e-Pistle for Sunday, December 8, 2019
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Greetings!
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5
(New Revised Standard Version)
Here we are, in the midst of winter darkness, when 4:30pm feels as opaque and murky as midnight. Here we are, in the midst of an exhausting and complicated American political landscape. Here we are, skidding in snow, misplacing dry cleaning tickets, burning the chicken, forgetting the meeting. The darkness is tangible...but so is the light.
John's Gospel confirms the grit and the promise embedded in every age: the darkness is real, but so is the light. The darkness will never overcome it.
If you are ready to experience the light that cannot be quenched, here are some opportunities waiting for you and your family this weekend:
1) Come to our lush and festive Advent Lessons & Carols Service this Sunday night at 5pm. Music of Howells, Handel, Gibbons, and Advent carols will crack open our souls and help us make room for God's presence among us. A candlelight reception will follow in the parish hall.
2) Help your children learn the generosity of gift-giving. Bring them to the Little's Angel's gift shop on Friday, December 6 so that they can surprise people they love with presents they have picked out, bought, and wrapped. Shopping begins at 6pm; cookie and carol singing will start at 7pm in the parish hall.
3) On Sunday morning at 9am, join us in Room #2 where our teenage mission trip participant, Elizabeth Martin, and four adults who went on the trip will reflect on what motivated them to go to Honduras and what they discovered about the country, their faith, and themselves. "
Transformation Outside The Comfort Zone" deepens the conversation begun in their first presentation during our 10 o'clock worship service on September 29.
Adrian, Mia, and I look forward to worshiping and learning with you this weekend.
Yours in Christ,
Margaret
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Family Cookies & Carols and Little Angels' Gift Shop
One of St. Andrew's best-loved family traditions is the Little Angels' Gift Shop and Family Cookies & Carols night on
Friday, December 6.
There's something for all ages. While the children (pre-K through grade 5) shop and kids in grades 6
to 12 wrap gifts from
6 to 7pm,
adults are welcome to some child-free, stress-free Christmas cheer and cookie decorating. Everyone joins in Christmas carols and cookies at
7pm
in the parish hall by a roaring fire.
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Keep in touch with St. Andrew's!
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Holy Communion Instructions
We welcome all to share communion bread and wine at St. Andrew’s. Communion is at the front rail in two stations: one starting at the pulpit and the second at the brass eagle lectern. The ushers will direct you when you arrive at the front of the church. Fill in each station fully, from right to left. The clergy and chalice bearers will serve everyone before starting over with a new group.
Once you receive the communion bread or wafer (if you require a gluten-free wafer, please indicate that to the clergy and a wafer and special cup will be brought to you), you may partake of the wine from the large chalice or by dipping your wafer into the smaller intinction cup. If you take from the larger chalice, please assist the chalice bearer by holding the chalice and guiding it. Anyone to receive a blessing, rather than communion, please cross your arms over your chest.
Once you have received both the bread and the wine, the custom is to wait at the rail until the person next to you has received and then exit the rail. Please do not remain at the rail; your personal prayers should be undertaken back in your pew.
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Healing Prayer
Healing prayer is a widespread ancient tradition within the Episcopal Church and we are making it available at our Sunday services. During the time people are receiving communion at the front altar rail, one of the clergy will be on duty at the transept altar to offer healing prayers. Tell the clergy person what you wish to pray for: you can request a prayer for yourself or for someone else. For example, someone might say, “please pray for my husband facing a difficult time at work,” or “please pray for my mother facing an operation,” or “please pray for my son having a tough time at college.” In response, the clergy will quietly and discreetly offer a healing prayer for the situation.
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Portrait photos from the Gala.
If you are excited about viewing the photos from the portrait photographer…Jennifer Waddell, has posted
two albums here for your viewing pleasure:
Saint Andrew's 125th Celebration and
Saint Andrews Reception. You will need to sign in with your email address to view the albums. You need to sign in with your email address to view the albums. If you would like a high-resolution pho-to,
please contact Jennifer directly. The photos are magnificent, and she has more than are posted.
