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Our Vision: St. Andrew's dares to embrace its Episcopal Heritage by living out
the Great Commission of Christ through the intimacy of
community, discipleship and service.
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| Las Posadas: A Journey of Hospitality |
On Sunday, December 13th,
St. Andrew's will once again join with St. James and Our Lady of Guadalupe to celebrate the journey of the Holy Family through Bethlehem. After being rejected three times, Mary and Joseph are finally welcomed at...St. Andrew's! Don't miss this wonderful, annual, ecumenical event. The event begins at
6:00 p.m. on the steps of Seguin City Hall. After a brief gathering in the main church building at St. Andrew's, Las Posadas continues with hot chocolate and bunuellos in the parish courtyard.
This is a great event for families and children!
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| The Service of the Longest Night |
The Service of the Longest Night
is a
service that remembers those who are grieving during the holiday season, whether through loss, addiction, or other crisis. A beautiful service, held on the longest night of the year, it recognizes and honors the pain that many quietly suffer in the midst of others rejoicing.
Our guest preacher this year will be The Rev. Tom Jones, Director of Pastoral Care at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.
Please join us for this thoughtful service on Monday, December 21st, at 6:30 p.m.
in the Chapel.
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| Services of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day |
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St. Andrew's will celebrate three services of Holy Eucharist on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as at our regular time of worship on Sunday, December 27th. See below for details of each service.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
5:30 p.m. - Main Church
Family-Oriented Service
At this service, children are invited to process into the service with Fr. Kevin, ringing bells and celebrating the birth of Christ! The sermon will be shared with our children as they gather around the creche. The St. Andrew's Brass will play and the Adult Choir will lead us in our favorite hymns. The service ends with a congregational candlelight singing of "Silent Night".
Thursday, December 24, 2015
10:30 p.m. - Chapel
High Solemn Mass
Set in the contemplative atmosphere of our historic chapel, this is a "high" liturgical service, complete with chanted Eucharist and incense. The Adult Choir will lead us in our favorite Christmas hymns, while our musicians compliment the tone of mystery. This service begins and ends in candlelight.
Friday, December 25, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Chapel
This simple, spoken, Rite I service is a wonderful way to start the Christmas season.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite I (Chapel)
10:30 a.m. - Service of Lessons and Carols (Main Church)
The Christmas service of Lessons and Carols follows the story of Christ's birth through the Hebrew Scripture and the Gospels. Each reading is complimented by a hymn selection appropriate to the reading. No sermon is offered. (Isn't that reason enough to come...?)
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| Guess Who's Coming to Town? |
No, not him . . . HIM!
Many thanks to the ladies who helped put up our parish Chrismon Tree in the nave this year. Sandy Merrell, Ardith Perry, Linda Williams, Terry Boehnke and Sandra Beckett did a wonderful job getting it up and dressed out in less than an hour!
A Chrismon Tree looks like a traditional Chrismas Tree, but the ornaments and figures on it are all symbols of Christ and his ministry. It's a beautiful reminder of REAL "reason for the season"!
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| Always-Everywhere: Thoughts for Balanced Living |
Tracy Donley, a "cradle" Episcopalian and member of St. Andrew's, is a gifted spiritual writer and yoga instructor. Tracy served in many capacities at St. Andrew's, including Senior Warden, and was a long-time editor and contributor to "The Call". Now living with her family in Fredericksburg, Texas, Tracy continues to share her insights and reflections through yoga instruction and a weekly blog. If you would like to follow Tracy's thoughts and essays, visit her website at
www.always-everywhere.com.
In her latest posting, written for the second week of Advent, Tracy reflects on her latest return to Seguin and St. Andrew's.
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| Renovation Complete! |
The renovation of McKeogh Hall is 99% complete! New ceiling tiles, light fixtures, paint and flooring have given our parish hall a burst of new life. A crew of parishioners has been working to move tables, furniture and decorations back in place. The renovation includes a re-orientation of presentations toward the west wall, a designated small group area, and vinyl flooring especially for food service areas and the children's eating area.
