Chimes Advent 2025

In this issue

Prepare the way...

Advent: Waiting, Preparing, & Watching

This has been a beautiful fall! Now, we have the opportunity to turn our hearts and minds to the Season of Advent, the beginning of a new year in the life of the church. The word Advent comes from the Greek word, adventus, which means "to come". In this season we are called to prepare for both the baby who came into this world to change our lives and hearts forever and the savior who will return again to draw the whole world to God. The liturgical color for the season of Advent is blue or purple. Blue is considered a little less penitent than purple, which is appropriate for Advent versus Lent. Advent is a time for active waiting and the preparation of our hearts to make room to receive Christ. Many of us kid ourselves when we say, “Okay, this is the year I will really slow down and live into the season of Advent,” only to then find our days full of offerings at church, in our relationships, and in our community. So, I am inviting you to enter this season in perhaps a different way than in the past. Prayerfully approach Advent as a journey seeking to encounter God at work daily in your life and in the world around you. Be mindful that every day is another day to see God. There are many opportunities in which to participate during this season, so prayerfully seek and engage in whatever speaks to your heart and invites you to be mindful of God’s presence in your life.

I also invite you to pray this prayer every morning as you start your day:

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 461)

Peace, Rev. Lisa

Check out these opportunities to enhance your Advent journey this year:

Advent Adult Formation - Advent and the significance of each visitor

Join the Rev. Lisa Mason and the Rev. Dorothy Greene Sundays after the 10am service in the Living Room, as we explore the significance of each visitor in Advent.

Advent Devotions & Prayer Resources

Advent Meditations and Prayers from the Seminary of the Southwest, a series of contemplative devotions for the season, available in English & Spanish.

Brother, Give Us a Word from the Brothers at the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) in Cambridge, MA. The daily meditations are 2-3 sentences. Give it a try!

AdventWord is a series of daily meditations for the Advent season, from Forward Movement. Daily emails December 1-24.

A Quieter Advent Service - Monday, December 8 at 7pm

You may have also heard of this type of service as a “Blue Christmas” service. This is offered for people who have experienced personal grief and loss in their lives and may not be ready to jump straight into the joy and festivities of Christmas just yet. This service is Monday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Wednesday 7am Holy Eucharist in Advent

As is our tradition during Advent and Lent, we offer a midweek Eucharist at 7:00 AM, followed by a book discussion in the Rector's office. These will be brief, to allow those who need to get to work to participate.

Wednesday 7pm Zoom Compline

Everyone is invited to join us on Zoom for compline each Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM. Invite a friend!

Weekly Videos

Rev. Lisa will also offer brief videos each Friday of Advent sharing a few words about what each week of Advent offers to us.

Formation Update

Christmas Pageant Coming Soon!

The joy of the season is shining bright as we prepare for our annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during the 10:00 AM service. All children and youth are invited to take part as we share the story of Jesus’ birth through music, drama, and wonder.

Click here to register your kids for the pageant!

Rehearsal Schedule: Sunday, November 30 | 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Music rehearsal, script read-through, and costume check in the Chapter Room. Sunday, December 7 | 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM Music rehearsal and full run-through in the church. Saturday, December 13 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Dress rehearsal in the church.

Thank you to all our families, young actors, and musicians for your energy and spirit. We can’t wait to celebrate the Christmas story together at the Pageant! If you have any questions, please email Lori Wilson at lwilson@stjohnslarchmont.org.

Advent Wreaths

If you would like to make an Advent wreath at home, please email Lori Wilson who will gather supplies for you and a resource sheet so you can make one at home.

Children, Youth & Family Formation Calendar

(Late Fall Through Start of 2026)

Sunday, November 30

  • Sparklers & Explorers Formation during the 10:00 AM service
  • Christmas Pageant Rehearsal #1 11:15 AM–12:30 PM (Registration required for pageant participation.)

Sunday, December 7

  • Sparklers & Explorers Formation during the 10:00 AM service
  • St. Nicholas Sunday at the 10:00 AM Service St. Nicholas will visit and often leaves surprises for the children. Children will leave their shoes in the hallway outside the Thorne Room while the downstairs rugs are being cleaned.
  • Christmas Pageant Rehearsal #2 11:15 AM–12:45 PM
  • Youth Group Gathering (usual time)

Saturday, December 13

  • Christmas Pageant Rehearsal #3 12:00–2:00 PM

Sunday, December 14

  • Christmas Pageant during the 10:00 AM Service
  • Carol Singing for All at Coffee Hour afterward
  • Youth Group Gathering (usual time)

Winter Formation Pause

There will be no formation for Sparklers, Explorers, or Youth Groups on:

  • December 21
  • December 28
  • January 4, 2026

Formation resumes Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Sunday, January 11, 2026

  • All Morning Formation Classes Resume
  • Youth Service & Gathering 5:00–6:30 PM in the Parish Hall For all St. John’s Youth Groups and youth from our Sound Shore partner churches.

