12/1/06 St. John’s News & Notes
Happy May, my friends!!
At least that’s what it seems like today. It was 67 degrees (on the bank’s thermometer) when I drove through Dover early this morning!! Amazing how God’s creation never ceases to surprise us!! May we never cease to appreciate that creation!!
I’m writing late today, so I’m going to be brief. . . . I hope!
Tomorrow we have – by popular demand – the wreath making workshop, in Hartford Hall, from 2 till 5 PM. Bring whatever greens you can – there are others here already. This is always a great time!!
Then on Sunday, at both services, we’ll have the “Hanging of the Greens” service and communion. The children will be invited to participate – by hanging a Chrismon (Christ monogram – ornament) on the tree, and by helping to create the nativity scene (costumes will be in their classrooms). There won’t be any Sunday School this week, also. And communion at the first service will probably be a little noisier than normal, with all the kids present. Please be patient with them.
Then on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM, the Adult Music program of our congregation will present “Together for Christmas,” our 2006 Christmas Cantata. This year the cantata is being offered in memory of Gail Parady – with whose memorial funds the cantata was purchased. Remember that the Youth Groups are offering activities for children during the cantata.
Advent Studies are up and running. If you haven’t been to one of them yet, have no fear. You can “jump” in late, if you wish. The studies take place at the church on Sunday evening’s at 7 PM; at 11 AM on Monday’s at Langdon Place; at 7 PM on Tuesday’s at the church – Junior High Classroom; and at 9 AM on Wednesday’s at Wentworth Home. Each class is studying the same book: “The Miracle of Christmas” by James W. Moore.
Next Friday (December 8th), the Mission Team will present a Public Supper – New England Boiled Dinner, from 5 till 6:30 PM, to raise money for scholarships for members of the team. The trip will take place during school vacation in February. Please be supportive in whatever ways you can!!
Tickets to this year’s Peter Mayer concert are on sale. Speak to Bob or Diana S. The concert will take place at Dover High School, on Friday, December 15th.
Minnett I. is looking for thirty-four dozen (34 doz.) brownies for the Strafford County Jail Christmas party. Unfortunately there are 405 inmates at the prison right now, so the need is great – if we want to reach all the men and women. How many dozen can we sign you up for? Speak to Minnett if you can help.
Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, so the Worship Committee has created the following worship schedule for that day:
Sunday morning – one service – at 9:30 AM – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday evening – 6:30 PM Service for people of all ages – communion served
9 PM A service of lessons and carols – communion served
11 PM A service around the Word and Table (sermon and communion), concluding with candlelight and singing outdoors
Let me share some personal news with you – on several fronts. First there are two engagements to announce – Holly (Guy and Joanne’s daughter) and her longtime boyfriend (graduate of Maine Maritime Academy) will marry on June of 2008. And Anne (George and Gloria’s daughter) and Seamus became engaged the Monday before Thanksgiving. I don’t know if a date has been set yet. Praise God for these loving relationships!!
We share Keith McG’s sadness with him – at the death of his father, Bob, last Sunday morning. And also, his wife, Aimee, has been hospitalized with more seizures. They have given her new medications, and she hopes to go home either today or tomorrow.
And on the employment “front,” both of the Bob & Diana S’s “kids” have (or will very soon have) new positions. Kim will work with Myron Candell (sp?) from CNN – working on something related to a state initiative on security fraud education. And Kirt will be working for Liberty Mutual – where he wife works – though not in the same area. And Jim A. will have a new position with his present company come the first of the year. He will be a Vice President – able to stay in Dover – but will have more traveling to do. Finally, my wife, Wendy, will be working part-time with another Elder-Law attorney in Portland. This will allow her time and energy to continue to build her own Law Practice in Yarmouth. Praise God for all this good news.
Have you noticed that I’ve not used anyone’s last names in this issue of “News & Notes?” That’s because we’ve become aware that folks outside St. John’s are reading this material – which is wonderful!! – but we feel to be fair to one another, we need to make sure that we balance confidentiality with sharing of information. Let us know what you think.
That’s it for today. I’ll be sending this to you through a new “vehicle” – new to me, anyway. I hope it gets through to you without a problem. Have a great weekend. See you in church . . . for many different things over the next couple of days!! Peace, Mark