December 17, 2018
Tuesday, December 18
7:00 p.m. | Christian Meditation

Wednesday, December 19
2:30 p.m. | Eucharist at The Grove

Thursday, December 20
7:30 p.m. | Choir Practice

Friday, December 21
6:00 p.m. | Longest Night Potluck & Prayers

Saturday, December 22
9:30 a.m. | Christmas Caroling & Stocking Delivery at The Grove
Sunday, December 23
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Traditional Language
9:15 a.m. | Thirty Worth Minutes - Living Well Through Advent
10:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Contemporary Language
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats and Fellowship
Thirty Worthy Minutes: Living Well Through Advent
Sundays in December | 9:15 a.m.
We are continuing our discussion of how we can Practice Generosity during Thirty Worth Minutes on Sunday morning. There are still copies of Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind available in the Parish Hall, if you would like one.
Longest Night Potluck and Prayers
Friday, December 21 | 6:00 p.m.
An evening to nurture your spiritual heart around the light of Christ. The longest night of the year is December 21, don’t spend it alone. Bring your favorite chili, bread or salad to share. Dinner will be followed by a candlelit service of prayer and song in the sanctuary. The evening is meant to speak a word of authentic hope that pierces the darkness of sorrow and grief. Bring a neighbor or a friend 
Christmas @ St. James the Less
Monday, December 24
4:00 p.m. | Family Christmas Eve Service
10:00 p.m. | Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 25
10:00 a.m. | Christmas Day Service
10:00 a.m. | Christmas Day Service at The Grove

Sunday, December 30
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist @ St. James the Less
10:00 a.m. | Worship with Our Neighbors @ Northfield Community Church
Can You Assist at a Christmas Service?
Christmas Eve is a busy evening for all of us. Some of us travel out of town and others of us are hosting guests in our homes. It is a challenge to fill the needed slots for Christmas Eve services. If you know you are going to be attending the 4:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. service, please consider volunteering to: Read, Usher, Acolyte, Crucifer, or Greet.
Christian Meditation
Tuesday, December 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 31 | 1:00 p.m.
As the days darken, we naturally turn inward. Find yourself in God. The life of the Spirit is within you and surrounding you and brings joy and deep meaning and connection to the One who knows and love you the most. 
A Thank You from the ReVive Center for Healing & Hope
THANK YOU so much for all of your "Elfing" duties at SJTL this year. I share the thank you's, hugs, and tears of joy that we've received already. Please share with the parishioners how amazingly grateful recipients are. Everyone's generosity and grace is beyond compare. 

For example: Today I called a family to let them know their Basket was in early. Mom of course thanked me and then broke down crying because, through tears and sobs, she told me that this is their only Christmas. I know this is also true for every family STJL gives Christmas to. I know she will ask to see me tomorrow and give me the biggest hug. I will be humbled.
Preparing for Christmas at The Grove
Who doesn’t love to explore their Christmas Stocking, hung by the mantel with care (and expectation.) You can make this happen for a resident of The Grove. We have almost reached our goal of towards our goal of $1500 in donations, enough to give each resident a Christmas gift of $10 and cover the costs of the stockings and the physical gifts inside--candy, a pen and a kazoo. Put your contribution in the stocking on the Outreach board or put in the offering plate. Checks should be made out to St. James the Less and marked “The Grove Stockings.”
Sing a Carol and Deliver a Stocking
Saturday, December 22 | 9:30 a.m.
One of the joys of the Christmas season is the Christmas music—and it’s everywhere! You can add your voice to the halls of The Grove as we deliver Christmas stocking to each resident. Meet in the lobby at The Grove, 263 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook at 9:30 a.m. We need folks of all ages to come and sing and be Santa for these residents. 
A Just Harvest in the New Year
Tuesday, January 1 | 3:45 p.m
It may be New Year's Day, but people still need a warm meal. Lisa and Chad Senuta will be the captains for A Just Harvest in Rogers Park on January 1, and they need your help. Please sign up online or in the Parish Hall to volunteer to serve or to bring food.
Update on Our Coat Drive
Another 50 coats were recently donated to the Howard Area Community Center in Rogers Park, bringing the total number of coats donated to 80 this year.

We are collecting gently used coast in a bin at Church or, if you prefer, you may drop them at Schultz and Odhner’s in Wilmette. We will clean and distribute them as in years past to those in need. The coat drive continues through February. Questions: please contact Colleen or Cory Schipfer.
Monday, December 24
4:00 p.m. | Family Christmas Eve Service
10:00 p.m. | Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 25
10:00 a.m. | Christmas Day Service
10:00 a.m. | Christmas Day Service at The Grove

Sunday, December 30
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist @ St. James the Less
10:00 a.m. | Worship with Our Neighbors
@ Northfield Community Church

