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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
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Sunday, December 14
Bible 101, 4:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Sunday, December 19
Middle/High School Movie Outing, 6:00 p.m., Westshore Mall
Sunday, December 21
- Parish Breakfast and Sandwich Sunday, following the 9:15 a.m. service, Parish Hall
- College Student Brunch, following the 9:15 a.m. service, Discovery House
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Birthdays:
December 4
Jarrett Dring, John Few, Frank Valdez
December 5
Harrison Browning, George Burchill, Claire Calfee, William Chastain, Robin Gonzalez, Cheryl Hamilton, Charles Harden, Lawrence Heisel
December 6
James Armstrong, James Judy, Hayden Kendall, Gail Dee Russ, David Schenck
December 7
Thomas Prebianca, James Voss
December 8
Sydney Braun, Robert Elliott, Mark Schabacker
December 9
Thomas Conlee, Heidi Green, John Koch, Jr., David Murphey, III, Emily Olsen, Lilly Young
December 10
Nicole Hasselbach, Kevin Johnson, Julie Sunich
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Sunday's Scripture Snippet
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Mark 13
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A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m.
The Choir of St. John's Church
Carols for Congregation and Choir
Music of Philip Marshall, Harold Darke, Boris Ord, and Sir David Willcocks
In the Church
Reception follows in the Parish Hall
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Welcome, Newcomers and Visitors!
December 7, 4:00 p.m., Discovery House (next door to the church)
You are invited to a Welcome Party to meet other new members of St. John's and learn more about your church home. Members of the staff will be available to answer your questions about becoming involved in our parish life and ministries. This is an informal time to relax and make new friends. We will finish in plenty of time for you to get a good seat at the Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols if you wish to attend. RSVP with your name and phone number to Rebecca McKenzie by Friday morning at 397.1011 or rmckenzie@stjohnstampa.org. Hope to see you there!
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Cornerstone Kids Event: Come One, Come All!
This Friday, December 5, please bring your children and come to our Family Cornerstone Party, given by St. John's Children's Ministry.
When - 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. (come to any or all that you are able)
Where - St. James House of Prayer, 2708 North Central Avenue, 33602
Questions- Call Leland Baldwin, 259.1570
Why- To start the season with a wonderful relationship building party
What are we going to do - Make a Christmas craft, eat, and play kickball
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Don't miss any of the fun with St. John's this December!
Christmas Shopping with Friends
Friday, December 5, at Westshore Mall. We will meet for dinner in the food court at 5:30 p.m. and then shop until pick up at 8:00 p.m.
Middle School Cookie Exchange
Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m. upstairs at Discovery House: Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter, Ginger Snaps... Oh MY! Wear a festive Christmas outfit and bring 3 dozen cookies to exchange with your friends. And stay for the traditional service of Lessons and Carols at 5:30 p.m.
High School Progressive Dinner Party
Sunday, December 7, after the Service of Lessons and Carols, join us for a fun culinary tour of Tampa. Three families are hosting us, each providing either an appetizer, entree, or dessert. Wear a festive Christmas outfit and RSVP to Chaplain HQ by December 2.
Middle School/High School Movie Outing
Friday, December 19, at 6:00 p.m. Woo hoo! Christmas Break! Come out for dinner and movie at Westshore Plaza. Bring $$$ for food and a ticket to a fun youth approved movie. Bring friends and celebrate a break from school.
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Bible 101: Sunday, December 14
What do you really know about the Bible? Who wrote it? Why is it important? What does it have to do with your ordinary life?
On Sunday, December 14, from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, we will explore these questions and questions like them. It's an experiment in a basic Bible study that is aimed for those with minimal (or no) understanding of the Bible, as well as those who are interested in reviewing some of the basics of the Bible or filling in some of their gaps of understanding. Men and women are invited. There is no homework and no preparation is required. Father Charles Connelly and Dr. Hal Wiley will be the presenters. Please join us! High school youth are welcome!
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Focus on Faith: Adult Confirmation 2015
Focus on Faith is a small group experience to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its beliefs. The program is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith. It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey. The program is led by Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector. Click here to download a brochure about Focus on Faith, or contact Mother Alice.
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College Student Welcome Brunch
Sunday, December 21 after the 9:15 a.m. service
College parishioners who will be home for the Christmas holidays, WELCOME HOME!!! After the 9:15 a.m. service on December 21, we welcome you to join us in Discovery House for brunch and social time. There will always be a home for you here at St. John's!
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Wednesday Nights at St. John's: Movie Discussion
The Wednesday Nights group will view the movie
Brother Sun, Sister Moon tonight, Wednesday, December 3. The cinematography of the movie is brilliantly beautiful throughout. The film focuses on the early years of Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi.
NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY...
