This Week on the Mountain for Sunday, December 3

This Week on the Mountain

Sunday, December 3, 2017

The First Sunday in Advent

St. John on the Mountain

Upcoming Events

Stewardship Thanks

In this Stewardship Season, The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry are grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of the following people whose gifts support the mission of our parish. Add your name to this list by sending your pledge to the office or emailing Lisa Keenan.

Tax Deductible Gift in 2017

You can make a contribution to the church or fulfill your pledge using your IRA.

I f you are 70 1/2 or older:

You may transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to the church
If you have not yet taken your required minimum distribution for 2017, your gift can satisfy all or part of that requirement.
You pay no income tax on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor tax deduction, so you can benefit even if you do not itemize your tax deduction.

Don't delay! To help ensure that your gift counts this year, transfers will need to be made by December 29, 2017 (last business day of the year)

Advent Activities

Sunday, December 3

Please join us on Sunday, December 3rd as we make Advent Wreaths (in Parish Hall). All materials will be supplied. A $5 donation to help off-set the cost of supplies is greatly appreciated.

Children will make their wreaths at 10:00 (in lieu of Sunday School).
Adults are welcome to make theirs immediately following the 10:00am service.

Sunday, December 10

You won't want to miss Coffee Hour on December 10th! Please join us in the Parish Hall for some creative seasonal arts and crafts following the 10 am service.

Foster Some Love

First night bags are being assembled for foster children to make their first few nights away from home a little easier. These children are all receiving support from CASA SHaW (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon, & Warren Counties) I tems needed (all new) by December 24 to the Parish Office include:

Stuffed animals
blankets
Children's books
Toiletries
Crayons, markers, coloring books
Duffle bags
Water bottles

Mountaintop Moments

Sunday, December 10

We probably all have stories of Christmases or other times when we have waited with great joy and excitement... And then the day came, and indeed it was happy and wonderful! Sometimes we are all filled up with love and joy. But other times and in some areas of our lives, we may be waiting, wondering, reflecting, even wandering in the desert, ...wondering if or when we will find the "promised land." Those of us who have attended the storytelling group, Mountaintop Moments, are amazed at the beautiful stories we have heard and told. The blessing of knowing each other better and the encouragement and warmth of the fellowship have stayed with us well past the hour we spend together. The general theme at our next gathering on Sunday, December 10th, will be "stories about the joy of receiving and/or the experience of 'waiting." But this is not a very formal group so who knows where our stories will take us! We meet in the Chapel, about 20 minutes after the 10 AM service is over and we have grabbed a cup of coffee down the hall. All are welcome to join us. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lindy Judd, Al Hudgins, Jerry Murphy or Mother Susan.

Ladies' Christmas Luncheon

Thursday, December 14

The Ladies' Christmas Lunch will be at Roxiticus CC on December 14 at noon. The cost will be $30; there will be an elaborate holiday buffet that includes hot soup, carving station, chicken dish, seafood dish, vegetables, rice, potatoes and a selection of desserts. $40 will include wine with lunch. Please make your reservation by sending your check made out to Wendy Argent-Belcher to the office at 379 Mt. Harmony Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 by December 8th. Any questions? Email Wendy Argent-Belcher.

Men's Luncheon

Thursday December 7

Please join us on Thursday, December 7th at 12:15 pm at the Morristown Club at 27 Elm Street in Morristown. The luncheons are open to members of the parish and their guests. The favor of a reply is requested in order that a place may be reserved for you at the table, but last minute drop-ins are always welcome. Hope to see you there. For more information please contact Alan Enos at 908-234-1321.

Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 17

Roles were announced on Wednesday, November 30th. Parent volunteers needed. Contact Lynn Mitchell for info.

*Mandatory practices for those with speaking parts and musical roles:

Saturday, December 16th at 9:00 am (with a parent)

*Mandatory practice for the ENTIRE cast:

Saturday, December 16th at 10:00 am (with a parent)

Christmas Flowers & Special Music

If you would like to dedicate Christmas Flowers & Special Music, please send your dedications to the Parish Office. In order that we might publish all names in the Christmas bulletins, we ask that you send in your forms by Friday, December 15th. Forms can be found here, in the narthex, at www.sjotm.org , or call the office 908-766-2282 to have one mailed to you.

Adopt a Family for Christmas

Help save a struggling family's Christmas by providing an uncooked meal. It's easy! Just buy the makings for a meal, and deliver it uncooked to your Adopt-a-Family. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near Parish Hall. Please call Sue Kennedy at 908-234-0267 with any questions. If you have a particular family you have been supporting in the past, please let Sue know so that she can inform the Food Bank.

Nominations for Vestry

The nominating committee has been formed and will be working in the coming weeks to nominate Four Vestry members and a new Warden for the coming year. The Vestry is an essential part of our community, and those interested in being nominated for this leadership ministry ought to be members of St. John's who are regular attenders of worship and who support the parish financially. They should be passionate about this parish and its people, and willing to serve in areas of ministry that are in line with their gifts and talents. If you would like to nominate someone for this ministry, please contact Nina Dixon or Steve Sbaraglio who will be co-chairing the Nominating Committee. Thank you for helping us prayerfully discern this important part of our life together!