Third Sunday of Advent
December 14/15, 2019
Good news, Christian stewards, we are gaining ground on our Advent mountain climb, and it is time to take a moment to rejoice in the Good News that our Savior will come again in triumph one day. Today’s readings on this Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday fill us with reminders of God’s final victory over suffering and injustice, and encouragement to remain steadfast in our mission to live as faith-filled disciples.
Such a day almost seems too good to be true, especially when we look around at the dire circumstances we face in our world at present. But by faith, we know this day is coming. Lest we grow weary as we await the glorious day of Christ’s return, St. James, in our second reading, offers wise counsel. “Be patient, brothers, and sisters until the coming of the Lord… Make your hearts firm… Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.”
This is excellent advice for us Christian stewards as we face the challenges of everyday life in our broken world, especially in the hectic days that precede Christmas when stress can make us and those around us less than our best selves. St. James reminds us that we can choose our response to both the great strains and the minor annoyances of life.
In other words, we can be good stewards of our attitude, “making our hearts firm” by practicing patience with others and refusing to give in to the temptation to complain.
We can choose to see and rejoice in God’s presence with us, no matter the circumstances surrounding us.
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Wednesday, December 11
- 6:30 p.m. Gym Unavailable
- 6:30 p.m. Dart Ball - Hall
- 7:00 p.m. Respect Life Holy Hour - Church
Thursday, December 12
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 9:00 a.m. Secular Franciscans Meeting - Rectory Room A
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 6:00 p.m. Adult Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
Friday, December 13
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Troop #534 Meeting - Hall
Saturday, December 14
- 6:45 a.m. St. John’s Men’s Group Meeting - Hall
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Confessions during Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- After 4:30 p.m. Mass Cookie Walk - Hall
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After 4:30 p.m. Mass
Sunday, December 15
- 9:00 a.m. Religious Education (Grades 1-8) - School
- After 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masses Cookie Walk - Hall
- 6:00 p.m. Religious Education (Grades 9-11) School
Scrip Holiday and Oplatki Sales
Before and After All Masses
Monday, December 16
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 6:30 p.m. SVdP Committee Meeting - Multi-Purpose Room
Tuesday, December 17
- 7:30 a.m. Mass followed by St. Anthony Devotion, Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- 2:45 p.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
- 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal - Music Room
Wednesday, December 18
- 8:00 a.m. Mass followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
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The Giving Tree
Now through December 15.
Each year, St. John the Evangelist’s Confirmation Class collects items for the needy of our area.
The Giving Tree is our way of reaching out to those less fortunate. On our Christmas tree in the front of the church are envelopes to be taken by parishioners, gifts purchased, and returned UNWRAPPED. The Confirmation Class will sort them and then distribute the items collected to the following agencies: House of Peace, Hope House, Sojourner Family Peace Center and Stork’s Nest. All instructions will be included in the envelope you select.
Let us share our joy and love of God with others during this Christmas season!
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Christmas Music
Please enjoy the sounds of Christmas when our choirs sing/play at the following Masses:
Saturday, December 14, the Adult Choir will sing at
the 4:30 pm Mass.
Sunday, December 22, the Adult Choir will sing at
the 10:30 am Mass.
Tuesday, December 24 , at 4:00 pm, Christmas Eve,
the Youth Choir and Youth Hand Bell Choir will perform.
Wednesday, December 25, at 10:30 am, Christmas Day,
the Adult Choir and Adult Hand Bell Choir will perform.
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CDs from Augustine Institute
Did you know we have CDs (and other items) located in the narthex? Each week we will highlight one of the available CDs.
Cost is $4 each.
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In one of his most focused talks to date, Stephen Ray discusses salvation, the authentic biblical understanding of being "born again", and how we are saved by faith, but not "faith alone". With great humor and doctrinal depth, he goes all the way back to Abraham to show that we are saved by faith and obedience to all that Christ demands of us.
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'Tis the Season! When you are shopping, remember to use SCRIP. When you purchase SCRIP, St. John's will receive a percentage. Click
here to view and print our order form. We order on Mondays and have them ready to be picked up no later than Thursday each week.
Every weekend through December 21/22 will be SCRIP weekends. As always, SCRIP is available in the Parish Office during regular business hours.
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This program allows .5% of your regular and holiday shopping on Amazon to be donated to St. John the Evangelist.
If you purchase Scrip, St. John's receives an additional 2.25%. That's 2.75% of your purchases to St. John's if you are already shopping Amazon.
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What's Happening in Our School
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Bakers Needed
It’s time to dust off your favorite cookie recipes and share your baking talents with the parish. This year’s Cookie Walk will be held after all Masses the weekend of December 14 and 15.
Parishioners are asked to please bake a few dozen cookies and bring them to the school on Friday, December 13, or to the Hall after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14.
Cookies will be sold by the quarter pound at the incredibly reasonable price of $8 per pound.
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Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. (Church)
4:15 p.m. (Gym)
10:00 p.m. (Church)
Christmas Day
8:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Monday, December 23 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24 - 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Wednesday, December 25 - CLOSED
Thursday, December 26 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 27 - 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Monday, December 30 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 31- 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Wednesday, January 1- CLOSED
Normal Office hours resume on Thursday, January 2, 2019
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
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THE 2019 PARISH FINANCIAL BOOKS WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 31
If you wish to have any contributions credited to your account for 2019, it must be received by end of day December 31. Any contributions received after end of day on December 31 will be credited to 2020.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Even if your check is dated 2019, it must be
POSTMARKED in 2019, or it will be credited to 2020.
QUESTIONS??
Please call the parish office to avoid any complications with your 2019 tax deductions.
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The newsletter is published on Wednesdays. Articles for each week's publication are due on Mondays at noon.
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"Remember God's Will in Yours!"
Please keep the needs of St. John the Evangelist in mind as you do your estate planning. For information on how to include the parish as a beneficiary, contact the Parish Office at 414-321-1965.
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