The Advocate. From the Rector. Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles. ~ Edwin Louis Cole. St. John Episcopal Church

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1 St. John Episcopal Church phone: (717) The Advocate D E C E M B E R MONT H L Y A D V O C A T E From the Rector This newsletter is intended to update the members of St. John Episcopal Church on all of the things going on in our parish. I N S I D E THIS I S S U E : Intergenerational Formation St. Nicholas Visit & Installation of Vestries Mitten Tree Hershey Handbell Concert & Cookie Walk Christmas Schedule We begin the month of December in anticipation, a word seldom used in a world of instant gratification and one click answers. The liturgical season of Advent is a time of eager anticipation, selfawareness and expectation. We are reminded in the words of Scripture that Christ promised to come again so we live in hope for the future. In the present we busy ourselves for special liturgical celebrations, family gatherings and Christmas parties. We hear the words of the past as prophets called God s people to prepare the way of the Lord. We are reminded during Advent to prepare ourselves for the celebration of God s incarnation in the Christ Child. YECS Festival of Lessons & Carols Dec. St. Zita s Guild Building Project Capital Campaign Update Capital Campaign Naming Opportunities Family Ministry Anticipation grounded in hope, a word we seldom hear uttered in our daily lives. Hope that something new is about the happen that will revive us. Hope that declares change is possible because God makes all things new. Hope that we are not bound to the past because God has come among us and abides with us always. Hope based on what we know, God acted in the past, God moves in the present and God can be trusted to act in the future. In the fullness of time God came among us and will come among us in the form of the Christ Child. A blessed Advent and Christmas to all, David+ Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles. ~ Edwin Louis Cole

2 P A G E 2 Sunday Intergenerational Formation Come join us in the Parish Hall at 9 AM on Sunday mornings to enjoy a continental breakfast followed by a shared learning experience. During the season of Advent we share in the preparations of the season. On December 6 (Peace and Remembering) we will share in making Chrismons. Please bring cutting tools and gold embellishments to use as we make Chrismons. We are going to decorate the Chrismon tree in the parish hall at the end of our session. On December 13 (Joy and Giving) we are going to prepare gifts to share with our members who are no longer able to attend church services. On December 20 (Love) we are going the have fun making a gift to share with someone else. As we prepare to welcome the Christ Child, we encourage you to come join us on Sunday mornings! Advent Traditions On Sunday, December 6, St. Nicholas of Myra will visit St. John at the 10 o clock service. He will share his story and bring gifts to the children to remind them of his visit. We will share with St. Nicholas the pouches of quarters we have collected over the course of the year. On December 13, the Vestries of St. John will be installed at the 10 o clock service. We will promise to support them in their ministry of leadership. We will conclude our gathering of gifts, mittens and gloves for the children of Pressley Ridge. The Gift of Generous Sharing During the Advent season at St. John we collect gloves, scarves and hats to be shared with those who need protection from the cold. The mitten tree this year will be located to the right of the nave in the front of the church. Near the Mitten Tree we place wrapped, marked gifts for the children of Pressley Ridge. Please mark the gift for a boy or girl and age group. The last Sunday to bring gifts will be December 13 so we have time to deliver them before Christmas. St. Nicholas Pouches Did you pick up a green pouch in January? Have you been faithfully filling the pouch each month with quarters? Pouches are still available on the table at the front of the church. On Sunday, December 6, we offer our quarter filled pouches to St. Nicholas for sharing in the spirit of this generous saint. The money collected this year will be used to support a York community family in the spirit of the Christmas season. Please join in sharing the generosity of St. Nicholas. Our Daily Bread St. John volunteers Sue Krebs, Jerri-Lee McCleary, Elizabeth Smith, Peggy Ruth, Jo Bailey and Milton Leake served 227 meals at Our Daily Bread on Tuesday, October 27. Thanks to the St. John volunteer cooks who provided 27 hot dog and bean casseroles for this month s meal.

