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Sunday Services
7:30 am
8:30 am
10:45 am
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This Week at Chapel of Our Saviour
December 9, 2018 - Second Sunday of Advent
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Watching and Waiting:
Advent Reflections
Friday, December 7
It's December 7, the day of the surprise attack on the ships at Pearl Harbor. Once, on Oahu, I drove to Kolekole Pass where the planes flew through the mountains on their way to bomb their target. I saw the big white cross erected later in the Pass by military chaplains. The presence of the cross seemed to bring a healing to the place that had been used for such an awful purpose.
It was a quiet, holy moment.
The peacefulness surprised me.
Today is also the Day of Commemoration for St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, who died on this day in 397 A.D. Surprise played a part in his life too. There he was, a government official, going about his business, when he learned about a big meeting between two factions of the church. Ambrose knew that feelings were running very high on both sides. He went to the meeting in his official capacity, hoping to mediate and keep the discussion from exploding into violence.
However, only one this brought the two groups to agreement. Surprise!
Suddenly someone shouted, "Ambrose! Bishop!" and the whole crowd took it up. It was the only path to peace. Ambrose, the government official, became a Bishop before he was even baptized, and served God faithfully in that capacity. What a surprising turn his life took!
Centuries ago God promised to send a Savior to His people, and they believed most of the time, and they waited. And waited. And many mothers named their boy babies Yeshua (Savior), hoping he would be the One. Everyone knew what the Savior would be like----a mighty warrior who would lead them in battle against their enemies, and they would be victorious! But, as we know all these years later, God had a surprise for them. No mighty Warrior but a Baby. No fierce Army taking vengeance but followers who preached His message of love and forgiveness. Surprise!
Now, with Advent, the new year begins.
What surprises does God have planned for us
as individuals,
as a congregation?
What new depths of faith will we find in prayer, in study, in worship, in service?
"E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come."
O God, we would be open to the surprises you bring.
Make us ready to follow wherever you may lead.
Amen.
Judy Foote
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Advent marks the beginning of the new church year, and with its arrival the Vestry enters a period of discernment—the next step in our growth together as priest and congregation in the Priest-in-Charge transition process that our Bishop commended to us when David was called as our priest. The object of our discernment is whether this call extends beyond Priest-in-Charge to Rector of Chapel of Our Saviour.
So, what is this ‘discernment’ thing? Just more fancy Episcopal jargon? In the words of our Diocese, the goal of discernment is “to know God’s desire ….to see to the heart of the matter through spiritual eyes”. To keep the focus on the spiritual nature of our charge, we pray for God’s presence in our discernment, and ask that you pray for the Vestry as well. The Prayers for the Church in our Book of Common Prayer are a good place to start.
Expect to be part of this conversation. After a period of contemplative preparation, for which Advent is ideally suited, the Vestry will provide the opportunity for your observations on how God is leading us in our mission of reconciling all people to God and each other. Expect further communication from your Vestry sometime after Christmas about our way forward together; of course you can grab any one of us at any time to discuss the process. Know also that this is a bilateral discernment; please include David in your prayers for guidance as he makes his own discernment on the nature of his call to serve this congregation.
Thanks for your prayerful support of your clergy and Vestry.
Jack Sterling, Senior Warden
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Gospel of Luke -
9:40 am in Casey Hall - Dec. 9, 16, 23
Advent marks the beginning of a new church year and with it comes renewed focus on a new Gospel. For the church year that begins this Sunday, our lectionary readings will focus on the Gospel of Luke. Join David and Krista as we get re-introduced to the unique character of Luke’s Gospel and how it portrays Jesus’ ministry.
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Women’s Bible Study
The Gospel of Luke
Thursdays 9-10:30 AM St. Mary Chapel
November 15, 29 and December 6, 13
(no meeting on Thanksgiving Day)
Join Krista for bible study as we prepare for Advent and Christmas in a community of women. We’ll explore the Gospel of Luke by looking at the text, praying and creating art together. And there will be coffee too!
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Children and Youth Formation Resumes December 2
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WEEKLY & MONTHLY STUDY GROUPS
Weekday Wednesday Bible Studies
(Parish House)
7:00am
A study in Luke
9:45am
Bible study resumes Dec 12, we will discuss Advent readings 3 & 4 from church year A, B & C.
Thursday Book Group
10:00am
"God Of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" by Mirabai Starr
Chapel Reading Guild:
3rd Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm (Dining Room)
*No Meeting in December*
January 17:
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zucak. #1 NY Times best seller, said to be about the ability of books to feed the soul. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS The Great American Read.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Loving Hands
We will not be meeting in December or January. Keep on knitting and crocheting hats and prayer shawls.
Lois Carlson 473-1383
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“A Christmas Blessing”
Friday, Dec. 14
th
at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Attend a musical offering of voice, strings and piano! While this is not a Chapel event, several members of Chapel will be performing.
Traditional and contemporary Christmas music will be heard including “O Holy Night’ and “ The Twelve Days After Christmas”. Enjoy an audience sing-along and a new work composed for singer, Lori Aguilar. Attend the reception afterwards in Casey Hall (Parish House) for savory and sweet treats. For more information: (719) 471-7637 or
tom.biondini@comcast.net
.
Lessons & Carols/Advent Christmas Party
Please join us for Lessons and Carols at 4 pm followed by the Advent party at 5:15 pm on Saturday Dec.15
th
. Please bring an appetizer to share and your beverage of choice. Children activities will be provided for the evening. If you have questions, please contact Kim Templin at:
sktemplin@comcast.net
.
Christmas Day Potluck
Join your church family for a Christmas Day Celebration potluck at 11:30 am. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex, or talk with Dave or Bonnie Linder.
