Gifted student instrumentalists from Credo Chamber Music Camp will play in worship at John Knox on July 18. Please plan to meet these young Christian musicians during coffee hour on July 18 and pray for their continued development in music and in their walk with the Lord. All Credo concerts are open to the public – and the student concerts are free. A complete list of Credo concerts is on the Worship bulletin board.

Credo is grateful for the support of John Knox Church and its members, including many who join us on Thursdays (July 8, 15 and 22) for our service projects. Drivers are needed to take the students to their work sites in the Cleveland area (especially to the homes of some John Knox members or to the Cleveland Food Bank.) Please call the Credo office at 440-774-3658 if you can help.

A small group of singers is needed to lead songs on July 18 with the Credo Strings. Please call Vicky at the church office if you would like to help lead familiar contemporary Christian songs.

   Things were abuzz in the Gallery on Tuesday, April 20, as we celebrated and honored our hard-working staff at the Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Each staff member received a special poem of appreciation, a pansy to take home, and a sumptuous lunch served by members of the Congregational Life and the Personnel Committee. All of the cards from the congregation were read and then posted on the Congregational Life bulletin board for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to all of you for helping us make our wonderful staff feel loved and appreciated.

On a separate note, Congregational Life is pleased to announce the Lenten Night Meals were again successful. Proceeds from the meals exceeded the costs and allowed the committee to make a $300 contribution to the Family Assistance Fund.

   Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who has been struggling with the loss of a loved one, loneliness, cancer, a lay-off, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, illness, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges? Our Stephen Ministers can provide them with the focused care, support and encouragement they need to make it through the crisis.

If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Lillian Predota, Susan Beck, Myra Hamilton, Jean Ormston, Sue Novak, Peggy Veigh, Duanne MacMillan, Dick or Kathy Cooper. They can talk with you about how our confidential referral system works. The caring relationship lasts for only as long as the person needs care. It's a powerful way you can help a hurting friend.

Do you have a children’s sermon in you crying to get out?  If so, please see or call Jan Hart at 440-871-9056. Thanks!

   Please remember that Christmas in July is this month! This new program will help needy families with items they don’t receive from local food pantries.

Did you know families do not receive laundry detergent, cleaning products or toiletry items such as shampoo and shaving cream? We will begin collecting these items July 11, and continue through July 25. Check the Mission Bulletin Board for ideas on how you can help local families in need.

Parents, please make a note: In the fall, Logos and TNT will be moving back to Wednesday nights. Both groups share a meal together before splitting into age-appropriate fellowship gatherings. TNT (Teens Night Together) is geared especially sixth- to eigth-graders, while Logos is designed for the elementary school-aged crowd. Both of these wonderful programs are Bible-based and will quickly become your child or teen’s favorite night of the week!

   Ahh . . . Lemonade! What better way to take in the summertime? Join our Nicaragua mission team in the Gallery every Sunday in July between services for fellowship, stories, photos, joy and lemonade! A goodwill offering towards the next mission trip,November 9 –17, will be collected.

Also, please join team members (past and present), the JK church family and our community as we celebrate Emerson and Martina Wilson’s visit to John Knox on Sunday, July 25. The fun begins at 5 pm in Fellowship Hall with a potluck dinner, songs and tales of Esteli, Nicaragua. A goodwill offering from this event will be used to help pay scholarships for students from Esteli.

   Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) will be bringing us families again August 15—21. Several people are needed to step into leadership positions. Jean Ormston has retired, so the program is searching for an event coordinator. Help is also needed to organize volunteers for overnights and after-dinner activities. Perhaps you or your family could take this opportunity to experience the satisfaction that comes from helping families in need. For more information please contact Sue Vincent at 440-779-5079.

  May 10, Stated Meeting of the Session

Received information from the Presbytery regarding the process of calling an associate pastor and the inquiry process for ordained ministry.

Moved to hold a congregational meeting at 10:30 on July 11 to hold a vote on opening the position of associate pastor and to elect an Elder. The 11 am service will immediately follow this meeting.

Approved a motion to support Debbie Federico through the inquiry process to ordained ministry and assigned Tim MacMillan as her liaison from Session.

Approved the slate of officers for the 2010 John Knox Church Corporation, as suggested by legal counsel Doug Dimond.

Received results on the Capital Campaign. It was reported that $1.3 million (plus an additional $230,000 in planned assets) of the $2.5 million was raised for the building expansion project. Banks are being contacted regarding a loan for the remaining funds.

  Congratulations members and friends of John Knox! We have reached our first goal!

The Capital Campaign boasts a high rate of participation, with 248 letters of intent being submitted. These letters pledge a total of $1,321,000 over the next 3 years, along with additional bequests of more than $250,000. This brings our grand total to an amount that nearly doubles the total raised in the phase I campaign — more than $1.5 million!

What a blessing it has been to see so many people working together to make this project happen. Thanks to everyone who contributed time and financial resources. John Knox will continue to grow it’s presence in our community and in Christ’s church.

Next steps: representatives are meeting with local banks about a bridge loan and a possible mortgage. However, all decisions regarding future financial responsibilities must be approved by the congregation. Congratulations John Knox on a job well begun!