This week at Saint John's
November 20, 2014
This Sunday in worship

Rev. Hilary Marchbanks shares the message, "New." 

The scripture this week is Romans 5:12-19 will provide special music for both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. 

Thanksgiving offering

This Thanksgiving, we will have plenty to say grace over. For that reason, you are invited to share in offering a special financial gift to Saint John's for its ongoing work in mission and ministry. You can share your offering securly online or place it in a specially marked envelope found in the pew back and drop it in the offering plate this Sunday. 

Read why one of our members is thankful for her Saint John's family.

Poinsettia sales continue Sunday

Poinsettia orders will be taken this Sunday in the Gallery. You may purchase a poinsettia for personal use or assigned as a memorial or honorarium to a loved one. Orders will be taken before and after each service in the Gallery on Sundays through November 30. The cost is $10 each. For more information, please call or email Kathleen Johnson at kathleenstamps@yahoo.com or call 512-459-7518.

Vendor spotlight:
United For A Better Life

Make plans to attend Gifts of Hope, this year's Alternative Gift Market, set for Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 in the Great Hall. Among the popular vendors returning this year is United for a Better Life (UPAVIM).

UPAVIM is a Fair Trade women's craft cooperative located on the edge of Guatemala City. Profits from sales are used to support a daycare center, a school, a medical clinic, as well as a pharmacy and laboratory. Its mission is to empower women in the neighborhood of La Esperanza, located on the outskirts of Guatemala City, by giving them an opportunity to support their families, while also providing services to improve the quality of life for the entire community. 

UPAVIM's booth at the Alternative Gift Market will offer a variety of items including bags, coin purses, toys, cloth kitchen items, jewelry, Christmas decorations and crafts made from recycled materials.

Your purchases do make a difference.  Please join us Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 in the Great Hall for this year's Alternative Gift Market.

Click here for the full vendor list.

African Children's Choir returns December 7 with Sara Hickman
The African Children's Choir returns to Saint John's at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7 for a free concert celebrating the release of the group's new CD collaboration with Austin musician Sara Hickman. The CD, Love Is a Journey, will be released in December.
Sara, who is a member of Saint John's, performs with the current touring choir, Choir 42, on the CD, which is executive produced by another Saint John's member, Lynne Dobson. The two visited Uganda this past summer to volunteer and collaborate with the choir on the songs.
Advent Workshop - December 6

Families with children ages 3-12 are invited to create their own Advent wreaths and other items at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 6 in the Fellowship Hall . Children can make a gift for someone special.  Sign up in the Gallery on Sunday or email Amy Villwock at amy@stjohnsaustin.org.  Childcare is available in Room 101 during the workshop for little ones, and it will be extended until 1 p.m. so that families might enjoy a little shopping at the Alternative Gift Market afterwards.  

Reading together at Saint John's

The Intentional Faith Development (IFD) Committee recommends Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas by Jan Richardson. Original artwork, reflections, poetry, and prayers accompany the reader from the first days of Advent through the Feast of the Epiphany.

Also as a reminder, the Upper Room Disciplines 2015 are for sale in the church office for $12. This book of daily devotions include our own Paul Escamilla as an author. 

Each week, the IFD Committee recommends a theological or spiritual book through this column. To submit an idea, contact Hilary Marchbanks, Associate Pastor, at 512-452-5737 or hilary@stjohnsaustin.org.  

Meet our new members

Chris and Sara Cotter joined Saint John's on November 9. Chris and Sara have recently married and have a family of four children. Claire McGonagle and Sean Cotter are college students. Aidan McGonagle and Andrew Cotter are high school students. Sara works for St. Jude Medical and Chris is a math teacher at McCallum High School. Sara enjoys singing and cooking while Chris enjoys classic rock music and LSU sports. We welcome the Cotter family to Saint John's!

 

Nathan and Laura Dooley and their two children, William and Kathryn, joined Saint John's on November 9.  William is a sixth grader and Kathryn is in fourth grade. Nathan is a law firm administrator who enjoys guitar, bass and mediation. Laura owns Kandle Kidswear and enjoys sewing and baking. We welcome the Dooleys to Saint John's! 

 

Brendan and Miriam Hill and their son, Asher, joined Saint John's on November 9. Brendan works for TIP Strategies and Miriam is an analyst for the Government Accountability Office.  They live in the neighborhood and have been faithful attendees at Saint John's for some time. We welcome the Hills to our Saint John's family!

 

Patrick Stewart joined Saint John's on November 9. Patrick is Pat Stewart's great-nephew and grew up in Corpus Christi. He is working as a cashier at Target and enjoys cooking, Braziian ju Jitsu, working out and socializing. We welcome Patrick to our Saint John's family! 


Ed Wilder joined Saint John's on November 9. Ed is a retired Methodist pastor. He grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He enjoys being a trained pastoral counselor and spiritual director but most of all enjoys being a grandfather.  We welcome Ed to our Saint John's family!

Birthdays
November 21: Catherine Day, Wil Harper, Laura Peckham
November 22: Alan Mulder, Julie Peckham
November 23: Pat Kelly
November 24: Barbara Mollenhauer, Chris Sparks, Owen Tanski
November 25: Zada Doherty
November 26: Bernice Cole, Paxton Horton
November 27: William Dooley, Marina Rosales
Helpful Links

Saint John's UMC
2140 Allandale Road
Austin, TX 78756
512-452-5737
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