ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MARCH 2015 OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI St. John’s Episcopal Church December 2017 Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Phone: 228-875-4454 Website: stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org

The Grapev ine

Christmas at St. John’s

St. Nicholas Celebration

Wednesday, December 6

5:30 pm - Healing Service

6:00 pm - Wonderful Wednesday Supper

Here we go a-caroling

Sunday Evening, December 17

4:00 pm Meet at the church at 3:45. RSVP appreciated

After caroling, share a simple meal.

Christmas Eve Celebrations

Sunday Evening, December 24

4:00 pm The Christmas Pageant – Family Service with Holy Eucharist.

No incense.

8:00 pm Prelude begins at 7:45 pm Featuring Intermezzo String Quartet

Holy Eucharist begins at 8:00 pm. No incense.

11:00 pm Carol Service begins at 10:30. Featuring Intermezzo String Quartet and St.John’s

Chancel Choir. Holy Eucharist begins at 11:00 pm. With incense.

Christmas Day

The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Monday morning, December 25

11:00 am Holy Eucharist. No incense.

Spanish Lessons Contact The Rev. Margarita Swetman for more information 228-273-2425. Donations to Spanish-speaking ministry gratefully accepted. Jackson County Pet Shelter Please consider donating the following items to the Jackson County Pet Shelter: Clorox Bleach, Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Dawn Dish Soap, Animal Shampoo, Liquid Laundry Soap, Paper Towels, Newspaper; and Food—Dogs (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Puppies (Purina, Pedigree, Beneful), Cats (Purina, 9 Lives, Friskies, Meow Mix), Kittens (Purina). For more information about the Jackson County Pet Shelter contact Jill Roth.

St. John’s

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g . . .

H a p p e n i n g

Merry Widows The Merry Widows

meet on the first Friday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Contact Martha Thompson to RSVP at 228-875-7331.

St. John’s Christmas Pageant

The Christmas Pageant will be presented by our children and youth on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. Sign up forms are in the Parish Hall, or call the church office, (228) 875-4454. Children ages 3 through high school are welcome to participate. The sign up forms help us with planning. There will always be a place for friends and family to participate at the last minute, but the primary participants need to be identified early so we have costumes ready. We need singers, instrumentalists, readers, angels, stars, shepherds, stable animals, wise men, and a holy family. Practices will take place on the following Sundays, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thank you! Katherine Kingren (502) 608-3785.

Here we come a caroling… St John’s Parishioners will be out and about December 17. Everyone is invited to come along. We will sing our way from house to house carrying goody baskets and spreading holiday cheer. Father Charles and Deacon Healy will be on hand to offer communion to our less mobile members as we all share Christmas. Come join us. Sharing Christmas is fun! Be at church at 3:45. We will leave around four and be back by 6 to enjoy supper together. A sign up sheet is in the Parish Hall.

CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

St. Mary’s Guild Christmas Cakes

The St. Mary’s Guild will be preparing their Christmas rum cakes for sale. The cost is $25 and it is suggested that you place your

order early. There will be a sign up sheet in the parish hall to order your cake, please make sure to include your phone number.

Angel Tree for Needy Families

St. John’s has “adopted” 25 families in need of assistance this holiday season. Please see the table in the parish hall set up by

Darlene Stuart for details on how you or your group can help with this special holiday opportunity.

Coffee Hour Sunday Coffee Hours

are the perfect time to meet new and old friends. We host two coffee hours every Sunday morning: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Come to coffee hour and greet newcomers and meet parishioners who attend a different service.

Nursery Nursery Care is

available for young children on Sundays during the 9:00 a.m. worship service, Adult Bible Study (or, Adult Forum), and the 11:15 a.m. worship service.

Nursery Care is also

available during the Wednesday evening, 5:30 p.m. worship service.

The “Joy” Room next to

the nursery has live video and audio of the service for parents with unhappy babies.

St. John’s

Children’s Chapel Children’s Chapel is held during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service each week. Children process to the Children’s Chapel during the “Sequence Hymn” (the hymn that follows the second lesson). All preschool and elementary school age children are invited to attend Children’s Chapel.

Center ing Prayer Centering Prayer meets

on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Sharon Manuel at 229-9307.

Ha ppe n i n g Mis s ion , Min i s t ry . . .

Volunteer Receptionists Needed

There is a need for volunteer receptionists on Tuesday,

Thursday and Friday afternoons. You may choose to work a four-hour shift or a two-hour shift. Duties include answering the phone, greeting visitors, running

bulletins, etc..

