The Weekly Net
December 3, 2021
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From our Priest-in-Charge
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile, here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel shall come to thee, o Israel!
Dear friends in Christ,
We rejoice and call out for Jesus, Emmanuel, to reside with us each and every Advent in anticipation of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and in anticipation that Christ will come again! For thousands of years, the faithful call out for God’s presence with us and we too call the name Emmanuel, during Advent and in all places and all times.
Isaiah shares this faithful name with the King as he wrestles with impending defeat by armies and political turmoil. Isaiah points to a young pregnant woman who will name her child, “God is with us.” For years afterwards, even when Assyrian forces overthrew the king and Israel was in exile, they may call upon the faith of that young girl who dared to say, “Emmanuel!”
Our prayers each week during Advent pray “O come, O Come Emmanuel; be our hope and our salvation.” We call out to God with our personal needs, the needs of others, in distress and in joy. I encourage you to call out in hope for Emmanuel as we gather and particularly when you find yourself alone and perhaps alone in the midst of many. We find in the ancient, faithful call for Emmanuel, that we call to the Christ celebrated in the person of Jesus at Christmas who will come again and who resides with us now. You do not need to see an approaching Assyrian army to call out Emmanuel.
We sing the above hymn and we pray the above prayer in the knowledge that with Mary, our savior did come into the world. As you listen to, or avoid, the Christmas music stations, as you joyfully decorate for Christmas or tearfully unpack decorations once unpacked by another, call out for Emmanuel.
I encourage us to call out this name together, each and every Sunday and, as we call it aloud or from our hearts in various places, to seek the knowledge of our Incarnate God. This is a God alive in the Church and palpable when we gather. Remember this faithful name first came from the lips of those sorely needing God in dangerous and uncertain times and that this name too was given in a manger through the hope of a young, courageous girl named Mary. When it comes from our lips, we join Isaiah, we join Mary, and all those who have called out for an Incarnate God of hope.
I look forward to worshiping with you this week and joining you in our Outreach Ministry Fair after the services.
O come, O come, Emmanuel;
be our hope and our salvation.
Faithfully yours,
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The Rev. William L. Packard
(571) 449-7438
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Worship Services
Masks are still required for everyone two and older. We do ask that if you are feeling ill to please stay home and follow along with our online services, which can be found at the links below.
Saturday, December 4th
Sunday, December 5th
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.
Note the 3rd: All of our services are also available on our Facebook page.
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Stewardship Ingathering Continues
Thanks to everyone who has already turned in their 2022 pledge. We are at 86% of our pledge goal and 70% of our participation goal! For those who haven’t pledged yet, we invite you to do so via one of these options:
- Mail in your pledge using the pre-stamped envelope that was sent with your pledge packet
- Drop off your pledge in the collection plate before one of our weekend services
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Volunteers Needed
We are still in need of volunteers in the Pre-K and Nursery classes. If you are vaccinated and 14 years or older, please sign up to volunteer. More support is needed for the Nursery to remain open.
There is also a need for teachers in our older classes, as well as another Godly Play leader, and Sunday School Superintendent. Please contact Christie and Stacey if you are interested in helping out.
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The Giving Tree
The FACETS Giving Tree is back for another year! We have a list of children of various ages hoping to get something special this year. We will have both an in-person Giving Tree in the church (7 names left), and an online option (6 names left) at our Giving Tree Sign-Up Genius page.
Not every child has specific gift requests (some just gave us their favorite color!), but there is a list of suggestions on the FACETS webpage, including a reminder to choose ethnically diverse dolls if that is your gift (suggested limit of $25).
Once you have your gift, please wrap and label it with the child's first name/last initial, case manager's name, and age. If you select your child from the in-person tree, you can use the ornament provided.
Please deliver all gifts to the church by Sunday, December 12th. A curbside drive-by drop-off will be offered at the church on Saturday, December 11th, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thank you all for your generosity and help in making sure these kids have a wonderful Christmas!
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Children's Pageant
Our pageant is back! There will be a rehearsal & costume fitting for all participants at 9:15 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room on Sunday, December 19th. There will also be a rehearsal starting at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 24th. We ask anyone not participating in the pageant wait until our rehearsal is over before grabbing your seats.
If your family is participating in the pageant, email Amy so she can send you the registration link for the service. Once the link goes live to the public, it’s first come first serve.
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Sacraments Class Postponed
The Sacraments Class that was scheduled for December 5th has been postponed. We will let you know when the new date is decided.
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Email Scams
During this time of the year, scams are prevalent. As a reminder, the clergy and church at large will not solicit gift cards or funds over text, email, or social media. If you receive a request from our clergy or the church, please let us know and do not respond. When in doubt, be sure to speak directly with those who are supposedly asking.
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Confirmation Sunday
The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor will be here for our 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, December 12th to Confirm, Receive, or Reaffirm those who have worked on becoming full members of St. Andrew’s. We hope you can join us for this joyful occasion.
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Christmas Schedule
Friday, December 24th
@ 10:00 a.m. - Children's Pageant w/ Holy Eucharist (registration required)
@ 4:00 p.m. - Family-Oriented Service w/ Holy Eucharist
@ 8:30 p.m. - Carol Sing
@ 9:00 p.m. - Brass Ensemble w/ Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 25th
@ 11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
Masks required for everyone two years and older. Childcare is not available. All services will be streamed online.
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Prayer List
Please keep these members of our community in your prayers:
Pam, Larry Dickerson, Linda & Ed Hunter, John & Janet Carver, Bill Hartig, Lloyd Sterling, Nancy Knight, Janet Keyser, Charles Petty, Gloria Covington, Jack Keyser, Hugh Brian Henderson, Theo Pickeral, Olivia Kertesz, Carol Matovick, Rachel Gordon, Phil Purdom, Karan Wright, Kim Reisig, Christy Bering, Beth Matovick, Dorothy Polk, Rebecca Miyares, Natasha Browning, Robert C., Eric & Melissa Christianson, Christina Kelly, JoVanna Tawney, Joan & Bud Hahn, Joe & Karen Steele, Mary Lu Powell, Joani Dasher, Kim D. Howard, Becky Myhre, Donna Schrock, Jeff
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emily@standrews.net | www.standrews.net
(703) 455-2500
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