We are always looking for church-related pictures to share with the congregation. Submit them to LLowry@104.237.132.142.
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We want to provide support in your time of need!
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. W e want to provide support in any time of need or crisis.
Please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email
January 7, Louise Krikorian, Preslie Price, Bruce Samson, Harry van Lovern
January 8, Kathryn Compton, Zachary Vaughn
January 9, Oliver Lacktman, Brenda Orcutt, Sadie Saunders, Arthur Severn
January 11, Brody Kellar, John Marston
January 12, Eliina Lick, Charlsey Roman, Linda Scarritt
January 13, Paul Dolcimascolo, John Howey, Fredric LeVarge, Miriam Lykes, Mary Mixson, George Wiegand
Sunday’s Scripture Snippet
His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Luke 2
Breaking News
Clearwater Evensong
Our choir will be travelling to Clearwater this Sunday, January 10, to sing a service of Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where former St. John’s priest Fr. Randy Hehr is now Priest-in-Charge. The service will commence at 4:00 p.m. (note time), and all are warmly invited to attend. Holy Trinity is located at 3200 N. McMullen Booth Road. The 11:15 a.m. service at St. John’s that day will be congregational, musically, in order to give the choir time to travel and rehearse.
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.
Palm Crosses Needed
Please bring in your last year’s Palm Sunday crosses so they can be burned for ashes. The deadline is January 31 for us to receive them in the Parish Offices.
Ordination Video and Photos
Click here to go the the Diocesan website and see photos and video of the ordination of our seminarian, Chase Ackerman, to the diaconate on December 5.
Youth Confirmation Classes Begin January 31
Each week we affirm our faith by the Creed and with the Eucharist. Confirmation is an opportunity to confirm the vows made at Baptism by a mature affirmation of faith. At St. John’s, youth in the 6th grade (or older) have the opportunity to be confirmed after confirmation classes. In confirmation class, participants explore and seek to understand the historic faith of the Church before they are confirmed by Bishop Smith on May 22, 2016. Classes begin on Sunday, January 31, at 10:15 a.m. in Discovery House, and continue on most Sundays leading up to Confirmation Sunday.
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 in the book 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@104.237.132.142 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.
Events and Fellowship
Wednesday Nights at St. John’s
Beginning Wednesday January 13, the Wednesday Nights group will study “CHRISTIAN (It’s Not What You Think).” In this eight-session video Bible study, Andy Stanley explores the truth and fiction behind one of the most famous religious brands in history.
The schedule for this group for the next four months is as follows:
January 13 – Lesson One – Brand Recognition
January 20 – Lesson Two – Quitters
January 27 – Lesson Three – Insiders, Outsiders
February 3 – Lesson Four – Showing Up
February 10, Ash Wednesday, NO MEETING
February 17, Lenten program
February 24, Lenten program
March 2, Lenten program
March 9, Lenten program
March 16, Lenten program
March 23, NO MEETING
March 30 – Lesson Five – When Gracie Met Truthy
April 6 – Lesson Six – Angry Birds
April 13 – Lesson Seven – Loopholes
April 20 – Lesson Eight – Working It Out
Family Gasparilla Party
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 at Discovery House at 2:00 p.m. for food and fun with other St. John’s families. Bring a side item and soft drink or dessert to share.
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.
On Tuesday, January 12, the Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study will begin a study of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. They will continue to use the study guide, “Paul, the Prison Letters” by N. T. Wright. The Rev. Don Goodheart will facilitate the introduction to and discussion of the first chapter of Philippians on the 12th.
The group invites 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
Welcoming the Little Children
Mark 9:36-37: He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
The Newborn Celebration Ministry delivers a small gift basket to families from their St. John’s family at the time of the birth of a child. We would like to also send along a meal to welcome the newborn and comfort the new parents. This would not be a burdensome commitment but surely one filled with love and joy. ALSO, if you or someone you know is receiving the blessing of a newborn, please let us know. Contact Elizabeth Strong at 837.9966 or eastrong1@gmail.com for further information.
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.
This Week at St. John’s
Thursday, January 7
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Friday, January 8
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Sunday, January 10: The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and Holy Baptism (Church)
Monday, January 11
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.
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
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@104.237.132.142 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.
Tuesday, January 12
6:45 a.m.
Contemporary Women’s Bible Study (Peterson Room)
CWBS continues their study of the book of Daniel on Tuesdays from 6:45 to 8:00 a.m. in the Peterson Room at the School’s 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, January 12, the Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study will begin a study of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. They will continue to use the study guide, “Paul, the Prison Letters” by N. T. Wright. The Rev. Don Goodheart will facilitate the introduction to and discussion of the first chapter of Philippians on the 12th.
The group invites 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.
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Wednesday, January 13
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 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.
The group is currently studying 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.
On January 6, the group will view Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-40), and Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