If you have a few free hours in your week to spend with us at the church please contact Father Charles.

Thank you for your consideration.

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g

Bel l Choir St. John’s Bell Choir meets on a variable schedule. For more information about St. John’s Bell Choir, contact Martha Thompson at 228-875-7331. Wonderfu l Wednesdays Wonderful Wednesday Dinner Volunteers. Eight teams of volunteers rotate preparing dinner for “Wonderful Wednesdays” at St. John’s. For more information call Melissa Johnson at 228-239-1235 or Cecil George Smith at 228-424-6899. Morning Prayer While many say Morning Prayer as a private devotion, it is designed to be prayed in community. If you have never prayed Morning Prayer in community, St. John’s is offering you an opportunity to do so. Join us at St. John's, any morning, Tuesday through Friday, at 9:15 a.m. for Morning Prayer.

St. John’s

Thursday Theology Group Thursday Theology Group with the Rev. Harold Roberts meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in the Kindness Room on the second floor of our education center. For more information contact the Rev. Harold Roberts: 228-380-4700. Second and Fourth Thursday 2:00 p.m.

The Lord i s My Help St. John’s is responsible for volunteers for The Lord is My Help on a rotating schedule. Our next week is Jan. 1st – 5th. If you can volunteer, contact Peggy Butera (228-875-7049) or Jim Lancaster.

St. Luke’s Guild St. Luke’s Guild normally meets

on the third Thursday of the month for their monthly potluck dinner. This month the group will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 6th at the home of Shelia Turner (365-6069), 105 Linnet Drive – 7pm. St. Luke’s is composed of ladies from St. John’s and the community who meet for fellowship and support our preschool. Everyone is invited - come make a new friend.

H a p p e n i n g

Samaritan’s House Sunday, December 3rd is “First Sunday of the Month”. Theme: Cajun Christmas! Red beans, Rice and grits… Let’s fill the shopping cart to over flowing in gratitude for all our blessings. Monetary gifts accepted as well.

Happening

Ultreya & Curs i l lo Prayer Groups

• Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Rawls Room.

• Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Foley Ranson’s Office.

• The third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the parish hall.

• Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the Rawls Room.

• Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Pat Spear’s home

• The Ultreya meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. For more information about Ultreya and Cursillo Prayer Groups at St. John’s, contact Lena Melton (219-9711) or Foley Ranson (990-5548).

St. John’s M i s s i o n , M i n i s t r y

Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study with the Rev. Bruno Schroeder meets in the Kindness Room on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. Rev. Schroeder’s Wednesday morning bible study is on summer hiatus. For more information contact Bruno Schroeder at 228-697-3376.

Daughters of the King

The Daughters of the King meet on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact Ginny Dugaw (360-661-0691) or Kay Cox (228-239-9275) for more information about the Daughter’s of the King.

Heal ing Serv ice Public Service of Healing

with Anointing and the Holy Eucharist is held each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Nursery care available during the worship service. Worship service is followed with dinner in the parish hall.

Flowers and Lamps Did you know? There are

weekly opportunities throughout the year to remember those you love – either in memory or in thanksgiving. Altar Flowers are $50, Madonna Flowers are $25, and Lamps are $6.

Sign-up in the Parish Hall.

Spanish Language Holy Euchar is t

Spanish Language Holy Eucharist meets Sunday evening at 4:00 p.m.: Our Spanish-language service with the Rev. Margarita Swetman; brings together communities and cultures to celebrate God in the Episcopal tradition.

R E Q U E S T S F O R P R A Y E R

There are two prayer lists kept at St. John’s. (1) the prayer list that is regularly published for the entire

congregation kept by the parish office (2) the confidential prayer list kept by the Daughters of the King. Requests for the published prayer list can be made or renewed by

use of the notebook in the vestibule, by note, or by phone, or by text, or by email.

Phone or text: 228-238-7010. Email: charles.hawkins@me.com For a month’s time your requested prayer will be published by the

parish for the prayer of the entire congregation. Prayers requested for the sick, will also be offered verbally each week at the Public Service of Healing with the Holy Eucharist and Anointing with Oil.

L e a r n i n g , S e r v i n g

St. John’s H a p p e n i n g

I Am A Newcomer…

Smile at me as I walk in the door. You are my first impression of the church, during the first few moments I am in your building, and this first impression will probably stay with me a long time. Won’t you please…

• Help me find my place in the service?

• Speak to me during the coffee hour?

• Tell me good things about your church and your priest?

