Dates to Remember:

Nov 21st 8:30 am Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Nov 21st 5:30 pm Dine Out at Ross' Old Austin Cafe

Dec 4th NC Drive A SR Concert

Sunday Services
8:30 am
Rite I
In the Chapel
(no music)

10:30 am
Rite II
(with music)
In the Nave

Church Office
Monday - Thursday
Hours: 10:00 am to 
2:00 pm
512-459-0027
 
Church Ministers And Staff

All the People, Ministers of the Gospel 

The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop

The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Ordinary

The Rt. Rev. Dena H. Harrison, Bishop Suffragan

The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan

The Rev. Billy Tweedie, Vicar

Brian McElligott, Bishop's Warden

Michael Paulsen, 
People's Warden

Sara Burden-McClure, Director of Music

The Rev. Kelly Jennings, Director, Children's Ministry

The Rev. Nathan Jennings, Theologian in Residence

Linda Bryant, 
Treasurer

Marty Newkirk, 
Church Secretary
 
The Midweek Connection
November 19th 2015


Inside this Midweek Connection:
  • A song for thought from Fr. Billy
  • Stewardship Sermon Series
  • A Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
  • News from the Atrium
  • ECW to Sponsor a Family for Christmas
  • Brotherhood of St. Andrew to meet Saturday
From Fr. Billy


Some Billy Bragg music to get us thinking. 
 
Ourselves, Our Souls and Bodies 
Stewardship Sermon Series

Join us beginning Oct. 25th for special guest preachers in this year's Stewardship season as we look at the gifts we offer to God during Holy Eucharist and in service to one another 
  • Oct 25    The Rev Dr. Nathan Jennings Introduction
  • Nov 1     Dr. Stephen Bishop        
  • Nov 8     The Rev. Kelly Jennings  Wine
  • Nov 15    The Rev. Billy Tweedie   Prayer
  • Nov 22    Dr. Anthony Baker        Alms Basin 

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry addresses
Syrian refugee crisis: "Be not afraid!"
[November 18, 2015] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry addresses the current Syrian refugee crisis:
"Be not afraid!"  

Often in the gospels, fear grips the people of God, and time and again, either the angels, or Our Lord himself, respond with the same words of comfort: "Be not afraid."  

In times like this fear is real.   And I share that fear with you.  Our instinct tells us to be afraid. The fight-or-flight mentality takes hold.  At the present moment, many across our Church and our world are grasped by fear in response to the terrorist attacks that unfolded in Paris last Friday.  These fears are not unfounded.  We can and should support law enforcement officials who are working hard and at great risk to protect us from crime and keep us safe.   And yet, especially when we feel legitimate fear, our faith reminds us "Be not afraid."  The larger truth is that our ultimate security comes from God in Christ.

In the Book of Leviticus, God says to the people of Israel that, "the foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the foreigner as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt."  Accordingly, we welcome the stranger.  We love our neighbor.  The Episcopal Church has long been committed to resettling refugees in our own communities fleeing violence and persecution.

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, through its Episcopal Migration Ministries service, works with dioceses and congregations, and the United States government, to settle refugees in communities across this great country.  The Episcopal Church has been engaged in this ministry for more than 75 years.  We will not let the nightmare this world often is keep us from carrying out the words of Jesus who told us to be a neighbor to those in need.

Refugees from places like Syria seek to escape the precise same ideological and religious extremism that gave birth to the attacks in Paris.  They seek entry into our communities because their lives are imprisoned by daily fear for their existence.   Just as Jesus bids us not to be afraid, we must, in turn, pass those words of comfort to those who turn to us for help.

But Jesus calls us to go even further: not just to love our neighbors and our kin, but to love our enemies.  This is particularly difficult when we are afraid.    But even in the midst of our fear we stand on the solid ground of our faith and proclaim the faith in Christ crucified and risen from the dead.  In practical terms, this may mean finding strength in prayer, or in our neighbors, or in our churches, or in acts of solidarity with others who live in fear.   This is the hope that casts out fear.  

The fear is real.  So we pray.  We go to church.  We remember who we are in Jesus.   Our resurrection hope is larger than fear.   Let nothing keep us from that hope, that faith, that security in Gods dream for all of humanity.

"Be not afraid!"
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
News from the Atrium


 
Dear all,
 
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low. - Isaiah 40
 
A confession: I came into the Atrium last Sunday and thought, "I have scripture for the children this morning.  They're probably going to find it boring."  The good news: they didn't.  
 
We lit a candle, as we always do when we read God's word and meditated on Isaiah 40:3-5.  I had written the verses on a large card.  But one girl reached immediately for a Bible so she could find it herself, and was delighted when she did-awesome.
 
