St. John’s Episcopal Church Woodward, Oklahoma St. John’s HAPPENINGS Volume 15 Number 137 december 2010 st. john’s Episcopal church The Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny, D.Div ; Bishop The Rev. Mary A. Davis, M Div. Vicar Woody Leonard, M. ME Organist Bishop’ s Committee Vicki Johnson . Sr. Warden Owen Nelson .... Jr. Warden Robert Colclasure … Treasurer Linda Harrison .... Clerk Hugh Jones Marcia Phillips Tina Bouse The Vicar’s Visionings Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ; From Winter Song, Christmas Readings by Madeleine L’Engle & Luci Shaw “A Living Metaphor “ In the Incarnation, Christ became a living metaphor – the Word. Jesus took the risk of reducing himself to what we could see and touch and listen to, a living message that bridged the huge communication gap between deity and humankind.” Luci Shaw For Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, for the disciples, the poor and marginalized, for the followers, for the adversaries, for you and me – Jesus became human in order that the people could see and touch and listen to the living message, the Word of God. God so loved the world that God’s desire was that people of all generations would come to understand and live into that abundant and life-giving love, freely and with passion. What are we willing to risk to bridge that communication gap between deity and humankind, to receive this gift of love? We are entering the season of Advent – a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. How will we prepare ourselves for this gift of all gifts? It is not a gift that will be wrapped and handed to us. It is not tangible. This gift is the One we receive in our hearts with humility and grace. It is the most amazing, outrageous, glorious gift we will ever receive. It is the gift you will not grow out of, but grow into. It is the gift you will have with you as long as you live. It is the gift we are to share with others. We are to receive this gift with humility and joy as Joseph and Mary did, knowing it is not for us to keep or to save, but to pass on in all of its greatness to all of God’s people. Come to worship these next four Sundays and prepare yourself to receive God’s love and joy. Come to worship the Christ Child on Christmas. Faithfully yours in Christ; Find St. John’s on the web at: http://stjohnsepiscopalchurch.episcopaloklahoma.org
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PAGE 2 St. John’s HAPPENINGS
St. John’s Episcopal Church Woodward, Oklahoma
St. John’s HAPPENINGS
Volume 15 Number 137 december 2010
st. john’s
Episcopal
church
The Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny,
D.Div ; Bishop
The Rev. Mary A. Davis, M Div.
Vicar
Woody Leonard, M. ME Organist
Bishop’s
Committee
Vicki Johnson .
Sr. Warden
Owen Nelson ....
Jr. Warden
Robert Colclasure …
Treasurer
Linda Harrison .... Clerk
Hugh Jones
Marcia Phillips
Tina Bouse
The Vicar’s Visionings
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ;
From Winter Song, Christmas Readings by Madeleine L’Engle & Luci Shaw
“A Living Metaphor “
In the Incarnation, Christ became a living metaphor – the Word. Jesus took the risk of reducing himself to what we could see and touch and listen to, a living message that bridged the huge communication gap between deity and humankind.” Luci Shaw
For Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, for the disciples, the poor and
marginalized, for the followers, for the adversaries, for you and me – Jesus became
human in order that the people could see and touch and listen to the living message, the
Word of God.
God so loved the world that God’s desire was that people of all generations would
come to understand and live into that abundant and life-giving love, freely and with
passion. What are we willing to risk to bridge that communication gap between deity
and humankind, to receive this gift of love?
We are entering the season of Advent – a time of preparation for the coming of the
Christ Child. How will we prepare ourselves for this gift of all gifts? It is not a gift
that will be wrapped and handed to us. It is not tangible.
This gift is the One we receive in our hearts with humility and grace. It is the most
amazing, outrageous, glorious gift we will ever receive. It is the gift you will not grow
out of, but grow into. It is the gift you will have with you as long as you live. It is the
gift we are to share with others.
We are to receive this gift with humility and joy as Joseph and Mary did, knowing it is
not for us to keep or to save, but to pass on in all of its greatness to all of God’s people.
Come to worship these next four Sundays and prepare yourself to receive God’s love
and joy. Come to worship the Christ Child on Christmas.
Faithfully yours in Christ;
Find St. John’s on the web at: http://stjohnsepiscopalchurch.episcopaloklahoma.org
Dec 10, 17 – Rev. Mary in Norman
Dec. 5 – Sunday -- Bishop’s Committee – Parish Hall Dec. 1, 8 – Rev. Mary meets with youth – 7:00 pm Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 10:30 pm Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10:30 am Dec. 26 Lessons & Carols 9:30 am
Important Dates to
Remember
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS~ still on the unit of “Talking with God”. Lesson 4 - Is “The Talking Donkey” . Lesson 5 – is “Jesus Talks and Listens To God.” Lesson 6 – “Show Down On Mount Carmel.” ARTS & CRAFTS are also done weekly. Joshua & Jacob Bouse have started Karate. Trenton Judkins just finished soccer.
The YOUTH will meet with Rev. Mary on Wednesday,
Dec 1st & 8th @ 7:00p.m.
