St. John's e-News for November 27, 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.

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. An 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.

Community Thanksgiving Service – This year’s service will be held on 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.

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November 17, 2013, 10:30 am Litany of Healing and Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28)
First Lesson:  Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm:  Canticle 9
Second Lesson:  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Gospel:  Luke 21:5-19

Lay Participants for November 17, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Jim
Lector:  Ben
Prayers:  Jim
Ushers:  Nick and Tina

Refreshments:  No volunteer

Sermon for Sunday, Nov. 10: http://chirb.it/OAIsnN

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Vestry Meeting – The November Vestry meeting will be held Monday November 18 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

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.

Cleaning the Parish House – I would like to offer special thanks to Marvetta for the work she did returning the Parish Hall following Heather and Brian’s wedding. The hard work she and others did returned the Parish House to a better state of cleanliness than when the preparations started. Now we need to capitalize on the start Marvetta has given us and continue with our “fall cleaning.” We’re looking for a few people to help neaten/clean up the rooms in the Parish House. Places needing attention include the boiler room, stairwell, and couch room. If things go well, we could also attack some of the things in the attic.

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.

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.

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 9 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 11, “Awake, my soul and with the sun” (Morning Hymn) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss Isaiah 65:17-25, “The Glorious New Creation” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Jeremiah 23:1-6, “’Restoration after Exile’ and ‘The Righteous Branch of David’.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

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.

Thought for the week – Abundance: God longs for us to reach out and grasp the fullness of life which he has prepared for us. And he loves us too much to allow us to settle for anything less.

- Br. Geoffrey Tristam, 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)
Mon. Nov. 18^th        * G. F. W. C. Junto Women’s Group – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish
                             House
                             * Suffolk Night Stay Presentation – 1:00-2:00 pm (ForKids
                             Building)
                             * Vestry Meeting – 7:00-9:00 pm (Parlor)
Tue. Nov. 19^th        * CAPS Board meeting – 3:00-4:30 (Westminster Presbyterian)
Wed. Nov. 20^th      * Book Study – 10:00-11:30 am (Parish Hall)
                             * 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)
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: Ted & Peg Hoagland

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Ambrose Gumbs - The Bishop of the Virgin Islands.

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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