St. Nicholas Celebration
Sunday, December 8
Family Movie Night
Friday, December 13
Community Carol Sing
Monday, December 16
Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 22
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THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW...
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ST. NICHOLAS CELEBRATION
Sunday, December 8
9:30–10:15 AM ~ Parish Hall
St. Nicholas’ Day falls during Advent, when families begin thinking about Christmas. But during this busy time of year, we are also focused on how to keep ourselves and our children connected to the central message of God’s love – the birth of Jesus – a message that often gets lost in the wider cultural observance of the Christmas season. Celebrating St. Nicholas’ Day helps children connect their faith with everyday life, and learn how to be more giving and generous to others. Please join us as we trim the parish Christmas tree, sing your favorite carols, and enjoy a visit from the Old Saint himself. Bring a friend…and wear your pajamas!
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***FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT***
Friday, December 13 ~ 6:00 PM ~ Parish Hall
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
Bring your pillows and blankets for a movie night with your parish family!
***Popcorn and Christmas cookies will be provided!***
***NEXT SHOWING***
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
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CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE
Christmas Eve ~ Tuesday, December 24
4:00 PM
Christmas Crêche Eucharist for Children & Families
~ Nursery care available
6:00 PM
Holy Eucharist ~
Nursery care available
10:00 PM
Christmas Prelude Concert with the Parish Choir
10:30 PM
The Midnight Mass of Christmas
Christmas Day ~ Wednesday, December 25
10:30 AM
Holy Eucharist with carols & organ music
The Parish Office will be closed
Tuesday, December 24 through Wednesday, January 1.
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CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATIONS
The beautiful poinsettias and live greenery that adorn our altar, chancel rail and chapel are a special part of the celebration of Christmas at Christ Church. We invite all parishioners to share in the experience through a memorial or thanksgiving gift. Names of the loved ones you honor or remember will be printed in the Christmas bulletin. Red Flower Dedication forms are available on the table outside the Parish Office and should be returned to Kelly Heindl
no later than Monday, December 16.
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MONTCLAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed this month for donating supplies and assisting with Christmas classroom parties
on Thursday, December 19. For more information and to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Adkins (
jgwadkins@gmail.com) or the Rev. Katie Gillett (
kathryn@christ-church.net).
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CALLING ALL CHILDREN…
the Children’s Christmas Pageant needs YOU!
Date: Christmas Eve ~ Tuesday, December 24
Time: REHEARSAL will be at 2:15 PM
in the sanctuary;
the PAGEANT will take place
during the 4:00 PM Children & Family Eucharist
A sign-up sheet will be available outside of the breezeway doors every Sunday following the 10:30 service or email Jen Leahey at
jen@christ-church.net
. Please join us for this special Christmas tradition!
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THE ANGEL TREE IS COMING!
This year, Christ Church is partnering with Montclair Elementary to support students in great need with gifts for Christmas. There will also be the opportunity to adopt teachers to provide them with needed item(s) for their classroom and a gift of appreciation for the work they do. Angels will be available soon on the Angel Tree in the Parish Hall. If you are interested in adopting an angel or a teacher, please email June Linke (
junelinke52@yahoo.com
) or sign up in the Parish Hall with your request and preference and we will email you your angel as soon as it becomes available. Too busy or prefer not to shop? No problem! Donations are greatly appreciated via a check made out to Christ Church, clearly marked for the Angel Tree. For more information, please contact June Linke (
junelinke52@yahoo.com
).
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CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY SURVEY
Per the request of the Diocese, Christ Church has been asked to participate in an optional congregational vitality survey. Hard copies of the survey are available on the information table in the Parish Office.
The deadline for submission is Sunday, December 8
; copies may be returned to the designated envelope on the information table. A link to complete the survey online is available
here
.
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CDF FREEDOM SCHOOL PROGRAM:
Relationships Are The Key
Rachel Iversen is a Seminarian with our Local School for Ministry that has been assigned to work with the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools of the Central Gulf Coast. Christ Church is one of six local Episcopal churches working to bring a Freedom School to Pensacola. She will be with us during the month of December. This past Sunday she met with parishoners after the service. She wanted to say a word about the questionnaires. For more information, please click
here
.
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EPIC CHALLENGE BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, December 4 ~ 3:00 PM ~ Parlor
Not only will we be discussing our December book, Michael Ondaatje’s
Warlight
, (this is the newest by the author of
The English Patient
), but we will also be unveiling our picks to read in 2020! Join us on Wednesday, December 4 at 3:00 in the Parlor and you will be one of the first to know what we will be reading this coming year. Meanwhile, nominations are pouring in. Each book is receiving fair and balanced consideration, and the election is HONEST! (We have a lot of fun!) We welcome you!
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POETRY READING & BOOK SIGNING
"From Green's View"
by Dr. Henry Langhorne
Thursday, December 5 ~ 7:00 PM
Parish Hall
Light hors d'oeuvres & wine at 6:30 PM;
reading at 7:00 PM.
