CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER
December 3, 2020
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This Sunday marks the Second Sunday of Advent. We light the second blue candle on our Advent wreath, which symbolizes Faith reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. |
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Umm, Is this what Advent is Supposed to Look Like?
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Because so few people will be able to experience what our church looks like for the Christmas season due to the pandemic, we have gone ahead and done our usual decorations, with the exception of adding the poinsettias. However, we will continue to use the Advent music and lessons. |
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PICK UP YOUR ADVENT WREATH KITS
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Pick up a kit to make your own Advent wreath. All you need to add is your own greenery. You are welcome to take cuttings from the woods surrounding the church but not the gardens. Thank you to Michelle Paschal for her help with this event.
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Devotionals for all ages are available to help deepen your Advent journey. If you can’t pick one up at worship, stop by the church office. |
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We anticipate a budget of close to $400,000. So far we have received pledges from 48 households for a total of $$232,540. We invite everyone who has not pledged to be in prayer as to how you might support the mission and ministry of Holy Comforter in 2021.
Thank you all! And thank you to this year’s Stewardship Committee: Fred Hoogland, Jennifer Cardinal, Rebecca Ricks and Bill Liebel.
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After having my total knee replacement surgery denied by my insurance company, they have decided that perhaps it is a medical necessity. I’ll be having surgery this Wednesday, December 9 and will be out of the office for a month. However, just like Santa, I’ll be watching to see if you've been naughty or nice in my absence. It’s not the time I would choose but it is kneeded. Area clergy will be taking services. If there is a pastoral emergency, contact Senior Warden Fred Hoogland at 770-335-7942. Blessings - Cindy Taylor+, Pastor.
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The Password Project - Posting Passwords of Gratitude!
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What are YOU grateful for? Despite this hard year, more than one of our families came up with their own descriptions of thankfulness as part of the Passwords of Gratitude project. This is what Lily and Finn Halterman and the Brien and Jennifer Cardinal family came up with; I especially love that the humble but always delicious tunafish casserole made the list. |
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Now what are you grateful for this year? Special thanks to our Children's Ministry Director Cheryl Spessert for creating this project. |
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Our children were given a set of Jesse Tree ornaments from our children's ministry department to teach them the story of Jesus and the story of our faith. The one of Adam and Eve started off Grady Riser's Jesse Tree. Thank you to all the volunteers who created these keepsake ornaments and to our Children's Director Cheryl Spessert. |
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December 11 will be our first Advent Discovery outdoor trail. This event will be limited to 12 families and reservations are required in order to keep everyone safe. Families will visit 6 stations with reflections and activities to prepare our hearts for Christmas followed by snacks and music under the stars.
We have one spot left for the Advent Discovery Trail at 6:45 on Dec. 11. Contact Cheryl Spessert at ckspessert@yahoo.com.
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CHRISTMAS WEEK AT HOLY COMFORTER
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Sunday, December 20 at 10:30 am Holy Eucharist with Hand Bell Choir and Virtual Children’s Christmas Pageant
December 24 at 7:00 pm Outdoor carol sing with bonfire. Can you sing carols through a mask? Yes! Bring your own candles or flashlights and join us for this special gathering. Because of COVID restrictions attendance is still limited and you must RSVP but we can have up to 75 people. This will take the place of our usual Christmas Eve services.
December 24 A rebroadcast of our Virtual Children’s Pageant
Sunday, December 27 at 10:00am We will not have in-person worship but will instead join with the other churches of the Diocese of Georgia for Christmas Lessons and Carols. go to their face book page at Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.
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We're decorating the church for Christmas earlier than usual this year. If you would like to give a poinsettia as a memorial or in thanksgiving for someone, please submit the on-line form below by December 9th. The cost for each poinsettia is $16. Simply click on the order form below, then mail your check to Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Fury's Ferry Road, Martinez, GA 30907. Earmark your check "Christmas Flowers".
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A Virtual Christmas Pageant
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This Christmas Pageant will be a combination of stories, art work, and performances by our children. Interested? Contact Mallory Halterman (mallory.halterman@gmail.com) or Jennifer Cardinal (jrcardinal2@gmail.com) to learn more about this project and how to get involved. |
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GIFTS FOR THE CHRIST CHILD
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Thank you Holy Comforter for your loving generosity! All families now have a sponsor and a wonderful Christmas awaits these children. For those who sponsored families, gift bags are due at the church by Sunday December 6. |
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This has been a trying year for all of us but it has hit our young people in special ways - proms and games canceled, learning from home, not being able to gather. That is why it is especially important that we hire just the right person to be a youth pastor to this group to draw alongside them. Applications are now being accepted for this part-time position. Applicants must have a heart for Christ and for teens and be willing to share the story of our faith in creative ways that challenge and inspire as well as being open to their questions. doubts and concerns. Please send resumes to the pastor, Cynthia Taylor at pastor@holycomforterchurch.org.
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WORSHIP RESOURCES FOR THIS SUNDAY
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Last week’s full service, click here.
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Our worship continues even while we are physically separated. Preparing for Sunday is a tool that we will be using to help each of us do just that - prepare for Sunday worship by engaging in the assigned lessons from Scripture.
It includes an overview, a lesson introduction, a reflection, and a prayer starter. It is available on our website here.
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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
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Due to COVID-19 concerns, our staff is working remotely at this time, coming into the office only as needed. The best way to reach any staff person is via e-mail:
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor
Vivian Vaiden
Lara Fort
Brad Green
Cheryl Spessert
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If at all possible, please keep up with your financial gifts to the church. Money is always tight but never more than now. When this crisis has passed, I want us to pick up where we left off and continue to expand our mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.
There are several ways to give. You can press the "Donate Now" button below or go on-line to our website at www.holycomforterchurch.org and click on Giving at the top right hand. Finally, you can mail checks to: Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Fury’s Ferry Road, Martinez, Georgia, 30809.
For those with an IRA account, due to COVID-19, RMDs in 2020 are not required but are still a tax saving for the donor and much needed and appreciated by Holy Comforter.
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For those in need of healing: The Galan family, Robbie Jarrell, Aiden Brooks, Judy Martin, Cynthia Taylor, Mary Moose, and Harrison Rhee
For those celebrating birthdays: Linda Morgan, Alexander Saunders, Maddie Grigg, Fred Hoogland, Addison Martin, and Kitty Angleman
For those celebrating anniversaries: Bobby and Janet Barnett, Cam and Marsha Varner
Thanksgiving for our partnership with Martinez Elementary School and The Claiborne at West Lake.
For those who are homebound: Donna Garvey, Lorraine Banks, and Joan Jackson
For the departed: Jennifer Galan
For those who have died from COVID-19 this past week. And for Sally Paschal, beloved pet.
For all who have died for the Christian Faith and for those who have persecuted them.
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