If you would like to submit an article or information to be published in the Eagle Notes, all information must be in the church office no later than December 16 for January publication. Please have information on diskette or e-mail to: parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com

Dear Friends in Christ,

On November 28^th we enter the season of Advent, traditionally thought of as the time that we prepare for the coming of the Christ child. I always find Advent sneaking up on me, the year seems to go by so quickly. For the next four weeks our Liturgical colors will be purple, our music will change as we sing our well known Advent carols. Matthew will be the Gospel we will hear a good part of the time this coming twelve months.

The word Advent is derived from the Latin meaning “coming here” or “coming to us.” And of course the coming is about Jesus the Messiah. As the people of Israel waited for the coming of Jesus, so we wait for Jesus to come, both as the baby in Bethlehem, and for His Second Coming, the final return of Jesus

Waiting is something we don‘t do well in this country. I was amazed to see the street lights of East Point and College Park ablaze with Christmas decorations when I came to the Newcomers Gathering Nov. 14th. And the Department stores are filled with Christmas items. We can’t wait. And yet it seems to me that is what we are called to do.

It’s always difficult for us to be out of sync with the commercial world around us. I sense a need to shut out the noises that are so blatant, Christmas Carols, buy, buy, buy, and fill up our closets with things to give to others. It seems to me that what the church is trying to tell us during Advent is that we are beginning a new Christian year, that this should be a time of self-examination, a time of prayerful reflection on the past, and joyful anticipation of the coming of Christ.

December 1 will bring Jim back to St. John’s after his sabbatical leave. I look forward to having him here. And as I look back on these three months I am truly grateful for the help all of you have given me in getting the work of the church done.. It has been fun!

Faithfully,

Ruth

The Atlanta Christian College Music Department would like to invite you to Christmas at Westside Chapel, their annual Christmas concert for the community. There will be three performances: Friday evening, December 3rd, at 6:00 and 8:00, and again on Saturday, December 4th, at 3:00. There is no charge for this event; however, an offering will be received to help the music department purchase instruments and equipment.

Mohamed Ndakpawa, the father in our refugee family, is looking for work. Mohamed is trained in residential and commercial electrical install and maintenance with a certificate from Guinean Technical School. Upon completion of his certificate, Mohamed was selected as a teacher in the school. He also performed work for Guinean contractors.

Mohamed has excellent social skills, is intelligent, able bodied and healthy. He is willing to accept a wide rage of employment opportunities and speaks English, French, African languages of Mende, Mandingo and Kissi.

Call the church office to get Mohamed's phone number. 

Altar Bread Bakers Needed: This is a great ministry and a blessing to be able to make God's gift for our communion. For more information, see Jane Escalera.

Sunday Refreshments: Please sign up on the calendar in Bott hall to provide refreshments following the 10:30 a.m. service one Sunday.

Speeders: Once a month Speeders meet (those 55 and over) for Eucharist, a short program and lunch. If you would like to prepare the meal, speak to the group or help with set up, serving or clean up, please call the church office at 404-761-8402.

Pork and Beans

Green Peas

Canned Potatoes

Crackers

Canned Fruit

PeanutButter

Jelly

Fruit

Rice

Cereal

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Tissues

Toilet Paper

Deodorant

Blankets

Hats and Gloves

Lotion

Socks

Sweaters

Jackets

Marta Tokens

Christmas Eve Services

7:00 p.m.

10:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Service

11:00 a.m.

The Church office will be closed December 24, 27 and 31

On Sunday, December 12, we will have a service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 10:00 a.m. followed by our Annual Parish Meeting. It is also a second Sunday so we will have our potluck brunch (bring a dish to share and food for Family Life). At this meeting, reports will be given from ministry groups and the church will elect four new vestry members. Please note that vestry nominations may be made up to one week prior to December 12. Anyone nominated must grant their permission, and according to the canons of the church, must be a confirmed member ( at least 16 years of age) of the Episcopal Church; and a communicant of good standing in the parish. (A communicant is one who regularly attends church services and makes a financial commitment to the church.) The following have been nominated to serve on the Vestry.

Mary Hill—Mary has been attending St. John's regularly for more than four years. Church ministries include participation as a LEM 2, member of the committee that counts, tracks and delivers weekly offerings to the bank, serve as a greeter, and twice-yearly provide Sunday brunch. She is a Manager at Delta Air Lines in the areas of training and communication. Mary and her daughter, Veronica are proud and feel blessed to be part of this diverse church with such warm and friendly people.

David McLeod— David is a long time member of St. John’s. He has been involved with the Acolyte Ministry, both as an active participant, and as an assistant director and trainer. He is a Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and chaliceer, and was a member of the choir for many years. This is the only parish home I’ve ever known, and I intend to stay. I am married, and Denise and I are raising our family (including the grandchild) in this parish. I am honored to have been nominated to serve on the Vestry, and if called to serve, will do so to the best of my ability.

Please send in your donations for Christmas decorations and let us know whether they will be a thank offering or a memorial.

On Christmas Eve morning more than 500 children participate in the Emmaus House program. Too often this is the only holiday celebration these kids experience. The highlight of the event is when each child receives a gift and a stocking from Mr. And Mrs. Santa Claus.

This Christmas, there is a shortage of donated gift items for the children. We want to do all we can do reduce this shortage and we need your help! We need donations of regulation basketballs, baby dolls of color, backpacks and portable CD players. There are samples of these gifts in the Narthex. All the gifts need to be new, in their original package and unwrapped.

Bring your purchases to St. John’s on or before December 12, 2004. We will deliver them to Emmaus House where they will be wrapped and stored until the big day. Our goal is deliver 50 gifts. So buy one, two, five, ten or as many of the items as you can afford. You can also make a cash donation and we will buy the gifts for you. Contact Ernie Radaker for more information. Don’t delay, go shopping today!

Emmaus House needs volunteers to assist in wrapping all of these gifts. The wrapping parties will be at Emmaus House on December 11, 18, 20 and 21. Many of us are going to Emmaus House on Christmas Eve morning to assist with the programs. Anyone interested in volunteering for either or both activities should call the church office, 404/761-8402.

Stewardship is one dimension of the Christian life of faith. It is not a program, not an every member canvass, not a fund-raising campaign, not an occasion for people to vote whether they like or do not like how the church spends their money or treats them.

Stewardship is what we say after we say Credo, we believe, that is, after we give our love, loyalty, trust and obedience to God, the God of our faith.

Christian faith, I acknowledge, makes little sense in the modern world. It is a perception of life in which everything we have and are is gift. It perceives that we are called to be servants of the master, ministers of the magister, stewards of God.

There is still time for you to make a financial commitment to St. John’s for 2005. Demonstrate your support for the ministry of Christ in our parish and beyond by pledging. The amount that you pledge helps us determine the new years’ budget. Please complete a commitment form today; they are available in the Narthex.