News for the Week

of December 10, 2022

Home Visits

With Holy Eucharist

In addition to our on-line services, we also have Eucharistic Visitors who will joyfully bring Communion to those unable to come to our in-person services. Please contact our office at 623-582-5449 or click below.

Aloha Fridays with Fr. Tim

About a week ago, I awoke with a tickle in the back of my throat. It didn’t feel like much and I suspected it was seasonal allergies or something like that. Because I was planning to come to the church to help with the veterans’ luncheon, I decided I might take one of the COVID tests I had stockpiled, just to be safe. I knew many of the veterans are elderly and some have compromised immune systems. I doubted the test would show a positive result, but I wanted the peace of mind for me and for them. I stuck the swab up my left and right nostrils, seemingly brushing the top of the inside of my skull at the same time, and then inserted it into the test card. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, but two lines telling me I had finally become infected by the virus that causes COVID-19. Immediately, my plans for the week disappeared in front of my eyes.

Click the green button below to read all of Fr. Tim's Aloha Friday message.

Bishop Reddall’s Visit

Sunday, December 11, St. Johns was honored to have Bishop Jennifer Reddall as presider and preacher for her Biannual visit. While she was here she met with the candidates prior to the service, she confirmed 4 adults and 2 teenagers, did 1 reaffirmation and 1 person was received into the Episcopal Church and baptized 6 year old Jameson. She also met with the Vestry. Thank you Bishop Jennifer for a wonderful morning of love and prayer and for technically being the supply priest in Fr. Tim's abscence.

PLEASE TURN IN YOUR 2023 PLEDGE FORM

If you haven’t already done so, please turn in your 2023 Estimate of Giving (Pledge) Form. You can put them in the offertory, or put them in the office in-box. It is important to receive a signed form from everyone! Your responses are critical to the preparation of the 2023 budget.

Mae Sinclair, Stewardship Chair, Suzy Mortenson, Treasurer

Blue Christmas Service Wednesday December 14th, along with Healing Service.

Have you ever had one of those Holiday Seasons when you just didn’t find yourself feeling terribly joyful? Maybe you’ve experienced difficulties and losses during the year, and you just aren’t finding the “Christmas spirit.” This is a very normal human experience! It is important to allow yourself the space you need to be “not ok”, even when everywhere you look, people are telling you to be happy. If you are having a particularly difficult time this year, or if you want to support your fellow parishioners who are, we invite you to the Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Together we will hold the space to allow us to feel whatever it is that we need to feel. It’s great to be happy, but we are humans. The truth is, sometimes we struggle. During this contemplative service, we will dedicate time and space to remember our loved ones we have lost, to raise up our difficulties and struggles to God, and to hold up each other in prayer. Everyone is warmly invited. -Fr. Tim

This service will include the Healing Service which is held every second Wednesday of the month. The healing service with laying on of hands if so desired.

Poinsettia Donations Sign Up Sheets in the Parish Hall

Sign up sheets are on the south wall shelf. Donation of $20.00 for Poinsettia can be made online, click other and then when asked type in Poinsettia, by check or cash please write Poinsettia in the memo line or on the blue envelopes found in the pews. For more information contact the office.

Christmas Angel Update

Thank you so much to those of you that got a Christmas Angel tag from the tree. We have just until Mon. Dec. 12th to get them back to church due to an earlier than usual vacation start for the school. The families will need to be called by the school to pick up the gifts BEFORE it closes for break on that Thursday the 15th. There will be no more Angels this year (sorry) our Scout Troop 365 will be shopping for the last 3 families! Please remember to: wrap gifts, include the tag or at least the name, and get everything back to church by Monday, Dec. 12th or Tuesday the 13th at the very latest. Please put them under the tree on Sunday or deliver to the office during open hours from 9:00 to 3:00. Thank you for serving God and our local needy with joy! If you have any questions, please contact Dan Basche.

CANCELLED- Events Ministry Christmas Caroling on the Patio, Saturday, December 10th.

Due to illness this event has been cancelled. But keep your vocal chords warmed up because Christmas Eve is just 14 days away and we will be caroling before the Children's Christmas Pagent at 6:00 p.m., the service starts at 6:30 p.m. and before the Festive Holy Eucharist at 8:30 p.m., the service starts at 9:00 p.m.

Ministry Contact Shelli Romero 

Our Christmas Services Schedule

This year, Christmas Day is on a Sunday. Our services for Christmas are as follows:

Christmas Eve: Carols at 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve: Holy Eucharist Rite II with children’s pageant at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve: Carols at 8:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve: Festive Holy Eucharist Rite II (Midnight Mass)

with incense at 9:00 p.m.

Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:00 a.m.

New Year’s Day (the Feast of the Holy Name): Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:00 a.m.

Note there will be no 8:00 a.m. services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day and there will be no service on Wednesday, December 28.

Ryan and Miss Jennifer moving the Liturgical Clock while Bishop Reddall looks on.

Sunday School and Youth Group

Sunday, December 11, 9:45 AM Chilton Hall Rm 8 and Rm 6

This Sunday, Godly Play will meet at our regular time to continue our journey to Bethlehem with the Advent story. Our Youth Group will meet at 6 pm to share food, discuss what the Bible has to say about the birth of Jesus, and play games. Casey Goslin from PhLY will be here to get to know us. If any parents or guardians of our High School students have any questions about PhLY activities, stop by and ask. Our next PhLY event for High School Youth will be a Retreat MLK Weekend (January 14-16) in Prescott. As we enjoy the season of Advent, I invite families to follow my Instagram account of MissJennifer.StJtheB for devotions each day featuring the Lego City Advent figure of the day.          

