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Views from the Mountain
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
From the RectorThe Reverend Susan R. Ironside
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS on the Mountain
5 Sunday, December 3The First Sunday of Advent 8 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Chapel10 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church
Advent Wreath Making, Parish Hall11:15 am Advent Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
Sunday, December 10The Second Sunday of Advent 8 am Holy Eucharist Rite I, Chapel10 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Church11:15 am Advent Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
Advent Arts & Crafts, Parish Hall Sunday, December 17 The Third Sunday of Advent 8 am Holy Eucharist, Chapel10 am Christmas Pageant with Holy Eucharist, Church11:15 pm Coffee Hour hosted by Pageant parents
Sunday, December 24 The Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, ChapelThe Eve of the Nativity4:30 pm Chorale Prelude, Church 5 pm Festive Christmas Eve Family Service with
Holy Eucharist and Building of the Crèche, Church10:30 pm Chorale Prelude, Church11 pm Festival Holy Eucharist, Church
Monday, December 25 The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ9:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Chapel
Sunday, December 31First Sunday after Christmas9:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II, Chapel
TheChurchisquirky,butmostofyouknowthatalready.WhiletherestoftheworldsaysthatDecemberistheendoftheyear,westartanewChurchYearthisweek,whenweturnthepageandbeginagain intheseasonofAdvent.So,allowmetobethefirsttowishyouaHappyNewYear!
WereadtheBibleinathreeyearcycle,andlastyearweheardfromtheGospel of Matthew every Sunday. You probably noticed Matthew’sfixationwith“weepingandgnashingofteeth”andthemanytimesthatpeople were warned they could be cast into outer darkness. That’stypicalMatthew. ButMatthewisalsowherewelearnofthearrivaloftheMagiwhenJesuswasborn,andJesus’parableabouttheSheepandGoats—whereinwelearnthatJesuscomestousinthevulnerableandmeek.WeknowthatstorybecauseofMatthew.
ThisyearwewillhearfromtheGospelofMark,theearliestGospeltobewritten. Itisalsotheshortest,andtherearenostoriesaboutBabyJesus,becausethestoryopenswhenJesus isa full-grownman,beingplungedintothewatersofbaptismandthenimmediatelysentbyGodinto the wilderness and then into a world where he barely takes abreath and is always on the move. You will notice that in Mark’sGospel,Jesusdoesalmosteverythingimmediately,andthereisasenseofurgencyinthewaythestoryistold.
Sowe take the plunge thisSunday on the first day of ourNewYear.Ourroomwillbedrapedinblue,andtheAdventwreathwillbelit,andwewillhearanancientnarratoragaintellusthestoryoftheJesus,thisyeartoldinadifferentway,thistimebyanarratorwhodoesn’tseemtowantus to sit still for very long,becauseJesusnever sat still for verylong.
TherearemanythingsyoucandotocelebratetheNewYear. YoucanmakeanAdventwreathtokeepathome.OurSundaySchoolkidswilldothat thisweek,and ifyoudon’thaveakid inSundaySchool, Ibetyou could convince one of our kids to make one for you. It’s awonderful way to enter into the NewYear. You can also learn newAdventhymns thatMr. Jennings is going to teachus. If youhaven’talready,AdventisagreatseasontomakeyourpledgetoSt.John’sfor2018, celebrating your joy and hopes for the coming year by sharingwithGod’speople.
Mostly,IhopeyouwillcometomarktheNewYearwithusonSundaymornings,andtogetherwewillwatchtoseehowJesus isgoingtobebornamongusinthisNewYear.
www.sjotm.org
WORSHIP NEWS
Please joinuseveryWednesday intheParishHouseMeetingRoomfrom8:15am-9:15am.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDYWednesdays at 8:15 am
IfyouwouldliketohavesomeoneaddedtothePrayer List, please call 908-766-2282 or [email protected].
PRAYER LIST
Christmas Service ScheduleSunday, December 24th ~ Eve of the Nativity
✤ 5 pm Christmas Eve Family Service with Building of the Crèche The Festive Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist will include the Building of the Crèche and will take place at 5 pm. Families with young children are invited and encouraged to celebrate the Nativity with us. Children who would like to participate in the Procession should arrive by 4:40 pm and gather in the chapel. Childcare is available.
✤ 10:30 pm Christmas Eve Chorale Prelude, Church
✤ 11 pm Christmas Eve Festival Holy Eucharist Please join us in the church beginning at 10:30 pm with a Chorale Prelude followed by a Christmas Eve Festival Holy Eucharist.
Monday, December 25th ~ Christmas Day ✤ 9:30 am Holy Eucharist for Christmas Day
Join us in the chapel for Holy Eucharist.
