The Week
of
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
The Second Sunday in Advent
Transition Update Sunday morning we welcome the Rev. Alicia Shuster-Weltner, canon to the ordinary for the diocese. Canon Weltner is preaching at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services. At 10:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall, she will conduct a Forum focusing on St. Luke’s transition - the process of having an interim rector and ultimately searching for and calling a new rector. Bring your questions/concerns.  
Advent Lessons and Carols
The service includes readings, prayers, anthems, and hymns for choir and congregation. A reception follows in the Parish Hall.
Announcements & Opportunities
Christmas Flower Dedications
Monday is the deadline to make a contribution to the Flower Guild for the church’s Christmas arrangements in memory of or thanksgiving for the special people in your life. This year, you can do it online. If you prefer, you can pick up a form from the Reception Desk. There is a box on the Reception Desk where you can submit your form and check, or you can mail it to the church. Dedications received by Monday, Dec. 10 will be acknowledged in the Christmas Eve worship booklets.
Faith and Film gathers this Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. to watch Manchester by the Sea (2016). Faith and Film is a monthly opportunity for St. Luke’s adults to share a movie, snacks, fellowship, and a lively discussion of issues of faith raised by the film. All St. Luke’s adults are welcome. For information, contact Donna Church (404-522-3889 | dchurch@mindspring.com).
Thank you to all those parishioners who have completed and returned a pledge card! We have now received 258 pledges for $1,018,646. We encourage those who have not yet done so, to please do so as soon as possible. Thank you for being a part of and supporting our church’s many ministries.  

End of Year Giving As the year ends, if you find yourself considering other charitable donations, please don’t overlook St. Luke’s simply because you have already fulfilled your pledge. There are and will continue to be several new expenses for our parish related to the rector search.  
Holy Baptism graphic
The Rite of Holy Baptism will be celebrated on January 13 at the 11:15 a.m. service. If you wish to have your child baptized, or are an adult prepared for baptism, please contact Michelle Jemmott at 404-873-7616 or michelle@stlukesatlanta.org. Deadline for information to be in to the church is Thursday, December 27.
All youth are invited to join the fun on Sunday, December 16! We’ll meet at the Target in Lindbergh Plaza at 5:30 pm to play a fun game and gather toys for the children of Emmaus House. Then we’ll head over to the Opsahl’s house to wrap the presents and share a meal. We’ll be done by 8:00 p.m. Girls bring a side dish, boys bring dessert. Everyone bring $20 to participate in the game. We also need adult chaperones and drivers. Please e-mail Kristin to RSVP ( Kristin@stlukesatlanta.org).
Crossroads Christmas
Christmas Meal at Crossroads Volunteers are needed to assist Clyde in the Kitchen as he serves a hearty meal and holiday cheer on Friday, Dec. 21. Each year, Crossroads saves this volunteer opportunity for St. Luke’s members. Sign up at the Reception Desk as there are a limited number of spots. Volunteers begin at 8:30 a.m. The meal is served beginning at 10 a.m.  but there is lots of prep work.
Advent Outreach Tree During Advent, celebrate Christ’s light in the word by making a donation to one of the ministries supported by the tree and receive a lovely ornament explaining the donation to give to your friends or family. This year’s tree benefits: TACC, Crossroads, Church of Common Ground and The Boyce L. Ansley School.

Insulated Bags For Sale ... by the St. Francis Green Guild again this Advent. The popular bags are red this time around with the church logo in black. The bags are $8 each, or 2 for $15. There are also just a few of the stainless steel water bottles left for purchase - let us know if you want one. For sale in the Reception Area on Sundays throughout December.  

Advent Reflections Be sure to pick up your copy of this year’s Advent reflections, created by members of our parish. If you prefer, it’s not too late to sign up to receive the reflections in your inbox each day during Advent - just  go to the Sign Up tab on the church website and sign up.  

