 It's beginning to look a lot like...
...the Fourth Sunday of Advent!
Fr. Andy will hold forth this weekend on Matthew 1:18-25. God is faithful in fulfilling his promises in and through the line of King David, bringing us Emmanuel, God-with-us. That is what we call Good News.
Remember that after our Saturday and Sunday services we have the Bethlehem Christmas Marketplace in the Parish Hall.  I don't know about you, but I always have room in my life for another camel.
Also, note below that this year, the Christmas Eve reception wants to hear from you! Please bring your family's favorite Christmas desserts to the Parish Hall for the 6:00-8:00 reception.
Blessings in Christ,
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Christmas Eve Reception
Tuesday, Dec. 24 | following the 5pm Family Eucharist | Parish Hall
Merry Christmas! For this year’s Christmas Eve reception, following the 5pm family Eucharist, the church will provide Christmas cookies, milk, hot cocoa, coffee, water, and wine.
We would like to invite parishioners to feel free to bring their favorite desserts if they would like to share with all.
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Bethlehem Christmas Marketplace
Dec. 21 and 22 | Following the services | Parish Hall
This weekend we will have a special opportunity to view and purchase wood carvings created by the hands of Christian artisans in and around the city of Bethlehem.
We invite you to visit their display tables and take home olive wood nativities, Christmas ornaments, and other unique gifts, all benefiting families in the Holy Land. You can also view these beautiful items online at http://www.bethlehem-art.com/
The tradition of Olive wood carvings in the Holy Land has been handed down from father to son since the 12th century. Due to the difficulties the last few years in the Middle East, tourism has been dramatically reduced and these folks have suffered greatly. This is causing the Christian community to immigrate to different countries leaving the Christian population at 2% today from 25% fifteen years ago.
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Greening of the Church
Mon., Dec. 23 | 11am | Church
The Flower Committee will decorate the Church and Chapel for Christmas on Monday, December 23 at 11:00 a.m. There is plenty to do, please lend a hand!
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Baptism Opportunity
January 12, 2020
The next opportunity for Holy Baptism is on January 12, 2020, The Baptism of Our Lord, at the 10:30 a.m. service. The deadline for signing up is December 27, 2019. Please contact Melissa Newsome in the parish office to register for preparation.
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Concerts at St. John's
Sunday, January 5 | 5pm | Prelude Recital 4:40pm
The St. John’s Cantate Deo choir performs music celebrating Christmas and Epiphany. The prelude recital begins at 4:40pm featuring the Eatherton Five—Hannah, Rebecca, David, Ruth, and Sarah Eatherton, ages 8-18, and students at Zion Lutheran School in Dallas, who have recently recorded their first CD of choral music. They will be singing inspiring music suitable for the conclusion of Christmas. Come conclude your Christmas season with this beautiful seasonal service.
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Silent Movie: Speedy
Sunday, January 12 | 6pm | Parish Hall
Harold Lloyd, along with Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, formed the triumvirate of early silent film actors who expanded the role of cinema in American life. This film, Lloyd’s last silent feature, is a comedy following a young man’s attempts to save New York City’s last horse-drawn street car, notable not only for its plot and characters, but also for the snapshot it offers of New York City in 1928.
Lloyd’s silent comedy provides an endearing glimpse into life of yesteryear. To enhance the authentic feel of the evening, organist Benjamin Kolodziej will perform a live accompaniment to the film, using both music written specifically for this picture upon its release as well as other music contemporary to the 1920s. Free popcorn will be served.
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Church Pledge
Thank You!
Thank you for giving to St. John's! Please turn in 2019 contributions to the office by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31, or have postmarked by December 31 for inclusion on your annual giving statement. If you have already pledged for 2020 and wish to use pledge envelopes, they will be available in the parish hall on December 24.
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Parishioners Mike, Shyrlee, Esther, Ernest, Libby, Elora, Jerry, Jay, Dean, Carol, Rosemary, Pat, Jerry, Dawn, Michelle, Vernon, Emily, Patsy, Susie, Diane, Jenee, Barnaby, Camille, Nancy, Bill, Gracie
Homebound Nancy, Davis, Charlotte, Carol, Debbie, Libby, Bill, Lolly, Sandra, Edith, Bill, Lynn, Mike, Jerry, Betty
Friends and Family Martha, Herminio, Janice, Bud, Celeste, Rusty, Ricky, Olga, Warren, Ginger, Marty, Mike, Carolyn, Gwen, Harry, James, Hunter, Betsy, Cora, Paula, Bruce, Weston, Dee, David, MaryAnn, Betina, Selinda, Steve, Melinda, Marla, Dick, Ann, Skipper, Ardeth, Ayesh, Mollye, Diana, Wells, Candy
Military Chris, Collin, Adam
Expecting Kathryn, Sheradon, Kimberly
Strength and Guidance Aidan, Ben, Sami, Dawn, David, Rhonda, Peter, James, Tony, Debbie, Andy and Kristyn, Eddie and Nancy
Mission St. John’s Episcopal School, Austin Street Centre, White Rock Center of Hope, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Dr. Scott and Carol Kellerman’s medical mission in southwest Uganda, Kairos Prison Ministry, Church of Our Savior in Suez, Egypt
Travel Jerry and Jane, Mike and Faith
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Contemplative, contemporary Eucharists on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. Nursery is provided for children 5 and under.
