ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
EVENTS & NEWS
DECEMBER 9, 2010
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
Third Sunday of Advent, December 12th
8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Scripture Lessons:
Psalm 146:4-9; Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Participants:
The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling
Usher: Gus Carreno
First Lesson and Psalm: Ted Fletcher
Second Lesson: Ken Cochrane
Prayers: Patsy Fogarty
Chalice: Nicole Carreno
Acolyte: Nicole Carreno
Flowers: Susan Buell
Forum at 9:00:
December 12th: Vietnam: A Second Look, Fred Benson
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MDI/Ellsworth Episcopal+ Church Events
St. Mary's and St. Jude's:
Festival on Main Street in Northeast Harbor, Friday, December 10th starting at 5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Northeast Pole, decorations abound, the Bonfire is lighted, and cheer fills the air. Delicious home-made soups are on sale at the museum. Come to the Parish Hall between 3 and 6 PM to view crèches from around the world and Gingerbread Houses made by the Sunday school children. Donations go to the Campfire Coalition to keep our neighbors warm.
Contemplative Prayer/Book Study is led by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, on Wednessdays from 5 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. Conversation begins at 5 pm and Contemplative Prayer (chanting, silence and prayer) at 5:45 pm. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested, so bring your friends.
St. Saviour's Parish:
A Service for Remembering on Friday, December 10th at 5:00 PM in the Rectory Common Library. During the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the wonder of child birth, the gathering of family and the miracle of child-like joy can touch us deeply and also hit a raw spot. For many of us, this is a hard time when we remember those who are not with us to celebrate. We are not alone; and unless we need to be, we do not have to be alone. All are invited to celebrate the Eucharist with the special intention of thanking God for the lives of loved ones and asking God to comfort those who are grieving and those whose children have died before them. Such losses change life forever. We seek a way to remember and to go forward. We have a need to embrace grief and hope. If you have lost a child or someone else, if you feel deep emptiness, I hope that you will find time to sit still and to be embraced by God's care. Please come if you can, and pray for those who have died, for all who grieve and for those who have lost a child.
Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, December 19, 10:00 a.m. This service, modeled on the one from King's College, will include 9 lessons with appropriate carols and several anthems. This is a "Singers' Service," full of both treasured music from the past as well as music written as recent as last year. It is a meaningful event and a blessed way to begin the week before Christmas.
St. John's:
The church office is 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).
Church of Our Father:
Sisters on a Journey, Mondays at 5:30pm., is a monthly program for all women who want to share food, fellowship and prayer. Gathering for the potluck meal begins at 5:30pm with the program beginning about 7pm. All women are invited. For more information contact Sharon Linscott at 288-9304.
Bar Harbor UCC
Their Annual Living Nativity will be held on the church steps on Wednesday, December 15th and Thursday, December 16th from 6pm to 7:20 pm.
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 we will meet at 6:00 PM. Please join us if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.
Bullets from the November 18 Vestry Meeting:
· A special parish meeting is set for December 12 to consider changes to the by-laws.
· The Nominating Committee (Ann Cox Halkett, Ida Smallidge, and Joan Bromage) is asking members of the parish with an interest in serving on the vestry to contact them. You may also nominate others.
· Barbara Campbell needs to resign as chairman of the Westside Food Pantry by the first of the year to accompany husband Mark to the Mayo Clinic for a medical work-up. Ongoing leadership will emerge from the Food Pantry board, but Barbara deserves accolades for her outstanding tenure.
· After consultation with the altar guild and flower arrangers, we will move ahead with a new sink and faucets for the sacristy.
Stewardship Campaign: "Our thanks to all who have already contributed to the stewardship campaign and helped us reach $85,820 in pledges for 2011. But there are still 16 parishioners yet to pledge. Are you one of them?"
Christmas Flowers: St. John's will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation in honor of or in memory of friends or relatives, please send your checks along with the names you wish to remember to the church office. (Please designate "Christmas Flowers" on your check.)
Common Good Soup is offering free lunches and musical entertainment on Thursdays at noon. Island Connections will try to provide rides for seniors and the disabled who'd like to attend.
U U U U U U U
Keep in your prayers this week: Ray and Barbara, Bob, Norm, Phillip, Paul, Judy, Molly, Vonnie, Beth, Marjorie, Susan, Patti, Ron, Scott, Mark, Josh, Chelsea, Jim and Pete.
Military Deaths (November 26 – December 2)
Afghanistan: Devon Harris, Buddy McClain, Austin Staggs, Jacob Gassen, Matthew Ramsey, Curtis Oakes, Barry Jarvis, Scott Milley, Chad Wade, Matthew Abbate.
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.
