Lessons and Carols

A Festival of Lessons andCarols

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH LAFAYETTE SQUARE

DECEMBER 16, 2018 ● 11:00 A.M.

Welcome to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square. All who seek God are welcome at God’s table. Nursery Care is available from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Parish House Hearing assistance devices are available from the Ushers. Church School begins at 10:45 a.m. in the Parish House.

PRELUDE Please keep silence during the music before the service. Matin Responsory Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) I look from afar: and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out to meet him and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel? High and low, rich and poor, one with another, Go ye out to meet him and say: Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, Tell us, art thou he that should come? Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come to reign over thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH As the third candle of the Advent Wreath is lit, the following prayer is said by all, standing. Celebrant and People: Holy and Gracious God, we give you thanks for the promise of Joy. As we anticipate and prepare for Joy being born in the world, may we be ever -mindful of all the places in our lives, and those of others, where there seems to be little Joy and thus, may its presence be especially felt. Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee today and evermore. Amen.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Officiant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Officiant: Let us pray.

Officiant: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.

People: Amen.

PROCESSIONAL CAROL 102 Once in royal David’s city Stanza 1, sung by a Cantor. Stanza 2, sung by choir. Stanzas 3-6, sung by all.

THE BIDDING PRAYER The Rev. W. Bruce McPherson Please remain standing. Officiant: Dear People of God: In the season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger. Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city. And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore. The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.

LESSON 1 The First Sin and Its Punishment Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19 Please be seated. Read by Nkem Onwuamaegbu.

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CAROL Adam lay ybounden Carson P. Cooman (b. 1982)

Middle English: Modern English: Adam lay ibounden, bound in a bond, Adam was bound in sin for four thousand For thousand winter thought he years, although he thought this not too long. not too long. And all was for an appil, It was all for an apple An appil that he tok, that he took, As clerkès finden written in their book. As clerics found written in their books. Ne had the appil takè been, Had the apple never The appil takè been, been taken, Ne haddè never our lady Then our Lady would have A ben hevenè queen. Never been a heavenly queen. Blessed be the time Blessed be the time That appil takè was. The apple was taken. Therefore we moun singen, Therefore we must sing Deo Gracias! Deo Gracias! Thanks be to God! –Anon. 15th Century Medieval Carol.

LESSON 2 The Righteous Reign of the Coming King Isaiah 40:1-11 Read by Jessica Sanchez.

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL 67 Comfort, comfort ye my people Please stand.

Words: Johann G. Olearius (1611-1684); tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), alt. Music: Psalm 42, melody and bass Claude Goudimel (1514-1572); harm. Hymnal 1982 Copyright: Reprinted under Onelicense.net # A-701275.

LESSON 3 The prophet proclaims that God will come and save us Isaiah 35:1-10 Please be seated. Read by Paul Barkett.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no 6

traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

CAROL Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Charles Shadle (b. 1960) The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel: by faith I know, but ne'er can tell the glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought I missed of all; but now I see 'tis found in Christ the apple tree. I'm weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest awhile: under the shadow I will be, of Jesus Christ the apple tree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree. –Anon., New Hampshire, 1784

LESSON 4 The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon the Holy One Isaiah 11:1-9 Read by Hilary West.

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL 57 Lo! he comes, with clouds descending Please stand. Descant for last stanza by Benjamin Hutto

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Music: Helmsley, melody Thomas Augustine Arne (1710-1778); harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), alt. Copyright: Reprinted under Onelicense.net # A-701275.

LESSON 5 The Angel Foretells the Birth of Christ Luke 1:26-35, 38 Please be seated. Read by Pete Burgess. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the

child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CAROL The angel and the girl are met Jesse Antin

The angel and the girl are met. Earth was the only meeting place. For the embodied never yet travelled beyond the shore of space. The eternal spirits in freedom go. See, they have come together, see, while the destroying minutes flow, each reflects the other's face till heaven in hers and earth in his shine steady there. He's come to her from far beyond the farthest star, feathered through time. Immediacy of strangest strangeness is the bliss that from their limbs all movement takes. Yet the increasing rapture brings so great a wonder that it makes each father tremble on his wings. Outside the window footsteps fall Into the ordinary day and with the sun along the wall pursue their unreturning way. Sound's perpetual roundabout rolls its numbered octaves out and hoarsely grinds its battered tune. But through the endless afternoon these neither speak nor movement make, but stare into their deepening trance as if their gaze would never break. Magnificat anima mea Dominum. –Text by Edwin Muir

LESSON 6 Mary Visits Her Cousin Elizabeth: The Magnificat Luke 1:39-56 Read by Savannah Ponder. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL 265 The angel Gabriel from heaven came Please stand.

Words: Basque carol; para. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) Music: Gabriel’s Message, Basque carol; harm. Edgar Pettman (1865-1943) Copyright: Reprinted under Onelicense.net # A-701275.

LESSON 7 The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 Please be seated. Read by the Rev. D. Andrew Olivo.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CAROL Joys seven English traditional carol arr. Stephen Cleobury (b. 1948) The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of one; to see the blessed Jesus Christ when he was first her son: When he was first her son, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of two; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to make the lame to go: To make the lame to go, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of three; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to make the blind to see: To make the blind to see, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of four; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to read the bible o'er: To read the bible o'er, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. 11

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of five; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to bring the dead alive: To bring the dead alive, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of six; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, upon the crucifix: Upon the crucifix, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of sev'n; to see her own son, Jesus Christ, to wear the crown of heav'n: To wear the crown of heav'n, good man: and blessed may he be, both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity.

