At their core, hymns are prayers. Hymns also are excellent study tools. In addition to reviewing the lessons and collects in preparation for Sunday worship, consider studying the hymns, too. Click here for a list of this month's hymns. 
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Welcome to St. John's Episcopal Church Website
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This is the homepage for St. John's Parish, a traditional Episcopal church and member of the Diocese of South Carolina, located in Florence, SC. Here you will find the latest news and information about our parish. Please take a moment to visit the online calendar for upcoming events and our news page for featured articles. We hope you enjoy your visit and encourage you to check back often for updates!
WE WELCOME ALL WHO WORSHIP HERE
Mission Statement: To Know Christ and To Make Him Known
Worship & Study at a Glance
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Sunday Worship & Study
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8:00 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite I; nursery provided
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9:00 a.m.
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Sunday School; nursery provided
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10:30 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Morning Prayer, 4th & 5th Sundays; Rite I in Advent & Lent); nursery provided
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3:00 p.m.
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Youth Confirmation Class (Fall)
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5:30 p.m.
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Evening Prayer (September-May)
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7:00 p.m.
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Adult Confirmation Class (Fall)
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Adult Sunday School Offerings
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Currently, three Sunday School classes are offered for adults:
1. Sam Dargan's 8-week class on Creationism meets in the library. Group discussion and video presentations will frame the classes.
2. The young adult class continues to meet in the fellowship hall and will be undertaking "FaithWeaver" - the curriculum followed by the 3rd-6th graders last fall. In addition to being a great way for parents to know what their children are studying, the course offers hints to help reinforce the learning at home.
3. Rev. Ron Hiester's survey of the Old Testament meets in the Poynor Room. Particular emphasis will be given to the varied literature styles that are used throughout the Old Testament.
Childrens Chapel
During the 10:30 a.m. service, children ages 3-5 are invited to listen to and explore the day's Gospel lesson on their level. Children begin worship in the church with their parents and leave during the sequence hymn. Parents pick them up in the children's chapel room after the service.
Weekday Worship and Study Opportunities
Holy Eucharist & Healing Service
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. in the chapel
Bible Study
Two opportunities for Bible study are offered on Thursday mornings.
1. Resuming on January 17, a women's Bible study group meets at 9:00 in the Poynor Room. A nursery is provided upon request.
2. A lectionary-based Bible study is offered in the Poynor Room at 11:00.
Church Family Night
One Wednesday a month, everyone is invited to gather at 6:00 for a catered supper followed by programs for all ages. The evening concludes at 7:30. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. The last Church Family Night of the season was held on April 9.
See the Services page for detailed information about the worship schedule and study opportunities.
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Summer Schedules
From May 26-September 1, parish office hours will be 9:00-4:00, Monday-Friday.
After May 21, the newsletter will be published every other week through Labor Day. As always, items for the newsletter are due in the office by 12:00 on Fridays.
Sunday Evening Prayer has been suspended for June, July, and August.
After its meeting on May 22, the Christian Women's Study Group that meets on Thursdays at 9:00 will be on hiatus until September.
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St. John's Calls New Rector
March 7, 2008 - Dear Friends,
It is with much pleasure and great excitement that I tell you that Ken Weldon has been called by St. John’s to be its 20th rector, and he has accepted.
I am enclosing Ken’s resumé for your information. It will give you a thumbnail description of Ken. Only Ken can give you the real heart and soul he brings to our beloved St. John’s.
When Ken’s name first came to the Search Committee in the fall, the committee, knowing what an excellent situation Ken had with Porter Gaud and St. Phillip’s, felt he was probably just “being polite” in allowing his name to be put forth. In early January, however, Ken called to see how the search was going. And in that call he made it clear that he would like for us to give him serious consideration. We were spellbound by his devotion, passion, and love for Christ and His church. He made it very clear that he wants to serve St. John’s as a pastor first, and preacher and teacher, second. He wants to know us, our children, our parents, even our pets!
I want to share one more vignette with you. Bishop Lawrence met with the Search Committee several weeks ago to guide us in discerning God’s will for St. John’s. He opened the meeting with a beautiful prayer and then led us in a full discussion of the two finalist candidates – both excellent, godly men. Before a vote was taken, Bishop Lawrence called us again into prayer. He asked that God send His Holy Spirit to guide this process so that there would be a decisive result, knowing that this result was God’s will for St. John’s. The vote was taken, and it was clearly decisive. It was an experience I will never forget.
Ken brings great treasures with him: “Boo,” his wonderful wife, and daughters Mattie and Mims. Mattie will be in the sixth grade next year, and Mims will be in the third. “Boo” is a registered nurse with over 20 years experience. Her experience ranges from oncology to pediatrics to adults. She is presently working part time at a Charleston hospital.
Dear friends, I can assure you that the Search Committee performed its duties prayerfully, with the utmost diligence and propriety. With this call to Ken, and his acceptance, St. John’s is starting on a new path. I ask your prayers for Ken and his family. I also ask your prayers for our Parish Family that we may open our hearts and minds to God’s will and His plans for St. John’s; that together, with Ken as our priest, we will move ever forward in fulfilling our mission “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known.
