Author: Mari Walker

  • #RelationshipGoals

    #RelationshipGoals

    #RelationshipGoals

    Siblings. Parents. Grandparents. Children. Best Friends. Partners. Neighbors. Coworkers…

    No matter who you are, how old you are, or what kind of personality you have, relationships create the fabric of our lives. We all want relationships that are healthy and life-giving, but that’s not always easy. Join us on Sunday, January 16 as we begin a new worship series called #RelationshipGoals. Throughout this five-week series, we will look to scripture for ways we can make our relationships healthier and more meaningful in 2022.

  • Poinsettias 2021

    DEDICATIONS IN MEMORY OF

    • Corinne Allen, Beatrice Elaine Schmidt, John & Charlene Maxwell, & Thomas Adams by Brandon, Betsy, & Maxwell Adams
    • Baby Adams by Brandon, Betsy, & Maxwell Adams
    • Freddie Carter by Cindy Carter
    • Hans Metcalf by Bill & Jane Metcalf
    • The Perry & Hargis families by Bill & Joyce Perry
    • Carolyn Pynes McKeough by Michelle McKeough Pynes
    • Christopher Schroeder by Betty Schroeder
    • Jake Shearer by his parents, Fred & Becky Shearer
    • Kaitlin & Riley Hunt by Kathy Vandiver
    • Rev. John N. Williams, Roland C. Palmer, Jr. by Rev. Marie Williams

    DEDICATIONS IN HONOR OF

    • Pastor Lane & Bill Perry by Lynn Cooper
    • My Aunt Pauline, in her 96th year by Beth Forester
    • My daughter, Brooke by Bob Hoover
    • Billy Metcalf by Bill & Jane Metcalf
    • The Hargis and Perry families by Joyce & Bill Perry
    • Luke Schroeder, my son by Betty Schroeder
    • My husband, John Toney by Pam Toney
    • The baptism of Emmie Kait White by Kathy Vandiver
    • Lauren & Edward White & girls by Kathy Vandiver
    • Jane & Livia Walker by Mari & Shawn Walker
    • My children & grandchildren by Rev. Marie Williams
    • Our church staff by Rev. Lane Cotton Winn
    • Our St. John’s church family by Pastor Lane, Ben Hartman, and Julian
  • Close to Home

    Close to Home

    Advent 2021 at St. John’s UMC

    Close to Home
    Advent and Christmas Worship Series
    November 28 to January 2

    On Sunday, November 28 (the first Sunday of Advent), we will begin a lectionary-based Advent worship series called: “Close To Home.” When something hits “close to home,” it affects us deeply. Through the topics of Homesick (Hope), Laying the Foundation (Peace), our cantata, “The Song of the Shepherd,” composed by Dr. Terry Byars in 2020 (Joy), and Seeking Sanctuary (Love), we name our deep longing for God to come close to us and make a home on earth.

    An accompanying daily Devotion Booklet will be available for each household starting Sunday November 21 or from the church office.

    Friday December 24

    Close to Home: Invited and Welcomed Home
    Luke 2:1-20
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Sunday December 19

    Close to Home: Seeking Sanctuary
    Luke 1:39-55
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Sunday December 12

    The Song of the Shepherd
    Cantata by Dr. Terry Byars

    Sunday December 5

    Close to Home: Laying the Foundation
    Luke 3:1-6
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Sunday November 28

    Close to Home: Homesick
    Luke 21:25-36
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

  • Pledge 2022

    Pledge 2022

    Unsure how much to pledge?
    Consider giving based on a percentage of your income. 

    The chart below shows how to offer a specific portion of your income as your pledge. 

    Pledges made during this campaign will be active during the 2022 calendar year. If you have any questions about making a pledge, please contact LeAnn Davis, our Manager of Finance and Facilities.

    Looking to make a one-time gift instead of a pledge? You can do that here.

  • A Future With Hope

    A Future With Hope

    Stewardship Series Begins Sunday October 10

    The prophet’s voice was often heard during times of great challenge and struggle in the life of God’s people. Just as the prophet Jeremiah spoke God’s word about a hopeful future to the people of his time, we too hear his voice saying to us, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

    Join us for the Sundays in October as we discover that God’s vision for our future is one of great hope.

