Announcements for January 1

• You’re Invited to the Feast! Saturday, January 7
  Again this year the vestry is planning a wonderful feast to celebrate our patron saint and, even more importantly, the people who are our Church of St. John the Evangelist. The date is Saturday, January 7, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer. Please remember to turn in your RSVP cards or phone the parish office so we can get a head count for dinner.
  
  
• Lessons and Carols, January 1
  Services of Scripture readings interspersed with music are a rich part of our Anglican worship tradition. This Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service will be a service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. Holy Communion, although not a traditional part of these services, will be included on Sunday.
  
  
• The Feast of the Epiphany (The Manifestation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles)
  The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated Friday, January 6, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Recycle Your Live Christmas Tree
  Undecorated, live Christmas trees can be recycled January 7 and 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Irons Oaks (Vollmer Road just west of Western Avenue). Recycling keeps trees out of the landfill and the mulch will be used at Irons Oaks.
  
  
• Lawrence Hall Christmas Gifts
  Thank you to the Daughters of the King and Iris Bestow for coordinating Christmas donations for Lawrence Hall. And praise God for all who contributed. $1,210 in checks and gift cards helped provide Christmas gifts for the children at Lawrence Hall.
  
  
• Vestry Nominations
  The vestry nominating committee is meeting this Sunday. If you feel called to ministry on the vestry and would like to be considered in the nominating process, please speak to the Rector or one of the wardens.
  
  
• Vestry Minutes
  Vestry minutes continue to be posted on this blog. Click on the "Vestry Minutes" label. Minutes are posted after they are approved. The November minutes are now available.
  
  
• Offering Envelopes
  Offering Envelopes for 2012 are available for pick up in the undercroft. Envelopes that are not picked up will be mailed early in 2012.
  
  
• Holiday Office Closure
  The parish office will be closed December 30 and January 2 for the New Year’s Holiday.
  
  
• 2011 Contributions
  The “books” for 2011 will remain open through January 8. Contributions clearly marked 2011 will be posted to 2011 statements. All others will be posted to 2012.

Reflection for January 1

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day, BCP, p. 214).

Christmas Worship Schedule

Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. - The Holy Eucharist, with the children's Christmas Pageant
10:00 p.m. - Musical anthems and carols
10:30 p.m. - Festival Choral Holy Eucharist (The Christ Mass)

Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist

The First Sunday after Christmas Day (January 1)
8:00 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, celebrating Holy Name Day
10:00 a.m. - A Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols, with the Holy Eucharist

Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - November 21, 2011

Formation

Following evening prayer, the vestry assembled in the undercroft meeting room and participated in Bible study before the business portion of the meeting began. Those present were Pastor Kristin Orr, Senior Warden Cyndie Knoll; Junior Warden Frank So; vestry members Candice Barrera, Mary Jean Bond, Bev Keene, Carolyn Oyster, R.J. VanSwol; Treasurer Clay Denton; and Clerk Susan Marquis. Vestry members Anne Edwards, John Huntoon, and Jack Zielinski were absent.

Parish Stewardship

Minutes

Frank So moved that the minutes from the October 17^th meeting be approved. Bev Keene seconded, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Our higher-than-usual water bill probably was the result of a toilet in the atrium that had been running for perhaps as long as five months. Pastor Orr transferred funds and paid for the roofing project. This will show up in next month’s report. We most likely will end up in the black for 2011 as a result of unanticipated income and savings on salaries. Cyndie Knoll moved that the treasurer’s report be accepted, and M.J. Bond seconded. The motion passed.

Information

Rector’s Report

The roofing project essentially has been closed out. Some additional changes were necessarily made to the original plan. The metal deck and almost all of the wooden frame needed to be replaced, and most or all of the drains needed to be replaced as well. The leak near the columbarium entrance seems to be fixed.

The roofers still need to replace some interior ceiling tiles and put in a downspout or some other solution to keep water from coming down onto areas where people walk.

Pastor Orr is ending her service on Diocesan Council and has been appointed Dean of the Joliet Deanery. She will act as a liaison between deanery parishes and the diocese.

At the recent diocesan convention the appointment of Bishop Christopher Epting was announced. Bishop Epting is the retired bishop of Iowa. He will be serving part-time as an assisting bishop in this diocese and will assume his post in January. Bishop Lee’s convention address and sermon can be found online. Pastor Orr will summarize convention resolutions at a later date.

