Thursday, December 1, 2022 | |
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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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A Prayer for Peace Among the Nations (BCP 816)
Let us pray in this time of conflict for the countries of Russia and the Ukraine,
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world
into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them
that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Advent 2022
Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming”.
During the liturgical season of Advent, the church prepares spiritually, directing our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of our Lord’s first coming at his birth on Christmas.
From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).
Therefore, Advent is not a season of passive waiting and watching. Rather, Advent is a season of opening up our lives and souls with active anticipation and renewed hope.
We light the candles of the Advent Wreath to mark our passage through the four weeks.
The evergreen circle, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternal, living God:
so we call to mind how our lives, here and now, participate in the eternity of God’s plan of salvation and how we hope to share eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
The light represents Christ, who entered this world to scatter the darkness of evil and show us the way of righteousness. The progression of lighting candles shows our increasing readiness to meet our Lord.
Advent devotions, including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of this season. You are encouraged to keep this tradition in your homes, light candles and pray. Also, the following of an Advent calendar can help you enter spiritually into the Advent season with daily activity and prayer.
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Second Sunday of Advent – We light the first candle and another blue candle of PEACE. Some call it the Bethlehem candle.
Pray together:
Jesus, you are the Peace of God in all the world.
You are calm amidst storms of our lives.
Help us to forgive like you when we are hurt or wounded.
As we await your coming,
give PEACE to our hearts, we pray. Amen.
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Advent Calendar: Journeying the Way of Love
Bishop Michael Curry has invited us to be a community of people whose lives are centered on Jesus Christ and committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and redemptive love. The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer just such a path. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, I (Bishop Curry) pray that we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.
As we continue our Advent walk, we invite you to see the Way of Love as a journey that can expand to include family and friends. Mary said “yes” to the call to birth Jesus, God’s Word, into the world and immediately went in haste to share her good news with her cousin, Elizabeth—a four-day journey into the Judean hills. Isn’t that what happens when we hear good news? We are driven to go and tell others. The Way of Love is good news that demands to be shared.
Sunday, December 4
WORSHIP
Read Luke 3:1-6. How does the story of John the Baptist fill your heart with hope?
Monday, December 5
GO
Read or watch your local news. Ask God to open your heart and eyes to ways you can promote reconciliation and healing in your community.
Tuesday, December 6
LEARN
Read Luke 1:45. Share your faith story with one new person this week. It can be someone you have known for a while who has not heard the faith part of your story.
Wednesday, December 7
PRAY
Pray along with the Collect for Advent 2, found on page 211 of The Book of Common Prayer. As you are out and about for the rest of this week, notice the people you pass. Ask God to bless them in their lives and work. See how this changes the way you go about your week.
Thursday, December 8
BLESS
Call or write a letter to a family member with whom you would like to have a closer relationship. Make plans in the new year to chat on the phone or meet over Zoom or in person. Let them know how much you love them and look forward to knowing them better.
Friday, December 9
TURN
Where did you struggle this week? Do you have amends or apologies or adjustments you need to make? Ask God to open your heart and mind to those opportunities for reconciliation and growth. Thank God for the gifts of mercy and love, and the courage to make the changes necessary. And then do your best, with God’s help, to make those changes.
Saturday, December 10
REST
Set aside 30 minutes to spend in silence with your best friend today. Sure, it may feel a little weird to be silent on the phone or while sitting next to each other on the couch or across the table. Just give it a try. Make sure to set aside time after your silence to pray for each other and to say thanks for the time of rest.
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The Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 4, 2022
9:00 am
Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings
and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ
our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
Worship Booklet for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022
If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream service:
St. John's website: saint-johns.org
St. John's YouTube Channel: St. John's Episcopal Church, Chula Vista
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St. John's will celebrate La Misa in English
December 8th at 6:00pm
in celebration of
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Social – Music – Mass – Dinner
Pot Luck Dinner:
Bring your favorite food to share
All are welcome to attend - Please invite family and friends
Please contact us to reserve a place at the table:
619-422-4141 or info@saint-johns.org
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ALTAR FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS | |
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Altar Flowers for Christmas
We are accepting dedications to honor your loved ones while helping us to decorate the altar with Christmas Poinsettias.
Flower envelopes are available in the Narthex, or you may email Maria (maria@saint-johns.org) with your dedications:
In honor of ________________
In memory of ______________
In celebration of ____________
or
In thanksgiving for ___________
Payment may be made by mailing a check to St. John's, or by placing your check in the offering plate. Please submit your dedications by December 15.