• Notice me – even if I’m not a “family”?

• Talk to me again the second week when I come back?

• Invite me to become part of some church group or organization?

If you can find it in your heart to do these things for me, I will come back, the second Sunday, the third, and maybe forever. I will worship with you, join the choir, teach in your church school, contribute to your canvass, and become a highly involved member of your church and, in so doing, I will find my own life immeasurably enriched as a result of having become a part of your community. (Written by the Rev. Christopher Chamberlain Moore, reprinted in the Anglican Digest and The Cross and Crown, All Saints Episcopal Church, Tupelo) Newcomer Committee: Carolyn Sanders, Max Hewish and Cindy Johnson

worship.together Wiggles are welcome at St. John’s! An instructional and very informal Holy Eucharist with a bible lesson appropriate for small children is being offered at St. John’s at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The experience is a “Holy Commotion!” It is noisy and wiggly and delightful! While children are always welcome at all the worship services at St. John’s, and many families have found the 9:00 a.m. worship service particularly hospitable for children, St. John’s so wants the spiritual needs of families with small children to be met, that St. John’s is now offering yet another worship service “just for kids” (and those that love them) that is even more informal and intentionally designed for the youngest (or young at heart) amongst us.

St. John’s Outreach Thanks to St John’s November “First Sunday of the Month” food collection, 56 families served by Samaritan Food Pantry received a complete Thanksgiving meal. The Outreach Committee is THANKFUL for everyone who donated. December 3rd, is the next “First Sunday of the Month” collection. It’s a Cajun Christmas! Rice, beans and grits.

Updating the Parish Directory

The parish directory is on the ministries table in the parish hall. Please look over your information and be sure it is correct and let us know whether or not you prefer your information to be published. The new directory will be published in January/February as soon as the updated data is collected. You may contact Debbie Miner – debbie.miner@yahoo.com if you have any questions or concerns.

EYC meets once a month at one of the member parishes. EYC-East Gulf Coast is a ministry of Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi; St. Mark's, Gulfport; and St. John's, Ocean Springs. All Middle School and High School age youth are invited. For additional details, contact Luke Gautier at 228-617-0905.

Sundays, Once-a-Month 4:30 p.m.

Happening

St. John’s M i s s i o n , M i n i s t r y

Music Welcome to Wonderful Wednesdays Our cooks are planning delicious meals for you to enjoy. The company is welcoming and the atmosphere light. Children are especially invited December 6. St. Nicholas of Myra will meet children at the 5:30 service to share stories of his life and work. St Nicholas, the patron saint of children, is remembered for leaving surprises in their shoes! Not to worry! The parish hall will be toasty and warm should little ones leave their shoes for St Nicholas and eat barefooted! Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? A song you want to sing? Cynthia Ramseur will be taking requests. She will guide us through familiar and not-so-familiar Christmas music December 27. Fill your tummies then loosen your vocal chords on Dec. 27. We will have music and merriment all around. Come and join the fun!

Rector’s Class Tentative

Schedule for 2018 Thursday evenings – 6:15 p.m.

January 11 - Introduction to the Hymnal January 18 - A Short History of the Interpretation of the Bible January 25 - On the Polity of the Episcopal Church February 1 - New Vestry Member Orientation February 8 - On Confession February 15 - Bonhoeffer Film February 22 - A History of Christianity 1 March 1 - A History of Christianity 2 March 8 - A History of Christianity 3 March 15 - A History of Christianity 4 March 22 - On Holy Week March 29 - MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE April 5 - A History of Christianity 5

CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office 705 Rayburn Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

telephone: 228-875-4454 fax: 228-875-4485

email: stjohnsosms@cableone.net website: www.stjohnsoceansprings.dioms.org

Clergy

Rector, Charles Hawkins - 228-238-7010 – charles.hawkins@me.com Deacon, Linda Healy

Deacon, Jim Lancaster - 228-380-0775 Priest for Hispanic Ministries, Margarita Swetman

Vestry

David Grigsby (2018) – Treasurer– 228-282-0681 Cindy Johnson (2018) – Outreach – 314-616-4622

Lena Melton (2018) –Worship – 228-219-9711 Darlene Stuart (2018) – Christian Education – 228-374-8325

Gail Bishop (2019) – Sr. Warden – 601-454-4251 Judy Krecker (2019) – Worship, Preschool – 228-806-0318

Debbie Miner (2019) – Clerk – 228-424-0143 Margaret Reynolds (2019) – Finance – 228-875-2759

Marty Capalbo (2020) – Building & Grounds – 228-872-2965 Henry Furr – Jr. Warden – (228) 219-3921

Bonnie Luft – Parish Life — (228) 547-7424 Maraya Slaff – Christian Education – (831) 241-1582

Administrative Assistant to the Rector

martha.stjohns.osms@gmail.com

Organist and Choirmaster Cynthia Ramseur – choirmaster.stjohns.osms@gmail.com - 228-282-5000

Sexton

Stuart Smith

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Office Volunteers

Charlie Clark, Ginny Dugaw, Flinda Hill, Bonnie Luft, Debbie Miner, Cecil George Smith, and Darlene Stuart.