LESSON 8 The Word Made Flesh John 1:1-14 Read by the Rev. W. Bruce McPherson. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL 96 Angels we have heard on high Please stand. Descant for last stanza by William Bradley Roberts

Words: French carol; tr. James Chadwick (1813-1882), alt. Music: Gloria, French carol; arr. Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958) Copyright: Reprinted under Onelicense.net # A-701275.

THE PEACE

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. W. Bruce McPherson Please be seated.

A PRAYER FOR STEWARDSHIP Please remain seated. Officiant and People: Gracious and everlasting God, the giver of all good gifts, you have blessed us and our parish abundantly. Grant us the hope to dream and the courage to live into our possibilities. Make us faithful stewards, both for the provision of our necessities and for the relief of those who are in need. Bless the efforts of our Annual Giving this year to extend the work of spiritual renewal in our church and community of faith. Through Jesus Christ, who gave all of himself, we offer this prayer. Amen.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY CAROL

Three Angels Ben Parry (b. 1965) Three angels came to visit me, and brought with them such riches to see. Before my eyes their gifts they show: In dulci jubilo! The first to me did turn and say: "Have faith, for God this very day a child, he brings, this earth to bless: Mirabile miranda res!" In time, the next did sing here-to: "Rejoice for hope is born anew! All sorrow now at once dispel: Natus Emmanuel!" Did then, the third, proclaim above: "All things on earth are ruled by love. For loving hearts are hearts well blessed In quo Christus natus est!" Oh! May these gifts fore'er be mine; new faith, new hope, new Love divine, all happiness will now ensure, Gaudeamus igitur! All men should know that by their side are angels there to teach and to guide, then look to them and hear them sing: "Hallelujah to the King!" –Text by Garth Bardsley

THE BLESSING Officiant: May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.

People: Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL 87 Hark! the herald angels sing Sung by all.

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), alt. Music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847); adapt. William H. Cummings (1831-1915) Copyright: Reprinted under Onelicense.net # A-701275.

POSTLUDE: Toccata on Veni Emmanuel Andrew Carter (b. 1939)

The Holy Eucharist, beginning with the Great Thanksgiving, will take place at the main altar following Lessons and Carols. All are welcome.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Please stand.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Celebrant and People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Please remain standing.

Celebrant: On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine; gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” And so, gracious God, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Merciful God, gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Celebrant and People:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

All persons, including children, are welcome to receive Holy Communion with us. Our tradition is to receive both the bread and the wine, sharing in the common cup. Please assist the chalice bearer by guiding the cup to your lips. You may also intinct by dipping the wafer into the chalice. Receiving the bread only is a valid and acceptable way to share in Holy Communion. After consuming the wafer, cross your arms over your chest to indicate that you do not wish to receive the wine. Gluten-free wafers are available on request form the communion minister. Parents may decide if their children receive the bread and/or wine. Children may instead signal their desire to be blessed by the priest by crossing their arms over their chest.

THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Celebrant: Let us pray.

Celebrant and People: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant distributes a communion kit to each Lay Eucharistic Minister saying:

Celebrant: On behalf of God and St. John’s Church, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts that those whom you will visit may share with us in the communion of Christ’s Body and Blood.

People: Amen.

THE DISMISSAL Celebrant: Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

THE MEANING OF ADVENT As Christ’s Advent, or “coming,” unfolds, we acknowledge this crucial event in salvation history symbolically in the Advent Wreath. As Christ draws nearer another candle is lit. The Advent candles demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the “Light of the World” contrasted with the darkness of sin so that each candle dispels the darkness a little more. The candles may be said to represent hope, peace, joy and love, just as they represent the four weeks of our wait. Thus, the Advent wreath helps us to contemplate spiritually the great drama that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem the world.

ST . JOHN’S CHOIR: Dena Goodman, Alicia Lumberry, and Tory Wood, Sopranos; Annie Coffman, Ashley Kitchelt, Lisa Koehler, and Louisa Waycott, Altos; Stephen Blondo, Noah Calderon, Nicholas Levy, and Ned Sieverts, Tenors; Justin Dean, Christopher Fominaya, and Christopher Jones, Basses.

ASSISTING AT THE 11:00 A.M. SERVICE TODAY: Oliver Lehmann Weng, Clergy Cross; Alexander Lehmann Weng and Sebastian Lehmann Weng, Acolytes; Paul Barkett, Crucifer; Pete Burgess and Wendy Fibison, Chalice Bearers; Kat Kehoe, Greeter; Kristie Hansen, Lay Eucharistic Minister; Barbara Brown and Elizabeth Lewis, Flower Guild; Nora Rigby, Assistant Head Usher; Tony Anikeeff, Jack Garland, John Herzog, Caroline Huettner, Dick Nathan, Hap Rigby, and Chris Siddall, Ushers;

THE GREENS IN THE CHURCH are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Heather Aliceson Wilson.

THE NEXT SPEAKER SERIES will be on January 13. It will be presented by Jeremy Ben-Ami, Executive Director of J Street, an organization that advocates for policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

COFFEE AND COLD DRINKS will be served in the Togo West Parlor following the 11:00 a.m. service.

RECYCLING of Order of Service Bulletins paper is good stewardship. If you wish, please leave them at the end of the pew after the service.