RSVP: 850-206-4608
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BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW
Saturday, December 7 ~ 8:00 AM
at Azalea Trace
David Leahey & The Parish Choir present
Christmas Music
with a Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Meeting at 8 AM ~ Breakfast at 8:30 AM
Music beginning at 9:30 AM
All Azalea Trace residents invited along with all parishioners!
PLEASE sign up for 8:30 breakfast reservations
via the Brotherhood link
on the Christ Church website,
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AN ADVENT MORNING OF SILENCE:
Entering a Contemplative Christmas
Saturday, December 7 ~ 10:00-11:30 AM
The Chapel ~ Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church
Contemplative Outreach of Pensacola invites you to begin Advent with a time of quiet. Our greatest challenge is to be present to these days, to savor the season in its daily, hourly unfolding, opening our souls to the God who is ever waiting to be born there. To register, go to
centeringprayerpensacola.com
or contact Carol Lewis at
copensacola17@gmail.com
.
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THE BRIDGE GROUP
will meet on Monday, December 9, at 12:30 PM in the Parlor. For questions, please contact Elspeth Lloyd at 432-0195.
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ECW CHAPTER MEETINGS
St. Luke: Tuesday, December 10, 1:00-3:00 PM, Christmas Open House at the home of Emily Head.
St. Andrew: Tuesday, December 17, 10:30 AM. Our traditional Christmas Tea will be hosted in a member's home. For more information, please contact Annie Christina, 850-291-8438 (call or text).
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DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Saturday, December 14 ~ 9:30 AM
Parlor
We meet at 9:30 AM on the second Saturday of each month in the Parlor. Anyone interested in learning more about DOK can attend a meeting or contact Monica Barnard, 587-6026, or Susan Martin, 542-7730.
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ECW BAKE SALE
~ Sunday, December 15 ~
after both services
The ECW Christmas Bake Sale will take place on Sunday, December 15 after both services with cakes, pies, cookies, and candy — plus, there will be a gluten-free selection! We still need more bakers and you can sign up at the Welcome Table after both services on December 8. Many thanks!
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Calling all EfM alums!
EFM CHRISTMAS POTLUCK GATHERING
Tuesday, December 17 ~ 5:00 PM
The Bayshore
We will have our annual Christmas Potluck Gathering on Tuesday, December 17th at the Bayshore complex at 5:00 PM. We welcome all former EfM participants and their significant others to join us in our Christmas celebration. Please e-mail
PatrMcGraw@aol.com
to let us know you will join us in our celebration (or call, or let a current EfM participant know).
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HOLY BAPTISM AT CHRIST CHURCH
Upcoming Dates for the Sacrament of New Birth
January 12, 2020 — The Baptism of Our Lord
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EPISCOPAL YOUTH COMMUNITY NEWS
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~ Sunday, December 8 ~
EYC serves at Children in Crisis
We will leave the Church at 11:45 AM/12 PM to drive to FWB to play with the children at CIC.
Bring comfortable clothes and wear tennis shoes.
We will be back by 5 PM (follow the REMIND text alerts for updates depending on traffic).
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***Bible Study Opportunities***
Tuesdays
-
Middle School Girls' Bible Study
6:45-7:45 AM ~ Undercroft
Honey butter chicken biscuits, cinnamon rolls, & chocolate milk will be provided.
Tuesday, December 10
– Girls' SERVE Cookie Decorating
This is our last meeting of the year. We will decorate cookies during our normal Bible study time
at 6:45 AM. Wear an apron if you have one & bring your best Christmas playlist!
Wednesdays
- Middle School Boys' Bible Study
6:45-7:45 AM ~ Undercroft
Honey butter chicken biscuits, cinnamon rolls, & chocolate milk will be provided.
Wednesday, December 11 – Boys' SERVE the Homeless
This is our last meeting of the year. We will serve during our normal Bible study time.
Dress warm! We will pass out hot chocolate, Chapstick, blankets & cookies to the homeless
before school and pray with them.
Thursdays
- High School Bible Study
6:45-7:45 AM ~ Bagelheads
Bring yourself and a friend!
Thursday, December 12
– High School SERVES Children's Hospital
Meet at 6:45 AM at the front of the hospital.
Please wear a Santa hat/or something Christmas-themed to make it fun for the kids!
The Chick-Fil-a cow might be joining us too!
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
ADULT EDUCATION ~ 9:30 AM
The Psalms –
Father Michael and Rev. Katie lead a Sunday School class that focuses on the Psalms, in particular the Psalms selected for our Advent Readings. This class will run through Christmas.
This class meets in the Parish Hall.
The Beauty of Brokenness: A Study for Moms — This new Sunday School class addresses the pressures and imperfections of motherhood. A combined fellowship group and book study, The Beauty of Brokenness allows mothers not only intention time to recharge and refocus, but also the opportunity to experience love and support from fellow moms. This semester’s discussions will be loosely based on Shauna Niequist’s book,
Present Over Perfect.
Led by Jen Leahey. This class meets in the Library, upstairs in the Christian Ed Bldg.
