Announcements for December 8

Stewardship: Annual Pledge Drive 
Thank you to everyone who has turned in pledge cards. If you have not yet done so, please turn them in as soon as possible to the parish office or place them in the alms basin on Sunday.

Courtney Reid Visits St. John’s, This Sunday, December 8
Courtney Reid, Director of Operations on Bishop Lee’s staff, will visit St. John’s Sunday, December 8. She will preach at both services and present a forum during the 9:00 a.m. education hour.

This Sunday! Caroling for Canned Goods: Everyone’s Invited
St. John’s high school youth group invites all of St John’s (plus friends and neighbors of all ages) to join us in “Caroling for Canned Goods” in our parish neighborhood on Sunday, December 8th at 3:30 pm (we’ll meet in the undercroft). Help us help the hungry served by the Rich Township Food Pantry. And what caroling party would be complete without homemade cocoa? Please join us for the fun, and bring a wagon if you have one. Remember, musical talent is totally optional: it’s the spirit that counts! Questions or contributions? Please call Dee McManamy.

Postlude for This Sunday from Marcel Dupré’s Passion Symphony
Marcel Dupré was one of the most influential organists of the 20th century. A master improvisor, his custom was to perform improvisations on tunes suggested by the audience. At a concert in Philadelphia in 1921, he was given four hymn tunes on which he immediately conceived the four movements of the Passion Symphony. The first movement, “The World Awaiting the Savior,” uses the sonata form to treat the Advent themes of darkness and light. Darkness is represented by restless Stravinskian rhythms and light by the hymn Jesu Redemptor Omnium. The two themes struggle throughout the development of the piece, and light is ultimately triumphant, establishing order amid the chaos and announcing the coming of the Savior. –Michael Soto

 Grande Prairie Singers Season Opener
“Winterlude 2013,” will feature holiday music of many genres. The concert will be at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 8, at Faith United Protestant Church, Park Forest. Highlights include the Grande Prairie Children's Choir and the Singers' new accompanist, our own Michael Soto! Advance-sale tickets are $15; $20 at the door; $10 for students at all times. Or consider a $40 season subscription for this concert and those in March and May. For more information or tickets, see Bob or Betsy Burgwald.

Advent Taize Service
A Taize service for the season of Advent will be offered at Infant Jesus of Prague (at the corner of Flossmoor Road and Leavitt Avenue in Flossmoor) Friday, December 13, beginning at 7:30 pm.

St. Nicholas at St. James Commons
If you’re downtown this holiday season, stop by St. James Commons for a special exhibit for all ages on St. Nicholas, the “Bishop Who Became Santa Claus.” Flyers are available at church or more information is available on-line here.