Monday, December 31
1:00 p.m. | Christian Meditation

Tuesday, January 1
3:45 p.m. | A Just Harvest

Thursday, January 4
7:30 p.m. | Choir Practice

Saturday, January 5
9:00 a.m. | Community Food Garden Meeting

Sunday, January 6
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Traditional Language
9:15 a.m. | Thirty Worth Minutes
10:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Contemporary Language
10:00 a.m. | Godly Play
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats & Fellowship

Sunday, February 3
10:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist & Annual Meeting
From the Chicago Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:   
We pray for the ecumenical relationships between the churches in full Communion with the Episcopal Church: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Church of North India; Church of South India; Church of Pakistan; Church of Bangladesh; the Old Catholic Churches; the Philippine Independent Church; the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar; and the Moravian Church in America, Northern and Southern Provinces.
We pray for Bishop Todd & Rev. Patsy McGregor, strengthen, renew and refresh them on their sabbatical. We pray too for all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar, especially for all who are food insecure or threatened by cattle rustlers.
For those who are sick: 
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers; mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Dunbar Abston (friend of John Roberts)
Daniel Berry (son of Miriam Berry)
Sally Bissill (friend of John Roberts)
Liz Bruce (friend of Synek family)
Maureen Burke (parishioner)
Debbie Carpenter (sister of David Mason)
Sandra Carpenter (sister of Shari Noble)
Mary Cato (friend of Miriam Berry)
Silvio DeBartelmaise (friend of John Roberts)
Mike DePuy (friend of daughter of Ron & Debby Valentine)
Vicky Dicks (friend of Dorothy Generes)
Connor Dolge (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Bill Fox (parishioner)
Marcia Frey (parishioner)
Samantha Friese (niece of Amy Fahey)
Mike Hearn (relative of Kathleen Cleven)
Andrew, Chuck and Sarah Hensel (friend of Mary Allen)
RG Heydt (friend of Katie Synek)
Walter Holt (friend of John Roberts)
E. Bradley Jones (friend of John Roberts)
Rev. David Jones (former interim rector)
Ken Killion (friend of Kathy Smith)
Courtney Koshgarian (friend of Peggy Greene)
Gail Kotin (parishioner)
Bill Lauck (parishioner)
Nancy Lidecker (mother of Katie Synek)
Holly Madigan (friend of Sandy & Bert Getz Sr)
John Marquardt, Jr. (son of Judy Marquardt)
Peggy Mason (parishioner)
Frank Massolini (friend of Ron Valentine)
Karen Mills Hensley (daughter of Mike Mills)
Billy Montross (grandson of Phil & Meredith Montross)
Marcella Oyer (parishioner)
Joanie Phillips (wife of Gary Phillips)
JoAnn Powers (friend of John Roberts)
Joe Pryzbilla (friend of Ron Valentine)
Eric Ramos (resident of The Grove)
Donald P. Rand (friend of John Roberts)
Lucy Roe (friend of Jack & Patricia Kessie) 
Patti Ruff (fiancée of Barbara Stutz's son)
Joan Scott (resident of The Grove)
John Sivright (friend of John Roberts and others)
Alixe Small (parishioner)
Rev. Wes Smedley (friend of Ron & Debby Valentine)
Barbara Smith (mother-in-law of Kathy Smith)
Tom Story (friend of John Roberts)
Shirley Gately Straub (mother of Susie White)
Kathy Stutz (daughter-in-law of Barbara Stutz)
Jamie Trotter (parishioner)
Scott Trumble (friend of Scott Swank)
Elena Walke (friend of Jack & Tricia Kessie)
Tom White (son of John White)
Addison & her parents, Kara & Mark, & brother, William (cousin of kClare McKellaston)
Anita  (friend of Colleen Schipfer)
Becky  (friend of Katie Synek)
Beth  (friend of Kathleen Dewey)
Daniel  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
David  (son-in-law of Sally Neuert)
David and Cindy  (friends of Miriam Berry)
Dean  (friend of Marilee McGowan)
Dominic  (friend of Sarah Schneider)
George  (stepfather of Heather Mages)
Janet  (friend of Kathleen Cleven)
Kelly & Josh & baby  (daughter & son-in-law of Carol & Scott Swank)

For those who have birthdays and anniversaries this week:  
Loving God, we ask your blessing on those who have birthdays and anniversaries this week, rejoicing and giving thanks with them for your love and care and praying that you might renew and guide them in the year ahead.  
Birthdays

16 Pamela Hardy
16 Mary Saunders
16 Maddie Walter
21 Allen Smith
22 Tasker Generes
22 Lea Langhoff

Anniversaries

21 Claire & Bill Stickney
21 Meredith & Phil Montross

For those who have died:
O God of grace and glory, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace;  let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; 

We thank you for giving them to us to know and to love as companions on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by the call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
John Wesche (former organist)
Robert Landreth
Ray Davis
John Burris
John Schipfer
Prayers may be added to this list by completing the Prayer Request Card, which can be found in the pews and Parish Hall, or by emailing Sue Babbs at suebabbs385@gmail.com 

We invite you to join the Prayer Network which receives email notifications and prays for needs as they are shared with us. Contact Sue Babbs for further information.