Prayer Service for Peace

On Monday evening, October 27th we gathered for a solemn and hope-filled Prayer Service for Peace. The candlelit service invited reflection, lament, and recommitment to the work of peacemaking in our homes, schools, and world. Led by Rev. Lisa and members of the parish, the liturgy opened with the Prayer of St. Francis and the words, “Blessed be the God of peace, who calls us beyond fear and into courageous love.” Scripture readings from Micah 6:6–8 and John 14:25–27 called worshippers to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” and to embrace the peace Christ offers — “not as the world gives.” Reflections were offered by Wyatt Lonegro and Lori Wilson*, who spoke with honesty and hope about living as instruments of peace amid violence and uncertainty. Their words grounded the evening in both grief and grace. The congregation prayed for those affected by recent school and faith-based shootings across the country, lifting up victims, families, and first responders by name. Together, participants sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “Go Make a Difference,” sending one another forth to embody peace in daily life. As the closing blessing reminded all gathered: “May God guard our minds from violence and turn our thoughts toward compassion… that we may walk always in the way of peace.”

*Wyatt's reflection is below; click here to read Lori's reflection.

Prayer Service for Peace - Reflection by Wyatt Lonegro

Columbine was 8 years before I was born. I was only 5 for Sandy Hook. 11 for Parkland. 14 for Uvalde. Now I am 18, and when I see a description of any of the many shooters from over the years, I have begun to wonder how different we are. In the past, it seemed like the work of ‘adults,’ and the shooters were different from mine. but Dimitrios Pagourtzis, was only 17 when he opened fire at Santa Fe High School in 2018. It invites you to stop and think. How have these people become so disillusioned that they choose to commit acts of senseless violence? How separated from society must these people be to do this? But upon reading into the lives of these people, you come to realize that you’re not so different after all. Sure the thought of attempting a school shooting has never even crossed my mind, but somehow enough had happened in the 17 or 10 or 26 years of these many other people to lead them there. And my intention is not to excuse these people or the terrible acts they have committed. Nor do I want to attempt to explain the tremendous suffering of the victims and their families. But I do wonder how they got there. Have we, as a society, as a community, failed? How is it that we let hate burrow so deep into our lives that we feel compelled to shoot one another? Children, no less? Learning from our mistakes here is not enough, certainly. But we must still learn. It’s not like I have the answers. Nobody does. But when you talk, read, and pray, I invite you to consider the steps leading to these tragedies. And if you recognize them in your own life, I encourage you to step up and speak out.

Music in the manor

The first concert in this year's Music in the Manor season was a great success. St. John's welcomed Organized Rhythm on October 19 for a lively and enjoyable concert in the sanctuary.

For our next concert, we will again ring in the New Year with J. S. Bach’s most famous orchestral works: All six Brandenburg Concertos – performed in their entirety!

Matthew Lewis leads an all-professional group of instrumentalists for these celebratory pieces. The event includes a festive reception, with a smorgasbord of savory delights, and a gala dessert buffet, Mimosas, Champagne, fresh fruit juices and mocktails.

Tickets are only $75. This performance sells out, so click here to reserve your tickets before December 18!

From the St. John's Archive Team

If you are having trouble with a new hymn, here's some advice from St. John's in the 1980s!

Annual Giving Reminder

Have you submitted your pledge yet for 2026? We’re counting on robust support from the entire St. John’s community to ensure our church can stay strong and fulfill our shared goals as a parish. Pledge cards were mailed out late last week. If you didn't receive your pledge card, please contact the parish office or simply click here to complete your pledge online.

Thank you for your support and participation! We really appreciate it.

Giving FAQ

What is a pledge?

A pledge is a financial commitment to the church for the upcoming year.

Where does my pledge go?

All pledges support our operating budget which contains costs like:

  • Employing the priest and staff, including our parish administrator, and our directors of children, youth and family ministries, music, communications, and facilities, and our bookkeeper
  • Providing our wonderful formation programs for children, youth, and adult, including Godly Play and middle and high school youth groups
  • Performing outreach in the community and beyond, including Midnight Run and meals for Hope Kitchen
  • Our incredible music program
  • Offering hybrid worship services
  • Maintaining, heating, and cooling our beautiful historical building so it continues to be a space where everyone is welcomed and comfortable
  • Keeping our grounds safe and beautiful
  • Paying our apportioned share to the Diocese of New York, which in turn supports the national Episcopal Church. As Episcopalians, we are part of something bigger than ourselves: the Diocese of New York and The Episcopal Church. We bless each other in our relationships and are able to do more together than as individual congregations.

