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The


Gregorian


Chant

Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,


You’re so blessed among women,

    and the babe in your womb, also blessed!

And why am I so blessed that

    the mother of my Lord visits me?

The moment the sound of your

    greeting entered my ears,

The babe in my womb

    skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.

Blessed woman, who believed what God said,

    believed every word would come true!

Luke 1:39-45 the MSG Bible

 

Hello Best Beloveds!


I misplaced my Henri J Nouwen, so this week we get to enter into the mystery of holy embodiment with author Cole Arthur Riley, in her book Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human. It’s an invitation to be present in your beautiful, wonderful body as we enter into week 3 of Advent, this Sunday. And if you get the chance, perhaps enjoying this meditation in the coming week will lead you into new revelations about the gift of God incarnate held first in Mary, and now, through us.


Stay warm in God’s live,

Mo. Nikki+


Advent III | Embodiment

I have the uncanny feeling that, just at the end of my life, I am beginning to reinhabit completely the body I long ago left. —Alice Walker 


To be read in solitude or as a collective (with family and/or friends)


God of the womb, 

It is not lost on us that you submitted to the body of a woman, trusting in it to protect and grow you. As we remember the nine months you dwelt in the womb, the body of God being nurtured and carried, remind us that our own bodies are worthy of such care and tenderness. May this be a season of sacred pause, as we allow time to be near to our own bodies, to protect and strengthen them. In a world that demands so much of us, remind us that Christ did not come to us in physical independence, allowing the world to take and use him without limitation. Show us the face of the Christ who was gravely dependent, who needed to be held, fed, washed. Who needed to be soothed and rocked to sleep. If we are to honor the divine in us, may it be this divinity—fully embodied, fully dignified in the body. Amen. 


Breath Prayer:

INHALE: The divine dwelled in a body. 

EXHALE: This flesh is sacred. 

Closing 

Glory to the one who comes in flesh for all flesh. Amen.


Youth Sunday!


December 15th is Youth Sunday! Join us to celebrate our youth members as they lead worship at both 8am and 10:30. They have an interesting sermon, music selection, and a few special prayers prepared for you.

Band of Believers!


Band of Believers! We will practice every Sunday in Advent from 9:45-10:30AM in the Children's Chapel. We accept all folks who have ever played an instrument. All means all! If you want to play with the Band of Believers let Vicky Taverner know!


Vicky and Mark Tavernier

Outreach Committee


The Outreach Committee will meet in the library right after the 10:30AM service this Sunday, Dec. 15. Anyone is welcome to join!


ADVENT MEDITATION PRACTICE


Melissa Hamlin will be leading a guided meditation during Advent. This is for beginners and those who would like to reignite their practice. Wednesday evenings 5:30-6PM in the library (Dec. 4, 11, 18).


Advent Adult Spiritual Formation

Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness. - Meister Eckhart 


On Wednesday evenings in December, Gene Ruffin will lead a program on contemplation and Advent (December 4, 11, 18). The program will reflect on Advent as an opportunity to be present in the moment rather than simply waiting for something to occur. Through the practice of stillness we are arrayed more deeply to the arrival of the season.  


We will have a simple supper at 6pm and then have the program at 6:30pm.   


Blue Christmas - Dec. 18


To Those for Whom Christmas Hurts: You are not alone. You are invited to our Blue Christmas Healing Eucharist. St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church invites you to a special holiday service of worship designed for those for whom the holidays might be difficult. This Eucharist will include laying on of hands and anointing for those who wish to receive this particular sacrament. And wherever you are in your faith journey, all are welcome to receive communion. If you have undergone a painful loss, transition, life change, or if life has simply been hard for a while, the church cares about you and invites you to a special time for healing and peace, on Wednesday, December 18 at 5:30PM. 

CEILIDH: FOLK SERVICE OFFERING


St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (Dec. 20). Based on a Gaelic tradition of celebrating community and hospitality, a folk liturgy complete with live folk music and a meal will be offered in the Christian Education building at 6:30PM. Foot washing and hand anointing will also be available before or after (not during) these services for anyone who wants to take part, starting at 6PM. Food will be provided, but we always accept more dishes to add to the table if anyone wishes to bring something! Any musicians that are interested in helping to provide the music for these services, as well as anyone with questions about the service, are encouraged to reach out to Wade McGlamery.

Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) Join the Adult Formation class this Advent as we host a series exploring the interaction between faith and the arts!


December 8th - Matt Rodgers will be leading a Drama workshop exploring the roles in the Nativity - both those that you are familiar with and some that you may never have considered.


December 15th - Clare Baeckeroot will lead a class on the artistic work of medieval nuns and the part that it played in their practice.


December 22nd - Ron Balthazor will teach a class on poetry and its use in spiritual practice.


Lectionary Class: (Library) The lectionary class meets in the Library at 9:15AM. We study the assigned readings for each Sunday. Please contact Les House at 478-733-2939 or via email if you have any questions. 

