e-Pistle for December 16, 2018
Dear ,
 
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Christmas Pageant this Sunday, December 16 at the 10am service. In place of the usual first half of the 10am service we sing Christmas Carols and see our children present the story of Christ's nativity.  As we look forward to Christmas itself, I wanted to say a word about the different Christmas services at St. Andrew's, to help you decide which service you would like to attend (of course, you are welcome to attend all of them if you wish!).

Christmas Eve Services
3pm - Children's Service
This is a short service of about half an hour aimed at young children. We sing Christmas Carols, hear the Christmas story, have a children's homily featuring Rodney the Church Mouse and say some Christmas prayers (t here is no Holy Communion). The service is followed by cake and drinks in the parish hall. Last year the service was attended by about 250 people.  

5pm - Family Service.
This is the most well attended Christmas service at St. Andrew's with the church usually full to capacity---600 to 700 people attending. It is a traditional service of Holy Communion with Christmas carols and a Christmas sermon. The service ends with the church lights darkened and with everyone holding an individually lit candle as we sing 'Silent Night'. The service is an hour in length.
The main difference between the 5pm Family Service and the later 10pm Choral Service is that the full St. Andrew's choir sings only at the 10pm Choral Service and does not sing at the 5pm service. Instead an Intergenerational congregational choir and the St. Andrew's Junior Choir sing at the 5pm service.

10pm - Choral Service
This service is for those who have a particular love for Christmas choral music. The full St. Andrew's choir and a string quartet accompany the service. There is a musical prelude to the service featuring the string quartet which begins at 9.40pm prior to the service which starts at 10pm. The service itself is a traditional service of Holy Communion with Christmas Carols, a Christmas sermon and choir anthems. The service ends with the church lights darkened and with everyone holding an individually lit candle as we sing 'Silent Night.' The service, beginning at 10pm, is just over an hour in length. Usually about 300 people attend this service.

Christmas Day
10am - Holy Eucharist
This is a relaxed and happy service on Christmas morning of Holy Communion with Christmas carols and a short Christmas homily. The service is usually lightly attended by 50 people and lasts one hour.
Sunday Parking on Denton Road 
Please be very careful that you do not obstruct the driveways of our neighbors. We wish to maintain good relations with our neighbors and to extend to them the courtesy we would expect from others parking in our own roads. Thanks for your help with this!
Christmas at St. Andrew's
Blue Christmas Service
 Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30pm

Christmas Eve Services, Monday, December 24
Children's Service at 3pm
Family Eucharist at 5pm
Choral Service & Holy Eucharist at 10pm

