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First Sunday of Advent at Saint Paul's
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December 6 - December 15, 2019
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Service Participant Schedule
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Meeting this Week
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THURS 12 noon
Building and Grounds
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Please Join Us On Our Journey to Bethlehem
This past Sunday marked the beginning of Advent, the start of our new liturgical year and the season we prepare our hearts and minds for the mystery of Christmas. In the midst of the shopping, decorating, parties, and special events that fill our calendars in December, it is easy for us to be distracted and not even notice the mystery and beauty that is right in front of us. In our children (i.e., Godly Play and Weaving God's Promises) and youth formation programs, we are journeying together to Bethlehem each week and preparing our hearts and minds for the Mystery of Christmas.
"The Friendly Beasts"
Journey to Bethlehem:
Preparing our Hearts and Minds for the Mystery of Christmas
Our Saint Paul's Family is invited to share our journey during our program, "The Friendly Beasts" that will be part of our 11
AM
service on Sunday, December 22 (Advent 4). Coleman Graham, one of our formation teachers, has written the story narrative that we will share. It was inspired by Sufjan Steven's song, "The Friendly Beasts", which will be performed during the program. We have four soloists from the youth program and Jay Bentley, one of our Saint Paul's youth, will play the guitar. The "Friendly Beasts" tells the story of the journey to Bethlehem and reflects the Advent stories we are sharing each week. We are brought to this story through the eyes of the animals who surrounded the Holy Family and shared the gifts they had to give with such abundance. Our children are making this journey each week in our time together and on Sunday, December 22, you are all invited to travel with us.
How Can My Child Be Involved?
All children 3 years and older are invited to be a part of this program. We gather on Sunday mornings from 9:30
AM to 10:30
AM in the Children's Ministry Building. We spend the first part of our time together sharing our Advent story. We will then gather all ages together to prepare our program. This is a beautiful opportunity for the children to come together for our journey to Bethlehem. Please plan to join us this Sunday, December 8, 15; 22. If you were at formation last Sunday, your child already has a place in our program. If you were not and would like to be involved, please join us this Sunday; we have a special place for your child.
How Can Adults share this Journey?
All are invited to join Father John Jenkins in the chapel during the Christian Formation hour (9:30-10:30
AM
) as he will be guiding all of the adults through our Advent journey. This gathering will provide you with an opportunity to share the experience the children are having and is a beautiful opportunity to share a quiet time of reflection and preparation. This special program is offered for all adults so please join us for this special Advent offering. For more information, contact
The Rev. John Jenkins
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Our Schedule This Sunday
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December 8 |
Formation Classes for all ages.
See schedule below.
The Nursery is available.
Birthday Sunday in Tyler Hall
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
with the Saint Paul's and Canterbury Choirs
The Nursery is available.
following 11:00 AM
Lemonade on the Lawn
5:30 PM
Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
with Prayers for Healing
Matt Dickerson is our guest musician
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2020 Pledged Offerings
Pledge Cards available on the font portico Sunday
Last year, 181 households submitted pledged. Nearly 90 pledges have been submitted so far, and we need to collect all of them so the vestry and finance committee can construct the 2020 operating budget. If you have questions, contact the clergy, Sr. Warden,
Billy Badger or Stewardship Chair,
Brad Sandbach.
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Advent Prayer Trees
Daughters of the King, an Episcopal Prayer Ministry, invite prayers for yourself and others. Attach your prayer request to the Advent Prayer Tree located in Tyler Hall or in the Narthex. For more information,
contact Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau.
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Eucharistic Visitor Ministry at Saint Paul's
The Eucharistic Visitor Ministry exists so that no one must be separated from God's sacramental gifts and from participating in the worship of the church. The ministry is offered for all who temporarily or permanently are homebound. To request a Eucharistic Visit, contact the parish office or clergy.
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Second Sunday Birthday Celebration
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Next Sunday is Birthday Sunday. ALL are invited to our brief, but joyful celebration for all whose birthdays fall in December, Sunday, December 8, 10:30-10:45
AM, Tyler Hall.
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Angel Tree Blessing of the Gifts
Sunday, December 8, 11 AM service
This Sunday we will bless our Angel tree gifts, meal bags and contributions for the homeless during our 11 AM worship service. The Angel Tree gifts and other items can be delivered to the church office this week or placed in the church on Sunday, December 8th.
For more information, please
contact Melissa Friedman, (443) 528-9149 or
Nancy Kotti, (706) 910-2410.
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Poinsettias, Wreaths, and Christmas Brass
Wreaths and red poinsettias in the church are enjoyed throughout the Christmas season and additional professional musicians enhance our Christmas Eve services. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas Eve music, or give a poinsettia or wreath, please return the form found in your bulletin Sunday to the Parish Office. Requests may also be made by e-mail to
mailbox@saintpauls.org or using the link below no later than Sunday, December 15.
