12/29/06 St. John’s News & Notes
Merry Christmas to you, my St. John’s Church Family,
I hope you had a blessed Christmas Day, and that your Christmas season is going well, too. Remember, Christmas lasts for twelve days - coming to a conclusion on Epiphany, January 6th! The Church Secretary that I worked with in Camden, Maine, had a family tradition of each family member opening one present a day from December 25th through January 6th. I thought that was an interesting way to maintain the excitement through the whole season. But the significance of the season - Emmanuel (God is with us), and the light of Christ coming into the world to dispel the darkness - continues throughout the year. May we remember that always!
I want to thank all the folks who helped to make our worship experiences through Advent, and into Christmas Eve such a blessing. There’s the Worship Committee, Janet W. and the Acolytes and the Advent Candle-lighting characters; the liturgists and ushers and Communion Servers; those who contributed Poinsettias - and arranged them; our Student Intern, Karen W., and Rev. Earle C. for creating and leading the 9 PM Christmas Eve Service; Barb J., who scanned the pictures for the powerpoint presentation for my story-telling at the 6:30 PM service; Mike S. who helped me through a glitch with the Powerpoint projector; and more. But I lift up a special word of thanks to Barb J., Steve M. and the choir for the many contributions they made, and the countless hours they put in - for the Cantata, Advent music, three Christmas Eve services, and probably more that I’m forgetting. You are ALL wonderful! Thank you very much.
Betsey B. has asked that this note be included in our bulletin for Sunday. I thought I’d include it in “News & Notes,” too: MISSING VCR: If anyone has the VCR from the TV cart in the Sunday School area downstairs, please return it. Thank you.
This Sunday we will have two worship services, as normal. It will NOT be Youth Sunday - that will happen on January 14th. There won’t be any Sunday School, but childcare will be provided for children up through three years of age.
At the first service this Sunday we’ll celebrate by welcoming a new member into the life and ministry of St. John’s Church. LaTanya H. is joining our church family. Please be sure to welcome her. Her husband, Bill, will also join the church sometime in the near future.
Remember that we’ll be offering training for ushers for our worship services. The training will take place twice next week - on Wednesday evening at 7 PM, and on Thursday morning at 9:30 AM. Claire B. will lead this training. If you haven’t spoken to her about your willingness to serve yet, and see this as a ministry for you, please contact her soon.
I want to remind the members of the Church Council of the special meeting that is happening on Thursday, January 4th, at 7 PM. We’ll continue the important discussion about the staffing of the ministries of St. John’s Church. Brad B., one of the Co-Chairs of the Council will be leading the meeting. (Unfortunately Lisa P. must work that evening)
A couple things to look forward to are:
*A gathering to take down the Christmas decorations in the sanctuary - anyone who can help is invited to come on Saturday, January 6th, at 10 AM. It’s a big job!!
*An Epiphany benefit concert (for the grandson of our pastor in Eliot, ME), on Saturday, January 6th, at 4 PM, at the Eliot UMC
*Covenant Renewal service for all of us, during worship on Sunday, January 7th - the first “regular” worship service of the new year
*A six-week study on “Contemporary Worship for the 21st Century”- to be held on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM, from January 7th through February 11th. This is part of the Five Year Plan goal of creating another worship experience through our congregation. Books can be picked up in Hartford Hall. It would be good if you’ve read the Preface, Introduction and Chapter 1 ahead of the meeting.
That’s about all the news I have for this week. See in church on Sunday morning! And if I don’t see you, I wish for you a blessed and faith-filled new year. Peace, Mark