING. Don’t lose yourself while you are trying to
be everything to everyone....

If at all possible....only have enough on your plate that you can do your best at
everything you have to do.......your life will take on new meaning and happiness.

Just practice...this is a hard one, but so worth it. Hang in there......you are loved!

Xoxo

We are AWESOME! Look what some spare change can do!

2010-05-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to enlarge!

Thank you for the fabulous results with this!
Mary Jo

Mommy and Me class was so much fun.

2010-05-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

We had the Mommy and Me class on Saturday and it was so fun. The kids and adults too, made fun flower barrettes, hats, coozies, hairbands and decorations with a frog and the saying Leap for the Lord!

I will post pictures of the project soon.

Something to think about

2010-05-15T07:10:00.001-07:00

Quote of the Day

I can't believe that God
put us on this earth
to be ordinary.

- Lou Holtz

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up....

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little

Voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother........

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom...

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair..

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she

Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

author unknown.

I hope your day is blessed with much love and some time to spend on YOU!

You are special and deserve to be praised today!

Mary Jo

I love this. Check it out!

2010-05-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

I got an e-mail from Donna the other day that had a link to this in it. Thought it was worth posting here! Send your friends to see it--especially if they are NOT YET saved!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

2010-05-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

The baby shower was a great success. Thanks to everyone who helped out and donated food! We have the best members here at St. Johns! I doubt that Laura and Nate will need to buy much at all. This will be the best dressed, cleanest, most entertained baby around!

More details to come. Again you guys are AWESOME! Thank you!

Mary Jo

May Newsletter Information

2010-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

You can click on the page to enlarge it.

Minutes from April Meeting

2010-04-14T04:44:00.001-07:00

ST. JOHN’S WOMENS’ MINISTRY GROUP MEETING

MINUTES

DATE: April 7, 2010

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Mary Jo Price-Williams Sandy Connors
Linda Bradley Shelly Szpara

1. Opening prayer & Devotion --Mary Jo Price Williams.

2. Monopoly –We discussed the monopoly game idea and decided to cancel the plan. Mary Jo suggested a family fun day instead. Mary Jo will find out more information.

3. Mom’s Group – No news.

4. Mommy and Me Class – Some money was lost due to low attendance but it was enjoyed by those attending.

5. Reading at Absolute Nursing Home – Going well. 28 people have signed up. Six went on the initial visit.

6. Cards for Heroes – Six have signed up. Mary Jo will use card fronts that she already has. They will make cards for Mothers’ Day.

7. Baby Shower. 61 signed up on the Fellowship of Worship Form. At the planning meeting it was decided to have desserts, fruit, punch, coffee. The theme will be “May Flowers”. Each table will have a flowering plant as a centerpiece that will be given as a gift – possibly through the use of scratch offs. We will play a bingo game during the time the presents are opened.

8. Baby Bottles – Change Collection. Barb Reichert is supposed to pick up bottles. Mary Jo will check on this.

9. Weekday Bible Study for Women. First week went great. This week will meet again.

10. Sewing Ministry. Sandy Connors planning to meet at Laurie Week’s house for sewing and knitting on a Wednesday evening to be announced.

11. St. Paul’s Ladies Birthday Party. Date changed to April 27 at 7:30 pm. Mary Jo will find out if RSVP is necessary. Mary Jo asked Sharon to put more details in the bulletin. Sandy Connors will tell a lady from St. Paul’s that we are getting the news out.

12. Mammograms and Manicures. Mary Jo is waiting to hear from Southtowns Radiology to see if they can give us a card explaining why a Mammogram is necessary on the front of the card and have a certificate on the back for the spa. Mary Jo checked with our Health Ministry and they are fine with this idea.

13. Future Events:

Movie Night with Manicure/Massage. Mary Jo knows a person who will give massages for $5.00 for 10 minutes. Possibly we could have a movie and have manicures and massages for a charge of $15.00. We will discuss further.

14. Prayer.

Happy Easter--We worship a LIVING God!

2010-04-04T18:54:00.001-07:00

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me (lyrics from In Christ Alone)

Thank you Jesus! I love you.

Here is my absolute favorite Easter Song! I hope you will take a moment to watch it--it may change your life! That is my prayer.

First AM Bible Study Will Begin on March 25th not on the 11th!