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9am Christian Learning
Please join us on
Sunday, December 8 for
Called to Honduras: Transformation Outside the Comfort Zone. Members of our church who went to Honduras this summer will share more about their own spiritual journeys as they continue to gain perspective on their mission trip. Join us
Sunday, December 15, for
Who is Mary? And also, on
Sunday,
December 22 for
Sharing Icons and Images of Mary, the Mother of God.
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Alternative Gift Fair
St. Andrew’s will hold the Alternative Gift Fair
Sunday, December 8,
after the
10am service
. The fair benefits our outreach partners and supports many ministries: a gift that keeps on giving.
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Advent Lessons & Carols
All are invited to our annual Advent Lessons & Carols Service
Sunday, December 8, at 5pm
: a candlelight reception will follow.
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Christmas Pageant
All participants signed up by Sunday, December 8, will have their names in the bulletin. Important dates are as follows:
Sunday, December 8, 11:15am: Rehearsal for speaking roles
Saturday, December 14, 9:45am to 12pm: Rehearsal for all participants
Sunday, December 15, 9am: Participants gather for 10am pageant!
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2019 Pledges
The 2019 Pledge payments have arrived at a slower rate this fall. Please make your payments in early December if possible: St. Andrew’s has bills to pay. Thank you.
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A Note from the Treasurer’s Office
Please help us identify where your donations should be applied. St. Andrew’s has so many options at this time of year. Your donation could be for a 2019 pledge, 2020 pledge, capital campaign, holiday dinners, Christmas flowers, Alternative Gift Fair (AGF), outreach, or Christmas. Also, payments received
by December 26, 2019 are appreciated so that we have time to deposit them before the end of the year. Thank you for all your gifts!
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Bible Circle
Bible Circle will meet
Tuesday, December 10, at
10:30am in the
Harvey Room and
Wednesday, December 11, at
7pm in
Room 2. Our topic is the Gospel of Matthew:
A Witness to Jewish Christians. At our December meeting, we will read and discuss Chapter 5. All are welcome. Please bring your Bible.
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Blue Christmas Service
Sometimes Advent and Christmas are full of joy and satisfaction; in other years, we find ourselves in the midst of loss, illness, or disappointment. If you, or someone you care about, has had a hard year, and you are longing to make room for the Spirit of God in a time of struggle or loss, please join us on
Wednesday, December 18,
from
6:30pm
to
7:15pm
in the
children’s chapel.
We will rest in the promise of Christ, remembering that even in times of sorrow, God’s love and grace can find us and support us. All are welcome.
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College Night @ Youth Group!
Youth Group is inviting alumni back on
Sunday, December 15, 6:45pm. Come with questions for our wise college students! College friends, we miss you: come share your wisdom!
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Book Circle
For the
7pm
Tuesday, December 17
meeting in the
Harvey Room
, our book is
The Book of Unknown Americans
by Cristina Henriquez. We will have a guest: Susan Howards, an attorney who represents immigrants. She’s a fascinating woman, knows the legal system well, and will have some great insights. Please bring a friend or two; you won’t want to miss this opportunity to have this legal perspective on a true American crisis.
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Apply Now:
Faith in Action
for High School Students
Individual youth entering grades 9-12 are invited to join Faith in Action, a year-long program of service, mission, and discipleship offered by Episcopal City Mission and the Diocese of Massachusetts. Participants will complete service projects around the diocese and make a pilgrimage to the U.S./Mexico border in August 2020.
Applications are due Friday, December 13.
