18th Century Worship Reenactment – We will host a group of 18th century reenactors this Sunday, December 2, at 3:00 pm. They will provide a brief history discussion, celebrate evening prayer according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, preach a brief sermon centered on the events of late-November 1775, and host a question and answer session. Please come out and share our church with our community in this special way.

Pledge Cards – Pledge cards have been distributed. We will have our in gathering of pledges on Dec. 9th.

Parish meeting and Vestry Election – We will hold our annual meeting for 2018 on Sunday December 16. At the meeting we will (1) elect two new vestry members to fill positions vacated by Anne Henderson and Leone Vigil on January 1, 2019, and (2) present the Parish budget for 2019.
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December 2, 2018, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for First Sunday of Advent
First Lesson:  Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Gospel:  Luke 21:25-36

Lay Participants for December 2, 2018 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte:  Leone
Lector:  Bernice
Prayers:  Leone
Ushers:  David & Lynn

Refreshments:  Volunteer needed

Sermon from November 25: https://chirb.it/OxmB60
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Advent Soup luncheon and Study – We will follow the “Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum” at our Wednesday lunch sessions. We will meet from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. We have a host for our 1st session. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex.

Longest Night Service (Blue Christmas) – There will be Longest Night service on Friday, December 21st at 7:00 pm. The purpose of the Blue Christmas service is to acknowledge this hope-filled season can be filled with overwhelming sorrow and pain. We hope that you will come and sit with one another in a liturgy that speaks of the love of God for the grieving so that you may gain a greater knowledge of the One who loves us in sorrow and joy.

Poinsettias – You will find the order form for the Christmas poinsettias in Sunday’s bulletin. Please turn it in as soon as possible. The last day to place your order is Dec 16th.

Toy Drive – The City of Suffolk Sheriff’s Office will conduct a toy drive on Dec. 15, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at both Suffolk Wal-Marts.

Formation Classes – All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am. We will begin a study reflecting on the weekly lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary.

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 25:1-19 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 609, Where cross the crowded ways of life, (Gardiner/Germany) from the Hymnal.

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 Concerning the book of Psalms: which testament is it in? What division is it in? How many chapters does it have? Answer: The book of Psalms is found in the Books of Wisdom division of the Old Testament; it has 150 chapters.
            This week’s question: Concerning the book of Revelation: which testament is it in? What division is it in? How many chapters does it have? Look for the answer next week.

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 – Tuesdays through June:Boy Scouts (7:00 – 8:30 pm); Dec. 4 – Special Vestry meeting; Dec. 5 – Soup luncheon; Dec. 9 – pledge in gathering; Dec. 10 – Vestry meeting.

Thought for the week – Judgment: It will take more than a lifetime, it will take an eternity to tell what proves good and what proves bad about another person. We will not have eyes to see it in this lifetime. Don’t judge.

– Br. Curtis Almquist, 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/
Tues. until Jun.    * Boy Scouts meet
Sun. Dec. 2nd        * First Sunday of Advent
Tue. Dec. 4th        * Special Vestry meeting (budget) – 6:30 pm
Wed. Dec. 5th       * Soup luncheon and study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sun. Dec. 9th        * Pledge in gathering – worship
Mon. Dec. 10th    * Vestry meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)
Wed. Dec. 12th    * Soup luncheon and study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sun. Dec. 16th      * Vestry election Parish meeting following worship
Wed. Dec. 19th    * Soup luncheon and study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 21st       * Longest Night Worship – 7:00 pm (Oakland Christian UCC)
Sun. Dec. 23rd      * Greening of the Church
Mon. Dec. 24th    * Festive Christmas Eve Eucharist – 5:00 pm
Tue. Dec. 25th      * Office closed
Sat. Dec. 29th       * Fifth Saturday Luncheon – Salvation Army
Sun. Dec. 30th      * Service of Christmas Lessons and music
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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, Jimmye, Margaret, Richard, Mike and Gail, Opal, Carolyn, Diane, Tanya, Charles, Ann, Virginia, Patti, John David, Bette, Larry, Alice, David, Bob, Carroll, Don, Lawrence, Fin, Katherine, Kim and family, Beth and Adele Brian and family, Trish and family, and Katherine.

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

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Steven & Suze
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain. The Rt. Rev. Carlos López-Lozano – The Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain.

Birthdays in December
Marcella 02   Gary 08
Fr. Les 08      John 14
Burr 18           Nansi 18
Jim 19            Will 28
Susan 30

Anniversaries in December
George & Tricia 17              Don& Marcella 17
Shannon & Dotty 20            John& Beth 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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