ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
EVENTS & NEWS
DECEMBER 23, 2010
CHRISTMAS SERVICES ON MDI
St. Saviour's Parish
December 24 - 4:00 pm, Eucharist with Carols
10:00 pm, Midnight Choral Eucharist
(from St. John's) Usher: Fred Benson; Acolyte: Rita Redfield; Counter: Ann Benson
December 25 - 10:00 am, Christmas Holy Eucharist
December 26 - 7:30 and 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist
St. Mary's and St. Jude's
December 24 - 4:00 pm, Family Service
December 26 – 8:00 am, Holy Eucharist
Church of Our Father
December 24 - 4:00 pm, Christmas Eve Service
December 25 - 9:00 am, Christmas Day Service
December 26 – 9:00 am, Lessons and Carols
St. Andrew and St. John
December 24 - 5:00 pm, Holy Eucharist
Psalm 96; Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14
The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling
December 25 - 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist
Isaiah 62:6i-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:1-20
The Rev. Vesta Kowalski
December 26 - 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist
-- Joint Service with St. Mary & St. Jude --
Psalm 147; Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7; John 1:1-18
The Rev. Patricia Robertson
Usher: Ken Cochrane; First Lesson & Psalm: Ellen Gilmore;
Second Lesson: George Robertson (St. Mary & St. Jude); Prayers: Elaine Theriault;
Chalice Bob Theriault; Acolyte: Margaret Fletcher;
Flowers: Susan Buell and Ginny Agar
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist at St. John's
v v v v v v v v v v v
MDI/Ellsworth Episcopal+ Church Events
St. Mary's and St. Jude's:
Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:15 pm at the Somesville Meeting House, Parish Hall. In addition to prayer, we will be learning about the contemplative perspective and life through reading interesting authors. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested, so bring your friends.
St. Saviour's Parish:
A Christmas gift from St. Saviour's: Christmas Day, St. Saviour's is sponsoring two hours on WBACH: 104.7, 106.9 or 107.7 from 2-3pm and 6-7 pm. After the busy morning, tune in and enjoy some lovely Christmas relaxation and hear Jonathan Appleyard's wonderful message of the season in the name of all the Episcopal Churches on the Island!
St. John's:
The church office will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).
African Bible Study: Father Appleyard will be out of commission due to knee surgery for a few weeks, so the group has elected to take a break until January 13th.
Church of Our Father:
Thursday, January 6—Feast of the Epiphany — 5:30 pm MDI joint Holy Eucharist at Church of Our Father, followed by a potluck and discussion on the MDI Collaboration
The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.
Bar Harbor UCC
Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.
Pledge Cards: Just a reminder for those parishioners who have not yet sent in their 2011 pledges to please not forget, despite all of the holiday "bustle".
U U U U U U U
Keep in your prayers this week: Barbara, Bob, Norm, Phillip, Paul, Judy, Molly, Vonnie, Beth, Marjorie, Susan, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim, Pete, Elizabeth, Ian and Oren, and Joyce.
Military Deaths (December 2-17)
Afghanistan: James Thoade, Lucas Scott, Vincent Ashlock, Jason Reeves, Nicholas Aleman, Derek Wyatt, Colton Rusk, Jason Peto, Michael Geary, James Ayube II, Kelly Mixon, Stacy Green, Ethan Goncalo, Jorge Villacis, Derek Simonetta, Kenneth Necochea Jr., Patrick Deans, Willie McLawhorn Jr., Sean Collins, Jose Hernandez, Justin Schmalstieg, Sean Catsforth, Jose Maldonado.
Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John
Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
First Coming
by Madeleine L'Engle
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
