December 30, 2015 Issue 
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We are always looking for church-related pictures to share with the congregation.  Submit them to LLowry@stjohnstampa.org.
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We want to provide support in your time of need!
Health regulations prohibit the clergy from being informed when our parishioners are in the hospital, so we will not know if you or someone you love is there unless you tell us. We want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.  
 
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email 
parish@stjohnstampa.org to let us know when you need us.


 


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From the Parish Register
 
Birthdays:

January 3, Kerry Carson, Peter Harrington, Charles Lassey, Emily McAdams,
Deborah Tozier 

January 4, Carol Ihrig, Nancy King, Carter Lindquist, Stuart Lindquist, Celia Nieto, Michael Pepe, Donna Scantlebury, Paul Schnell

January 5, Kevin Page

 
Sunday's Scripture Snippet  
 
If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1





 

Breaking News
Cornerstone Kids Christmas!
There was such excitement in the air at St. James House of Prayer on December 17! Before receiving their gifts, all of the children sang carols and performed in other ways for the capacity crowd of parents, children, and teachers. The fifth graders, pictured here with volunteer Lucy Wilkinson, recited a poem entitled, "The Christmas Story."
Thanks to everyone who helped ring in the Christmas season for the children. Many of you lovingly bought and wrapped requested gift items such as dolls, dinosaurs, cars, and games. Others kindly agreed to help stock the food pantry with needed ravioli, canned vegetables, and fresh oranges. And others helped Miranda Harrison-Quillin throw a fun party on December 3, complete with a contest to turn a child into a "snowman" by wrapping them in toilet paper! Thanks again to everyone who was involved in any way, large or small!
Clearwater Evensong
Our choir will be travelling to Clearwater on Sunday, January 10, to sing a service of Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where former St. John's priest Fr. Randy Hehr is now Priest-in-Charge. The service will commence at 4:00 p.m. (note time), and all are warmly invited to attend. Holy Trinity is located at 3200 N. McMullen Booth Road. The 11:15 a.m. service at St. John's that day will be congregational, musically, in order to give the choir time to travel and rehearse.
Bible Women Continues
The members of the Bible Women Advent Series have decided to continue the studies into the New Year.  All women of St. John's Church are invited. Each class is self contained.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 11, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room.  The group will discuss pages 23 - 30 along with Genesis 3-4.  
      
   "Eve is the only person in biblical history, other than Jesus, to talk with both God and Satan. That's an impressive resume."
- Lindsay Freeman

Contact Alice Sadler, Associate Rector, at asadler@stjohnstampa.org or 259.1570 if you are interested in joining the group. The book Bible Women costs $22.  You may order your own or join the group order by asking Mother Alice to include you. 
Moms 3Rs Group Begins January 11
All St. John's moms are invited to the 3Rs - Refresh, Renew, Recharge.  Join with other moms to REFRESH with morning coffee, RENEW with study, conversation and prayer,  RECHARGE for the week ahead.  This will be a time of sharing, caring, learning, and preparing with other moms.  There will be an organizational meeting in Discovery House on January 11, at 8:30 a.m.  Bring your enthusiasm along with ideas about what you would like to discuss.  Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector will facilitate the group.
Events and Fellowship
Men's Ministry January Meeting
The Men's Ministry's first meeting of the new year will be Tuesday, January 5, in the Parish Hall. The speaker will be Rob Greenway (rescheduled from November). Rob has spoken to the group twice before and they are indebted to him for speaking again. The topic will be "Islam: Core Beliefs & Practices."

Rob's last appearance generated the largest number of attendees of any Men's Ministry meeting so it is important that those who wish to attend RSVP to Dallas Coffield as soon as possible at dcoffield@gmail.com.

Meeting Schedule 
5:30 Fellowship
6:00 Buffet Dinner ($12)
6:30 Speaker

Future Dates
February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3
The Soiree
St. John's Church invites you to a Soir�e at the home of Mary and Ron Hulse (4912 Lyford Cay Road) on Friday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. Bring an hors d'oeuvre to share and a drink of your choosing.

RSVP to Mary Hulse at mmhulse@tampabay.rr.com or
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study
On Tuesday, January 12, the Women's Mid Morning Bible Study will begin a study of Paul's Letter to the Philippians.  They will continue to use the study guide, "Paul, the Prison Letters" by N. T. Wright.  The Rev. Don Goodheart will facilitate the introduction to and discussion of the first chapter of Philippians on the 12th.

The group invites all women of the parish and interested friends and neighbors to join them at 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lowry Room.  They meet on alternate Tuesdays.  For more information, contact Pat Wilson at patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com or 644.4640 or Joan McKay at mckayjhm@aol.com.
Action Items and Opportunities
End of Year Giving
Please bring any final pledge payments to the parish offices before they close at noon on the 31st.  If you are mailing your payment, the IRS requires that it be postmarked by December 31 to count for 2015.
Giving Envelope Pick Up
Parishioners who have requested giving envelopes can pick them up in the Parish Hall on the back counter for the next several Sundays.
Candle Available
The candle in the sanctuary light is available on Sunday, January 10, 2016. If you would like to take this opportunity to support St. John's and honor a loved one, please contact parish@stjohnstampa.org or 259.1570.
This Week at St. John's
Thursday, December 31: New Year's Eve
Please note, the Parish Offices will close at noon today in honor of the New Year holiday. 
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
Friday, January 1: New Year's Day
The Parish Offices are closed today in honor of the New Year holiday. 
Sunday, January 3
8:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
9:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)

Sunday School for Children (Parish Hall)
Following the 9:15 a.m. service
Coffee Hour Fellowship (Parish Hall)
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
Monday, January 4
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Tuesday, January 5
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS resumes their study of the book of Daniel on Tuesday, January 5. 

The group meets on Tuesdays from 6:45 to 8:00 a.m. in the Peterson Room at the Middle Division campus. After conversation and a light breakfast (fruit & some type of bread) that members take turns bringing, the study starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends shortly before 8:00 a.m.; a few people may leave early if they have to go to work. 
  
All women of St John's and their friends are welcome; the current group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ's church.  They would love to have you join them.  For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com. 
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Men's Ministry January Meeting
The Men's Ministry's first meeting of the new year will be Tuesday, January 5, in the Parish Hall. The speaker will be Rob Greenway (rescheduled from November). Rob has spoken to the group twice before and they are indebted to him for speaking again. The topic will be "Islam: Core Beliefs & Practices."

Rob's last appearance generated the largest number of attendees of any Men's Ministry meeting so it is important that those who wish to attend RSVP to Dallas Coffield as soon as possible at dcoffield@gmail.com.

Meeting Schedule 
5:30 Fellowship
6:00 Buffet Dinner ($12)
6:30 Speaker

Future Dates
February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3
Wednesday, January 6
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Nights at St. John's (Parish Hall)
The Wednesday Nights group concludes A Thrill of Hope, a DVD study presenting the familiar story of Christmas as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each scripture passage is illustrated and interpreted in the stunning artwork of John August Swanson along with commentary by some of America's premier Biblical scholars, names such as Dr. Thomas G. Long, Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, Dr. Carol A. Newsom, and more. The study is divided into six 7-minute chapters, each one featuring a passage of Scripture, commentary by the scholars, and a Swanson work of art.
 
January 6, 2016: Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-40), and Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

The Wednesday Nights at St. John's group invites all parishioners and friends to join them each week in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and an open heart and mind for discussion. Contact Paul and Winkie Game at pgamefla@aol.com for more details.