St. John's e-News for Sunday, December 25, 2011 - The Nativity of Our Lord

Greening the Church – Thank you to all who helped green the church on or before December 18. You have helped make the Sanctuary more festive for the holiday season services.

NEW CRITTERS! – Please be aware that 2 BROWN RECLUSE spiders were found in the Sanctuary during the greening of the church. If you see a spider and are unsure of the type please give the spider a wide berth. If you would like to know what a Brown Recluse looks like click this link: http://www.haltpestcontrol.com/images/bugs/brown-recluse-spiders.jpg.

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December 24, 2011, 9:30 pm Festive Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Nativity of our Lord I
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14
The Gospel: Luke 2:1-20

Lay Participants for December 24, 2011 - 9:30 pm service

Chalicist:  Mary-Margaret
Lector:  Fred
Prayers:  Marlene
Ushers:  Anne and Bert
Nursery Attendant:  None
Nursery Assistant:  None

Refreshments:  None

Sermon for December 18: http://chirb.it/Jh4KNa

December 25, 2011, 11:00 am Festive Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Nativity of our Lord II
First Lesson: Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Second Lesson: Titus 3:4-7
The Gospel: Luke 2:1-20

Lay Participants for December 25, 2011 - 11:00 am service

Chalicist:  Jim
Lector:  Jim
Prayers:  To Be Determined
Ushers:  Nick and Tina
Nursery Attendant:  None
Nursery Assistant:  None

Refreshments:  None

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Bishop’s Visitation – The Rt. Rev. Holly Hollerith will conduct his first official Visitation since his consecration as our Diocesan Bishop. While not essential this is an opportunity for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception in the Episcopal Church. For more information about these rites and being Confirmed or Received in May contact the Rector.

Upcoming Psalms – We will sing the portion of the Psalter in unison. We will use a metrical version of the Psalter from A New Metrical Psalter by Christopher Webber. We will sing Psalm 96 in unison on Christmas Eve and Psalm 97 in unison on Christmas Day. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 76, On Jordan’s bank (Winchester New) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found in a bulletin insert.

Lay Participants – We would like to thank those who volunteer to assist during worship as Nursery Assistant, Altar Guild, Chalicist, Reader, Lector, and Usher. We would like to have a few more volunteers to assist on Sundays in one of these capacities. The Chalicist is the only person who requires special but simple training. We will provide an overview of the positions in coming weeks but if you have any questions about the duties see one of our current volunteers or the Rector.

Olan Mills Update – The Directory Coordinator has completed the layout for the introductory portion of the directory and has shipped the information to Olan Mills. Hopefully, parishioners who had pictures taken will be contacted to select their photos soon. We are sorry for the delay.

Budget Year 2012 $$ Pledge Drive $$ – The Vestry would like to thank all who have made pledges to the church of their time, talent, and treasure. To date we have received 26 pledges (4 more than last year) amounting to almost $72,000. We rejoice in the sacrificial giving this demonstrates and the commitment to the God’s work through the ministry of St. John’s this will facilitate.

          If you have not turned in your pledge we welcome your pledge at any time. You can expect to receive a more detailed financial statement at the Annual meeting in mid-January.

“Women’s” Book Study - Our next book study will be on the book Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference by The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu and The Rev. Mpho Tutu. If you would like to participate or have a copy of the book please contact Margaret.

Formation Classes – We will take a break from formation classes until January 8.

Coats for the Needy – St. James of Portsmouth distributes coats for the needy on the 1^st Saturday in December, January, and February.  For more information contact the Rector.

Thought for the week – Acceptance: I find accepting things that cannot be changed to be far easier said than done, but I also know it is the only way. It is a way of saying yes to your life, yes in all its fullness, frustrations, and ambiguity.

-Br. Kevin Hackett, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
Sat. Dec. 24^th         Christmas Carol Sing – 9:00 pm (Sanctuary)
                               Festive Eucharist – 9:30 pm (Sanctuary)
Sun. Dec. 25^th        Holy Eucharist – 11:00 am (Sanctuary)
Sun. Jan. 1^st           Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols – 11:00 am (Sanctuary)
Mon. Jan. 9^th          Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. Jan. 15^th         Annual Meeting – following service
Wed. Jan. 25^th       Convocation IV Pre-Council meeting
Fri. Feb. 10^th          Annual Council begins – Williamsburg Lodge (through Feb. 11^th)
Tue. Feb. 21^st         Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Wed. Feb. 22^nd       Ash Wednesday
Sun. May 6^th          Bishop’s Visitation
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PASTORAL CARE
Pray for Katherine, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; and Les our priest.

St. John’s shut-ins, Marianne, Meriwether, Allen, David, Shirley, Suzanne, Janis, Dominique, Virginia, Lon, Luann, David, Evan, Kevin, Peg, Faye and family, Carter and family, Foster family, Jim, Lisa, Terri and Family, Marvin, Bev, Denise, and Jaelyn.

Thanksgiving: Jonathon’s safe return from overseas.

Serving in the Armed Forces: Bryan, Susan, and Jonathon

Serving Overseas: David and Patrick
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Leone

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Church of Halifax; Mrs. Sue Bercaw; St. John’s of Halifax.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Most Rev. John Sentamu Archbishop of York; The Rt. Rev. Martyn Jarrett, York - Beverley - (York, England); The Rt. Rev. Richard Frith, York - Hull; The Rt. Rev. Martin Wallace, York – Selby; The Rt. Rev. Martin Warner, York - Whitby - (York, England).

Anniversaries in December

Don & Marcella 17       Shannon & Dotty 20
John & Elizabeth 28     Steven & Susan 30

Birthdays in December

Marcella 2     Gary 8
Les 8             John 14
Burr 18          Nansi 18
Kevin 19        Jim 19
Will 28           Kate 29
Susan 30         Don 30

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,
Please call Father Ferguson.
Cell:  757-418-0063

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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