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Advent Lessons & Carols and Potluck: This Sunday, December 4th, with have this special service followed by a potluck. Our choir will lead us in Advent Lessons and Carol at 10:30. There will be no 8:00 service so we can all worship and dine together. Advent Lessons and Carols is a beautiful service that tells our story from Genesis through the Gospels with readings and music. It helps us prepare our hearts and minds for the advent of the Redeemer of the Earth. Please join us.
New Church Directory: The Care Team is working on publishing a new church directory and we need new pictures. We will have someone taking pictures at the potluck this Sunday. Please make every effort to come and have your picture taken.
Discretionary Fund: The rector’s discretionary fund is used to support our community meal, people who come to St. Paul’s seeking assistance, and programs and services that share the love of Christ with others in tangible ways. Each month, on the first Sunday, the loose plate offering (gifts not designated for pledge, building, or other funds) is deposited into the discretionary fund.
Stewardship 2023: We have received 46 pledges for a total of $169,965 compared to last year’s 66 pledges for a total of $222,877. We still have a long way to go before the vestry can plan the 2023 budget. Please place your pledge card in the offering plate or mail it in as soon as you can. There are pledge cards in the Narthex and in our office, if you need one. Although we started this year’s stewardship drive with dinners, we have separated the dinners from financial pledges due to the time it is taking to schedule the dinners. So, if you have not been invited to a dinner it is because there are several more to schedule. With the holidays upon us, the dinners will likely continue into next year.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW): “Granny” Grahn has once again donated a gingerbread house to be auctioned off by ECW. They will be selling tickets at the potluck on December 4th.
Christmas Parade: Main Street is set to have their Christmas parade on December 10th. If anyone would like to volunteer to be part of building the float and/or walk alongside the float and hand out candy please contact the Bittles or the Mundys. We will also have singers on the float and if you wish to be part of that, please contact Kristian Ameigh. You can also help us by contributing candy! Please bring your gifts of candy to the office.
Episcopal Calendars: Our 2023 Calendars have arrived just in time for Christmas! You can pick up your free calendar in the Narthex or in the office.
Little Free Library: Our Little Free Library needs more books! If you have any to donate, please bring them to the church office or call the office Monday through Thursday and Martha will pick them up. Monetary donations are also appreciated; please indicate ‘Little Free Library’ in the memo.
Giving to Camp Mitchell: Camp Mitchell needs your help each month. As our own camp and retreat center, please consider becoming a financial supporter. You can set up an automatic gift by visiting their website campmitchell.org/give. Envelopes are available in the Narthex if you prefer to mail in your pledge and checks.
Bishop’s Discretionary Fund: The Bishop’s Fund is used to respond to disasters and work being done both in and outside of our dioceses. Last year, of the $80,000 that was distributed, $50,000 went to food pantries and related outreach programs in Arkansas. You are invited to participate in this important work by making a contribution to his fund. Gifts can be made online at http://www.episcopalarkansas.org/bishops-fund or indicating the bishop’s fund on your check to St. Paul’s.
Giving to St. Paul’s: For those attending online, there are three ways to give: you may mail your gifts to St. Paul’s at PO Box 2255, Batesville, AR. 72503, or make an online contribution by going to our website (stpaulsbatesville.org) and following the link to make a contribution. You may also set up automatic payments through your bank’s Bill Pay service.
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