The Reverend W. Bruce McPherson, Interim Rector The Reverend D. Andrew Olivo, Assistant Rector The Reverend Michele V. Hagans, Interim Associate Rector Kaye Edwards, Assistant for Church Growth Savannah Ponder, Assistant for Ministries to Children, Youth, and Families Michael Lodico, Director of Music Ministry and Organist Brent Erstad, Assistant Director of Music Pete Burgess, Seminarian

NOTES ON MUSIC

The Matin Responsory was originally adapted for King’s College Chapel, Cambridge and borrows music from one of Palestrina’s four-voice settings of the Magnificat. The text comes from the First Responsory for Advent Sunday and is still sung annually at Kings College and throughout the Anglican Communion. Composer-in-Residence at Harvard Memorial Church, Carson Cooman is among the most prolific American composers writing today. His setting of Adam lay ybounden was commissioned in 2004 by Sewanee: The University of the South and sets the anonymous 15th century text in a decidedly modern way with driving rhythm, mixed meter and robust accompaniment from the organ. Charles Shadel serves on the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has completed commissions for several major musical organizations including the Lake George Opera Festival, the Newton Choral Society and the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston. In Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Dr. Shadel sets an anonymous carol that first appeared in New Hampshire as early as 1784. Jesse Antin studied music at Brown University before leaving Providence for San Francisco to sing with the Grammy- winning ensemble Chanticleer. The Annunciation sets Edwin Muir’s poem by the same name. The poem itself was inspired by Botticelli’s famous painting depicting the moment when the Angel Gabriel and the virgin Mary first came into contact. Antin writes: “I have always been fascinated by the intersection of different forms of art. My mother is a painter, my wife is a beautiful writer, and music runs throughout my family. Just as the portrayals on canvas of the Annunciation spoke to Muir, the poetic cadence and mystical images of his words immediately became music in my mind as I read them”. The Joys Seven illuminates the life and works of Jesus through the eyes of his mother and was inspired by the medieval devotion to “The Seven Joys of the Virgin” found throughout medieval art and literature. While it may be surprising to see references to the crucifixion as joyful, it is worth remembering the Christian belief that Jesus’ death was in fulfilment of God’s plan for our salvation and as such can be seen as a source of great joy. The carol was first published by Novello in Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). Three Angels employs a jaunty irregular meter to conjure up the excitement and joyfulness of the approaching Christmas season. It was first performed in Aldeburgh, England in 2010 and was subsequently included in the famous service of Lessons & Carols at Kings College, Cambridge where the composer serves as Assistant Director of Music.

–Brent Erstad, Assistant Director of Music

Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510)

THE ORIGIN OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

The tradition of the service of Lessons and Carols comes from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, where it was first observed on Christmas Eve, 1918. Since 1919 the service has begun with the hymn “Once in royal David’s city.” Most often this was introduced by a boy chorister, singing alone, unaccompanied. Custom has it that no one knows which boy will sing the famous opening verse, including that boy himself, until the conductor gives him the signal to begin. This is a tradition that we continue at St. John’s: Choir members do not know until the hymn begins which person will be selected to sing the solo. The service was adapted from an Order drawn up by the Reverend E.W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed that then served as his cathedral in Truro, at 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1880. Beginning in 1928 the service was broadcast by the BBC, and except in 1930, it has been heard annually. Sometime during the 1930s, overseas broadcasts were begun, resulting in millions of world-wide listeners each year. Since its beginning the service has been adapted for use around the globe. One correspondent reported hearing the service in a tent on the foothills of Mt. Everest; another, in the desert. King’s College Dean Eric Milner-White, who instituted the services in Cambridge, points out, “The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God. . .[seen] through the windows and words of the Bible.” Many of those who took part in the first service must have recalled loved ones killed in the Great War when it came to the famous passage “all those who rejoice with us but on another shore and in a greater light.” This December 24 marks the one hundred and first service at King’s College, Cambridge. In addition to those present for the service, and those listening to the broadcast, thousands more will celebrate with Lessons and Carols in local services, as we do in this parish. So it is that we at St. John’s, Lafayette Square, in the City of Washington, in this year of our Lord two thousand and eighteen, join the throngs of pilgrims to the Manger, preparing for the coming of Messiah by means of this Service of Lessons and Carols. God with us. Emmanuel.

ON BEHALF OF THE RECTOR, WARDENS, VESTRY, AND ALL WHO SHARE IN THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH THE WORSHIP, MINISTRIES, PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH OF ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, WE THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR PLEDGES FOR THE YEAR 2019. (as of December 12, 2018)