There will be a Christmas pageant led by the children at the Christmas Eve service on December 24 at 5:00 PM. Children interested in participating in the pageant are encouraged to join us for rehearsals during Children's church during the 10:30 Sunday services between now and then. Every year, some children join in the pageant at the last minute. For those interested in participating, the only rehearsal that is mandatory is the 4:00 PM rehearsal before the 5:00 Christmas Eve service itself. We have many roles available to choose from! The children are encouraged to invite a friend to participate with them. The pageant is a relaxed and fun occasion, and we welcome all who are interested. 

With questions, please contact Kate Avinger's cell at 706-461-1089. 

Christmas Eve Receptions

Christmas Eve is nearly here! What could be better after the Christmas eve services than greeting friends and sharing a lovely treat? If you would like to share a plate of your own special Christmas cookies or savories just pop it on the table in the parish hall before either service! The elves will really appreciate your help!

Poinsettias


If you wish to give a poinsettia this Christmas in honor or memory of a loved one, the deadline for ordering will be Friday, Dec. 20. The suggested donation this year is $15 per dedication. Please place your completed form (see blue forms in the narthex) and your check in the offering plate on Sundays, Kendall’s office door, or mail it to the parish office. You may also contact the office by email.


CHRISTMAS AT ST. GREGORY’S


Tuesday, December 24

4PM Pageant Rehearsal

5PM Children’s Pageant & Holy Eucharist *

Reception

9:30PM Music Prelude *

10PM Festival Eucharist & Choir *

Reception


Wednesday, December 25

10AM Holy Eucharist & Carols *



Sunday, December 29

8AM Holy Eucharist 

10:30AM Holy Eucharist * (no Sunday school; nursery opens at 10AM)


* indicates live streamed services

We are continuing to accept stewardship giving pledges for 2025. If you have not yet pledged, please do so as soon as possible. The parish finance committee needs to formulate our church operating budget before our annual meeting in November.  

Vicky Tavernier and Jenifer Borg currently have an exhibit of new artwork and poems at the Winterville Library that will run until 12/27. The exhibit is entitled "Tide Pools, Rainforests, Deserts, and Fields" and includes work from their book, "What Hides in the Tides" and "Stay a While with a Reptile". They will have a "make and take" at the library on 12/14 from 10:00 - 12:00 where anyone can drop in and make a creation of their own. 

Library hours: Tuesday/Thursday: 3:00 - 7:00PM, Wednesday/Friday/Saturday: 10:00AM-2:00PM.


The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs pork 'n beans! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!


advent music

 

familiar hymns

are my delight

the tones i sing 

are mostly right

 

and free me to

be more aware

of the words sent

into the air 

 

by one who may

at times forget

the discipline

of waiting yet

 

remembers what

while singing out

his coming was

and is about




alice mohor


For baby boomers and those who love them, Alice Mohor's newest book of poetry, Senior Days, can now be ordered from book sellers (Amazon, Avid, Barnes and Noble) and from the author. ISBN 979-8-9900028-4-5

Instructions for Live Streaming



  • 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!

Ongoing Services/Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6PM in the sanctuary for eucharist and prayers for healing.


Room at the Table Welcome to Room at the Table. Single, married, partnered, employed, free-wheeling, joy-loving...all are invited! If you want to take time and get to know more about me and other siblings from our church, over a good meal, if you want to share stories and laughter, join us for lunch! Lunch will be Weds., Dec 11 next month at 12 noon. The group will decide on the restaurant for the following month, at each lunch fellowship.



Ceilidh Folk Service St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (December 20). Based on a Gaelic tradition of celebrating community and hospitality, a folk liturgy complete with live folk music and a meal will be offered in the Christian Education building at 6:30PM. Foot washing and hand anointing will also be available before or after (not during) these services for anyone who wants to take part, starting at 6PM. Food will be provided, but we always accept more dishes to add to the table if anyone wishes to bring something! Any musicians that are interested in helping to provide the music for these services, as well as anyone with questions about the service, are encouraged to reach out to Wade McGlamery.


Blindspot Group Our 20s and 30s group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30PM and the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6PM for dinner and a small group study (usually off-site of the church). We also meet at least once a month for game nights, dinner and drinks, movie nights, and more. Newcomers are always welcome! Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837 for more information.


*Hebrew Reading meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!


St. Gregory's Book Club meets the first Friday of the month in the library @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future.  Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.


Threads of Prayer meets on the 1st Thursdays of the month @1PM! We meet outside if the weather is good and inside the Christian Ed building if the weather is bad. Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome!


Men's Group: 9AM on Saturdays. 1st & 3rd Saturdays at St. Gregory's library and 2nd & 4th & 5th Saturdays at the Somerville's house ! Email Peter Rice


* group(s) meeting on Zoom


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St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church | office@stgregoryathens.org
706.546.7553 | www.stregoryathens.org