Ministry Contact Jennifer Roland, Director of Christian Formation

Chris Becker Dining Hall BIG Thank You

Thank you all, to the max! You've been so generous donating to our less fortunate friends at the soup kitchen: clothes, blankets, winter warm clothing, jackets, gloves caps, sweaters, sweatshirts.... Their eyes got huge when they saw the 4 or 5 sleeping bags. Also the chocolate milk, and toiletries. We collect all those things year around. Jimmy, Craig, and Les as usual made the trip successful, efficient, and lots of fun- thanks a million guys- really. Thanks also to our newcomer, Denise. Thanks for taking the time to help out. Dan Basche

The Borderlands' P.O.W. W.O.W. Team Thank You!

WOW! Many thanks to all of our 35 Volunteers who turned out to help with our first of the new season's Farmers Market. It went very smoothly considering our many key helpers out with Covid. It was also a delight to see our ROTC youth step up and fill positions without being asked. It seems they have been watching and learning!Supporters: 241. Our portion from Borderlands' $180.75 divided equally between SJB's Food Pantry and Feeding the Veterans (the first Friday of each month). Donations from Supporters to help feed the Veterans $381. Please mark your calendars for the first Saturday in January - January 7th, 2023.

Blessings and Merry Christmas! The Borderlands' P.O.W.W.O.W. Team

Habitat for Humanity - Help our Neighbors and Receive a Tax Credit

Reduce your tax liability dollar for dollar and help build homes, community and hope. Arizona Charitable Tax Credit forms are available on the St. John’s website www.stjohnsaz.org. Donate at https://habitatcaz.org/donate, or mail to: Habitat for Humanity CAZ, PO Box 39730 Phoenix, AZ 85069.

Ministry Contact Sandy Basche

December Stewardship Message

“The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord.”—J. L. Kraft (head of Kraft Cheese Corporation)

Pastoral Care

Fr. Tim and Deacon Chuck are pleased to make themselves available for pastoral care at all times of the day and night. At the same time, they want you to know that they are very mindful about respecting the value of your privacy. If you would like a pastoral visit or telephone call, please let the office know. This way the clergy will know that it is safe and appropriate to contact you and they can be certain that their communication does not come at an unwelcome time. 

Announcements and Newsletter Submission Deadline

Please submit all announcements and pictures for the Sunday bulletin (green flyer) and for the Weekly Email Newsletter (Constant Contact)

by noon on Wednesday. Submit by email to info@stjohnsaz.org. For questions contact Renee’ Taylor, Parish Administrator in the office.

Altar Flower Dedications

Please sign up for December flower dedications in the notebook that is now on the Ministry Shelf on the south side of the parish hall. Suggested donation is $40.00. We can have more than one dedication on a Sunday if you want to split the cost. Contact the office for more information.

Bible Study Between Services Led by Dan Basche,

Sunday's between services, Chilton Hall, Rm 5

Bring your Bibles, coffee and treats. See you there! 

Ministry Contact Dan Basche

Harry Potter Book Club

Monday, December 12, 6:00 dinner and 6:30 PM study, Chilton Hall, Rm 6 “Order of the Phoenix: A Spiritual Journey with Harry Potter”. We discuss the spiritual themes in the books one chapter at a time. Ages 11 and up. It’s never too late to join us! Our discussion of Chapter 15 "The Chamber of Secrets" will be through the theme of Revelation in the second book, The Chamber of Secrets.

Ministry Contact Jennifer Roland and Fr Harry Way

Vestry Meeting

Wednesday, December 14, 7:15 PM, Parish Hall

The meeting follows the Wednesday evening service. Vestry meetings are open to all parishioners and everyone is welcome to attend.

Ministry Contact Tracy Hare

Communion and Healing Service

Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 PM, Church

Every second Wednesday of the month, healing service with laying on of hands if so desired. This month we will also have the Blue Christmas service at this time.

Advent Calendar Food Drive

Follow the directions on the Calendar and on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day bring the contents to Church. We will make sure the Food Pantry puts it all to good use for the less fortunate in our community. Editor's Note: I know this is starting late, but every little bit helps. Thank you all for your support over the whole year!

Click the button below to see the Food Drive Advent Calendar.

Food Pantry Ministry News

Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, Office

In November the Food Pantry served 177 adults and 66 Children. That does not include the more that 30 families that received Thanksgiving dinners thanks to your generous donations. Right now, it is costing nearly $600 a week to keep the Food Pantry stocked and ready to serve the increase in need we have been experiencing. Please prayerfully consider how you can help to support this important Ministry. Food donations are gratefully accepted at the Food Pantry during the hours they are open, come to the office door. There is a list of items needed on the shelf on the south wall in the parish hall. Volunteers to shop for food are always needed! Thank you to everyone who have been helping and supporting the Food Pantry, this last year.

Ministry Contact Tony Martin

Joyful Noise Choir Practice Cancelled

Tuesday, December 13, 7:00 PM, Church

Cancelled due to illness.

Ministry Contact Jimmy Diaz

Chancel Choir Practice Cancelled

Wednesday, December 14, 7:15- 8:30 PM, East Annex

Cancelled due to Illness

Ministry Contact Hyeri Choi and Michelle Weaver

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast = and Bible Study

Saturday, December 17, 7:30 AM, Parish Hall

Ministry Contact Colin Smith

An Interfaith Winter Night

Monday, December 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

100 W Roosevelt St, Phoenix AZ, 85003

Join faith leaders throughout Arizona for this casual Interfaith Winter Night. We will gather to share hymns, songs, chants, meditations, and reflections on love, unity, and peace. We will close with a time of community and refreshments. Part of the program will be outside, so dress accordingly. All are welcome, so please share this event with your friends and communities of faith.