    Sunday October 31 will be commitment Sunday. You can make pledge your support to St. John’s with any amount – small or large – as your spirit guides you.

    Download our 2022 Stewardship Giving Guide

    Sunday October 24, 2021

    “Sharing Hope”
    Luke 9:10-17
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Sunday October 17, 2021

    “A New Hope”
    Isaiah 43:1-5, 18-19
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Sunday October 10, 2021

    “Receive Hope”
    Jeremiah 29:10-14
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Stewardship Witness Videos

    https://vimeo.com/638228898

    Stewardship 2022 Messages from St. John’s Leadership

    October 6, 2021 – Letter from Pastor Lane

    October 17, 2021 – Letter from Pastor Lane and Finance Committee Chair Gray Sexton

    November 16, 2021 – Letter from Pastor Lane

  • Kitchen Renovation

    Kitchen Renovation

    St. John’s will be known as a center for feeding people spiritually and physically within our community.

    Our Kitchen Renovation Story

    Dear St. John’s Family,

    The Vision of St. John’s is to be known as a center for feeding people spiritually and physically within our community. Consistent with our vision and in conjunction with our 60th Anniversary, which we are celebrating this year, we are embarking on the Lagniappe Kitchen Renovation.

    Jesus used food and feeding to progress his ministry. Remember the feeding of the five thousand, eating with Mary and Martha, inviting himself to dinner at Zacchaeus house, telling Peter to “feed my sheep”? St John’s will use the upgraded kitchen to enhance our feeding ministries as well as The Shepherd’s Market food pantry.

    Peruse the “Menu” for the Lagniappe Kitchen Renovation. It is a summary of changes and improvements needed for St. John’s to meet the requirements of a commercial kitchen. Through the good works done in fulfilling our Vision and our outreach ministries, the state inspectors have designated our kitchen as a commercial kitchen.

    As of September 16, we have already raised $59,900 of our $200,000 goal. That is almost 30% and we have just begun! We will be providing periodic updates of funds raised.

    We invite you to be a part of growing our vision through the kitchen renovation to help “fill the pot” through a gift of cash, check or online giving. You can also use the Lagniappe Kitchen Renovation card to commit to a future gift to be shared by August 2022. 

    We can think of no better way to celebrate St. John’s 60th Anniversary than to support the growth of our vision to feed people, taking us into the next 60 years.   

    In His Service,

    St John’s Kitchen Team

    Danielle Blackwood, Duane Craig, Susan Lambert, Phil Leblanc, Jill Slicker and Pam Toney 

    Download Our Kitchen Renovation Menu

    So, now what does all of this mean for you? It means that we need you. We need you to help make this happen! 

    We invite you to join us in this ministry by making a gift to the Lagniappe Kitchen Renovation Fund.

    Help us FILL THE POT full so we can reach our goal of $200,000.

    Give Online

    Under Fund, select “Kitchen Renovation”

    Give By Check

    • Make check to St. John’s UMC
    • Write “Kitchen Renovation” on memo line
    • Checks can be placed in the offering during worship or mailed to the church at: 230 Renee Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

    September 12 Ministry Moment

    In worship on Sunday September 12, we heard an update from Susan Lambert, the Chairperson of our Kitchen Renovation Team, about the scope of the renovation and talked about our next steps:

  • Worship on the Lawn

    St. John’s United Methodist Church
    Worship on the Lawn

    September 5, 2021
    Download this worship guide as a PDF here.

    Prelude

    Come and Find the Quiet Center

    Words of Grace and Welcome

    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn

    Gathering Song

    Sanctuary from The Faith We Sing Songbook, 2164

    Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary,
    pure and Holy, tried and true.

    With thanksgiving I’ll be a living
    Sanctuary for you

    Call to Worship

    “When Pastor Lane raises her hand, respond enthusiastically with “Oh Yes!”

    Scripture

    Psalm 46

    Hymn of Faith

    Spirit of the Living God from The United Methodist Hymnal, 393

    Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me,
    Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

    Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
    Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.