3 P A G E 3 First Friday in December December 4 The Hershey Handbell Ensemble will present a Christmas concert at 7:30 PM in the Church. The Hershey Handbell Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Shawn Gingrich will use seven octaves of Malmark Handbells, Handchimes and assorted instruments for the concert. There will be a free will offering. Following the concert, Encore invites you to the Parish Hall for a holiday reception. Please help us pass the word invite family, friends and neighbors to join you for this holiday concert. Parking will be available in our parking lot across the street from the church. Encore is offering a Cookie Walk on Friday, December 4 from 6 to 7:30 PM prior to the concert and following the concert during the reception. On Saturday, December 5, the Cookie Walk will be open in the Parish Hall from 10 AM to Noon. Gingerbread, shortbread, snickerdoodles, date bars and much, much more all home baked ready for your holiday serving. Please invite your family and friends to share in the Cookie Walk. All proceeds will benefit the Building Fund! Concert Series continues in 2016 Help us spread the word by inviting those you know who enjoy good music to attend the St. John Concert Series. We do not charge for the concerts but we do take a freewill offering to help support the concert series. We also invite sponsorships to underwrite the cost of the series. The series this year continues with the following schedule: January 24 at 4 PM Lawrence Golan, music director of the York Symphony, will present a violin concert. He is known for his inspirational performances and imaginative programing, February 7 at 4 PM the St. John Choir will sing Evensong followed by a cello concert performed by Rachael Kauffman, the principal cellist of the York Symphony Orchestra. Rachel has performed in many music festivals and teaches at York College. March 13 at 4 PM the Apollo String Ensemble will perform a concert of chamber music. The Ensemble has impressed audiences with their musical repertoire. April 17 at 4 PM we observe Jazz Appreciation Month with a concert by the Jost Project. This Philadelphia based band is devoted to jazz and has played to packed houses in New York as well as Philadelphia. July 4 following the 10 AM Eucharist the First Capital Brass will return to play a concert of patriotic music.

4 VOLUME 2015, ISSUE 12 PAGE CHRISTMAS Invite a friend The Advent and Christmas seasons are times when people who do not normally attend a church visit churches to share in the celebration. Studies show people will come to church if someone invites them and if they are made to feel welcome. Why not share what gives meaning and hope to your life? During this holy time of the year, invite someone to come to church with you. Christmas Eve 4:30 PM Our children will tell the Christmas story in the context of a family oriented celebration of the Eucharist. We are grateful to those who are working hard to assist our children to tell the story of that night long ago when the wonder of God was revealed in a child born in a manger. Music of Christmas 10:30 PM The St. John choirs under the direction of Rodney Barnett lift our spirits to that place where we know the powerful presence of God as they share with us the beautiful music of Christmas. Festival Solemn Choral Eucharist 11 PM This festival service is the highlight of our Christmas celebration. The service does incorporate all the senses with candle light and the use of incense. As we move from Christmas Eve into the dawn of a new day we lift our voices in praise to God who has caused a new creation revealed in the Christ Child. Christmas Day 10 AM We celebrate Christmas with carols and Rite I Eucharist. THE ADVOCATE 4

5 P A G E 5 Festival of Lessons and Carols The York Ecumenical Choral Society is presenting its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 4 PM at St. John. The Choral Society was founded by Dr. Gene Paul Strayer to promote fine choral works from the Protestant, Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. The service is patterned after the Festival of Lessons and Carols started by Kings College in England. The Choral Society is directed by our own Rodney Barnett. Parking is available in the lot across the street from the church. There is no charge for admission; a freewill offering will be taken. For more information please contact Rodney Barnett at or rbmscmn@comcast.net. Year-end Contribution Information The Internal Revenue Service requires our Financial Administrator to close the contribution records for 2015 at the close of the business day on December 31. Please be aware of this requirement if you wish to have your contribution recorded in this tax year. Pledge envelopes for those who indicated a desire to use them in the coming year will be available in the Parish Hall during the month of December. Please pick up your envelopes when you come to church. December St. Zita s Guild Volunteers Altar Linens Ministry - 1 st Sunday Ann Kordenbrock 2 nd Sunday - Polly Stetler 3 rd Sunday - Jane Linebaugh 4 th Sunday - Ruth Delp Bulletin Board Ministry - Alison Vedder Hospitality Ministry Alison Vedder Kitchen Ministry Linda Just Need more information regarding St. Zita s Guild? Please contact me at ministrycoord@stjohnyork.org to find out what will fit your interest and your schedule. Thank you, Alison Vedder FROM THE PARISH REGISTER Baptism In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Landon Henry Farabaugh Death Unto God s gracious mercy we commend Barbara A. Wilhelm Catherine K. Small