2010-03-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

The materials are not here in time to begin on the 11th so we will stay on the same schedule and meet on the 25. Sorry about the change.

Join us on March 25th for our first bi-weekly Women's AM. Bible Study. We are starting out with a DVD series called Discovering your Full Worth in Christ. Here is a brief description for you.

Esteemed Journey: Discovering Your Full Worth in Christ

Women are unique creations designed extraordinarily by God. Yet many of them underestimate themselves, devalue the impact of their purpose, belittle the merit of their passion and fail to grasp their full potential. It is only in the fullness of their worth in Jesus Christ that women can experience all that he has for them as his beloved daughters. Discovering that full worth in Christ is what The Esteemed Journey is all about.

This participant guidebook is a companion to The Esteemed Journey Leader Guide kit, also available from Group. As participants move through the six sessions contained within this personal guidebook and the Leader Guide kit, they will discover for themselves their full worth in Christ as God's Word illuminates...

where their momentum comes from and what keeps them stuck

the rich lessons they can learn from past mistakes

where their internal compass is pointing

the untapped potential Christ wants to release in them

how to respond to their desire for growth, challenge, and inspiration

Each guidebook will lead your participants through engaging discussions and reflective journaling & coaching

The cost of the book is $10 each--if you can afford to pay please do if not please do not worry.

Hope to see you there! Mary Jo

Love this so I thought I would share.

2010-02-17T05:21:00.001-08:00

We need to have a mindset of letting God use us to make somebody else's life better. When we do that, then there's a joy released in us that we're not ever going to get anywhere else.

- Joyce Meyer

Some upcoming events.

2010-02-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

You may need to click on the item to see the larger version

Minutes from February Meeting.

2010-02-16T14:28:00.001-08:00

MINUTES

DATE:	February 3, 2010

TIME:	7:00 p.m.

PRESENT:	Mary Jo Price-Williams	Lisa Ressler
	Linda Van Valkenburgh	Norma Carbeck
	Sandy Connors	Susan Horn
	Dana Ziccardi	Linda Bradley
	Connie Radt	Shelly Szpara

1. Opening prayer & Devotion --Mary Jo Price Williams.

2. Monopoly –Connie prepared a letter to send to businesses to see how much interest there is before the group commits to this project. Mary Jo will contact others. Possibly broaden the scope to Southtownsopoly. St. John would purchase the “court” square and possibly purchase cards with “St. John’s Women’s Ministry” printed on them.

3. Mom’s Group –Twelve people are on a list to be called to coordinate a date to start. The group will then be on their own..

4. Mommy and Me Class –Will be on alternate months.

5. Reading at Absolute Nursing Home – Mary-Jo has forms from Absolute for volunteers to fill out. Mary Jo will scan and attach to the BLOG. Seventeen people have signed up. A date is needed for group orientation. After the initial group orientation readers will go to Absolute at their convenience. Mary Jo suggested that there be a status form for the volunteers to fill out so it can be determined how well the program is running. The books are at the nursing home. Absolute will prepare a list of residents who will be read to.

6. Baby Shower –This item is tabled and will be discussed at a future meeting.

7. Future Events:

March – Undie Sunday

April (showers) – actually baby shower will be held in May. Baby bottles to collect loose change cost 75¢ each. We would save bottles to use each year.

May – Mammograms and manicures. Southtowns Radiology runs a promotion where they give a free manicure or pedicure at the spa next door when a woman gets a mammogram. Mary Jo will run this past Parish Nursing to see if this event would be ok with them. It may possibly be able to be tied in with Mother’s Day.

October – Trunk or treat. Held in the church parking lot. People decorate their trunks and dress up and hand out candy to kids.

January 2011 – Super bowl party for the men at Buffalo City Mission.

All events to be held in the Narthex must be approved by the administration office. Mary Jo will hand in the proposed event calendar for March, April and May.

8. Weekday Bible Study –Eight women are interested. Possible Laura Hartke will lead. Volunteers from the congregation will provide child care.

9. St. Paul’s Ladies Birthday Party April 20, 7:30 p.m. – The women of St. John’s are invited. Official invitations will be sent.

10. Weight Watchers – Mary Jo will put out a notice to find out if there is any interest to have an on-site meeting at St. John’s.