Christmas Day Service
Tuesday, December 25 at 10am

Christmas Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 30 at 10am

Epiphany Fireside Service
Sunday, January 6 at 5pm
Notices & Announcements
Christmas Pageant 
Auditions and rehearsals are as follows:
  • Saturday, December 15, 9:40am to 12pm: Rehearsal for all participants
  • Sunday, December 16, 9am: Participants gather for 10am pageant!
Confirmation Prep  & Youth Group
Confirmation prep and youth group will next meet Sunday, December 16, with eighth-grade confirmation prep from 5 to 6:30pm and high school youth group from 6:45 to 8pm. All youth are welcome. 
Youth Group Alumni Night
On Sunday, December 16, from 6:45 to 8pm, recent high school grads (2016-2018) are invited to drop by the parish hall and join the current youth group members for a Christmas party! 
Family Promise Angel Tree
Be an angel for a child in need this Christmas! The church school committee is organizing an "angel tree" for the homeless families of Family Promise Metrowest. You may contribute at this point by  writing a check to St. Andrew's Church with "Family Promise Angel Tree" in the memo line.
5pm Christmas Eve Intergenerational Choir Signup  
We are looking for people and families, big and small, all ages, all music levels, to be part of the 5pm Christmas Eve Intergenerational Choir. This choir is an opportunity to make your Christmas Eve at St. Andrew's even more special by singing in the choir with your family and friends! Please sign up with Amanda or Wardie. Important dates to remember:
  • Sunday, December 23, 11:30am to 1:30pm: Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary. Pizza after rehearsal!
  • Monday, December 24, 4pm: Meet in the choir room for warm-ups and a final rehearsal. Sing at the 5pm service. 
9am Christian Learning
On Sunday, December 16, spiritual directors from The Bethany House of Prayer will lead us in a forgiveness meditation. On Sunday, December 23, we gather for Praying with Icons: Mary the Mother of God. After this, class will resume on January 20, 2019. We gather in Room 2. 
Blue Christmas Service 
Sometimes Advent and Christmas are full of joy and soulful satisfaction; in other years, we find ourselves in the midst of loss, disappointment, or illness. If you, or someone you care about, has had a hard year, and you are longing to make room for the Spirit of God in a time of struggle or loss, please join us on Wednesday, December 19 from 6:30pm to 7:15pm. We will rest in the promise of Christ, remembering that even in times of sorrow, God's love and grace can find us and support us. This service will be held in the Children's Chapel. All are welcome. 
Christmas Baskets for St. Stephen's  
Jack & Jill Whiting are preparing lovely Christmas baskets for the seniors at St. Stephen's. They would really appreciate homemade cookies to add to the baskets. If you are able to bake your favorite holiday cookie for St. Stephen's, would you kindly let Jack & Jill know by emailing or calling 781/235-1152. The baskets will be filled on Thursday, December 20. Our outreach partner, St. Stephen's in Boston, really appreciates the gifts! 
Childcare-Christmas Eve 5pm
Babysitting will be available during the 5pm service on Monday, December 24, in Kids' Place. Feel free to drop your children for babysitting for all or part of the service. 
Mitten Tree 
The St. Andrew's mitten tree is in the parish hall. This is a long-standing outreach ministry. Please bring new hats, gloves, and mittens for those in need this winter. 
Support El Hogar with Amazon 
If you are using Amazon for some of your Christmas shopping, please consider going through the El Hogar website first. El Hogar receives up to 12% of your total, at no extra charge to you! Thanks! 
Collecting Coats for Kids and Adults
As the cold weather sets in, there are thousands of people in our area who are without a warm winter coat. Gently used warm coats of all sizes-infant through adult XXL-are accepted. Donated coats will be cleaned free of charge by Anton's Cleaners. Once collected and cleaned, the coats will be distributed through the Coats for Kids Distribution Partners network. This collection will continue through December 31. Please check your closets and drop your unwanted coats in the collection box in the office corridor.
MLK Day of Action 
Book of Common Prayer 
The worship committee has purchased new prayer books to replace those in the church that were in poor condition. If you would like one of the old ones for your personal use, please feel free to take one from the display in the narthex. 
Illness and Off-Hour Emergencies
The clergy are always available to assist you. Please email Adrian or call him at 603-831-4938 if you or a member of your family expects to be in the hospital and wishes to be visited. Also, please let us know of names that should be added to our prayer list. Our prayers are with all those in need.
Serving St. Andrew's This Week
Serving St. Andrew's this week
Altar Guild   Bonnie Akins, Barbara Bergstrom, Margaret Blackwell, Zebby Dubé, Nancy Echlov, Erica Gelser, Becky Hamlin, Ellen Staelin, Laura Stettner, and Jill Whiting
Flower Guild   Debbie Lorenz and Lynda Sperry
Greeters   Winnie & Tom Faust
Serving at 8am 
Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer   Nancy Echlov
Ushers   Mark Benjamin and Ken Graves
Serving at 10am 
Acolytes   Karina Cowperthwaite, Christiaan Eikeboom, Kelly Rawson, Cameron Cowperthwaite, and Clara Eikeboom
Chalice Bearers   Joanna Horobin, Paige Manning, Anne Prensner, and Paul Shackford
Ushers   David Boghosian, Adams Carroll, Alan Joachim, David Osborn, Ryan Osborn, and Terri Rawson
Parish Prayer List
St. Andrew's prayer list
Asher Griffin, John Reed, Kim McGovern, Lisa Dutile, Sue Wright, Charlotte Corey, Melissa Stampf, Douglas Jackson, Lee Goodnow, Bob Moore, Lawrence Greenberg, Qing Ni, Ann O'Sullivan, Dana Sauro, Ben Vestin, Timothy, Stephen, Dudley Post, Theresa Given, Cam Czubek, Meredith, Bobby, Michael, Ruth, Paul, Penny Allen, Brandon Todd Hudson, Marge Thomas, and Helen Mannix
Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the life of
Grant Warner Eustis, Nancy Eustis, and John P. Eustis II. 
Intercessions from the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Parishes of the Alewife Deanery
Christ Church, Cambridge
St. Bartholomew's Church, Cambridge
St. James' Church, Cambridge
St. Peter's Church, Cambridge
Diocesan Disciplinary Board
Prayers for Outreach Partners
We have started a practice of praying each week for one of the St. Andrew's outreach partners in the Prayers of the People. The outreach partners are charities that the parish supports with our time and donations from our parish budget. The aim of this new practice is both to hold the work of these charities in our prayers, and to familiarize the congregation with the different charities we support as we put our faith into action as a parish. 
"Refreshing" the Parish Prayer List
Praying for our loved ones at times of need is a central part of our worship and church life. We would like to remind you that at the beginning of every month, we "refresh" the prayer list. We remove the names of people we have not heard about keeping on the list. We are happy to keep people on the list for as long as they are in need of our prayers but, our proactive approach helps prevent a buildup of people on the list after the need for our prayers has passed. Thanks for your help with this. 
Weekly Deadlines
Deadlines  for Weekly Leaflet and e-Pistle Announcements 
Announcements and gratitudes (and anything else) for inclusion in the weekly leaflet or e-Pistle are due on Tuesdays at noon. Please limit your announcement to 50-100 words. 
St. A's wide sketch
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