Upcoming Events and Service for Advent and Christmas
DATE / SERVICE DETAILSNovember 27, 2011 / Advent I
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Candle Lighting & Holy Communion
7 p.m. CLB Anniversary Service & Fellowship
December 4, 2011 / Advent II
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Candle Lighting & Holy Communion
December 11, 2011 / Advent III-Candle Lighting
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Candle Lighting – Advent Carols and Lessons
December 18, 2011 / Advent IV-Candle Lighting
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist/White Gift
December 24, 2011 / Christmas Eve Services
11 a.m. Christmas Service at Admiral’s Coast
4 p.m. Family Service & Holy Communion
7 p.m. Holy Communion
11 p.m. Carol Sing
11:30 p.m. – Holy Communion
December 25, 2011 / 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP)
December 31, 2011
(Saturday) / Service & Fellowship
5 p.m. Holy Communion
6 p.m. Potluck Fellowship
January 1, 2012 / 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP)
January 6, 2012
(Friday) / Epiphany of our Lord
7 p.m. Holy Communion
January 8, 2012 / Baptism of our Lord
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Baptism & Holy Communion
January 15, 2012 / 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion
January 22, 2012 / 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion
January 29, 2012 / Candlemas/The Presentation of the Lord
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion/Family Service
St. John the Evangelist Church
Eagle News
Advent/Christmas 2011
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel – ‘God with us’ ”
- Isaiah 7:14
For many, Christmas is no longer the day to celebrate the mystery of the birth of God among us, the God hidden in the wounds of humanity. It is no longer the day of the child, awaited with prayer and repentance, contemplated with watchful attentiveness, and remembered in liturgical solemnity, joyful song, and peaceful family meals. Instead, Christmas has become a time when companies send elaborate gifts to their clients to thank them for their business, when post offices work overtime to process an overload of greeting cards, when immense amounts of money are spent on food and drink, and socializing becomes a full-time activity. There are trees, decorated streets, sweet tunes in the supermarkets, and children saying to their parents: “I want this and I want that.” The shallow happiness of busy people often fills the place meant to experience the deep, lasting joy of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
Operation Christmas Child
Again this year this parish has prepared shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Under the leadership of parishioner, Lisa Smith, 97 Shoeboxes were filled and sent. These boxes will bring smiles to the faces of children who rarely receive a gift. Every shoebox offers an opportunity to share the Good News of the Saviour with a hurting child.
Christmas Office Hours
In keeping with the Diocesan Synod Office Christmas hours, the parish office will be closed from Friday, December 23rd to Thursday, December 29th. We will open on Friday, December 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for year-end contribution drop off. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd 2012. A locked mail drop box is available for your convenience.
Sunday School Birthday Party for Jesus
On Saturday, December 17th we will hold our annual breakfast for families. We invite you to come along to get a break from the hectic preparations for Christmas. Breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. All gifts that children bring will go to the Avalon Mall/VOCM Happy Tree.
Church Envelopes 2012
Accompanying this edition of the Eagle News, you will find your church envelopes (2012). Please note that some envelope numbers are changed. Numbers are marked on each label. Please be reminded that for tax purposes, you need to have all contributions for 2011 to the parish office by December 30th.
Direct Deposit
Pre-authorized payments have made paying regular bills more convenient for many. As a Parish, we are pleased to offer you the same convenience for your regular contributions to the Church. Signing-up is simple. Just visit the Church Office as soon as possible, complete an Authorization Form, attach a cancelled cheque and we’ll do the rest. We started this process in January, 2011 and to date we have almost 25 families contributing through pre-authorized payments.
This process will allow you more convenience and allow us to better manage our finances during the summer months. If you have any specific questions, please contact our Parish Treasurer, Ken Carter at 834-6658.
Successful Fall Fair
Our Fall Fair continues to be a popular fellowship event. The 2011 Fair, under Chairperson, John Carter, and with the assistance of many parish groups and volunteers, was successful and raised approximately $11,000 for parish ministries. Thank you to all church groups who contributed in numerous ways to help with the meals and the various sale of works. Thank you to all parishioners and friends of the parish who donated and made purchases during the Fair. Our Fall Fair brings us together socially and gives us a sense of community. It also gives us some needed financial resources to support God’s work within our church and beyond.
Our Website
Please visit our website at to keep informed on the complete range of activities going on in our parish. Contact Ron Smith, our web supervisor, if you have any suggestions or input.
Church Flooring Project
The Flooring Project in our Church is now nearing completion by our contractors, Baker Flooring. We wish to sincerely thank the 80 families/individuals who have made donations in Memorial of Loved Ones or in Thanksgiving for Gods’ Blessings. As a result, we are nearing our fundraising goal of $15,000 necessary for payment of the flooring materials. We remain optimistic that 20 other families/individuals will come forward soon to help us reach the 100 donors for the remaining funds necessary.
A Temporary Board, in place at the back of the Church, contains 100 squares 80 of which have been filled with family or individual names that have made a $150.00 pledge payment. Upon completion of the Project, a permanent Plaque will be installed and dedicated.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a $150.00 pledge today to help complete this Project. For information, contact Father Dinn at the Parish Office (834-2336) or Rector’s Warden Ron Smith (834-2495 or )
Front Entrance Project
We are very pleased to report that the new Entrance System is now installed. Two new wider doors, each with a beautiful stained glass cross, and the two stained glass side panels make a very beautiful and impressive addition to the Main Entrance area.
Sincere thanks to the three families, Melvin Robinson, Cliff & Audrey Petten and the family of the late Betty Parrell who donated the funds necessary for this new Entrance System. We also wish to acknowledge the artistic talents of local artist Peter Brecken for his stained glass work on the crosses and side panels. Thanks also to Entrance Committee Members: Bob Dawe, Cliff Fowler, Jim Smith and Ron Smith for their work to make the project a reality.
A dedication ceremony for the new Entrance System will be held in the early New Year.
Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Service
This service includes a special Christmas Pageant in which our Sunday school children participate. The service at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon provides an opportunity for families with young children/grandchildren to hear the Christmas Story and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
New Year’s Eve Service & Potluck Supper
Come let us worship and give God thanks for the blessings of the past year. The Service will begin at 5:00 p.m. following by a potluck supper and fellowship at 6:00 p.m. A sign up sheet for potluck dishes will be available in the church.
Christmas Holly Tea
Our “Christmas Holly Tea” will be held on Saturday, December 10th; 2.30-4.00 in the Parish Hall. Tickets $7.00 each will be available November 28th. An afternoon with a lovely cup of Christmas Tea; a silent auction; entertainment and prizes. Please call Shirley Glynn @ 368-9504; Betty Hiscock @ 834-4736 or the church office @ 834-2336.