The Chimes - Saint John ParishAdvent Devotionals – “Miracle in the Manger” A devotional...
Transcript of The Chimes - Saint John ParishAdvent Devotionals – “Miracle in the Manger” A devotional...
The Chimes a monthly publication of
St. John’s United Methodist Church
Sunday Nursery Attendants
In an effort to make St. John’s a more family friendly church, the Pastor Staff Parish Relations Com-
mittee is hiring two part time Nursery Attendants who will run the nursery every Sunday from 9:00 AM
to 12:00 PM and during special church events and services. Our first attendant, Maria Robles, started
her new position on Sunday, November 17, 2013. If you see Maria in the nursery, please make sure to
welcome her to St. John’s! If you have children between the ages of new born and 3 years, we hope you
will take advantage of this new service while you attend one of our Sunday School classes and the
Sunday Worship Service.
St. John’s United Methodist Church
5312 Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22151
Return Service Requested
Friends, I found this “letter” in my files and thought its message timely:
My Dearest Children,
Stop worrying that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who
made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I
actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and our tasks. If you
have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8. If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my
birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write let-
ters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of
year. I know; they tell me all the time.
Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know
that someone cares about them.
Spend time, instead of so much money, with your children, telling them the story of my birth and
why I came. Tell them you love them, and so do I.
Pick someone who has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they
feel so alone and helpless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a
warm smile; it could make the difference
Be patient with all the retail workers. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas,”
you can wish them one. Then, stop shopping there on Sunday – and celebrate Sabbath with me! If
the store didn’t make so much money on that day, they’d close and let their employees spend the
day at home with their families.
Buy some food and a few gifts for those in your town who will have nothing to give or receive.
Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a
Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your
actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget: I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to
do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help
you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you
love.
I love you, Jesus
May you be blessed and be a blessing this Christmas –- Pastor Paula
Our Pastor’s Message
Advent is the name given by the church to the four weeks leading up to Jesus’ birth. It is the
beginning of the church year, and marks a new beginning in our lives, as we wait and hope and
pray for the coming of a Savior…. It is a time of longing for light, freedom, and a new way of
living in this world, as people seeking a King who is to come and reign in our hearts forever.
(From the Society of St. Andrew, “Miracle in the Manger”)_
Advent Study - "The Journey"
Beginning on December 1, St. John's will offer a 4-week Advent Study for adults and teens on Sunday
mornings (9:15-10:15 AM) in Donaldson Hall. Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Adam Hamil-
ton, renowned senior pastor of the Church of Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas and author. Along the
way you will encounter Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and the miracle of the Manger. The study uses histori-
cal information, archaeological findings and personal reflections. Sites from the Holy Land will be
shown. Registrants can pick up a free copy of “The Journey” from Brenda Romenius. Reading the book
is not required, but will offer additional insights to the study’s discussions.
Dec. 1 “Mary” -- Pastor Paula
Dec. 8 “Joseph” – Bob Winstead
Dec. 15 “Elizabeth” – Brenda Romenius
Dec. 22 “The Manger” – Barbara Turpyn
Children will study “The Journey” too! Children’s Sunday School (ages 4 years to 5th grade) will also
take “The Journey” during Advent, learning about the characters of the Christmas story through scrip-
ture and crafts. They will also sing songs as they practice for Advent and Christmas programs at St.
John’s.
December 1 – Fellowship Luncheon
Following Worship on December 1, St. John’s will host a casual Pizza lunch in Donaldson Hall. In addi-
tion to lunch, there will be advent crafts for all ages, and singing of Christmas carols. Come join the
fun as we start the Advent Season!
Advent Devotionals – “Miracle in the Manger”
A devotional booklet from the Society of St. Andrew will be distributed at Worship on December 1.
Written by church leaders, these devotionals offer a daily prayer and reflection for the season.
Journey toward Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph each day, as we wait for the “Miracle in the Manger.”
Christmas Eve
St. John’s will host two Christmas Eve services –
5:30 p.m. – “Christmas Wonder” – the story of Christmas told by the angel and characters who were
there. Children and Youth will read the Christmas story. Performances by the Children’s Choir and
Bells of Joy will also add to this meaningful evening.
7:30 p.m. – Traditional Christmas Eve worship service, with special music provided by choirs, Bells of
Praise and Youth Instrumentalists.
