Good Book Club – For Epiphany 2023, we invite you to join us in the Good Book Club study of Ruth & Esther. For more information check the Good Book Club website. If you would like to participate, contact the Rector.

Worship Service Video – A post-production video of worship will be on our YouTube channel on Sunday afternoon. A link to the video will be provided separately. Our channel URL is at this link.

Sanctuary Heat – We hope to have the issue with one of the heating units repaired in time for service on Sunday. Thankfully, it isn’t supposed to be as cold this weekend and there is a backup plan to preheat the Sanctuary.
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January 1, 2023, 3:30 pm Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols
Lessons for Lessons and Carols
First Lesson:  Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-25
Second Lesson:  Genesis 3:1-15
Third Lesson:  Isaiah 40:1-11
Fourth Lesson:  Isaiah 7:10-15
Fifth Lesson:  Luke 1:39-45
Sixth Lesson:  Luke 2:1-20
Seventh Lesson:  Luke 2:21-36
Eighth Lesson:  Hebrews 1:1-12
Ninth Lesson:  John 1:1-18

Lay Participants
Chalicist/Prayers of the People:  Marcella
Lector:  Many volunteers
Usher:  Spencer

Video of worship from Dec. 24: https://youtu.be/9JeTh81nT-o
Sermon from Dec. 24: https://chirb.it/y2IDEn
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Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration – The annual Suffolk city-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will be held Monday, January 16 starting at 10:00 am. The celebration will be held at Kings Fork High School auditorium. See the flyer in the Narthex for more information.

Sponsoring Altar Flowers – There is a signup sheet to sponsor flowers during 2023 in the Sanctuary. Please signup to help enhance the appearance of the Sanctuary during worship. Contact Lynn if you have any questions.

Vestry Member – Thank you to Linda who has volunteered to serve on the Vestry beginning in 2023. Please see the email sent separately for more information.

Pledge Cards – Pledge Cards are available for 2023. Please complete a pledge card as soon as you can, even if the amount is “whatever I can.”

Formation opportunity – The Rector is forming a group to go through the Sacred Ground curriculum from the Episcopal Church. The class is an 11-session conversation about Race and Faith. More information can be found at this link.

Ukrainian Relief – The Episcopal Relief and Development is gathering and sending relief assistance to the Ukraine. Donations to the Ukraine Crisis Response Fund will help the organization and its partners assist where needed.

Thought for the week – Children: A serious, adult sensibility can be stifling. Get down, get up close. Look to the low, little, seemingly small or insignificant. This is where we often see God. As Savior, Jesus names us beloved children. A childlike freedom, perspective, and belonging further our salvation. In the new year, listen for God’s invitations to step out and risk, to look low, and to relax into love.

– Br. Luke Ditewig, SSJE
Society of St. 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/
Sun. Jan. 1st              * Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols
Wed. Jan. 4th           * Ruth & Esther Study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Wed. Jan. 11th         * Ruth & Esther Study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 14th            * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Mon. Jan. 16th         * Martin Luther King Jr. celebration – 10:00 am (Kings Fork
                                    High School)
Wed. Jan. 18th         * Ruth & Esther Study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Thu. Jan. 19th           * Vestry Meeting – 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Parlor)
Wed. Jan. 25th         * Ruth & Esther Study – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Tue. Jan. 31st           * Card Crafters – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Parish Hall)
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PASTORAL CARE
For Michael, our presiding bishop; Susan our bishop; and for Les, our priest.

Meriwether; Allen; Lon; Jimmye; Carroll; Cynthia; Richard and family; Linda; Vicky-Ann; Cathy; Dotty; George; David; Spencer and Veronique; Margaret; Charles; Tia; and Don.

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Alexander; Alan; Sheldon & Elizabeth; Bryan; and Brendan.

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Alva
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Emmanuel, Halifax; Emmanuel, Hampton; St. Cyprian’s, Hampton; Mrs. L. Lilo Croft.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico – the Anglican Church of Mexico.

Birthdays in January
Josh 08                      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
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QWNHHKVPYpp8mKcveYd5A
Follow us on Facebook:
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Episcopal-Church-Suffolk-VA/176697562360854