Wonderful Wednesday

There is no Wonderful Wednesday program tonight.

Christmas Eve Services

Saturday, December 24, 2005
6:00 p.m. A service with young children in mind
Carols, Communion, and the Christmas story.
(Childcare available)
Hot Chocolate served in the Hall following the service.

10:45 p.m. Choir, Communion, Midnight Lighting of the Christ Candle.
Hot Chocolate served before the service at 10:15 p.m. in the Hall

Christmas Day Service

Sunday, December 25, 2005
Blessing of the Toys
10:30 a.m. Worship Service Only
Children are encouraged to bring a toy.

New Year's Day Service

Sunday, January 1, 2006
All ages will join together during the Sunday School hour for a Pot-Luck Brunch 9:15 a.m. in the Hallway

Joseph’s Story, presented by David Cameron 9:45 a.m. in the Conference Room

Helping Children with Loss

On December 14, 2005, Nancy Robinson, Ph.D. led a special session for parents, Sunday school teachers, and other caring adults that dealt with the topic of helping children cope with loss. If you missed that session, you may download a copy of the information presented.

2005 Apportionments

We need your help to achieve our goal of paying 100% of our apportionments. To date, we have paid 72% of our apportionments for 2005. The following shows the amount we still owe in each category:
Conference/District Totals$13810.75
General Church/World Outreach$8284.00
South central Jurisdictional$1731.00
Total$23825.75

Please consider making a special year end gift to help us meet our goal. See the next section concerning our Angel Tree to see how you can choose an area to sponsor.

Angel Tree

Serving God Through United Methodist Connectional Giving

Through apportionments, United Methodists combine “our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service” to make a significant difference in the lives of God’s people…in every place we can…as often as we can. Please “adopt” an angel from the angel tree and give the amount designated on the angel to help St. John’s successfully complete our 2005 apportionment givings.

World Service Fund

  • Network of missionaries
  • Evangelism efforts, stimulate church growth, expand Bible studies, nurture spiritual development
  • Worship, retreat and camping resources, leadership development and stewardship training
  • Leadership and coordination for denominational youth ministry
  • Commitment to higher education
  • Lay leaders education and professional support
  • Program of chaplain certification
  • Certify UM professional Christian educators, communicators and musicians
  • Advocate and help build a just world.
  • Fund our denomination’s presence in the mass media
  • Support ministries of peace and justice and efforts to build a truly inclusive church and a society
    General Administration Fund
  • Administrative oversight and fiscal accountability
  • Legislative work of General Conference
  • Work of the Judicial Council
  • United Methodism’s official documents and historical artifacts
  • Historical shrines, landmarks and sites
    Black College Fund
  • Challenging academic programs, strong faculties and well-equipped buildings
  • Create vibrant spiritual environments
  • Encourage pride and self-esteem
  • Prepare and educate people for the new global and technological world
  • Strive for academic excellence based on the Christian perspective of community service and social responsibility
    Interdenominational Cooperation Fund
  • Enable United Methodists to have an effective presence in the following ecumenical organizations
    --Churches Uniting in Christ
    --World Methodist Council
    --Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation
    --World Council of Churches
    --National Council of Churches
  • Provide the U.M. share of budgets for those organizations
  • Fund participation of UM representatives at meetings of these organizations

    Share the Warmth Tree

    In the Spirit of giving, you are invited to bring scarves, gloves, caps, socks, and underwear of all sizes to share with families in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. You may put them on the "Share the Warmth Tree" that is located in the hall by the sanctuary.

    Food Parade for St. John’s Pantry

    The food parade for our pantry will be Sunday, January 1. It is appropriate that we can celebrate the Epiphany by bringing food to the altar to feed those in need. This can be a remembrance of the Magi bringing their gifts to the baby Jesus.
    We are seeing such a growth in numbers of those who are experiencing hunger, many asking for the first time. Your gifts are appreciated.

    "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
    - Matthew 25:40

    UMY News

    Youth Events
    December 25 -- No Youth: Merry Christmas!
    January 1 -- No Youth: Happy New Year!
    January 8 -- Black-eyed Peas and New Year’s Resolutions