Worship Schedule
Saturday, December 7
9:00 a.m. Advent Quiet Morning
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday, December 8 - The Second Sunday of Advent
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II* with Children's Chapel
10:10 a.m. Bible Study and Sunday School*
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II* with Children's Chapel
5:00 p.m. Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
Wednesday, December 11
7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
*childcare available for ages 4 and under
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This Advent—the season leading up to Christmas—we've got offerings for individuals, groups, families:
The Giving Table
Through December 8
Senior Saints BYO Lunch and Sing-Along
This Friday, December 6; 11:45 a.m.
All-Parish Gingerbread Extravaganza
This Friday, December 6; 5–7:30 p.m.
Advent Quiet Morning
This Saturday, December 7; 9 a.m.–Noon
McLean Symphony
Featuring the Rev. Jon Strand and parishioner Leslie Linn on the Trumpet
This Saturday, December 7; 7:30–9 p.m.
Alternative Gift Fair
This Saturday, December 7; 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
This Sunday, December 8; 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
This Sunday, December 8; 5 p.m.
Voce Chamber Singers
Featuring Dr. David Kelley on the Organ
Saturday, December 14; 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 15; 4 p.m.
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Free Devotional Booklet
The Rev. Scott Stoner, who spoke at the Wellness Fair in October, has joined with other clergy to create an Advent booklet with daily readings, personal reflections, and insights on practicing peace with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Pick up a copy in the narthex or Church Office or join their private Facebook discussion group and have the daily devotions emailed to you.
Learn more.
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Join the Way of Love this Advent
This Advent, we will be joining our Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, in forming a rule of life, a plan and practice for deepening our faith, called
The Way of Love. A workbook is available for download
HERE. Another way you can join in is by using the
Way of Love Advent Calendar
HERE.
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Contribute to the Christmas Flower Fund
The deadline for inclusion in the Christmas Bulletin is Thursday, December 19 at noon.
The brilliant array of poinsettias on the altar is one of the visual joys of Christmas at Holy Comforter. Please help the Altar Guild to create a vibrant display by contributing to the Christmas flower fund. Download the Christmas Altar Flowers Form
HERE. Questions? Contact Lolly Mixter.
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Senior Saints BYO Lunch and Christmas Sing-Along
This Friday, December 6; 11:45 a.m.; Ministry Center
Following our meeting and lunch, we will gather with Dr. David Kelley to enjoy singing along to our favorite Christmas Music. Bring your own lunch. Beverages and desserts will be provided.
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This Friday, December 6; 5–7:30 p.m.; Ministry Center
All are welcome to join us in the Ministry Center for a fun evening of fellowship, dinner, and decorating gingerbread houses! We will supply a pre-constructed gingerbread house, all the decorating supplies, and a Chick-fil-A dinner. Please bring salad, fruit, or dessert to share. A $25 donation will cover a Chick-fil-A dinner and 1 gingerbread house. Please RSVP
Brynn Pacitti.
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Advent Quiet Morning:
Spiritual Writing Workshop on the Annunciation
What is God asking you to say YES to?
This Saturday, December 7; 9 a.m.–noon
God spoke to Mary through the Angel Gabriel announcing that she will bear a son and she will name him Jesus. God speaks to us in lots of ways, but one of them is through our own writing. Gathering in the Chapel, we’ll spend the morning meditating on Luke 1:26-38 and exploring through short writing exercises and prompts what God is calling us to notice and perhaps embrace in our lives. This workshop is for writers of all abilities and experience—beginners and those who put the memoir in the drawer a long time ago. Mary said YES. Come find out what you might say YES to in this Advent quiet time. Questions? Contact
the Rev. Ann Gillespie.
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A Concert for All Ages!
McLean Symphony
Featuring the Rev. Jon Strand
and parishioner Leslie Linn on Trumpet
This Saturday, December 7
7:30–9 p.m. in the Sanctuary
The Mclean Symphony presents a special musical collaboration with our Rector and accomplished trumpeter, the Rev. Jon Strand, as he takes center stage with parishioner Leslie Linn for a performance of one of Vivaldi’s most virtuosic concertos. This concert includes an array of popular seasonal music, both secular and sacred. Bring your little ones to this family-friendly concert.
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Feasting on the Word Bible Study:
Peace-filled Kingdom
This Sunday, December 8
10:10–11 a.m. in the Chapel
Please join us this Sunday in a discussion and exploration of Isaiah 11:1–10. We'll express visions of the peaceable kingdom following Isaiah’s radical vision of peace.
Link to scripture
HERE. Download the Resource Sheet
HERE.
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Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
This Sunday, December 8;
5 p.m.; Sanctuary
Join Holy Comforter’s choirs for the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. Holy Comforter's service will include a dramatic procession, readings, hymns, anthems, and organ music. There will be a festive reception following the service.
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Youth Group Outreach
This Sunday, December 8
Youth Group will deliver meals and gift bags including $25 Walmart gift cards to the 21 residents of Mt. Carmel House Women's Shelter in Washington, D.C . Thank you for your generous financial support and gifts of clothes and toiletries. We'll leave the church at 2 p.m. and return at 6 p.m. Pizza will be provided to those youth attending the Confirmation class at 6:30 p.m. RSVP
Denis McMullan.
