St John's e-News for December 8, 2013

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.

Annual Parish Meeting – The Annual Meeting will be held Dec. 22 in the Sanctuary immediately following worship and before the greening of the Church. We will discuss the Vestry and elect new members.

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 8, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent
First Lesson:  Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm:  Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Second Lesson:  Romans 15:4-13
Gospel:  Matthew 3:1-12

Lay Participants for December 8, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Leone
Lector:  Kevin
Prayers:  Terry
Ushers:  Nick and Tina

Refreshments:  Growth Team

Sermon for Sunday, Dec. 1: http://chirb.it/r6x6nt

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Greening of the Church - This will be done on Dec. 22 following the annual meeting. More information to follow.

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.

Fall Wednesday Book Study – We are studying the book The Practice of Prayer by Margaret Guenther. We will meet this coming Wednesday, December 14 to discuss recap the. 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 72:1-7, 18-19 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 72, “Hark! the glad sound!” (Richmond) 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 11:1-10, “’The Peaceful Kingdom’ and ‘Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah’” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Isaiah 35:1-10, “The Return of the Redeemed to Zion.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

Thought for the week – Preparation: Advent is a season of waiting, of anticipation, of preparation. We are waiting expectantly for the Lord and preparing ourselves to meet him when he comes. But how exactly do we prepare for the coming of the Lord? The answer suggested by the gospel might surprise us. John [the Baptist] says, “Repent!”

- Br. David Vryhof, SSJE

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

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Upcoming Events:
Daily Mon.-Thu.      * Daily Morning Prayer – 9:00 am (Parish House)
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)
Mon. Dec. 17^th        * Vestry Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)
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        * Parish Annual Meeting – Following worship
                             * 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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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, Howard, the Broom family, and Arthur.

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

Deceased: C. J.

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

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Alva.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Rev. Leslie & Kathy Ferguson; The Rev. Peggy Newman.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor – The Bishop of Western North Carolina.

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

http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com
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