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
ST. JOHN’S NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS
FollowingThanksgiving,it’sallaboutgettingreadyforChristmasatSt.John’sNurserySchool.Childrenfromour3’s,4’s,and4+classeshavebeenpracticingtheirsongsforourannualChristmasSing.The4+childrenhavebeenworkingonmemorizingtheirparts for theFirstChristmasplay. Allourclasseshavebeenbusymakingspecialgiftsfortheirparents.OtherimportantDecembereventsincludecookiebaking,StNick’sshoppingatSt.John’s,andclassChristmasparties.
Our nursery school families have been asked to participate in a local program, Bundles of Grace, in which abundledblanketandbookwillbegiventochildrenbattlingcanceratlocalhospitals.SJNSisalsoparticipatingindonationsof1stNightBagsforCASASHaWalongwithSJOTM.Thisistheseasontobegratefulforwhatwehaveandwhatwegive!
Registration for next school year begins on February forSJNS andSJOTM families of preschool age children.Prospectivefamiliesmaycontactournurseryschoolforregistrationinformationandtourourcheerfulfacility.Forfurtherinformation,[email protected],Directorat908-766-0374.
www.sjotm.org
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
STEWARDSHIP 2018
TaxDeductibleGiftin2017YoucanmakeacontributiontothechurchorfulfillyourpledgeusingyourIRA.Ifyouare701/2orolder:
✦You may transfer up to $100,000 from yourIRAdirectlytothechurch.✦Ifyouhavenotyettakenyourrequiredminimumdistributionfor2017,yourgiftcansatisfyallorpartofthatrequirement.✦Youpaynoincometaxonthegift.Thetransfergeneratesneithertaxableincomenortaxdeduction,soyoucanbenefitevenifyoudonotitemizeyourtaxdeduction.
Don’t delay! To help ensure that your gift counts thisyear,transferswillneedtobemadebyDecember29.
The2018StewardshipCampaignisofftoastrongstart! IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutStewardship,pleasecontactBobCourtemanche.Ifyouhaven'talreadydoneso,pleasereturnyour2018PledgeCardASAP,astheVestryneedsthemtomaketheirbudgetdecisionsfortheupcomingyear. Extrapledgecardscanbefoundhere,onthewebatwww.sjotm.org,inthenarthexorcalltheoffice908-766-2282tohaveonesenttoyou.
TheRector,Wardens,andVestryaregratefulforthefaithfulnessandgenerosityofthefollowingpeoplewhosegiftssupportthemissionofourparish.AddyournametothislistbysendingyourpledgetotheofficeoremailingLisaKeenanatl.keenan@sjotm.org.
AnonymousDorisAufschlagerJoyBairdGroveandBetseyBlairBobandDebbieBruckerStuartandHelenBrunetCatherineCavanaughCharlieandJeanieChapinJimandKathyChristieKathyChristieJamesandLisaCostelloBobandMaryCourtemanchePeterCourtemancheChristianandGerry-JoCranmerChrisandBeaDaggettRichardandNinaDixonAlanandErinDeombelegWardDorerandHilaryThomasAlanandJuneEnosJodyFlegalSteveandSabinaForbesBetteGaverAlandErnaHaueisStephanieHaueisGatesandMaryEllenHawnBettyHeitmannBillandSallyHespeBurtonHowWoodHuntleyandBeirne DonaldsonSusanIronsidePatandShellieIossa
FrankandMaryJohnsonHarryJones,IIILindyJuddRonandSueKennedyBillandAnneKearnsLoisLarkJonandHeatherLeefJeffandRobinMcKeonRichandVickyMcGlynnBillandJaneMcKnightMaryMasonFerdinandandChristinaMasucciPeterandJaneMercerJoanMillspaughPatMoodyandCollinsSnyderMargaretMurphyBarbaraMushalkoMartinandMargoPackouzDavidandJoanPowellEricRidderDougandChristinaRutzSteveandAntoinetteSbaraglioLindleyandChristineScarlettMelissaSharronDorothySmullenPeterandKathyToberPeterandPattyVollmarUlrichandDollyvonHollenPaulandValerieZanardi
MUSIC NEWS
CHRISTMAS EVE MUSIC at ST. JOHN ON THE
MOUNTAIN
BOYS & GIRLS CHOIR
TheSt. John’s ParishChoirwill offer aChoral Prelude to bothChristmas Eve liturgies this year, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and10:30p.m.respectively.Pleasejoinusforaspecialcollectionofbeloved carols set by EnglishComposers DavidWillcocks andJohnRutterandbyAmericancomposerClarenceDickinson.
