Come become part of one of Saint John's happiest Christmas season traditions! The annual Tidings of Joy concert is set for 7 p.m. Friday, December 12 in the sanctuary. Members from every corner of our music ministry will sing out and ring out some of our favorite songs of the season. And YOU will sing with us, filling the room with lots of joyful noise! 

Amid the anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the Spirit Singers will lead the audience in "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."  We'll all croon tunes such as "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and a rousing rendition of "This Little Light of Mine."

The Chancel Choir, Jones Handbell Choir, the Saint John's Singers, the Spirit Singers and, of course, Ed Snouffer and his Tidings of Joy Band will be there to fill the room with Christmas  cheer. Guest soloists include our own Rev. Paul Escamilla, Rev. Amy Villwock, Harvey Caughey, Robbie LaBanca, John Thomason, Steve Wright, Henry Knight and some new friends. 

Bring your families, friends and neighbors!

All Grace Garden and Saint John's families with preschool-age children are invited to attend a fun-filled morning with Santa! Please join us from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, December 13, in the Great Hall for breakfast, cookie decorating and a visit from Santa. This is a great photo opportunity as well as a chance for your child to consider mission and service.  Please bring a gently used or new toy or game that will be donated to the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) or Safeplace. 

A special service for those seeking a quiet respite from the bustle of the holiday season is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, December 18.

Presented by the Passionate Worship Committee, the Longest Night service invites all to be with their own thoughts in the company of others who might also be seeking comfort. Perhaps there is sadness over having lost a loved one. Perhaps there is heaviness over unresolved personal circumstances. Maybe a melancholy air seems to pervade daily life.

The "Longest Night" is a nod to the winter solstice, which marks the longest night in the calendar year.  Thoughtfully chosen readings of scripture and poetry acknowledge the existence of sadness, or loneliness, or isolation, yet offer the hope of a new day as the light of Christ gets closer and closer.

Each person is invited forward to receive a soothing anointing from the pastors. In the candlelit sanctuary, serenity can be found in music played by a harp and oboe, with an occasional song.

Childcare is available. Children ages kindergarden through 5th grade are invited to participate in a supervised activity.

Light refreshments will be served after the service.  

Sugar, flour, spices and other baking necessities are needed. Donations can be dropped off in the Gallery. Monetary donations are also accepted throughout the year. Make checks payable to Saint John's with "Hope Food Pantry" written in the memo line.

Fourth and fifth graders are invited to the Awesome Crosses Christmas Party at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 14 in the Great Hall.

We'll share dinner, participate in a gift exchange, play games and decorate - and eat - Christmas cookies. Bring a wrapped, gender-neutral gift for the gift exchange.

If you have questions, email [email protected].

Our recommended book this week is Nora's Ark by Eileen Spinelli and Nora Hilb. This children's book makes a great gift for any child who wants to see themselves in the adventure of the Noah story. The picture book also encourages us to see that we all have a part in God's story, and that we all can have a relationship with God.

Also, don't forget that the 2015 Upper Room Disciplines are for sale for $12 in the church office. This Christmas, you have the opportunity to give the gift of spiritual reflection and you have the opportunity to say, "My pastor wrote in that!" (Devotionals include writing from Rev. Paul Escamilla).

Questions about the Book of the Week? Contact Associate Pastor Hilary Marchbanks at 512-452-5737 or [email protected].

Spring classes on Bible study, spiritual growth and relationships are available for sign-up in the coming weeks. Classes and events are:

Registration is limited to 12 for each session. You may register in the Gallery or online - click here for January 31 or click here for February 21. 

Please remember that in order to receive a tax deduction for 2014, contributions must either be delivered to the church office by noon on Wednesday, December 31 or postmarked by that day. Thank you for your generous support of the ministries at Saint John's.

The Senior Adults will head to Marble Falls on Monday, December 29 to see the Christmas lights 

After departing at 4 p.m., the group will stop for dinner first at the River City Grill in Marble Falls before heading to Lakeside Park to see the beautiful Walkway of Lights. The display has over two million tiny, twinkling lights on over 150 sculptures reflecting on the sparkling waters of beautiful Lake Marble Falls. The walkway is free, but donations are appreciated.  Each person will pay for his or her own meal as well. Cost for the bus ride is $10 per person (to be paid to Saint John's by December 24). Sign up in the Gallery this Sunday.

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, many people suffer with a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although SAD isn't totally understood, it is a real illness with real symptoms that vary in frequency and intensity.

Symptoms can include:

• Sleep problems - Desire to oversleep, disturbed sleep or difficult staying awake
• Lethargy - A feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routines
• Overeating - Craving sugary or starchy foods
• Social problems - Irritability and desire to avoid social situations
• Anxiety - Tension and inability to tolerate stress
• Mood changes - Extremes in mood and/or short periods of hypomania