St. John's e-News for Sunday, January 1, 2012 - Holy Name and Christmas Lessons and Carols

“De-Greening” the Church – Following service today we will be taking down the greens from the church. Please help us take down our wonderful decorations. If you are not planning on attending service but would like your poinsettia please let the office, the Rector, or Lynn know and we’ll save one aside for you.

Welcome to Chuckatuck – Please join me in welcoming Rev. Don General, Jr. to Chuckatuck. He has been called to serve as Pastor at the Temple of Deliverance on Wren Road. He “expressed his passion for Ecumenical relationships and Kingdom building. He believes that it is very important for our people to see all of us come together to worship the God that we serve.” Please welcome him when you see him and offer him a fine, St. John’s welcome.

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January 1, 2012, 11:00 am Service of Lessons and Carols and Holy Name
Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols
First Lesson: Genesis 3:1-15                  Fred
Second Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-15              Marcella
Third Lesson: Luke 1:5-25                      Mary-Margaret
Fourth Lesson: Luke 1:26-58                  Terry
Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:57-80                      Nick
Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-20                       Marlene
Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:21-36               Leone
Eighth Lesson: John 1:1-18                    Kathy

Lay Participants for January 1, 2012 - 11:00 am service

Acolyte:  Terry
Ushers:  Marcella and Gary
Nursery Attendant:  None
Nursery Assistant:  None

Refreshments:  The Holy Innocents

Sermon for December 24: http://chirb.it/42Hzbh

Sermon for December 25: http://chirb.it/ntGzps
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Annual meeting – We will have our annual meeting Sunday January 15 in the sanctuary following worship. All are invited to receive the state of the Parish announcement and share in conversation with the Rector and the Vestry. There will be a potluck immediately following the meeting in the Parish Hall.

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.

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 – Our materials have been received by Olan Mills and they hope to have the rough layout to us by January 10. We will determine when they will contact the parishioners to identify which picture they would like in the directory. Thank you for your patience.

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 – Our next class will be held on January 8 at 9:15-10:15 am. We will discuss our Old Testament reading Genesis 1:1-5, “Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath.” All are invited to join us for class.

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 – Love: The invitation from God is always to come home. To know again just how much God loves you and then to take the risk every day to say ‘Lord, here am I,’ I am yours. I offer my life to you this day. Use me in your service.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
Sun. Jan. 1^st           Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols – 11:00 am (Sanctuary)
                             De-greening of the Church (following worship)
Mon. Jan. 9^th          Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. Jan. 15^th         Annual Meeting – following service
Mon. Jan. 16^th        Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday (office closed)
                             Junto Women’s Group meeting
                             Vestry planning session – Parish Hall (time to be determined)
Thu. Jan. 19^th         Clergy Fresh Start retreat – 10 am – 3:30 pm (Camp Chanco)
Wed. Jan. 25^th       Convocation IV Pre-Council meeting
Wed. Feb. 8^th        Garden Club – evening (Parish Hall)
Fri. Feb. 10^th          Annual Council begins – Williamsburg Lodge (through Feb. 11^th)
Mon. Feb. 13^th        Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish Hall)
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 Parker, Lisa Flynn, Terri and Family, Marvin, Bev, Denise, and Jaelyn.

Thanksgiving: Bob’s successful surgery; Patrick’s return from overseas

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

Serving Overseas: David
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Beth and John
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Emmanuel, Halifax; Emmanuel, Hampton; Mrs. L. Lilo Croft; St. Cyprian's, Hampton.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia, The Most Rev. William Brown Turei – Pihopa o Aotearora and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia.

Birthdays in January

Ashley 1                     Garrett 2
Randy 6                      Landy 14
Arthur 15                    Lynn 15
Marlene 17                 Anne 20
Linda 21

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,

Please call Father Ferguson.
Home:  757-484-8409

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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