January 25, 2017

A very typical sight to see lately!

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
THIS SUNDAY, January 28th, The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, there will be two services of Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
There is a service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY                
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Year B
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28

FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

Preparations for our Annual Meeting on February 4 are nearly complete. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for getting their reports in, and Deb who is compiling the final copy of the Annual Report. Thanks also to Cathie Lewis, who is organizing our potluck brunch.

The Annual Meeting is the one time a year that we all gather to look over the previous year, hear where our finances and ministries stand, acknowledge highlights and elect representatives to our Vestry and Diocesan Convention. Ours is a representative form of governing, and those you elect will handle the month to month business of the parish, and represent us to the Diocese and Lakes Region Convocation.

Even if it doesn’t sound terribly important to you, please plan to attend, vote and learn more about the business and ministries of St. Andrew’s.  All members in good standing who are at least 16 years old are eligible to vote.

If you are new to St. Andrew’s and have not yet transferred your membership, there will be forms available in the parish hall on Sunday morning to begin this process. Please join us!

God's abundant blessings!
Caroline
FUNDRAISING
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER
February 13, 2018
Come to St. Andrew’s for this festive celebration on the eve of Lent.  We’ll be serving a traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, including sausages, local maple syrup, & beverages. Don’t miss the desserts

All proceeds benefit the
Tamworth Community Food Pantry
Ash Wednesday services are February 14th, 
Noon and 7.m.  
Call the church office at 323-8515 for info
about this event, worship services, and
 Lenten book discussion groups.
    

DINNER BELL
 
Dinner Bell cook team for this Sunday January 28th  
RAU

Dinner Bell cook team for next Sunday February 4th  
FRIZZELL
~
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Search Committee is preparing questions to use in the interview process. We will also be conducting a practice interview on Skype with a clergy member chosen from this diocese. This will give us feedback on the best way to present Saint Andrew's to the candidates and a model for engaging in meaningful, focused, and productive conversation. We expect to begin interviewing prospective candidates in January, 2018. We pray for continuing openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of those walking toward us.
Lisa Thompson, Search Committee
Prayer for St. Andrew’s during the search process.
Everliving and everloving Lord, as we are in the midst of our challenging task to search for our new rector, we pray that you continue to lead our parish to be in one mind and spirit through the conclusion of this journey.  May we be strong in the assurance that you are guiding us and carrying us safely to calling the person you have chosen to be our rector.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Search Committee
Pat Adams, Betsy Hess, Tom Huckman, Cathie Lewis, George Rau, Lisa Thompson.
  
COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
The monthly item for January is shampoo/conditioner.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Every month we close our Vestry meetings with this prayer from Night Prayers, in the New Zealand Prayer Book:

Lord, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.


FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY
THURSDAY, January 25, 2018
Confession of Saint Paul, Apostle
Psalm 67:1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
Imagine the glory of God’s face shining upon us. When we look into the eyes of someone who truly loves us, do we feel the penetrating beams of this divine light in our hearts? What a miracle to be that light for each other. Theologian Henri Nouwen writes, “There is no clearer way to discern the presence of God’s Spirit than to identify the moments of unification, healing, restoration, and reconciliation.”
A Paris newspaper ran an article in 2008 about the possible election of the first African-American president in U.S. history. La Croix (The Cross) concluded the article with the experience in Prince Edward County and the Light of Reconciliation. One healing light in a small Virginia town somehow reached the Eiffel Tower. How far might a national Light of Reconciliation travel? As far, perhaps, as your own community?
Reconciliation is like the look of love in someone’s eyes, and it provides a glimpse of God’s face shining upon us. People are praying on both sides of the barriers we allow to divide us. What are we waiting for?
MOVING FORWARD: Paint a picture, take a photograph, or write a poem that reflects the glory of God. Share it at #ForwardDayByDay.
FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE

Annual Meeting next Sunday


January BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
     
Birthdays
3        Donna Jones
4        Ellie McLaughlin, Jen Huckman
6        Joyce Carter
9        Pat Adams
19      Ginger Heard, Jonathon Brady
25      Connor Bunker, Ann Cady
27      Carol Tubman
29      Denise Foreman
31      Al Rich
  

LINKS FOR MOBILE VIEWERS:

January 18, 2018



“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 
And they left their nets at once and followed him.