A Note from Christian Education
Children’s Choir in Advent Season
St. John’s Children’s Choir will continue to learn Christmas carols on Sundays in Advent season. Ms.
Pamela Eggerton will also lead the children in musical activities to learn about the four candles of
Advent. The Children’s Choir will participate in the Christmas concert and Christmas Eve worship
service.
St. John’s 2013 Christmas Concert – Sunday, December 8 at 4:30 p.m.
St. John’s Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, Senior Saints, Bells of Praise, Bells of Joy, and
Children’s Choir will present special music in the Christmas Concert. The community based
Annandale Strings, directed by Mrs. Ruth Erby and harpist Ms. Jaime Shermer from Pax Dei
Trio will accompany the choirs. In addition to the music presented by choirs, the audiences will sing
several Christmas carols. St. John’s Children’s Choir will sing “The Friendly Beasts” to support St.
John’s mission project “Let’s Buy a Goat – for Heifer International.” The concert is open free to the
public. A free will offering will be received to benefit the Heifer International.
Celebration Singers Christmas Concert
The award winning community women’s chorus Celebration Singers will perform a Christmas Concert on
Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. The Celebration Singers, founded and directed by St. John’s
former music director Mrs. Anne Miller is an all-volunteer non-profit women’s show chorus that has
been entertaining northern Virginia audiences for forty years. The concert is open free to the public.
Highlights from November 1 Halloween Concert for Children and Families
We received donation for Youth Choir Trip $293 from the Halloween Concert for Children and Families
on November 1. It was a great concert led by excellent Master of Ceremony Devin Moore. All audiences
was fascinated by Barbara Turpyn’s story telling and enjoyed great music performed by St. John’s
youth, harp ensemble from David Crookston Harp Studio, and Prelude Chamber Youth Strings.
Pictures by Carol Pratt
A “Note” about Music Ministry
St. John’s Bells of Praise Performed at the Orlean United Methodist Church
Bells of Praise performed at the Orlean UMC on Sunday, November 10. It was a beautiful
autumn day. We enjoyed playing bells in Orlean’s worship service and having fellowship pot luck
luncheon with the Orlean congregation. Pictures by Joan Barker
United Methodist Women
Come Deck the Hall (DH)
The UMW is kicking off the holiday season with a Christmas program on Tuesday, December 3, at
6:30 p.m. in Donaldson Hall. We have lots to celebrate, so all you women out there come join the par-
ty…bring a friend…and an ornament for the Christmas tree.
Year after year in December St. John’s UMW has donated toys, clothing, and other necessities for the
children and women at Bethany House. This year is no exception, as we continue the tradition of donat-
ing gifts to Bethany House for its Christmas wish list. Gifts are especially needed for pre-teen and
teenage boys, as well as women (the children receive many toys from Toys for Tots). Gift cards from
game shops, sports/electronic stores, Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Marshall’s, Ross and TJ Maxx would
be most welcome. Can you help? If so, please bring your Christmas gift (unwrapped) on the 3rd. Bethany
House is very grateful for our on-going support.
If you need childcare or a ride, please send an e-mail to Marty Bickford at [email protected], or
call the church office.
UMW Dates to Remember:
January 5 – UMW Mini Retreat in the Library at Noon to set up 2014 schedule
January 11 – Bi-District Training Day at Floris UMC in Herndon – 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM; register by
December 18 for $30; fee doubles at the door
Circle Duties for December:
Kitchen/Cards – Faith
Greeters-Friends
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a faith filled new year!
FALL CLEAN-UP
The Church Trustees/Property Committee is re-
questing volunteers to help remove tree
leaves and trash from around the
church grounds on December 7th,
from 9:00 am – 12 Noon. Lawn bags
and tarps shall be provided. Please come out with
your gloves and rakes to make our church look
beautiful for the upcoming holiday season. Con-
tact the church office at 703-256-6655.
Due to the holidays and the
planned activities, Zumba dates
and times will be emailed from
[email protected] each Tuesday and Thursday
morning. Check your emails please.
Social Hour Update
Thank you Methodist Men for sponsoring Coffee
Hour in November. Trustees will sponsor Coffee
Hour in December.
Christmas Eve Service
On Christmas Eve there will be two services both
with communion.
Family worship at 5:30 p.m. “Christmas Wonder” – the story of Christmas told by the angel and
characters who were there.
7:30 p.m. – Traditional Christmas Eve worship service, with special music
May your world be filled with warmth and
good cheer this Holy season, and through-
out the year!
