The Shamrock
Wednesday, December 6, 2017






THIS SUNDAY

QUICK LINKS
Moravian Lovefeast - Wednesday, December 6, 7pm


The Moravian Lovefeast is a gentle, deeply moving tradition that 18th Century settlers from the Moravian Church brought with them from Central Europe when they arrived in the New World.  Based on the agape meals described in the Acts of the Apostles, our Lovefeast includes singing Advent carols, eating sweetened buns and drinking mulled cider in our candlelit narthex.  Come to our Lovefeast, and let us wait together in hope, peace, joy and love for the coming of Jesus.
 



Advent Quiet Morning; Led by Mother Julia with Music by Ramsay Hall



7:30 am - Yoga offering (basic with meditative theme) for those interested.  (Yes, you may a lso simply come to yoga and know that all is well.)

8:30 am - Coffee and light fare. 

9:00 - 11:00 am - Advent quiet, reflection, and music.  

Please pre-register with Mother Julia at  rev.julia@stpat.net .



Sunday, December 10, 4-5 pm - Stories, Hot Cocoa, and St. Nicholas!




Come learn about this Saint, put your shoes out for treats, and enjoy this time together! We will have:

1. Storytellers
2. Cocoa and cookie
3. AND YOU!  
 
Please lift up the following youth in your prayers as they prepare for confirmation on Sunday, December 10 at 4 pm at the  Cathedral of St. Philip:

Avery, Lyndyn, Rebecca, Isabella, Autumn, Max, Eliza, Marisa, Andrew, and Van. 
 
  

We Have Tidings of a Great Joy For All of The People of St. Patrick's!

  First, as of today we have received 83 pledges to our 2018 Operating Budget! 

  Second, the total pledged to date is $386,489!

  Third, 11 of the 2018 pledges so far are new - from newcomers and others who did not pledge last year!

  Fourth, we are on a path to exceed last year's Operating Fund Campaign! 

 We have an opportunity to experiment in holy generosity in a very tangible way.  If you have not yet made a 2018 pledge or   completed your pledge for 2017 to the budget or Raise our Staff '17, it would be a great help if you would do so by the   last vestry meeting of the year, December 17, when the vestry begins to consider the 2018 Budget.  Thank you so much   for giving joyfully from your heart on this Journey to Generosity!          

  If you are still in need of a pledge card, please stop by the office to pick one up (see what they look like below) or download    one here.    
Christmas Flowers 

Christmas poinsettias, which are placed at the altar for the Christmas services are available for ordering now through sign-up sheet posted in the hallway near t he office. The cost is $20 each. The poinsettias are a lovely way to h onor friends and family during the season of Christmas. The deadline for ordering is Sunday Dec 17.
Poinsettia
 
Malachi's Toy Party Needs You!

Get in the Christmas Spirit! Join us for our Annual Christmas Toy Drive as we support our Malachi's families. We encourage you to give your time, and would appreciate your donations of toys and/or gift cards, gift wrap, tags, and tape. Cash donations are also welcome. The children we are serving are ages newborn - 15 years old. Please bring all donations to St. Patrick's and drop off in the boxes in the Narthex.

Toys will be distributed to pre-registered parents  on  Saturday, December 16  from 2:00 - 5:00pm. Parents will come and select a gift for their child. They will be served hot chocolate and cookies and the gifts will be wrapped for them to take home. We are using an on-line program for parishioners to sign up to help. It is really easy, but if you have any questions please contact Judi Carlson at  630 220-2178 or  carlsondjnj@me.com.

Please sign up for Malachi's Toy Party 2017 - here's how it works:

   1. Click this link to go to our Sign Up Genius: 
   2. Sign up! Choose your spots - Sign Up Genius will send you 
       an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: Sign Up Genius does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

There's another way you can help, too! One of our partners, For the Kid in All of Us, is having their annual Toy Party on Saturday, December 2. They need assistance with set up on Friday, Dec 1 as well as at their Toy Party Saturday, Dec. 2. This is a great volunteer opportunity for your Foyers or Home Group! Please click here for additional information: https://getinvolved.forthekid.org/volunteerregistration




We are shaking things up a bit at The Rector's Forum and you are not going to want to miss this! So join us on the following Sundays for fellowship and a dynamic discussion. 

