Amazing and Beautiful Beloveds! 

Merry 12^th Day of Christmas! Unlike the marketplace and the homes of some of our neighbors, for whom the Christmas trees and decorations are down, and maybe Valentine’s Day goods and decorations are out, we’re still celebrating. 

And since we’re still celebrating Christmas, we’re still enjoying our gifts. And at a time when most folks, or maybe even some of us, are tempted to measure our worth by how well we’re doing with New Year’s Resolutions, we can still rejoice that our worth depends not on what we do, but on WHO GOD SAYS we are. 

Because of the Christ’s first coming, we are no longer divided nor alone, but we are now members of a holy family and part of a holy body.  

When anxiety names us fearful, God’s presence names us peaceful. When the culture of over-scheduling says we aren’t moving fast enough, God calls us those who can be still and rest in the knowledge that only God is God. When shame points fingers and says we are nothing, God says we’re worth everything, all of God come down to earth in a tiny baby named Jesus. So again, Merry Christmas, you Beloveds of God! 

So much love, 

Mo. Nikki+  

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS CAMPAIGN

The Capital Improvements Campaign Committee wants your vote! We recently sent out a letter to parishioners asking for your feedback on which physical needs of the church are most important to you. Each letter had a voting form. There is a box in the narthex where you can return the forms. You can also put them in the collection plate or email Mark Richardson or Stacie Court with your vote. If your family needs more forms, blanks are in a basket next to the return box in the narthex. 

If you didn't get a form and don't come to church often but would still like to participate, the issues you could vote for are as follows: 

• a capital preserve fund for future major repairs
• a new organ
• an outside labyrinth
• new flooring for the parish hall
• a renovated playground with a new surface, a fence, and new equipment

We're asking you to give a "3" to any issues that seem most important to you, a "2" to any issues that seem somewhat important, and a "1" to any issues that seem less important to you. You can vote by emailing Mark or Stacie.

Thanks so much for your help! 

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

The Library Committee (reforming & kickstarting!) will meet in the library after the 10:30AM service on January 14. Please join us if you’re interested in serving on this committee!

BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

There will be an organizational meeting of the Buildings Committee following the 10:30 service on January 28. If you are interested in helping to maintain and improve our buildings this year, or if you have concerns you would like to see addressed, please join us. The meeting will be held in the Christian Education Building.

EYC Hiking Day

On January 13th all youth members (6th-12th grades) are invited to go on a hike at Raven's Cliff Falls! Meet up at St. Gregory's will be at 10AM and pick up at the end of the day should be no later than 6PM. We will be having a picnic lunch on the trail so please contact Wade if you or your child have any dietary restrictions. We will need chaperones and drivers so please reach out to Wade if you are available. Email Wade if you have any questions.

If you or your child have not already joined the Youth Group Discord server, please let Wade know. Messages will be sent through there on the day of the event.

Participants should consider: Bug spray * Dressing in layers * Closed toed, walking/hiking appropriate footwear * Water

Blindspot Group

The Blindspot Group (20s and 30s group) has decided that meeting once a month on the last Thursday is not enough! Starting Sunday, January 14, we will also meet at 6PM on the 2nd Sunday of each month for dinner and small group study. Newcomers are always welcome! Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837 for more information.

CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES

2024 contribution envelopes are available on the dresser in the Parish Hall entranceway. If you wish to use these next year, please write your name next to the # of box that you take. Please note people last year already have boxes spoken for. Leave those boxes for them. If you had a box of envelopes last year and do not want/need them this year, please cross off your name so we know that box is available.

We continue to collect estimate of giving pledge cards for 2024. You may put your completed card in the collection plate on Sunday, mail your card to the church office, bring your completed card to the church office, or enter your pledge online here.

epiphany 1

for convenience 

our present age

will twist around

days to assuage

inconvenient

calendar dates

without concern

for past mandates

church tradition

will overrule

to establish

the days of yule

these days after

are to prepare

for lenten days

of pious prayer

alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming

• Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church YouTube Homepage

• Near the time for service, underneath our channel logo, you will see our video for that day, with the word ‘live’ on it. The page will look like this:

• If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.  

• When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it. 

Welcome to worship!