The Messenger E-News

Livestream @ 10 on Facebook

8:00 AM Rite II

9:00 AM Coffee Hour

10:00 AM Rite II: Choir & Sunday School

Click either button to watch the livestream

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Livestream @ 10 on YouTube

As we move into winter and weather can potentially become a factor, please keep an eye on your email and our Facebook page for any weather-related announcements regarding Sunday services. Remember that you can always safely join us at 10 AM from home. Stay safe!

We have real flower arrangements on the first Sunday of each month, delivered by Marcus Hook Florist. On that first Sunday, we list all the flower sponsor dedications we’ve collected money for in that month.

We continue with the $25 contribution to sponsor flowers, and place a fresh cut arrangement once per month to acknowledge those who we are remembering, thanking for and honoring.

Flowers may be given in memory of (M), in thanksgiving for (T), or in honor of (H) your special person or event.

Learn more here.

Growing

What is an "Annual Meeting?"

The Annual Meeting is a business update for our parishioners: we look at the past year and what we've accomplished, we look at the coming year and what we project forward, and we look at our budget.

At the Annual Meeting, the congregation voices its preferences for leadership by electing members to the Vestry (governing board) and as well as representatives who will vote at the yearly Diocesan Convention. If you are interested in serving on the Vestry, please speak with Rev. Jill.

Save the Date: Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 2 at 9 AM

All members of Saint John's are invited and encouraged to attend.

**Committee reports for the Annual Report are due to Jen Troutman by January 17.**

Seeking

"Teach Us to Pray"

The season of Epiphany follows the twelve days of Christmas, and begins when the Magi from the east visited the young child Jesus and his parents (Matthew 2). The Magi (often called 'Wise Men') were the first non-Jewish people to recognize the Kingship of Jesus. The Feast of the Epiphany is on January 6^th, though we will worship this feast on Sunday, January 5^th with the arrival of our “3 Kings Pageant.”

Epiphany season is often thought of as a time when Jesus is made known to the world. Recognizing that the Light of Christ shines for the whole world to see, our liturgy during this season will expand in the words we use to pray. At our later worship service, our Eucharistic prayers will come from Enriching Our Worship, which has more expansive language (i.e. non-gendered language about God) approved by The Episcopal Church in the 21st century. We will also use prayers from our Anglican siblings in New Zealand, using the beautiful prayers from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer. Our Sanctus will also change: we’ll sing in both Spanish and English, remembering that Christ’s love is for all of God’s children.

In the Gospel of Luke, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray and he responds with words we still pray today: The Our Father (also called "The Lord's Prayer"). In Epiphany, we will learn a new way to pray when we use the "Contemporary Lord's Prayer" which you can see on page 364 of your Book of Common Prayer. This more modern translation is much closer to the actual words of Jesus found in the Gospels (check out Matthew's version which is a little longer than Luke's version). As you say these words, notice how these more current word translations change or impact how you pray and think about this prayer. (And don't worry: we'll return to the more familiar older words for the season of Lent!)

The way we pray shapes our beliefs in the God who created this world and loved this world so much that God poured Godself into our flesh and shone God’s Light so that the darkness will not overcome it. This Epiphany, we’ll pray with new words our ancient faith in our loving God.

Blessings,

Rev Jill

Serving

2025 Giving Envelopes Available

Be sure to stop by the Parish Hall to pickup your 2025 Giving Envelopes the next time you are at church.

Please sign up!

We are in need of hosts to provide our treats for Coffee Hour on Sunday mornings. Hosts can attend either the early service at 8:00 or the second service at 10:00. Please sign up on the clipboard on the treats table.