As I read all 3 very long verses, there was absolute silence.  Even after reading, there was silence.  I asked what stood out for them, and for many it was the highway and the rough places being made plain.  Then one after one, they politely shared memories of their own about driving or hiking and having to deal with obstacles in the road or path.  We even moved into how a rough road can symbolize any difficult time in our life's journey.  
 
We ended with the thanksgiving that the One who makes our paths straight was the Messiah that God's people had waited for, for centuries.  Jesus clears the way.  What good news.
 
There will be no Atrium this Sunday, but the following Sunday, Nov. 29, is the First Sunday of Advent. PLEASE try to get your children to the Atrium every Sunday in Advent.  There is a lot of great material (including scripture!) that I don't want them to miss.  
 
And we will also have a couple of new Catechists to introduce to you during the Eucharist that day...
 
Peace,
Kelly

ECW Sponsors Family for Christmas

The ECW is sponsoring a family (Mom and 7 children) for Christmas through the Strong Start and Austin Children's Shelter Programs. ECW has been given the Wish List for the family.

If you are interested in providing a gift, please contact Pat Starkie for the list. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please place it in the offering basin and note that your donation is for the Christmas family.

Our goal is to be in receipt of all gift donations by December 12, 2015. Donations will be collected at the ECW Christmas Party on December 12th and then delivered to the drop off location. Gift tags wil be available to label the packages. Gifts should be unwrapped. If providing clothing/shoes, please include a gift receipt in an envelope with the person's name.

You can contact Pat Starkie at [email protected]

5 Thanksgiving Crafts to Teach Gratitude
"The four weeks in November that lead up to Thanksgiving -that lynch pin before Advent - offer plenty of time for teaching gratitude."

 Click Here for Crafts that encourage Gratitude
 
Brotherhood of St. Andrew Meet Nov. 21st

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will have their monthly meeting this coming Saturday, November 21, at 8:30 AM in the Parish Hall. Meetings of the Brotherhood include a pleasant balance of piety and social friendliness. A light breakfast will be served, and there will be a program which will center on a video presentation of two verses from the bible, each presentation being a dramatized enactment of the verse. All men and boys are welcome to attend, The Brotherhood being a meeting which centers on one learning about Christ and Christianity.
Dine Out is Back With Another Favorite


Mr. Joe Page has booked another all time favorite for Dine Out this month -- Ross' Old Austin Cafe, 11800 North Lamar Boulevard. 5:30 pm Saturday November 21st. The proprietors are our own Sandy and Ross Sterzing. 

There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex, and if you have any questions Joe Page can answer them all for you. You can call him at 512-453-3077. There will be plenty of good food and good fellowship, and everyone is invited.  
The Acolyte Spot

Last Sunday, we were delighted to have a new helper, Leah Haegelin join the acolytes as a new participant. Liam Tweedie held the gospel book, and Ella Tweedie was the other acolyte. Each Sunday we've seen a new team, so far.

Coming up will be a father-daughter team Kenn and Marisol Peters. We are so grateful, in this season of gratitude, to have these wonderful helpers.
Wednesday Bible Study Continues

Wednesday morning Bible Study continues from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Genuine Joe's Coffee House at 2001 W. Anderson Lane.  The Bible students have studied a lot of the scripture so far, and will continue on. They have worked their way into Second Maccabees now. The Bible study is ongoing, and there is always space for more interested folks.
Note: There will be no Bible Study next week prior to Thanksgiving, and the study will resume the week after. 
Hospitality Team for Sunday Nov. 22nd.

Team Leader:  Katie Sturich
Ginger Kirchhof
Billy Tweedie
Music for November 22nd: 
 Anthem: The King of Glory, Joseph Martin
Processional: 458, All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name
Gospel: 495, Hail Thou Long Despised Jesus
Communion: 707, Take My Life And Let It Be
544, Jesus Shall Reign Where Ere The Sun
Missional: 494, Crown Him With Many Crowns

If you are unable to fulfill your lay ministry, arrange for a substitute and let Marty in the office know of the change by noon on Thursday before. 

Readings
First Reading: II Samuel 23:1-7
Psalm: 132:1-13, (14-19)
Second Reading:  Revelation 1:4b-8
Gospel: John 18:33-37

8:30 am Service 
Lector: Joan Medrano
Psalmist: Jim Ryan
Intercessor: Reba Ott
Chalicist:  Jon Ellis
Usher: Jim Ryan

10:30 am Service
First Lesson: Linda Bryant
Psalm: Jennifer Johnston
Second Lesson: Kenn Peters
Prayers of the People: Mary Morrison
Chalicists: (GC) Helen Paulsen  (C) Rob Thornton
Acolytes: Holly & Charles Davis, Kenn & Marisol Peters
Ushers: Carolyn & Jon Ellis, Ann Harrington, Michael Paulsen
Altar Guild: Ann Harringon, Joan Medrano
Flower Guild: Ann Harrington
Lay Eucharistic Minister:  To be announced
Bishop's Committee Host: Robert Beyer