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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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Sat, February 28
St. John's "Outreach Saturday," 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a fellowship lunch in the Parish Hall. The outreach projects will consist of three different volunteer options at Metropolitan Ministries. Contact Erin Carr at
Sun, March 1
Middle School Youth Group, 4:30 p.m., Parish Hall
Games, dinner, lesson, and fellowship for youth in 6th through 8th grades
High School Youth Group, 6:00 p.m., Parish Hall
Dinner, fellowship, and Bible study of Romans for youth in grades 9 through 12.
Mon, March 2
Good Grief Support Group, 5:00 p.m., Lowry Room
Tues, March 3
Men's Ministry, 6:00 p.m. Parish Hall
Thurs, March 5
The Men's Interactive Bible Study and Lunch group will study Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
Sun, March 8
The Boy Choristers of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City with the gentlemen of St. John's Choir, 5:00 p.m., Church
John Scott, Conductor
Tues, March 10
Women's Interactive Bible Study, 10:15 a.m., Lowry Room
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Birthdays:
February 19, Stephanie Gibson, Jessica Simmons
February 20, Markus Dangl, Harrison Hodges, Patrick Kelly, Jeannie Kenyon, Bettye Spoto
February 21, Sue Cox, Charlotte Graham, Andrew Hunt, Paulette Lane, Kent Malizia, Downs Spitler, IV, Carol Woodroffe, Robert Yelverton
February 22, Christina Arcuri, George Cave, Jr., Paul Lutz, William Sharp, Jr., Luka Vaughn
February 23, Conal Foley, Ruth Giordano, Karen Lassey, Margaret Smith
February 24, Isabella Blewitt, Jeffrey Blume, Mark Mellon, Pamela Price
February 25, Gina Shelton
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Sunday's Scripture Snippet
For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4
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Ash Wednesday Service Times
Remaining times for the Ash Wednesday Liturgy are today at 5:30 p.m. and the Liturgy with a Choral Eucharist at 7:00 p.m. Childcare is available in the nursery during both services.
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Men's Ministry: Tuesday, March 3
Sister Jeanne Williams, a Franciscan Sister of Alleghany, will be our featured Men's Ministry speaker at our next meeting on March 3 in the Parish Hall. Her topic will be "Love In The Unfolding Universe." As we contemplate the unfolding of God's love in the evolution of the universe, implications emerge for who God is, who we are, and for every aspect of our lives. Like the universe itself, we are invited to let go of the past and engage the future, actively participating in this unfolding movement toward greater wholeness of unity in love.
We have had great attendance of late, wonderful food as usual, and outstanding speakers. Please join us at 6:00 p.m. for wine and fellowship time, a fine meal catered by Holy Hog Barbecue at 6:30 p.m., and our speaker, Sister Jeanne, following dinner. RSVP to Dallas Coffield at dcoffield@gmail.com.
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Windows into our Souls: Unwrapping the Gifts of Scripture in our Daily Lives - Lenten Series Begins Next Week
The first gathering of this year's Lenten Series will be held Wednesday, February 25. If you can arrive a little early, there will be a reception beginning at 5:45 p.m. At 6:15 p.m. we will proceed into the parish hall where dinner will be served at your assigned table (if two or more need to be together at the same table rather being assigned independently, please arrive together). A facilitator/host will be at each table to guide the flow of the evening which will begin with a blessing among those gathered at that table. Dr. Hal Wiley will lead an introductory and interactive program the first night. Subsequent weeks will be led by different presenters.
God is always present to us. But we are not always present to God. This year's Lenten Series will emphasize using our senses with spiritual intentionality and awareness as windows to the divine presence in our lives. We will be using images from our stained glass windows, the taste and smells and texture of the food we eat during our meals, the music we hear and produce, the table arrangements on our tables, and the beauty of our worship spaces to guide and inform each week's Bible study.
Each week's gathering will end at 8:00 p.m. after Compline in the sanctuary. Please be sure to sign up either by calling or emailing the parish offices or by signing one of the signup sheets after Sunday services. Expect to be surprised.
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The Place of the Organ During Lent
Lent is a time of restraint, abstinence and self-examination. From a liturgical standpoint, this is perhaps in no way more demonstrable than through a change in the mood of the music. Over the course of the next five Sundays, we will sing some of the great Lenten hymns - many of them in minor keys that add a solemn tone to their character. Advent and Lent are seasons during which we sing some of the finest hymnody, and, from what I hear from many of you, like me, you look forward to the opportunity to sing these hymns which come round but once a year, and are condensed into a short time-frame. Indeed, in the case of Advent, I often hear it said that many people feel disappointed when the Christmas Carols are eventually wheeled out!
Some churches mark Lent musically with the virtual suppression of the use of the organ - particularly those in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. This is particularly striking, since all of the hymns and service music are sung unaccompanied, and there are no voluntaries. It is all the more powerful when the organ makes itself heard again come the fanfare at the Great Vigil, having been silent for some five weeks. I am not proposing that we immediately adopt an unaccompanied Lent, but I have been considering ways in which we might further mark the season, musically, and have agreed with Fr. Connelly that we will cease playing postludes during this time. This will, I hope, provide a marked change from Ordinary Time, and encourage a more contemplative end to our services.
Simon Morley
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St. John's 2015 Budget
Your Vestry approved the 2015 budget as recommended by the Finance Committee and discussed by the Rector in our Annual Meeting. Please see detail below.
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Sign Up Now for the St. John's Church Spring Women's Retreat: April 10 through 12
St. John's 2015 Women's Retreat, sponsored by the Contemporary Women's Bible Study class, will be held at DaySpring Conference  Center from Friday evening April 10 through lunch Sunday, April 12. Program sessions will utilize chapters from Defiant Daughters: Christian Women of Conscience, by Marcy Heidish as the starting point for discussion and theological reflection on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Session leaders may add supplemental material as they see fit. Saturday afternoon will be devoted to prayer, reflection and inward growth.
