December 29, First Sunday after Christmas

The Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m., Rite I
The Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m., Rite II

Fr. John Thorpe, officiating

Worship notes

The Collect:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This week’s lessons: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; 147:13-21; Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18

Epistle
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Galatians 4:4-7
The Gospel | John 1:1-18 NRSV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
The week of December 29
Wednesday – Happy New Year!

Looking Ahead
  • Sunday, January 5, Father Thorpe's last Sunday at St. Andrew's; annual reports due
  • Sunday, January 12, 19, 26, Father Boase will officiate at Sunday services
  • Sunday, January 19, Parish Annual Meeting
  • Sunday, February 2, Fr. Hankinson, our new rector, officiates for the first time
  • Saturday, February 15, Installation of Fr. Hankinson by Bishop Martins
Thank You Everyone!

It was a beautiful Christmas at St. Andrew's this year and thanks go to everyone who made it possible from our smallest children to our oldest parishioners. We are very grateful that Fr. Thorpe was with us and provided a warm and thoughtful homily for the family service and the evening service. Many Christmas photos have been on Facebook for several days but a photo gallery will soon appear on our website as well.

End-of-Year Gifts to St. Andrew's

If you wish to make an end-of-year gift to St. Andrew's that will affect your IRS reporting for 2019, be sure to put it in the plate this Sunday or mail it with a postmark of December 31 or earlier. Pledges for 2020 are welcome at any time and can be submitted via the parish website at connect/give.
Announcements
Parish Annual Meeting, January 19
Mark your calendar for January 19 when we will meet as a parish for the annual meeting.

Ministry and committee leaders should plan to submit their reports by January 5 via email. Detailed instructions regarding reports will be sent to ministry leaders this weekend. Marian Smithson and Jane Weingartner will coordinate the preparation of the Annual Meeting booklet for the 2020 meeting.

Father Hankinson Update
Be sure to read Fr. Ben's Christmas letter that was recently emailed to the parish. Also, he briefly visited with Liz Edwards at St. Andrew's last Friday when he was checking out housing in the Edwardsville area. He is looking forward to seeing us at St. Andrew's in February.
Elections
Three slots for three-year terms will be elected at the annual meeting plus one slot for one-year. Nominees are also sought for Synod/Deanery delegates.

Contact any vestry member if you are interested in running for election.

Candidates must be confirmed members of the congregation over the age of 18 who regularly support the parish by "subscription or otherwise."

Lance Greve Update
From the latest report, Lance Greve is at home in Highland following his emergency hip surgery just before Christmas. Please consider sending him a card at his home address which is in the recent parish directory.
The St. Andrew's Week-End Update , a weekly emailed newsletter, is designed to keep parishioners up to date on church activities. Please send news items to Jane Weingartner by 11 a.m. on Tuesday to have them appear in the following Friday's newsletter.
Newsletter Editor Jane Weingartner
Newsletter & Bulletin Editor Marianne Cavanaugh
Newsletter Design Editor, Marian Smithson

Important links:
St. Andrew's website: standrews-edwardsville.com
Diocese of Springfield: episcopalspringfield.org
The Episcopal Church: episcopalchurch.org
Living Church: livingchurch.org
Episcopal News Service: episcopalnewsservice.org

S t. Andrew's Episcopal Church
406 Hillsboro Avenue Edwardsville, Illinois
618-656-129