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, January 21st, The Third Sunday after Epiphany, there will be two services of Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
There is a service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
Pictures from the Wednesday evening Celtic Prayer Service
READINGS FOR SUNDAY                
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Year B
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:6-14
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
 
FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

Believe it or not, Lent is only a month away! Ash Wednesday falls on February 14 this year (yes, Valentine’s Day) and Easter is on April 1 (yes, April Fool’s Day… oh well, this year we can all be Fools for Christ!). As we approach Lent I’d like your help in deciding what sort of Lenten program to offer this year. For the next two Sundays there will be very brief questionnaires available for you to express your preferences. 
The first question is when, and the choices are:
·         Sunday morning between services (9:00 – 9:45)
·         Sunday morning after the late service (either 11:15 to 12:15 or 10:15 to 11:15)
·        Tuesday evening beginning with a light soup and salad supper at 6:00, followed by discussion from 6:30-7:30. (We’ve done this on Wednesday evenings before, but I’d like to leave Wednesdays open for evening services on Ash Wednesday and Wednesday in Holy week and one Taize or Celtic evening service.)
The second question is what, and the three program options are:
Becoming the Beloved Community. This is a movement conceived by our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, that focuses on healing and reconciliation of racial divisions. There are some materials available from The Episcopal Church, and the fall clergy conference also provided resources.
Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, offered by the Brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, MA. This is similar to their previous offerings, but with more of a focus on daily journaling. A series of video meditations will be published each day during Lent. For more information go to www.meetingjesusinjohn.org. A copy of the booklet is on the table in the parish hall.
A Journey with Luke: The 50 Day Bible Challenge. This book is part of a series that grew out of the original Bible Challenge, which covered the entire Bible in one year.  A Journey with Luke features fifty days of scripture, meditations and prayer.
A short form of this information will be available by the bulletins for the next two Sundays. If you are interested in attending one of these offerings please indicate your preference either by filling out one of the forms on Sunday or by emailing me at interimsaitv@gmail.com. Based on your feedback I’ll decide what we will do and when during Lent this year.
God's abundant blessings!
Caroline
Midge Pendergast's
Ordination picture

FUNDRAISING
St.  Andrew's in the Valley
will host a Contra Dance
Saturday January 20, 2018
Tamworth Town House
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Looking for a few snack contributions, particularly:
A small platter of cheese and crackers
Veggies and dip/ hummus
A small plate of cookies
A pitcher or two of ice tea.

Please call Chris Mills @ 452-4049 if you are able to help!

Thank you for your generosity in advance!

The  musical duo,  String Equinox, comprised of Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg, will provide the music and calling. The first half hour will be dedicated to a brief overview of the basic steps of New England contra dance, and neither experience nor a partner is required. Dances are a fun and energizing night out for all ages and abilities, even if you simply prefer to cheer the dancers on from the sidelines and enjoy the live music.  
Adults $8.00
Kids 6-18 $5.00 (5 and under free)
Light refreshments will be available.
String Equinox is comprised of Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg.  Beverly sings and plays hammered dulcimer, tsimbl, piano, organ and other keyboards, piano and chromatic button accordions, 6- and 7-string guitars, autoharp, mandolin, bouzouki, pennywhistle, hand percussion, fretted dulcimer, folk harp, concertina, nyckelharpa, tenor banjo, and hurdy-gurdy.  Beverly also calls contra dances.  Shana is an acoustic multi-instrumentalist, composing, playing, recording and teaching diverse styles from traditional Appalachian, Celtic and New England contradance music to eastern European Klezmer, Balkan, Nordic, bottleneck blues and jazz.
  
PLEDGE PROGRESS
Help us reach our Goals!
 Rector Search Fund 
 Goal ~ $ 20,000
34 pledges $ 9,049.00
~
2018 Stewardship Pledge
Goal~ $148,215.00
57 pledges $ 143,130.00

Note: End of year (2017) pledge statements have been mailed. If you have any questions, please contact Deb in the office.  Thank you for your continued support of this parish.  We can’t do it without you!