Nikki Allen Margaret & Clayton Depue Mike & Ann Andrews George & Anita Diliberto Margaretta Conderman Arnold Richard Doege & Julia Koster Carlos & Lourdes Arriaga Laura & René Doucet John Aschieris James Doyle Ashley Atwater Will & Grace Duthe Shea & Virginia Bader James Eastwood Paul Barkett Janet Edmond Krista Becker Janice Berry Edwards Bob Beizer Kaye Edwards Laura Belman Lauren Edwards Kate Benner Anna & Rob Ehrich Judy Campbell Bird Richard & Martha Ellison Martha & Bill Birdseye Erika Emery Diane Bitsberger Clark Ervin & Carolyn Harris Herbert & Mary Ellen Bittner Leonard & Casey Evans Paul Bledsoe & Celia Boddington Steve & Caroline Faris Thomas Bleha Wendy Fibison & Samuel Watson Matt Bode & Laurie Adams Elizabeth Field Krista & Larry Bradley Hyman & Anne Field Lacey Broemel Carol Cole Flanagan Rebecca Brown Lee & Juliet Folger Fund Russell & Barbara Brown Linda Gaines Bill Brownlee David Gallalee GeeGee Bryant Christopher & Elizabeth Gardner Kathryn Bubolz John & Ann Gardner Lee Buddendeck Carrie & Jim Garland Craig & Barbara Burkhardt Kay Gilley Rick Busch Eduardo Gonzales Carolyn Buser Ted & Sandy Graves Pete & Susan Carlson Missy & Michael Grealy Robert Carroll Richard Greene & Aswathi Zachariah Andrea Charters Richard & Jeanne Grimmett Preston & Merrell Cherouny Katie & Hunter Guerin Virginia Chew Debby & Gary Hailey Carlye Christianson & Pascal Joly Nick & Kate Hailey Andrew Clarke & Chip Sherrill Budd Hallberg Gwinneth Clarkson Mary Blanche Hankey & Kyle Hankey Clayton Cottrell Kristie Hansen Claudette Cox Jeff & Katie Hantson Valerie Crotty Hunter Hardinge & Matthew Thomas Carolyn & Nelson Crouch Barbie Harper John Culver & Mary Jane Checchi Bud & Anne Harrell Gwendolyn Cunningham Anne & Robert Harrington Jim Czerwonky Fruzsina Harsanyi & Raymond Garcia Pat Czerwonky Diane Hauslein Garry & Pat Dalby Susan & Tim Heil Betsy Danello Hermann & Janet Helgert Christian & Liz Davis Laura & John Herzog Susan Dawson Heather Hopkins Justin Dean & Matthew Sipala Maria Huaman 21

Stephen & Teresa Huettner Amber & Peter Neville Kate Huffman & Chris Gorud Peter & Eleanor Odom Andrew Hunt & Elizabeth Hill Andy & Catherine Olivo Powell & Joanne Hutton Ralph & Lydia Olson John Peters Irelan Uche & Nkem Onwuamaegbu Victoria & Stewart Jeffries Matthew & Rachel Oster Wande Johnson Owen & Felicia Owunwanne Mac & Barbara Johnston Alex & Nancy Pappas Cliftine Jones Jacob & Susan Parcell Bill & Sara Josey Sharon & Bob Park Ann & Bill Kaye Margaret Ellen Parke Katherine Kehoe Gay & Bob Pasley Graham & Robin Keithley Kristina Pasqualone David Kieve & Kate Bedingfield Anthony Pegues Loren & Anne Kieve Robin Pennington Jack Kinsey & Becky Schergens Bruce & Pam Perkins Lisa & Jim Kirchenbauer Susan & Raymond Petniunas Alan Kirk Natalie Popovic Frank & Nancy Klotz Richard Price Lisa Koehler Brittany Prime & Will Rabbe Kenny Kraft Leah Proffitt Grant Kraus Scott & Katherine Raab Mary & Daniel Kroese Allie Raether Pete & Katherine Kyle Carl & Mary Raether Mary Landrieu & Frank Snellings Larry Redway Larry LeCompte & Dalia Zabala Jack Reiffer Marcus Lemon Gini & Harker Rhodes Lu Stanton León Susan Todd Rich Patricia Leslie Nora & Hap Rigby Leo Lex Chris Rogers Stewart Lillard Cate Rooney Michael & Priya Lodico Alyssa Ryerson Jesus Lopéz Chase Rynd Margaret Love Jessica & Alex Sanchez Jeffrey & Marisol Lovelace Brian & KayAnn Schoeneman Emily & John Lucio Chuck Schwartz & Robin Anderson Kathy Luhrman Pete & Anne Seidlitz Jan Lupton Susan & Sandy Sierck Bernard Malloy Thom Sinclair Michelle Mangrum Diane & Peter Spaulding Claire & Harry Marshall John Staples & Scott Raspa Chrystal & John Martin Ken & Susan Starling Middleton & Nancy Martin Anne Stewart Sherill Mason Toby Stock Nancy Mathis & Shawn Maher Catherine Stolar Abbott McCartney & Sigi Block Desiree & Alex Stolar Sara McGanity Holly & John Sukenik Judith McKevitt Meredith Sullenger Bruce McPherson Leila Taaffe & Arthur Kellermann Otilia Mendoza Edward Tang Richard Metzger Matthew Taylor Nathan & Kelly Miller Riley Temple Livy & John More Hilary & Alfred Thesmar Catherine & John Morefield Aja Thomas & Jamil Bussie Rob Mosbacher Jocelyn Tichenor Robert & Ann Mueller Philip Tierney Dick & Joy Nathan Jose Trejó Julie Lippman Neff Cal Trepagnier & Marta Cook 22

Anthony Turner Gail West Jennifer Urquhart Hilary West Barbara & Peter Van Allen Kathleen Wilcox Sophie Vandergrift Susan Wild Mauricio Vasquez Philip Willauer & Sandra Cunningham Pamela & Patrick Venzke Neil & Emma Wilson Jonathan Wakely & Jennifer San Pietro Anita Woehler Chris & Barbara Wall Brenda & Willy Wolter Alis Wang & Amy Stulman Renée & Keith Yancey Marc & Susan Warren Sarah & Hugh Yeomans Susan Welch Sang & Sarah Yi Donna Welles Keiko Yoshino

FATHER MULCAHY’S BLESSING One of the most popular TV shows in the ‘70s and ‘80s was “M.A.S.H.” It followed the doctors and nurses of a medical unit during the Korean War, as it cared for severely injured U.S. and Allied soldiers. The unit’s chaplain was Father Francis Mulcahy, a Roman Catholic priest who also was familiar with doing Protestant services, although he found Southern Baptist services “a little bit challenging!” In one very poignant episode, Father Mulcahy was at the bedside of a soldier who had just had surgery, could barely speak, and communicated by writing on a tablet. He talked to the soldier, gave him his blessing, and left with the words “Remember, He’s watching over you.” It’s good to remember that God is, indeed, watching over each one of us, especially as we move through this Advent Season. As you are “making your list, checking it twice,” think about St. John’s and what it has meant to you during this year. Thank God that He is watching over St. John’s and each one of us! Have you prayerfully and carefully considered making a pledge to St. John’s for 2019? For those of you who have already pledged, our Committee and our Church thank you!

