Inclement Weather Policy – Safety is first and foremost at St. John’s. We will follow the Suffolk School District with respect to closures. If we have an event planned expect it to continue as scheduled BUT if you do NOT feel safe getting to the Church please stay home. Your safety is more important to us than your presence is.

Parish Annual Meeting – We will hold our Parish Annual Meeting on Sunday January 8th. We will present the Budget for 2017 and have a conversation about the “state of the Parish”. Please come and participate to learn about the path for the Church in the coming year.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – It’s that time of year again. We will host our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 28. We hope to have a good turn out from the community and that we can get plenty of assistance from the Parish.
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January 8, 2017, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the First Sunday after the Epiphany – the Baptism of Our Lord
First Lesson:  Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Second Lesson:  Acts 10:34-43
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

Lay Participants for January 8, 2017 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte:  Leone
Lector:  Nick
Prayers:  Leone
Ushers:  Gary and Lynn

Refreshments:  Parish Potluck

Sermon for Dec. 24: http://chirb.it/A6pyrB
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Flowers – There is a new flower sign-up sheet for 2017 with instructions is posted in the Narthex. This covers the entire year. Please sign-up for your special two weeks. If you have more questions, please contact Lynn.

Suffolk Night Stay Program – Oakland Christian United Church of Christ will be hosting the Suffolk Night Stay Program from January 18 through January 25. They have asked for assistance in executing this program sponsored by the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. There is training for those who would like to assist on January 4 beginning at 7:00 pm and on January 7 beginning at 9:30 am. Please consider helping if you can. For more information please contact the Rector.

A Season of Prayer: Following our Election – Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:  Guide the people of the United States and of this community in the orderly transition of newly elected and reelected officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; and help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 is adoration? Answer: Adoration is the lifting up of the heart and mind to God, asking nothing but to enjoy God’s presence. (BCP p. 857)
This week’s question: For what do we offer thanksgiving? Look for the answer next week.

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss our Old Testament reading, Isaiah 24:1-9, “The Servant, a Light to the Nations.” Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Isaiah 49:1-7, “The Servant’s Mission.” All are invited to join the conversation in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

Sunday’s Psalm – This Sunday we 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 29 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 411, O bless the Lord my soul (St. Thomas (Williams)) from the Hymnal. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

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 – Jan. 7 – Parish Hall Rental; Jan. 8 – Annual Meeting and Potluck; Jan. 10 – Vestry meeting.

Thought for the week – Love: This is the love which came down at Christmas: not a shallow, sentimental love – but a love as strong as death. The only love that can make any sense of the tragedies and conflicts which assault our lives.

– Br. Geoffrey Tristram, 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/
Sat. Jan. 7th               * Parish Hall rental – 12:00 – 6:00 pm
Sun. Jan. 8th             * Annual Meeting – Following Worship
Mon. Jan. 9th            * Suffolk Clergy United Meeting – 11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Tue. Jan. 10th           * Convocation IV Clericus – 12:00 – 2:00 pm (St. Paul’s Suffolk)
* Vestry meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)
Sat. Jan. 14th            * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Mon. Jan. 16th         * Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Office Closed
* Suffolk Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service – TBA
* G. F. W. C. Junto Women’s Group – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish House)
Wed. Jan. 18th         * Suffolk Night Stay Program – Oakland Christian United Church of Christ
Thu. Jan. 19th           * Rector Meeting Offsite – 2:30 pm (Norfolk)
Sun. Jan. 22nd          * Vespers at Lake Prince Woods – 4:00 pm (Rector Preaching)
Thu. Feb. 10th          * Diocesan Annual Council through Feb. 11th – Williamsburg Lodge
Thu. Feb. 16th          * Cursillo Weekend (Rector Out) through Feb. 20th – Camp Chanco
Tue. Feb. 28th          * Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
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PASTORAL CARE

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

Meriwether, Allen, Shirley, Lon, Barbara, Steve, Marvin, Leone, Virginia, Justin, Kevin, Millard, Gary, Elinore, Jimmye, Katie, Margaret, Claiborne, Richard, Toni, Rev. Greg Ryan, Beth, the Dennis Family, Mike and Gail, Jim, Karen and family, Opal, Aleck, and Carolyn.

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

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Steven & Susan
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s Church, Hampton; St. Mark’s Church, Hampton; Mrs. Sophronia Gordon; The Rev. Helen McKee.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Bolly Lapok – The Bishop of Kuching; The Rt. Rev. Solomon Cheong Sung Voon – The Assistant Bishop of Kuching.

Birthdays in January
Lynn 15                      Anne 20
Linda 21 

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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