DINNER BELL
 
Dinner Bell cook team for this Sunday January 21ST
SANDWICH COMMUNITY CHURCH

Dinner Bell cook team for next Sunday January 28th  
RAU
~
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Search Committee is preparing questions to use in the interview process. We will also be conducting a practice interview on Skype with a clergy member chosen from this diocese. This will give us feedback on the best way to present Saint Andrew's to the candidates and a model for engaging in meaningful, focused, and productive conversation. We expect to begin interviewing prospective candidates in January, 2018. We pray for continuing openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of those walking toward us.
Lisa Thompson, Search Committee
Prayer for St. Andrew’s during the search process.
Everliving and everloving Lord, as we are in the midst of our challenging task to search for our new rector, we pray that you continue to lead our parish to be in one mind and spirit through the conclusion of this journey.  May we be strong in the assurance that you are guiding us and carrying us safely to calling the person you have chosen to be our rector.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Search Committee
Pat Adams, Betsy Hess, Tom Huckman, Cathie Lewis, George Rau, Lisa Thompson.

Click on “Parish Profile” button to read!

 

COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
The monthly item for January is shampoo/conditioner.

FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY
THURSDAY, January 18, 2018
Confession of Saint Peter, Apostle
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
When I was thirteen, my grandmother challenged me. Memorize the 23rd Psalm, she said, and I’ll buy you the newest Hardy Boys mystery. I devoured every adventure of Frank and Joe Hardy that I could find, so the words of the psalm were soon locked into place. I knew the words but not necessarily the depth of their meaning.
The five words that begin Psalm 23 are among the most widely known in the Bible. But the phrase is almost too familiar and in danger of becoming a cliché.
“The Lord is my shepherd” is written on a piece of paper and taped to a mirror in my study. But I have added a word: “Today.” The Lord is my shepherd—today. In my Bible, I have handwritten the word “today” after every verse of Psalm 23, underscoring the power and immediacy of these promises.
MOVING FORWARD: Encourage a young person in your life to memorize a Bible passage.
FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE

Annual Reports: If you have not sent in your reports. I ABSOLUTELY need them by Monday 22nd. Please get them in to me so that I may expedite putting the report together. Thank you.

The office will be closed tomorrow, Friday 19th.

January BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
     
Birthdays
3        Donna Jones
4        Ellie McLaughlin, Jen Huckman
6        Joyce Carter
9        Pat Adams
19      Ginger Heard, Jonathon Brady
25      Connor Bunker, Ann Cady
27      Carol Tubman
29      Denise Foreman
31      Al Rich




LINKS FOR MOBILE VIEWERS:


January 11, 2018



JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, January 14th, The Second Sunday after Epiphany, there will be two services of Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
There is a service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Services:
v  January 17th  at 5:30 p.m. we will have an evening  prayer service drawing on the Celtic tradition.  More on that below.


We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY                
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Year B
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51

FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

Wasn't last Sunday great?! I love this parish! For those who were not here, picture this: It was something like -15, with a wind chill in the -30's. Then the power went out at 8:30. Some were already at church; I was still at home, gathering up my things getting ready to leave. I stopped to report the power outage, then went out to warm up my car. Oops! No power = no garage door opener! A quick assessment told me it would take at least 20 minutes to trek through the foot and a half or so of snow on the ground to the back of the garage, dig out the back door, and open the garage door. So I started calling people for a ride. Oops again - a lot of people have home phones tied into internet service providers, and these don't work when the power is out. Luckily I have George's cell phone, and reached him, already at church.
Ten minutes later, here comes John in his little green Fiat with the reindeer antlers and big red nose, to take me to church. Of course I was late by this time, but when we arrived, everyone was cheerfully waiting in the parish hall, still bundled up in coats. (The heat had been on before the power went out, so it wasn't freezing inside, just a little chilly.) No power means no organ, but Bernice was ready to switch to the piano, and before long we were ready to go. And there were 29 people there! Frigid weather, no power in most of Tamworth and a late start, but here we were, in excellent spirits and ready to go with the flow and worship God just like any other Sunday. No grumbling, no complaining, just a wonderful spirit and sense of community. We at St. Andrew's are fortunate indeed!

Celtic Evening Prayer
Our next evening worship service is on Wednesday, January 17 at 5:30 pm. This month's service will draw from a variety of Celtic worship resources. Celtic spirituality comes from the early Christianity of the British Isles, which was also inspired by the wisdom of pre-Christian Ireland. The prayers that have come down to us are filled with experiences of God's presence in creation, simplicity of living in harmony with creation, and an awareness of the sacredness of all things. If there is one word that captures the essence of Celtic Spirituality it might be "presence" - awareness of the Sacred Presence at every moment of life, in all things and places. There is no division between the sacred and the profane; all is sacred.
Join us for a quiet contemplative service with candlelight, periods of silence and music accompanied by Val with her harp.

