Thursday, December 12, 2024 | |
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Advent 2024
Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming”.
During the liturgical season of Advent, the church prepares spiritually, directing our hearts and minds to the anniversary of our Lord’s first coming at his birth on Christmas and to Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
Advent is not a season of passive waiting and watching. Rather, Advent is a season of opening up our lives and souls with active anticipation and renewed hope.
We light the candles of the Advent Wreath to mark our passage through the four weeks.
The evergreen circle, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternal, living God:
so we call to mind how our lives, here and now, participate in the eternity of God’s plan of salvation and how we hope to share eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
The light represents Christ, who entered this world to scatter the darkness of evil and show us the way of righteousness. The progression of lighting candles shows our increasing readiness to meet our Lord.
Advent devotions, including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of this season. You are encouraged to keep this tradition in your homes, light candles and pray. Also, the following of an Advent calendar can help you enter spiritually into the Advent season with daily activity and prayer.
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Third Sunday of Advent – We light the first two blue candles and the rose candle of JOY. This candle assures us that Christmas will come. Our waiting for God’s Kingdom will soon be over. Rose is the liturgical color for joy. Pray together:
Jesus, you are Joy even in the saddest times.
Help us to praise you when we are sad and sorrowful.
As we await your coming,
shine JOY into our hearts, we pray. Amen.
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The Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 15, 2024
9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School
All are welcome!
Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,
with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 9
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Worship Booklet for the Third Sunday of Advent
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Altar Flowers for Christmas
We are accepting dedications to honor your loved ones while helping us to decorate the altar with Christmas Poinsettias.
Flower envelopes are available in the Narthex, or you may email Maria (maria@saint-johns.org) with your dedications:
In honor of ________________
In memory of ______________
In celebration of ____________
or
In thanksgiving for ___________
Payment may be made by mailing a check to St. John's, or by placing your check in the offering plate. Please submit your dedications by December 22nd.
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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE OF SERVICES | |
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Christmas Eve: December 24th at 8:00PM
Christmas Day: December 25th at 9:00AM
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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Outreach Collections
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
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Eyeglasses (Bob Dunn)
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Greeting Cards - ECS Head Start (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Bob Dunn)
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
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Blessings in a Bag - For our neighbors who live in need. Click here for a list of items you can donate to fill the bags.
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Gently Used Clothing - Men's, women's and children's
Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.
You may also bring your items to the church during our weekday office hours,
Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm.
If you are not able to bring them, please contact the parish office, and we will pick up the items from your home.
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
Please click on the following link for more information on our Outreach collection activities:
Outreach Ministries of St. John's
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Annual Stewardship Campaign
Sowing Seeds of Hope
Our annual Stewardship Campaign continues. I am grateful to all of you who have already considered and made your 2025 pledge.
If you have not had the opportunity to pledge, I ask you to consider how you can generously support St. John’s in the year ahead. Consider: how each person of our parish is that “good soil” in which seeds are planted. We nurture one another in our growth into the full stature of Christ.
- Your pledge is a way to joyfully share the gifts that God has given each of us. Each gift makes our parish vitally grow.
- Like planting a seed, making a pledge is an act of faith. We trust that God will use our gifts to accomplish a bountiful harvest.
- Our stewardship giving provides funds for staff and on-going ministry expenses that enable us reach out and connect with the people of God and serve our neighbors.
How will you continue to enrich the good soil so that our faith may grow strong and health?
How will you continue to sow seeds in others and allow the seeds of hope to be planted within your heart?
Thank you for the generosity you have shown in the past and for your continued commitment to planting the seed of God and growing together in the future.
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Stewardship Results Update | |
St. John's Prayer Ministries | |
Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry
This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. For information on how to help create prayer quilts, or on how St. John's parishioners can request a quilt (click here).
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Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.
For information on how to join (click here)
For the Morning Prayer Booklet (click here)
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The Order of the Daughters of the King
The mission of The Order is the extension of Christ's Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism. If you would like information about becoming a member, or if you have a Prayer Request (click here)
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Parish Prayer Lists
For Our Military
Matt Jensen, Drew Shorkey, Cody Crossland, Cameron Ronie, Chariti Paden, Mark Stanfield, Sean Robinson, Jonathan Martinez, TK Nguyen, Christopher Lindshield, Timothy Lindshield, Jeremy Colton, David Sanchez, Jonathan Baldera, Nick Wyatt, Jamal Warner, Devon Strunk, Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Sebastian Morales, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, Gen. G.C. Heinrich, Pedro Bonilla, and Patrick King.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
give them courage to face the perils which beset them;
and grant them a sense of your abiding presence
wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Strength in Time of Need
Steve Magill, Gary and Shirley McCarren, the McClure family, Alec Hauer, Bob Milam,
Ann and Bill Rogers, Karen Polk, James Kellogg Burnham III, Marcia Morris, Mike Gollihur, Linda Longoria-Neff, Lee Wagenblast, Marla Wyatt, Helen Lafferty, Artis Selby,
Georgene Nightingale, and Helena Livingston.
