Please Plan to Join Us for Youth Education Visioning: Monday and Tuesday, December 9 and 10

Fifty Years of Ordained Ministry:  

A Celebration of Fr. John Peterson

Christmas 2013 Service Schedule

Advent and Christmas Music In St. John's

Advent Lessons and Carols

The Choir of St. John's Church will sing a service of Advent Lessons and Carols, with carols for audience and choir, at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8. A reception will follow in the parish hall.  Music will include works by Boris Ord, Sir William McKie, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, and Orlando Gibbons.

Christmas Concert

The Choir of St. John's Church, together with Concordia Vocal Ensemble, will give a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m. that will include traditional carols of the season.  Program to include works by Harold Darke, William Mathias, Philip Marshall, and Sir David Willcocks. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Faith Cafe News

The patrons of Faith Cafe, specifically the men, are in need of clothing (jeans, shorts, and socks) as well as toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, razors).  If you are able to help, please bring donations to the parish offices.

The Vestry and Clergy of St. John's are pleased to tell you that the Thanksgiving offering was designated for support of the vital ministry of Faith Cafe.

Help Wanted: Make Christmas Special for Families at Metropolitan Ministries and Alpha House

For those who were not able to get the name of a Cornerstone Kid, St. John's will also be collecting unwrapped gifts for Metropolitan Ministries and diapers for Alpha House, so that everyone who wants to help others during the holiday season will have an opportunity to do so.  Please bring your gifts or diapers to services on Sunday or to the parish offices during the week.  Thanks to those who have already contributed!

Cornerstone Kids: Christmas Gift Return 

Those parishioners that did take the name of a Cornerstone Kid, your wrapped gifts need to be brought to St. John's or St. James House of Prayer no later than Wednesday, December 18.  The Christmas party is the following afternoon at 3:30 at SJHOP, 2708 Central Ave, Tampa 33602. Contact MC Jenkins with questions, and thank you for your generosity!

Sandwich Sunday Hosts Needed

A host family or families are needed for Sandwich Sunday on March 16, 2014.  Hosts purchase supplies for Sandwich Sundays (costs fully reimbursed by St. John's), help coordinate assembly on the day of, and deliver the lunches to Faith Cafe.  Want to help?  Contact Amanda Sansone at asansone@carltonfields.com.

Women of St. John's (and friends of any denomination) are invited to attend "Joyful

Anticipation" (an Advent mini-retreat) in St. John's

Parish Hall. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided by Contemporary Women's Bible Study

The retreat is free, but please contact the parish offices so we know how many to expect at 259.1570 or email rmckenzie@stjohnseagles.org. 

Parish Breakfast & Sandwich Sunday

On Sunday, December 15, we will gather after the 9:00 a.m. service in the parish hall for our monthly parish breakfast.  We will also assemble sandwiches and bag lunches for our friends at Faith Cafe.  Thanks to the Brown and Gagliardo families for hosting Sandwich Sunday!

Children's Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsal Schedule

Children ages 4 to grade 5 are needed to perform in the 2014 Christmas Eve Pageant during the 4:00 p.m. service on December 24.  Join us to bring the story of the birth of our Savior to life! Please email Leland Baldwin at lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org with questions.

The remaining rehearsals are as follows:

Sunday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 15, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

ALL REHEARSALS to take place in the Parish Hall.

Middle School Youth Study Break

On Sunday, December 15, during the usual youth time (4:00 to 6:00 p.m.), middle school youth are invited to the Youth House for a fun study break!  Drop in for a snack and some fellowship and take a break from studying for exams!

Choir Christmas Concert 

Outreach Committee and Friends of Uganda

The Outreach Committee and Friends of Uganda monthly meeting has been rescheduled to December 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lowry Room. 

A Celebration of the Ministry of the Rev. Douglas Remer

The Rev. Douglas Remer will return for a final Sunday in St. John's on December 22.  He will preach at and celebrate the 7:45 a.m. service and preach at and officiate at the 10:00 a.m. combined Lessons and Carols service.  A reception will follow, please join us to celebrate Fr. Remer's time with us!

College Christmas "Welcome Home" Breakfast

All our college-aged parishioners and their parents are invited to join us on the morning of Sunday, December 22, after the combined 10:00 service of Lessons and Carols, as we celebrate our college students' homecoming!  A special breakfast will be cooked by our children and youth, and we will meet for fellowship in the courtyard of the church (weather permitting).

Middle School Youth Christmas Party and Caroling

High School Girls' Retreat

The Bishop's Ball

The Bishop's Ball is a free dance for all the youth in the Diocese. The dress is semi-formal and there will be a Christian band and a Christian DJ and a whole lotta fun! It's at St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Youth from St. John's will carpool there and back. Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin if your youth would like to go.

Men's Ministry

We will also have our usual fine dining!  For this month only, RSVP to Ron Walker at www.rwalker@walkerbrands.com if you plan to attend so we can get a count for food.