St. John's e-News for Dec. 1 - Happy New Year

Angel Tree – There are angels to pick up from the Suffolk Salvation Army Angel tree. If you take an angel please have the filled gift in by the end of the first week in December – the 6^th.

 

Christmas Poinsettias – It is time to place your order for the Christmas poinsettias.  The order form is included in the bulletin.  The deadline for getting your order in is Dec 15^th.  Additional order forms will be in the Narthex on the usher’s table.

 

Community Thanksgiving Service – Thank you to all who attended last Sunday’s Community Thanksgiving Service. Rev. Greg Ryan from Oakland Christian UCC gave a rousing and poignant sermon and the massed congregation rocked the house. Be on the lookout for more opportunities to get together with our local churches to help build and foster our life and ministry.

 

Stewardship – As the end of the year approaches your Vestry has been looking at the expected budget for 2014. Pledge cards, as our response to the thanks we have to give for the abundance bestowed on us by God, are forthcoming.

          Please take some time to consider your gift to the Church as we consider how we use those gifts to be God’s missionaries in the world and helping others have changed lives through their relationship with God. A projection of our expenses are available for any who want to see them and that information will be presented at the Annual meeting in January regardless.

          In coming months you will see how we are using the financial offerings you give are making real, tangible changes in people’s lives in Suffolk. I invite you to join us in our mission to tell God’s story of redemption through Jesus Christ in the world and to help us become more effective through your financial pledges.

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December 1, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the First Sunday of Advent

First Lesson:  Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm:  Psalm 122

Second Lesson:  Romans 13:11-14

Gospel:  Matthew 24:36-44

 

Lay Participants for December 1, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Kathy

Lector:  Fred

Prayers:  Marlene

Ushers:  Gary and David

 

Refreshments:  Growth Team

 

Sermon for Sunday, Nov. 24: http://chirb.it/BBxF16

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Philippines Relief – Episcopal Relief and Development is gathering funds to assist recovery efforts in the Philippines. If you would like to give, let the Office/Rector know and we will forward to the Diocesan Office for consolidation.

 

The Benefits of Membership at St. John’s – You may wonder “what are the benefits of being a member at St. John’s and what does it cost to be a member?” The easier answer is the cost: it costs whatever God puts on your heart in pledge or in offering – no one keeps track of what a member gives. The benefits: intrinsically there are no special bonuses to being a member. However, membership allows people a vote in the governance of the Parish and its mission. If you have any other questions about membership please contact the Rector, one of the Vestry members, or Don in the Parish office.

 

Advent Supper and Program – The Rector is planning on offering a short, three week program Wednesday evenings during Advent, Dec. 4, 11, and 18. There will be a simple soup supper and discussion beginning at 6:30 and ending at 8:00. We plan on completing a survey of Advent, its meaning, and practice. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

 

Suffolk Meals on Wheels - The Meals on Wheels Program is looking for volunteers to deliver meals from Obici to shut ins and the elderly. If you are interested please contact Kitty Martin 377-6552 or Rosaland Worrell at Obici, 934-4911 for more info.

 

Fall Wednesday Book Study – We are studying the book The Practice of Prayer by Margaret Guenther. We will meet this coming Wednesday, December 4 to discuss Chapter 5 “Practices of Prayer: Retreats and Journaling, Sacramental Confession, and Spiritual Direction”. All are welcome to attend, even if you have not attended any of the previous days. Fr. Ferguson has a book to borrow if necessary and if you would like to participate please contact Fr. Ferguson or Margaret.

 

Today’s Psalm – We will sing the portion of the Psalter together using a metrical version of the Psalter from A New Metrical Psalter by Christopher Webber as we sing Psalm 122 together. 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 on a bulletin insert.

 

Suffolk Night Stay Program – The Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS) is preparing to start a winter homeless shelter in the City of Suffolk. It is a distinction that Suffolk is the only City in Tidewater that does not have a homeless program. The vision of the Night Stay Program is to provide overnight lodging, dinner and breakfast for homeless people in Suffolk. CAPS is striving to begin January 1, 2014 and can provide more information about the mechanics of hosting – whether a church is a solo host or a number of churches partner to host for a week. Contact the rector for more information.

