November 11, 2015 Issue 
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Parish Office Phone: 813.259.1570

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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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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:

November 12, Benjamin Horan, Christian Orebaugh, John Rudy, Caroline Shepard, Susan Straughn

November 13, James Bliss, Betty Carroll, Richard Eckhard, John Giordano, Dorothy Hilton, Alison Hyatt, Anna James, Frederick Schrils, Federick Tellekamp, James Turner

November 14, Catherine Cassedy, Curtis Foulsham, Susan Haire, Zena Hoskins, David Malizia, Katherine Morales, Marion Ridley

November 15, Charles Hobby, Benjamin Osborne 

November 16, Jameson Rabbitt, Bradford Spring, William Swanson

November 17, Charles Greacen, Riley Kayton, Megan Nolan, Fredericka Webster

November 18, Austin Bliss, William Brown, Curry Guyton, Joan Lochridge, Obiamaka Obianyo, Hayes Young

 
Sunday's Scripture Snippet  

Unless the LORD builds the house, their labor is in vain who build it.

Unless the LORD watches over the city, in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.

Psalm 127





 

Breaking News
We Give Thanks for our Veterans
O Judge of the nations,
we remember before you with grateful hearts
the men and women of our country who in the day of decision
ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy.
Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land
share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.
This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Heroic Service, BCP 1979
Ordination of Chase Ackerman
Our seminarian, Chase Ackerman, will be ordained to the sacred order of deacons in Christ's one holy catholic and apostolic Church on Saturday, December 5, 2015. The ordination will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg at 11:00 a.m. All are invited.
Are You Ready for Advent?
On Saturday, December 5, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Terry Hershey will be at St. John's as a part of a book tour to introduce his newest book, Sanctuary, Creating a Space for Grace in Your Life. Instead of just a book signing event, Terry will be giving a workshop in the Parish Hall on what sanctuary is, how to create sanctuary in your life, and how to create sanctuary in the lives of others.  This event will be a great way to begin Advent, since it is a penitential season that is all about creating space in our busy lives for receiving Christ. 
 
No reservations are necessary.  Just show up and pay at the door. There is a $30 fee to be paid directly to Terry either by check (made out to Terry Hershey), cash, or credit card.  The fee includes a copy of the book (retails for $22.95).
 
This is a community event for which St. John's is offering space and hospitality.  Feel free to invite your friends.  All are welcome.   
Focus on Faith
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,  joined by Father Connelly and Father Baker. For more information, click here to go to our website. If you are interested in joining Focus on Faith, contact Mother Alice at asadler@stjohnstampa.org or 813.397.1005.
Women's Advent Series - Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter
The Bible Women Advent Series will meet on three Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room, November 23, December 7, and December 14.  Please contact Alice Sadler (asadler@stjohnstampa.org or 239.919.2059) by Monday, November 16, if you plan to attend the class and wish to be included in the book order. Make checks payable to St. John's Episcopal Church for $22 for the cost of the book.   All women of St. John's are encouraged to participate. The group will start again January 11 to continue studying more of the Bible Women.
 
As the author of Bible Women, Rev. Lindsay Freeman is passionate about sharing the great stories of faith from a woman's perspective.  She profiles the words of every woman who spoke in the Bible. The Bible Women series is an opportunity to get reacquainted with not only the stories of the biblical woman, but also to reflect anew on their words and actions as they relate to our lives.  
Events and Fellowship
Expanded Evensong Schedule
St. John's Church recently announced additions to our Music Series schedule for 2015-2016, a significant expansion of the usual number of Evensong services planned for the year. Dates are as follows:
 
Sunday, December 6: Christmas Lessons and Carols, 5:00 p.m., reception follows in the Parish Hall
Sunday, December 20: Annual Christmas Concert, 5:00 p.m., reception follows in the Parish Hall
Sunday, January 10, 2016: Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clearwater, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 21, 2016: Evensong, 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 20, 2016: Evensong, 5:00 p.m
Sunday, April 17, 2016: Evensong, 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 15, 2016: Benefit Concert "Music for Royal Occasions," 5:00 p.m., reception follows in the Parish Hall

Except for the Evensong on January 10, all events will take place in St. John's Church.
The St. John's Book Club
The St. John's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, November 17, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room.  Pat Rice will lead the discussion on The Phantom of Fifth Avenue by Meryl Gordon.  Everyone is invited to attend.
Not Too Late for Pageant Signups
It's that time again!  If your child (grades K4 through 5) is interested in participating in the annual Christmas Eve pageant at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, you can still sign up. Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin at mharrisonquillin@stjohnstampa.org.  We will need all parent hands on deck so if you can help during the rehearsals or performances, please also let her know.  

Rehearsals will take place following the 9:15 a.m. service on the following Sundays: November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20.  There will also be a rehearsal on Saturday, December 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m., and a final rehearsal on Thursday, December 24 at 2:30 p.m.  

