News & Notes 12/23/08
December 23, 2008 St. John’s Church “News & Notes”
Merry “Almost” Christmas, to you, my friends,
This is a quick issue of News & Notes - with just some highlights before our Christmas celebrations.
The schedule for Christmas Eve services at St. John’s looks like this:
6:30 PM Family Christmas Service with a telling of “Have You Seen Christmas,” by Vicki Howie - as well as carols and communion
8:15 PM Our traditional Carillon program presented by Guy Eaton and Andy Galt
9 PM A service entitled “Light for our Darkness: Love for our World,” with hymns, liturgy and candlelighting.
11 PM Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service, concluding with candlelighting.
Of course both concluding candlelighting services will be happening only if the weather permits. Please think of a friend or two, who don’t have a congregation that they call their church home, to invite to join you for Christmas Eve worship. You’ll be glad that you did.
The St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is again accepting all types of GREETING CARD FRONTS ONLY (without writing on them). They are then trimmed to fit a 5×7 inch card back and are attached to a new blank card. The recycled cards are then sold, with all proceeds going directly back to the abused, abandoned and neglected children at the three ranches. Card fronts can be mailed to: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005-1681.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Wanted to remind everyone about the letters for Christine Skidds. Even if you could shoot me a quick note, that would be great. So far I have only received one letter and notes from Garrett’s class. I know you are all busy, but Christine did find out about the box and I would like to have one filled with Christmas wishes. Thanks everyone! Andrea McCusker PS-email is probably the best option (celts [at] comcast [dot] net)
The CERV 2008 Power Outage Food Drive is Under Way!
In response to the N.H.power outage CERV (Christian Emergency Response Volunteers) is hosting a food drive. Individuals and organizations can bring donations of non-perishable foods, frozen foods (a freezer is available) and monetary donations to Dover Baptist Church at 151 Washington St., Dover, NH between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM or to any of the Dover, NH Fire Stations. The food drive will run until January 2nd and will benefit the local food pantries. The need is great and you can help make a difference! For more info call 603-516-2378
And remember that Christmas only begins with our Christmas Eve services. It continues for twelve days - including Sunday, December 28th, when we’ll gather at 9 and 10:30 AM, as usual! I hope you’ll be there to continue the celebration! There will NOT be any Sunday School or Youth Groups offered that day. And on Sunday, January 4th, our worship will be shaped by John Wesley’s traditional Covenant Renewal service. We’ll begin the new year with our church family, as we renew our covenants with God.
Some of you have heard that my father, Henry, who has come to spend Christmas with us in Dover, was taken to Wentworth-Douglas Hospital yesterday, with a urinary track infection. We would covet your prayers for him. Thank you.
That’s all the news that’s fit to print today! Please take time during these busy days - as we prepare for special meals, and special company, and special gifts –to focus on the MOST special gift to us, Jesus, who is Emmanuel (God is with us!). See you in church. Peace, Mark