 

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss Isaiah 2:1-5, “’The Future House of God’ and ‘Judgment Pronounced on Arrogance’” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Isaiah 11:1-10, “’The Peaceful Kingdom’ and ‘Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah’.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

 

Thought for the week – Remember: We have set up pillars and altars, planted trees and built buildings because we have wanted to remind ourselves and those who come after that something true had happened.

- Br. James Koester, SSJE

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

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Upcoming Events:

Daily Mon.-Thu.      * Daily Morning Prayer – 9:00 am (Parish House)

Thu. Nov. 28^th        * Thanksgiving – Office Closed

Sat. Nov. 30^th        * 5^th Saturday Luncheon at Salvation Army – 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

Sun. Dec. 1^st          * Church New Year’s Celebration – The First Sunday of Advent

                             * Special Vestry Meeting – following worship

                             * Vespers Service – 4:00-5:00 pm (Lake Prince Woods)

Wed. Dec. 4^th        * Book Study – 10:00-11:30 am (Parish Hall)

                             * Advent Study – 6:30-8:00 (Parish Hall)

Thu. Dec. 5^th         * Choir rehearsal – 7:00-8:30 pm (Choir Room)

Sat. Dec. 7^th         * Suffolk Night Stay Training – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Main

                             Street United Methodist Church)

Mon. Dec. 9^th         * Vestry Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)

Wed. Dec. 11^th       * Book Study – 10:00-11:30 am (Parish Hall)

                             * Advent Study – 6:30-8:00 (Parish Hall)

Thu. Dec. 12^th        * Choir rehearsal – 7:00-8:30 pm (Choir Room)

Wed. Dec. 18^th       * Book Study – 10:00-11:30 am (Parish Hall)

                             * Advent Study – 6:30-8:00 (Parish Hall)

Thu. Dec. 19^th        * Choir rehearsal – 7:00-8:30 pm (Choir Room)

Sun. Dec. 22^nd        * Greening of the Church and Soup Luncheon

Tue. Dec. 24^th        * Carol Sing – 9:00-9:30 pm

                             * Festive Christmas Candlelight Mass – 9:30-11:00 pm

Sun. Dec. 29^th        * A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols – 10:30 am

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Community Church Websites:

New Community Christian Center                      http://www.nccfamily.us

Oakland Christian Church (UCC)                       http://www.oaklandchristianchurch.com/

Perfecting Saints Church of God in Christ       http://www.pscogic.com/

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church         http://www.wesleychapelchuckatuck.org

Ebenezer United Methodist Church                 http://ebumc.net/

Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS)     http://www.capsuffolk.com

 

PASTORAL CARE

Pray for Katherine, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; and Les our priest.

 

Marianne, Meriwether, Allen, Shirley, Suzanne, Janis, Lon, Barbara, Kathleen and Fergal, Steve, Morse, Rick, Tony, the Terry family, the Arnold family, Bob, Marvin, Kaille, Lillian, Opal, Elvira, Eddie, Pam, Dorothy, David, and Howard.

 

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Bryan, Elizabeth, Dane, Leon, and Patrick

.

Deceased: Dorothy and Victor.

 

Typhoon Haiyan: Pray for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation.

 

Parish Cycle of Prayer: John, Melanie, Morgan, & Lauren.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Willam Michie Klusmeyer – The Bishop of West Virginia.

 

Birthdays in December

Marcella 02                 Gary 08

Rev. Les 08                 John 14

Burr 18                        Kevin 19

Jim 19                          Will 28

Susan 30                      Don 30

 

Anniversaries in December

Bob & Bette 03               Don & Marcella 17

Shannon & Dotty 20       John & Elizabeth 28

Steven & Susan 30          Nick & Tina 31

 

If you are in need of Pastoral Care

Please call Father Ferguson.

Home:  757-484-8409

 

Contact Minister of Music Roger Peyton

 

Website: http://StJohnsEpiscopal-Suffolk.org

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