Saturday, December 27, 2008

St. John's Feast Day

Today is the feast day of St. John, who our church is named after. He is the saint who wrote the Gospel according to John (which we will read from on Sunday), the epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. Read more about him here.

The Christmas Celebration Continues...

In churches such as ours, the centuries-old Christian calendar has the Christmas season *starting* with the birth of Christ (December 25 in the modern calendar) and continuing until The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. So come to church at St. John's tomorrow and next Sunday for the continuing celebration of Christmas in songs, Scriptures, and prayers.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Eucharist 8:00 pm


We welcome all people to celebrate the coming of Christ on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 8:00 pm. We offer a service of Bible readings, prayers, traditional Christmas songs, and Communion. At St. John's (as in all Episcopal churches) any baptized Christian is invited to receive Communion. We're looking forward to sharing our celebration of Jesus' birth with you!

The weather forecast shows rain tonight, nothing frozen, so you can come worship with us and get home safely.

From the people of St. John's, have a blessed Christmas!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Father Mark Moore Interviewed in the Bee

There's a great interview with Father Mark in the December 11 issue of the Newtown Bee. It's not online yet as of December 16, maybe next week.

New Flooring

Thanks to the generosity of some parishioners, we have new nonslip flooring in the side hallway and stairs and new tile in the bathroom. Both look great and are much appreciated!

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Organic Fair & Cafe Sat. Dec. 6

The Organic Fair & Cafe will take place on Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm downstairs (the Undercroft) at St. John's. Vendors from the Organic Farmers' Market will have crafts, preserves, and some winter veggies for sale. Soup and donuts are on the menu.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

An anonymous volunteer has done both our spring and fall yard cleanups at St. John's. We parishioners have been pleasantly surprised and really appreciate the helping hand during these high workload seasons. If this kind person or someone who knows them reads this blog, please pass along our thanks.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Anglican Hit Parade

Results of a communion-wide online poll from 2002 on the one hymn you'd take to a desert island.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Holy Eucharist this Fall!

Father Mark Moore of Monroe will be joining us and leading us in the service of Holy Eucharist on Sundays. Our last regularly scheduled Morning Prayer is Sunday, August 31. Come worshop with us on September 7 and helps us give Father Moore a great welcome!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Farmers' Market Starts Tuesday

The Sandy Hook Organic Farmers' Market will begin its season Tuesday, June 24. Hours are 2-6 pm. The market will be in the area above the St. John's parking lots.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

No Service June 15, but an Alternative

Due to a divergence of schedules, we had to cancel Sunday worship at St. John's for June 15. We will be back together next week, June 22. There looks to be a good possibility of having a priest lead us in Holy Eucharist next week.

For June 15, The Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer and the Rev. Dr. Catharine Randall, who have been wonderful leaders of our worship since Palm Sunday, have invited us to their first services at St. John's in Washington, CT on June 15. Services there are Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Two Kinds of Worship at St. John's

Holy Eucharist is our communion service, and must be led by a priest or bishop. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion at St. John's. For the Biblical basis and more information on the Holy Eucharist service, please read this article in An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church.

Morning Prayer is a service consisting of prayers, Bible readings, and psalms. It may be led by a lay person, the usual practice at St. John's. The practice of morning worship traces its origins to Jewish sunrise worship that became part of the daily cycle of prayer in Christian monasteries. You can find out more from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church; scroll down almost to the bottom of the page for three Morning Prayer links.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Music at St. John's

Yes, we have it. Our excellent organist, Marilyn Thompson, retired to Florida over a year ago. After some experiments with silence and a cappella singing, we settled on recorded music. The backbone of our music is the 1982 Hymnal, with other music as a supplement. We rely mainly on the CD Hymnal (organ, piano and orchestrations of traditional hymns), Forty Anglican/Episcopal Hymns, and Music Resources for Smaller Churches. The other music is from personal collections and ranges from folk to classical to rock to new age to techno to gospel. Singing and listening to music enhances worship, and we aren’t shy about mixing styles in our one Sunday service.

Monday, April 14, 2008

After a Long Absence

In spite of the parish blogger missing quite a bit of time (music for Sunday trumps blogging), things are going along well at St. John's. The Rev. Dr. Randall Balmer led our worship as we observed Palm/Passion Sunday and celebrated Christ’s Resurrection on Easter. The Rev. Dr. Catherine Randall celebrated Holy Eucharist with us on the second Sunday of Easter. The past two weeks have been Morning Prayer, led by parishioners. Starting this Sunday, we will be blessed to have either Rev. Dr. Balmer or the Rev. Dr. Randall leading our celebration of Holy Eucharist on Sundays into the summer. It’s been great to welcome both priests and numerous visitors to St. John’s over the Easter season.

Monday, March 03, 2008

St. John's in the Bee

The Newtown Bee ran a wonderful front page, over the fold story on how we've been keeping St. John's alive, thriving,and active in the community. There may be copies still available in town, or you can read it online. Look for the headline, "Onward, Christian Soldiers - St. John's Marches On." Our thanks to Nancy K. Crevier and the staff of the Bee for this excellent story.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Holy Eucharist this Sunday

The Rev. Michelle Hansen will be celebrating Holy Eucharist at St. John's this Sunday at 9:30. Please come worship with us!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Bishop Curry to Visit

Bishop James Curry will visit St. John's on Sunday, Feb. 17. He will lead our celebration of Holy Eucharist. Please worship with us at the usual time, 9:30 am.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Pancakes Coming Soon!

Photo by Margi Levine
Everyone is invited to our 51st Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, on Tuesday February 5th from 5:00 to 7:30 PM in the church hall, downstairs. Our Traditional meal of pancakes with Homemade Corned Beef Hash, Country Sausage, Applesauce, & Beverage will be served. Ample parking is available behind the church and in the community parking lot above. Take out orders are available. Donation is $8.00 Adult, $4.00 Children 3-10 and Children 2 and under served free. For additional information you may contact Bruce or Cheryl Moulthrop at 426-3112.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Holy Eucharist on Sundays!

Father Leo McIlrath will be leading services of Holy Eucharist every Sunday at St. John's.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Holy Eucharist January 13

Please come celebrate the Baptism of Jesus this Sunday at 9:30. The Rev. Leo McIlrath will lead out worship.

Thanks to F.A.I.T.H.

Our special thanks go to F.A.I.T.H. Food Pantry for their generous donation to help out with the expenses from the heating oil cleanup.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Epiphany


Also known as Three Kings Day or Little Christmas. We'll be celebrating the visit of the three kings/astrologers/wise men/sages to the baby Jesus. Please come to Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 9:30. The Rev. Leo McIlrath will lead our worship.

Clipart is from http://www.dn.anglican.org.nz/resources/liturgical/arts/clipart/christmas/