Why should I submit a pledge card?

Just as you create your household budget, the vestry sets an annual budget using the total pledges submitted as an income figure. While we are fortunate to have an investment fund to supplement our income, our goal is to reduce our reliance on these funds.

Does St. John’s receive money from the diocese and the national church?

Unlike some other denominations, we give money to the diocese-what is known as our apportioned share-and each diocese funds the national church through their respective apportioned share.

What if I am unable to fulfill my pledge?

While a pledge is a commitment, we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. The Rev. Lisa Mason, the Rector, is always available to have a private discussion with parishioners.

How much should I pledge?

There’s no easy answer to that question as there are no “shoulds” in giving. It is a personal decision: think about what God has given you and how much you wish to give back to the work of God here at St. John’s.

Below is a proportional giving chart which reflects the notion of giving in proportion to what you have or earn. This is a very biblical idea – that we give a portion of what we’ve been given.

Prayerfully reflect upon what percentage of your resources you wish to give back to God at St. John’s.

We all are aware that costs overall are increasing. This is why it would be helpful to St. John’s if you can increase your financial commitment each year as well.

To be clear: there is no expectation regarding level of giving, and every single pledge is very much valued and welcomed, no matter the amount.

2025 Christmas Bazaar

A Great Success!

Our wonderful co-chairs, Maile Lesica and Ellen Payne

The ECW Board would like to extend its thanks to everyone – volunteers, donors, and shoppers – for making our 99th Annual Christmas Bazaar such a successful and fun event! Besides raising money to support local not-for-profits helping women and children, the bazaar provided a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. We were delighted to welcome so many new faces, along with many familiar ones, throughout the week. A HUGE round of applause and thanks go to Maile Lesica and Ellen Payne for co-chairing the bazaar – they were tireless and unflappable, and always so cheery! Special thanks go to Mallory O'Connell for organizing the wildly successful Live Auction, Lexi Massey for spearheading the Silent Auction, Monique Atkins for arranging the babysitting (no easy feat with almost 30 little ones!) and wine pull, Linnet Tse for communications, and Mary Conway for taking charge of the clean-up efforts. A shout-out also goes to Shani and Peter Sherman (Locals10538) for catering the delicious Preview Party and to Post Wine & Spirits for the popular whiskey tasting. Many thanks also go to the decorating committee for creating such a festive atmosphere and to the leads of all the tables for making it all happen: Tiffany Andrade, Lila Bankston, Kelly Chubet, Barbara Gessler, Melany Gray, Lindsay Harwood, Diana Hechler, Sophie Kent, Penny McIntyre, Ellen Martin, Pat Melrose, Patti Roberts, Lucy Smeets, Vonnie Sullivan, and Katie Thaeder. (Our deepest apologies if we have left someone out!) Last, but not least, a huge thank you goes to the many volunteers – too many to name - who helped with set-up, selling, and clean-up throughout the week. We couldn’t have done it without you!

All the women of St. John’s are invited to a very special Advent gathering at the Rectory! Please click here to RSVP by December 3 to help us plan for this special event. In keeping with our ECW tradition this time of year, we will be collecting $20 grocery gift cards or donations towards grocery gift cards. The gift cards will be distributed to families in need by the social workers at Mamaroneck’s four elementary schools. We suggest gift cards to Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s or North Shore Farms. We hope you’ll be able to join us!!

save These Dates

Thursday, November 27, 10am - Thanksgiving ZOOM service

Try something new! Our Thanksgiving service this year will be a Zoom service. Whatever you have planned for Thanksgiving this year, start the day off with your parish family. This is truly a come as you are service, and all are welcome, no matter where you may find yourself on Thanksgiving morning. Join us!

Click here to join the service at 10:00 am on Thanksgiving morning. The password is St. John's 5-digit zip code.

Sunday, November 30 - Advent Begins
  • Our regularly-scheduled services at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 AM
  • Pageant practice after the 10:00 AM service
  • 11:15 AM Advent Adult Formation with Rev. Lisa & Rev. Dorothy
Wednesdays in Advent (December 3, 10, & 17) - Holy Eucharist at 7am & ZOOM Compline at 7pm

As is our tradition during Advent and Lent, we celebrate the Eucharist at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. These will be brief, to allow those who need to get to work to participate. After the service, Rev. Lisa will offer a book discussion in her office. Wednesday evenings, we will have a service of Compline on Zoom. You can log in with the same link and password we use on Sunday mornings. Please join us for these beautiful mid-week connections as we journey through Advent.