Many thanks to the members of St. Andrew's for their support, and especially tothose who donated their time and talent to the project. A great deal of thought was put into all aspects of the renovation by the renovation committee. It is a beautiful part of our facility and we look forward to showing it off to the Diocese of West Texas when our convocation gathers at St. Andrew's in January for the annual pre-council meeting.
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| Traffic Flow at the Altar |
It has been noted that our parishioners who utilize wheelchairs and walkers, or who otherwise have difficulty walking, are facing challenges at either end of our Altar Rail when coming forward for communion. For this reason, we will begin implementing some immediate, simple changes, with further changes coming in the future.
Beginning Sunday, December 13th, the central Altar Gate in the main church building will remain open at all times during regular services of Holy Eucharist. During the distribution of communion, we ask those utilizing wheelchairs and walkers, and those who assist them, to come to the center of the Altar Rail, rather than the sides. This will reduce the chances of injury for those with ambulatory issues, and will allow the Priest and Chalice Bearer to descend the Altar Steps to distribute communion as needed. Everyone else may simply kneel at the rail to the left or right of the opening.
Looking ahead, we will be exploring the idea of cutting out several sections of pew along the center aisle of the main church so that those who utilize wheelchairs and walkers can bring them without concern for blocking the aisle.
Thanks to everyone for cooperating as we work to improve traffic flow for the safety of our brothers and sisters.
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| Chop House Friends |
Have you been to The Chop House? That's the new restaurant across from St. Andrew's on Nolte Street. On Tuesday, December 8, The Chop House bakery donated over 300 TASTY brownies to St. Andrew's. Thank you, Chop House!
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Around the Globe
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News from the Episcopal News Service (ENS) and the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS):
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Other Announcements
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December Birthdays
3 Trey Milanovich
4 Fernando Loya
5 Mark Keddal
6 Emily Elise McCown
7 Randy Herzog
8 Brett McCown
10 Elizabeth Cortes
10 Linda Hannasch
10 Joyce Richey
11 Conner Sharp
14 Sallie Crittenden
17 Pam Roitsch
19 Nick Stephens
20 Chuck Ingersoll
21 Sudy Bruns
21 Leslie Muenchow
21 Phoebe Smith
24 Art Lindley
26 Angie de los Santos
27 KT Cockerell
27 Janet Alcede
29 Kiersten Gustafson
29 Wyatt Smith
29 Lauren Muenchow
30 Kim Stephens
December Anniversaries
10 Jack & Sandy Merrell 1967
15 John & Tracy Donley 2007
16 Bryan & Diane Hambric
30 Brad & Judy McClendon 1967
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If you or another member of the parish are sick or in the hospital and would like Fr. Kevin to visit, please notify the church office. We don't want anyone to get missed! Contacting the office will ensure that Fr. Kevin is notified.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Need to send in a prayer request? If you would like to add a name, etc., to the list, send an email to our prayer list coordinator at: [email protected]. If you have a pastoral situation that needs attention, please contact Fr. Kevin, or send an email to [email protected].
PRINTED COPIES OF THE CALL
If you know of someone who does not have email and needs to be mailed a printed copy of The Call, please contact the Parish Office. The e-version of the newsletter saves on printing and mailing expenses, and allows for more flexibility. However, we can print and mail copies to those who do not utilize email.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge - Bishop
The Rt. Rev. David Reed - Bishop Coadjutor
The Rev. Kevin Dellaria - Rector
Renee Cutcher- Senior Warden
Andrew Nelson - Junior Warden
Gil Merkle & Elizabeth Cortes - Music Co-Coordinators
Carolyn Cagle - Financial Secretary
Betty Anderson - Parish Secretary
Kelsey Cooper - Youth Ministry Assistant
Claudia Pettus, A
llison Cutcher
- Nursery Attendants
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
201 E. Nolte
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 372-4330
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas,
a diocese of The Episcopal Church, and a member of the worldwide
Anglican Communion.
