NEWS for you...

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good; his love endures forever.

ADVENT WREATH MAKING THIS SUNDAY

Please join us THIS Sunday, November 24th following the 10:30am service

in the Parish Hall as we begin the season with Advent Wreath Making.

We have the wreaths, candles, ribbons, and wiring...

What we need: evergreen/holly trimmings, pruning shears and wire cutters.

Grace and peace,

Gratitude is reciprocal, the more we appreciate our gifts, the more we want to share our gifts with others. This is the fuel that makes this parish run. In the over eight years that I have had the privilege of serving with you at St. John’s this has been apparent in all that we do.

Someone offers the gift of their time towards a ministry, and others join in. The gift of some expertise, or skill, keeps another ministry flowing, and this leads someone else to offer their own expertise towards our ministries. The gift of financial resources offers us options in how we fulfill God’s call to serve, and as one gives, so do many. These gifts are not hoarded, they are freely offered so that others may also benefit from the gift.

This is how stewardship flourishes at St. John’s. In gratitude, we each give our gifts to God and the Church, and together those gifts do more than we can ask or imagine. Through God’s love, our gifts multiply.

It is not coincidental that it is at Thanksgiving that we are asking for each of us to prayerfully offer our 2025 commitment to St. John’s. With gratitude in our heart, together, we can do more than we can ask or imagine. Together begins with gratitude; together begins with God’s love.

Peace

Fr. Henry+

Just as the Father gives His very self to His children, so must

I give my very self to my brothers and sisters - Henri Nouwen

BEING GRATEFUL

Please return your 2025 pledge by November 24

RSVP HERE

NOVEMBER 24 @ 11:30am

Advent Wreath Making

NOVEMBER 26 @ 9am

African Palms Packing

NOVEMBER 28 & 29

Thanksgiving

OFFICE CLOSED

DECEMBER 1

Newcomer's Coffee Hour

December 1 @ 12pm

Esther Deel Meeting

DECEMBER 5 @ 6:30pm

Christmas Tree Lighting

DECEMBER 7

Lessons & Carols @ 5pm

Advent Dinner @ 6pm

Children's Advent Party @ 6p

DECEMBER 15 @ 12pm

Casserole Club Meeting

DECEMBER 16 @ 7pm

Women of St. John's

Soup & Salad and Cookie Exchange @ Downing's

~ PRAYER LIST ~

Use this list to pray for the sick, shut-in, bereaved, or those merely in need of prayer.

Harry Brooke

Celeste McGee

Jessica Brice

Paula Fangboner

Mary Helen

Jere Rowland

Roberta Ridenour

Tim Wittig

Mary Persinger

Joseph Sears

Join us out front of the school for our traditional

Christmas Tree lighting, hot cocoa, and caroling

on Thursday, December 5th at 6:30pm.

TABLE HOST

Winning Table Host receives a prize!

The Advent Dinner begins with Lessons and Carols at 5pm in the sanctuary, followed by potluck dinner, carols and dessert in the Parish Hall. Parishioners are invited to "host" a table for this year's event. If you are interested in being a Table Host for the event, please click the link and sign-up.

What does the Table Host do?

Table hosts decorate a round table that seats 8. The hosts selects a theme, and a color scheme for their table, and may decorate the table as they choose. The hosts will also supply an appetizer for 15-20 people. He/She may use the church's chinaware, glassware, and silverware. Each table comes with a white tablecloth and candles.

RSVP HERE

Nursery care will be available

for Pre-K and under provided

there is an interest.

CHILDREN'S ADVENT PARTY | Saturday, December 7

Children are invited to Lessons & Carols at 5pm in the Sanctuary prior to the Children's Advent Party at 6pm in the school gym. Following the Lessons & Carols service, the children will be escorted to the gym at 6pm for a dinner of Chicken Fingers, Mac-n-Cheese and Fruit, followed by games and advent activities. A donation of $25 per family is suggested to underwrite childcare and the dinner. The children will join with their family in the Parish Hall to enjoy the rest of the evening with dessert and carols.

SOUP and SALAD DINNER & Cookie Exchange

Calling All Women of St John’s! Please join the Women of St. John's for their Annual Soup and Salad dinner at the Downing home on Monday, December 16th, at 7pm. Hearty soup and vegetarian soup will be provided. Please bring either a salad or appetizer to share. Following dinner, there will be the annual cookie exchange, so don’t forget your cookies! Bring a tin (tins will also be provided). Join in the fun and enjoy a delicious meal provided by many hands.

Mathy Milling Downing 5712 Stanbrook Lane, Laytonsville, MD 20882