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 22, Courtney Albin, Douglas Arthur, James Graff, Kelly Holbrook, Ethan Pineiro
January 23, Thomas Gardner, James Martin
January 24, Erin Carr, Dylan Crain, Richard Eatman, Andrew Galavis, Ronald Hulse, David Stillie, Clara Towne
January 25, George Hayes, Amelia Ihrig, David Wheaton
January 26, James Graff, Gregory Rix, Andrew Williams
January 27, Emilie Williams
Sunday’s Scripture Snippet
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the
Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate.
Isaiah 62
Breaking News
Need a Creative Outlet?
Stitch 3, Pray 3 provides an opportunity to knit or crochet prayer shawls and blankets for parishioners or sew simple dresses for AIDS orphans in Tanzania. These are long term projects so you don’t have a deadline to finish. Knitting and crocheting instructions along with dress patterns and instructions are on the shelf by the door in the Lowry Room.
The Prayer Shawls will be given to parishioners who are hospitalized, ill, or need a gift of love from our St. John’s family.
Several precious dresses have been completed and are hanging in the Lowry Room. (Sewers: Please mark the size on the dress before hanging.) The first group of dresses will be blessed and sent to Tanzania in early March. Each dress represents a girl who now may go to school and church, so you are “Sewing for Hope.”
For reasons of modesty, the girls wear t-shirts with their dresses. If you would like to make a financial donation for the t-shirts, please write a check to St. John’s Church with “t-shirts” on the memo line.
For questions about Prayer Shawls, contact Janice Williams at 879.6426. Questions about Sewing for Hope? Call Jan Elliott at 397.1004.
Adult Confirmation – Focus on Faith Begins February 7 Following the Annual Meeting of the Parish
By now you will have received a letter from Father Connelly about Focus on Faith. The program prepares adults for an expression of deeper commitment and faith. The format is a small group experience where participants learn more about the Episcopal Church and its beliefs. The program is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith. It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey. The program is led by Mother Alice Sadler, who will be joined by Father Connelly and Father Baker. Visitation for Confirmation by
The Right Reverend Dabney Smith, Bishop of SW Florida is May 22. For questions or to register, call Mother Alice at 397.1005 or email her at asadler@104.237.132.142.
Parishioners who will stand for election are: David Adams, Dennis Carr, Lynn Fluharty, John Marston, Ben Nelson, Jackie Preis, Lindsey Robbins, and Janice Straske.
Early voting, supervised by Vestry members, will take place following the three services on the preceding Sunday (January 30) and during normal office hours in the parish offices during the week before the meeting. Voting by proxy is not permitted. According to our by-laws: “Only adult communicant members of this Parish, those who are 16 years of age or over, whose names are duly enrolled as such in the Register of said Parish, and who are regular in their attendance at its services and make stated contributions of record to its general support, shall be Electors qualified to vote at a duly convened meeting of the Parish.”
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.
Events and Fellowship
Men’s Ministry February Meeting
The Men’s Ministry’s next meeting will be Tuesday, February 2, in the Parish Hall. The speaker will be Andy Lutton, a healthcare consultant and former hospice executive. The topic will be “Your Decisions Matter: An Introduction to Advance Care Planning.” Find out how to make sure your loved ones know what healthcare treatments you would or would not want if you could not speak for yourself. Learn about the differences between estate planning and advance care planning.
Please join us in the Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship time, followed by a fine meal catered by Holy Hog Barbecue at 6:00 p.m., and our speaker following dinner at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Dallas Coffield at dcoffield@gmail.com
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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
The Circle will gather for its annual cocktail party on Friday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Steve and Lisa Sepulveda, 4423 West Kensington Avenue, The event will be co-hosted by Cary and Katey Brown. Make sure you are on our mailing list by contacting Kim French at frenchco@mac.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.
Flowers Available
The flowers at the church altar and at the chapel altar are available on Sunday, April 3. If you wish to take one of these opportunities to honor a loved one and support St. John’s, please call the parish offices at 259.1570 or email parish@104.237.132.142.
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.
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.
This Week at St. John’s
Thursday, January 21
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist and Healing and Anointing (Chapel)
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Friday, January 22
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Saturday, January 23
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. Questions? Contact Miranda Harrison-Quillin.
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
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Women’s Mid Morning Bible Study
This 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. On January 26, the group will be studying Philippians 2 and Laura Silva will be the facilitator.
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.
12:15 p.m.
Noonday Prayer (Chapel)
Wednesday, January 27
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 Wednesday Nights group is currently viewing “CHRISTIAN (It’s Not What You Think),” an eight-session video Bible study. In this series, Andy Stanley explores the truth and fiction behind one of the most famous religious brands in history. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. for food and fellowship, then starts their program at 7:00 p.m.
The group will also have a special movie night on Wednesday, February 3, before Lent begins. The movie will be the powerful War Room
, and on this evening, the group will meet at 6:00 p.m., with the movie beginning at 6:45 p.m.
