St. John's Episcopal Church
to love, to serve, to grow in Christ
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Sunday, February 2, we celebrate the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. It is also Candlemas Day, a day in which candles are blessed. Bring a candle to be blessed. (See article below for more details on Candlemas.) Rev. Denise Guinta will be our celebrant and preacher on Sunday. | |
Scan the QR code below to make a donation to St. John's, via Faithstreet. Your generous donations help to continue our mission of loving and serving God in our community and the world. | |
*Walk in Love commitment cards for 2025
If you have not turned in your commitment card for 2025, it is not too late. Please mail it to the church office or place it in the offering basket on Sunday. If you do not have a commitment card, they are available on the table as you enter the church.
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2025 Annual Meeting of St. John's Episcopal Church
At the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 26, the following people were elected:
To the Vestry: Deb Hladky, Diane Pfaus, Ellen Seto
They will join Sallie Devine, Bonnie Lovell, Marti Moore and Marlene Eichelberger (An all woman Vestry!)
Delegates to Diocesan Convention: Mary Anders, Ron Joy, Ellen Seto; Anthony Campanaro - alternate
The 2025 Budget was presented. The Annual Report was distributed and Vestry and Commission members gave oral reports. We looked back at 2024 and forward to 2025.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, copies will be available on Sunday. Also, it was emailed to you on January 16. Check your email. You can also email me, and I will send you a copy. (seniorwarden2024.stjohns@gmail.com)
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What I forgot to say...
On Sunday, Fr. Hugh Bell preached on the unity that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, the second reading of the day. Paul talks about the body and its members - hands, eyes, ears, etc. - all part of the body but each having its own purpose. Many members - one body. Paul goes on to say, "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." To some, God has given the gift of healing, to some prophesy, to some teaching. Each person created has his own gifts. We each have individual gifts, but we are each part of the body of Christ.
We are all part of the body of St. John's. Each of us has gifts that can be used to benefit the body. What are your gifts? Every one of us has something to contribute. Please read the annual report. There are 28 pages of ministry reports. Is there a ministry area that interests you?
At St. John's we are one body that needs all its members to participate. Each of us has gifts. Each of us can do something. What will you do?
Marlene Eichelberger
Senior Warden
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EPISCOPAL 101
Why do you attend an Episcopal Church?
There is a little book titled 101 Reasons to be Episcopalian. In the coming weeks, many of the 101 reasons will be shared. Some of them are serious; some are humorous. If you have a "reason" that is not included, send it to me. It could be reason #102.
#5 Reason: "The Seasons are color coded."
Bungee Bynum, Diocese of Lexington
101 Reasons to be Episcopalian was compiled by Louie Crew; published by Morehouse Publishing 2003
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The Presentation of our Lord - Candlemas Day
As was the custom in the day, a child would be presented in the Temple 40 days after birth. Forty Days is a very common number in the Bible: 40 days and 40 nights that it rained in Genesis; 40 days that the Israelites wandered in the desert; 40 days that Jesus walked in the wilderness tempted by the devil; 40 days of Lent.
Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple when he was 40 days old. The child was born to be the Light of the World.
In the modern day church, there is a tradition of bringing a candle to be blessed - holding the light in our own hands and taking it out to the world. The day is known as Candlemas or Candle Mass. Bring a candle to church on Sunday to be blessed, and then take home and use it during prayer and meditation.
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St. John's Thrift Shop
The Thrift Shop is in desperate need of donations, especially home decor, small appliances, kitchen and decorative items, purses, shoes -pretty much everything!. A donation shed is located in front of the parish hall. The Shop is also in need of newspaper to wrap delicate items.
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The Shop is always looking for volunteers to work at the desk. If you would like to help, contact Caroline Barnett.
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eNews
What you would like to see in eNews? We need your input to keep it fresh and relevant. Is your ministry area doing something that you would like to share? Please send your news, ideas, articles, photos, etc. to me at seniorwarden2024.stjohns@gmail.com
The deadline submission for the Tuesday enews is Monday, 3 p.m.
Marlene Eichelberger
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Worship
Our service is live streamed on FaceBook and YouTube at 9:00 am on Sundays.
To watch on You Tube: Click HERE for February 2 service.
If you can't watch live, you can watch it at your convenience by going to St. John's FaceBook page and click on "videos".
The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple
February 2, 2025
9:00 a.m.
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 84
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
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Prayer Chapel
The Chapel is open for anyone wishing individual prayer. You are invited to go to the Chapel to receive prayer with a member of The Daughters of the King immediately following Holy Eucharist. Daughters of the King is an Order of Women that take vows to extend Christ’s Kingdom by Prayer, Service and Evangelism. Prayer requests are held in strict confidence.
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Thrift Shop Regular hours:
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Hand Bell Choir - Tuesdays -
Church Sanctuary - 6pm
Vocal Choir - Tuesdays -
Choir Room - 7pm
Retirees - Parish Hall
Second Monday of the month 10:00 am
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study -
Parish Hall - Wednesdays 10:00 am.
Zoom link: Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Rug Hookers - Parish Hall
Thursdays 10:00 am.
Men's Cursillo Grouping- Parish Hall
Thursdays 7:00 am.
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Dates for your Calendar
March 4, 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
March 5, 12 noon, Ash Wednesday Service
March 6 - April 10, (Thursday evenings) 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall: watch The Chosen, Season 4. The final episode ends with Jesus entering Jerusalem - Palm Sunday.
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Office Schedule and Contact Information
Church Office hours are Mon. - Thurs. from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Mondays & Wednesdays, for access to church office,
please call the office at 727-531-6020
The Rev. Kevin Mort, Deacon
cell phone: 727 409-8248
email: kdmort727@gmail.com
Office phone number:
727-531-6020
Office email addresses:
Parish Administrator
Jim May, Music Director email address:
Music Director
727-531-6020 Ex. 4
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NEWS, MINISTRIES, AND UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS! | |
Super Bowl Sunday is February 9.
Let's make it a "Souper Bowl" by bringing in canned soup and other non-perishables for the next few Sundays leading up to Feb. 9. All food will be donated to Good Neighbors for distribution to those in need. Monetary gifts are always welcome.
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St. Paul’s Wednesday Contemplative Services
The Contemplative Worship Services are held on Wednesdays in St. John’s Church sanctuary at 7:15 pm.
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Episcopal Church and Diocesan News | | | | |