*CHRISTMAS EDITION*

Dear Friends in Christ,

“Joy to the World,” opens our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Christmas message this year. You can watch and read the full message here. We are reminded that in a season in which we might not feel the joy as we normally have, that it is a time to reflect upon how Christ brought joy to a world which needed and still needs it. This year, we come to celebrate the Good News. For many this year, this joy and Good News may be hard to hear and this is a reason why we should share this message.

Yes, share the Good News this year! Yes, reach out to friends, family, and colleagues. Share our worship services online. Share the Good News you have heard in the Christmas message which we really need in this 2020 year! We know Christ and make Christ known in relationship as we celebrate Christmas together. Wherever we are worshiping, know that this is an experience of the presence of our God who for us, came down and lived with us.

I have felt the warmth and faithful, loving gifts in relationship in our beloved St. Andrew’s community this year. This year, in addition to sharing the Good News of our worship, be in touch and reach out to people in your life or perhaps even someone with whom you have not spoken for quite some time. 

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I look forward to worshiping with you as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

(Also available on our Facebook page)

@ 4:00 p.m. – Children's Pageant and Christmas Eve Service

@ 7:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service

@ 10:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service

(Also available on our Facebook page)

@ 10:30 a.m. – Christmas Day Service

@ 6:00 p.m. – Saturday Evening Service

@ 8:00 a.m. – Liturgy of the Word

@ 9:00 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 142 074 0872 | pwd: CMrCxTkf488)

@ 10:00 a.m. – Liturgy of the Word (also on Facebook)

@ 11:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour (Mtg: 847 0278 7729 | pwd: 437719)

@ 9:00 p.m. – Compline with St. Phoebe's (via Zoom)

@ 10:30 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 884 0844 2173 | password: 313159)

Note: When joining any of our Zoom meetings, please make sure your name is displayed.

2nd Note: If any of the service links above don't work, check our website for updated links.

This Christmas season, we are asking for names of healthcare workers so that we may lift them up in prayer. This 2020 year, many have worked on the front lines and served at their own risk for others. Our nation and world has relied upon our healthcare workers now as much as ever. We have seen the videos and testimonies of their exhausting schedules and dedicated service.

Submit names at this link for any healthcare workers for whom you would like us to pray, and we will offer them at the end of the season on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) and at the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (January 9/10).

Contact: The Rev. Will Packard (will@standrews.net)

While we will not be able to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at our outdoor service on Christmas Eve due to the weather, we will still offer Holy Eucharist throughout the Christmas season. Our understanding of the Incarnation is palpably expressed in our Sacraments and this Christmas we offer throughout the season an opportunity to partake in Communion in small groups of 9 or under, outdoors throughout the 12 days of Christmas, in front of the Church. We invite you to participate in these small gatherings a part of our whole congregation and in participation with all of the saints.

Communion will be distributed in one kind following the guidelines from the Diocese. The visitation/service itself will take about 7 minutes and we invite you to sign up for a slot. Please let us know if none of these times will work. We also continue to encourage individuals and families to make informed decisions on their level of risk. Please sign up at this link.

Contact: The Rev. Will Packard (will@standrews.net)

Starting January 19, 2021, our preschool will begin registering for the 2021-2022 school year. Current families, siblings of alumni, and Parish members get priority on registering. Registration opens to the community on February 16, 2021. Classes are filled first come first serve, so please don't delay if you are interested. Please visit our website for more information and to view a virtual tour of the preschool.

Contact: Tami Phillips (preschool@standrews.net)

St. Andrew's will be working again this year with FACETS to provide assistance to our homeless population from January 31-February 3, 2021 (our "sister" church will cover the remainder of that week). Rather than hosting at St. Andrew's during COVID, there is a 24/7 hypothermia prevention shelter for our region at the former Container Store in Tysons Corner 8508 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA.

Due to COVID concerns we will not be directly interacting with our guests this year, nor will we be cooking hot meals. We will still have means to actively volunteer in this ministry for which we will post a signup genius which will come out in early January. We will be providing church funded catered hot dinners and we will have volunteers make desserts and provide items for cold breakfast and lunches.

We will also be collecting donated goods at St. Andrew's as we have in years past. Due to COVID concerns we will be accepting donated items at St. Andrew's only at the following prescribed drop off dates/times:

Contact: Steve Koss & Elaine Runkel (hypothermia@standrews.net)

A Sign-Up Genius has been created, so pick a time that works best for you/your family and sign up here to schedule a meeting.

Contact: Betsy Cotten and Rebecca Umberger (fellowship@standrews.net)

Contact: Michelle Ramsdell (michelle@standrews.net)

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers: 

Contact: Deborah England (prayer@standrews.net)