​'Tis the Season

Please join us as we celebrate Advent and Christmas

​All are Welcome!

​Lessons & Carols

Sunday, November 29 • 10:00 am

Join us as Advent begins, a season of hope in anticipation of the coming of the Christ child into the world.  We celebrate with prayers, reflection and music. The service features instrumental and vocal renditions of familiar carols like “O Come, O Come. Emmanuel,” “Lo Ere a Rose is Blooming” and other traditional favorites.  Everybody is welcome to singalong from the comfort and safety of home!
This 45-minute service will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After 11/29, check out the St. John’s YouTube channel for the recording.
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Evening Prayer

Thursday, December 3 • 7:00 pm

A quiet, contemplative service put on by St. John’s Chancel Choir.  Join in virtually singing canticles, hymns, and prayers a cappella in unison from the comfort and safety of home.  Be inspired by the Evening Prayer liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer and the ancient tradition of plainchant! 
This 30-minute service will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After 12/3, check out the St. John’s YouTube channel for the recording.
​

Sunday Morning Services

Sunday, December 6, 13, 20, 27 • 10:00 am

Regular Sunday morning services will continue throughout the season with the traditional liturgy.  Because of the condensed, virtual format, we do not celebrate the Eucharist.  However, bread and wine will be consecrated at the church during the December 13th service.  Volunteers will deliver the consecrated bread and wine individually to each person who requests it.  We will then take communion together from home during the December 20th service.  The December 20th service will also include a baptism and we will welcome a new child into our community.
These 60-minute services will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After each service, check out the St. John's YouTube channel for the recording.

Compline

Sunday, November 29th, December 6, 13, 20 • 7:00 pm

Following monastic tradition, this short service offers prayers and centering at the end of the day.
This 30-minute service will be streamed on Facebook only. 
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Hymn Sing

Thursday, December 17 • 7:00 pm

Sing favorite hymns virtually along with the Chancel Choir in this popular, engaging event from the comfort and safety of home.  The theme will be Christmas carols.  Participants may suggest a carol in advance and are invited to share what makes it a favorite.  To request a hymn for the hymn sing, email Ben@stjohnsoakland.org.
This 60-minute event will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After 12/17, check out the St. John's YouTube channel for the recording.
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Blue Christmas Service

Monday, December 21 • 7:00 pm

Find hope, comfort, and healing in this service at a time when people might be feeling sad or lonely.  While this is supposed to be a season of joy, some people feel especially blue.  The service coincides with the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year.  It is a time when we reflect on the darkness that surrounds us and remember that Christmas is about light coming into our dark world. 
This 60-minute service will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After 12/21, check out the St. John's YouTube channel for the recording.
​

Christmas Eve Service

Thursday, December 24 • 5:00 pm

A worship service commemorating and rejoicing in Christ on the eve of his birth with songs, prayers and celebration.
This 60-minute service will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
After 12/24, check out the St. John's YouTube channel for the recording. 
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​Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 27 • 10:00 am

Join us for a final celebration of the season as we sing “Joy to the World,” “Come all Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and many other favorite Christmas carols, celebrating the birth of the Christ child.  Everybody is welcome to singalong from the comfort and safety of home! 
This 45-minute service will be live on Zoom and streamed on Facebook.
​After 12/27, check out the St. John’s YouTube channel for the recording.
​

Drive-Through Nativity

December 18 - 29 • 5:00 - 8:00 pm

For the first-time, St. John's is offering a "drive-through nativity" experience.  There will be Christmas lights, life-sized, still-life scenes from the Nativity story and much more.  Tune in to a special radio station upon arrival to listen to carols that tell the Christmas story. This event will be held on site at the church, 1707 Gouldin Road in Montclair (Oakland) for 12 days in December.  The event is free and open to the general public, with attendees enjoying the experience from the social-distancing safety of their cars.
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All services and events:
Live on Zoom, streamed on Facebook, and/or uploaded to You Tube

Drive-Through Nativity:
​On site at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1707 Gouldin Road

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