O God of heavenly powers,
by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies
all sickness and all infirmity:
Be present in your goodness with your servants,
that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored;
and that, their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Tanzania.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton.
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Celebration of Life for Barbara Oliveira
The Celebration of Life for Barbara Oliveira will be on
Saturday, December 28th at 11:00am
at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Notes of care and sympathy may be sent to:
Oliveira and Parmley Families
In Care of: Mark & Gretchen Jordan
4602 Barrington Ct.
Bonita, CA 91902
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servant, Barbara
Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.
Receive her into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,
and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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Eucharistic Visits to your home
If you are not able to join us for our celebration of Eucharist and would like Communion brought to you (click here)
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Sacramental and Spiritual Preparation
If you are interested in celebrating a sacramental/spiritual event in your life (click here)
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Pastoral Emergency
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
please call 619-301-0724 or email revroger@saint-johns.org
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ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY | |
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St. John’s Vestry
For the coming year of 2025, there are three (3) open positions on the Vestry.
St. John’s, as a non-profit corporation of the State of California, has a Board of Directors.
The church called the Board - The Vestry. The Vestry is responsible for the physical church property and the business operations of the parish.
To be eligible for vestry a person must be 18 years of age, attend worship, and contribute (time, talent, or treasure), baptized or communicant member of the parish. There is an option for a youth representative - "aged not less than sixteen (16) nor more than (18) years, may be elected by the Vestry to a one-year term and shall have seat and voice but no vote. No member of the Vestry shall be a family member of the first degree (i.e., parent, child, spouse) of any other member of the Vestry.
We currently have three (3) nominees. If you are interested in nominating yourself to run for election to the Vestry, please let Rev. Roger know.
Election of the Vestry Members will happen by a vote of the parish members at the St. John’s Annual Meeting in January.
Thank you for considering.
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“Raise the Roof”
St. John’s Capital Campaign
Capital Campaign for Property Maintenance Reserve
Our loved ones raised the church with money and physical labor –
We must maintain their legacy
Property Maintenance Reserve Needs:
- New Roof for Church, Nale Hall and Graves Pavilion = $175,000
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units (11 HVAC Units) = $325,000
Capital Campaign Goal: $500,000
Capital Campaign Donations Received: $157,111
Percentage of Goal Achieved: 31%
The church exists as the People of God,
but also, as the buildings from which God is served and worshiped.
Please consider investing in St. John's with a donation to the Capital Campaign:
Capital Campaign Statement of Intent
Capital Campaign Committee: Bob Dunn (co-chair), Terry Farrelly (co-chair),
Tom Brzeczek, Denise Czer, Jane Ferguson, Rev. Roger Haenke
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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Saturday, December 14th: St. John's Annual Christmas Party, featuring La Posada *** **4:00pm - Posada and Wine Social / 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Dinner
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Wednesday, December 18th: Vestry Meeting, 6:00pm via Zoom
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Parish Office Hours and Contacts
The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Please call the parish office if you have any questions or concerns
(619-422-4141) or email info@saint-johns.org.
Rev. Roger will be working remotely on Monday and Tuesday, and in the office on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He is available by appointment. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.
In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at
619-301-0724.
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Blue Christmas
By: Chris Tumilty, Director of Communications
As the holiday season unfolds around us, with twinkling lights, joyous carols, and bustling festivities, many of us carry a quieter reality. For some, the holidays can feel like a long and dark season—a time when grief, loneliness, or struggles weigh heavier against the backdrop of celebration. For those who find the holiday season difficult, Blue Christmas services are a tender and reflective gathering where we bring pain, struggles, and hopes, finding solace in the promise of Christ. A Blue Christmas service acknowledges that not all hearts are merry and bright this time of year. It is a service of lament and healing that offers comfort and peace to those burdened by the many challenges life brings.
The season of Advent is all about the expectation of coming joy, but for many, this waiting feels inauthentic. Perhaps they are grieving the loss of a loved one, facing the reality of a difficult diagnosis, or experiencing economic struggles. Maybe they are overwhelmed by the weight of the world’s injustices or isolated from loved ones. Blue Christmas provides a time to bring these realities to the altar, to name the weight we carry, and to lay them before God. Read More
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The Season of Advent in EDSD
Each Sunday during the Season of Advent the EDSD Social Media channels will offer an opportunity to spend a few minutes of quiet connection this Advent. Exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love through prayer, scripture, reflection, and music, each slide is designed to provide a deeper connection in this season where we wait for the birth of Jesus. The series will post on Instagram and Facebook on Sundays throughout Advent. We invite you to join us and share these reflections during this season of anticipation.
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Faith to Go Podcast
Using Luke 3:7-18 as a springboard, the Rev. Canon Richard Hogue joins the team to discuss Seven Sundays in Advent, a brood of vipers, and more.
Listen Here
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