For a pledge card, please contact Evangeline Gravina, at 202-347-8766 ext. 301, or by email at [email protected]. –The Stewardship Committee

ST. JOHN’S ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESS

Payments for pledges and other types of donations can now be set up with an online payment profile at https://tinyurl.com/GivingSJC by using your email address and creating a password. The password should contain a combination of at least eight numbers and letters. Payment can be made through VISA,

MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards as well as debit cards and echecks or ACH direct debits from your account. Just select your preferred method of payment from the drop-down list. Select the fund to which you wish to make a payment. A one-time payment can be executed this way, or automatic recurring payments can be arranged by following the instructions for scheduled payments. The site also keeps track of your payments. We encourage you to use this method of making payments and to let our financial secretary, Preston Cherouny, know that you will switch to online payments at a certain date.

Payments can now also be made by texting to 202-335-0365. You will receive prompts on your device screen for completing the process.

Please remember that this is a payment process, and St. John’s still wants to receive your pledge. Pledging can be done online at our website. By making a pledge, parishioners are not only making a financial commitment to contribute a certain amount to St. John’s, but also are providing vital information to our Clergy and Vestry needed to plan the budget. If you have questions, please call Preston Cherouny at the Church Office, 202-347-8766.

EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17-23, 2018

Tuesday December 18 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 5:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting (1st Floor, Multi-Purpose Room)

Wednesday December 19 6:30 p.m. Rector Search Committee Meeting (1st Floor, Multi-Purpose Room)

Thursday December 20 10:00 a.m. Construction Meeting (1st Floor, Multi-Purpose Room) Flower Guild Wreath Hanging (Nave) 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Music Rehearsal (Nave)

Saturday December 22 9:00 a.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (Nave) and Lunch (Togo West Parlor) 10:00 a.m. Flower Guild Decorating the Church 11:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Rehearsal (Nave)

Sunday December 23 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist—Homily—The Rev. D. Andrew Olivo 8:15 a.m. Parish Choir Rehearsal (4th Floor Choir Room) 8:30 a.m. Nursery (Parish House Lower Level) 9:00 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist—Sermon—The Rev. D. Andrew Olivo 10:10 a.m. St. John’s Choir Rehearsal (Nave) 11:00 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist Sermon—The Rev. D. Andrew Olivo 12:15 p.m. Hospitality Hour Tour of the Church 12:30 p.m. St. John’s Choir Rehearsal (4th Floor, Choir Room)

The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated Monday through Friday at 12:10 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS FOLLOWED BY HOLY EUCHARIST Today, December 16, 11:00 a.m. Traditional Hymns and Carols of the Advent and Christmas Seasons for the Congregation. The St. John's Choir will sing a selection of seasonal anthems. Invite your friends to join you for this annual St. John’s tradition.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

The poinsettias and evergreens that enhance the beauty of the church and parish house at Christmastide are given by parishioners as memorials for those who have died and as thanksgiving for those who are living. Please consider remembering those who are important to you. The suggested donation is $50 per name. Please send your check to Evangeline Gravina in the Parish Office with “Christmas Flowers” noted on the outside of the envelope, or place this form in the offering plate. Your support of this important ministry is greatly appreciated.

The deadline for inclusion in the Christmas Order of Service

is today, December 16.

In Memory of ______

In Thanksgiving for ______

Name______

Address______

Phone Number______Amount ______

St. John’s Parish House

1525 H Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005-1005

Telephone 202 347-8766 fax 202 347-3446

Website www.stjohns-dc.org

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Monday, December 24, 4:00 p.m. (NOTE: NEW TIME)

Required Rehearsal in the Nave of the Church Saturday, December 22, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served following rehearsal.

The annual Christmas Pageant will take place on Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m. The service prelude of anthems and carols will begin at 3:30 p.m. All participants must arrive at 3:15 p.m.

Children ages three and up are invited to participate in the Pageant as an Angel, Shepherd, or Friendly Beast. All children who wish to participate must attend the rehearsal on Saturday, December 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Contact Savannah Ponder, Assistant for Ministries to Children, Youth, and Families, at [email protected] for more information and to request a registration form. Please return forms as soon as possible.