11. Next Meeting – Lenten Potluck, March 3 will be hosted by the women’s group in lieu of a meeting.

Prayer.

Love is in the air!

2010-02-15T06:01:00.000-08:00

1 John 4:10 "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

So much fun at the Cards For Heroes Event!

2010-02-04T03:47:00.000-08:00

We were able to make 300 cards for our congregation to write personal notes to our Heroes who are fighting and serving us! We will be making all occasion cards in April to send to the soldiers blank so they can use them to send back home. Watch for a date!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! It really went well--you guys are GOOD! And some of you said you are not crafty or can't make anything--I hate to say "I told you so" but, well you know!

See ya in April for our next cards for soldiers event!

Mary Jo

HANDBOOK for 2010

2010-02-04T03:38:00.000-08:00

Some great ideas here, been trying to do many of them myself!

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of their
mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of six.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please forward this to everyone you care about, I just did!

"Living for God's glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives."

--Rick Warren, "The Purpose-Driven Life"

January Mommy and Me class.

2010-01-26T15:38:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at the first Mommy and Me class! Remember this will be a bi-monthly class so be sure to mark your calendars.

The next one is March 20th 1-3 pm.

Cost for the class is $10 and includes all supplies for one adult and one child project. Ask about pricing for additional children. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Class can be altered for boys or girls-we just want you to have fun with your child. Please bring a snack to share. At this point we are not putting an age on the class—the pictures for what we are making will be posted on the blog and our bulletin board. You make the call if it is something you and your child would be enjoy. The last part of the class will be snack and fellowship. Sign up in advance 662-7888

Here are a few photos of the projects for January and a couple photos of those who gave me permission to post!

Each Mommy/child team made a photo frame and bookmark for children and a calendar for mom.

Here are the samples of the calendar and photo frame

Here are the samples of the book marks. The saying on them are as follows

If your a bookworm, we are made for each other. apple
Lemon help you keep your place. lemon
Berry yourself in books. Reading is sweet. strawberry
Orange you glad you are reading this book? orange--not shown.

As you can see from the photos the children were all so creative and came up with some wonderful ideas.

There was even a guessing game.

The kids had to guess how many candy hearts were in the container to win it.

January's Devotion

2010-01-26T15:10:00.001-08:00

January Devotion

This is the devotion for the January meeting.

What's There To Live For?September 13thREAD: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 RSV).
Here again is the great motive in the life of the apostle--"the love of Christ controls us." Actually, controls is a word that means constrains us, drives us out, motivates us, and then guides us after we get there, that sets the limits to what we should and should not do. That motive, he says, comes from the sense that Christ loves us.
I do not know anything greater and more powerful as a motivating factor than that. I get terrified sometimes at what God can do to me if I do not behave. That motivates me sometimes. It is a low motivation, but it is there. But the thing that will get to me, when nothing else will, is the continuing experience of the love of Christ for me, a refreshment of spirit that I gain from the awareness that He loves me, He is for me, He stands beside me, He delights in me. Knowing that will move me like nothing else. That is what Paul is experiencing here--the awareness that God loves him. There is nothing like it. It gives him a sense of security, a sense of self-worth, and a good self-image. If you suffer from a bad image of yourself, then start thinking about what God says about you, how He loves you, and how Christ loves you and has given Himself to you, and that will change everything.
He also says he has learned that the death of Christ freed him from the need to live for himself I do not know anything more relevant to the current day than that statement. Everywhere I turn I hear people talking about what they have to do to "meet their needs." Whatever they do or wherever they go is determined by how well their needs are met. You need to understand this important truth: Jesus Christ died to set you free from that syndrome. You do not need your needs met; He has already met them. You must learn that He has met your needs, because they will never be met by any other source. No one else is able to meet them. If you have that expectation of other people, you will find yourself suffering rejection at others' hands because they know they cannot meet your needs.
"One has died for all," and that means, "all have died" in order that they might understand that they live no longer for themselves. After Christ has met your needs, you discover that the secret to life as it ought to be lived is that you then turn and try to meet the needs of others. That is what Paul is saying here. "He died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves," no longer with their needs at the center of their life, trying to build everything around them, "but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Lord, reveal more and more of Your great love to me. Let Your love meet all of my needs, and set me free to live not for myself but for You.
This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons. Please read "What's There To Live For?" (or listen to the audio file Listen to Ray) for more on this portion of scripture.

