Building Project Update&

This past week the west entrance to the church has been closed.  The excavating contractor began work on the new west entrance to the church and St. John Pastoral Center.  Once the new building is open, the current west entrance into the church will become an emergency exit.  All hardware on the outside doors will be removed.  Two large 12 foot planters will be constructed in front of the current west entrance into the church.  The new entrance into the St. John      Pastoral Center, church and chapel will be under the canopy that is already in place.  New curbing is being put into place that will allow you to drive under the canopy for drop-off/pick-up.  Handicap parking will remain in the west parking lot.  A new narthex entrance is also being created on the east side of the building.  This entrance will also have an area for handicap parking.  Watch for weekly updates as we begin our countdown to the October 13 building dedication!

Sowers of Justice&
The Good Neighbor Back to School Program sponsored by Ralph Reeder Food Shelf has been providing children in need in our area with back to school supplies for the past four years and are doing it again this year.  The names of the children who need are help are generated primarily from area schools via principals and social workers.  Items needed include:  #2 pencils, pens (black, blue and red), crayons, washable markers, erasers, scissors (blunt and pointed), liquid glue, glue sticks, rulers, school boxes, kleenex, compass, protractor, notebooks (wide and narrow ruled), loose-leaf paper, 2-pocket folders, 3-ring binders, backpacks/school bags, and pocket calculators.  If you wish to donate any of these items can be left at the "food shelf" containers at the entrances of the church or delivered directly to Ralph Reeder Food Shelf.  Cash   contributions are also welcome.  If you wish to volunteer your time to this project or to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, call Lisa at 651-639-6021.  Thank you for your continued support of local outreach programs.


CONNECTIONS Cont'd from p. 1

CONNECTION:  Before God, the actual gifts we possess mean nothing; before God, what we DO with whatever talents or wealth we possess to build the kingdom of God is the measure of our faithfulness and greatness.  Some of us may possess the intellect to unlock the secrets of medical science - and some of us may have a great hook shot.  The fact is that God has entrusted each one of us with our own gifts, talents and blessings not for our own uses and aims but to selflessly and lovingly use them for the benefit of others, without counting the cost or demanding a return.  The faithful disciple will lovingly use whatever he or she possesses to bring God's reign of hope, justice and compassion to reality in this time and place of ours. ¦