St. John's e-News for November 24, 2013

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.

Community Thanksgiving Service – This year’s service will be held this Sunday, November 24^th at 7:00 PM. It will be hosted by Little Bethel Baptist Church. Please come and support our community churches in worship.

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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November 24, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Last Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 29)
First Lesson:  Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm:  Canticle 16
Second Lesson:  Colossians 1:11-20
Gospel:  Luke 23:33-43

Lay Participants for November 24, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Suze
Lector:  Bernice
Prayers:  Suze
Ushers:  Lynn and Marcella

Refreshments:  No volunteer

Sermon for Sunday, Nov. 17: https://chirb.it/dyy7kd

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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, November 20 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 Canticle 16 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 531, “O Spirit of the living God” (Melcombe) 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 Jeremiah 23:1-6, “’Restoration after Exile’ and ‘The Righteous Branch of David’” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Isaiah 2:1-5, “’The Future House of God’ and ‘Judgment Pronounced on Arrogance’.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

Thought for the week – Compassion: Humility implies a willingness to learn from others, no matter how poor or simple they may be. In this spirit of humility, Hilda welcomed all—kings and princes, and simple peasants. None were beyond the reach of her compassion.

- Br. David Vryhoff, 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. 14^th        * Choir rehearsal – 7:00-8:30 pm (Choir Room)
Wed. Nov. 20^th      * Advertising Presentation – 4:00 pm (Hilton Garden Hotel)
Thu. Nov. 21^st        * Choir rehearsal – 7:00-8:30 pm (Choir Room)
Sun. Nov. 24^th        * Community Thanksgiving Service
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
                             * 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 Victor.

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

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

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Juanita

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Rev. C. Berkley & Marian Ford.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde – The Bishop of Washington, DC.

Flower Dedication: To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Renate “Renėe” Brady, Heather Dixon Jones, and Holly Bailey Jones.

Birthdays in November

Dianne 04                    Doug 11
Eddie 13                     Steven 16
Kathy 28                     Dotty 29

If you are in need of Pastoral Care

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

Contact Minister of Music Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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