Advent II at Saint John's

Almost Weekly E-Eagle of

Saint John's Episcopal Church, La Verne, CA

The Second Sunday of Advent

December 5, 2010

ANGEL-FILLED ADVENT

Wouldn't it be wonderful

if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias?

Wouldn't it be perfect

if we were greeted on these December mornings

with a hovering of heavenly hosts

tuning their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las?

Wouldn't it be incredible

if their music filled our waking hours

with the promise of peace on earth

and if each Advent night we dreamed of nothing but goodwill?

Wouldn't we be ecstatic

if we could take those angels shopping,

or trim the tree or have them hold our hands

and dance through our houses decorating?

And, oh, how glorious it would be

to sit in church next to an angel

and sing our hark-the-heralds!

What an Advent that would be!

What Christmas spirit we could have!

An angel-filled Advent has so many possibilities!

But in lieu of that,

perhaps we can give thanks

for the good earthly joys we have been given

and for the earthly 'angels' that we know

who do such a good job of filling

our Advent with alleluias!

--taken from Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems

Diocesan Convention

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles gathers this Friday and Saturday, December 3-4 for its annual Diocesan Convention at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside. Saint John's will be represented by lay delegates Kathy Winsor, Randall Walker and Bobbie Anisworth and by clergy delegates KGK+ and Deacon Barrett. Your prayers are requested as Episcopalians from across the Southern California area come together for worship, fellowship, discernment and governance.

Advent and Christmas Outreach Opportunities

The Alternative Christmas Market is being held December 5th and 12th A chance to buy a unique gift for a loved one and help feed, clothe, educate and heal others. African Team Ministries will have jewelry and crafts for sale, handmade beanies will be available (proceeds go to sending care packages to the Troops), Christmas cards will be available to send to our Spirit Journey Youth in Arizona and Prayer Cubes will be sold with proceeds going to Trinity Covina's Retrofit Project.

Care Bags for the Homeless will be available, starting this Sunday, in Vicenti Hall. Lists of suggested items are available. Filled bags are due back by December 19th at the latest. Got jackets, blankets or other "too large" items? Bring those too! We'll get them to the East San Gabriel Valley Cold Weather Shelter!

Adopt-A-Family Gifts We are adopting three families from Inland Valley Hope Partners this Christmas. Beginning November 28th you can get information on what gifts are requested. All gifts should be wrapped, tagged and returned to Church by December 19.

-Kathy Head, Outreach Coordinator

Stewardship Sunday, December 5

Thank you for taking the time and attention to your 2010 pledge. Pledge cards will be gathered during the Offertory. As of Thursday, 19 pledge cards have been returned totaling $53,620. 57 pledge cards are outstanding.

Please note: those who have not turned in their pledge cards by this Sunday will get a gentle, loving, ever-so-friendly reminder call from a Bishop's Committee member during the upcoming week. Your contribution makes a difference!

A target Pledge goal of $145,000 would allow for an "Abundant Ministry and Mission" budget that reflects the ReVision work. This represents an average increase in pledge of $15 per month or $154 per year. Specific ministries that could be funded in 2011 included:

· Small Group Fellowship

· Community Events

· Diverse and eclectic music program

· Mid Week Bible Study and Evening Prayer

· A spectacular 50th Anniversary Celebration

· Classes on spirituality and on the Episcopal way of being Church

Pledge Cards due Sunday!

A Golden Year in 2011

Saint John's will celebrate its Golden or 50th anniversary in 2011. Plans are being made for a Golden Celebration May 21 and 22 and for an anniversary project: old stained glass window installed, new banners, or maybe a bell stand or labyrinth? Kathy Head and Tammy McNew are chairing the Golden Year activities

Gold Party Sunday, December 5 2:00-5:00 p.m.

A chance to "melt down golden calves", a gold buyer will be on site to purchase your unwanted/useless gold (remember that lone ear ring or that 1970's gold chain?, Or, that pinky ring?). You get some Christmas spending money and Saint John's gets a donation from the Gold Buyers for its Golden Anniversary! Refreshments and holiday cheer will be served. Please RSVP to Sue Stetzer.

Blue Christmas Service at the 6:00 p.m. worship

blue christmas Sunday December 12

A service for those who find the holiday season particularly difficult, for those who lament because of loss: the death of a loved one, or the loss of employment, connection to others, the loss of health, mobility, etc., the service is meant to call attention to the presence of God's grace and the pastoral care of the community, especially during a time when holiday memories might amplify mixed feelings.

Grief, Loss and Transition Group

Grief Counselor Ron Beams, who lead the Transition Group in the Spring has agreed to be available 4:30-6:00 p.m. on December 12 for a check in, open to both those who participated in the Transition Group and to others. Please speak to La Verne Wallace if you are interested in this.

THE HOLY LAND May 2-14, 2011

A Pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine and Jordon

A chance to walk in the Jesus Stories you have heard all your life. A chance to stand where others stood to hear the Sermon on the Mount. A chance to walk the Via Delarosa in Jerusalem and pray at the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem.

BROCHURES NOW AVAILABLE

See KGK+ for more information

The Diocese of Los Angeles sends out each Wednesday an Episcopal News Update covering Diocesan activities, ministries and messages. Each week there is a short Just Action video/You Tube segment with a message from one of our bishops. You can subscribe by visiting:

www.episcopalnews.org

May Peace, Joy, Love and Hope find you this Advent,

Mother Kelli Grace

Saint John's Episcopal Church

4845 Wheeler Avenue, La Verne, CA

Two blocks North of Baseline

The Reverend Canon Kelli Grace Kurtz, Vicar

phone: 909-596-1321