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An Afternoon of Favorite Christmas Melodies
and
St. John's Annual Christmas Party
December 17th
Cheryl and Wayne Seppala and friends will provide an afternoon of Christmas music
on Saturday, December 17th at 2:30 pm; followed by appetizers, dinner and dessert. Please sign up in the narthex and indicate what side dish you will bring for the dinner.
The Men of St. John's will be providing turkey and ham.
Admission is free; reservations are requested: info@saint-johns.org
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Hospitality Hosts Needed!
Please join us for hospitality after the Sunday morning worship service. If you would like to host a Sunday, you may sign up on the poster in Nale Hall or by calling or emailing Maria at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org
Current Available Dates:
December 4
December 11
December 18
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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Toys for Tots
As a Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation, St. John's will once again be a site for the Marine's Toys for Tots community collection program. Toys for Tots collects toys for less fortunate children who would not otherwise receive gifts at Christmas.
A Toys for Tots collection box will be available inside the gates at the entrance of the church on Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
The collection will take place through Thursday, December 15th.
Please donate a toy:
- ages 1-14
- new
- in it's original packaging
- unwrapped
To give a monetary donation, visit toysfortots.org or write a check payable to Toys for Tots San Diego and place it in the offering plate.
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Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
St. John's is pleased to partner with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency to offer Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3pm
in Nale Hall.
DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE BALANCE AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF FALLING?
TRY TAI CHI!
Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance has been shown to improve balance and mobility, and reduce the risk of falls. People of all ability levels are welcome. This class can be conducted from a seated or standing position. Classes are in English.
St. John's Episcopal Church
760 1st Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Every Tuesday and Thursday | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Questions? Call 858-495-5500 or email HealthierLiving.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov
Informational Flyer: Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
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Blessings in a Bag - Items Needed
There are still a few Blessings in a Bag available for distribution. You can pick them up on the counter in the narthex. We were challenged to to take a bag or two or three and give them to people in need. What was your experience? Please let Rev. Roger know.
The following items are needed to fill more bags to distribute:
- Protein items - small cans of Vienna Sausages or Tuna packs that can be stored at room temperature
- Small bottles of water or PowerAde drinks
- Hand sanitizer wipes
- Hard candies, individually wrapped
- Small travel sized tubes of toothpaste
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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)
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Eyeglasses - (Norma Dunn)
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Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Norma Dunn)
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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 are living outside. 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
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Pill Bottles - We are no longer collecting pill bottles
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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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN FOR 2023 | |
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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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Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.
Please contact Rev. Roger ( revroger@saint-johns.org)
to be included in the Zoom meeting.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
Morning Prayer, December 7
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Parish Prayer Lists
Birthday and Anniversary Prayers
We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week. Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can pray for you during the Sunday liturgy.
Our Parish Prayer Intentions
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.
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,
Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Sebastian Morales, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, and Gen. G.J. Heinrich.
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,
Norma Dunn, Celia Vasquez, Barb Oliveira, Heather Wallace, Linda Longoria-Neff,
Josey Felts, Remi Hall, Jeremy Moyes, and Jackie Padilla.
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.
For the repose of the soul of Bernie Poindexter
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of Church of the
Good Shepherd in Bonita.
Prayer for Episcopal Diocese of San Diego's The Good News Festival:
Loving God, Author of life, in You we live and move and have our being.
We ask that you revive us again in your mighty Spirit
as we prepare our hearts for The Good News Festival.
Inspire us to reach out to those who do not know you, and welcome them
with open arms, without judgement, so that all may embrace your Good News, answer your call, and dance together with joy.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and
the Middle East.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for all Marines and Sailors stationed on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
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ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY | |
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Vestry Membership
We have one vestry member opening in 2023.
The vestry serves as the “Board of Directors” for the parish (a Corporation of the State of California). As such, the vestry is responsible for all thing temporal and spiritual regarding the mission and ministry of the parish. According to our St. John’s Bylaws, a person is elected by the parish to serve a three year term and is eligible for a second term.
The vestry usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm.
Please consider serving on the vestry. If interested, talk with Lynn Young, Tom Brzeczek or Rev. Roger Haenke.
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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December 6 & December 8: Tai Chi Class, 2:00-3:00pm in Nale Hall
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December 8: La Misa in English in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
6:00pm in Nale Hall
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December 24: Christmas Eve Worship Service, 8:00pm
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December 25: Christmas Day Worship Service, 9:00am
4th Quarter Calendar of Events
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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, Tuesday, 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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Your weekly newsletter highlights important events at St. John's Episcopal Church. You can also find news about St. John's at www.saint-johns.org.
