The Epsitle Advent-Christmas Edition 27 November 2005
News and Notices From the Parish of St. John the Evangelist
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Rector's Letter
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also
conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (St. Luke 1:26-38)
By tradition we observe the annunciation to Mary on March 25 (nine months before Christmas Day) however we also encounter this gospel reading on the fourth Sunday in the season of Advent. This is so appropriate, as it is Mary's 'yes' to God's plan that sets in motion the events that bring us to a stable in Bethlehem.
Mary is a supremely great figure, but we diminish her greatness if we make her into someone 'special' and fail to recognize that she is first and foremost, an ordinary human being from and ordinary town (which was in the back of beyond). "From Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathaniel later in John's gospel, "Can anything good come from that place?" Yet this young Jewish girl is addressed more impressively than anyone else in the Bible: "most highly favored one". Her response to this greeting, and to the message of God she receives, displays a greater degree of faith than many of God's chosen leaders. Moses said - send anyone but me! Gideon said - I'm weak, you'll have to give me some kind of sign. Isaiah said - Woe is me, I'm wretched! Jeremiah said - But I'm only a boy.
Mary's response is simply 'How?' No ifs or buts, no worrying about the past or the future, simply 'How are you going to do it?' Unlike the rest of us who put such limitations on God in out lives, she understands the greatness of God and believes God's power can transform her ordinary human life. Not only is she the mother of the Messiah, she is also the first disciple.
Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from her model of discipleship, is that when she didn't understand, she "pondered everything in her heart". This is a simple and concise definition of prayer. Prayer is simply pondering the mystery of God, sitting at the feet of Jesus and quietly pondering his words. Her simple faith in the God of promise opens the door for God to do something wonderful.
I hope that in the season of preparation and in the season of celebration of the birth of Jesus, you find time to ponder in your heart the way that God works in and through his creation, and that you discover afresh that nothing is impossible with God.
I wish you a blessed Advent, a joyful Christmas, and a New Year filled with the love of God.
Yours in Christ's Service,
Archdeacon Ron Cutler
Rector
PARISH NEWS & NOTICES
White Gift Sunday
White Gift Sunday will take place on Sunday December 4.
Church members are asked to bring food items or small gifts to church that morning, or in the week following.
We prefer that Gifts not be wrapped as they have to be unwrapped prior to distribution.
These gifts will be given to people in need through the Christmas Cheer room of the Cobequid Centre.
The idea of White Gift Sunday began in 1903 in Ohio, out of the experience of a Methodist minister's family.
Their church had a tradition of children exchanging gifts in the Sunday school.
The minister's wife suggested that the children bring gifts wrapped in white to be placed by the manger, like gifts for baby Jesus.
Help at Christmas Time
Beacon House is preparing to help over 400 families at Christmas.
Our Parish was asked to assist in assembling the Christmas Hampers by contributing 100 tins of juice.
Thank-you to everyone who helped us to make this contribution
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
St. John's Sunday School will present their Pageant on Sunday 18 December at the 10 AM service.
There will not be any Sunday School classes on 25 December and 01 January.
"The Hanging of the Greens"
The Altar Guild will be decorating St. John's Church for the Christmas Services on Saturday 17 December starting at 9:00 AM.
Many hands make light work.
Mother's Union Meetings
Take place on the 4th Monday of each month.
The Christmas dinner for members will take place on December 4 at the Parish Hall.
The next meeting takes place on January 23.
Thank-you to all members of the congregation who provided 'shoebox' presents for the Mission to Seafarers.
For more information on Mother's Union call Branch Leader Geraldine Connors.
"The Spirit of Christmas"
A service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas will take place on Sunday 18 December at 7:0 0pm.
Followed by a time of fellowship at the basement Hall.
Schedule of Advant/Christmas Services
Sunday 18 December - Advent 4
8:30 AM Holy Eucharist
10:00 AM Sunday School Pageant
7:00 PM 'The Spirit of Christmas' (Lessons and Carols Service)
Saturday 24 December - Christmas Eve
4:00 PM Blessing of the Christmas Crib
7:00 PM Holy Eucharist
11:30 PM Holy Eucharist
Sunday 25 December 2005 - Christmas Day
10:00 am. Holy Eucharist
Sunday 01 January 2006 - Christmas 1
7:45 AM Holy Eucharist
10:00 AM Christmas Carol Sing
Note: 'The Blessing of the Christmas Crib' is a service
designed primarily for younger children.
Fellowship Lunch
Our monthly fellowship lunch on December 15 will be a special meal in the theme of the season.
The lunch takes place from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM at the Parish Hall. Cost is $5.
Please sign-up at the back of the church or call Charlene Kidd if you are planning to attend.
At the Luncheon in November it was decided to take the offering received to purchase a goat through 'World Vision.'
Last Sunday the congregation responded to the challenge and almost matched it,
this was augmented by a donation from the employees at Payzant's Home Hardware.
Proceeds from the Dec. 15 meal will also go to this project.
(How many goats does it take to make a herd?)
Parish Council
The December meeting will take place on Tuesday December 13, 7:00pm. at the home of Rev. Gloria & Clarence Penwell.
Please note the change of date and location.
Open House
Archdeacon Ron & Marianne Cutler invite you to attend an open house at their home on
Monday 2 January 2006, 2-5 PM and 7-9 PM
Holy Baptism
will be celebrated on:
January 8 - The Baptism of the Lord
February 26 - Last Sunday After Epiphany
April 15 - Easter Eve
June 04 - Pentecost Sunday
For information on Baptismal Preparation, please call the parish office.
Deadline for year -end donations
It is a Canada Customs and Excise Agency regulation that permits us to issue
2005 income tax receipts only for amounts received up to December 31 2005.
Donations received after this date will be credited to the year 2006.