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8:00 am Said Eucharist
Acolytes Chuck Brecht, Christopher Tielens
LEM Margery Hunter
Lector Jim Stacy
Ushers Austin Sanders, Jim Thomson
Altar Guild St. Agnes' Team, Kathleen Compton, Captain
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej
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10:30 am Sung Eucharist
Subdeacon Jim Stacy
Acolytes Charles Eyre, Alexandra Bovard, Mitch Womble
LEMs Susan Thomson, Roger Durham, Jamie Jacobs
Lector Nabil Hadawi
Ushers Jane Atchley, John Blankenship, Everett New, David Todora
Greeters Claire Black, Kristin Todora (sub requested)
Altar Guild St. Agnes' Team, Kathleen Compton, Captain
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej
Music Cantate Deo Choir
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White Rock Center of Hope
December Needs
PANTRY NEEDS: Canned Meat Products: Chili, Chicken, Ham, Chef Boyardee) Canned Tuna, Canned Soup, Canned Vegetables (other than green beans & corn) Canned Beans (other than green beans)
Please note: We cannot use opened or expired food items.
NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS PLEASE.
CLOTHING NEEDS:
Men’s Needs: Small to 3X Underwear, All kinds of clothing (shirts, pants, shorts & jackets) in all sizes, plus all sizes of athletic and dress shoes.
Women’s Needs: All sizes of underwear, especially in sizes 8 to 14. All kinds of clothing (shirts, pants, jackets) in all sizes. Plus all sizes of athletic and dress shoes.
Boys & Girls Needs:We need clothing of all kinds and sizes; school uniforms and jackets. Underwear in all sizes and all sizes of athletic and dress shoes.
LINENS: We always need linens, especially Queen and King sheets. Pillows, blankets and comforters in King and Queen sizes. All sizes of towels.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you can donate one day a week or month you would be doing a service to our community and obeying Jesus’ command to “Feed My Sheep.”
Resale Store Staffing – we need people every day from 9:00 to 4:00. You can work all day or half days. We also need a driver to help with pickups from donors on Wednesday through Saturday, 9-4 anytime.
We need help for the following:
- Resale Store Staffing – we need people every day from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Work all day or half days.
- Interviewers on Friday, Wednesday & Tuesday 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Pantry Worker on Thursday 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Monday & Friday clothes closet client helpers
- Clothing sorters on all days
- 1st & 4th Saturdays, 9:00am to 12:00pm: interviewers, clothes client helpers and food pantry assistants.
For more information please call Ted Beechler at 214-328-2978
Thank you as always for your generous support!
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| Sat Dec 21 |
9:00 am Daughters of the King Meeting - Conference Room
5:30 pm ELEVATE Contemporary Family Worship - Church
6:30 pm Bethlehem Christmas Marketplace - Parish Hall |
| Sun Dec 22 |
8:00 am Said Eucharist - Church
9:00 am Bethlehem Christmas Marketplace - Parish Hall
10:30 am Sung Eucharist
11:45 am Bethlehem Christmas Marketplace - Parish Hall |
| Mon Dec 23 |
9:30 am Holy Eucharist - Chapel
10:00 am Daughters of the King - Conference Room |
| Tues Dec 24 |
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Eucharist - Church
followed by a reception in the Parish Hall
8:00 pm Christmas Eve Solemn High Eucharist - Church |
| Wed Dec 25 |
Parish office closed
9:30 am Christmas Day Holy Eucharist - Church |
| Thu Dec 26 |
Parish office closed
9:30 am Holy Eucharist - Chapel |
| Fri Dec 27 |
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| Sat Dec 28 |
5:30 pm ELEVATE Contemporary Family Worship - Church |
| Sun Dec 29 |
8:00 am Said Eucharist - Church
10:00 am Cantate Deo Choir Rehearsal - Undercroft
10:30 am Sung Eucharist |
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