To learn more, visit
diomassyouth.org
and look for
Las Fronteras Pilgrimage
. — Rev. H. Mark Smith •
hmsmith@diomass.org
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5pm Christmas Eve Intergenerational Choir Signup
We are looking for people and families, big and small, all ages, all music levels, to be part of the 5pm Christmas Eve Intergenerational Choir. This choir is an opportunity to make your Christmas Eve at St. Andrew’s even more special by singing in the choir with your family and friends! Please sign up with Amanda or Wardie. Important dates to remember:
•
Sunday, December 22, 11:30am to 11:30pm:
Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary. Pizza after rehearsal!
•
Tuesday, December 24, 4pm:
Meet in the choir room for warm-ups and a final rehearsal. Sing at the
5pm
service.
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Church School/Rite-13 Schedule
There will be no church school, Kids’ Place, or Rite-13 on
Sunday, December 22 or 29 as the parish comes together to celebrate Christmas. There will be no church school or Rite-13 in the morning of
Sunday, January 5, 2020 as all ages are invited to celebrate Epiphany at a special celebration at 5pm. Kids’ Place will be available in the morning. All programs are on for
Sunday, January 12!
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Childcare—Christmas Eve 5pm
Babysitting will be available during the 5pm service on
Tuesday, December 24, in Kids’ Place
. Feel free to drop your children in childcare for all, or part of the service.
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Pledging for 2020 ...
Thank you to all who have sent in pledges for the 2020 Stewardship Campaign. The results are very encouraging, but we still have a way to go. If you have not pledged, please do so as soon as possible so we can finalize our budget. You can send in a pledge form by mail, put one in the plate, or
Click here to pledge.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak to me, a member of the stewardship campaign, the wardens, or the rector.
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Mia’s Ordination to the Priesthood
God willing and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts will ordain Maria Benjamin Kano to the sacred priesthood on
Saturday, January 11, 2020
at
10:30am
here at St. Andrew’s. Wear red! Reception to follow.
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Sox Box
Winter is fast upon us, as is the December sock delivery to Roseanna Means, M.D. of Health Care Without Walls. The need for socks is crucial, as our homeless brothers and sisters do not have the option of changing shoes or boots. Since 2007, St. Andrew's has generously donated 9,457 pairs of socks. Can we top the 10,000 mark by donating 543 more pairs by mid-December? Please be a part of this vital ministry. It is one small way for each of us to make a huge difference in the lives of those less fortunate than we. You can contribute in two ways:
• Buy socks & place them in the Sox Box outside the parish library.
• Send a check to St. Andrew’s with “Sox Box” in the memo line.
This donation will show in your church statement and socks will be purchased.
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Collecting Coats for Kids and Adults
As the cold weather sets in, there are thousands of people in our area who are without a warm winter coat. Gently used warm coats of all sizes—infant through adult XXL—are accepted. Donated coats will be cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners and then distributed through the Coats for Kids Dis-tribution Partners network. This collection will continue through December 31. Please check your closets and drop your unwanted coats in the collection box in the office corridor.
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Mitten Tree
The St. Andrew’s mitten tree is in the parish hall. This is a long-standing outreach ministry. Please bring new hats, gloves, and mittens for those in need this winter.
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First Aid Kits
We have first aid kits in all the church school classrooms and both kitchens. We also have a large first aid kit in the acolytes changing room. If you are in need of emergency medicine, you should of course call 911, but feel free to use the first aid kits for minor cuts and scrapes as needed.
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Sunday Parking on Denton Road
We received a letter from one of our Denton Road neighbors complaining that a parishioner had parked partially blocking their driveway two Sundays ago. We have also had a number of calls about this since the beginning of the year. Please be very careful that you do not obstruct the driveways of our neighbors. We wish to maintain good relations with our neighbors and to extend to them the courtesy we would expect from others parking in our own roads. Thanks for your help with this!