We wish your Christmas be filled with peace and
love. Merry Christmas from, St. John’s Staff.
Prayer Ministry
Prayer Focus: Christmas Season
Question: Will you make sure Christ is the
focus of your Christmas?
St. John’s Chapel
Were you aware that St. John’s has a small, inti-
mate chapel located in the lower level of Don-
aldson Hall for the use of all church members?
Yes, for many years this chapel has been available
and offers a quiet retreat for prayer, meditation,
or just a place to get away from the hustle and
bustle and think. There are Bibles there, as well
as helpful prayer material to help you focus your
thoughts. Since many members of our church,
especially new members, may not even know the
chapel exists, your Prayer Ministry encourages
you to drop by and get acquainted with it. The
chapel is located in a corner of the lower level
next to Room 2. The power of prayer is immense
and our chapel offers a unique place to focus on
God.
St. John’s Prayer Ministry
News Around the Church
All are invited!
Open House at the Parsonage
2-4 pm, December 15
Looking forward to sharing time,
conversation and
refreshments with you.
Pastor Paula, Roy, Tenchoe and Tesa
COMING IN APRIL –
Sight and Sound Theatre ‘s “MOSES”
Wondering what to get for that “hard to find”
gift to give that special someone? Or looking for
something fun for the family to do during Spring
Break? Come and join us for a trip to beautiful
Hershey, PA and the renowned Sight and Sound
Theatre for the performance of “Moses” on April
15. Cost of the ticket includes transportation in
a comfortable coach bus; Lunch at the Moorish
style Hotel Hershey in the Milton Hershey dining
room; and excellent seats at the Sight and Sound
Theatre for “Moses.” The bus departs at 9:30
a.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. Costs: Adult $150
Teen 13/18 $133 Children u/12 $123
Tickets must be purchased before February 28.
No Refund after February 28 unless a passenger
replaces with a replacement. Registration flyer is
attached. Please make check out to “Leisure
Destination” and give the check to
Brenda Romenius.
Thank You
St. John’s received a “thank you’” letter from
FACETS, a nonprofit organization that touches
and improves the lives of thousands of families
and individuals every year. St. John’s sent over
$125. worth of toiletries. They could not have
such positive impact in the lives of the people
they work with if not for our generosity. Our vi-
tal role in helping, provides critical assistance to
families and individuals in Fairfax Co who struggle
to overcome the effects of poverty.
Bi-District Training Day
Don’t be left behind on January 11! Registra-
tions are starting to pick up and workshop space
is limited; $30 registration deadline is Dec. 18!
You will find all workshop descriptions and a mail-
in registration form, at www.novaumc.org/
bdtd.html. Online registration is also available via
that link.
News Around the Church
Sharing Some Christmas Joy
During December, St. John’s will be col-
lecting toys for the South East DC
Partners, an organization in Anacostia that helps
low-income and needy families. They host a San-
ta’s workshop for parents to come and pick out
two or three toys for their children. South East
DC Partners is run by Scott and Marilyn Dimock,
former members of St. John’s and we are happy
to support their work.
Please bring new-unwrapped toys and put in the
box in Donaldson Hall. Our collection will end on
Wednesday, December 18. Listed below are some
suggested items. If you have any questions, con-
tact Anne Moore at [email protected] or Anne
Hill at [email protected].
Girls Dolls or doll accessories
Anything Hello Kitty
Tea sets, dishes, pots and pans, etc.
Fashion dolls
Mannequin heads (hair styling)
Pretend toys and dress-up
Boys Action figures, super heroes, Transformers
Basketballs, footballs, soccer balls
Hot Wheels, trucks, cars
Building toys, Legos
Airplanes, helicopters
Family Board games
Hats and gloves
Educational games
Youth News
Dec. 1st - Youth helping out make the Advent wreaths/logs
Dec. 8th - Youth singing in the Christmas Concert
Dec. 15th - Cookie baking during Sunday School and will be selling them after the service.
Dec. 21st - Caroling around the neighborhood
Dec. 29th - No Youth/Winter Break
Thank you to all the Youth who came out and helped us pack all these wonderful shoeboxes for Opera-
tion Christmas Child and packing up the cartons into the Trailers/Vans. We will have the numbers at a
later date for you.
We hope you all have a wonderful Winter Break and will see you in 2014!!!
