The Rector's Page: Advent and Christmas Opportunities at St. John's

Stewardship Message

Adult Education and Formation

Passages

December Nursery Care

Bible Readings

Vestry Hilights

Proposed Bylaws Changes

Annual Report Submissions Due by December 31st

Gifts and Memorials

Altar Flower Donations

Bazaar Success

Advent Wreath

December Birthdays

St. John in the Wilderness Student of the Month

Families Inc. Invites All Parishioners

Images: Great North TEC

The Youth Voice

Children's Ministry

Make Room For Christmas

Images: All Saints' Sunday Baptisms

Lay Ministries Schedule

Calendar

As the Voice has gone to print in mid November, we are pleased to report that 2006 Appeal pledges from 114 households total $242,049.50. Eighty-nine households who pledged in 2005 are still uncommitted for 2006. Taking the anticipated support of previous pledgers together with that of our already pledged households, we can project that our budgeted Appeal revenue goal is within our grasp. The Appeal revenue is the mainstay of St. John’s budget—it is the basis for our ministries and our capacity to grow. It will take faith and generosity, and the inclusion of new members in our Church family to reach our goal.

Stewardship is a path to give back for the gifts of God’s love we experience in our lives. When we experience the bounty of God’s love, we realize that it is a renewable and infinite potential in our own lives. St. John’s is a wellspring of God’s love, and our collective ministries are a renewing force in expanding God’s love every day. We do that through many gifts, one of which is our financial commitment. Thank you for your many gifts to our St. John’s ministries, and especially for your financial commitment to the Annual Appeal. That is a critical foundation for our Parish’s well-being in 2006.

Anne Hovland

Stewardship Committee Chair

On Sundays, 10-11 am in the Parlor, we continue a Gospel of Matthew bible study. See a 20-25 minute presentation, followed by readings and discussion. Our primary references are: The Gospel of Matthew (Interpreting Biblical Texts series), Donald Senior, Abingdon Press, 1997; and Reading Matthew. A Literary and Theological Commentary, David E. Garland, Smyth & Helwys, 2001. If you worship at 10:30 am, please join us! You can still see the entire presentation and grab a handout.

From 6-7 pm in the Parish Hall, Dr. Terence Fretheim, Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, joins us to share his love for the “Godly Old Testament” and his passion about God as “a God who weeps, who gets angry, who rejoices ... a God who is in genuine interaction with the world.”

Please come welcome him to our church, and bring your questions about how the Old Testament describes God.

Click on the PDF icon to download a flyer on Dr. Fretheim's visit:

(83 KB)

In Advent we prepare anew for the first coming of Jesus, God’s breaking into creation by taking on human form, inaugurating the Kingdom of God on earth and signaling the initial transformation of creation. We also prepare ourselves for the second coming of Jesus, for the consummation of God’s purposes for creation, for the Kingdom of God on earth in its fullness, when God will finally reign with God’s resurrected people in a new and transformed creation. In this spirit of preparation, on Wednesdays December 14, 21, & 28, from 6-7 pm in the Parish Hall, explore the meaning today of the bible stories of the Nativity and the Holy Innocents.

The Adult Education Schedule

  Dec 4 The Gospel of Matthew 2

  Dec 11 The Gospel of Matthew 3

  Dec 18 The Gospel of Matthew 4

  Dec 25 No meeting

  Dec 31 No meeting

  Dec 7 The Suffering of God 8. Prof. Terence Fretheim joins us!

  Dec 14 The Nativity Stories Today, part 1

  Dec 21 The Nativity Stories Today, part 2

  Dec 28 The Holy Innocents Today

www.StJohnAdultEd.Org includes series information, our schedule, and downloadable prior presentation overheads or PowerPoint slides.

Comments, questions or suggestions? Interested in joining the Adult Education and Formation Committee? Contact David Monyak: phone 651/481-8697, or e-mail.

  Ashlyn Grace Brown 11/6/2005

  Evan Peter Vickstrom 11/6/2005

 Kern Walker 10/21/2005

  Mary Walker 10/21/2005

  Jean Ruth Johnston 11/14/2005

Isaiah 40:1-11

2 Peter 3:8-15a,18

Mark 1:1-8

Psalm 85:7-13

Isaiah 65:17-25

1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

John 3:23-30

Psalm 126

2 Samuel 7:4,8-16

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

Psalm 132:8-15

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14

Psalm 96:1-4,11-12

Isaiah 62:6-7,10-12

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:1-20

Psalm 97:1-4,11-12

Isaiah 52:7-10

Hebrews 1:1-12

John 1:1-14

Psalm 98:1-6

Exodus 34:1-8

Romans 1:1-7

Luke 2:15-21

Psalm 8

The Vestry met on November 8, 2005.

Therese Branby has completed a review of our insurance policy and the decision was made to continue with our current provider.

John LeFevre presented information regarding the sale of the Haynes property in Arizona. Thank you, John, for donating your services on many of St. John’s legal matters over the months.