A convention offering of over $10,000 was collected, much of which will support work in our companion diocese as well as work within our own diocese.

Pastor Orr will start to look into updating/upgrading our parish web page. She has posted holy union/holy matrimony guidelines as well as alcohol and gambling policies.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations

Cyndie Knoll announced that the theme for the upcoming patronal feast is Amazing gRace. Anne Edwards will be the game leader for the event, and Cynthia Turnquest will again fashion the invitations.

Cyndie noted that at yesterday’s later Eucharist there was an impressive line of people depositing their pledge cards.

Upcoming Parish Events

Saturday, December 3^rd: the annual ECW Cookie Walk

Sunday evening, December 4^th: St. John’s first Taize service

Discussion and Decisions

Stewardship

Sixty pledges have been made for a total thus far of $169,584. Pastor Orr hopes to get another 30 pledges. The vestry discussed what to do next in order to encourage those who have not yet pledged to do so. It was decided first to use the usual methods of parish communication to remind people about pledging. Written reminders will be mailed to those who have not pledged by the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. Vestry members will make low-key phone calls after that.

Pastor Orr thanked Frank So, Cyndie Knoll, Anne Edwards, and R.J. VanSwol for the personal stewardship reflections that they shared with the parish.

Building Project

Pastor Orr stated that volunteers are needed to search for grants and to assess fund-raising potential. We will revisit this issue later.

A nominating committee was formed to choose a slate of wardens and vestry members prior to the January parish meeting. The committee consists of the rector, the two current wardens, and one member from each vestry class. The vestry members chosen by lot are M.J. Bond, Bev Keene, and Anne Edwards.

Closing

The meeting ended with prayer at 8:40 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for December 19^th.

--Susan Marquis, Clerk of the Vestry

Approved: December 19, 2011

Announcements for December 24/25

• RSVP for the Feast
  Again this year the vestry is planning a wonderful feast to celebrate our patron saint and, even more importantly, the people who are our Church of St. John the Evangelist. The date is Saturday, January 7. Please remember to turn in your RSVP cards.
  
  
• Lessons and Carols, January 1
  Services of Scripture readings interspersed with music of prayer and praise are a rich part of our Anglican worship tradition. Next Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service will be a service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. Holy Communion, although not a traditional part of these services, will be included on Sunday.
  
  
• Christian Formation Classes on Vacation
  Christian formation classes for children and adults are on Christmas vacation. They will resume January 8.
  
  
• Pledge Reminder
  Thank you to all who have returned pledge cards for 2012. If you are still intending to get yours in, please do so as soon as possible.
  
  
• Offering Envelopes
  Offering Envelopes for 2012 are available for pick up in the undercroft. Envelopes that are not picked up will be mailed early in 2012.
  
  
• Holiday Office Closures
  The parish office will be closed Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26, for the Christmas holiday and December 30 and January 2 for the New Year’s Holiday.
  
  
• Wednesday Healing Service Canceled Next Week
  The Wednesday celebration of the Holy Eucharist with healing will not be held on Wednesday, December 28. It will resume January 4.

Announcements for December 18

• Vestry Meeting
  The vestry will meet Monday, December 19, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Christmas Pageant Rehearsals
  Rehearsals for the children’s Christmas pageant are this Sunday, December 18, at 9:00 a.m. and Friday, December 23, at 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• Christmas Service Schedule
  On Christmas Eve, worship services begin at 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The children’s Christmas pageant is part of the early service. The late service is preceded by a musical celebration of anthems and carols beginning at 10:00 p.m. On Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, there will be one worship service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
  
  
• Sunday School Holiday
  Sunday School classes for all ages—children and adults—will not meet December 18, 25 and January 1. (During the Sunday School hour, children should come to the pageant rehearsal on December 18). Classes will resume January 8.
  
  
• Mark your Calendars for the Feast, January 7
  The vestry invites everyone in the parish to celebrate the feast day of our patron saint at a festive dinner Saturday, January 7. Your invitation will be arriving soon. We look forward to celebrating together.
  
  
• Sexton Position Open
  We are currently advertising to fill the sexton position on a permanent basis. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please ask him or her to contact Pastor Orr. It is a part-time position. The primary duties are cleaning and light maintenance.