Please consider your offerings before the end of the year!
The Nominating Committee
is presently seeking interested people to be elected to the church offices for the coming year.
We will need: a Warden-in-Training, 3 members for Parish Council (three year term),
3 Synod Delegates, and Regional Council Delegates.
To be elected to an office, you must be a worshiping member of the congregation and
prepared to commit the time necessary for the duties.
Wardens must be confirmed members of the Anglican Church.
If you are interested or would like more information please call:
Mrs. Marsha Park, Mr. Bill Gardner, Mr. Peter Townsend
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of St. John's Congregation will take place on Sunday February 5, 1:00 PM at the Parish Hall.
There will be a pot luck lunch at Noon.
Group and Committee secretaries and treasurers are reminded that reports to be included
in the Annual Report need to be in to the Parish Office by January 18.
Memorial Bulletins
If you would like to place a memorial or thanksgiving dedication on one of our
weekly bulletins, please contact Colette Lawrence.
The cost to 'give' a weekly bulletin is $20.
Once you have arranged a week Colette, please place this amount in an envelope
with your name, envelope number and the date of your memorial bulletin.
Leap For Faith
The Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Capital campaign is now underway.
As of Nov. 23, the campaign, has reached pledges of $2,331,550.
The pledge period runs until November 20. The goal is $3.31 million.
For more information on how you can participate, contact the parish office or the Campaign office at 422-8318
Ordination
Please remember in your prayers Stephen Croft, Catherine Cook, Ruby Todd
who will be ordained to the deaconate on 25 January at the Cathedral Church of All Saints.
Pastoral Ministry
How Can We Help You?
Please let either Mrs. Pat Huntley or the Parish Office (864-3154) know
if you have a pastoral need that we can help with.
Home Communion
If you can't attend worship during the Christmas season, due to illness,
please contact the Parish Office to arrange for Communion at home.
Cookie Tin Outreach
On Saturday Dec. 10, we will gather at the Parish Hall to decorate some donated
cookie and chocolate tins to be filled with goodies.
The tins will be distributed to members of our community who are 'shut-in'.
If you want to help by baking cookies, you can drop them off on the 10th.
Property Committee
Parish Hall
The installation of the air exchanger system has been completed, the sound system speakers
have been permanently mounted, the storage near the front entry has been enlarged.
A contractor has been engaged to replace the upper catch basin and repair the damage to
the wall (similar to the work done earlier this fall to the lower catch basin by the front door).
The next big project will be to rebuild the wall in the Sunday School classrooms.
This project will also require a re-wiring of about half oif the Hall.
We hope to do this work in January.
Spritual Development Committee
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Cemetery Restoration. During this summer work progressed on the restoration of the Uniacke grave plot.
The stone wall was dismantled and rebuilt and the ground inside the plot was leveled .
Currently the iron railing is being repaired and the missing portions are being fabricated.
Funding for this work has come from the municipal and provincial governments along with the Sackville Heritage Society.
For addition information contact our cemetery committee chairman- Al Horwood or Ron Fifield.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The Prayer Chain
Is a group of men and women who have made a commitment to pray daily for the specific needs of others.
If you have a prayer request or would like to join the prayer chain please contact Marsha Park
Finance Commitee
A Copy of the most recent full financial statement is posted on the bulletin board at the back of the Church.
We do ask members to prayerfully consider their givings to the work of the church during the last weeks of this year and the start of 2006.
Pre-Authorized Giving
If you have automatic debits going from your bank account to pay for insurance, cable TV, taxes, fuel or mortgage then you understand the PAG (Pre-Authorized Giving) principle. PAG is a program by which your regular donations to St. John's are automatically withdrawn from your account at your financial institution. St. John's now offers this convenience.
To start giving by PAG: Decide on the amount
of your monthly offering. Fill in the authorization form (available at the back of the church) and attach a sample cheque marked 'void'. Return to the treasurer in the envelope provided by placing on the offering plate. If you have questions contact Mr. Cliff Heenan, our treasurer at 864-0062
Youth
Youth Conference
Lina Murphy and Natalie Dobbins from our Parish attended the the Diocessan Youth
Conference in October.
Alex Lockhart was a member of the Organizing Comiittee.
The Young People
The young people will be be leading the 10 AM worship service on 4 December.
Youth Group
The Youth Group usually meets on Sundays from 1 to 3 PM.
Either at the Church Basement or the Parish Hall.
Anyone in Junior or Senior High is welcome!
Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee would like to extend a great big Thank-You to all the
members of the congregation who helped out in any way with the Turkey Supper and Bake Sale held on 26 November.
Pewter Medallions
We have just received an additional order of the beautiful pewter medallions of our church building.
Cost is $8 each. To purchase contact Ruth Townsend.
Please Remember That 'No Scents Makes Good Sense' Strong perfumes and colognes and other similar products can cause serious health problems for some of our members. Please respect the health concerns of others when you are attending worship at St. John's.
Parish Office: 934 Old Sackville Road. (902) 864-3154
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 567, Lower Sackville,
Nova Scotia, B4C 3J1
Rector: Archdeacon Ron Cutler
Associate Priest: The Rev. Gloria Lee
Wardens: Mrs. Marsha Park, Mr. Bill Gardner, Mr. Cyril Ruth
e-mail: sjecrevs @chebucto.ns.ca
Website: http//www.stjohnevangelist.chebucto.org
How can we help you?
(Please detach this form and give it to the greeters at a worship service or mail to the Parish address above.)
__ Sickness
__ Would like clergy visit
__ Would like more information about volunteer opportunities, groups or organizations
__ Offering envelopes requested
__ Change of address
__ Newcomer, Please add my/our name(s) to the parish list
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Address & Phone #______________________________________________________________