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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
With your gracious response to this year’s stewardship campaign, we are well ahead of last year’s pace and on track for a truly remarkable year of giving back to God. Our results to date, compared to this time last year:
2017-2018 as of 14 Nov: 102 pledges, $339,214 pledged
2018-2019 as of 27 Nov: 105 pledges, $378,234 pledged
In addition to that already pledged, the new-pledger matching offer from one of our generous parishioners brings the total pledged amount so far to over $400,000. Our progress so far is evidence of the great commitment and faith of this congregation, for which we should all celebrate.
But we can’t celebrate quite yet: as is always the case, we await those last remaining pledges that will wrap up our stewardship campaign. With the ‘regular’ pledgers who have not yet sent in their pledges (hint, hint!) and continued growth in the remarkable number of new pledgers this year, we should easily surpass last year’s final total of 119 pledges for over $430K. Please help us cap off our giving season if you have not already made your pledge. Your stewardship committee continues to contact folks, and is ready to answer questions and help in any way.
Many thanks from your Stewardship Team,
Susan Garsoe, Steve Leisenring, Bill Carlson and Jack Sterling.
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Giving/Pledge Envelopes
If you would like to be assigned a giving number and corresponding envelopes or if you currently have a giving number and would like to renew your envelopes for 2019, please email
sarah@chapelofoursaviour.com
with your request.
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Music Notes
- December 15 - Lessons and Carols at 4:00 pm (Saturday)
- December 16 - Once-a-Month Choir. We will be singing Let all mortal flesh by Holst.
Bonnie: bonlinder1@gmail.com
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CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2018
The Fourth Sunday of Advent—December 23
7:30 am, 8:30 am, 10:45 am Holy Eucharist
Christmas Eve—Monday, December 24
4:15 pm Children's Pageant w/ Holy Eucharist
6:45 pm Holy Eucharist
10:30 pm Choral Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day—December 25
10:00 am Holy Eucharist
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Thursday Morning Eucharist
Saint Mary Chapel, 7 am
Join us at every Thursday for Eucharist followed by breakfast and lively conversation. All are welcome.
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VOLUNTEER & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
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Visit the Outreach web page for more information or contact Mary Beth Shively, to discuss how you can help to make a difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors
Outreach Meeting
You are all welcome to come to the next Outreach Committee meeting on
Wednesday, January 9 at 1:30
pm in the Dining Room of the Parish Hall
(we will not meet in December)
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B Street Food Pantry
– Donate your favorite holiday food
Holidays are hard for our neighbors in need. Parents on limited budgets face competing demands – especially during the Christmas season. Share your joy during this advent season by donating your favorite holiday food. We are also collecting warm outerwear such as coats, gloves, hats, and socks.
On Sunday, please put your donation in the basket by the baptismal font. Otherwise, the little red wagon will be just inside the main door of the Parish House and donations may always be dropped off there.
The Thrift House
We invite you to join us in volunteering at the Episcopal Church Women's Thrift House. One 3 hour shift makes a lot of difference. Childcare is available. Prayerfully consider if you could give us a few hours to help make a difference. Remember, that the volunteer hours translate into outreach dollars, and the need in our community is great. Your help is always appreciated. Contact Teri Orthwein: teriorthwein@yahoo.com OR 719.375.0502
Read the newest Thrift House newsletter
HERE
!
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Adopt-A-Family – *UPDATED*
In cooperation with the local schools and Westside CARES, Chapel has adopted a family consisting of 1 adult (the mother) and 8 children, ages 6 to a senior at Coronado High School. I had a delightful meeting with the mom to get their Christmas wish list. Nothing is really extravagant. Two of the children have cerebral palsy, one is being fitted with a new leg brace December 4, and another child has juvenile diabetes. The Coronado High School student works all the hours he can get at KFC to help the family. He has a $500 car but it needs either a new alternator or a fuel pump; he is not exactly sure which, but it is not running so it is a real challenge to get to school and work. (He watches you-tube videos to see how to repair his car, thus the AutoZone gift card suggestion.) The suggested wish list items are attached to ornaments hanging on the Christmas tree in the corner of the Narthex. Please take an ornament reflecting the gift you wish to purchase. Attach the ornament with name and gift suggestion along with a gift receipt to the gift prior to placing it under the tree. The mother requested we not wrap the gifts; she would like that pleasure. Remember to ask for a gift receipt and attach it to the item just in case something needs to be
exchanged. If you’d like for us to do the shopping, please put your check (nothing is too small or too big) in the
collection plate with Adopt-A-Family written in the remarks. If you have any questions, please contact Penny Bever, 719-685-1381. We would like to deliver the gifts Saturday, December 22. In presenting your gift of "frankincense and myrrh", you have helped us share the good news with new friends this Christmas. Thank you!!
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This week's Sunday fellowship is hosted by the
Daughters of the King (DOK)
To learn more about this ministry email Deborah at rLdL819@comcast.net
Next week's fellowship will be hosted by
Acolytes of Ale/Brother's in Christ
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The Reverend David Dill, Priest in Charge david@chapelofoursaviour.com
The Reverend Krista Dias, Associate Priest kdias@chapelofoursaviour.com
Bonnie Linder, Director of Music bonlinder1@gmail.com
Sarah FitzPatrick, Office Administrator sarah@chapelofoursaviour.com
Vestry
Jack Sterling, Sr. Warden * Cliff Wieger, Jr. Warden * Barbara Lewis, Treasurer,
Betsy VanderWerf, Clerk * Tammy Boettner * Katherine Brennan * George Hammond
Sarah Hogan * Patti Marrison * Miles Mathieu * Christine Owino * Mary Beth Shively
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