Thursday, December 23, 2021 |
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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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December 23, 2021
Dear St. John’s Family and Friends,
Cliff and I want to wish you a blessed and joyous Christmas.
It is a season in which we remember the Word becoming flesh - Emmanuel, God with us.
In the birth of Jesus, God became incarnate and lived among us.
You are a “Christmas” people! As God’s children, created in His image of love, you continue to make incarnate the divine presence
of God.
You clothe the strangers who have no shelter and search for a home. You feed those who do not have a place at a table and are in need of food. You care for all of God’s children with love and are examples of justice and peace in a divided world.
This Christmas we remember the birth of Love. May we continue to make God’s love alive in our midst.
Wishing you all much hope, joy and love in this holiday season.
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Christmas Services
(all services will be in the church)
Christmas Eve
December 24th at 8:00pm
(beginning with choir and congregational carols)
Christmas Day
December 25th at 9:00am
First Sunday after Christmas
December 26th at 9:00am
Masks and social distance are required at indoor services.
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A Festival of
Nine Lessons & Carols
of Christmastide
from December 24, 2020
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Please join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist in the church.
Come, pray, sing, receive Holy Communion,
and join us for fellowship following our liturgy.
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2021, 8:00 pm, beginning with choir and congregation carols
Collect for Christmas Eve
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness
of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery
of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven;
where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Readings for Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
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Christmas Day
December 25, 2021, 9:00 am
Collect for Christmas Day
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin:
Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children
by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14
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The First Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, December 26, 2021, 9:00 am
Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm 147:13-21
Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7
John 1:1-18
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If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream services:
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Altar Flowers for 2022
Our 2022 Altar Flower sign-up is available in the Narthex. If you are not able to sign up in person, please contact the office to see if your desired date is available. If you donate online, please contact Maria with your dedication: maria@saint-johns.org
Suggested donation is $40.00.
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With the spread of the Omicron variant, the state of California has now reinstituted indoor masking requirements for all public places. As we have in the past, we will follow the state and Bishop Susan’s guidance.
Bishop Susan has required us to return to wearing masks during indoor worship and other events, until further notice.
We will wear masks:
- when greeting one another before, during, and after the service
- during the service and the distribution of communion
- children attending Sunday School
We are allowed to lower masks:
- if officiating at worship, reading a lesson, or preaching
- if singers are able to maintain significant distance from the congregation.
- when eating or drinking during time of hospitality
We will open the doors of the church and hall as a means to increase ventilation which reduces the spread of infection. Please dress appropriately.
God calls us to care for our neighbor in tangible ways. We take this simple action of masking to protect the health of our neighbors, including those who are immunocompromised, in poor health, and children too young to be vaccinated. Maintaining masking indoors and keeping social distance will help us all stay safer as we worship together.
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Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Faith Forums
We will have the opportunity to hear inspiring messages from the Diocesan Convention:
You are the Light of the World.
During our fellowship in Nale Hall following the worship service, we will watch and discuss these recorded messages.
Sunday, January 2 - Bishop Susan Brown Snook's address to the Convention
Sunday, January 9 - Canon for Mission, Jason Evans' address to the Convention
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Sunday School
Sunday School is now available. Children ages 4 and up are welcome to come and learn about the Word of God with Heather Wallace.
Children must be masked in order to attend Sunday School. They will gather in the Sunday School Room before our service begins and return at the Sign of Peace.
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Child Care
Child Care is available during our Sunday Services. Ana, the daughter of Alex Valdez-Beer, will be staffing our child care room.
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We Are Here For You!
We carefully gather in person at St. John's, we would like to remind you that we are here for you!
If you are not able to join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist, we will bring Holy Communion to you. You may call the parish office (619-422-4141) and request communion to be brought to you by one of our Eucharistic Visitors.
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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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION |
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Outreach Collections
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
- New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
- Pill Bottles - Matthew 25 Ministries (Sally Elliott)
- Eyeglasses - (Norma Dunn)
- Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Norma Dunn)
- Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Norma Dunn)
- Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.
You may also bring your items to church during our weekday office hours, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Ring the doorbell, and you will be buzzed in to leave your items outside Nale Hall.
If you do not feel comfortable driving, please contact the parish office, and we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.
Support Dreams for Change
The Outreach Committee has chosen to support Dreams For Change, an organization that provides resources for people living in their cars in ‘Safe Parking’ places set aside by the County. Please bring your clean, gently used blankets and they will be delivered to the organization. There will be a labeled container in Nale Hall to receive donations.
For more information on the Dreams for Change Safe Parking program, please click here.
Please click on the following link or visit the St. John's website ( www.saint-johns.org) for more information on our Outreach Ministries:
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Hospitality: Hosts Needed!
Our new hospitality chart for 2022 is available. Please sign up to host a Sunday morning.
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
Refreshments should be individually portioned or wrapped, or served by a server who is the only one touching the serving implements.