YOUTH Corner
Robert Colclasure, Frank and Vicki Johnson,
Hugh Jones, Peg Mullins, Owen Nelson, T. Z. Wright
who gave a Sunday afternoon and worked on the fence
and trimmed tress at the Vicarage. Peg and
Lindsay Judkins and Owen who went back a couple
more times to finish up the work.
Women’s Group who put the ad in the paper
during Pastor Recognition Month. I appreciate your
thoughtfulness.
Darlene and Bob Westenhaver for cracking the
pecan shells. There is going to be some delicious
pecan pie served using those nuts.
With a Grateful Heart
to:
Heart
To:
budget report for OCTOBER 2010
Previous Month Operating Balance $1,519.71
Income $7,575.78
Expenses $ 7,519.65
Operating Balance $1,575.84
Invoices Outstanding $0.00
Deposits Outstanding $0.00
Gift Account $5,667.99 Mutual Ministry Support Now calculated from previous months’ income; X’s 18.5%
Saints & Sinners
November’s “Fiesta” was hosted by Frank &
Vicki Johnson. We had many wonderful Mexican dishes.
The Mambo Margaritas were just the best!!!
celebrate the season at
Marcia & Lavern Phillip’s home at # 70 Country Oaks on
Saturday, December 4th at 6:00 p.m. No need to bring
anything, except a small monetary gift for the Guild of
the Christ Child if you wish. RSVP: Regrets Only, 256-
1501.
Reminder The altar flowers and Sanctus candle are symbols of
our life together. They provide beauty and the candle
remains lit throughout the week representing the
presence of the Eucharist in the tabernacle. The
flowers are $20.00 (for both vases) and the candle is
$5.00 per week. Envelopes are in the pews for your
giving.
The drawing for the ipad will be held on : SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2010
PAGE 3 St. John’s HAPPENINGS
St. John’s Women’s NEWS We will be giving our Cleaning group from OARC a Christmas Party again this year and Sue Heinsohn will be in charge. She will need lots of help. If you would like to help, please contact Sue. She will need treats, prizes and help the day of. A date has not been set yet. We are now selling pecans , $8.50 for a 1 lb. bag. Tell Darlene Westenhaver how many you need, and sell some to
your friends too.
We voted to continue our “Birthday in a Bag” for the children who are (sadly) at the Northwest Domestic Crisis Center
Shelter on their birthday. We hope to bring them a bit of cheer. We furnish the things so mom can give her child a
“party”. We furnish the ingredients for her to bake a cake, we also furnish paper goods and party favors.
Food for thought: : From Winter Song Christmas Readings by Madeleine L’Engle and Luci Shaw.
“A Galaxy, A Baby The birth of my own babies (every woman’s Christmas) shows me that the power which staggers with its splendor is a power of love, particular love. Surely it takes no more creative concentration to make a galaxy that a baby. And surely the greatest strength of all is this loving willingness to be weak, to share, to give utterly.”
Christmas Poinsettias
Order your Poinsettias for decorating the Altar for Christmas. If you would like to give towards this, simply clip the form below and put it in an envelope with your payment. ------------------------------------------------------------------ CUT HERE-------------------------------------------------------------- I will buy_______(# of plants) @ $20.00 each for a total of: $____________CASH or $_____________CHECK (Please mark your envelope as ‘Poinsettias’. Make checks payable to: St. John’s) Please fill in your intention below….as you would like it printed in our Christmas Bulletin) Given By:___________________________________________
The Adult Study will take a brief break during the Season of Advent from their study on the Book of Acts to learn the meaning and symbolism of the Advent Wreath. The group meets Tuesdays at 11:00 am. You are welcome to join. They will continue the Acts study after Advent.
PAGE 4 St. John’s HAPPENINGS
Schedule for Greeters, Chalicist, Lector, Crucifer
Greeter(s) for DECEMBER ~ LaVertta Kinney / Backup – Linda Harrison
U
Date Service Chalicist: Lector: Crucifer: Fellowship Host(s):
12/5 HE II Debbi Lawrence Leona. Reeg Haylee Bates Mae Beth. Bird
12/12 HE II (T.Z. Plays) Randy Myers Vicki Johnson Travis Coyer Shirley & Jim Ruble
12/19 HE I Jim Gorton Woody Leonard Mae Beth Bird OPEN
12/24 HE II Sue Heinsohn T.Z. Wright Darlene Westenhaver
12/26 A Service of Lessons & Carols (Readers to be announced) Marcia & Lavern Phillips
Birthdays for DECEMBER Anniversaries for DECEMBER
12/4 Linda Harrison
12/4 Marguerite Wilson
12/7 Joshua Bouse
12/7 Mac Benbrook
12/8 Robert Colcalsure 12/9 Bud & Shirleinne Jennings
12/20 Jim Bird
12/20 Jim Ruble
12/22 Travis Jon Coyer 12/26 LaVern & Marcia Phillips
12/ 5 Leona Reeg ~ For God’s healing touch for Steve’s surgery & recovery 12/12 Leona Reeg ~ For God’s healing touch for Steve’s surgery & recovery 12/19 Leona Reeg ~ For God’s healing touch for Steve’s surgery & recovery 12/26 Leona Reeg ~ For God’s healing touch for Steve’s surgery & recovery
