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December 14 - December 23, 2018
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Service Participant Schedule
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ADVENT III: Gift-giving & God-giving
The goal of Advent is that we clear away room in our hearts for the mind-boggling miracle of God's birth into the world. Gift-giving can actually be part of it all, reflecting how we are tugged by God out of complacent self-centeredness and made the hands and heart of Christ in the world.
It is utterly mind-boggling.
For observant Christians, we may be so accustomed to speaking of "God with us in Christ" that we lose perspective about how positively mind-boggling, astounding, and gloriously wonderful Christmas Day is!
Christmas is about acknowledging and acclaiming this most mysterious and wonderful event: God's birth into
this
world, as one of us; by the incarnation, God's gives God's self into God's creation. For what purpose and to what end?
But in order to prepare to stand in the mystery we celebrate at Christmas, we must get ourselves ready, reset our perspective. We have to stop and ponder these things,
as did Mary
when the shepherds made known to her what the Angles
had spoken about her newborn son.
Stop. Wonder why God would make all things come into being. Wonder about why the God who created everything and who wills its continuance, why would that God enter this creation and be incarnated in a body that is just like your body. Ponder why that God would live a mortal life, the life of Jesus who was poor, unimportant and who in the prime of life was horrifically executed (...and who after three days... that part of our story unfolds on our highest and holiest feast day).
Why would God, and why did God do these mind-boggling things? Giving God's very self into and for the world? For LOVE. God did this, all of this out of love, for that is what God is: God is love. Ponder these things while we wait in expectation for what is to come.
Yes, when Christmas comes most of us will make merry, eat much, enjoy giving and receiving presents, and spend cherished time with family and friends. That is well and good.
Before that day arrives, perhaps on this day,
stop and ponder the mind-boggling miracle of God's birth into the world. What do these things mean? What manner of gift is this that soon we will celebrate?
Advent blessings be with us all,
Fr. Jenkins
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| Angel Tree Breakfast and Celebration last Saturday. |
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Dear Saint Paul's Family,
What a fun day! Thank you to everyone who contributed to Saint Paul's Angel Tree Outreach ministry by buying a gift, making a donation, buying essentials for veterans, purchasing food for a Christmas meal for a family, wrapping gifts, organizing gifts and items, baking, setting up our party space, decorating, cooking breakfast, serving food, welcoming guests, serving hot chocolate, making cards for veterans, reading a story, singing a song, packing toiletry bags for veterans, cleaning, washing dishes, putting things away, and most of all, demonstrating love, hospitality and friendship. I read recently that one way we are able to show our love to God's world is to show up. Thank you, Saint Paul's, for showing up and giving your love so freely, for seeking and serving Christ in all people, and for helping to sustain the message: We are all God's beloved.
The Angel Tree Outreach Ministry is about much more than presents. It is one part of a year-round relationship that has developed between Saint Paul's and Hornsby. The mentoring program, led by Kathy Enicks, has given us the opportunity to establish rich friendships and provide additional support systems for each child. Our Angel Tree program gives us an opportunity to come together with these children and their families to recognize their hard work, to provide them with rich life and language-learning experiences they might not otherwise have, and to celebrate the birth of Jesus and his love and sacrifice that changed everything. It is a reminder to us all that we have been the recipients of tremendous love and grace and that we can each find a way to pay that forward to others. It is a time that we demonstrate the power of community and live out the Gospel to love one another.
It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be involved in leadership with Angel Tree. I love this ministry and am thrilled that Melissa Friedman and Nancy Kotti are moving into leadership roles. They are bringing new ideas and breathing new life and energy into Angel Tree. I look forward to supporting them and continuing to volunteer. It takes many hands and each one of us has gifts to bring to this ministry and others at Saint Paul's.
With love and gratitude,
Kim Butler
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| Our Schedule this Sunday |
December 16 |
8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite One
Christian Formation for ALL ages
See information below
Coffee and Conversation
Tyler Hall
Holy Eucharist, Rite Two
with the Saint Paul's and Canterbury Choirs.
The Nursery is available.
following 11:00 AM
Lemonade on the Lawn
Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
with Prayers for Healing
Keith Shafer is our musician for this Sunday.
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Advent Prayer Trees
Daughters of the King, an Episcopal Prayer Ministry, invite prayers for yourself and others. Attach your prayer request to the Advent Prayer Tree located in Tyler Hall or in the Narthex. For more information, contact Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau. |
 EYC (Episcopal Youth Community
Sunday, December 16, 12:15 - 2:00 PM
EYC will meet next Sunday, December 16, 12:15 - 2
PM. - Join us for our last EYC of 2018! Time for some Nerf fun and lunch together. For more information
contact Todd Shafer.
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 Poinsettias, Wreaths, and Christmas Brass
Deadline this Sunday, December 16
Wreaths and red poinsettias in the church are enjoyed throughout the Christmas season and additional professional musicians enhance our Christmas Eve services. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas Eve music, or give a poinsettia or wreath, please return the form found in your bulletin Sunday to the Parish Office. Requests may also be made by e-mail to mailbox@saintpauls.org and on the Saint Paul's website no later than Sunday, December 16.
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| Formation Groups |
Sundays at 9:30 AM
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RECTOR'S FORUM
Leader: Fr. Muir and guests
Location: The Parlor
The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, whatever the topic of the day. |
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INQUIRERS' CLASS
Leader: Fr. Jenkins
Location: The Chapel
This Sunday: 16th - Instructed Eucharist, Part II, from Offertory to Dismissal
OPEN TO ALL
An Instructed Eucharist is a liturgical learning tool that deepens your appreciation of and competency to participate in worship. As we proceed through The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two, we frequently pause for commentary about meaning, practice, theology, signs, symbols, and gestures, and to address participant questions. This is a highly interactive event! While some Instructed Eucharists are enacted during worship, ours is purely for instruction and learning.
