December 9, 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

Baptisms:

December 6, 2015
Nicholas Joseph Raffa
Leo Daniel Dorsch

Birthdays:

December 10, Nicole Hasselbach, Kevin Johnson, Julie Sunich

December 11, Ingalls Witte

December 12, Stephen Galloway, Eleanor Taylor, Christopher Walker, Jack Walker

December 14, Donna Gem, Absley Goodman, Mary Greacen, Kathryn Lewis, 
Sharon Stoll

December 15, Martin Angiulli, Hayden Atzenhoefer, Alexis Farmen, Peggy Thompson

December 16, Richard Baker, Andrew Mason, Bridget Wiese

 
Sunday's Scripture Snippet  

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.

Malachi 3





 

Breaking News
Christmas Concert Approaches
The Annual Christmas Concert, begun as a one time event in 2007, is now very much part of the St. John's Christmas tradition. Please join us on Sunday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m. for this year's concert, which will feature works of Joseph Haydn, Francis Poulenc, Harold Darke, and Peter Warlock, together with carols for choir and congregation. A reception, to which all are warmly invited, will follow in the Parish Hall.
Introducing Care Notes
Care Notes will be available at both entrances to the church this Sunday.  Through these booklets, each month a new topic is presented addressing difficult and /or painful issues faced by regular people as we go through life.  The month of December will focus on Advent and Christmas topics, because while we think of the holidays as happy and busy times, they can be sad and lonely for those who are ill, grieving or have loved ones who are ill. 
 
People dealing with intensely emotional situations are looking for concise, easy-to-read guidance and support. That's why Care Notes have been designed with smaller, more manageable sections. Sidebars are added to support the information and stimulate interest; attention-getting subheads and call-outs are included to direct a reader through the booklet; and a thorough resource guide is supplied.
 
Care Notes are for your care and support.  There is no charge.  Care Notes are sponsored by the Stephen Ministers.  If you find that you need help in one of these areas contact Stephen Leader, Carol Ihrig, (831.3245 or carolihrig@verizon.net)  or Mother Alice (397.1005 or asadler@stjohnstampa.org).  Stephen Ministers have been trained to provide confidential listening and prayer.
 
Topics for December
Waiting for God:  The Grace of Advent                 
Going on an Advent Prayer Journey
Praying Our Way to Christmas and Beyond           
Rediscovering the Many Gifts of Christmas
Overcoming the "Blues" at Christmastime              
Coping with Holiday Stress
Grieving at Christmas: A Family Guide                   
How Holiday Traditions Help Heal Your Grief
Getting Though the Holidays When You've Lost a Loved One
Making Christmas Count: A Kids Guide to Keeping the Season Sacred
A Note from St. John's Choir Guild
The Choir Guild is seeking additional membership in our ministry.  Our St. John's Choir has a very active year planned and it is the Choir Guild who supports their mission.  If you would like to become part of this ministry team, please contact Kris Angiulli at kangiulli@msn.com or by phone at 310.7653. 
 
Additionally, they are in need of assistance to support an upcoming reception following the Choir's Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 20.  The list below includes current needs.  Food items may be supplemented with any creative ideas and favorite entertaining recipes.  They would also happily accept a donation toward the cost of an item if that is preferred.
 
Set Up
Meet in the Parish Hall from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. to set up tables with minor decorations, prep food trays, and set up drink stations. (Need 3-4 people)
 
Clean Up
After the reception, assist with cleaning reusable food trays, box up decorations and left over items, take home tablecloths to wash & return. (Need 2-3 people.)
 
Food Donations
4-6 desserts (brownies, cookies, mini-cupcakes)
 
6-8 trays of finger sandwiches (any variety or Cubanitos)
 
6-8 trays of cheese & crackers, hummus & veggies, chips & salsa, or bread bowl with spinach dip.
 
2 bottles each of coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite
 
If you are able to help by providing any of these, please contact Kris Angiulli at kangiulli@msn.com or via cell phone at 310.7653.
Advent Wreath Fun!
For more photos, visit (and like) our Facebook page!
Men's Ministry January Meeting
Our first meeting of the new year will be Tuesday, January 5, in the Parish Hall. The speaker will be Rob Greenway (rescheduled from November). Rob has spoken to the group twice before and we are indebted to him for speaking again. The topic will be "Islam: Core Beliefs & Practices."