We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at (619) 422-4141 or info@saint-johns.org
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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Handel's Messiah at Point Loma Nazarene University
St. John's choir member Alice Burnham invites you to a performance of Handel's Messiah
on Sunday, December 4th at 3 pm at Brown Chapel, Point Loma Nazarene University,
3900 Lomaland Dr., San Diego, CA 92106
Admission and parking are free.
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Carpool to the Good News Festival
If you plan to attend the Good News Festival on December 9th and would like to carpool with other members of St. John's, or if you plan to arrive separately, but would like to know the coordinated gathering spot, please contact Pamela Brittain at brittainpj@att.net. You may also sign up in the Narthex.
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The Good News Festival
December 9-10, 2022
“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…”
On December 9 - 10, 2022, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will welcome Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and social justice leader, the Rev. Dr. William Barber, to Southern California for a celebration of good news. With interactive outreach projects, workshops, live discussion panels, youth offerings, and an evening of celebration at the beautiful Town and Country Resort, this is the perfect time to get away and enjoy some good news. Read More
Good News Workshops
The Good News Festival Team is excited to announce these workshop opportunities offered throughout the day on December 10. These workshops and panel discussions are filled with industry-leading professionals, bishops, and more.
Workshop Registration
Good News Festival Questions?
Have questions about the Good News Festival on Saturday, December 10? We've got answers! Join Canon Jason Evans for one of two 1-hour sessions to learn how to prepare for the festival, what will happen at the festival, and what we will do to follow up with our visitors. Click here for more information.
Festival Volunteers Needed
The Good News Festival is expecting to welcome a lot of people that may not know our church. We need volunteers to help with welcoming visitors, ushering, and more. We especially need experienced ushers. Consider giving a portion of your evening to help make this event a success.
If you would like to volunteer at the Good News Festival, please register here.
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The Good News Festival Market
The Good News Festival Holiday Marketplace is Good News!
Good News for fair trade farmers, Good News for minority-owned businesses, Good News for social justice organizations, Good News for fair trade artisans, and Good News for YOU - shoppers looking for that very special Christmas gift that does good for the world!
On Saturday, December 10, come to the Town and Country Resort for the Good News Festival (thegoodnewsfestival.com), and take in the Holiday Marketplace at the same time--open for sales from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Find fair trade chocolate, coffee, tea, cocoa, nuts, dates, and olive oil. Buy Guatemalan, Haitian, and Mexican apparel, accessories, and crafts; African and Asian bags, jewelry, and accessories; candles and home décor made by local artisans; and books, including titles by some of our Festival speakers. With live music adding to the festive atmosphere of the marketplace, this is the place to enjoy time with friends or family while waiting for the Festival’s main attraction to begin. Read More
The Good News Festival Holiday Marketplace is excited to announce these live music offerings throughout the day. Stop, shop, and enjoy some music in the Good News Marketplace on Saturday, December 10, from 11:00 am - 6:30 pm.
11:00 am -12:00 pm
Jazz Acapella Quartet “Relative Pitch”
12:00 pm -1:00 pm
Mariachi Continental de San Diego | Say it with Mariachi (diloconmariachi.com)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Matrida Umoja Band
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Mariachi Continental de San Diego | Say it with Mariachi (diloconmariachi.com)
3:00pm – 4:00 pm
Matrida Umoja Band
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers
Remember, the power of this good news is life-changing–not only for you but for everyone around you. Experience the joy; feel the love; join your neighbors and begin your Advent Season with Good News of Great Joy!
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Meet the Neighbors
By: Chris Tumilty and Susan Jester
It is no secret that we are becoming more desensitized to advertising. These days we automatically tune out most of the ads we see–digital ads get lost in social media noise, and flyers get tossed into the junk mail pile or the trash. So, how do we tell people about the fantastic events at our church with a limited budget and help?
St. Paul’s Cathedral has started a Meet the Neighbors Walk Program–an intentional, purpose-driven way to communicate with people living in the immediate area of the church, showcasing the activities beyond the regular church services that might attract their neighbors to experience the church community. Read More
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Help Ukrainian Refugees
Episcopal Relief & Development continues to work with Anglican and ecumenical partners to provide aid to people displaced by the crisis in Ukraine.
Please click the button below to donate:
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