The Vestry will conduct a Mutual Ministry Review on November 27th. We will explore the current and future state of our ministries.

It was reported that after a lengthy investigation our building was found to be unsuited for the needs of a preschool. Thank you, to Tim Hammond and Chris Hawley, for all of your efforts.

The size and function of our Vestry was discussed.

The preliminary 2006 budget was reviewed.

It was announced that Jim Knauss has been hired as our part time Sexton.

The following motions were passed:

The Vestry accepts the resolutions concerning the sale of real estate in Mesa, Arizona as submitted by John LeFevre.

The Vestry accepts the donation of a gas grill given by George Gorbatenko.

In the interest of reducing the Vestry size, only two (Property and Stewardship) of the five vacant positions will be filled.

The Vestry approves the hiring of Jim Knauss as part time Sexton.

The congregation will vote on proposed changes to St. John in the Wilderness’ Bylaws at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 15, 2006. Copies of the proposed changes are in the parking lot entrance, on the table outside the office, and on the Web (see below for download link). Ask your questions at a meeting in the Parish Hall on January 8 at 10 am, or by calling either committee member listed below.

It is important to review our Bylaws at regular intervals: to reflect changes made to diocesan and national Canons; to alter or clarify policies already in place, or add new policies as the church grows and its needs change.

The Committee met regularly in 2005 to review the current Bylaws, which were approved at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 20, 2002. There are a number of changes on which to vote.

Barbara Merrill

Sherri Afryl

Each committee or group shall list its mission, 2005 membership, 2005 activities, and 2006 plan. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. are preferable. If you have a Macintosh versus a pc, please type your report within the body of your e-mail message, not in an attached document. You may also save Microsoft Word report documents to disk to leave in the Parish Administrator mail slot. Thank you volunteers for your complete and timely submissions!

The following gifts and memorials have been purchased by the Gift and Memorial Committee or given during the last two years:

  A monetary gift for the Adult Education Committee in memory of Jaya Kasmani

  2 cemetery flags and poles, and cabinets for Acolyte, Lay Reader and Children’s Choir in memory of Roger Smith

  a woven cremation urn pall gift from Marge Polanek

  an oil stock ring for unction, in memory of Gil Gehrenbeck, Marion Nelson, Robert Wilson and Liz Campbell

  a rolling memorial service table with a glass top in memory of LeVere Shisler

  a DVD player gift from the Dr. John W. Thatcher family

  a pottery communion set in memory of Donald Smeed and Roger Smith

  a safe in memory of Betty Shephard

  a vat and aspergillum (anonymous)

  a monetary gift to the General Operating Fund in memory of Robert Snell

  a monetary gift to the Cemetery Operating Fund in memory of Miles Whitney

The committee would like to thank all for the generous gifts and memorial donations to our church.

Flowers are an important part of our Sunday worship, adding a special touch to our beautiful Sanctuary. Flowers may be given in thanksgiving for birthdays and other special events, or in memory of loved ones. Please consider contributing towards this year’s Christmas flowers, or towards the flowers to adorn our altar on any Sunday. Sign up on the chart on the bulletin board in the entrance from the parking lot. Forms are in the rack beneath it. Place a completed form in the Altar Guild mail slot with your check for $35 made payable to St. John’s Altar Guild. Additionally, what you would like printed in the Small Voice bulletin insert to the Church office by Thursday noon preceding the Sunday of your gift. Call Barb VanSteen with your questions.

Thank you to all who were willing to participate in this year’s St. John’s Holiday Bazaar. Much was accomplished in a short amount of time, which led to a very successful Episcopal Church Women event. Proceeds were approximately $6,000, to be used by various organizations within the church. Additionally, 30 Beanie Babies were donated to hurricane victims in Mississippi and Louisiana. Many people were welcomed in to our church during the luncheon and sales, and everyone’s positive attitude and kindness reflected greatly on our church’s atmosphere. Thank you many times over to everyone who donated items and time. Let’s make next year’s Bazaar even better!

From http://www.osp.org.uk/worship/advent.htm.

  Sunday 11/27: The first candle reminds us of the patriarchs, Abraham and David, Jesus’ Old Testament ancestors.

  Sunday 12/4: The second candle reminds us of the prophets, who foretold the birth of Jesus.

  Sunday 12/11: The third candle reminds us of John the Baptist, who proclaimed and baptized Jesus in the Jordan.

  Sunday 12/18: The fourth candle reminds us of the Virgin Mary, who bore Jesus in her womb.

  Sunday 12/25: The fifth candle reminds of the birth of Jesus, God become man.