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Funeral Service for
Carolyn Schmidt
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A service of Holy Eucharist and Burial for Carolyn Schmidt will be held this Saturday, December 12, 2015, in the main church building. Remembrances will begin at 1:30, with the service beginning at 2:00, followed by a reception in McKeogh Hall. Carolyn was a wondeful lady and a delightful friend. She passed into eternity on October 31, 2015. Her obituary may be viewed
HERE.
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| Outreach News |
BLUE SANTA
This holiday season, St. Andrew's is working with the local
Blue Santa
program to provide necessities and gifts for families in need. This past Tuesday, St. Andrew's donated 10 space heaters to Blue Santa to help local families during cold weather.
Blue Santa
is also asking St. Andrew's to help provide Christmas cheer to one struggling family who needs more help than Blue Santa can normally provide. A sheet will be available this Sunday for members to sign-up to purchase clothing, toiletries, and other identified items.
Blue Santa
is also in need of toys for 7 & 8 year olds, which can be dropped off at their headquarters next to Bealls. The last
Blue Santa
"wrapping night"- during which volunteers wrap the donated gifts - will be
Monday, December 14th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at
Blue Santa HQ
.
For more information, please contact Therese Sharp.
COATS FOR KIDS
St. Andrew's continues to build a relationship with Rodriguez Elementary. This holiday season, in addition to our ongoing "Backpack Program" which provides food each weekend for needy children, our parish is also providing warm coats for Rodriguez students who have been identified by the school as being in need. If you would like to help, make your check payable to
St. Andrew's,
and
on the memo line write:
Coats for Kids.
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| Chapel Update |
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We continue to do everything we can to eradicate the flea problem that has plagued our chapel off and on since May of this year. We have received more input from experts in the field regarding treatment. As measures will be taken beforehand, we will continue to plan on using the Chapel for upcoming season services. If a change is needed, an announcement will be made.
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| Junior Choir |
The St. Andrew's Junior Choir meets every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.
at the grand piano in the main church buildin
g. Junior Choir will be led this year by Mrs. Terry B
oehnke, and assisted by Mrs. Melinda Ingersoll. Children of the parish aged 6 and up are welcomed - nay! - ENCOURAGED! to attend. Jr. Choir is a great way for children to make friends in church, to practice good singing technique and to learn how to carry themselves in a dignified manner. Jr. Choir teaches life-long skills that will build their confidence and boost their esteem. Think your child is too fussy or inattentive to participate? Why not give it a try!
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Parish Prayer List
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We pray for all members of this parish family, especially:
Joan Moore, Judy McClendon, Alex Van Buren, Winston Bruns, and Carolyn Lehman.
May their special needs and concerns receive God's mercy and grace.
We pray for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, wishing him a speedy recovery from surgery.
We pray for our family members and friends, especially:
Kitty,
Bill, Shirley,Daisy, Angie,
Devyn,
Holly, Debbie,
Phyllis,
Grace, Jenna, Katy, Danielle, Manual,
Rossi,
Stewart, Opal,Bryan,
Johnan
a, Sue, Cindy, Ellen, Cody,
Brandon, Tracy, Kinsley, Beth, Henry, Arleen, Justin, Denise.
M
ay they be brought to a place of comfort and hope.
We pray for all those who are home bound, or residing in care and retirement communities, especially:
Billie Schonefeld, Ann Lee, Ruth Payne, Sally Crittenden, Joe Rainey, Peggy Staton, Patsy Creager, Jackie Roosa, Virginia Ingersoll, Ruth Burgess, Darlene del Greco, Marion Chandler, Mildred Toness, Jane Horn, Margaret Burges. May God's comforting grace be present to them.
We pray for those who have died.
We pray for all those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Shane Keenum, Justin Lohr, Simon Barrientes, Ben Van Buren, Desi Van Buren, Thomas Smith, Logan Thompson, Brandon Buckalew, Zachary Ryan Buckalew, Lee Alexander, John David Mills, Liam Rubarth-Lay, Richard DeLosSantos, Steve Helmer, and Justin Carnahan.
May they return home safely.
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