FIRST WEDNESDAY CONCERTS SPEAKER SERIES SCHEDULE Wednesday, January 9, 12:10 p.m.-12:45 p.m. The Speaker Series is held at 10:00 a.m. Music by French Composers on the following Sundays in the Togo West Parlor: by concert organist Colin Lynch, Associate Director of Music at Trinity Copley Square, Boston January 13: Jeremy Ben-Ami , Executive Director of J Street, an organization that advocates for policies Please consider joining us during your lunch break on the First

that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well Wednesdays of the month, through June, and bring a friend. See full season details on the church website at www.stjohns- as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two- state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. dc.org. Each concert is ticketless, free of charge, and held in the nave of our historic church. January 20: General Eric Schoomaker, former Commanding General, United States Army Medical THE LATROBE FELLOWSHIP Command. He will address advances made in trauma Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 7:00 p.m. care in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Champagne Tasting Join the Latrobe Fellowship as we raise our glasses and toast The Presidential Series–George H.W. Bush the New Year with a champagne tasting on Wednesday, February 3: Warren Finch, Jr., Director of the January 9 at 7:00 p.m. We will gather at St. John’s for a George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by champagne and Station, Texas. sushi. Sparkling cider and other non-alcoholic beverages will also be included. Please RSVP to the Rev. Andy Olivo at February 10: Mark Updegrove , President and CEO of [email protected] by Friday, January 4 so that The Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation. He will speak on we know how much food to prepare for the evening. $10 George H.W. Bush: President and Patriot. Mark will suggested donation. All are welcome! talk about George H. W. Bush’s presidency as well his life of service (including his military service in BAPTISM SERVICES WW II) and the values he instilled in his son, The next dates for Baptism and required pre-baptismal classes President George W. Bush . with the clergy are as follows: • Baptism: Sunday, January 13, 9:00 a.m. Class: Saturday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. • Baptism: Sunday, February 17, 11:00 a.m. WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE Class: Saturday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. Today, December 16, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. • Baptism: Sunday, April 28, 11:00 a.m. Winter is here, but many of the students at Cardozo High School Class: Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. do not have adequate winter outerwear. On Sunday, December • Baptism: Sunday, June 9, 11:00 a.m. 16, parishioners working with Communities in Schools will be Class: Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. collecting donations of new or gently used winter jackets, adult If you are interested in having a child baptized, or in baptism sizes small, medium, or large. The school is also seeking new for yourself, please contact Kaye Edwards by e-mail at socks, gloves, hats, and blankets. St. John’s has not been able [email protected]. Please note that the parents or to hold a clothing drive during the Parish House renovations, so grandparents of children being baptized must be active, now is the time to clean out your coat closet! Donations pledging members of St. John’s. Adults interested in baptism accepted in the parish house, December 16, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for themselves must attend the Rector’s Adult Inquirers’ Class For further information, please contact Livy More at and be active, pledging participants in the life of the parish. [email protected] or 202-291-8783.

ST. JOHN’S BOOK GROUP Thursday, January 10, 6:45 p.m. The next meeting dates and books are as follows: HAYDEN BRYAN TO RETIRE

January 10: News of the World by Paulette Jiles After eighteen years of faithful service to St. John's, February 7: The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin Hayden Bryan, Executive Director for Operations, has If you like to read and meet with others who like to read and announced his retirement. Hayden has seen the parish talk about books, the Book Club is for you. The meeting will through two major renovations, innumerable be held in the 1st Floor, Multi-Purpose Room. If you have personnel changes, and a myriad of operating issues, questions or would like more information, please contact both large and small. His retirement will be effective Leila Taaffe at [email protected]. as of December 31, 2018. He will be greatly missed. Hayden will be honored at the Annual DELIVER CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Meeting on Sunday, February 3, 2019. Please take time to deliver a Christmas poinsettia on Sunday, December 23. Poinsettias will be in the Togo West Parlor along with cards addressed to parishioners who live in Virginia, Maryland, and the District. You’re invited to help us share the joy of this holy season by delivering a poinsettia to a parishioner who may not be able to be with us this Christmas. 26

SING WITH THE PARISH CHOIR The Parish Choir, a dedicated corps of volunteer musicians who WELCOME KIM CARLSON provide musical leadership for Sunday morning services, Director for Operations welcomes new members. Midweek rehearsals are most On Monday, December 3, Kim Carlson will join the Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., with a light staff of St. John’s as Director of Operations replacing supper of sandwiches provided at 6:30 p.m. There is a Hayden Bryan who retires on December 31, 2018. straightforward voice trial for admission, but the main Kim comes to us from St. Columba’s where she has qualification is your interest in serving St. John’s in its music been responsible for financial operations for the past program. The Parish Choir uses the Rule of St. Benedict as a ten years. Prior to that, she was Director of Budget and guide for serving together in a community of faith and ends Finance at the Washington National Cathedral. Kim each rehearsal with a service of Compline. Additionally, the also brings with her experience in facilities singing season is divided into “Quarters,” which are focused management. We are delighted to have her on the commitments of eight to ten weeks. If you would like to join staff. for the "Winter Quarter”, please be in touch with Director of Music Michael Lodico at Michael.Lodico@Stjohns- dc.org to learn more.

JOIN ST. JOHN’S GREETERS TEAM

Would you enjoy welcoming visitors to Sunday services? INTRODUCING Helping new parishioners feel comfortable in the congregation? THE REV. MICHELE V. HAGANS Exchanging morning greetings with old and new friends in the Interim Associate Rector parish? Then please join the Welcome Team Ministry and become a Greeter for the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service. The Rev. Michele V. Hagans joins the staff of St. Greeting requires only a short time before and after the service John’s as Interim Associate Rector. Michele serves and is important to the continued growth and health of St. the Diocese of Washington on the staff of Bishop John’s Church. For more information about becoming a Marian Budde as Canon for Ministry Initiatives. In greeter, please contact Head Greeter Robin Anderson at this role, she consults with clergy and congregations [email protected]. that are in transition and advises the Bishop in matters regarding development of church properties. She also CONSIDER JOINING THE FLOWER GUILD serves on the Board of Trustees of Virginia Whether acquiring a new skill or expanding on an existing Theological Seminary, the Board of Directors of talent, being a member of the Flower Guild is a rewarding way Compass Rose Society, and the Executive Council to volunteer at St. John’s. Newcomers are paired with Committee on Historic Black Colleges and experienced members who mentor them until they are fully Universities for the National Church. Michele has fledged, confident flower arrangers. It is a wonderful ministry served a number of churches in the Diocese of with the benefit of newfound friendships. For a typical Sunday, Washington including Holy Comforter and Grace, two team members meet on Saturday morning. Please contact Silver Spring. Her first Sunday with us will be Flower Guild Chair Katherine Kyle if you would like November 11. additional information at [email protected].