God's abundant blessings!
Caroline

FUNDRAISING
St.  Andrew's in the Valley
will host a Contra Dance

Saturday January 20, 2018
Tamworth Town House
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
The  musical duo,  String Equinox, comprised of Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg, will provide the music and calling. The first half hour will be dedicated to a brief overview of the basic steps of New England contra dance, and neither experience nor a partner is required. Dances are a fun and energizing night out for all ages and abilities, even if you simply prefer to cheer the dancers on from the sidelines and enjoy the live music.  
Adults $8.00
Kids 6-18 $5.00 (5 and under free)
Light refreshments will be available.
String Equinox is comprised of Beverly Woods and Shana Aisenberg.  Beverly sings and plays hammered dulcimer, tsimbl, piano, organ and other keyboards, piano and chromatic button accordions, 6- and 7-string guitars, autoharp, mandolin, bouzouki, pennywhistle, hand percussion, fretted dulcimer, folk harp, concertina, nyckelharpa, tenor banjo, and hurdy-gurdy.  Beverly also calls contra dances.  Shana is an acoustic multi-instrumentalist, composing, playing, recording and teaching diverse styles from traditional Appalachian, Celtic and New England contradance music to eastern European Klezmer, Balkan, Nordic, bottleneck blues and jazz.


PLEDGE PROGRESS
Help us reach our Goals!

Rector Search Fund 
 Goal ~ $ 20,000
34 pledges $ 9,049.00
~
2018 Stewardship Pledge
Goal~ $148,215.00
57 pledges $ 143,130.00

Note: End of year (2017) pledge statements have been mailed. If you have any questions, please contact Deb in the office.  Thank you for your continued support of this parish.  We can’t do it without you!

DINNER BELL

Dinner Bell cook team for this Sunday January 14TH  
WAKEFIELD

Dinner Bell cook team for next Sunday January 21ST
SANDWICH COMMUNITY CHURCH

~
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Search Committee is preparing questions to use in the interview process. We will also be conducting a practice interview on Skype with a clergy member chosen from this diocese. This will give us feedback on the best way to present Saint Andrew's to the candidates and a model for engaging in meaningful, focused, and productive conversation. We expect to begin interviewing prospective candidates in January, 2018. We pray for continuing openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of those walking toward us.
Lisa Thompson, Search Committee
Prayer for St. Andrew’s during the search process.
Everliving and everloving Lord, as we are in the midst of our challenging task to search for our new rector, we pray that you continue to lead our parish to be in one mind and spirit through the conclusion of this journey.  May we be strong in the assurance that you are guiding us and carrying us safely to calling the person you have chosen to be our rector.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Search Committee
Pat Adams, Betsy Hess, Tom Huckman, Cathie Lewis, George Rau, Lisa Thompson.




COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
The monthly item for December is dish detergent.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A Celtic Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you                      
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you                     
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you.


FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY
THURSDAY, January 11, 2018
John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
I had never heard of Massive Resistance before I accepted a newspaper job in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1979. I had no idea the Farmville Herald had written editorials advocating for closing schools rather than integrating them. I had my blue-eyed life neatly and extravagantly planned out, totally clueless to the reality of my surroundings.
When I learned about the newspaper’s support of Massive Resistance, I wanted to leave. Rather than run from what had happened, I listened to Jesus’ persistent voice urging, “Follow me.” I became editor and stayed for thirty-six years, preaching words from the editorial pulpit of healing and encouragement to others working for racial reconciliation. I am forever blessed by answering Jesus’ call to follow him.
Jesus is always asking us to follow, to see what is around the next bend. What we find is never quite what we expect. It is always something more.
MOVING FORWARD: What is Jesus asking you to do to follow him more closely? Will you do it?
FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE

Annual Reports are due on or before January 15th.  A reminder that you may request a copy of last year’s report if you need it.
Thank you for your timely responses.

January BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
     
Birthdays
3        Donna Jones
4        Ellie McLaughlin, Jen Huckman
6        Joyce Carter
9        Pat Adams
19      Ginger Heard, Jonathon Brady
25      Connor Bunker, Ann Cady
27      Carol Tubman
29      Denise Foreman
31      Al Rich




LINKS FOR MOBILE VIEWERS: