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Christmas Eve Service Schedule ...
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Have you heard a voice in the wilderness?
Have you ever been heading down a questionable path, and had a friend care enough to challenge you to rethink it, to turn back, to seek a better future?
Maybe you were in a relationship that was seductive, but really unhealthy. Maybe you were stuck in a job that was deadening, but you were afraid to change. Maybe you were violating your own deep values in some way, and somebody called you to account.
That person was your "John the Baptist" - the one who called you to turn, to repent, to redirect your life. Like John, her words might have sounded harsh. You might have wanted to turn away, not listen, continue as you were. But something gave you pause. There was truth in her words.
We all need a "John the Baptist" sometimes
, to challenge our ways when we get complacent, when we seek expediency more than doing the right thing. But we also need something to turn toward...to draw us into a better, healthier, more honorable life. John didn't do that part. Instead, he pointed toward the one who could: Jesus of Nazareth. While John could be off-putting, Jesus was magnetic: he drew people with his love of life, the wisdom of his teaching, his gift of hope.
We all have times when we are "in the wilderness"
- not comfortable with the status quo, searching for something better, truer. Maybe you are in the wilderness right now. Listen for "John" who calls you to turn, to reevaluate your life. Then look for Jesus to draw you to himself, to love and forgive you into a new life. JBM
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 St. D's Christmas Party was a delight!
A good crowd gathered on December 9 for a rousing carol-sing, a delightful pageant of the Christmas story, and lots of great chili. St. Nicholas made a visit, to the delight of children and grownups alike. A number of visitors and friends from the neighborhood joined us. Many thanks to Sue von for coordinating the pageant, Michael Austin for music and organizing photos with Santa, Ray Donnelly for photography, Bob Tupper for a jolly rendition of the man in red, many chili-makers and other providers of comestibles. I believe we'll continue this new tradition next year.
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A New Year's Challenge from your Rector ...
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Sing, Unburied, Sing
In seeking a book for our next parish book discussion, I happened onto a new novel that's received raves in the press: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. This novel of black American experience in Mississippi around the year 2000 is beautifully written and poignant. It says much about America's original sin of racism in our day, and also the amazing resilience of the human spirit. The characters are real and compelling. Ward won the National Book Award for her previous novel.
I propose we read this book in observance of Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month in Jan-Feb. We'll meet on Sunday, February 4 at 12:15 p.m. Please let me know if you will read the book and discuss it with us!
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Advent Offerings for all ages ...
 It's not too late to begin an Advent practice!
Advent in a Bag is offered for families of all ages and sizes. Similar to our
Lent to Go boxes last spring this give us another way to bring the season home. Pick one up in Founders' Hall.
Coloring the Season
will give all an opportunity to create some wonderful images that will decorate our parish hall and teach us about
the weekly journey through the season. Stop by and color for a few minutes, no matter your age.
 Living Well through Advent: Practicing Wonder With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
The seasons of Advent and Christmas are filled with the presence of wonder, if only we remember to pause and open ourselves to receiving this gift. This resource will assist us to take time to discover how the gifts of wonder might be born in us again this year. Pick up your booklet in Founders' Hall - we have a few left.
Advent Giving Tree 
Beginning on Sunday, December 3 and continuing throughout Advent, we will have the opportunity to support the work of
Episcopal Relief & Development
. This amazing outreach arm of our church provides aid and development around the world working with existing organizations on the ground. This year the focus will be on monetary donations because we have the chance to double our gifts. ERD has received their most generous matching gift in the history of their work - up to $760,000 will be matched. Just think of the possibilities!
Join this endeavor by taking an envelope from the Giving Tree in the Parish Hall, adding your check to the envelope, and placing it in the offering plate or handing it to Jeff or Sue.
A couple of online ways to engage the season!
 AdventWord - the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar - begins on Sunday, 3 December, 2017, with images and meditations available via email, FaceBook, InstaGram and Twitter. During the 23 days of Advent, a daily email featuring the #AdventWord of the day will go out at 5 a.m. each day, and respondents are encouraged to share their responses to the meditations and images to the aggregated prayer walls within the advent calendar. To sign up click here.
Busted Halo
, resources from the Roman Catholic Paulist Fathers, offers a simple on line calendar - click
here
each day to access the daily offering. Each day the link on the calendar will lead you to a daily jolt and a micro challenge.
L Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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Christian Formation for Children and Youth ...
Children's Formation
Coloring the Season
will be available between the two services on Sunday, December 10 and after the late service for all ages. Help us to create our second poster of the season - Prepare! Be sure to check out our first Sunday of Advent poster - Keep Awake!