Lectionary Class —
With Advent the church begins times of special reflection. Advent is the time of expectation and return; followed by Epiphany, a time of discovery; Lent, as a time of examination; and Easter, the capstone of the year, a time of joy and celebration. Come and experience these times in the Lectionary Class. Just as Jesus invited his disciples to “come and see,” come and discover what Jesus’ life, death and resurrection mean in our own times.
Led by Dick Hooper.
This class meets in the Parlor.
Adult Education Round Table
—
It often seems in our very polarized world that the only question we ask when confronted by a new issue is, “Are we for or against?” We seldom take the time to consider if this is the best question to be asking. Kent Annan’s first chapter in his book
You Welcomed Me
has the title “Are we for or against?” The questions Jesus asked when presented with conflict could be the questions for us as Christians to ask as we confront new issues in our day. What questions to ask will be the topic for our discussion this Sunday. Books are still available and you may ask for more information from David Starling by text or phone at (850) 712-0977 or email
dastarling@cox.net
.
Led by David Starling.
This class meets in Rm. 32, upstairs in the Christian Ed Bldg.
Sunday Centering Prayer Group
—
Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, in which we experience God's presence within us. We begin by taking a few minutes to go over the basic guidelines of the practice for anyone who is new. We then sit together in the 20-minute prayer period, followed by a brief time for sharing and intercessory prayer. All are welcome — newcomers and experienced practitioners.
This class meets in the Centering Prayer room on the administrative hallway.The facilitator is Joan White.
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION ~ 9:30 AM ~ 2nd Floor of the Christian Ed Bldg
.
Godly Play ~ PreK3 – 2nd grade, Room 37
Children and Family Ministries is proud to utilize the Godly Play curriculum in our Sunday School classes. Godly Play is unique in that it encourages children to explore their faith through wonder and play. Each week, a bible story is told to the children using the Godly Play method, after which children utilize their “work time” to create something in response to the story. Class is concluded with a “feast” (graham crackers and water), during which the children appreciate the fellowship of their peers.
3rd – 5th Grades, Room 39
In our Extended Godly Play program, tweens will get the experience of Godly Play stories with the additional of Bible Literacy and critical thinking-based discussions with their peers.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL (Middle & High School) ~ 9:30 AM ~ Undercroft
NURSERY ~ 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Infants - 2 yrs. old — Nursery, first floor of the Christian Ed Bldg.
Infants — Rm. 24, first floor of the Christian Ed. Bldg.
Preschool Toddlers — Ages 2 & 3 — Rm. 21, first floor of the Christian Ed. Bldg.
Bible lessons are provided each week during the 10:30 service.
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SUNDAY
WORSHIP LEADERS
II Advent
December 8, 2019
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ACOLYTES: 8:00 - Sandy Phillips, John Phillips III, John Hendrix
10:30 - Reese Brewer, Ty Caraway-Appleby, Robert Harrison, Cortney Sherman, Davis Sherman, Sophie Spangrud,
Anna Kathryn Speck, Ellie Speck, Charlie Stafford
CHALICE BEARERS: 8:00 - J. O. Zachow, Greg Reese
10:30 - Bridget Fluegge, Mike Adkins, Eric Stevenson, John Hunt
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BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
FOR THE PARISH FAMILY
We would like to give thanks for these special days and to add your name to the published prayer list in the Sunday bulletin. Please print your name on the calendar on the information table in the Parish Office foyer. The calendar is checked weekly before the prayer list goes to print.
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ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS
Each week our worship service is enhanced with beautiful fresh flowers. After the Sunday services, the altar flower arrangements are reworked into smaller arrangements. These arrangements are delivered to members of our parish family that are unable to attend a Sunday service. The altar flowers are a memorial, a thanksgiving for an anniversary, a birthday, a new birth, or a thanksgiving for God's blessings. The donation is listed in the weekly bulletin. Forms to participate in this ministry are available on the information table in the Parish Office.
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IMPORTANT PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
Have an emergency and need a priest?
Call the Parish Office, 850-432-5115.
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HEARING LOOP
Christ Church has a hearing loop system f
or hearing-impaired individuals who wear hearing aids with activated telecoils (or T-coils)
. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked "T". This will allow your hearing aid to act like a speaker directly connected to the church’s sound system. After the service has ended, you should turn off the "T" setting. Background: A telecoil (or T-coil) is a small coil of wire inside a hearing aid that is designed to pick up a magnetic signal. When using the telecoil setting on your hearing aid it turns off the microphone so that it will only pick up the electromagnetic signal and convert it to sound. This allows you to hear only the magnetic signal from the hearing loop system. Ask your audiologist or hearing health care provider about telecoils and if it is right for you.
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TRANSITIONS
We welcome
Hamilton Harper
who visited with us on 11 November, 2019;
and
Jeff Wolters
who visited with us on 24 November, 2019.
We welcome into Christ Church through the Sacrament of Baptism
Madeleine Melissa Orbik, 1 December, 2019.
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