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

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.The sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex.

Parish meeting and Vestry Election – We will hold a special Parish meeting on Sunday December 16. At the meeting we will (1) elect two new vestry members to fill positions vacated by Anne and Leone on January 1, 2019, and (2) present the proposed Parish budget for 2019.
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December 9, 2018, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for Second Sunday of Advent

First Lesson:  Malachi 3:1-4
Canticle 16
Second Lesson:  Philippians 1:3-11
Gospel:  Luke 3:1-6

Lay Participants for December 9, 2018 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte:  Jim
Lector:  Margaret
Prayers:  Jim
Ushers:  Gary & Marcella

Refreshments:  Volunteer needed

Sermon from December 2: https://chirb.it/DxKvgP
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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.

18th Century Worship Reenactment – Thank you to all who attended the worship service and reenactment last Sunday. There were about 50 people present and there will, most likely, be an opportunity to host another reenactment in the future.

Longest Night Service (Blue Christmas) – There will be Longest Night service on Friday, December 21st at 7:00 pm at Oakland Christian UCC. 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.

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 Canticle 16 together. The Canticle will be set to Hymn 531, O Spirit of the living God, (Melcombe) 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 Revelation: which testament is it in? What division is it in? How many chapters does it have? Answer: The book of Revelation is found in the Apocalyptic Writings division of the New Testament; it has 22 chapters.
            This week’s question: Concerning the book of Romans: 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. 8– James River Rug Hookers; Dec. 9 – pledge in gathering; Dec. 10 – Vestry meeting; Dec. 12 – Soup luncheon; Dec. 16 – Vestry Election; Dec. 19 – Soup luncheon.

Thought for the week Longing: Rather than to work on the virtue of waiting, you may find it helpful simply to acknowledge what’s missing in your soul: your longing desire; your desperate need; the questions where you don’t, yet, have answers. And then pray with an awareness that God knows what you do not know.
– 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
Sat. Dec. 8th     * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
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, Ann, Virginia, Patti, John David, Bette, Larry, Alice, David, Bob, Carroll, Lawrence, Fin, Kim and family, Beth and Adele and family, Trish and family, and Katherine.

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

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Ben & Diane

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Rev. Wayne & Shirley Hodge; The Very Rev. John Rohrs. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Parish of Falkland Islands. The Rt. Rev. Timothy Thornton– The Bishop to the Forces and Bishop to the Falkland Islands.

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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