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Parish Photo Release
We recognize that safety and privacy are of primary concern to members of our congregation. After researching best practices and reaching out to our national church, the communications committee developed a policy not to identify anyone by name in website photos in the fall of 2013. We also agree to publish the following release language in registration forms, The CALL, service leaflets, annual reports, and any future publications. This language is as follows:
Occasionally, we may take photographs or videos of St. Andrew’s-related activities. By appearing at and/or participating in any such activities, you are aware that you may appear in such pictures and agree to let us use such images in related communications (including print and web usage), and you agree to release St. Andrew’s from any liability, damages, or claims whatsoever that might arise from such use. This notice also applies to any members of your family appearing and/or participating in such church activities. Our policy is that we will not identify anyone by name on website photos.
For any questions or more information about photos and usage please contact the vestryperson for communications.
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Online Church Directory
Did you know that we have a directory for church members that you can access
from our website
? Your email address will need to be in our database for you to get a username and password. Click on “Directory” in the upper right hand corner. There is also a mobile app called “Church Life” you can use once you have a username and password. Check it out!
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Nametags
Get to know folks and help everyone feel welcome and get a nametag. The membership committee offers reusable magnetic nametags for all members. If you would like a new or replacement nametag,
contact Becky Hamlin.
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Illness and Off-Hour Emergencies
The clergy are always available to assist you. Please
email Adrian
or call him at 603-831-4938 if you or a member of your family expects to be in the hospital and wishes to be visited. Also, please let us know of names that should be added to our prayer list. Our prayers are with all those in need.
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Serving St. Andrew's This week
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Please join us for fellowship after the 10am service
hosted today by Sarah & Dan Dent.
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Serving St. Andrew’s this week
Altar Guild D.D. Alexander, Dell Beggs, Terri Burnell, Kim Carlson, Jean Childs,
Elizabeth Clarke, Caren Parker, Cynthia Scott, Carol Sullivan, and Liz Tecca
Flower Guild Anne Benning and Jill Whiting
Greeters Winnie Faust and family
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Serving at 8am
Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer Margaret Blackwell
Ushers Mark Benjamin and Ken Graves
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Serving at 10am
Acolytes Crucifer, Annika Svedlund; Torch, Sterling Williams; Torch, Miles Olivetti;
Gospel, Ben Clarke; and Banner, Rebecca Martin
Chalice Bearers Adams Carroll, Paul Criswell, Elspeth Grant Pruett, and Jeanne Johnsen
Lay Readers Madison Riley, Michael Vanin, and Paul Merry
Ushers David Boghosian, Giles Boland, Tim Phillips, Larry Scott, and Paul Zusky
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St. Andrew's prayer list
Asher Griffin, John Reed, Kim McGovern, Melissa Stampf, Lee Goodnow, Qing Ni, Ben Vestin, Vickie Alexander, Stephen, Theresa Given, Cam Czubek, Andy Catarau, Rob Rodormer, Jack, Caroline Grape, Charlie Gryska, Bill, Roxanne Manners, Lisa Dutile, Jim Tilmon, Bill, Ashley, Michael, Jean, Chetan Phadnis, David McFarlane, Mary Lou Marth, Hank Szretter, Gary Christelis, Robert Nystrom, Siegrun Wood, Pat MacKinnon, David Sinnott, and Alison
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Flowers are given to the Glory of God
and in celebration of the lives of
Corydon P. Cronk
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Intercessions from the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Parishes of the Alewife Deanery
St. Paul’s Church, Bedford
All Saints’ Church, Belmont
St. Mark’s Church, Burlington
The Officers of the Diocese
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Prayers for Outreach Partners
We pray each week for one of St. Andrew's outreach partners in the Prayers of the People. These partners are charities that the parish supports. The goal of this practice is to familiarize everybody with the charities we support as we put our faith into action doing the work, as well as praying for the people involved.
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Deadlines for Weekly Bulletin and e-Pistle Announcements
Announcements and gratitudes (and anything else) for inclusion in the weekly bulletin or e-Pistle are due on Tuesdays at noon. Please limit your announcement to 50-100 words.
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Keep in touch with St. Andrew's!
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