Minutes from January Meeting.

2010-01-26T15:05:00.001-08:00

ST. JOHN’S WOMENS’ MINISTRY GROUP MEETING

MINUTES

DATE:

January 6, 2010

TIME:

7:00 p.m.

PRESENT:

Mary Jo Price-Williams

Barbara Reichert

Linda Van Valkenburgh

Norma Carbeck

Sandy Connors

Cindy Milazzo-Schwartz

Marlene Meyer

Linda Bradley

Connie Radt

Shelly Szpara

Dana Ziccardi

1. Opening prayer & Devotion --Mary Jo Price Williams. Col. 5:6-17

2. BLOG. –BLOG address to be added to St. John Website.

3. Online Shopper –.Womens’ group to preview before presenting to congregation.

Monopoly –Sandy Connors suggested that we check with another group who has done this to see how successful they were. Possibly sell squares in February. Mary-Jo will discuss with Connie. Linda V. will also help.

4. Mom’s Group – A notice will be put in the bulletin regarding the possible forming of group with a place on the Fellowship of Worship Form to check if interested.

5. Wedding Gowns – Mary-Jo will put out a notice asking for the donation of wedding gowns. Mary-Jo will get a list from Deb Sedinger as to exactly what should be collected.

6. Mommy and Me Class – Mary-Jo made a flyer and will put up a sign-up sheet to hold class Saturday, January 23, 2010, 1-3 p.m. Connie Radt will help.

7. Cards for Soldiers – Mary-Jo made a flyer and sign-up sheet. 300 cards will be made on 1/30. Mary-Jo will ask the congregation if they have names and addresses of soldiers. Mary-Jo will double check to see if U.S. postage can be used on cards to be sent out by soldiers.

8. Clear Vision Group – Mary-Jo contacted Absolute Nursing Home. They said it is not a good idea to wash residents’ glasses because of liability. They suggested it would be better for people to come and read to the residents. Mary-Jo will put out a blurb asking if people would like to read or if they have another idea for a ministry at Absolute.

9. Baby Shower – Laura will register somewhere. We will also bring “gently‑used” items to the shower to donate to charity. Possibly hook the shower up with a Lenten potluck and call it “April Shower.” Harvest Home could provide baby bottles to save loose change to donate.

10. Undie Sunday – Possibly hold in May.

11. New Ideas – Promote our group in newsletter by recapping what we have done so far.

Next Meeting – February 3, 2010

Prayer.

Thank you to everyone who donated to Christmas Hams for the City Mission!

2010-01-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

You guys at St. John's are so awesome! Thanks to you we able to purchase 15 very large hams for the City Mission! They were donated for their Christmas dinner along with 12 dozen cookies from the cookie swap and a check for $100! You created some happy tummys!

Reading to the Elderly!

2010-01-17T16:22:00.001-08:00

Volunteer to Read

Do you like to read? We are forming a group of volunteers to read to elders at the Absolute Care Nursing Home. The coordinator at the home said that this is an urgent hard to fill need. Won't you help? Think of the joy you can bring to someone for just doing what you enjoy doing anyway. Call Mary Jo at 662-7888 to volunteer. If you have already signed up on the Fellowship of Worship form expect a call soon!

Send a little bit of home to the Soldiers.

2010-01-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for something to do with your child?

2010-01-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my Sisters in Christ!

2009-12-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

As we continue to celebrate the holiday season please remember those who are fighting for our right to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are away from their families this holiday for us and we owe them so much. Take a moment to listen to this song and then finish with a prayer for the safety of our military.

Get ready for a busy 2010 sharing the love of Jesus with everyone. There will be lots of opportunities for you to participate! Keep checking back.

Mary Jo

Cookie Swap to benefit the City Mission

2009-11-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Come join us for a Christmas Cookie Swap.
We will be swapping cookies, recipes and enjoying fellowship!