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Vestry Elections
December 7–8 after all services, we'll be electing 4 people for regular 3-year terms.
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Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays
Youth Group Christmas Greens Sale
Sundays through December 22
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Now you can purchase your Christmas greenery right here at Holy Comforter and support our Youth Group. We will have a beautiful selection of wreaths, swags, Christmas balls and other decorative greenery available. Pick out what you like and take it home that day! Each week we will provide new and fresh greenery for sale. We accept cash and checks made payable to Church of the Holy Comforter. Questions? Contact
Denis McMullan and
Colleen McGuire.
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The 13th Annual Alternative Gift Fair
This Saturday, December 7; 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
This Sunday, December 8; 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
The fair will offer products from Fair Trade Winds in Fairfax, featuring jewelry, games and toys, scarves, household goods, Christmas ornaments and other hand-made unique gifts by artisans from around the world. Fair Trade Winds sells only fair trade items, which means the artisans receive a fair portion of the sales price, and that their work promotes a strong local economy. You will also have the option of buying gifts in the name of your loved one by donating to Episcopal Relief & Development, or International Justice Mission.
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Eager to try Dr. Kelley’s award winning chili?
Get this recipe and many more in the Comfort Food cookbooks being sold by the Holy Comforter Choirs to support their pilgrimage to England next summer. Only $17 each (and available wrapped!), cookbooks will be available for sale in the narthex on Sunday mornings through December 22 between the 9 and 11:15 services and after the 11:15 service.
- They may also be ordered online HERE.
- Select "Choir Fundraiser" from the dropdown menu.
- Write "cookbook(s)" in the memo line.
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Pennywise Thrift Shop is Open!
- Shopping Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Donations: Donations are always needed and are accepted during business hours at the shop.
- Location: 214 Dominion Rd. NE, Vienna VA
- Volunteer: Check with Time To Sign Up for available times or contact Mary Coulombe.
- Follow Pennywise on Facebook for special items for sale.
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Looking Ahead to 2020
Episcopal 101
Monday nights, starting January 13
7–8:30 in McGill
Episcopal 101 is a class for newcomers and old-timers alike, for anyone who seeks a deeper relationship with God and to learn more about the Episcopal Church. Over the course of 12 sessions we will dive into the theology and history of the Episcopal Church, scripture and the
Book of Common Prayer. We’ll explore different forms of prayer and learn about the ministries of Holy Comforter. At the end, some will choose to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church, but that is not a requirement. All are welcome in this safe space to ask all of your questions. Come and experience the presence of the living Christ in one another. Questions or to register, contact
the Rev. Ann Gillespie.
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Deadline for Giving Table Gifts is Upon Us
Salvation Army stockings are due this Friday, December 6. Other charities are Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative, Second Story and the Lamb Center. These projects provide an opportunity for the Holy Comforter family to support carefully-vetted local charities. Stop by the table in the narthex to study the lists of needed items and sign up for your choices. Don’t have time to shop? Please consider giving a cash gift, check, or gift cards and ECW will take care of the rest. Questions? Contact
Chris Doyle.
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Food4Thought
Bring donations by this Sunday, December 8.
Help us pack on December 15.
Food4Thought is a monthly service that will provide 100 “power packs,” non-perishable foods that feed children in need at Marshall Road Elementary School.
Learn more.
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Champions for Cerebral Palsy Fundraising Events
Kendra Scott Give-Back Event: Come for a shopping party at Kendra Scott in Reston Town Center on Saturday, December 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. when 20% of all proceeds will go to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in support of Champions for Cerebral Palsy (CCP). This will be a great opportunity to help those with Cerebral Palsy as well as to find some perfect holiday gifts! CCP is a service club at Flint Hill School that spreads awareness and education about Cerebral Palsy as well as raises funds for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) status organization—working together to help the everyday lives of those with Cerebral Palsy. Questions? Please contact
Isobel Matsukas.
Benefit Gala and Silent Auction: CCP is also increasing its efforts next year with a Benefit Gala and Silent Auction on March 7, 2020, hosted at Holy Comforter! They are currently working to collect donated goods such as gift cards from businesses, services from companies, jewelry or art, coupons for activities, etc. The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is able to provide a tax-deductible form for any donations. For questions or if you'd like to donate, please contact
Isobel Matsukas.
Make a monetary donation online
HERE.
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Deadline Approaching!
Apply for Outreach Grants
Completed applications due December 15
The parish Outreach Team is currently accepting applications for grant funding from organizations that serve God's people in need. We are particularly interested in assisting organizations with which members of our congregation work or volunteer. Our short 2019 Grant Application Form is available for download
HERE. Questions? Contact
Joni Langevoort.
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“Joyful Sound” Music is Back
You may remember a couple decades ago the beautiful Sunday music from the original “Joyful Sound.” The new “Joyful Sound’ does a more informal acoustic style—ready to add a few songs to kick off a meeting, or a full playlist for part of an event. We do a mix of folk, gospel, country, show tunes, bluegrass, old camp songs, children's songs, humorous—your choice or ours. If your group might like a touch of fun music, please contact
Barney Thomson. Or, if you like to sing or play guitar or other acoustic or rhythm instrument, come play with us sometime; no auditions, few practices—just fun.
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