Reflection for December 18

Even hardened atheists have confessed a guilty fondness for Christmas carols. These songs speak of purity and innocence, of hope and even an implied redemption that appeals to the optimist within us all.... (Philip Barnes, conductor, St. Louis Chamber Chorus).

Announcements for December 11

• Help the Kids at Lawrence Hall
  Since 2004 the Daughters of the King have been committed to sharing the spirit of Christmas with the children of Lawrence Hall. Lawrence Hall Youth Services provides greatly needed services and programs for kids and their families suffering from trauma, abuse and neglect. Gift cards from Target or Best Buy or checks made out to Lawrence Hall may provide the only gifts these children receive this year. If you can help, please contact Iris Bestow.
  
  
• Be a Part of the Children’s Christmas Pageant
  Children of all ages are invited to be a part of the Christmas pageant at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Families, please let Pastor Orr know as soon as possible whether or not you can participate in the pageant.
  
  
• Holiday Concert this Sunday, December 11
  The Grande Prairie Singers present “A Winter Serenade” at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 11, at Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest. Tickets are $20 at the door ($18) in advance, but they’re available from Betsy Burgwald for the special price of only $10 each.
  
  
• Taizé Recap
  Approximately 70 people attended the Taizé service last Sunday (about half not parishioners of St. John’s). It was a spirit-filled gift of peace during the Advent season. Thanks to Peter Irvine, Janet Irvine, Steven Russell, Sue Buckman, the St. John’s choir, and Amy Pelletier (from IJP) for their contributions to the service.

Reflection for December 11

Lord Jesus Christ, you are for me medicine when I am sick; you are my strength when I need help; you are life itself when I fear death; you are the way when I long for heaven; you are light when all is dark; you are my food when I need nourishment (attributed to St. Ambrose, 4th century Bishop of Milan, whom the church remembers on December 7).

Announcements for December 4

• Taizé Service, This Sunday, December 4
  All are warmly invited to this service of simple songs, reflection and prayer. Give yourself the gift of peace and renewal during the Advent season. At St. John’s this Sunday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Cathedral Shelter Christmas Basket Pick Up
  Thank you to all who have adopted families and senior in the Cathedral Shelter Christmas Basket program. Please make note of the packaging directions in the Cathedral Shelter information and ensure that your boxes are at St. John’s by 9:00 a.m. December 8.
  
  
• Little Hands Goes Shopping
  The children of Little Hands meet at the church this Sunday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m. to go shopping for their Cathedral Shelter Christmas basket family.
  
  
• Help the Kids at Lawrence Hall
  Since 2004 the Daughters of the King have been committed to sharing the spirit of Christmas with the children of Lawrence Hall. Lawrence Hall Youth Services provides greatly needed services and programs for kids and their families suffering from trauma, abuse and neglect. Gift cards from Target or Best Buy or checks made out to Lawrence Hall may provide the only gifts these children receive this year. If you can help, please contact Iris Bestow before December 6.
  
  
• Be a Part of the Children’s Christmas Pageant
  Children of all ages are invited to be a part of the Christmas pageant at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Families, please let Pastor Orr know as soon as possible whether or not you can participate in the pageant.
  
  
• Handel’s Messiah, December 4
  The Illiana Oratorio Society presents Handel's Messiah at the First Christian Reformed Church, 16248 South Park Ave., in South Holland on Sunday, December 4th at 2:00 p.m. and again at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Ozinga Chapel. For further information, see Gale Michael.
  
  
• Faith in Films views Bucket List
  Faith in Films continues their exploration of forgiveness and reconciliation with the 2007 film Bucket List, staring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Friday, December 9, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.
  
  
• Holiday Concert Sunday, December 11
  The Grande Prairie Singers present “A Winter Serenade” at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 11, at Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest. Tickets are $20 at the door ($18) in advance, but they’re available from Betsy Burgwald for the special price of only $10 each.

Reflection for December 4

Commentary on the Advent Collect
The striking antitheses [within the Advent collect] are remarkable: cast away darkness, put on the light; mortal life, life immortal; great humility, glorious majesty. The word “now” is crucial: remembering the first advent and looking toward the second, we are now, in this time, to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Marion J. Hatchett, Commentary on the American Prayer Book).