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 last topic we will study is God’s Protection and Delight (Zephaniah 3:14-20).
Get your copy of the study from the Rector.
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. Soup and light refreshments will be available during the setup.
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December 17, 2017, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Third Sunday of Advent
First Lesson: Isaiah 64:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Lay Participants for December 17, 2017 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte: Jim
Lector: Steven
Prayers: Jim
Ushers: Gary and Marcella
Refreshments: Volunteer needed
Sermon from Dec. 10: https://chirb.it/K4nr0H
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Christmas Lessons and Carols – On the first Sunday after Christmas, December 31, we will conduct our annual celebration of Christmas Lessons and Carols. There are a number of readings to do as part of our worship that day. If you are willing to help please contact the Rector.
December Celebratory Get-together – Thank you to all who came out on a damp and dreary evening to help make the gathering on December 8 a success.
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 Greek characters “chi-rho” stand for? Answer: The Chi-Rho looks like a P over the top of an X and this symbol stands for “Christ.” The Greek word for “Christ” looks like this: XPISTOS (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ). As one can see, the first two letters are the X and P.
This week’s question: What do the Greek characters “alpha and omega” 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 Gospel reading Luke 1:46b-55, “Mary’s Song of Praise.” 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. 17 – Greening the Church; Dec. 18 – Junto Women’s Group; Dec. 20 – Advent Soup Lunch & Study.
Thought for the week – Rejoice: “Your heart will rejoice,” Jesus promises us in John. “Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” So, how much joy do you have in your life? It is a gift and a promise. Maybe this Christmas you could ask God for the gift of joy. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to you.
– 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/
Tuesdays * Boy Scouts meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 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 Service – 5:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 30th * 5th Saturday Luncheon at the Salvation Army
Sun. Dec. 31st * Christmas Lessons and Carols – During Worship
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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: Clyde & Virginia
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. John Smylie – The Bishop of Wyoming.
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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