Thursday, December 14, 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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A Prayer for Peace Among the Nations
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed,
all people may live in justice and peace.
We pray now for peace among the nations,
and especially for the people of Ukraine, Israel and Palestine.
Guide us all into the way of justice and truth,
and establish among us that peace, which is the fruit of righteousness,
that all people may live and flourish in the world you have created.
All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Advent 2023
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 the anniversary of our Lord’s first coming at his birth on Christmas and to Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
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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Third Sunday of Advent – We light the first two blue candles and the rose candle of JOY. This candle assures us that Christmas will come. Our waiting for God’s Kingdom will soon be over. Rose is the liturgical color for joy. Pray together:
Jesus, you are Joy even in the saddest times.
Help us to praise you when we are sad and sorrowful.
As we await your coming,
shine JOY into our hearts, we pray. Amen.
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Advent Witnessing
In the Gospel according to John, there was a man sent from God, whose name was John (John the Baptist). He came as a witness to testify to the light. We hear John’s testimony to the “light.” In his preaching, John makes it clear that he is not the light. John’s role is to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming so that when he comes, they will recognize Him and believe in Him.
The people continued to barrage John with questions. They ask if he is Elijah or is he the Prophet that was to come? Finally, John quotes a passage from the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” He simply says that he is the “herald,” the one who is to foretell the coming of the Lord.
The priest and Levites continued to bombard John with questions: asking why he was baptizing people if he was not the One who was to come? They would not let him rest. They asked why he was baptizing and preaching if he was not the Christ or Elijah? Finally, John clearly and simply tells the people that his role is to prepare the way for Jesus. He tells them that he, John, is not worthy to even untie the sandal strap of the One who is to come.
The people asking the questions of John were hungry to know more about the “Messiah.” They were hungry to have their questions answered. They wanted to have a sense of what would come. Of “Who” would come! They had been waiting for the Messiah for centuries! Perhaps they were beginning to wonder if the Savior would even come! They looked to Jesus to affirm their hope that the Savior would return.
How do we witness to the light of Christ in midst?
How do we as the “light of Christ” in our world prepare, make ready the way for Christ’s appearing?
Do we recognize the ways that Christ appears to us each day?
May we open our eyes and hearts to Crist this day! He may appear in surprising ways!
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Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace
and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory,
now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8,19-28
Worship Booklet for the Third Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023
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Sunday Liturgy Schedule
9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School
Coffee and Fellowship to follow
11:00am with Contemporary Music
All are welcome to attend!
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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 Sunday, December 17.
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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE OF SERVICES | |
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Christmas Eve: December 24th at 8:00PM
Christmas Day: December 25th at 9:00AM
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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Thank You: Toys for Tots
Due to your generosity, we were able to deliver 62 toys and $25 to Toys for Tots. Thank you all for your giving spirit!
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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
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 20th
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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.J. 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, and Celia Vasquez.
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 the clergy and people of St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs and for those experiencing homelessness and those who journey at their side
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton
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Celebration of Life for Josey Felts
The Celebration of Life for Josey Felts will be on
Saturday, December 16th at 11:00am
at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servant, Josey.
Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.
Receive her into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,
and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Notes of care and sympathy may be sent to Josey's sister and brother-in-law:
Dolores "Lole" and Mike Brines
8712 N. Magnolia #60
Santee, CA 92071
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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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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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December 14th: Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a La Posada party and dinner, 6:00pm in the narthex and Nale Hall
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December 16th: Celebration of Life for Josey Felts, 11:00am at St. John's
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December 28th: 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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Help Deported Veterans
By: Bishop Susan Brown Snook
At our 50th diocesan convention, we honored veterans and highlighted the military ministries of our diocese. We prepared 200 care packages for Marines and Sailors about to be deployed. And we know there is yet more work to be done in service to our veterans, as our Military Missioner, T. Randy Cash, recently outlined for us.
Military ministry in our diocese has a unique confluence with our border ministries, as we all too often meet U.S. military veterans deported to Tijuana. These veterans are not citizens but green card-holding American residents who have served America with honor, some in the most challenging wars for generations. Read More
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Faith To Go Podcast
Charlette and David talk about generosity, how gathering friends helps us expand our capacity for change, and then wrestle with the idea of a world where all are cared for. 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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