Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2020
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
These words, meant to lend support and comfort during the age of pandemic, have long been a motto for us at St. John’s, albeit using different words.
This Sunday we have much to celebrate. Along with some good news regarding a vaccine against COVID-19, and marking the Second Sunday of Advent, we also celebrate our 2021 Stewardship Ingathering.
Over the last three or four years the Gratitude Committee has been encouraging us toward being a community where 100 percent of us are supporting the mission and ministry of the Church. This does not require you to be tithing necessarily, but is an invitation to each of us to make a clear statement that we are “All In” to support St. John’s. At this hour, you — WE — have done wonders in responding to the pledging campaign. If you haven’t yet, please make your pledge now, either in the postcard that was sent to you or by emailing Cindy at the church office.
Our pledge ingathering is Sunday, December 6. Your pledge is an offer of support with both your prayers and your financial contributions. Let us know how and when you will join with us in prayer so others may join you!
St. John’s Adult Forum: During the coming weeks, as we reflect on the meaning of Advent, the Adult Forum will discuss how we can transform and transcend our biases. From judgments made unconsciously to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform. We’ll consider the ideas raised by three powerful public theologians who, in the podcast series “Learning How to See” discuss how seeing through our biases is a social, political, and contemplative act. Here’s a link to the first podcast.
Those who prefer reading to listening can download a transcript at that same link. Then, on Sundays at 10 a.m. (after the worship service) join us on ZOOM for our discussion. If you have questions or would like the link, please contact Scotty King.
Our schedule of ZOOM worship services remains the same:
• Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. Here’s the worship bulletin for Sunday, December 6.
• Nighttime Prayer is prayed Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m.
• Bible Fellowship, open to all, continues Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.
To ensure participants’ online security, we don’t publish the worship/study ZOOM links; if you did not receive the church-wide email from me with the links, and would like to attend services, please email me and I’ll add you to the e-blast, and send you the links.
Office hours: My group office hour on ZOOM is Tuesdays from 10 – 11 a.m.
Rev. Karen’s office hour on ZOOM is Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.
Remember: if you have been or will be evacuated because of the local fire dangers and need connections to assistance, please contact me by email, or cell — please use your church roster to call me.
In Faith,
Rev. Christopher