MUSIC NOTES - December 2017 Advent is rich with favorite hymns, stories and imagery. Since I didn’t grow up in a liturgical tradition, it has taken a good many years for me to internalize, understand and fully appreciate the importance of preparing my heart to receive the Christ Child: getting ready to receive love, joy and peace. There are several special services and musical celebrations in December:

v Sung Morning Prayer on Fridays of Advent: December 8, 15 and 22. At 9:15am. Rite II. The Rev. Linda Healy, officiant; Wilse Manning and Cynthia Ramseur, cantors.

v Sundays in Advent include special Advent anthems: December 3 – 9:00 Chancel, Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs with Todd Fayard, piano; 11:15 Sarah Beth Heard, vocalist, and Pam Heard, flutist. December 10 – 9:00 Chancel Choir; 10:15 Cherub Choir; 11:15 Pam Heard, flutist. December 17 – 9:00 Chancel Choir; 11:15, Kaye Roze, soloist and St. John’s Handbell Choir.

v Here-We-Go-a-Caroling , Sunday, December 17. Meet at the church at 3:45 to organize and depart in groups to sing Christmas Carols for shut-ins. Followed by a simple supper. Please sign up – Parish Hall Ministry Table.

v Wednesday, December 27 at 5:30. On the Third Day of Christmas – After the 5:30 healing service, along with Three French Hens, Wonderful Wednesday Supper will include a Christmas Sing-a-long led by Marjorie Williams, pianist. Come celebrate and sing for the fun of it!

Sunday, December 24

v Advent 4: This year, the calendar makes way for both Advent 4 and Christmas Eve on the same day! There will only be one Sunday morning service at 10:00am: Said service – Rite 2.

v Christmas Eve Celebrations: 4:00pm – The annual Christmas Pageant followed by Holy Eucharist. There is nothing more precious than experiencing the Christmas Story told by our children! No incense. Prelude with youth musicians will begin at 3:45.

v 8:00 pm, Holy Eucharist Rite II features the Intermezzo String Quartet from Hattiesburg and soloist Kaye Roze. No incense. Prelude begins at 7:45 pm.

v 11:00 pm, Holy Eucharist Rite II features the Intermezzo String Quartet and St. John’s Chancel Choir. With incense. As is St. John’s tradition, the choir and string quartet will present a prelude of Christmas Carols, starting at 10:30.

v Monday, December 24 Christmas Day: The Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ – one service at 10:00 am. Sunday, December 31, the first Sunday after Christmas Day. St. John’s tradition is Christmas Lessons and Carols at the 9:00 and 11:15 services.