Faithfully,
Angelyn T. Bridges
Sr. Warden and Chair of the Search Committee
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March 26, 2008 -
Friends,
I write to you all today on the occasion of accepting the call to be your next rector. As I sit here at my desk in Charleston, I am filled with two emotions. The first is genuine and overwhelming excitement. I can scarcely describe how thrilled we are to be coming back to St. John’s. The second emotion I am feeling is a sense of inadequacy. I have never been a rector before and I know the trust you all are placing in me as your priest. I realize the eternal significance of the work we have before us as the body of Christ. I believe that clergy and congregations are called by Christ into partnership with each other in order to fulfill the Great Commission. I take neither your trust nor the ultimate importance of our work together lightly. I am truly honored and humbled that God has called me to be your rector.
As I was thinking about what I wanted to say to you, I was encouraged by the words of the prophet Jeremiah. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) I believe this verse speaks to us and to our situation. I believe this verse speaks to us, the St. John’s family, as we enter into a new season in our life together. It also speaks to both my excitement and my anxiety. I trust that God indeed knows the plans he has for us. He has known since the beginning of time. His plan for St. John’s is the same as his plan for Ken Weldon. His plan is to prosper us. His plan is to give us hope and a future. I am certain that God will bless us and our church as together we seek to fulfill his will.
Finally, I want to again say that I am firmly convinced that God has called me to this ministry and I truly believe that God’s plans for us are better than our plans for us. I am excited to see what Christ has in store for us on this journey together. To close, I would ask you to keep “Boo” and our girls, Mattie and Mims, in your prayers during this time of transition. Know that you all will be in ours.
God Bless,
Father Ken
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An Update from Our New Rector
June 4, 2008 -
Friends,
I have probably had two dozen people ask me in the past two weeks, “Are you getting excited about the move?” My answer is always the same. We are very excited about being back in Florence and I am eagerly anticipating getting to work at St. John’s, but to answer the question itself, no we are not excited about the “moving” part of it. Moving is the pits. It has been a long last month for us. We have had to move out of our house for significant repairs before the closing of the house and we have had to live out of suitcases in a couple of different places while this was happening. God is good, however, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
By the time you all will read this, all of the Weldons’ worldly possessions will be in Florence. As I write, it is Monday, June 2. The movers will be at my house tomorrow morning to finish packing and to load everything up. We will be closing on our house here on Thursday, June 5. We will be closing on our new home in Florence the following Friday, June 13. As many of you already know, we have kind of a crazy summer schedule. We will be in and out of Florence most of July, getting settled into the new house and getting my office situated at St. John’s.
My first Sunday will be August 3, but we will be around and about in Florence and at St. John’s between now and then. Please drop by the house and see us. Also, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during the move. Know that you will be in ours.
God Bless,
Ken
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Lessons for the Week
of Pentecost 7
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Monday, June 30
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1 Samuel 10:17-27
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Psalm 106:1-18
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Acts 7:44-8:1a
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Luke 22:52-62
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Tuesday, July 1
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1 Samuel 11:1-15
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Psalms 121-123
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Acts 8:1-13
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Luke 22:63-71
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Wednesday, July 2
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1 Samuel 12:1-6, 16-25
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Psalm 119:145-176
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Acts 8:14-25
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Luke 23:1-12
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Thursday, July 3
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1 Samuel 13:5-18
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Psalms 131 and 132
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Acts 8:26-40
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Luke 23:13-25
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Friday, July 4
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1 Samuel 13:19-14:15
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Psalms 140 and 142
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Acts 9:1-9
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Luke 23:26-31
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Independence Day
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Ecclesiasticus 10:1-8, 12-18
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Micah 4:1-5
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Psalms 33 and 107:1-32
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James 5:7-10
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Revelation 21:1-7
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Saturday, July 5
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1 Samuel 14:16-30
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Psalms 137 and 144
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Acts 9:10-19a
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Luke 23:32-43
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Vacation Bible School is Coming!
Vacation Bible School will be held July 20-24. "Jerusalem Marketplace" will be open each day from 5:00-7:30. The week will kick off on Sunday, July 20 with a cook-out for the whole parish. Plan to join us for the cook-out, and be sure to register your children and grandchildren for VBS. Friends are welcome, too!
Helpers are still needed for the VBS team. Contact Beth Paramore at the parish office to volunteer your time and talents.
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Over the past year, newsletter articles have recalled the history of St. John's 140+ years of mission and ministry. This glimpse into the parish's past provided examples of the hard work and commitment given to the building-up of the Lord's work by St. John's congregants from the parish's earliest days. In an effort to ensure that we have adequate and sound facilities for present and future generations to continue that strong commitment to the work of the Lord, the Heritage Fund has been established. Following is the introductory letter from committee chairs Angelyn Bridges and Dan Ervin that was mailed to parishioners in March.
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