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Formation Classes this Sunday
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December 8, 9:30-10:30 AM
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THE RECTOR'S FORUM
Location: The Parlor
The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, whatever the topic of the day.
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THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Location: The Chapel
Each Sunday of Advent, Fr. Jenkins will tell a biblical story that ground us in this season of preparation and will lead a period of reflection on the story. This is very similar to the theological preparation the children are receiving in Godly Play. Come and see. Each week the story will grow, but always we will begin at the beginning. This experience will help you prepare to rejoice at the coming celebration of the incarnation at Christmastide. Inquiries, contact Fr. Jenkins.
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YOUTH FORMATION
Location: The Youth Room
Youth Formation returns with a look at the movies and a discussion of the Christian themes found in them.
BUT FIRST, a little breakfast to get things going! For more information, contact Todd Shafer.
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"The Friendly Beasts"
Journey to Bethlehem: Preparing our Hearts and Minds for the Mystery of Christmas
Location: The Children's Ministry Center
All children 3 years and older are invited to be a part of this program. We gather on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Children's Ministry Building. We spend the first part of our time together sharing our Advent story. We will then gather all ages together to prepare our program. This is a beautiful opportunity for the children to come together for our journey to Bethlehem. Please plan to join us this Sunday, December 8, 15, and 22. If you were at formation last Sunday, your child already has a place in our program. If you were not and would like to be involved, please join us this Sunday; we have a special place for your child.
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Next Week
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December 9 - 15
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Pub Theology
Tuesday, December 10, 7 PM , Upstairs Nacho Mama's
Mark your calendars for Pub Theology Tuesday, December 10, 7
PM
, at Nacho Mama's, upstairs, 976 Broad St. in downtown Augusta. Pub Theology gathers an eclectic cross-section of the Saint Paul's community to deepen relationships and faith through conversations about God and being Christian. For more information please
email John Jenkins.
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Angel Tree Party Decorating
Friday, December 13, 4 PM, Tyler Hall
We're decorating for a party! Come help create a festive space in Tyler Hall for the Saturday morning activities.
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Angel Tree Breakfast Team
Saturday, December 14, 7:30 AM
Eric Friedman is coordinating the food team. Join the team and help prep & cook breakfast.
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Angel Tree Breakfast and Celebration
Saturday, December 14, 9:30 AM
Make plans to join us for the annual Angel Tree Breakfast Party, Saturday, December 14, 9:30
AM in Tyler Hall. We will enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast and celebrate with lots of fun and fellowship. There are many ways to get involved, and we welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities!
- Servers
- Craft Coordinators
- Song Leaders
- Transportation
- Clean Up
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Augusta Choral Society Concert at Saint Paul's Church
Saturday, December 14, 7:30 PM
The Augusta Choral Society will present "A Merrie Olde Christemas" on Saturday, December 14, 7:30
PM at Saint Paul's Church. Joining the ACS will be soloists Sawyer Branham & Laurie Orth, the Palmetto Girls Sing and the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are Adults $35; Seniors $30 and Student/Military $15. 706-826-4713 or
augustacs.org. Donations of small individual personal care items (shampoo, soap, combs. toothpaste, toothbrush,) etc. for the Georgia War Veterans will be collected at the door.
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Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner
Wednesday, December 18, 6-7
PM.
The River Room
Join us for our monthly fellowship dinner, Wednesday, December 18, 6-7
PM
in the River Room. The menu will be available next week. $5 per person; $15 max per family. A reservation is not required; however, if you know you plan to attend, please RSVP using our
sign up on the Saint Paul's website
or by
email to Todd Shafer
so that we can be the best hosts.
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Compline - closing prayers for the day
Wednesday, December 18, 7 - 7:15 PM
The Chapel of St. Peter & St. Paul
"The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end."
Bring your mid-week evening to a prayerful close in a still, candlelit sacred space with one another and God. Compline is a much beloved, simple prayer service for the end of the day. It also may be observed in private at the end of your day and is found on p.127-135 in The Book of Common Prayer.
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EYC Lock-in
Saturday, December 21, 6 PM
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community, grades 6-12 only), mark your calendar for a holiday theme lock-in Saturday, December 21, 6 PM to Sunday morning 11 AM service. Dinner and breakfast will be served. Bring your sleeping bag, toothbrush, and a white elephant gift to exchange (maximum price $10).
A RSVP is required,
contact Todd Shafer
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Have you signed up for a Vestry Listening Session?
This is an exciting time for our church. The Vestry invites widespread participation in these gatherings.
If the event you select is full, please email us your interest in participating so we will know whether to schedule more gatherings. Thank you for your commitment to this church community and your role in shaping our future.
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Are we missing your birthday?
Our "Second Sunday"
Birthday Celebration for December
will be December 8.
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