Saturday December 12th from 10-12 in the Fellowship Hall

You can sign up for as many spots as you want for this swap.
Each spot requires that you bring 5 dozen cookies (4 to swap and 1 to donate to the City Mission) and the recipe for your cookies.
We will be sending these with the Hams for the City Mission Christmas Dinner!
Please call Mary Jo to sign up for your spot--662-7888

Coming Soon!
Cards for Soldiers
OrchardParkOpoly fundraiser
Card Ministry fill-up event
Unddie Sunday
and so much more.

We need you to help us share Jesus' love with our church and our community--Join the Women's Ministry today and start getting involved! Call Mary Jo Price-Williams @ 662-7888 for more information about any of the Women’s Ministry events or with your ideas.

Is it the Cold, the Seasonal Flu or H1N1

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

It seems that everyone is sick and I know that it is a bit confusing to know what it is that we "have". A friend of mine shared this document that was sent to her at work and I found it quite helpful. It breaks down the symptoms of all three--the cold, the seasonal flu and H1N1 into a easy to read and easy to understand chart. You can see the chart by clicking HERE!

Cultivating a Grateful Heart

2009-11-06T07:11:00.001-08:00

Cultivating a Grateful Heart

By Glynnis Whitwer

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Devotion:

Have you ever wondered why God wants us to ask for things in prayer? I mean, after all, He knows everything! He knows my first thought in the morning and my last one at night. He knows my frustration when I’m late and stuck in traffic, and the words I’m biting my tongue not to say. When I think I “need” a brownie, He knows I really need a carrot. And I don’t have to tell God I need help keeping calm while trying to get five kids out the door each school morning. So, since He already knows what I’m thinking and what I need, why do I need to ask Him for help?

One reason I believe God wants us to ask for help is that when we ask and God answers, we appreciate His work in our lives in greater measure. If God provided everything we need before we asked, we could easily believe we are entitled to things. And, if we never saw how sweetly God cares for our needs, we might take His goodness for granted. I’ve learned this lesson a few times, but the one that stands out involved grapefruit.

When I was a child, my mother fixed our family breakfast before my dad left to teach for the day, and before my sister and I went to school. Since my dad enjoyed his routine, breakfast usually consisted of bacon, eggs and toast. On a cold day, Mom occasionally substituted hot cereal for the toast. And during the citrus season, we might have found halves of juicy pink grapefruit on the table.

I’ll never forget the first time I prepared my own grapefruit. I had moved away from home and was attempting to establish some of my own routines, so I had brought home a pink grapefruit. I cut it in half, grabbed a spoon and prepared to scoop out the individual segments like we had done at home. I planted my spoon at the grapefruit’s thick outer rind only to have the fruit not budge. I tried to saw it out with my spoon, but it was stuck fast. I thought I had purchased a defective fruit. My mother’s grapefruit sections slipped effortlessly onto our spoons!

So I did what every wise daughter does: I called my mother for advice. Imagine my surprise when she told me that before we got to the breakfast table, she had already separated the grapefruit sections with a small, serrated knife. For years I thought grapefruit came like that and was shocked to learn it wasn’t so! It was my mother who did all the work without being asked.

I never appreciated my mother’s work because I never knew she did it! Now I know how lovingly she cared for our needs by performing this time-consuming task. Now I am even more thankful for this small act of sacrifice on her part, which is just one of the many ways she cared for our family.

This is the same with God. If He removed all obstacles and challenges from our lives before we knew about them, we could easily become complacent. We wouldn’t see our need for Him and would think we could manage on our own. Each time we ask for God’s help and see Him answer, we appreciate Him even more. By having us ask, God is teaching us to cultivate a grateful heart, and a grateful heart is a good thing! Even sweeter than a pre-sliced grapefruit.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer and share my daily needs and those deep in my heart. I thank You for caring about me and for acting on my behalf when I pray. Help me to be more aware of Your presence every moment of the day, and to see Your hand in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

St. John's Womens' Ministry Minutes - 11-04-2009

2009-11-06T06:57:00.001-08:00

WOMEN’S MINISTRY MEETING

November 4, 2009

MINUTES

DATE:	November 4, 2009

TIME:	7:00 p.m.

