December 10, 2018
Monday, December 10
1:00 p.m. | Christian Meditation

Tuesday, December 11
7:00 p.m. | Vestry Meeting

Wednesday, December 12
2:30 p.m. | Birthday Party at
The Grove

Thursday, December 13
7:30 p.m. | Choir Practice

Saturday, December 15
9:00 p.m. | Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Sunday, December 16
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Traditional Language
9:15 a.m. | Thirty Worth Minutes - Living Well Through Advent
10:00 a.m. |Pageant & Eucharist
11:00 a.m. | Cookie Exchange
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats and Fellowship
Thirty Worthy Minutes: Living Well Through Advent
Sundays in December | 9:15 a.m.
We will explore ways that we can Practice Generosity using Advent materials from Living Compass. Pick up your copy of Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind in the Parish Hall or download the pdf on the Living Compass web site

New this year, you may sign up to receive an email of each day's reading and practice. We invite you to set aside time each day to read and reflect on the experience of Advent, preparing us for the true meaning of Christmas.
New: An Advent Calendar Just for Kids
This year kClare has created a digital Advent Calendar that parallels the devotionals included in our Living Compass Advent Devotionals, Living Well Through Advent

The calendar begins on December 2 and carries through to Christmas Eve. Each date has a scripture or quote, a message, and an activity geared towards children and youth. Check it out here.
Christmas Pageant & Cookie Exchange
Sunday, December 16 | 10:00 a.m.
Our Pageant this year will be a child and youth-led service with joyous music from our children’s choirs and the telling of the story of Jesus’ birth. Afterwards, we will have our annual cookie exchange—bring a 
dozen, take a dozen! 
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
Monday, December 10 & 31 | 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18 | 7:00 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. 
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 still need to raise approximately $600 towards our goal of $1500, 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.
Keeping Warm this Winter
Coat Drive Continues
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. Our first batch of 30 coats was recently delivered to the UMMA Center in Waukegan. The next batch will be offer to the residents of The Grove. The coat drive continues through February. Questions: please contact Colleen or Cory Schipfer.
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 at The Grove

Sunday, December 23
8:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Traditional Language
9:15 a.m. | Thirty Worth Minutes
10:00 a.m. | Holy Eucharist with Music
10:00 a.m. | Godly Play
11:00 a.m. | Sweet Treats & Fellowship

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

 Celebration of the Life of Bev Herndon
Saturday, January 26 | 10:00 a.m
.
Followed by Catered Reception in the Parish Hall
St. James the Less

From the Chicago Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:   
We pray for the organizations of Episcopal Charities & Community Services: Ravenswood Community Center; Shelter Care Ministries; Holy Family School; St. Leonard’s Ministries; St. Mary’s Services; Youth Guidance; Waukegan to College; and for organizations of our Companion Dioceses of SE Mexico and Renk, South Sudan.
We pray for Bishop Todd & Rev. Patsy McGregor, and all the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toliara, Madagascar, especially for all who are food insecure in the Diocese.
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)
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)
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    
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

9  Maureen Burke
9  Bill Lauck
10 Ryan Ruesch
10 JT Trimble
Anniversaries

10 Dorothy & Tasker Generes
For those who have died:
 Father of all, 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Kirsten L. Marsland
Joyce D. Daniel
Nicole Martin
Jody Daven Galloway
Jessica Suzanne Schipfer 
Edwin C. Colegrove
Evelyn M. Bakke
Spencer Naylor
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.