The St. John’s Boys’ & Girls’ Choir will resumeSundayafternoonrehearsalsintheNewYear,andwe hope all children of the parishes in grades 3through8will joinusafter the 10:00a.m. liturgyforabriefrehearsalwithMr.JenningsintheChoirRoom.Boys’&Girls’Choirwill sing at the 10:-00a.m. liturgy on February 11,April 1, andMay 13.Pleasehelpspreadtheword.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWS
CHRISTMASPAGEANTONSUNDAY,DECEMBER17that10am
Sunday,December10th Pageantcostumepick-up11:15aminParishHallSaturday,December16thPageantrehearsalforSPEAKERSat9am PageantrehearsalforALLat10amSunday,December17th Pageantat10am(meetinParishHallat9:30am)
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Important Dates
ThereWillBeNoSundaySchoolorConfirmationClasson
Sunday,December24thandDecember31ClasseswillresumeonSunday,January7th.
Childrenwhowould liketoparticipate intheProcession should arrive by 4:40pm andgatherinParishHall.Childcareisavailable.
CHRISTMAS EVE with FAMILY SERVICE
With Building of the Crèche
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
Best Wishes as you celebrate your
December birthday! PatrickMitchell,SarahMurphy,PeterIossa,EmmyBaird,and
MeredithHespe
ADVENT ARTS AND CRAFTS CallingAllKids
You won’t want to miss Coffee Hour onDecember 10! Please join us in theParishHall for some creative seasonal arts andcraftsfollowingthe10amservice.
ADVENT WREATH MAKINGDecember 3rd
Please joinusonSunday,December3rdaswe make AdventWreaths (in Parish Hall).Allmaterialswillbesupplied.A$5donationtohelpoff-setthecostofsuppliesisgreatlyappreciated.
• Childrenwillmaketheirwreathsat10:00(inlieuofSundaySchool).
•Adultsarewelcometomaketheirsimmediatelyfollowingthe10:00amservice.
Please Help “Foster Some Love”this Holiday Season
1st Night Bags are being assembled for foster children to make their first few nights away from home a little easier. These children are all receiving support from CASA SHaW (Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Somerset, Hunterdon, & Warren Counties).
Items Needed (all new):● Stuffed Animals● Blankets● Children’s books● Toiletries ● Crayons, markers, coloring books● Duffle bags● Water bottles
All items are due to Saint John on the Mountain by December 24th
379 Mt. Harmony Road, Bernardsville
www.sjotm.org
TheLadies’ChristmasLunchwillbeatRoxiticusCConDecember14atnoon. Thecostwillbe$30;therewillbeanelaborateholidaybuffetthatincludeshotsoup,carving station, chicken dish, seafood dish,vegetables,rice,potatoesandaselectionofdesserts. $40will includewinewith lunch. PleasemakeyourreservationbysendingyourcheckmadeouttoWendyArgent-Belchertotheofficeat379Mt.HarmonyRoad,Bernardsville, NJ 07924 by December 8th. Anyquestions? Email Wendy Argent-Belcher [email protected].
LADIES’ HOLIDAY LUNCHEONThursday, December 14th
MEN’S LUNCHEONThursday, December 7th
COMMUNITY/FELLOWSHIP NEWS
Please join us on the firstThursday of eachmonth at12:15 pm at theMorristownClub at 27 Elm Street inMorristown. The luncheons are open tomembers ofthe parish and their guests. For more informationplease contact Alan Enos at 908-234-1321 [email protected].
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
DecemberBirthdayWishesto
TressaBaird,KipForbes,SabinaForbes,SallyHespe,BurtonHow,RichMcGlynn,
RobinMcKeon,JoanMillspaugh,&SamMurphy
Tuition Assistance for Preschool Available Doyouknowafamilythatneedshelptoaffordthecostofpreschool?Tuitionassistancecanmake itpossiblefor3-and4-year-olds inthisareatoattendaqualitypreschool program. Preschool Advantage has beenassistingfamiliesinMorrisandSomersetcountiesfor25yearsandprovided tuition for 75areachildrenatpartner preschools this year. Applications for the2018-2019 school year can be submitted startingJanuary 1. Those received by February 28 will begiven priority in funding decisions. To learn moreabout Preschool Advantage and the applicationprocess, please visit the Preschool Advantagewebsiteatwww.preschooladvantage.org,call(973)532-2501,[email protected].