PRESENT:	Mary Jo Price-Williams	Barbara Reichert
	Linda Van Valkenburgh	Norma Carbeck
	Sandy Connors	Dana Ziccardi
	Diane Karan	Linda Bradley
	Connie Radt	Shelly Szpara

Opening prayer & Devotion --Mary Jo Price Williams. Our mission is to serve the community and St. John’s. The meetings will be themed. The theme for this meeting is “Grateful Hearts.” Meetings will be on the first Wednesday of each month.
Pantry Shower – Several people have signed up to donate. Post card reminders have gone out to all who signed up. The Hartke family will arrive in Orchard Park tomorrow evening. We can give them what we have already collected for their pantry and then give them the balance after 11/15..
Bookmarks – Will be given to all women attending church this weekend. The bookmarks contain information about our ministry as well as the name of our Blog. The Blog contains daily Bible verses as well as a link to St. John’s website.
Budget – In the past the budget has been $100. We will request $400. We plan to supplement our budget with fundraisers to benefit the community and local missions.
Fundraisers – Online Shopper – Our ministry would get a kickback from shoppers entering a merchant’s website through our Blog. Another idea is an Orchard Park Monopoly Game. We would sell spaces to businesses to pay for the cost of having the games manufactured and then sell the games to raise funds. Mary Jo is getting a sample game to evaluate. Linda V. suggested “Undie Sunday”. We would collect socks and underwear for the kids in the Southern Tier. This would take place during the year between Christmas and VBS. Barbara R. suggested a Baby Ministry. New or gently used baby clothing and accessories for the community would be provided. Sandy C. mentioned burial outfits for babies. Mary Jo suggested adopting a family for Christmas and purchasing gifts for them from our fund. The formation of a young mothers’ group was suggested. We will wait for the new year and then put out a call to see who is interested. If there are young mothers’ who are interested, we could have an organizational meeting and help them get their group started.

Christmas Hams for the City Mission – It was decided that our ministry will sell hams to donate to the City Mission for Christmas. We will start a piggy bank promotion with the slogan “Don’t be a turkey, buy a ham.” We will look for a piggy bank to use as our mascot. Shelly S. will call the City Mission to find out the date that the Mission will need to have the hams. We will also ask if people would like to bake cookies to donate to the Mission for Christmas. We will bring the pig to the 12/2 potluck dinner to possibly sell hams. We will also bring cookies for the potluck to go along with our December theme which is an “Old Fashioned Christmas.”

December meeting will be combined with the potluck dinner.
Next Meeting – January 6, 2010

Prayer.

Hams for the City Mission Christmas Dinner!

2009-11-05T03:36:00.000-08:00

At last night's meeting we decided to collect money to purchase hams to send to the city mission for their Christmas Dinner. What a worthy cause this is. Can you imagine that they are requesting 200 hams. Wow, that is a lot of hungry people. And we can help. Watch for the Christmas pig around church so you can make your donation!

Some of the women are also going to make cookies for the donation too! If you want to donate cookies too call me (Mary Jo 662-7888) for more details -- we are checking on the date we need them.

Our first Mission!

2009-10-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

I hope you will join us in the venture. Only two more week's until our new Pastor and his family are here. I am excited and I hope you are too.

Cross country moves are not easy! Many times it means leaving so much behind, friends, loved one and even pantry supplies. Can you image what it would cost to restock all of those essential items that fill our pantry and cleaning closets? Think about spices, flour and sugar.... cereals, cookies and crackers…rice, noodles and macaroni….canned soups, vegetables and fruit…bath, kitchen and laundry supplies. Let's join forces with the all new Women's Ministry on their very first mission! We are coordinating a pantry shower for the Hartke's during the first two weeks of November. We are asking you to bring food, spices, condiments, cleaning supplies, garbage cans and other essentials to be given to the our new Pastor and his wonderful family. Remember Pastor Nate and Laura also have two children so keep that in mind when doing your shopping. It would be helpful if you would call Mary Jo at 812-2639 before you shop just so we don't have all brooms and cereal and nothing else! If you would rather you can also donate a gift certificate to Tops, Wegmans, Walmart or Target (best idea and in any denomination)!

In addition, we are trying to develop a list of names who might be available to help the Harke's when their belongings arrive - unpacking and helping as needed. You will be able to sign up to help on the fellowship of worship form during the first two weeks of November.

Thank you for helping us to welcome Pastor Nate, Laura Jenna and Abigail (Abby).
The St. John's Women's Ministry Group

If you have questions or want to join our ministry group
please call Mary Jo Price-Williams at 812-2639