Rob's last appearance generated the largest number of attendees of any Men's Ministry meeting so it is important that you RSVP to Dallas Coffield at dcoffield@gmail.com.

Meeting Schedule 
5:30 Wine & Fellowship
6:00 Buffet Dinner ($12)
6:30 Speaker

Future Dates
February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3
Events and Fellowship
Upcoming Events for Youth and Children
Youth Confirmation Kick Off Brunch
Sunday, December 13, following the 9:15 a.m. service, Discovery House
Confirmation is an opportunity to make a mature affirmation before the Bishop of the promises made on our behalf when we were baptized. Classes to prepare for this affirmation begin with a kick off brunch on December 13 and continue on most Sundays until Confirmation Sunday, May 22, 2016. Classes are open to St. John's youth in 6th grade or above. Attendance at classes and in church on Sundays is required.

High School Youth Progressive Dinner
Sunday, December 13, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Starts at Church

Youth Movie Night
Thursday, December 17, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Parish Hall

Family Gasparilla Party
Saturday, January 23, 2:00 p.m., Discovery House
The family Gasparilla party is a chance to celebrate the pirate season with friends and neighbors at the Children's Parade. Join us on January 23, 2016 at Discovery House at 2:00 p.m. for food and fun with other St. John's families.

Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin for more details about any of these events at mharrisonquillin@stjohnstampa.org. 
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study
The Women's Mid-Morning Bible Study group will take a break for the holidays and will not meet again until Tuesday, January 12. Please note, there will be no meeting on December 15 as was previously published. 

Starting on January 12, the group's focus for winter/spring will be the study of Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.  They will continue using the study guide Paul, The Prison Letters by N. T. Wright.

They invite all women of the parish and interested friends and neighbors to join them at 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lowry Room.  They 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.
Action Items and Opportunities
Sandwich Sunday Hosts Needed
Each month, we make sandwiches and bag lunches for the patrons of Faith Café to take with them after they eat a hot meal at the Café.We are in need of monthly hosts for 2016 on March 20, May 15, June 19, September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18. Hosting means purchasing supplies (costs are reimbursed by St. John's), helping facilitate the assembly line, and delivering sandwiches to Faith Café. If you are interesting in hosting on one of the dates, please contact Sandwich Sunday Coordinator Cindy Martin at cdmcasa@gmail.com.
This Week at St. John's
Thursday, December 10
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
11:45 p.m.
Men's Bible Study and Lunch (Peterson Room)
The Men's Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group will meet on Thursday, December 10. They will then take a break for the holidays until January 14. 

The readings the group studies are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday. They will continue with this pattern in the new year, reading and studying the lessons for the Sunday to follow, to better understand and absorb those readings and Sunday's sermon. 

Extra parking is available in the School's parking area across Plant St. under the Cross-town expressway if the regular lot is full. Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP to dlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Church)
Friday, December 11
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Church)
Sunday, December 13
(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)
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (Lowry Room)
Youth Confirmation Kickoff Brunch (Discovery House)
Confirmation is an opportunity to make a mature affirmation before the Bishop of the promises made on our behalf when we were baptized. Classes to prepare for this affirmation begin with a kick off brunch on December 13 and continue on most Sundays until Confirmation Sunday, May 22, 2016. Classes are open to St. John's youth in 6th grade or above. Attendance at classes and in church on Sundays is required.
11:15 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
High School Youth Progressive Dinner (starts at Church)
Monday, December 14
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

4:00 p.m.
Bible Women Advent Series (Lowry Room)
Tuesday, December 15
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS continues 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, December 16
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Nights at St. John's (Parish Hall)
Beginning Wednesday December 16, the Wednesday Nights group will study A Thrill of Hope, a DVD study presenting the familiar story of Christmas as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each scripture passage is illustrated and interpreted in the stunning artwork of John August Swanson along with commentary by some of America's premier Biblical scholars, names such as Dr. Thomas G. Long, Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, Dr. Carol A. Newsom, and more. The study is divided into six 7-minute chapters, each one featuring a passage of Scripture, commentary by the scholars, and a Swanson work of art.
 
The group will view and discuss the six sessions on three evenings:
December 16: A Visit (Luke 1:26-38), The Nativity (Luke 2:1-7) December 23, NO MEETING
December 30: The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)
January 6, 2016: Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-40), and Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

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.