6 P A G E 6 The account of the candy cane s origins circulates every Christmas season and is more likely a fun story than historical fact. No matter; tales often contain truth. This tasty treat can convey important elements of our Christian faith. The stripes remind us of the heart of Christmas, our Savior, Jesus: white for his purity; red for his blood shed on the cross. The candy cane resembles the curved staffs of the shepherds the first people to visit the Christ-Child and worship at the manger. And when the cane is turned upside down, it becomes a letter J, for Jesus. Indeed, Jesus turns our lives upside down and inverts our presumptions: A poor baby born in a stable becomes King of kings and Lord of lords; enemies aren t for hating but loving; blessings aren t for hoarding but sharing; the world works for war, but Jesus calls us to live in peace; giving is better than receiving; sinners are made saints; and death is conquered as God grants us eternal life. Building Project December will be a time for continuing work that was started in November. We expect to see the framework for the elevator and the new gathering space to be in place, and with any luck, our two buildings will be totally connected by the end of the year. Most of the new interior walls in the rest of the campus will have been installed, and work will continue on the new offices, nursery, and rest rooms on the first floor of the Education Building. Outside, our new vestibule and entrance--including the new walkway from North Beaver Street-- will be taking shape. Overall, December will be a very exciting month for us as we see the dream of making our campus more welcoming, accessible, and secure begin to take shape. Capital Campaign Update At this time, thanks to faithful parishioners making timely payments on their pledges, we have received approximately one million dollars of the 1.7 million pledged in a little less than two years. This is a tremendous return and powerful statement about our commitment to insure the future of this parish. As we near year-end and for tax deduction purposes, please remember that all contributions must be made by December 31 in order to qualify for this tax year. The more that we can pay down before a mortgage is started, the less interest the parish will pay in the long-term. If parishioners are in a position to pay their pledge off sooner, that is advantageous especially if there is an increase in interest rates. There are still naming opportunities available for many specific items in our construction project. As the new facilities become more of a reality, parishioners may wish to consider applying their current pledge, or increasing their pledge to accommodate a naming opportunity. A complete list of naming opportunities is available on the poster in the sanctuary and is also on the following page of this Advocate. New pledges will be gratefully accepted at any time. The more we can raise either through contributions or fund-raising means that much less we have to borrow. Please contact our Financial Administrator, Gina Keiser, for additional information regarding pledges or naming opportunities.

7 P A G E 7 Capital Campaign Naming Opportunities Chapel - $500,000 addition of an intimate, sacred Chapel; possible venue for alternative worship styles. Elevator - $300,000 integration of new elevator for accessibility to all levels. Renovation of Education/Office Bldg. - $200,000 reorganization and upgrades to the Education/Office Bldg.; including restrooms and new administrative offices. New Entry Vestibule to Education Building - $75,000 New Main Entry to the Church Complex; addition of simply detailed doorway and inviting entrance piece into the building. Parlor/library - $60,000 integration of new parlor and expansion of library area. New stair tower for Education Building - $50,000 new access stair at rear of the Education Building. Parish Hall finishes - $30,000 upgrades to the Parish Hall finishes; may include lighting, paint, window treatments, etc. Exterior lighting package - $20,000 creating a sense of safety around the church campus by upgrading existing exterior lighting and/or the addition of new site lighting. Archives Area - $15,000 relocation and expansion of archives area for housing historic and precious church documentation. Technology package - $15,000 provide capacity to stream services, record sermons, have scrolling video screens and enhance Christian Formation through technology. Landscaping package (other than Memorial Garden) - $15,000 enhancing the entry and forecourt of the church campus to improve the already inviting & natural landscape features. New maintenance equipment storage shed - $10,000 addition of new functional storage shed for larger pieces of maintenance equipment. Christian Formation Area finishes (carpet, paint, lighting) - $10,000 reorganization and upgrades to the Christian Formation Area finishes. Furnishing a room or office - $5,000 providing new furnishing for a specifically allocated space/ room. Courtyard features (fountain, benches, etc.) - $5,000 - $15,000 pending item chosen. Glass enclosed walkway connecting the two buildings -$35,000 creating an open natural walkway.

8 P A G E 8 Jennifer Morris, Director familyministry@stjohnyork.org Intergenerational Faith Formation meets in the Parish Hall 9:00 AM 9:45 AM On Sunday, November 29 (theme of HOPE and PREARATION), we will make Advent Wreaths. Please bring pruning shears and a wreath form if you have one. If you are able to donate greens, please bring them to the parish hall by 9 AM. On Sunday, December 6 (theme of PEACE and REMEMBERING), we will make Chrismons. Please bring cutting tools for foam and gold embellishments if you wish. On Sunday, December 13 (theme of JOY and GIVING), we will prepare gifts for home-bound members. On Sunday, December 20 (with a theme of LOVE), we will make gifts to share with friends. Parents, enjoy an adult dinner or head out for shopping while your children have fun at St. John. You can drop off and pick up anytime from 5:30 8:30. Please sign up on the church bulletin board or contact Jennifer Morris using the contact info in the top right corner of this page. Dinner will be provided for all attendees. Children are invited to take part in the Christmas Eve pageant. Parts will be assigned on November 29 for children to practice at home. Sign up on the bulletin board or contact Jennifer Morris. Upcoming Events: November 29 Advent Wreath making December 6 Chrismons & St. Nicholas Visit December 11 2nd Friday Parents Night Out December 12 Breakfast with Dad December 13 & 20 Gift Assembly December 24 Christmas Eve Pageant Saturday, December 12, 9-10:30 AM Formerly known as All Pro Dad, we welcome you to join us and our friends from York Academy for our first breakfast of this school year. Dad s, grandfathers and uncles are welcome to bring the kids to have breakfast and participate in activities. We will hold a program renaming contest for this event. St. John Episcopal Church (717)