ST. ANDREW & ST. JOHN
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
EVENTS & NEWS
November 23, 2011
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
First Sunday in Advent, November 27, 2011
8:00 and 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist at St. John the Divine
Scripture:
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13: 24-37
Hymns: Signs of Endings, 65, 332, 61
Participants:
Celebrant: The Rev. Deborah Little Wyman
Usher: Dean Henry
First Lesson and Psalm: Elise Felton
Second Lesson: Chloe Hatcher
Prayers: Patsy Fogarty
Chalice: Ted Fletcher
Acolyte: Bob Stanwood (8:00); Elaine Theriault (10:00)
Altar Guild: Dean Henry
November 24
10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Vesta Kowalski
Midweek Eucharist: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. (except on Thanksgiving)
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Schedule for Future Sundays in Advent
December 4, 8 and 10 a.m. - George Swanson celebrating, Moorehead Kennedy preaching
December 11, 8 and 10 a.m. - Debbie Little Wyman
December 18, Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. at St. John
Lessons & Carols, 10 a.m., at St. Savior's in Bar Harbor
Christmas Eve: 4 p.m.
Christmas Day: 10 a.m.
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Upcoming Sunday Forums
December 4: 'Email and Blogs: Tips and Tricks for Your Electronic and Spiritual Journeys'
Jayne Ashworth and Jim and Mary Vekasi will talk about using email effectively and demonstrate how to get the best use from the St. Andrew and St. John website. If you are confused about some of the ins and outs of email and want computer questions answered this forum is for you!
December 11: Parish update and discussion
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The church office will be closed until December 2nd. If you have questions or need assistance, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).
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Christmas Decorations
If you would like to contribute to the Christmas green and flowers for the church, please send a check to the church at PO Box 767, Southwest Harbor ME 04679 or put it in the offering plates in an envelope before December 19. If you would like your gift to be in honor or memory of someone, please be sure to include their name(s).
MDI Episcopal Church Events
Congregational Pastoral Care (a/k/a CPC). The first meeting for planning a Congregational Pastoral Care system for St. Saviour's and St. John's was well attended and enthusiastic. Everyone seems ready to do the work of preparation that is needed before we can share a ministry of loving spiritual care and friendship with all who may be in need in our parish and beyond. If you were not able to attend, you can still be part of this ministry. Just let Deacon Jenny know of your interest. The book "Christian Caregiving-- A Way of Life" is now available from Muffet at St. Savior's. It only costs $6! If you want to be one of a CPC team, or if you are just interested in incorporating more listening and caring skills into your daily life and ministry, please pick up a book and read at least the first four chapters (don't worry- they're very short!) before our first meeting on November 30th.
We will be alternating between St. Saviour's and St. John's for meeting sites. The schedule is as follows:
November 30, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. John's.
December 14, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Saviour's
December 28, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. John's
January 11, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Saviour's
January 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. John's
February 8, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Saviour's.
February 15, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St John's
You do not have to attend every meeting to be part of the team, but a commitment to the process and to the other members of the team will mean a sincere attempt to attend as many as possible. Please bring a simple "brown bag" supper that includes something for yourself and something to share. We will incorporate fellowship over a shared meal into each evening's learning and growing. Each session will combine a presentation and discussion of the ideas in the book with a hands-on practice of caring skills. Our prayer: Make us instruments of your healing, O Lord. Teach us to live in your hope so that others may know your love, in Jesus' name, Amen.
St. John's:
Preparing for Christmas: Discussions and Liturgy with Debbie Little Wyman, who says,
"Christmas was one thing when we were children, but we don't get much help or time to reflect on what it is to be in the midst of holidays as adults. Let's bring our joys and struggles with the season-- and the reality of our busy, confused, grieving, tangled lives -- into our experience of Christmas this year. This is time to ask the question, "what is the heart of Christmas for me?" and support each other in being faithful to that. We'll have open discussions at 1 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 1 and 8. Come to however many for whatever time you have. Our conversations will enlighten ourselves and together we will create a liturgy for the community on December 8 at 5:30 at St. Savior's in Bar Harbor."
The Westside Food Pantry will be open the first (12:00 to 2:00) and third (12:00 to 1:00) Sundays at the Harbor House.
St. Saviour's:
Transforming Evangelism continues on Wednesday nights through Thanksgiving, 6:30-8:00pm in the Rectory Common Library. Exploring this spiritual practice of listening and storytelling is important as we explore working in new ways with our neighbors on MDI.
November 16--"Were not our hearts burning within us?" Contact Liz Graves at lizgraves@gmail.com <mailto:lizgraves@gmail.com> for more information.
St. Mary's and St. Jude's:
Community Bible Study at the Neighborhood House Living Room in Northeast Harbor on Thursday mornings at 11:00, starting December 1st. The Rev. Linda Hatch (Union Church) and The Rev. Patricia Robertson (St. Mary & Jude) will present "First Person: a study from the perspective of the characters in the Bible."
Church of Our Father: Holy Eucharist - Wednesday - 7 a.m. followed by breakfast, Healing service on 4th Wednesdays.
Advent Vespers Service – With joyful anticipation of the coming season, the Sea Coast Mission will have an Advent Vesper Service at 4:30pm on Sunday, November 27th at the Maine Sea Coast Mission headquarters, 127 West Street in Bar Harbor. The service is a contemporary, melodic, and participatory sung liturgy composed by Marty Haugen, and will include local musicians and singers, and though not familiar it quickly becomes an enriching and memorable worship experience. All are welcome, and there is no charge.
The Common Good Winter Community Meal events are back every Thursday, from noon to 2:00 p.m. The same great view, food, camaraderie and live music; come on down to 106 Seawall Road and bring your friends.
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Keep in your prayers this week: Josh, Chelsea, Mark, Rick, Rick, Nancy, Amanda, Betsy, Jonathan.
As many of you know, Jonathan Appleyard has recently had additional surgery on his knee and will require more in the future. His address is 26 Montsweag Rd., Woolwich ME 04579, jonathanappleyard@gmail.com.
Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John
Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the generous open hearts making accessibility for all a reality at St. John's. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we continue to seek funding for the planned expansion of the facilities. We thank you for the various trades and skills of those who work on the addition. Protect and guide them as they labor, that they may take pride in their accomplishments. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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101 REASONS TO BE EPISCOPALIAN
Where the road to Easter is never a short cut but you always get there.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara T. Cheney, Diocese of Connecticut