LISTEN AGAIN TO SUNDAY SERMONS If you missed a Sunday at St. John’s Church or would like to listen again to past sermons or speaker series, you can visit the ST. JOHN’S REFUGEE COMMITTEE St. John’s website and click on the “Media” tab at the top of the NEEDS YOUR HELP page to listen. You can also find past sermons by searching for The Refugee Committee recently participated as one of “St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square” in the Podcast app on several communities of faith in providing funds for your iPhone or iPad. housing support for a Nicaraguan asylum seeker. Holy Trinity Catholic Church is the sponsor for Mario PASTORAL CARE AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH Fernandez who was released from detention and Praying for the sick and those in need is an important part of obtained permission to come to the our life together. We invite you to add yourself, family, or Washington/Baltimore area to seek asylum a few weeks friends to the parish prayer list. Other than birthdays, ago. Mario is 39 and has worked as a Systems Engineer anniversaries, and deaths, names added to the prayer list will for U.S. companies in Nicaragua. Mr. Fernandez’s appear for four consecutive weeks. If you would like the name housing needs will continue while he awaits an asylum to be on the prayer list for a shorter or longer period of time, determination and we expect to make an additional please let us know. We are listing in parentheses the name of commitment to Holy Trinity. Contact the Pasleys at the person requesting prayers for family and friends who are not [email protected] or 703-683-4346 for more members of the congregation. To add a name to the prayer information. list, please contact the Rev. Andy Olivo at [email protected].

OUR PRAYERS are requested for the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially:

Those who are sick or recovering:

From our parish: Jimmy Lowe, Ginger Parra, Bob Patchell,

Gordon Richmond, Diane Spaulding, and Samuel Watson. Friends and family of our parish: Yvonne Allen (Nikki Allen), Bonni Ashburn (Kaye Edwards), Jim Bailey (Mike Becraft), Barton Edwards Bruce (Kaye Edwards), Rachael Buckley (Chrystal Martin), John Frew Carter (Margo Arnold), Lane Carter, Ellen Cromwell-Cecrle (Carolyn Becraft), Bill Clark (Clark Ervin), William Frew Conderman (Margo Arnold), Sambar Datta (Ashley Culbertson), Henry Farrington (Samuel Watson), Ted Fibison (Wendy Fibison), Kate Fisher (Katherine Kehoe), Elisabeth Fisher (Ellen Parke), Nancy Francisco (Ellen Parke), Allison Gardner (Elizabeth Gardner), Antonina Gawel (Margaux Polanski), Tyrone Gayle (Jessica Sanchez), Anne Harrington (Anne and Robert Harrington), Joe Heitzler (Mike Becraft), John Linton (Cay Buser), Linda Linton (Cay Buser), Rosemary Mariner (Carolyn Becraft), William Markiewicz (Matthew Taylor), Tammy McCleaf (Matthew Taylor), Hattie McDowell (Ellen Parke), Timothy Mullins (Jim Mullins), Judy Nicola (Cynthia Walker), Jerry O'Hagan (Lance

Jensen), Jonathan A.I. Olowu (Elizabeth Leach), Susie Pappas (Alex Pappas), Lisa Pell (Mike Becraft), Moon Sa (Richard Metzger), Elizabeth Soyster (Debby Hailey), Jim Tatosian (Pat

Dalby), Dick Van Orden (Ellen Parke), Henry and Sandy Welles (Donna Welles), John Wilson (Neil Wilson), Sonya Wilson (Neil Wilson), and Peter Winkler (Betty van Iersel).

Those who are in hospice:

From our parish: Dick Ellison.

Those who are in the hospital:

From our parish: Max Hudgins and Dace Vidins.

Friends and family of our parish: Beth Graham (Ellen Parke), Robert Hohman (Wendy Fibison), Julie Howell (Cynthia Walker), Aiden Mylnikov (Lindsey Bowen), Conyers Thompson, Jr. (Joanne Hutton), and Larry Watson (Catherine Outten Olivo). Those in our parish celebrating a birthday this week: Wendy Fibison, Matt Gaziano, Joanne Hutton, Paul Kallaur, James Kreger, Grant Lucio, R.J. Lyerly, Randall Roe, Nadia Sadqi, Peyton Schwartz, and David Taylor. Those in our parish celebrating an anniversary this week: Pat and Jim Czerwonky, Lisa and James Kirchenbauer, Nayla and Michael Mengel, Susan and Marc Warren, and Suzanne and John Whitmore. Those who are deployed: Friends and family of our parish: Mary Formanek (Annie Formanek).

Please help us keep these lists updated by contacting the clergy at St. John’s via email as soon as you can with corrections, additions, and updates on status.