Poinsettia Delivery Among our parish’s many traditions, this is a very special one, sponsored by the Daughters of the King. Following services on Sunday, Dec. 16, stop by the Glenn Gallery to select a beautiful Poinsettia to deliver to members who are home-bound or reside in assisted living/nurse care homes. A special invitation goes out to folks with children – children can be spectacular ambassadors of the church!  The name and address of a parishioner to visit is provided.
The Daughters of the King is asking the Parish to join its Winter Coat Drive to benefit the Crossroads. Please bring gently used and/or new coats for men, women and children, and place them in the large bin provided under the stairs in the Narthex (church foyer). Coats will be distributed during the Crossroads Christmas Luncheon on December 21. Please contact Lindley Cole (404-964-5238) or Amanda Wood (478-978-3621) if you have any questions. 
Sign Up for Faith and Friendship Dinners  Registration is open now through January 8 for this new small-group adult ministry at St. Luke’s that is an outgrowth of the Invite-Welcome-Connect program. You can sign up online or in the Reception Area on Sunday mornings. Dinners will be held at 12 host homes located throughout the metro Atlanta area, beginning Monday, January 21, and running through Thursday, February 28; and you are asked to register with the intention of attending all six gatherings. More information is available online or you can contact Sue McAvoy ( smcavoy@emory.edu ) or team members Jeanne Daniels, Brooks Franklin, Brittany Huet, Bob Just, Ginna McFarling, Panke and Peter Miller, Jason O’Rouke, John Stewart, or Jacquie Watts.
St Luke's Vestry
The Vestry Nominating Committee has announced its 2019 slate of candidates: Jimmy Cushman, Caroline Fooshee, Melba Hughes and Livingstone Johnson. Parishioners have until thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting to make additional nominations by submitting a petition signed by at least three parishioners in good standing. Those elected will replace Russell Currey, Scott Inman, Sue McAvoy and Susanna Roberts, who will have fulfilled their terms as of January 2019. The Annual Parish Meeting is Sunday, January 27 at 11 a.m.  
The Christmas Pageant will need lots of animals to welcome Baby Jesus. All children are invited to participate in the pageant at the 4 p.m. service Christmas Eve. Just come to Room 201 beginning at 3:15 p.m. to pick out a costume. Once dressed for the occasion, the children will head to the Hamilton Room, where volunteers “entertain” the kids while they wait for the service to begin. Parents can find seats in the Nave and enjoy the musical prelude. The children join their families at the Peace.  
The First Sunday After Christmas

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10 a.m. Christmas Lessons and Carols
and Holy Eucharist
11 a.m. Christmas Brunch
This Sunday
The Nursery opens at 8:40 a.m. for children and babies 5 years old and younger.

8 a.m. | Holy Eucharist    
9 a.m. | Holy Eucharist    
9 a.m. | Children's Chapel | Wilmer Chapel
10:15 a.m. | Sunday School for all ages    
11:15 a.m. | Holy Eucharist    
12:15 p.m. | Coffee Hour | Bell Tower
12:30 p.m.| COH: Circle of Care | Library
5 p.m. | Lessons and Carols
6 p.m. | Reception | Parish Hall   

Adult Christian Education

Our Parish Waits | Parish Hall
Canon Alicia Shuster-Weltner joins us to discuss the process of transition that has begun at St. Luke’s as we start the journey of calling a new rector. This session is designed to establish transparency with the congregation about the process.

The Sunday Papers | St. Luke Room
Join Jonathan Serrie and Allison Kopp for a free-flowing discussion about current events, faith and their intersection in our daily lives. Our discussions each week will be informed by scripture, national or local news sources. All views, thoughts and opinions are welcomed and encouraged.
THE ALTAR greenery is given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Adeline Winston Stewart Kontz, by John, Paulette and Katherine Stewart.  
For more about what is happening at St. Luke's:
Save the Date for the annual Epiphany Party on Saturday, January 5, from 5-8 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  
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