1 John McLean

1 Avis Watkins

1 Stella WoiWor

2 Judith Kroesch

3 Bette Smeed

4 Grace McVay

5 Sam Bartley

5 Keiko Farrar

5 Daniel Sullivan

5 Emily Waymire

7 Andrew Harding

7 DeVante Watts

8 Korey Brown

8 Sarah Korth

9 Katie Jeddeloh

9 Alma Limbach

9 Albert Maiers

10 Aleea Eick

10 Betty Harholdt

13 Pamela Collins

15 Martha Wright

16 William Beebe

16 Alison Feigh

16 Libby Mahoney

16 Helena Oglesby

17 Nancy Maiers

17 Wayne Todd

18 Bradley Boyle

18 Amber Hammond

18 John Reed

19 Henry Schneider

20 Katie Larson

21 Wade Cossalter

23 Theodore Karp

24 Christine Karp

24 Stan Kegler

25 Jean Watson

26 Dorothy Burt

27 Jeanne LeFevre

30 Carter Ballard

30 Kenneth Gildner

30 The Rev. Andrew Jensen

30 Daniel Racine

31 Russell Bailey

31 Donald Ware

  Name Lara Delamater

  High School Grade Senior

  School/Community Activities Alpine Skiing, Habitat for Humanity, Spring Musical

  Church Activities Nursery Substitute Attendant

  Favorite Song These Words by Natasha Bedingfield

  Proudest Moment Advancing to the State Speech Tournament

  Collections Minnesota Timberwolves memorabilia

  Favorite St. John’s Memory Rally Sunday eating the Booya

  Favorite Movie Rudy

  Last good book you’ve read Sphere by Michael Crichton

  Best advice you’ve been given Always look for the silver lining...

  Where you hope to be in 10 years Involved in medical research (preferably not living with my parents)

  If you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose? Kevin Garnett

  How can church become more youth friendly? Hold a youth led or youth planned service to demonstrate what is important to the kids, like our favorite readings or prayers; that would be a learning experience for all generations.

Join us Saturday, December 10 at 3 pm for Christmas Caroling and supper! We will meet at the White Bear Care Center, inside the main 1891 Florence Street entrance. We will carol around the residents' rooms for a couple of hours, then return to the church at 5 pm for a supper provided by Families Inc. Please bring a few Christmas cookies to share for dessert.

Parents with very young children--come and push your little ones in a stroller or carry them in a Baby Bjorn. The residents will love seeing St. John’s members of all ages. Please come and share in this fun event and help bring holiday cheer to others.

RSVP to , or sign up on the Families Inc. board in the Parish Hall so we know how much food to provide.

Four Candidates from St. John in the Wilderness attended Great North Teens Encounter Christ in Virginia, MN on the fourth weekend of October, 2005

We encourage all youth to come to church on Saturday, December 3rd at 9 am to put up Christmas trees and help hang up the greens. Get your Advent started with a bang and join us.

If you plan to attend the Senior High lock in on Saturday, December 10th please sign up on the youth board and turn in your yellow permission form by Sunday, December 4th. We will host the Senior High youth group from St. Cloud; it sure to be a great event. We gather at church at 6 pm on December 10th and will conclude after the 9 am service on Sunday the 11th.

Just a reminder: for the month of December, Senior High Youth Group will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays instead of our usual schedule. December 4th will be a traditional meeting at church. December 18th will be our annual Christmas party at Alison's house in St. Paul. Please bring a dish to share and a gift (under $5) to exchange. Sign up on the youth board if you plan to attend .

We will perform the Advent Play, "Make Room for Christmas" on Wednesday, December 14th at 7 pm and on Sunday the 18th during 9 am worship. At last count, we have 39 children and youth involved in the production in one way or another. All are welcome to see the production we have been working so hard on during our Advent season.

We will have our annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 21st from 7-8 pm. Please bring a plate of cookies or other snack to share and a gift (under $5) to exchange. If you have a favorite Christmas song, bring the CD for our mood music.

A small change to our annual dinner together: please have your parents drop you off at 5 pm at Culver's in White Bear Lake instead of at church. We will eat together and be ready for pick up at 6 pm. Parents are welcome to join us for dinner. This will give the youth involved in the pageant an hour to get back to the church and in costume before the 7 pm show. If your parents don't get off work until after 5 pm, connect with Alison for alternate ride arrangements.

Our FIFTH Annual Treasure Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, January 7th. In this wonderful event junior high youth take on senior high youth in a lighthearted battle of wits and creativity. We will choose captains for this year's hunt at the Christmas parties for each youth group. The youth arrive at church at high noon to receive their lists and head out with adult drivers. Children arrive at church at 1 pm for an in-house, child-friendly treasure hunt. At 2 pm we all gather for a potluck lunch and to watch the judging. All are welcome to join us at 2 pm for the meal and to see which group gets their name engraved on the trophy this year. It's always a memorable afternoon.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world - stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas.

Henry Van Dyke

"Make Room for Christmas"

a play for Advent

Performed by children and youth of St. John in the Wilderness

Wednesday Dec. 14th at 7:00 pm and Sunday Dec. 18th at 9:00 am

Please join us!