November 18, 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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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 19, Norman Shenk

November 20, Caroline Cox, Thomas Gilbert, Emily Picone, David Webster

November 21, Robert Alter, Joyce Davidson, Nina Kalpakis, Margaret Nelson, Amanda Sansone, Melissa Spring

November 22, Carol Blume, Richard Eatman, George Peters, Mackenzie Silcox 

November 23, Kari Bradley, Suzanne Nelson, David Pearce

November 24, Helena Ringhoff, William Smoak, Julia Swindal

November 25, Marc Adams, Patricia Dockery, Blythe Gay, Porter Gay, Keith Gibson

 
Sunday's Scripture Snippet  

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.

Hebrews 10





 

Breaking News
Thanksgiving Service: 10:00 a.m.
On Thursday, November 26, at 10:00 a.m., St. John's will celebrate the Eucharist for Thanksgiving Day.
Nominating Committee Report for November 2015 
The following parishioners have agreed to stand for Vestry election in 2016.
Nominees:
David Adams
Dennis Carr
Lynn Fluharty
John Marston
Ben Nelson
Jackie Preis
Lindsey Robbins
Janice Straske
 
Nominating Committee:
Kristie Salzer
Eric Williams
Frank Hancock
Bill Sansone
Holiday Food Drive: November 22, 29, and December 6
The Holiday Food Drive by St. John's Church for Metropolitan Ministries begins this Sunday. Most needed items include: 
  • Cereal (hot or cold)                             
  • Canned Cranberry Sauce
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Yams
  • Bags or Canned Beans
  • Grocery Gift Cards
  • Canned or Packets of Gravy
  • Peanut Butter
  • Boxes of Macaroni & Cheese
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Bag of Rice
  • Canned or Boxed Potatoes
  • Dessert Mixes
  • Packaged Cookies or Pastries
Please bring your donations to the blue bin inside the entrance to the parish offices.  We will collect donations through December 6. The desired quantities of these items are for families, not for large kitchen preparations.
 
May we be mindful and responsive to the need of others.  Thank you for your generosity.
Advent Wreathmaking Event
The light, love, and grace of God broke into the world and our hearts in the person of Jesus Christ. Advent is the season when Christians eagerly await this world changing event in the birth of the Christ child. Advent wreaths help us all wait by reminding us of the light that is revealed to us in Christmas. Join us on December 6 after the 9:15 a.m. service to assemble an advent wreath with your family to take home and use in your season of waiting before the joy of Christmas. Snacks will be served. There is a cost of $5 per wreath and $5 for each set of candles.

Thanks to Kim Osborne, Susan Arthur, and Cindy Hadlow for organizing the event!
The Soiree Fall Event
Events and Fellowship
Fathers Ministry Social: November 30
The Fathers Ministry has planned their second social for Monday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m. at Mad Dogs and Englishmen. All fathers are welcome!
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 30 (please note correct date), 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.  
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study
On Tuesday, December 1, the Rev. Don Goodheart will guide the Women's Mid Morning Bible Study through Ephesians 6. 

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.
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.   
Action Items and Opportunities
christmas_tree_red_gold.jpg
The St. John's Giving Tree: Two More Sundays Left to Participate!
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 for the next two 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!
Pageant Rehearsals Begin Sunday, November 29
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!
This Week at St. John's
Thursday, November 19
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 20
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Sunday, November 22
(choose Track 2)
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)
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Youth Skating Party
Meet us at United Skates of America ($15 for skate rental and pizza). Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin for details.
Monday, November 23
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Tuesday, November 24
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS will not meet on November 24 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. They will resume on Tuesday, December 1.

On December 1, CWBS will begin a new study of the book of Daniel. 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)
Wednesday, November 25
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 will not meet on November 25. The group will resume on December 2, and that night conclude their recent study with the fifth and final DVD in the Vander Laan series: The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns (Datzrim, Israel). 
 
On December 9, the group will have a movie night, viewing the movie,The Mission, starring Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons.  The movie is a powerful epic about a man of the sword and a man of the cloth who unite to shield a South American Indian tribe from brutal subjugation by 18th-century colonial empires. This unforgettable, action-filled drama of faith vs. greed and wills vs. cultures stars Robert DeNiro as Captain Rodrigo Mendoza and Jeremy Irons as Father Gabriel.

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.