Michael and Rachel Parker
December Birthdays
1 Louise Proctor, Shirley Wagner
2 Tricia Armentrout,
3 Candy Brassard, Matthew Halterman
4 Patrick Pacak
5 Walter Edwards, Alice Galloway,
Stephanie Reynolds
6 Robert DeBusk
7 Danny Whittle
8 Megan Fleming
9 Tanner Green, Regan Miller
10 Jada Burgess, Kevin Ledman
11 Jim Gray
13 Donna Perlish
14 Kathy Paulk
15 Justin Gray
16 Donna Griffin, Linda Griffin, Brenda Romenius
17 Noel Metcalfe, Pete Pederson
18 Anne Akridge, Eunice Blau
20 Raymond Cribbs, Robin Huebner
22 John Novack
24 Kitty Yang
25 Roger Rivera,
26 Christopher Chicarella, Stacy Stratton
27 Jennifer Gilchrist
28 Ellie Holcombe
29 Cameron Meyer
30 Wade Akridge
Congratulations on the birth of Alexandra Estelle
Lizarraga born November 4 to Kelly and Jaime,
granddaughter of Pastor Paula and Roy Werner.
December Anniversaries
4 Pete & Tina LaMon
11 Gerald & Mary Maxwell,
Harlin & Fran Matkins,
Ralph & Maxine Marshall
16 Jerry & Debbie Ashby
21 Dave & Pam Gallagher
23 Leonard & Audra Poling
In Our Prayers
Lois Augustad, Marguerite Bickers, Luke Catania
IV, Vicki Collins, Tiny Hartzell, Linda Hitchcock,
Ed Jones, Jonah Kuhlman, Margaret Marsh,
Hazel Marshall, Ernie Pappas, Ilene Patrick, Bet-
ty Rampy, Joann Raison, Anne Stegall, Macel
Thompson, and Connie Ward
Extended Family: Bridgett Barbarto, Tippy Cam-
eron, Steve Cooper, Norren Deholl, Lynn Foster,
Nancy Gonzales, Robert N. Giannini, Anita
Lawrence, Lin Mather, Dolores Martin,
irk Marshall, Myles Jonathon McLaughlin, Virginia
Rainey, Bill and Betty Smith, Bert Wood Jr., Dan-
ny VanGorder, William Weist, and Ray
Wardlow.
Law Enforcement and those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Chris Shephard, deployed to Afghanistan, neph-
ew of Fran & Harlin Matkins.
Jared Davis, serving in the Army Intelligence
Branch at Ft. Meade, MD.
Des Walton, serving with the Army in Bangkok,
Thailand.
Jeremy Honaker, nephew of Debbie & Jerry
Ashby, Warner Robins, GA.
Matt Stratton, serving in the Army, Ft. Collins,
CO.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Friends
St John’s United Methodist Church
Preceded with Lunch at
The Circular – at Hotel Hershey
Tu e s d a y, A p r i l 1 5 , C o a c h , M o s e s & L u n c h
The parting of the Red Sea ... the Burning Bush ... the Plagues ... the Ten Commandments ... finally ... the greatest Biblical epic of the Old Testament comes to life on the Sight & Sound stage in Lancaster County, PA - Moses! Journey back through time and relive the golden splendor and pride of ancient Egypt, the poverty and oppression of the Hebrew slaves and the humble, broken man that God raised up to become their deliverer. Not only will you be completely immersed in the spectacular, epic events of the story, but you will experience the humanity of Moses and the children of Israel as they struggle for faith, freedom and belonging. This incredible adventure is like none other for this is when God breaks into history and reveals who He is and that He has come to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free! Before the performance start with lunch at The Moorish style Hotel Hershey in the Milton Hershey dining room -The Circular over looking the Rose Garden.
THE COST: Adult $ 1 5 0 Teen 13/18 $133 Child u/ 1 2 $ 1 2 3
THE TIMES: Departs 9:30 AM Returns 8:30 PM THE SCHEDULE: Lunch-Hotel Hershey 12:30 PM
Make Check Payable To: Leisure Destinations
Mail To: Brenda Romenius @ St John’s UMC, 5312 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22151
Questions Call Brenda 703-256-6655 ext. 101
No Refund after February 28 unless passenger replaces with a replacement
Reserve _____ spaces for Moses with Lunch Tuesday – April 15
Name
Address Telephone Email