Thursday, December 28, 2023 | |
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St. John's Mission Statement
St. John's is a Christian community that intentionally gathers
to experience God's love through Episcopal worship, education,
fellowship, and ministry to the wider community.
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The First Sunday after Christmas: The Epiphany
Sunday, December 31, 2023
9:00 and 11:00am
Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas: The Epiphany
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith,
to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas: The Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Worship Booklet for the First Sunday after Christmas: The Epiphany, December 31, 2023
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Liturgy Time Notice
Beginning Sunday, January 7th, there will be one service at:
9:00am with organ/choir, and Sunday School for children.
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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Items Needed for Blessings in a Bag
Supplies are needed for those who go without food or shelter. Please Click Here for all the items needed.
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Outreach Collections
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
- Eyeglasses
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Greeting Cards - ECS Head Start (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
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Blessings in a Bag - For our neighbors who live in need. Click here for a list of items you can donate to fill the bags.
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Gently Used Clothing - Men's, women's and children's
Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.
You may also bring your items to the church during our weekday office hours,
Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm.
If you are not able to bring them, please contact the parish office, and we will pick up the items from your home.
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
Please click on the following link for more information on our Outreach collection activities:
Outreach Ministries of St. John's
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Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry
St. John's is a member of a national organization called "Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry".
Prayers and Squares will meets on the second Tuesday of the month, in Nale Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to sew. Participants will be shown how to make simple quilts for our Prayer Quilt Ministry. If you don't sew but would like to be a part of this ministry, there are many other quilt-making steps you can help with.
Please bring your own sewing machine and brown bag lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Lothspeich.
If you would like to request a Prayer Quilt for anyone in need of prayer and support, please contact Diane Gustafson (diangus15@aol.com) or Maria (maria@saint-johns.org).
This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness.
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Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Morning Prayer will resume on Wednesday, January 17th.
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Parish Prayer Lists
For our Military
Matt Jensen, Drew Shorkey, Cody Crossland, Cameron Ronie, Chariti Paden, Mark Stanfield, Sean Robinson, Jonathan Martinez, TK Nguyen, Christopher Lindshield, Timothy Lindshield, Jeremy Colton, David Sanchez, Jonathan Baldera, Nick Wyatt, Jamal Warner, Devon Strunk,
Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Sebastian Morales, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, Gen. G.C. Heinrich and Pedro Bonilla.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
give them courage to face the perils which beset them;
and grant them a sense of your abiding presence
wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength in Time of Need
Steve Magill, Gary and Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, the McClure family,
Alec Hauer, Barbara Oliveira, Linda Longoria-Neff, Ann and Bill Rogers, Karen Polk,
Penny and Bob Milam, James Kellogg Burnham III, David Bricknell, Sr., Deborah Pendleton, Celia Vasquez, and the family of Tom and Cindy Brosche.
O God of heavenly powers,
by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies
all sickness and all infirmity:
Be present in your goodness with your servants,
that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored;
and that, their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of St. Michael's by-the-Sea in Carlsbad.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, NAB Coronado.
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We Are Here For You!
If you, a family member, neighbor or a friend are interested in celebrating a significant event in your spiritual life, please know that you are welcome.
We would be honored to be a part of your Baptism, Holy Communion, Quinceañera, Marriage, Renewal of Vows or Anointing of the Sick.
At St. John's, no matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey - you are welcome here.
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We Are Available in Your Time of Need
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
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ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY | |
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Estate Sale
There will be an estate sale on Friday, December 29th, Saturday December 30th and Sunday, December 31st from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
The address is:
316 1st Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Proceeds from the sale go to St. John's Episcopal Church.
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2024 Vestry Membership
We have three vacant Vestry positions for 2024.
If you are interested in running for election to the Vestry, please let Rev. Roger know.
Currently, there are three members of the parish who have expressed interest.
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Parish Office Holiday Closures
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December 28th: Office Closed
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January 1st: New Year's Day, Office Closed
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January 15th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Office Closed
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Parish Office Hours and Contacts
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Please call the parish office if you have any questions or concerns
(619-422-4141) or email info@saint-johns.org.
Rev. Roger will be in the office on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, and all day on Wednesday and Thursday. He is available by appointment. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.
In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at
619-301-0724.
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Christmas Message
from Bishop Susan Brown Snook
Christmas Greetings, siblings in Christ!
In the Gospel of Matthew, we find the beautiful narrative of the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promise to be with His people. We read, “‘Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’” This promise uttered centuries ago in Bethlehem, echoes through time, resonating across the ages that no matter who we are or where we are, God is with each and every one of us!
The birth of Jesus is a testament to God's love for humanity—a love so deep that He chose to enter into the human experience, to dwell among us in the person of His Son. The very name Immanuel encapsulates the essence of the Christmas story—the reality that God, in all His majesty, chose to be present with us, to share in our joys and sorrows, and to walk with us on our earthly journey.
As we gather with family, friends, and fellow believers to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, let us be reminded of the profound meaning of Christmas: "God is with us." The stable in Bethlehem, the simple manger, and the holy family gathered around the newborn King remind us of the humility and accessibility of our Creator. The God of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, invites us into a relationship marked by intimacy and closeness.
This Christmas, let us strive to be mindful of God's abiding presence in our lives. In the season's busyness, may we find moments of quiet reflection, recognizing the sacredness of the Incarnation—the Word made flesh. In the faces of those we encounter and the beauty of creation, may we witness the reality of God's ongoing presence, transcending time and space.
The message of Christmas is one of hope and redemption, which resonates with the promise of a Savior who came not to condemn but to save. As we exchange gifts and share in the warmth of festive gatherings, let us extend the love of Christ to those around us, embodying the spirit of Immanuel in our relationships and actions.
Looking ahead to the new year, may the truth of "God is with us" inspire and guide us in all we undertake as a diocesan family. Together, let us continue to grow in love, grace, and discipleship, confident that the abiding presence of our Lord marks our journey.
I am deeply grateful for your faithfulness and commitment to the mission of our diocese. May the joy and peace of Christ's birth be with you and your loved ones, and may the coming year be filled with the blessings that flow from the knowledge that God is truly with us.
In Christ's abiding love,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook
Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
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Faith To Go Podcast
The Gospel and Jeff Goldblum
Listen Here
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A Case for Love - January 23rd
A Case for Love will be shown in select theaters on January 23rd. This feature-length documentary examines the question of whether or not love, specifically unselfish love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the world.
Click here for more information
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EDSD Support for Migrants
EDSD’s Migration Ministry office continues to work with migrants along our southern border, providing immediate aid and relief. Thank you for your support! For an updated list of donation needs, volunteer opportunities, and a list of our partners, please visit EDSD.org/migration-ministry. Have questions? Contact Migration Missioner Robert Vivar at rvivar@edsd.org.
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Support Episcopal Relief and Development
Your gift to the Middle East Fund will support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Al-Ahli Arab Hospital as they offer critical health services to those impacted by the current crisis in Gaza. Through your generosity, ERD is able to provide medicine and other supplies to help tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of the current conflict.
Visit episcopalrelief.org today to make a contribution
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