Sunday, December 7 - Advent 2
  • Our regularly-scheduled services at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 AM
  • 10:00 AM - It's St. Nicholas Day - we expect a special visitor at this service! Please have children leave their shoes in the hallway outside the Thorne Room.
  • 11:15 AM - Adult Formation with Rev. Lisa & Rev. Dorothy
  • 6:00 PM - Special ECW Advent Event at the Rectory for all women of St. John's. Please click here to RSVP by December 3 to help us plan for this special event.
Monday, December 8, 7pm - Quieter Advent Service

The Quieter Advent Prayer Service is a service of prayer and traditional Advent hymns wherein we pray for those we love (and perhaps have lost) and where we experience the power of Advent but in a softer way. No demands for happy-happy at this service; this service lets us feel all our feelings and invites us to lay them in the loving arms of God. It’s perfect for those who find the hyper-commercialization of the secular Christmas season just too much to bear. Come yourself and invite others to experience this powerful service.

Sunday, December 14 - Advent 3
  • Our regularly-scheduled services at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 AM
  • Christmas Pageant during the 10:00 AM service!
  • After the service, we will have a fun time caroling in the Parish Hall - join us!
  • Rev. Lisa & Rev. Dorothy will also offer the third and final session of this year's Advent Adult Formation, after the 10:00 AM service.
Sunday, December 21 - Advent 3
  • Our regularly-scheduled services at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 AM
Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
  • Services at 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm. All are welcome!
Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day
  • Holy Eucharist at 10am. All are welcome!
Friday, January 23, 2026 - Midnight Run

Our next Midnight Run will be Friday, January 23, 2026. We will begin collecting donations right after the Holidays. These include items most needed: men's casual clothing, such as jeans, sweats, and T-shirts as well as sneakers and boots (please no dress clothes, e.g., suits and jackets or dress shoes). Our undercroft closet and storage areas are currently full. So, while we need you to collect these items from your drawers and closets, we cannot accept any new items right now. We will begin collecting donations starting January 10, 2026 (two weeks before the Run). We will provide more information next month but if you have any questions, please contact Joe Conte at (914) 473-4425.

March 6 & 7, 2026 - White Elephant Tag Sale

It's not too early to start thinking about St. John's GIANT White Elephant Tag Sale, scheduled for the first week in March! As you're tidying your house for the holidays, keep in mind that we will be accepting donations of all kinds of household items. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, if you have questions, contact Nancy Pierson (nancypierson79@gmail.com) or Linnet Tse (linnet.tse@gmail.com).

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24

3:00 PM Family Christmas Service. A service especially appropriate for young children and families, with Holy Communion and Christmas carols.

6:00 PM Festive Choral Eucharist. Communion Service with the St. John’s choir, sermon and carols.

9:00 PM Festive Choral Eucharist. Communion Service with the St. John’s choir, sermon and carols.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25

10:00 AM Holy Eucharist. Communion service with sermon and carols.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS & Music

Each year as we gather to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, our worship is enhanced by poinsettias, trees, and greens, and by festive celebratory music for choir, organ, and the addition of special musicians. Your generosity makes this possible.

We invite you to remember your family, friends, and other loved ones with a donation towards our Christmas flowers and music (suggested donation $50). Please place your order by Wednesday, December 10, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD THE PAPER FORM

Seen at and around St. John's

Our local Interfaith Clergy

Several St. John's parishioners sang with in the choir at this year's Interfaith Thanksgiving service at Westchester Jewish Center.

Make a joyful noise!

Our adult and children's choirs

Recipe of the Month

Here's a delicious, moist cake from Melany Gray, cited as follows: "from an index card I copied in 7th grade to accompany a Home Ec project; origin unknown."

Apple Blossom Cake

  • 1½ cups vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Mix together well, beginning with sugar & oil.

  • 3 cups flour, unsifted
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Mix dry ingredients with wire whisk and add to sugar/oil mixture in three parts. Mix well. Batter will be very stiff.

  • 3 cups chopped apple, with peels on (about 3-4 apples)

Add apples to batter and mix well with wooden spoon.

Preheat oven to 325-350 degrees. Grease and flour Bundt pan. Bake 1 hour 10 minutes, or until edges start to separate and toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs. Cool for 5-10 minutes in pan, then invert onto wire rack.

Notes:

I usually cut the sugar, and use Macintosh or Granny Smith apples.

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Have a recipe to share? Join the fun and send it to communications@stjohnslarchmont.org. Yours just might be the next Recipe of the Month!

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Have good news to share? We'd love to share in your joy! Please email any good news to communications@stjohnslarchmont.org. Thanks!

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Likewise, your photos and news from your ministries are always welcome. Please forward your submissions to communications@stjohnslarchmont.org. Let your ministry's light shine through Chimes!