Sheep, kings, dancing angels, readers and many more are needed to bring the Gospel of Luke to life at our church on Christmas Eve.  We hope you will join us!
Action Items and Opportunities
christmas_tree_red_gold.jpg
The St. John's Giving Tree
The Projects and Outreach Commission has developed a new way for us to give back to our community this Christmas season. In the courtyard, after all three services starting Sunday, November 15, for three consecutive Sundays, you will find a tree decorated with ornaments representing a suggested gift for one of three local organizations: Cornerstone Kids, Meals on Wheels, and Metropolitan Ministries. This effort will allow parishioners a range of giving options that align with their budget and/or causes closest to their heart. Gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 6. Let's make this inaugural year of the St. John's Giving Tree a huge success!
Help Eradicate Hunger
According to the 2014 Report on Hunger in America, one in seven households in the U.S. is unsure of where its next meal will come from.  In September, on the eve of Pope Francis' visit to the U.S., religious leaders from different traditions and Christian denominations gathered in Washington, D.C. and committed to end hunger in the United States by 2030, an ambitious and compelling goal! They identified local communities as ground zero for meeting this challenge.

At Faith Cafe, St. John's, in partnership with six other south Tampa churches, is already hard at work feeding hungry people.  Faith Cafe, located at 1340 Clearview Ave. (near the intersection of N. Himes Ave and South I-275), serves lunch to all who arrive between 11:30 a.m.  and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  Part of each meal is prepared at Metropolitan Ministries and transported to Faith Cafe by volunteers and part is prepared on site by the volunteers themselves.  It is attributable to the faithfulness of the volunteer team that, in its 10+ years, Faith Cafe has never had a paid employee.

The following are among those regularly volunteering their time and talent on St. John's days, the third and fourth Fridays of each month:

Nicholas Nitch, Daily Coordinator 
Jim and Anne Voss
Leslie Hanlon
Carol McCammon
Madeleine Tellekamp
Sally Olsson
David Wheaton
Maria Howey
Elizabeth Strong
Jo Apthorp 
Miriam Faircloth
Joanne Flagg
Pat Wilson
Mary Hulse
Rick Barrs
Ellen and Don Stickter
Helen Mesada
Mary Jane Schenck
Keymette Gibbs
Sally Wiley
David Kenyon, Wednesday Chef
Gay MacDonald 

Please consider joining us.  We have a great team and look forward to welcoming new volunteers.  Our upcoming dates are November 20 and 27 and December 18 and 25.  For more information or to volunteer contact Sally Wiley (swileytampa @aol.com  or 253-3906) or Mary Jane Schenck (mjschenck@ut.edu or 545-1868). 
This Week at St. John's
Thursday, November 12
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and Healing (Chapel)
11:45 a.m.
Men's Bible Study and Lunch (Peterson Room)
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Friday, November 13
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

The Soiree: Friday, November 13
St. John's invites you to a Soiree on Friday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m.
At the home of Carol & Henry Woodroffe
2109 North Dundee Street, 33629
Please bring an appetizer to share and your favorite beverage

RSVP to Mary Hulse at 391.7743 or mmhulse@tampabay.rr.com or to Pat Wilson at 644.4640 or patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com
Sunday, November 15
(choose Track 2)
christmas_tree_red_gold.jpg
The St. John's Giving Tree
After all three services starting this Sunday, November 15, the Giving Tree will be in the courtyard, decorated with ornaments representing a suggested gift for one of three local organizations: Cornerstone Kids, Meals on Wheels, and Metropolitan Ministries. Gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 6.
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
Parish Breakfast (Parish Hall)
Sandwich Sunday (Parish Hall)
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
4:30 p.m.
Middle School Youth Group (Parish Hall)
The Circle
Join us at 6:00 pm on November 15
At the home of Jerry and Marilin Maya,
co-hosted by Greg and Kam Hearing

4212 West Sevilla Street, 33629

The evening will have a Cuban theme--our hosts will provide the main dish (Cuban food) and a specialty drink (mojitos). Guests should bring appetizers/salad and/or dessert, or beer or wine. Contact Kim French to make sure you are on our email list.
6:30 p.m.
High School Youth Group (Location TBD)
Monday, November 16
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Tuesday, November 17
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS continues a study of Acts using the Interpretation Bible Studies series text through the early fall. 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. 
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study
On Tuesday, November 17, the Women's Mid Morning Bible Study will focus on Ephesians 5:3-33. Fr. Robert Baker will be guiding our study.

We invite all women of the parish and interested friends and neighbors to join us at 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lowry Room.  We 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.
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
The St. John's Book Club
The St. John's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, November 17, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room.  Pat Rice will lead the discussion on The Phantom of Fifth Avenue by Meryl Gordon.  Everyone is invited to attend.
Wednesday, November 18
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 at St. John's group continues the DVD series, In Israel's Mission. Author and Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan takes viewers on a journey through Israel to explore what it means to be a kingdom of priests in a prodigal world. Discover the mission that God gave his people many centuries ago and how that impacts them today.

Renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan guides viewers through the land of the Bible. In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures. The series will transform viewers understanding of God and challenge them to be a true follower of Jesus.

The Wednesday Nights group will view five DVD sessions filmed on location in the Middle East:

- Session Four, November 18, The Lost Son: In a Far Country (Jerash, Jordan).
- Session Five, November 25, The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns (Datzrim, Israel). 

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.