Greening of the Church – Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve, we will green the church in preparation for Christmas on December 17. We won’t put poinsettias out until Christmas, but the Church will be greened early.

Advent Study and Soup luncheon – For the 3 Wednesdays of Advent, from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, we will hold a study and soup luncheon. The study this year is entitled “A Look at Advent Through the Old Testament”.
The three topics we will study are: Week 2, The Refining Love of God (Zephaniah 3:14-20); and week 3, God’s Protection and Delight (Micah 5:1-5).
Get your copy of the study from the Rector.
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December 10, 2017, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent
First Lesson:  Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Second Lesson:  2 Peter 3:8-15a
Gospel:  Mark 1:1-8

Lay Participants for December 10, 2017 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte:  Leone
Lector:  Bernice
Prayers:  Leone
Ushers:  David and Lynn

Refreshments:  Volunteer needed

Sermon from Dec. 3: https://chirb.it/cMPIqI
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Vestry Election – Congratulations to David who was elected to serve on the Vestry beginning in January 2018 through December 2020.

Angel Tree In-gathering – Thank you to all who donated gifts to the Angel Tree this year.

December Celebratory Get-together – On December 8 at 6:00 pm there will be a “general celebratory get-together” in honor of birthdays, anniversaries, and retirements that have occurred in November and December. Cake will be provided but please bring hors d’oeuvres to share. For more information contact Toni.

Christmas Eve Service – There are plans to hold our Christmas Eve service on Sunday December 24 beginning at 5:00 pm, as we have in previous years. It would be helpful to know if you are planning on attending the service – please contact the Rector.

“Job Jar” – The Vestry has moved to create a “Job Jar” that will be filled with simple tasks that will help do simple maintenance around the church grounds. The goal is to break down needed repairs to 30-60-minute tasks that anyone can do. The jar will be in the Parish House or Sanctuary, depending on the day. Stop by and help do some needed work at the Church.

Church Quiz – Over the coming weeks we will have a “Church Quiz” as part of our announcements and e-News. All are invited to think about and answer the week’s question. Answers will be provided the following week.
Last week’s question and answer: Question What do the characters “IHS” stand for? Answer: These letters are used to stand for the name of Jesus. The Greek name of Jesus looks like this, with all capital Greek letters: IHSOYS. A shorter version of that name would be IHS.
This week’s question: What do the Greek characters “chi-rho” stand for? Look for the answer next week.

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss our Gospel reading John 1:6-8, 19-28, “The Testimony of John.” Next week we will discuss our New Testament reading 2 Peter 3:8-15a, “The Promise of the Lord’s Coming.” All are invited to join the conversation in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

Sunday’s Psalm – This Sunday the psalm will be recited.

Hospitality hour Sign-up – The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board; please sign-up for an upcoming Sunday. If you would like to help but cannot provide all the items for coffee hour/lemonade on the lawn any assistance, even a single item, will be graciously accepted.

Upcoming Parish Events – Ongoing: Tuesdays – Boy Scouts meeting. Dec. 12 – Vestry Meeting; Dec. 13 – Advent Soup Lunch & Study; Dec. 17 – Greening the Church; Dec. 18 – Junto Women’s Group; Dec. 20 – Advent Soup Lunch & Study.

Thought for the week – See Christ: Christ would have us see him more clearly in one another—in all our crazy diversity. And seeing Christ more clearly in each other brings us closer to what Paul calls the “mind of Christ”.

– Br. Mark Brown, SSJE
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

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Upcoming Events:
Online calendar: http://stjohnsepiscopal-suffolk.org/parish-calendar/
Online events listing: http://stjohnsepiscopal-suffolk.org/events/
Tuesdays                   * Boy Scouts meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Fri. Dec. 8th               * Celebratory gathering – 6:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sat. Dec. 9th              * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Tue. Dec. 12th          * Vestry meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)
Wed. Dec. 13th        * Advent Soup Luncheon and Study – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. Dec. 17th          * Greening of the Church – following Worship
Mon. Dec. 18th        * G. F. W. C. Junto Women’s Group meeting – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Wed. Dec. 20th        * Advent Soup Luncheon and Study – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. Dec. 24th         * Christmas Eve Mass – 5:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 30th           * 5th Saturday Luncheon at the Salvation Army
Sun. Dec. 31st          * Lessons and Carols – 10:30 am
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PASTORAL CARE

For Michael, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; Jay our assistant bishop; and for Les, our priest.

Meriwether, Allen, Lon, Steve, Marvin, Leone, Virginia, Gary, Jimmye, Kevin, Margaret, Richard, Mike and Gail, Opal, Aleck, Carolyn, Diane, Tanya, Charles, Ann, Lee, Walter, and Elvira.

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Alexander, Leon, Thomas, Alan, Sheldon, Elizabeth, Brandon, and Bryan.

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Alva
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Very Rev. Ronald & Jean Ramsey.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. José Antonio McLoughlin – The Bishop of Western North Carolina.

Birthdays in December
Marcella 02               Gary 08
Fr Les 08                   Burr 18
Jim 19                        Will 28
Susan 30

Anniversaries in December
George & Patricia 17           Donald & 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 

Minister of Music: Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsEpiscopal-Suffolk.org

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