December 23, 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:

December 24, Richard Nimphie

December 25, Harry Hedges

December 26, Nancy Adams, Holly Grant, Heather McGeachy, Constance Severn, Kimberly Wiese, Amy Yost

December 28, Caden Hearing, Kevin Kellar, Lorraine Lutton, Yair Maya, Kelly Yessin 

December 29, Barrett Browning, Winifred Game, Benjamin Graham, Leslie Jennewein

December 30, Barbara Armstrong, Robert Kelley, Patricia LeVarge, Cynthia Martin

 
Sunday's Scripture Snippet  

Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God.'

Hebrews 10





 

Breaking News
Christmas Service Schedule
Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve
Children's Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist  4:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist 6:00 p.m.
Music Program 10:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist  11:00 p.m.
The healing service that usual is celebrated at 10:00 a.m. will not take place today.

Friday, December 25, Christmas Day
Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m.
Combined Services for the Feast of St. John: December 27
A celebration of the feast of our patronal saint, John the Apostle and Evangelist, will take place on the 27th. This service takes the place of the 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. services. Congregational hymns appropriate to the day and to honor our saint will be one of the highlights of this special service. We hope you will join us!
Mid Morning Women's Bible Study
There was such excitement in the air at St. James House of Prayer on December 17! Before receiving their gifts, all of the children sang carols and performed in other ways for the capacity crowd of parents, children, and teachers. The fifth graders, pictured here with volunteer Lucy Wilkinson, recited a poem entitled, "The Christmas Story."
Thanks to everyone who helped ring in the Christmas season for the children. Many of you lovingly bought and wrapped requested gift items such as dolls, dinosaurs, cars, and games. Others kindly agreed to help stock the food pantry with needed ravioli, canned vegetables, and fresh oranges. And others helped Miranda Harrison-Quillin throw a fun party on December 3, complete with a contest to turn a child into a "snowman" by wrapping them in toilet paper! Thanks again to everyone who was involved in any way, large or small!
Bible Women Continues
The members of the Bible Women Advent Series have decided to continue the studies into the New Year.  All women of St. John's Church are invited. Each class is self contained.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 11, at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room.  The group will discuss pages 23 - 30 along with Genesis 3-4.  
      
   "Eve is the only person in biblical history, other than Jesus, to talk with both God and Satan. That's an impressive resume."
- Lindsay Freeman

Contact Alice Sadler, Associate Rector, at asadler@stjohnstampa.org or 259.1570 if you are interested in joining the group. The book Bible Women costs $22.  You may order your own or join the group order by asking Mother Alice to include you. 
Moms 3Rs Group Begins January 11
All St. John's moms are invited to the 3Rs - Refresh, Renew, Recharge.  Join with other moms to REFRESH with morning coffee, RENEW with study, conversation and prayer,  RECHARGE for the week ahead.  This will be a time of sharing, caring, learning, and preparing with other moms.  There will be an organizational meeting in Discovery House on January 11, at 8:30 a.m.  Bring your enthusiasm along with ideas about what you would like to discuss.  Mother Alice Sadler, Associate Rector will facilitate the group.
Events and Fellowship
Men's Ministry January Meeting
The Men's Ministry's 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 they 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 those who wish to attend RSVP to Dallas Coffield as soon as possible at dcoffield@gmail.com.

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

Future Dates
February 2, March 1, April 5, May 3
The Soiree
St. John's Church invites you to a Soirée at the home of Mary and Ron Hulse (4912 Lyford Cay Road) on Friday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. Bring an hors d'oeuvre to share and a drink of your choosing.

RSVP to Mary Hulse at mmhulse@tampabay.rr.com or
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. 

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
End of Year Giving
Please bring any final pledge payments to the parish offices before they close at noon on the 31st.  If you are mailing your payment, the IRS requires that it be postmarked by December 31 to count for 2015.
Giving Envelope Pick Up
Parishioners who have requested giving envelopes can pick them up in the Parish Hall on the back counter for the next several Sundays.
Candle Available
The candle in the sanctuary light is available on Sunday, January 10, 2016. If you would like to take this opportunity to support St. John's and honor a loved one, please contact parish@stjohnstampa.org or 259.1570.
This Week at St. John's
Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve
Please note, the Healing and Anointing Eucharist will not be celebrated today, Christmas Eve.
2:30 p.m.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (Church)
4:00 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist and Children's Christmas Pageant (Church)
6:00 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Church)
10:30 p.m.
Music Program (Church)
11:00 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Church)
Friday, December 25: Christmas Day
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Church)
Sunday, December 27
(choose Track 2)
8:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) (Church)
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Church)

Sunday School for Children (Parish Hall)
Following the 10:00 a.m. service
Coffee Hour Fellowship (Parish Hall)
Monday, December 28
12:15 p.m.

Noonday Prayer (Chapel)

Tuesday, December 29
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women's Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS will not meet on Tuesday, December 22 or Tuesday, December 29. They will resume their study of the book of Daniel on Tuesday, January 5. 

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 30
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Nights at St. John's (Parish Hall)
On December 30, the Wednesday Nights group will continue 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 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.