Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous deeds! Psalm 72:18
God’s Time
This week I was reminded once again about God’s Time. When I worked as a social worker in hospice, I had many instances of being on God’s Time. Even though it’s been over 15 years, I can tell you so many stories. There’s “Rebecca” time when I plan out my whole day in detail, but often things don’t go according to Rebecca Time. At the end of the day, I see that God was in charge of my day…that my day worked according to what God needed me to do.
On Tuesday, I had a St. Agnes’ House Board meeting and so I wore business clerical dress. I had a hair appointment that afternoon and in the morning, I thought I’d change into my jeans and a t-shirt for the hairdresser appointment. Well, I was so busy, that I never did change. I was annoyed when I reached the hairdresser and still had my collar on, because it’s not easy to store the collar and studs and keep track of them.
But while I was at the hairdresser, I received some text messages from Donna Goff that Tanya Goff’s father (Tony Rhodus) had been transferred to the hospital here in Lexington and would I please go visit. Some people might say it was just a coincidence that I didn’t change my clothes, but you see, I believe that God knew what I needed to do that day. I was on God’s time and had to laugh at how annoyed I was that I hadn’t changed clothes. Yes, even after all of these years of clearly seeing God at work guiding my feet, I still forget and try to operate on Rebecca time….
Blessings as you finish your week. I’m so excited for Chocolate Fest! Hope to see you there — Saturday, 9am – 3pm. And please continue to pray for Tony Rhodus and his family during this difficult time.
Love, Rebecca
Rebecca’s Schedule
Next week, I will be in Corbin on Thursday, December 12, and my Sabbath day will be Friday, December 13. Please feel free to contact me any time, however, by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Adult Forum: This Sunday we begin our series on end-of-life issues. Chaplain Alice Tremaine from the Mountain Group of Hospice of the Bluegrass will speak about end-of-life and grief issues.
Lazarus at the Gate, an 8-week series on economic discipleship, will begin at the Adult Forum on Sunday January 5. If you are willing to lead a session, please let Rebecca know. The series can be accessed online at http://www.bostonfaithjustice.org/#/discipleship
Godly Play: There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday. If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know. You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training, you may be called upon to assist as you are available. Let the children deepen your faith!
Christmas Dinner at the Barn, Wednesday, December 25, 2-4pm. If you’d like to attend this community dinner, please see Paula Bain or June Sullivan.
Please prayerfully consider how you will financially contribute to the work of St. John’s Church in 2014. Complete a pledge card today and place it in the offering plate to assist with our planning for the church’s work in 2014.
This Week at St. John’s
Saturday, December 7
9am – 3pm – Chocolate Fest!
Sunday, December 8
10am – Adult Forum – End-of-Life Issues
11am – Eucharist
Noon – Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, December 11:
6pm Worship – Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sunday, December 15
10am – Godly Play and Adult Forum (End-of-Life issues)
11am – Eucharist – Third Sunday of Advent
Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
- Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless is in need of men’s razors, deodorant and socks.
- The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.
Flowers for Christmas: Donations for flowers to decorate for Christmas are being received until December 22. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone.
Schedule of Services for Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day
Tuesday, December 24:
7:00pm – Family Eucharist
11:00pm – Midnight Eucharist
Wedneday, December 25
9:00am – Morning Prayer
No Wednesday Evening Service
Sunday, December 29
10:00am – No Adult Formation
11:00am – Christmas Lessons and Carols or Morning Prayer
Wednesday, January 1
6pm – Wednesday worship
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.
Your UTO offerings are collected twice each year. Each time you feel thankful during your day, put some change into your box. We will gather these gifts of gratitude in May and begin again for the November offering.
If you need a UTO box, please see Rebecca.
Reimagine the Episcopal Church: In 2012, the General Convention created a taskforce to reimagine The Episcopal Church for the future. The members of the Taskforce want to hear the memories, hopes and dreams that people have for The Church. We are trying to reach as many people as we can over the next few months. We will use what we hear to help us shape recommendations for The Church’s structure, administration and governance. To add your memories, go online at http://reimaginetec.org/ or see Rev. Rebecca for a paper copy you can submit. Deadline is March 4, 2014.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service? Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service. If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Subscribe to our Website Feed!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin
Website: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-2
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/