HOST A ST. JOHN’S SUNDAY PARISH LUNCH January 13–May 19, 2019

We are happy that our Sunday Parish Lunch tradition will resume on January 13, 2019. If you have not participated in the past, please begin a new tradition of your own and plan to come to our Parish lunches at 12:15 p.m., after the 11:00 a.m. service. It is one of the best fellowship opportunities at St John's and a way to meet new friends, both members and guests, and to catch up with old friends. Hosts are needed. Gather your friends and family to help plan, cook, and serve in our new kitchen! I am happy to answer any questions and offer guidance.

To sign up or ask questions, contact Holly Sukenik, the lunch coordinator, at 202-332-2952 or [email protected] or the Parish Office at 202-347-8766 or by email to [email protected].

There will be no Parish Lunch on the following dates: April 14 (Palm Sunday), April 21 (Easter Day), and May 12 (Mother’s Day).

Date Host January 13 St. John’s Refugee Committee January 20 January 27 February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24 March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 Miller Winecoff and Friends April 7 April 14 No Parish Lunch (Palm Sunday) April 21 No Parish Lunch (Easter Day) April 28 May 5 May 12 No Parish Lunch (Mother’s Day) May 19

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY SCHEDULE 2018

Monday December 24 * 3:30 p.m. Carols and Anthems (New Time) * 4:00 p.m. Pageant & Choral Eucharist with Choir (New Time) 7:00 p.m. Carols and Anthems 7:30 p.m. Festival Choral Eucharist—Sermon—The Rev. W. Bruce McPherson 10:30 p.m. Carols and Anthems 11:00 p.m. Festival Choral Eucharist—Sermon—The Rev. W. Bruce McPherson

Tuesday December 25 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist—Sermon—The Rev. W. Bruce McPherson Church and Parish Office closed after the 11:00 a.m. service

* NOTE: NEW TIME

IF YOU ARE VISITING a warm welcome to St. John’s.

We are delighted to have you worship with us. Please let us know who you are and how we can best serve you by filling out a “Welcome” card and leaving it in the offering plate or with an Usher or Greeter, and joining us for the coffee hour following the service.

We welcome families with young children at our worship services. Children’s Worship Bulletins are available from the Ushers as you enter the nave. For parishioners and visitors alike, nursery care for children under age three is provided on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We also offer Church School at 10:45

a.m. for children and youth from age three through tenth grade on the second floor of the Parish House.

All persons, including children, are invited to take part in the Holy Eucharist. Parents may decide if their children receive the bread and/or wine. Children may instead signal their desire to be blessed by the priest at the altar by crossing their arms across their chest.

Follow us on Instagram at @stjohnschurchlafayettesquare. See photos from St. John’s musical performances, special events, meetings, Sunday services, and more. Relive the moment or experience it for the first time through the touch of a button on your smartphone. Help St. John’s capture each moment by submitting your photos from events, worship services, trips, and volunteer efforts.

FREE VALET PARKING FROM THE FRONT OF ST. JOHN’S FOR THE SPEAKER SERIES AND 11:00 A.M. SERVICE.

EXCEPT ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, HOURS WILL BE 9:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. LOOK FOR THE VALET SIGN AT THE CORNER OF 16TH AND H STREETS.

Welcome!

AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, we believe Christ is calling us to be a renewed church in a changing world. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we respond to Jesus’ call as we deepen our bond with Christ through worship, become a community where all are accepted, and work together as laity and clergy to do God’s work in the world.

ST JOHN’S WAS ORGANIZED IN 1815 to serve as a parish church for Episcopalians residing in the neighborhoods in the west end of the District of Columbia. Its cornerstone was laid on September 14, 1815, and it was consecrated on December 27, 1816. Beginning with James Madison, every person who has held the office of President of the United States has attended a service at the church. Several Presidents have been communicants. Thus, St. John’s is often referred to as the “Church of the Presidents.” Pew 54 is the President’s Pew. The architect of the church was Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who assisted in the rebuilding of the U.S. Capitol and the White House after the War of 1812. Twenty-five of the stained glass windows in St. John’s were designed and executed by artisans of the noted Lorin firm of Chartres, France.

BROCHURES DESCRIBING PARISH LIFE, the history of St. John’s, and the Episcopal denomination can be found in the church entrance. If you are visiting, please fill out the visitor information card found at the end of each pew to enable us to welcome you personally into the life of our parish.

ST JOHN’S WEBSITE WWW.STJOHNS-DC.ORG has up-to-date information about the Church including the weekly calendar, the Sunday service schedule, Adult Forum speakers and topics, the music calendar and newsworthy events.

Vestry Staff Richard Metzger, Senior Warden Hayden G. Bryan Executive Director for Operations Paul Barkett, Junior Warden Kim Carlson Virginia Bader, Andrew Clarke, Director for Operations Audrey Wood Corcoran, Carolyn Crouch, Martha Ellison, Carrie Evangeline Gravina Garland, Jeff Hantson, Wande Operations Assistant Johnson, Peter Odom, Jessica Preston Cherouny Sanchez, Thom Sinclair, and Anne Financial Secretary Stewart. R. J. Gravina Nkem Onwuamaegbu, Treasurer Program Coordinator Casey Evans, Assistant Treasurer Elizabeth Leach Karis Gong Parnham, Secretary Communications Coordinator Christopher R. Wall, Parish Counsel Victor Obregon, Sexton

Glynnis Bryant, Assistant Sexton Head Usher James H. Czerwonky

Parish House 1525 H Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005-1005 Telephone 202 347-8766 fax 202 347-3446 Website www.stjohns-dc.org