This Sunday’s Gospel • Matthew 11: 2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one ...[ continue reading ]. Weekly scriptures are from the  Revised Common Lectionary ; passages are from the  New Revised Standard Version  of the Bible.
Christmas Ministry Ingathering this Sunday
If you sponsored a child for Christmas gifts please remember to bring your items on Sunday so they can be distributed. If you would like to donate towards the purchase of Kroger gift cards to go along with the presents please make sure you give your money before Friday December 13. Clean out your sock drawer, your mitten bin and your hat boxes and bring these warming items to be placed in the clothing closet at Red Door Ministry. 

Photos in the Parish Hall on Dec. 15
This Sunday take two minutes and have a free digital portrait made by volunteer photographer Andrew Peacock between 8:30-11:15 a.m. Why do we want photographs? To help us (and our new rector) get to know one another via our online member directory . Our goal is to have a photo of every member by February of 2020—please help us by being photographed before or after you attend worship services!

Foyer Dinner This Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for a Christmas gathering at the home of Mary Ann and Cary Blankenship; contact Lu Treadwell at 804-269-5675 for more details—it’s a great way to get to know other church members in a smaller setting.

What’s with the Pink Candle? 
The Third Sunday of Advent is Pink Sunday–no, it's not all about Mary. To learn a little about “Gaudate” Sunday click here . 
2020 Red Door Needs
The VCU student community is the bulk of our volunteer support for Red Door Ministry. In the Fall Semester we have had 287 individuals connected with VCU volunteer to cook, serve, clean up or staff the clothing closet!  What an amazing corps of volunteers we have through this partnership. However during the winter break especially between January 3 and February 14 we need your help. Our Christmas week December 20 and December 27 are full of volunteers (thank God and Hands on Greater Richmond). If you are interested in volunteering please sign up here thank you!  
Neighborly Outreach
Thank you to everyone who helped hand out snacks to VCU students during final exams. Let’s think about other ways we can reach out to college students to let them know that we love them, but God loves them more. If you have any ideas about things you would like to do to meet members of the VCU community contact Mo. Kim to set up a meeting.

Mark Your Calendar
Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. | Adult Forum: Unplug the Christmas Machine ( Bill Queen )
Dec. 15 after all three services|Head shot photos in the Parish Hall for the church directory
Dec. 15 at 6:00 p.m. | Foyer Dinner at the home of Cary and Mary Ann Blankenship
Dec. 22 at 10:00 a.m. | Combined Service featuring children in the Christmas Pageant
Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. | Christmas Eve Service (childcare through preK offered 4:00-6:00 p.m.; harp and flute prelude music begins at 4:00 p.m.)
Dec. 24 at 10:00 p.m. | Christmas Eve Service (harp and flute prelude music begins at 9:30 p.m.)
Dec. 25 at 10:00 a.m. | Christmas Day Service (in the chapel)
Dec. 24-26 | Church offices closed
Dec. 31-Jan.1 | Church offices closed

Last Chance this Year: Parking Volunteers
We need a few special folks who can help out Christmas week for about an hour to supplement our budgeted funds for Red Door Ministries! Call or text (804-306-9204) if you can help Nancy Trego :
Mon., Dec. 23 at 6:15 p.m. & Thurs., Dec. 26 at 6:15 p.m. & Fri., Dec. 27 at 6:00 p.m.
 
Parking Impact—Thank You!
Many thanks to our parking volunteers who have raised more than $20,000 during 2019 for our outreach ministries!  This is a quick and easy service project you can do with your family or friends if the schedule works for you.

Christmas Pageant Practice Sunday, Still Need Narrators and a Wise Man
The annual Christmas Pageant is coming up Dec. 22 in a single 10:00 a.m. service and we will practice for it this Sunday, Dec. 15. Sign-ups are still open and we still need some more narrators and another wise man to fill out our cast. Children and youth of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in, and adults are invited too (and they only have to dress up if they’d really like to)! Please reach out to our pageant director, Nick Sollog , with any questions.  

VCU Student Advent Podcasts Online
Recently, the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Virginia Commonwealth University created a series of podcasts for Advent. These recordings are unscripted and feature both scripture and children’s stories. Click here to listen. Thanks to Mo. Kim for her assistance!
Youth in December
In addition to being invited to join our Christmas Pageant practice Dec. 15 and the event itself Dec. 22 there is also discussion of a tacky light tour in the works, potentially on Dec. 21. Be on the lookout for more details about this, and for immediate questions contact Neely Dykshorn or Jodie Pully .   

Year-End Gift Deadlines Approaching
Have you considered making a year-end gift to GHTC? Some people pay their annual pledge (or make an additional gift) through appreciated stock or other investments. The church’s brokerage is Davenport & Co. To plan ahead and learn more , contact either Barb Dodd or Judy Bowman at 804.359.5628.
We are Thankful for You
The church is here through all of life’s struggles—and during this time of transition, we remain rooted in prayer. Please join us as we pray for the Discernment Committee and their work over the next few months as Grace and Holy Trinity Church searches for the next Rector. Remember, if you are traveling during the holidays, you can listen (or read) sermons online.