Sunday, December 10, 9:15 am- Guest Presenter is Wayne Ware

Luke 10: 41-42:  "Martha, you are worried and distracted by so many things.  Only one this is necessary...."

Advent, being a time of expectant waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ, can seem lost in the blur of activity this time of year.  So, let's take some time to be quietly reflective and prepare our hearts.  Let's take some time to be open together to the movement of the Spirit.

Sunday, December 17, 9:15 am- Fr. Dick will lead the discussion on Advent Through the Centuries. 
 
Children and Family Offerings


Baptism Class:
Baptismal preparation class, three Sundays in Advent, December 3, 10, and 17.  This class is for all adults desiring baptism and  for parents of children who are being baptized on the first  Sunday  of Epiphany ( January 7 ).  Attendance is required for baptism .  Godparents are strongly encouraged and welcomed to attend as well!  We look forward to our joyful, exploratory time together!  Questions?  Speak with Becky Beal ( becky.beal@stpat.net) .
   



Christmas Pageant Dates:  
 
Sunday, December 10
Pick up costumes in room 5 before Formation at  9 am or  after the  10:30  service.They may also be picked up in room 5  before Cookies, Cocoa & St. Nicholas at  4:00 pm.  


Sunday, December 17
Pick up costumes in room 5 before Formation at  9 am.  Practice for the pageant is from  11:45-1:15 pm ( Lunch will be included). They may also be picked up in room 5  after practice at  1:15 pm. 

Sunday, December 24
Costumes for the Christmas Pageant may be picked up in room 1. Be at the church at 4:30 pm for 5 pm service.   


      


Malachi's wishes to thank all of you for your faithful support. Follow this link for the full article about the 6 non-profits featured by StyleBlueprint and Mednikow. 
      

DYC Fun!


 


Agape Update
 
"Stay awake" was the Message as we began Advent in class last week. You never know when Jesus will arrive...  Well, to our surprise we had a special guest join our class to help teach us about Advent and being "ready".  We also took advantage of the great weather and played outside.



 

The deadline for Shamrocks and bulletin submissions has been moved. All submissions are due to Cowen Harter, by Monday at 1pm.
 
You are invited to send St. Patrick's news and pictures to me at cowen.harter@stpat.net. If you are planning an event, if possible, please speak with me several weeks in advance so that I can help you with advertising preparation, including photographing the event to share with our St. Patrick's family afterwards.
 

WEDNESDAY
Our next Wednesday night program is the Moravian Love Feast on December 6. Advent Songs and Silence will be offered on December 13.


SUNDAY
Our nursery is available at 8:45 am. All children/youth classes begin promptly at 9:00 am. Adult formation classes begin promptly at 9:15 am.
  
CHILDREN/YOUTH CHRISTIAN FORMATION OFFERINGS:
  • The Nursery - Room 6
  • The Alleluia Class (Kindergarten-2nd Grades) - Room 4A
  • The Agape Class (3rd-5th Grades) - Room 7
  • The Rites of Passage Class (Rite 13: 6th-7th Grades) - Room 12
  • J2A Class (8th-9th Grades) - Room 3
  • YEA (10th-12th Grades) - Room 14
ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION OFFERINGS
  • Rector's Forum - Parlor: Join us for a lively discussion. The topic changes weekly. 
  • Scripture Study with Marigold Watson - Room 8: Getting Personal with Scripture.
  • Art Community - Room 15: Doing Art Looking Up. Book making and Visio Divina, along with other opportunities.
  • Dreams - Library - Room 2: Listening to God.
        
Save the Dates:

CHILDREN (contact Becky Beal [becky.beal@stpat.net] with questions)
  • Stories, Hot Cocoa, and Saint Nicholas, December 10 (4-5 pm)
  • Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, December 17 (11:45 - 1:15 pm)
  • Holy Eucharist with Christmas Eve Pageant, December 24 (5 pm)
YOUTH
 (contact Liz Beal Kidd [lizbealkidd@stpat.net] with questions)  
  • Confirmation, December 10, 4 pm, Cathedral of St. Philip.