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Centennial Celebration
2022 will be our Centennial Year!
Our Centennial Liturgy will be on September 18, 2022.
In 1922, we were founded as a mission of St. James Episcopal Church and two years later chose the name St. John's.
In planning for our celebration, we will need your help on the following committees:
- Communications and Publicity
- Gala and Fundraiser
- Liturgy
- History and Archives
Lynn Young, Diane Gustafson and John Will have been sorting through many documents and photos on the history of St. John's. If you know some of our history please let them know.
Would you be interested in helping with any of these committees?
Do you have ideas of how we can celebrate this important milestone?
Please contact Maria Love in the parish office by calling 1-619-422-4141 or emailing maria@saint-johns.org
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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.
to be included in the Zoom meeting.
Morning Prayer and Bible Study will resume on January 5, 2022.
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Daughters of the King Prayers
All the women of the parish are invited to discern becoming a member of the Daughters of the King. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Young (208-695-7735) or Linda Dennehy (619-429-4747).
If you have a special prayer request for Daughters of the King, you are invited to fill out a prayer card, found in the narthex. Drop your prayer request in the church-shaped box or in the offering plate. These requests are confidential and are separate from our printed parish prayer lists.
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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 get it in the Sunday liturgy. If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.
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, Daniel Getreu, Jamal Warner, Matt Hernandez, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Katherine Milam, Sebastian Morales, Richie Lebron, Roberto Johnson and the crew of USS Essex.
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 & Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, Scott Hunter, Evan McClure,
Julie Croom, David Dennehy, Anna Jones, the Guajardo family, the Halsten family,
Dorothy Hintze, Dale Evans and the Hartung family.
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 Teddy McCracken
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul and 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 St. Michael's by-the-Sea in Carlsbad.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for for all Sailors serving in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
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Prayer Quilts
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind
you that there are many quilts available for anyone in need
of prayer and support. This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness.
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2022 Stewardship Campaign |
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Our stewardship campaign this year focused on using the gifts that God has given us in order to transform the lives of all people. While St. John's needs your monetary pledge, we hope that you will also give of your time and talent.
As you discern your stewardship gift, your vestry encourages you to prayerfully consider an increase in the amount you will pledge. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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2021 Pledge Reminder
We offer this friendly reminder: if you have not paid your 2021 pledge, we ask that you would please pay it before the end of the year. If you would like your payments to be included in your 2021 statement for tax purposes, we would appreciate receiving it by December 28, 2021, so that we can record it in the correct year's statement. Thank you.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
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Lynn Young, Junior Warden
aaaaaa208-695-7735
Bill Cheney, Treasurer
Terry Farrelly, Assistant Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Jane Ferguson
Alejandra Valdez-Beer
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Vestry Positions
In the coming year, three positions on vestry will become vacant. If you have an interest in joining the vestry, please consider running for election.
If you would like more information about Vestry, contact David Dennehy at masterfrog@att.net or 619-840-9994. |
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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Christmas Eve: Friday, December 24th at 8:00pm
................................ (with choir and congregation carols)
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Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25th at 9:00am
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January 2, 2022: Faith Forum, Bishop Susan Brown Snook's address to the
-----------------------------Convention
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January 9, 2022: Faith Forum, Canon for Mission, Jason Evans' address to the
-----------------------------Convention
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January 23, 2022: Annual Meeting, in Nale Hall following our Worship Service
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Parish Office Hours and Contacts
As our staff are now fully vaccinated, we are permitted to open our parish office.
Masking and social distance should be maintained when visitors are present.
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).
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be working half-days in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday; and all day Wednesday and Thursday. He will be available by appointment. Please call the office (619-422-4141) 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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Beware of Scam Emails & Phishing Attempts
If you receive a suspicious email from an address that seems to be Rev. Roger or another parishioner asking for a favor, it may be a phishing attempt. Scam emails mimic addresses we are familiar with and are very often full of grammatical errors.
Rev. Roger will never email you asking for funds or financial support by way of gift cards. If you receive an email that seems suspicious, do not open it or respond to it. Delete it immediately.
Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need - a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company - and to click a link or download an attachment.
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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 maria@saint-johns.org.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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Help For Tornado Victims
On Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11, a line of severe weather spread across the central United States, spawning over 50 tornadoes. Many lives were lost in these storms, and homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed. Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with the affected dioceses as they assess the needs in their communities and stands ready to assist in the coming days and weeks. Please pray for the people impacted by the deadly tornadoes. Donations to the US Disaster Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond.
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Faith to Go
A Weekly, On The Go Resource for Parents and Non-Parents Alike
Hosted by the Faith To Go team in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar. Joined each week by a special guest, the Faith To Go team highlights themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your faith discussions and reflections throughout the week.
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Resources for Emotional Support
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances.
You're not alone!
Find resources to connect with real people that can help, here.
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EDSD Statement of Commitment
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, and foregoing the common cup.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love
Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.
What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change
Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.
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Reporting Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
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