WORSHIP

The First Sunday after Christmas

Sunday, December 29, 2024

9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School


All are welcome!


Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Psalm 147

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

John 1:1-18


Worship Booklet for the First Sunday after Christmas

OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION

Outreach Collections


We will continue our ongoing collections for:

  • New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
  • Eyeglasses (Bob Dunn)
  • Greeting Cards - ECS Head Start (Judy McKay)
  • Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Bob Dunn)
  • Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
  • 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.
  • 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

STEWARDSHIP

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.

Stewardship Results Update

Click Here for Stewardship Pledge Card

MINISTRY OF PRAYER

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).

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)

Because of the holiday on January 1st,

there will be no Morning Prayer or Bible Study.

Morning Prayer/Bible Study will resume on January 8, 2025.

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)

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, Karen Polk,

Ann and Bill Rogers, Bob Milam, James Kellogg Burnham III, Marcia Morris, Mike Gollihur, 

Linda Longoria-Neff, Lee Wagenblast, Marla Wyatt, Helen Lafferty, Artis Selby, 

Georgene Nightingale, Helena Livingston, Charles Nightingale, Daniel Stolpe,

and Linda Quinn.

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. Michael's by-the-Sea, Carlsbad.


In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Episcopal Church.



In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Camp Pendleton.

PASTORAL CARE

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.

We Are Here for You

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)

Sacramental and Spiritual Preparation

If you are interested in celebrating a sacramental/spiritual event in your life (click here)

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

ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY

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.

“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

Upcoming Events at St. John's


  • Saturday, December 28th: Celebration of Life for Barbara Oliveira, 11:00am
  • Wednesday, January 1st: Office Closed for New Year's Day Holiday
  • Sunday, January 5th: Interment of Penny Milam in the St. John's Columbarium, following the Eucharistic Liturgy

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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and on Instagram at stjohnsepiscopalchurchcv

ACROSS THE CHURCH

Merry Christmas from Bishop Susan


Dear Beloved in Christ, 


Merry Christmas! As we gather once more to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I am filled with the joy and love that bring us together as the body of Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. 


The Christmas story reminds us of a God who chose to draw near to us in the most unexpected way—a fragile child born in a humble setting. This extraordinary moment in history reveals God’s love for all humanity. Emmanuel—God with us—did not come in power or majesty but in vulnerability to bring light to a world longing for hope and peace. 


Each year, this sacred story calls us to reflect not only on the miracle of Christ’s birth but also on the ways we are called to carry that light into the world. In Jesus, God boldly declared that every person is precious, every life is sacred, and the promise of God’s love knows no boundaries. 


Reflecting on the past year, I see this light shining brightly throughout our diocese. I see it in congregations welcoming the stranger with open arms, communities standing in solidarity with those seeking justice, individuals sharing the joy of their local church with others, and voices proclaiming the Good News of Christ. 


This Christmas, I encourage you to look around at the people God has placed in your life—family members, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who reflect God’s love and grace. Take time to celebrate the connections we share because it is for these connections that Christ came to us–for you, for your neighbor, for us. 


Let us also remember that Christmas is not just a moment; it is a mission. Just as the shepherds left the manger to share the joyful news, we are called to proclaim the message of God’s redeeming love. Through every act of kindness, every prayer lifted, and every word of encouragement shared, we make the love of Christ known in the world. 


May the wonder of Christmas renew your spirit and fill your heart with joy; be inspired by the hope born in Bethlehem as a light for you; and know the profound peace of Emmanuel, God with us, today and always.


Merry Christmas, and may God’s abundant blessings be with you and those you love. 


Faithfully, 

+Susan 

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego 

Week of Christian Unity Ecumenical Prayer Service


The Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches of San Diego are jointly hosting an Ecumenical Prayer service to celebrate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The prayer service, scheduled for Wednesday, January 22 at 7:00 pm, will be held at Mission San Diego de Alcala. The event also marks the 1,700 anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed, which is shared by Christians of Churches and denominations throughout the world.

760 First Ave  Chula Vista, CA  91910

(619) 422-4141 |  info@saint-johns.org | www.saint-johns.org

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