For both nights in a double room, the cost is $180, which includes shared room and meals. A $25 deposit by the end of March will reserve your place. If you can join us, send your deposit (or the entire amount) by check made payable to St. John's to the church office with a notation that it is for the CWBS retreat. Click here for a flyer with more details.
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All-Parish Retreat: Saturday, April 25
Please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25, for the St. John's Parish Fellowship Retreat. We will have activities for all ages at this parish-wide event. There will be a ropes course, canoeing, labyrinth walk, and centering prayer, Lunch will be served and a closing Eucharist celebrated. Dayspring is the Episcopal conference center just 30 minutes south of Tampa in Ellenton.
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Join us for Outreach Saturday!
St. John's "Outreach Saturday" will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a fellowship lunch in the Parish Hall. The outreach projects will consist of three different volunteer options at Metropolitan Ministries. We would love your participation as we get involved in our community with a hands-on effort! Questions? Contact Erin Carr at erin@sunfishholdings.com.
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March Music at St. John's
Sunday, March 8
Concert by the Treble Choristers of St. Thomas Fifth Avenue, New York City and the Gentlemen of St. John's Choir at 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall.
We are delighted to welcome back the Boy Choristers of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City for a concert under their director, John Scott. The St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys is widely considered to be the finest of its kind in this country. The boys will be joined by the altos, tenors and basses of our own choir in several works in the program.
Thursday, March 19, The Feast of St. Joseph
Concert by the Harvard Glee Club at 7:30 p.m., in the church.
Sunday, March 22
Choral Evensong offered by the Middle Division School Choir at 5:00 p.m., in the church.
March 29, Palm Sunday
Holy Week Concert offered by the Choir of St. John's at 5:00 p.m., in the church; Requiem (Op. 48) by Gabriel Fauré.
Contact the parish offices by email or by phone at 259.1570.
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Good Grief: Support Group Begins March 2
On Monday, March 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room, a Grief Support group will begin and meet for eight weeks. The focus of the group is for those who have had loved ones die in the last year. We will direct the discussions toward how one handles the initial grief process. We will discuss what to expect in the first year of grieving.
The Walking the Mourner's Path bereavement class is for those who have a loved one who died longer than one year ago. We will offer this class later in the year. Alice Sadler, Associate Rector, will facilitate the group. Please contact Mother Alice by email at asadler@stjohnstampa.org or call her office at 397.1005 if you are interested in participating in the group.
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Flowers and Candle Available
The following flowers and candle are available: April 12 - Flowers at the Church Altar and at the Chapel Altar; April 19 - Flowers at the Church Altar and at the Chapel Altar; May 31 - Candle in the Sanctuary Light. If you would like to take one of these opportunities to support St. John's and honor a loved one, please call 259.1570 or email parish@stjohnstampa.org.
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Housing Needed for Choristers
We are delighted, as part of our Annual Music Series, to be welcoming back to St. John's the Boy Choristers of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City on Sunday, March 8. St. John's has forged a firm friendship with St. Thomas - our own choir having sung there on a number of occasions. The boys will give a concert here in the church at 5:00 p.m., and will be joined by our own altos, tenors, and basses for several pieces in the program.
As part of their Florida tour, the boys require housing for two nights on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8. If you might be able to offer accommodation to at least two boys (they are required to stay in pairs), please contact Ginny VanOsdol, who has kindly agreed to coordinate housing. Ginny can be reached at 701.8029, or virginiavanosdol@gmail.com
Simon Morley
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 | Thursday, February 19
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10:00 a.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and Healing (Chapel)
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| 11:45 a.m. |
Men's Interactive Bible Study and Lunch (Peterson Room)
The Men's Interactive Bible Study and Lunch group continues. 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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| 12:15 p.m. |
The Daniel Plan (Discovery House)
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Friday, February 20
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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Sunday, February 22
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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)
Adult Christian Education: The Forum (Parish Hall)
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11:15 a.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
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| 4:30 p.m. |
Middle School Youth Group
(Parish Hall)
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High School Youth Skating Party
Sunday, February 22 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Meet at United Skates of America on North Armenia
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| Monday, February 23
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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. 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, February 24
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6:45 a.m.
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Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS continues a new study of the Gospel of John, using the study guide JOHN by Mark A. Matson from the Interpretation Bible Studies series. 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 group includes several valued members from other branches of Christ's church. We would love to have you join us.
For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
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10:15 a.m.
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Women's Mid Morning Bible Study (Lowry Room)
The group is using the Interpretation Bible Studies Guide to Romans by Art Ross and Martha M. Stevenson. On February 24, Winkie Game will lead the study of Unit 4, Romans 2:17 - 4:25, "Faith as Trust vs. Obedience or Belief." For information on acquiring the guide, as well as other questions, email Pat Wilson or Joan McKay.
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12:15 p.m.
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Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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Wednesday, February 25
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12:15 p.m.
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The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
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5:45 p.m.
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Lenten Series -
Windows into our Souls:
Unwrapping the Gifts of Scripture in Our Daily Lives (Parish Hall)
The first gathering of this year's Lenten Series will be held Wednesday, February 25. There will be a reception beginning at 5:45 p.m., then at 6:15 p.m. we will proceed into the parish hall where dinner will be served at your assigned table (if two or more need to be together at the same table rather being assigned independently, please arrive together). A facilitator/host will be at each table to guide the flow of the evening which will begin with a blessing among those gathered at that table. Dr. Hal Wiley will lead an introductory and interactive program the first night. Subsequent weeks will be led by different presenters.
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