St John’s Happenings
Saint John’s Church will host an Open Community Breakfast for all at the church this Sunday morning, December 7, from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. There is no cost; we invite any one in need of breakfast or conversation to come join us. For more information, see www.saintjohnschurch.com
News from the Centre Street Food Pantry:
Here is why the Food Pantry volunteers are especially thankful for our support this season: October, 2013 – 159 families shopped for 449 people; October, 2014 – 205 families shopped at the Pantry for 545 people. This increase of 46 families represents 230 additional bags chock-full of good things for the people who need our help! Thank you to all who continue to help these families to move forward!
The Reverend Mark D. W. Edington is our Celebrant and Preacher at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II, December 7, 2014. Child Care will be provided.
Church School News:
This Sunday, December 7, the children will be learning about Advent and what it means to prepare for Christmas. We will also start preparing for Christingle which will part of the 10 a.m. service on December 21. This will be for all children; they are welcome to participate by helping prepare for Christingle, participating in Christingle or both. The children will start in church for the 10 a.m. service and be dismissed to Sunday School after the first hymn. Godly Play is offered for children 4 years old through 2nd grade. Older children (3rd – 6th grade) will be assisting with the younger children and participating in the activities. Child care is available for younger children. If you are interested in having your child(ren) attend Sunday School, willing to volunteer or have ideas about the program, please contact Jennifer Morgan at jmmorgan321@aol.com.
Help Finding Housing : Our sister Jennifer Nolan continues to look for a new place to live. The home in which she has been renting an apartment has been sold, and she is presently living with a friend, but this is temporary. If you have any ideas, contacts, or suggestions that would be helpful, you can reach Jennifer directly at jennifernolan48@yahoo.com. Thank you.
The Book Group Meeting has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, December 9th at 7:30 p.m. We will be discussing the book “During the Reign of the Queen of Persia” and author Joan Chase. Please bring your thoughts and ideas about book selections for the upcoming new year! Come and join us – we love newcomers!
Newton Collaborative Confirmation & Affirmation Lock-in!
5:00 pm this Friday, December 5 – noon on Saturday, December 6
Newton Youth who participate in the Confirmation, Affirmation and Mentor program are invited to participate in this year’s church lock-in at the Parish of Saint Paul. More details to come. Please RSVP to Katherine Balmforth (youthminister@parishofstpaul.org) by Sunday, November 30.
Sunday, December 14th is the deadline for your donations to go toward poinsettias plants and greenery that will adorn the sanctuary at Christmas. Please designate your gift in honor of, in memory of, or in thanks for special people or events. Names will be listed in the Christmas bulletin, and plants will be shared with housebound members and friends after Christmas. Thank you, Altar Guild Members
Parishioners Jan, Rob, and Toby Gilpin will be performing with the Newton Family Singers as part of a joint Celebrations! Concert with the New Philharmonia Orchestra. It will be held this Sunday, December 7, 3:00 pmat the First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon St in Newton Centre.
Celebrations! will feature the New Philharmonia orchestra, dancers from Boston Ballet School, Newton Family Singers and the Chestnut Hill School Chorus in a celebration filled with music, dance and joy! For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.newphil.org/pages/calendar_tickets/family_concerts.htm
Monday Lunch at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen: Monday, December 29th is our next turn to serve lunch at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen. Due to the construction at the Cathedral, the lunch program has been relocated to St. John the Evangelist Church, located at 35 Bowdoin Street on Beacon Hill. For those travelling from Newton, let’s meet at St. John’s Newtonville with a departure time of 11:00 a.m.for the trip downtown. If you are coming from a downtown location, meet us at St. John the Evangelist at 11:45. And, for those who cannot attend but would like to contribute, please bring cookies or bars (homemade or store bought) to church this SundayDecember, 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Libby Seaman at epseaman@comcast.net, 617-251-5629.
Coffee Hour Sign-Up Sheet for January – March is now posted on the Parish Office door. Please take the time to sign up for an upcoming Sunday. Participating in this essential and fun part of fellowship at St. John’s is easier than you think! If you are interested in hosting one, there are plenty of veteran coffee hour providers who could guide you and answer your questions. Thank you!
This Week at Saint John’s Church
Friday, December 5
5:00 pm Confirmation Class Overnight Retreat (@ St. Paul’s)
Saturday, December 6
11:00 am Gift & Thrift Shop (lower hall)
Sunday, December 7
8:00 am Contemplative Eucharist, Rite II
8:45 am Open Community Breakfast (upper hall)
10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Celebrant and Preacher: The Reverend Mark D. W. Edington
5:00 pm OA Group Meeting (upper hall)
Tuesday, December 9
7:30 pm Book Group Meeting (Loring Rm.)
Thursday, December 11
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, December 13
11:00 am Gift & Thrift Shop (lower hall)
Sunday, December 14
8:00 am Contemplative Eucharist, Rite II
4:00 pm Advent Service of Lessons and Carols
Celebrant and Preacher: The Reverend Mark D. W. Edington
5:00 pm OA Group Meeting (lower hall)
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Eucharistic Minister: Bryn Wood – 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Lector: Jeff Barrell – Isaiah 40:1-11
Gospel Reading: Mark l:1-8
Acolyte: Ian Groh
Altar Guild: Libby Seaman
Ushers: Candy Jones, Jeff Barrell
Collection: Cate Drislane, Jeff Barrell
Coffee Hour: Candy Jones, Jeff Barrell
If you have any announcements for this bulletin, please contact Paula DiMauro
(stjohnnew@rcn.com) or Kristin Knudson-Groh (klkgroh@verizon.net).