MOUNTAINTOP MOMENTSSunday, December 10th
WeprobablyallhavestoriesofChristmasesorothertimes when we have waited with great joy andexcitement...And then theday came, and indeed itwas happy and wonderful! Sometimes we are allfilled upwith love and joy. But other times and insome areas of our lives, we may be waiting,wondering, reflecting, even wandering in thedesert, ...wondering if or when we will find the"promisedland."
Those of us who have attended the storytellinggroup, Mountaintop Moments, are amazed at thebeautiful stories we have heard and told. Theblessing of knowing each other better and theencouragement and warmth of the fellowship havestayedwithuswellpastthehourwespendtogether.
ThegeneralthemeatournextgatheringonSunday,December 10th, will be "stories about the joy ofreceivingand/ortheexperienceof'waiting." Butthisisnota very formalgroup sowhoknowswhereourstorieswilltakeus! WemeetintheChapel,about20minutesafterthe10AMservice isoverandwehavegrabbed a cup of coffee down the hall. All arewelcometojoinus.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasereachouttoLindyJudd,AlHudgins,JerryMurphyorMotherSusan.
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ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
Help save a struggling family’s Christmas byproviding an uncookedmeal. It’s easy! Justbuy the makings for a meal, and deliver it
uncookedtoyourAdopt-a-Family. A sign-up sheetis posted on the bulletinboard near Parish Hall.Please call Sue Kennedyat908-234-0267withanyquestions. If youhaveaparticular family youhave been supporting inthe past, please let Sueknow so that she caninformtheFoodBank.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
MISSION OUTREACH
GraceSoupKitchenserves1,000hotnutritiousmeals the lastfivedaysofeachmonthto thehungryofPlainfield.St.JohnontheMountainparishioners help on the last Friday of eachmonth. JoinusoneFridayasweprepareandserve lunch. The next day scheduled for St.John on the Mountain to serve is on Friday,December29thfrom10am–1pm.Tosign-upem a i l G r a h am A r g e n t - B e l c h e r a [email protected].
GRACE SOUP KITCHENFriday, December 29
600 Cleveland Avenue, Plainfield, NJ
SJOTM 2017 FALL FUNDRAISERNovember 3
We had a fantastic time on Friday, November 3rd duringourannualFallFundraiser. Deliciousfoodanddrink,andasuccessfulsilentaction&winepull.Preliminarynumbersshowagross$14,141andnet$11,741.TheSilentAuctionnettedabout$5,000andtheWinePull$535.This is a terrific result thatgetsus very close toourgoal for the year.Thank you all ever somuch for all yourhelpinmakingthisafun,profitableevent
ThankyoutoourgenerousEventSponsors&Patrons:Charles&JeanieChapinBob&MaryCourtemancheDick&NinaDixonGates&MaryEllenHawnRich&VickyMcGlynnBill&JaneMcKnightJoanMillspaughBill&MarieYoung
Andthankyoutothefollowingdonors:DorisAufschlagerKathyChristieAndrea&PaulDeMarcoCookie&DavidGouldingJo&FrankJohnsonHarryJonesAnneKearnsLoisLarkTheLeefFamilyKimberly&CourtneySikes
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St. John on the Mountain CHRISTMAS FLOWERS & MUSIC
St. John on the Mountain is now accepting contributions for Christmas plants, flowers, & special music. Gifts may be given either as memorials or in thanksgivings. In order that we might publish all names in the Christmas bulletins, we ask that you send in your dedications by Monday, December 18th. If you would like to contribute, please complete the form below, or your own version of it and return it to the Parish Office, along with a check made payable to St. John on the Mountain, with a note in the memo section: Christmas Flowers & Music. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office (908) 766-2282 ext 10 or [email protected].
Cut along dotted line, fill-out and return to SJOTM at 379 Mount Harmony Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
Please print clearly using first and last name without any titles
In Memory of
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please print clearly using first and last name without any titles
In Thanksgiving for
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Name ________________________________ Your daytime phone _______________________________
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017
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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
St. John on the Mountain379 Mt. Harmony RoadBernardsville, NJ 07924-1414
THEEPISCOPALCHURCHOFST.JOHNONTHEMOUNTAIN379 Mount Harmony RoadBernardsville, NJ 07924908-766-2282
PARISH STAFF
The Reverend Susan Ironside Rector [email protected] x11
Christopher Jennings Director of Music & Organist [email protected]
Lynn Mitchell Director of Children’s Ministries [email protected]
Lisa CoakleyParish Administrator [email protected] x10
Lisa Keenan Finance Manager [email protected] x13
FORDAILYUPDATESANDINFORMATION,DON’TFORGETTOVISITOURWEBSITE
www.sjotm.organd be sure to like us on facebook
ST. JOHN ON THE MOUNTAIN December 2017