This week marked the 7th anniversary of St. Andrew's call to me to be your priest and rector and my joyful acceptance. This call and response began our covenantal relationship as priest with parishioners, which has led us on a path toward deepened spirituality, ministry development, faithful pastoral relationships, authentic and broad involvement of our young people in our worship, genuine caring for one another, plus a whole lot of joy! One never knows where the Holy Spirit will guide and move us, and yet, I surely am happy the Holy Spirit has brought us together to continue God's faithful work here at St. Andrew's in Shippensburg. I look forward to many more years with you.

This anniversary always gives me pause to reflect upon the past year and our parish highlights or those moments held closely in my heart of our time together. Undeniably, what has most formed me most as a priest and a faithful follower of Jesus this year has been your unwavering love, support, prayers, and expressions of your care as I have dealt with and healed from the fox attack and subsequent injury this summer. This is undoubtedly the most bizarre thing that has ever happened in my life and it is by your support through this ordeal that I understand the value of Christian community in a whole new way. I am completely certain that I have healed as I have because of your prayers and love. I was so deeply touched by your genuine affection and concern that it opened within me a very tender spot which allowed me to embrace the healing love of Christ in a deeper way than I have ever experienced. You are the ones who made a huge difference in my recovery. And then when I was able to share with you my rejoicing that I could walk again this past Sunday, my joy was multiplied a million times by being able to share it with you. I know I hear people say that they can be Christian by themselves, and maybe they can -- but my question now to them will be, "Why would you want to?". The gift and joy of Christian community makes every difference in our lives and I am ever more convinced of that after these past several months. I am truly blessed by each one of you and consider my time among you as one of God's greatest gifts to me.

As we begin our 8th year together, I will offer you the gift of drawing us further into God's invitation to commit ourselves ever more deeply to our mission and ministry, by exploring together the true and theological meaning of stewardship, and by inspiring us all to claim our ministry as something that matters to God, our own lives, and to our community. I so look forward to our year ahead, when we can settle more into the faithful living God calls us into.

May Christ's blessings of love and joy be with you now and always,

Your's in Christ,

Mother Barbara

What is a Votive Candle?

What am I supposed to do with it?

Why are votive candles in our Episcopal Church?

How will it deepen my spiritual experience of worship?

Mike Rhodes answers these and even more questions you may have about the Votive Candle Stand and space we're creating for you.

Preparing for Sunday

To read the lessons in advance, please click here.

To listen to Milan Shepherd's homily for Veteran's Day,

please click on the video below.

Worship Ministers for Sunday

8 a.m.

Crucifer: Bill Gawors

Lector: Sue Davis

Celebrant: Mother Barbara

Preacher: Mother Pat

Eucharistic Ministers: Sue Davis, Bill Gawors

Verger: Mike Stitt

 

10 a.m.

Altar Guild: Kathy Smith, Jennifer Romine, Edna Guido

Greeters: Jennifer Romine, Thomas Romine

Acolytes: Julianna Swab, Sarah Brooks, Shannon O’Donnell

Lectors: Donna Harpster, John Richardson

Preacher & Celebrant: Mother Pat

Eucharistic Ministers: Jeanine Goodwin, Matthew Briggs

Counters: Lori Horst, Larry Shillock

Coffee Hour: Jennifer Romine, Thomas Romine

Verger: Mike Stitt

Shippensburg Community Thanksgiving Service

Giving Thanks Together

Sunday, November 18th 7 p.m.

Church of the Nazarene, 415 E. Orange St. Shippensburg

Led by and sponsored by the Shippensburg Ministerium

Mother Barbara will participate by being one of the readers.

Can you come too and support our local religious community coming together to give thanksgiving for the glory of God among us?

SAVE THE DATES! - Upcoming Feast Days at St. Andrew's

Incense rising, banners flying and celebrations! Watch our website and Facebook pages for updates.

November 25th Christ The King Sunday : 8:00 and 10:00 bring your creche to be blessed and, if you wish, displayed on the sanctuary windowsills. Incense at the 10 a.m. service.

December 2nd First Sunday of Advent   Prepping our hearts for the year to come. Lighting the first candle. 4:00PM Parish Christmas Party with a vegetable soup pot luck. Advent wreath making, Intergenerational Advent crafts, decorating the Christmas tree and PLC.

December 23 ^rd Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (all young ones and youth are invited and included) –11:30 a.m.

December 24th Christmas Eve.  TWO services - 4:00PM Christmas Pageant, 10:00 PM "Midnight Mass"

December 25th Christmas Day   10:00AM "Quiet" Christmas morning service followed by the Community and Parish Christmas Dinner 12:00 PM

January 6th Epiphany   Fleshing out the arrival of those three kings . . . 

Christmas Eve Choir ....

because it just wouldn't be the same without one!

Parishioner, vestry member, and professional musician, Lisa Turchi is offering us the blessing of her generosity and musical gifts in her desire to gather us together and rehearse us as a Christmas Eve Choir.

We just couldn’t imagine this very special holy day without the gift of music, so we are thrilled and deeply humbled by her willingness to reach out to all of you who would like to sing as part of our choir on Christmas Eve.

All are welcome , whether you’ve sung in our St. Andrew’s choir before, or any other choir before, or have never sung in a choir at all. This is about rejoicing in the glory of God made manifest in a brand-new way on Christmas Day, so come, allow the joy in your heart to lead our music on this special and holy night.

There will be three rehearsals: Dec. 9 ^th at 11:30 a.m., Dec. 16 ^th at 9 a.m., and Dec. 23 ^rd at 11:30 a.m. Please let Lisa or Mother Barbara know that you would love to be a part of this special offering!

Episcopal Home Thanksgiving Offering

Our shared mission in our Episcopal Home provides a loving, safe home for up to 32 seniors. The average age of those seniors is 89! Our donations provide benevolent care to many who outlive their savings. Together, our 63 parishes share a mission in support of The Episcopal Home, providing community and safety. If every family in each of our 63 parish communities gives at least $25 (the price of one resident’s daily living cost), we can support this safe haven for another year.

Thank you for your support. Please read carefully the material you will receive on Sunday and pray over your response to this annual Thanksgiving Appeal, where we can show our gratitude of the ministry which cares for those in need, through our generous offering. 

Head Start Family Collection

For the past several years, we have been sponsoring a family through Head Start for Christmas and have been purchasing clothing or gift cards for the family in need. You have always been so generous and when we arrive with armfuls of gifts, we know the lives of the family has been changed forever by your compassion.

Our family this year has 3 children and one expected in January. To chose an item to purchase, please go to this link

All wrapped presents are due in the Parish Life Center by December 13th.

Thanks again for making someone's Christmas filled with joy!