A poem for the first week of Advent.
If you want
the Virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy,
and say,
“I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart,
my time is so close.”
Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth
forever,
as she grasps your hand for help, for each of us
is the midwife of God, each of us.
Yet there, under the dome of your being does creation
come into existence eternally, through your womb, dear pilgrim—
the sacred womb in your soul,
as God grasps our arms for help; for each of us is
His beloved servant
never far.
If you want, the Virgin will come walking
down the street pregnant
with Light
and sing
–St. John of the Cross (1542 – 14 December 1591).
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Supporting what matters to you
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Gathering in the Way of Love
Pledge Campaign 2020
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Supporting God's mission with our financial gifts enables our parish to continue to offer our vibrant and faithful ministries while living faithfully with God and one another with a balanced budget. It is our goal to live into a budget which has income meeting or exceeding our operating expenses. We can't do this without your support. Please consider increasing your pledge or regular giving so that we may continue to "gather in the way of love" so that we can share this love of God with others in our community.
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Please return your pledge card to the church office at your earliest convenience or by placing it in our offering baskets on Sunday.
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Preparing for Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Advent
Fill us all with Peace.
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Preparing for Sunday
Worship Ministers
8 a.m.
Greeter:
Aly Howard
Verger:
Bill Gawors
Crucifer:
Nichol Free
Lector:
Ivy Kraker
Preacher:
Dina Carter Ishler
Sub-deacon:
Dina Carter Ishler
Celebrant:
Mother Barbara
Eucharistic Minister:
Samantha Davis
10 a.m.
Altar Guild
:
Laura Bonanni, Mary Grace Shearer, Lisa Woolley, Susan Sanders
Greeters
:
Jen Eshelman, Doug Eshelman
Verger:
Mike Rhodes
Acolytes
:
Zachary Rhodes, Shannon O’Donnell, Neiley O’Donnell
Lectors
: Lisa Woolley, Donna Harpster
Preacher:
Dina Carter Ishler
Sub-deacon:
Dina Carter Ishler
Celebrant:
Mother Barbara
Eucharistic Ministers
: Ken Dotson, Melisa Dotson
Counters
:
Melisa Dotson, Dave Hutton
Coffee Hour:
Edna Guido, Jennifer Romine
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Confirmation Class This Sunday
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Our young people will continue their exploration of the spiritual practice of Worship this Sunday as part of their faith formation and preparation for confirmation. Please email
Christina Luo if you would like more information on our intentional program of teaching our young people about our faith and to deepen their relationship with the holy.
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Christmas Eve Choir Rehearsal
This Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
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Join the fun! Bring your heart's desire to "Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" and rehearse with others for the Christmas Eve anthem. Lisa Turchi is the choral director and Brian Helman is the pianist.
All are welcome!
(The choir already sounded amazing this past Sunday at their very first rehearsal.)
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Head Start Family Contributions
Due Monday, December 16th
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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. The family this year consists of a mother and one child. To sign up for specific items, please
click here.
Thank you for your commitment to sharing the love of Christ with others in this season celebrating the birth of Jesus.
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The deadline to have the wrapped gifts back to the church is December 16
th
. If you have any questions or need help signing up for an item, please see Mike or Kelly Rhodes, who are coordinating this outreach project for us again this year.
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Christmas Day Dinner
Volunteer Sign-ups
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The most joyous day of the year is fast approaching and time again to plan for our Community Christmas Dinner. Christmas is a time for family and friends but there are many who have none. Let us share our family with those in need. Look for sign-up sheets in the Parish Life Center to help on Christmas Day.
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Keeping you in the Loop --
The Episcopal Home December e-newsletter
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Episcopal Home Mission Sunday-
there's still time to donate to this amazing mission center
right next door to us
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We invite your contribution to the ministry of The Episcopal Home. Having this ministry next door to us forms us and nourishes our souls, whether or not we are personally involved in their ministries. Being near a place where the love of Christ is made manifest each day offers us insight, inspiration, and hope. Each family is asked to donate $25.00 to this mission so that we may continue to offer benevolent care to those who are in need. Please prayerfully consider your contribution as part of your offering to God's mission in our community.
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Our Bishop's Blog- Travelogue of her trip to Sri Lanka to visit Episcopal Relief & Development Mission Sites
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Sri Lanka Digest - On The Way
These are the entries and photos that I posted on Facebook as part of a travelogue during my pilgrimage to Sri Lanka on 14-25, 2019 November with Episcopal Relief & Development Friday 15 November 2019Colombo, Sri Lanka I left Harrisburg PA from...
Read more
www.diocesecpa.org
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Joining with others around the Diocese
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Diocesan Live Nativity
December 13th
5-8 p.m.
St. Andrew's in the Valley
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Come celebrate the Christmas season with us at our live nativity. See the manger scene, sing some carols, warm up with hot chocolate and cookies, and even meet St. Nicholas! This family friendly event is perfect for all ages. See you there!
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Preparing our Hearts for Advent
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Caroling at The Episcopal Home with Lisa Turchi & her voice students.
All are welcome to join in this fun family event!
December 14th at 2 p.m.
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Here is an amazing opportunity for ALL of US! We are all invited to be a part of this caroling event. Please join Lisa and her voice students next Saturday (14th) at 2 p.m. for caroling at The Episcopal Home. It will be one of those old-fashioned events that warm your souls and grows your hearts. There will be a reception in the Parish Life Center following the fun!
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We are hopeful that this will be a way to lovingly minister not only to our St. Andrew’s community but to others around us as well, remembering sorrow comes for many reasons- losses of loved ones, jobs, or friendships, or because those who love are hurting- anything that brings us grief leads us to long for healing.
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Blue Christmas Service
December 21st
at 5 p.m.
Reception to follow.
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We are so glad to be offering a service this December that is often called a “Blue Christmas” service. Although this is a season in popular culture that seems to focus only on happiness and excitement, this service honors the reality that many people struggle to find the joy of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Held in darkness on the evening of the winter solstice, it will offer quiet and space to intentionally remember loved ones or other places of sorrow, readings and music appropriate to the season, a ritual of lighting candles, and includes a celebration of the Eucharist for that time of oneness and healing with God. By remembering that the gift of the infant Savior born to be our Redeemer is still our greatest gift even when joy seems far away, we embrace courage and hope to more deeply receive the message of Christmas in our hearts.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
www.standrewsshippensburg.org
717-532-8089
Mother Barbara
rector@standrewsship.org
717-333-5590
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