Because the movie is not an entirely factual historical biography of Francis and Claire, we are fortunate to have a Franciscan friar join us next week on December 10 to discuss the movie and give us accurate information about the two and about the continuing Franciscan order.
Our guest presenter will be Rev. George Corrigan, O.F.M., Parochial Vicar and Pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa. Fr. Corrigan grew up in the Orlando, Florida area. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 and served on nuclear submarines. Thereafter he served as a lay missionary in Kenya for 4 years, performed civilian work and study and received Master's degrees in Business Administration, Information Systems, Divinity and Franciscan Studies. He became a Franciscan in 1996.
In preparation for Fr. Corrigan's presentation, attendees are encouraged to read the following article about St. Francis or this article about the Franciscan order.
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Focus on Faith: Adult Confirmation 2015
Focus on Faith is a small group experience to learn more about the Episcopal Church and its beliefs. The program is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith. It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey. The program is led by Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector. Click here to download a brochure about Focus on Faith, or contact Mother Alice.
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Christmas Outreach Update
The Outreach Committee would like to thank everyone who so enthusiastically embraced our Christmas gift program with Cornerstone Kids! The names of 36 children were handed out in record time, so now the fun gift-buying begins. Please bring your wrapped gifts either to St. John's or St. James House of Prayer by Wednesday, December 17.
For those who were not able to select the name of a child, St. John's will also be collecting UNWRAPPED new toys for the children at Metropolitan Ministries and diapers for the babies at Alpha House. This way, everyone who wants to help others during the holiday season may have an opportunity to do so. Please bring your donations to the church and we will transport them for you. Contact MC Jenkins with questions at bucsjenkins@aol.com, and thank you for your generosity!
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Candle Available
The candle in the Sanctuary Light is available for January 11, 2015. If you would like to take this opportunity to support St. John's and honor a loved one, please call 259.1570 or email parish@stjohnstampa.org.
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 | Thursday, December 4
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| 10:00 a.m. |
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)
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| 11:45 a.m. |
Men's Thursday Interactive Bible Study and Lunch (Peterson Room)
"I discovered later, and I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that is it only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith. By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes and failures. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world. That, I think, is faith." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Men's Interactive Bible Study and Lunch group will continue their fall series on alternate Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. in the Peterson Room. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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Friday, December 5
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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| 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. |
Cornerstone Kids Christmas Party (St. James House of Prayer)
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| 5:30 p.m. |
Youth Christmas Shopping Trip (Westshore Mall)
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Sunday, December 7
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8:00 a.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
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9:15 a.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)
Sunday School for Children (Parish Hall)
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| Immediately following the 9:15 a.m. service |
Coffee Hour Fellowship (Parish Hall)
Youth Confirmation Information Session (Discovery House)
Adult Sunday School: The Forum (Lowry Room)
Children's Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
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11:15 a.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
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4:00 p.m.
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Newcomer and Visitor Welcome (Downstairs at Discovery House)
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4:00 p.m.
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Middle School Youth Cookie Exchange (Upstairs at Discovery House)
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5:30 p.m.
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A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols (Church)
A reception follows in the Parish Hall.
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After Lessons and Carols
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High School Youth Progressive Dinner
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| Monday, December 8
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8:15 a.m.
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Mom's Sanctuary Support and Bible Study Group (Discovery House)
Come have a cup of coffee, meet new friends, and reconnect with old friends at 8:15 a.m. in Discovery House. This group will continue meeting each Monday morning this fall. Questions? Email lbaldwin@stjohnstampa.org or call 259.1570.
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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| Tuesday, December 9
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6:45 a.m.
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The Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
The Contemporary Women's Bible Study (CWBS) group is continuing a new study of the Synoptic Gospels. All women of St John's and their friends are invited to attend. The group meets each Tuesday morning from 6:45 to 8:00 a.m. in the Peterson Room on the Middle Division Campus at Platt Street and Plant Avenue. Coffee and a light breakfast are served. Join us for lively discussion as we discover the meaning of scripture in our lives. Please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com for more information.
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| 10:30 a.m. |
Women's Mid Morning Bible Study (Lowry Room)
Women of St. John's, friends and neighbors are invited to participate in a fall study entitled "Psalms: Songs for the Soul," based on a curriculum developed by the Rev. Gwynne Johnson (Lutheran). The psalms are a rich resource that can guide our prayers, our thinking and our life choices. They have something to teach us about each of life's seasons: times of comfort, times of difficulty and times of resolution. Each lesson will focus on a theme and psalms that speak to it.
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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Wednesday, December 10
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| 12:15 p.m. |
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
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6:30 p.m.
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Wednesday Nights at St. John's (Parish Hall)
The Wednesday Nights in 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 details.
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