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Thank You!
We had a great pageant this year - and it could not have happened without the help of Frank and Ellen McCormick, Yasi Rezvani, Tucker Hemphill and Joel Hemphill. Many hands make this a fun and delightful experience. And of course there could be no pageant without the children and youth. Great joy everyone! I can't wait to see the video. We will post it as soon as it is available.
Our Cast of Characters
Mary - Amelia Tatelbaum
Joseph - Samuel Orford
Innkeeper - Daniel Jarvis
Gabriel - Lucy Jarvis
Shepherds - Jesse Orford and Daniel Jarvis
The Star - Kyle Tatelbaum
Wise Ones - Simon McCormick and Nicky Jarvis
Wise One with Camel - Lachlan Overdahl
Narrator - Hans Overdahl
And other angels and sheep!
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Youth Formation
D.Y.G.
1st and 3rd Mondays
6:30 p.m. Simple Supper
7:00-8:00 p.m. Program
December 18 - DYG Christmas Party
Parents please note that we will be moving our meeting night to the 2nd and 4th Monday for the month of January due to the holidays of New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Day. So please mark your calendars now!
January 8 and 22
December P.R.A.Y. Event
Caroling & Secret Santa - Youth Grade 5 and up
Sunday, December 17
1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There's still time if you want to join us. Please let email
Sue. Don't forget your "seasonal" attire and your Secret Santa gift.
We meet at the Oasis next to Sibley Hospital.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 15
More information will be available next week. A great way to give back to the community and follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
L Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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This week we received a thank you note from Camero Vivanco from Education Equals Hope and the children we support. Please check out the bulletin board in the hallway near the office to read through the wonderful and colorful letters from the children. Try out your Spanish translating skills - or just read the English translation attached to each one.
There is still great need in Ecuador this year for sponsors for children. Are you still looking for a gift for that someone who had everything? Why not give a year of school to a child who would otherwise stay home, in honor of someone you love. For more information please visit the
website or speak with Sue.
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Parish Notice
Greening of the Church 
On
December 17, all members of the congregation are invited to join the Flower Guild and decorate the Church for Christmas. There will be some preparation between the services for early attendees and then the "ladder work"will commence straight after the 10:45 a.m service. Materials and refreshments will be provided. Donations for the special Christmas greens and flowers would be much appreciated. Please use the Christmas flower envelopes at the usher table and leave your donations in the collection plate or give them to Jeff.
Update on Sunday Attendance - 12/10/17 9:00 a.m.-27, 10:45 a.m. 46, Total 73
As we work to strengthen both our services, please let us know if there's a reason you are not coming to worship. We need to know about barriers or dissatisfaction which is affecting our worshiping community. Contact liturgy group members
Sue Carroll,
Rosi Sweeney,
Jackie Karlin, or
Jeff MacKnight.
Christmas Day Service @ the Washington National
Cathedral 
The Washington National Cathedral will hold two services on Christmas Day, Monday December 25.
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist will began at 11:15 a.m. followed by a
Christmas Day Organ Recital at 1:30 p.m. There will be no tours of the Cathedral on this day and it will close at 2:30 p.m.
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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 I
n Need of Healing:
Curt Shively
,
husband of Susan Burkhalter
,
in nursing care
Ken Farnsworth
, ill at home in Wheaton
David Keegan
, friend of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett, fighting cancer
Pam Plaisance
, fighting cancer, cousin of Sue von
Samantha Barnes,
ill,
sister of Muriel Croston
Ray Bridson
, friend of the MacKnights, fighting cancer
DJ Crane
, family friend of Trudy Surut, fighting cancer
Jay Karlin
, in nursing care
The flowers
are given to the glory of God.
We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries,
Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, and the parish of Buen Pastor.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please complete our prayer request form by clicking
here.
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The Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2017
9:00 a.m. Family Service
9:50 a.m. Life Long Christian Formation
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
12:00 noon Greening of the Church
The readings for this Sunday are:
Isaiah 62:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126,
and John 1:6-8, 19-28
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Host Family: Jarvis
Trail Guide: Julie Anderson
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Eucharistic Minister: Rosi Sweeney
and Carl Adams
Prayer Minister:
Rosi Sweeney
Lector: Carl Adams
Flower Guild: Rosemarie Barrett, Ann Boyd, Trudy Surut, and Sue Newman
Altar Guild: Rosi Sweeney
and Kiska Williams
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Bob Boyd
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