    Scripture

    Ecclesiastes 3:1

    Meditation

    Pastor Lane

    Offering our Tithes and Gifts to God

    We appreciate your generosity. Each gift enables us to be a blessing in our community. You may give online at stjohnsbr.org/give.

    Hymn of Promise

    From The United Methodist Hymnal, 707

    In the bulb, there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
    in cocoons, a hidden promise; butterflies will soon be free!

    In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be,
    unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

    There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
    there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

    From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
    unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

    In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity;
    in our doubt, there is believing; in our life, eternity.

    In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
    unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

    Prayers of the People

    God of all time and all seasons,
                hear our prayers.

    The Lord’s Prayer

    Sharing in Holy Communion

    Everyone is welcome to share in Holy Communion.
    After cleaning their hands, Communion servers will place elements into your open hands.
    If you prefer, you may receive pre-packaged elements.
    Our communion elements are bread and grape juice.
    A gluten-free option is also available.

    Closing Prayer

    Call to Action

    Sending Forth Song

    Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing from The United Methodist Hymnal, 400

    Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace;
    streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
    Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
    Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it mount of God’s redeeming love.

    Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’ve come;
    and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
    Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
    he, to rescue me from danger, bought me with his precious blood.

    Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
    Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee:
    prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
    here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

    Benediction

  • The St. John’s Prayground

    The St. John’s Prayground

    A place for children and their families to worship together

    • All are welcome to worship in this space. People of all ages and abilities are important to God and to our congregation. We are glad you are here.
    • Help us keep the Prayground clean and safe for everyone. Please use the hand sanitizer provided before playing and place toys that have been chewed or soiled in the “Clean Me” bucket.
    • We believe children learn through participation in worship services. We invite them to participate as much as they are able.
    • After each service, we will sanitize toys that were used by our friends.

    About The St. John’s Prayground

    We believe children learn to worship through participation in worship services. The St. John’s Prayground is a quiet area where small children are invited to play, read or color while still participating in worship services. We encourage parents to help their children observe what is going on around them and to join our services as they are able. Children are a vital part of this congregation, and they matter to God. We are pleased to provide a space for them to worship and grow in their faith.

    Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
    Matthew 19:13-14

  • I’ve Been Meaning to Ask

    I’ve Been Meaning to Ask

    So many meaningful conversations begin with a simple question and the curiosity to truly listen. This worship series seeks to cultivate courage, curiosity, and connection by asking meaningful questions that arise in Biblical stories. In a time when humanity is easily pulled apart, the topics of this series seek to strengthen our capacity for empathy and compassion. Shaped around guiding questions, our hope is that this series leads us deeper into the heart of the matter—and deeper into connection with God and one another. 

    Sunday September 26, 2021

    “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask … Where Do We Go From Here?”
    Acts 10: 1-16
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    Ultimately, this final question invites us to hope and imagine. Through dreams, visions and holy encounters, we see the minds and hearts of two very different people opened in our scripture reading from the Book of Acts, Chapter 10. Through their courageous conversation, their narrow perceptions of others expand, the Spirit descends upon them, and they share in community and compassion.

    Sunday August 22, 2021

    “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask … What Do You Need?”
    Job 2:11-13
    2 Timothy 4:9-18
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    What we know for certain is that we need each other. How does this question invite us to lean in with curiosity and openness in order to strengthen the connections between us? How does this question invite vulnerability and open heartedness in our relationships? What are scriptural examples of those in need and the people around them who responded in an effort to help? We’ll spend time with Job in the First Testament and Paul in the Epistles as we explore these questions together in worship. 

    Sunday August 15, 2021

    “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask … Where Does It Hurt?”
    Mark 5:21-43
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    We’ll explore the value of making space for one another’s pain and dig into our scripture passage from Mark with its reminders that Jesus not only doesn’t shy away from human suffering but always seems to be right in the thick of it.

    Sunday August 8, 2021

    “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask … Where Are You From?”
    John 1:35-51
    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, lead pastor

    In this first week, we hope to affirm everyone’s uniqueness while also acknowledging our common ground.