Wonderful Wednesday December 2017-January 2018 Dec 6 Darlene Stuart kdstuart152@cableone.net 347-8325 or 365-6246, Bonnie Luft 875-8553 (h) 547-7424, Harriet Perry harrietperry@bellsouth.net 875-2713, Max Hewish cmaxhewish@bellsouth.net 228 875 7932, Carolyn Sanders carolynsanders1cj@gmail.com 228547 5337, Ellen Wilkie 850 341 8160 Dec 13 Anne Williams annfwilliams@cableone.net 324-2203, Skip Baxter skip.baxter@yahoo.com 228-324-0306, Branda Baxter 228-326-2120, Mike Cuevas 228-493-4002, Dec 20 Stuart Smith stuartabcsmith@yahoo.com 508-371-6812, Cynthia Ramseur cynthram@bellsouth.net 282-5000, Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com 282-0155, Lisa Greenberg 619 0055, Flinda Hill* 228 238-7650, Charlie Clark cmackeyclark@gmail.com 875-1343, Gail Bishop lgbishopos@gmail.com 601-454-4251, Carolyn Whitehead whitehead1962@gmail.com 601248 8530, Evelyn Dorn adorn2-ed@yahoo.com 228 261 2777 Dec 27 Becky Stanley becagrand1@hotmail.com 282-0155, Steve Miner steveminer@yahoo.com 228-424-0145, Debbie Miner debbie.miner@yahoo.com 228-324-8317, Millie Page milliepage@gmail.com 228 324 8317,Cindy Johnson cindysjohnson79@gmail.com 314-616- 4622, Elva O’Brian 228-760-7717, Barbara Ackerman barbaraackerman@cableone.net 228 547 1107, Marcia Blevens mblevens@bellsouth.net 228 324 7696, Tish Machado, machadowayne@gmail.com 504-220-2838 January 3 Melissa Johnson melissadjl@gmail.com 239-1235, Rhonda Yegerlehner 238-8132, Linda Schroeder lbsms@aol.com 875-8173, C.G. Smith, cgsmith1945@yahoo.com 424-6899, Alta Mereo themereos@gmail.com 282-0196, Jeanne Grigsby jgrigsby68@gmail.com 875-8513 Shelia Muzzy* bmuzz@aol.com 985-707-3912 Jan 10 Lee Armstrong lee_armstrong@co.jackson.ms.us 238-3556, Toni Norman 365 9598, Margarita Swetman 228-273-2425, Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com 228-281-3768, Jean Holder deveene@att.net 228 875 4921, Jean Hanlin robertkhanlin@bellsouth.net 282 3386, Barbara Barrilleaux 228 297 0880 Jan 17 Leah Snyder eastbeach@cableone.net 806-9481, Lynn Rich lynnrich1098@gmail.com 228-281-3768, Rhonda Yegerlehner 238-8132, Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com 228-238- 4230, Glenn Huff huffrg@yahoo.com 228-875-1762, Shelia Turner sheilak1603@cableone.net 228-365-6069, Martha Brown martha.stjohns.osms@gmail.com 228-669-8612, Rick Fortenberry 818 7394 Jan 24 Lena Melton drlena2@gmail.com 219-9711 or 875-8480, Gloria Richmond gloriarichmond1940@yahoo.com 238-0108, Lisa Baker lbaker@ossdms.org 282-3733, Jean Hanlin robertkhanlin@bellsouth.net 282-3386, Lynda Knight lynd_knight@yahoo.com 875-4896, Jo Anne Calhoun drjocalhoun@yahoo.com 875-8928, Meribeth Hopper 875-7157, Kate Penrose irmadukate@hotmail.com 282-9332, Merrill Markham merrill73@yahoo.com 257-0391, Bill Schaum 872-4024, Virginia Montgomery mvmonty@gmail.com 228-238-4230, Pat Spear patspear1@att.net 228 218 0565, Wilse Manning wilsedm@bellsouth.net 228 243 6255, Jan 31 Darlene Stuart kdstuart152@cableone.net 347-8325 or 365-6246, Bonnie Luft 875-8553 (h) 547-7424, Harriet Perry harrietperry@bellsouth.net 875-2713, Max Hewish cmaxhewish@bellsouth.net 228 875 7932, Carolyn Sanders carolynsanders1cj@gmail.com 228547 5337, Feb 7 Anne Williams annfwilliams@cableone.net 324-2203, Skip Baxter skip.baxter@yahoo.com 228-324-0306, Branda Baxter 228-326-2120, Mike Cuevas 228-493-4002, Anne Driebergen 826-3859 comes most Wednesdays to help with the salad. * indicates a possible substitute. Please ask for help twenty-four hours ahead.

PRAYING IT FORWARD

A Capital Campaign for St. John’s $725,000 - goal $726,704 – pledged (142 pledges) $580,438– paid on pledges (through November 27, 2017) $144,562 to go

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Year-to-Date Report: November 2017 Actuals vs. Budget Tithes, Offerings, etc.: $307,480.78 $330,666.80 Expenses: $319,299.22 $360,325.75

2018 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

So far we have received 131 pledges, which total $336,241.00.

Mailing Address

Grapevine St. John’s St. John’s Episcopal Church 705 Rayburn Avenue Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Electronic Service Requested

MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION STATEMENT

Mission Statement. We will know, love and serve God, be renewed by His Spirit and share Christ. Vision Statement. Inspired by Christ, we will strive for spiritual maturity to attain a greater knowledge of

God’s divine plan. We will embrace those seeking spiritual renewal and growth. We will offer a diversity of programs and worship to fulfill the needs of all ages and backgrounds. We will be responsive to the changing needs of our Parish and world community. We will develop facilities to support our Vision Statement.