However, 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
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2
This Week in
St. John’s
Thursday, December 29
10:00 a.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) and Healing & Anointing (Chapel)
Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch
11:45 a.m., Peterson Room
The Men’s Thursday Bible Study and Lunch group continues meeting after the holidays on Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at the School’s Middle School campus. The readings the group will study are those from the Revised Common Lectionary for the coming Sunday.
This group will not meet on December 29.
Please do not park in the Four Green Fields parking lots. Lunch is sandwiches at $5 per person. RSVP todlrncrtpa@verizon.net if you would like to partake.
CWBS is studying the minor prophets, and will begin a study of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians on January 10.
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. For more information, please contact Kathleen Moore at 221.6253 or kathleenmarymoore@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 4
12:15 p.m.
The Holy Eucharist (Rite II) (Chapel)
Wednesday Nights In St. John’s
6:30 p.m., Parish Hall
No matter what you believe, no matter how you behave, Jesus invites you to follow In God’s Footsteps. In this eight-session study, best-selling author and pastor Andy Stanley shows you that Jesus’ invitation was really an invitation to relationship and this study explains what it means to follow Jesus.
The Wednesday Nights group will continue viewing this series through February 1.
January 4 – Follow Where
January 11 – The Fine Print
January 18 – What I Want to Want
January 25 – Leading Great
February 1 – Unfollow
The 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
There will be two services on Sunday, January 1, New Year’s Day. The first is at 8:00 a.m. and the final service is a combined service at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School for children on New Year’s Day.
Also, please note that the parish offices will be closed on Monday, January 2.
Annual Meeting of the Parish Scheduled
The Annual Meeting of St. John’s Parish will take place on Sunday, February 12, following a combined service at 10:00 a.m. New members of the Vestry will be elected at this meeting. Photos of and biographical information about the nominees will be available in the parish offices and in our email newsletter soon.
2017 Pledge Envelopes
Please plan on picking up your 2017 pledge envelopes on Sunday, January 8, in the parish hall. The vendor who provides us with the envelopes has experienced machinery problems, but plans on having them to us the first week of January. Thank you for your patience.
Fr. Connelly Appointed as Dean
On December 17, the Bishop appointed Fr. Connelly Dean of the Tampa Deanery, succeeding Doug Scharf, Rector of Holy Innocents. While this is an honor for our Rector and our parish, from a practical standpoint there will be no change for St. John’s. You will notice that upon the commencement of his time in this role, Fr. Connelly’s clerical designation will change from the Reverend to the Very Reverend.
Focus on Faith Adult Confirmation Begins February 26
Are you an adult seeking confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of your faith? Focus on Faith will prepare and direct you toward an expression of this deeper commitment. The format is a small group experience where participants learn more about the Episcopal Church and our Christian beliefs. It is also a time to connect with others on your Christian journey.
The eight-week program will begin February 26 and is led by Rev. Janet Tunnell. Visitation for Confirmation by The Right Reverend Dabney Smith, Bishop of Southwest Florida, is May 7. Questions? Pick up a brochure, call Janet at 518.5232, or email her at jtunnell@104.237.132.142. Register by phone or email with Janet
by February 15
.
The St. John’s Book Club
The St. John’s Book Club will meet on January 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Lowry Room. Janis Chapman will lead the discussion of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Everyone is invited to attend.
Mid Morning Women’s Bible Study Resumes
The Mid Morning Women’s Bible Study will meet in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10. They will be continuing the study of the Luke’s Gospel which they began in the fall. Their focus for the first session of 2017 will be Luke 9.
The group invites all interested women to join them in the Church Sanctuary from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on alternate Tuesdays. For more information, you may contact Joan McKay at mckayjhm@aol.com or Pat Wilson at 644.4640 or patwilson68@tampabay.rr.com.
Children and Youth
Thank You!
A special thanks to all our Christmas pageant volunteers, including:
Angel Dance Choreographers: Lori Green & Mary Stephen Straske
Inn Door Craftsman: Chuck Courter
Inn Door Decoration: Katie De La Cruz
Costumes: Lori Green & Yvonne Santiago
And to the dozens of other parent volunteers who brought food, ran lines, mended costumes, tied angel wings, and helped make this year’s pageant a good time for all!
EYC January Schedule
There will be no EYC on Sunday, January 1, due to the New Year’s holiday. We will have our next meetings on Sunday, January 15, in Discovery House. Middle School will be at 4:30 p.m., and High School is at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!
Next Mom’s Morning: Thursday, January 19
The next Mom’s Morning will meet on Thursday, January 19 at 8:45 a.m. in Discovery House. Come for as little or long as you’d like and please feel free to bring your little ones. Toys and coffee will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142.
Sunday School Volunteers Sought
Do you like what we’re doing in Sunday School? Would you like to be a part of it next year? If you are not currently on our team of teachers, assistants, substitutes, and helpers, but would like to be for the fall of 2017, please contact wwolf@104.237.132.142 to discuss further. We can never have too many dedicated parents helping to bring the word of the Lord to the children of our parish.
Sunday School Schedule
There will be NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Sunday, January 1.
Action Items and Opportunities
Candle Available
The candle in the sanctuary light is available on January 8 and 22. If you would like to take one of these opportunities to honor a loved one and support St. John’s, please call 259.1570 or email parish@104.237.132.142.
Every Member Canvass 2017
The Every Member Canvass for 2017, Living Generously, is now on! We encourage every parishioner to make their pledge by December 31. Pledge safely online by clicking here.
From the Parish Register
Birthdays
December 29, Barrett Browning, Winifred Game, Benjamin Graham, Leslie Jennewein
December 30, Barbara Armstrong, Robert Kelley, Patricia LeVarge, Cynthia Martin
December 31, Andrew Duryea, Peter Duryea
January 1, Eleanor Graff, Patricia Rice, Thomas Scarritt, Elizabeth Tuuri, Ganon White
January 2, George Lewis
January 3, Kerry Carson, Peter Harrington, Charles Lassey, Emily McAdams, Deborah Tozier
January 4, Carol Ihrig, Nancy King, Carter Lindquist, Stuart Lindquist, Celia Nieto, Michael Pepe, Donna Scantlebury, Paul Schnell