The content and structure of the class is shaped by
Upcoming sessions and topics:
19th, following Fellowship Dinner, 7
PM, Instructed Eucharist, Chapel
23rd - Ch. 9 - Sacraments: Symbols of Grace
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YOUTH
FAITH & NATURE: Divine Adventures of Life on Earth
Grades 6 - 12
Leader: Todd Shafer and company
Location: The Upper Room (Upstairs Parish House)
What is up with science, the universe and God and ME? We will dig in and wonder about our place in God's creation... BUT FIRST, breakfast to get the morning going!
Questions about formation? Contact Todd Shafer.
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CHILDREN
Older 4 yr. to 5th Grade
ADVENT FORMATION &
"A Children's Liturgy for Christmas Eve"
Our children will hold the "Children's Liturgy for Christmas Eve" on the last Sunday of Advent, December 23, during the 11:00
AM service.
Our older 4s thru 5th grade children will help the parish get ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas during the liturgy by processing and placing each piece of the parish creche. ALL children are invited and encouraged to participate in this GodlyPlay Advent formation program. You need not have attended prior sessions to participate! Meet at 9:30 at the baptismal font. For more information contact Rebecca Massie.
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2019 Stewardship--
Growing in Ministry:
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2019 Pledged Offerings - shaping the future life of our church
Please consider pledging your 2019 offerings to God. Every special gift and offering matters in the life of our church; pledged offerings, however, are unique because your vestry uses them to structure the budget for the coming year, which shapes the life and ministries of our church.
Thank you.
In Faith, hope, and love,
Brad Sandbach Fr. John Jenkins
Stewardship, Chair Stewardship, Chaplain
Pledge forms are available in the Narthex, and via the following online options:
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| Next Week |
December 17 - December 23 |
Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner
Wednesday, December 19, 6-7
PM
, Tyler Hall
Join us for our monthly fellowship dinner, Wednesday, December 19, 6-7 PM, in Tyler Hall. At this month's fellowship dinner we offer special crafts (rock painting and dough art) and pizza for our youngest members. On the menu for adults and adventurous children: hearty beef stew, rice, cornbread, and dessert. $5 per person; $15 max per family. A reservation is not required; however, if you know you plan to attend, please RSVP to Todd Shafer. Following dinner consider participating in Fr. Jenkins' instructed Eucharist, 7-8 PM in the Chapel. |
 Instructed Eucharist
Wednesday, December 19, 7-8 PM, Chapel
Deepen your understanding and participation in the Holy Eucharist. At an Instructed Eucharist, the ministers vest and proceed through the liturgy, periodically pausing to explain parts, offer theological commentary, and address questions. This is a practical learning experience and not an official liturgy. No RSVP necessary; all are invited. For more information,
contact Fr. Jenkins.
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Greening of the Church
Sunday, December 23, Following the 11
AM Service
You are invited to the Greening of the Church Sunday, December 23, following the 11 AM service.
Contact Pam Uros
and join the Flower Guild as they decorate the church for Christmas.
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VESTRY NOMINATIONS REQUESTED
The Vestry Nominating Committee is seeking candidates whom you believe would make outstanding Vestry members for Saint Paul's. If you'd like to suggest someone, including yourself, please contact Leslie Lambert.
VESTRY RESPONSIBILITIES
The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are:
· to help define and articulate the mission of this congregation
· to support the church's mission by word and deed
· to support the clergy
· to ensure effective organization and planning
· to manage resources and finances
· to attend monthly vestry meetings and annual vestry retreat
· to serve as liaison to assigned parish committees
This is a 3 year term.
MINIMUM CRITERIA
To be eligible for the Vestry, a nominee must answer "yes" to all of the following questions.
· Have you been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church?
· Do you regularly attend worship services at Saint Paul's?
· Are you a pledging member of Saint Paul's?
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Each nominee slated to run for election to the Vestry will be invited to share a profile with the parish via our regular parish communications including the weekly newsletter.
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 The Mystery of Christmas
Monday, December 24, 3:00 PM, Chapel
Before the 4:00
PM Christmas Eve service, all children, parents, grandparents and those interested are warmly invited to hear a very, very special Godly Play story,
The Mystery of Christmas. Come and revel in the whole story of the mystery that we celebrate at Christmastide. Snacks included. Questions?
Contact Fr. Jenkins or
Kim Butler.
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Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24, 4:00
PM
& 10:00
PM
Christmas Eve Festival Celebrations
with Choir, Brass, & Drums
A nursery will be available for the 4:00
PM
service.
The 10:00
PM
service will be broadcast live on WGAC 580 AM and 95.1 FM.
Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25, 10:00
AM
Christmas Eucharist in the Chapel with Carols
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Christmas Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 30, 11:00
AM
On the First Sunday of Christmas, December 30, the Canterbury and Saint Paul's Choir will combine, along with readers from the congregation, in A Celebration of Lessons and Carols at 11:00 AM. The traditional nine lessons will be read, each followed by a carol or hymn. Join us along with your families and out-of-town guests in this beautiful celebration of Christmastide.
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2018 Contribution Statements
Offerings or Special Gifts of cash/check must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31, 2018 to qualify as 2018 charitable contributions. For gifts (transfers) of stock or other securities, or other questions, ASAP contact Meredith Beach or (706) 724-2485 ext. 204. Please note the Parish Office will close at noon on both Friday, December 28 and Monday, December 31. 2018
Contribution Statements for 2018 will be mailed no later than January 31, 2019.
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Are we missing your birthday?
Our "Second Sunday"
Birthday Celebration
will be December 9.
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