Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley 

Thursday MEMO
December 29, 2011



Christmas Eve at Saint Andrew's


This coming Sunday, January 1, 2012, Holy Name Sunday and New Year’s Day, we will have a ONE SERVICE ONLY at 9 am with our rector, Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale, presiding.

Readings for this Sunday: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 8, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:15-21


What a glorious weekend of Christmas Services!
There was an abundance of people here to rejoice on Christmas Eve worshiping God while delighting in music with Val May and Aislin Hird on harps, Randy Ouellette on trumpet, Bernice Thompson on organ, our own choir, and the congregation's own hearty, joyful singing of carols.






Children at the Christmas Eve 5 PM service participated in the telling of the Christmas story and in the setting and blessing of the crèche.

To hear the interactive Children's sermon click below. http://standrewsinthevalley-2011blog.blogspot.com/



Thank you to all who participated in the success of the Christmas Dinner, especially Carol Tubman, whose never ending energy comes through for this end-of-the-year feast. She was recognized with a thank you card signed by all the dinner guests.


Ed Walters entertained Christmas Dinner guests with accordion and song.

By the way... Does anyone know when this much appreciated and much enjoyed tradition of a Community Christmas Feast began? Was this the 12th? The 15th? The 20th?


It’s that time of year…that is YEAR END!
Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 5th, following our ONE service at 9:00 AM. Debra will be looking for your committee reports for our Annual Report as soon as you can get them to her. Final due date being January 17th. Please don’t wait until the last minute. Send them via email to the office or drop off a hard copy to her in-box. If you need a copy of last year’s report, please send your request to her and she can either email it to you or provide a hard copy.

9 o'clock Wednesday morning Services of Morning Prayer continue. ALL ARE WELCOME! We gather in the church to pray the daily office together. Using the Episcopal Church's calendar of greater and lesser saints as presented in Holy Women, Holy Men, each service commemorates a particular person, recognized by the church for the compelling ways in which each lived his or her faith.

For reflection during this Christmastide, from Brother David Vryhof of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist:

Like Jesus, we too are beloved children of God, and like a stone carver uncovering the figure within, God chips away all that is superfluous and non-essential, so that the essence of who we have been created to be may be revealed.

May we prepare to begin the New Year of 2012 open to that truth.

Blessings,
Heidi+


UPCOMING WEEK’S CALENDAR:
Friday, December 30: 10a-noon Food Center
Saturday, December 31: 8pm AA (Parish Hall) & Al-Anon (Prince Room)
Sunday, January 1: Holy Name Day: Happy New Year!
One service only at 9 AM Holy Eucharist
Monday, January 2: Church office closed
Tuesday, January 3: 10-noon Food Center
8pm AA (Parish Hall)
Wednesday, January 4: 9 AM Morning Prayer
We remember Elizabeth Seton, Founder of the American sisters of Charity, 1821
Thursday, January 5: The church is always open for prayer during office hours and at other times by arrangement.

December 22, 2011

All are invited to join in the festive, intergenerational preparations of “Greening the Church” TONITE, Dec. 22nd. Come at 6 PM as we gather in anticipation and celebration, sharing in a simple meal together, then moving into the sanctuary for the Greening of the Church. We are a people of the Incarnation and we live our love, in part, through the ways in which we tend to the spaces around us, delighting in the beauty we can create, as an outward sign of our love of God and of God’s gifts to us.
“Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table…Love the guest is on the way!” [Wonder, Love, and Praise #724]

 

Our Crèche, to be set and blessed on Christmas Eve

We hope you will invite your friends and family members to join you at  Saint Andrew’s as we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord.

Services for Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th
4:45 PM Music: Carols, organ, harp, and trumpet.
5:00 PM Intergenerational Service with Children’s Sermon, Setting and Blessing of the Crèche, and Holy Eucharist.

10:45 PM Carols and Instrumental music (organ and trmpet)
11:00 PM Candlelight Festival Eucharist with choir and sermon.
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th,
11:30 AM a simple service of Holy Eucharist with carols,
          Reminder: There will be no 8:00 or 10:00 liturgies on Christmas Day 

12:30 PM Community Christmas Dinner (All are welcome. Please call the church office at 323-8515 to make a reservation).

A note from Carol Tubman, organizer of the feast: Our lavish holiday dinner, open to all, will be served at Saint Andrew's at 12:30 on Christmas Day. Parishioners who wish to donate a dish please sign on the sheet in the parish hall. Items such as olives, pickles, cheese/crackers, vegetables and pies will be warmly received. But most of all I would really like it if Santa would bring me a clean- up crew. If so inclined, please indicate so on the same sign-up sheet or call the office and leave a message. Thank you in advance. 

Readings for this Sunday: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-14; John 1:1-14

Wondering what our “FUN” raising did this year? The following is a recap of 2011. A Big THANK YOU to all who contributed. It could not have been done without the help of the many hands that participated in so many ways.

BBQ Chicken Dinner    $ 336.23
Mardi Gras                         86.35
Lobster Dinner               1297.39
Rummage Sale                 652.29
Sandwich Fair Booth     2178.25
Harvest Supper              1408.70
Boughs & Bonbons       1249.20 
Outreach monies in the amount of $ 2,471.91 are being contributed to the following:

TCCP, Agape Ministries, Community Food Center, Seafarer’s Friend, Tamworth Community Nurses, ERD, Bearcamp Valley School, Ossipee Children’s Fund, Ossipee Concerned Citizens, Tamworth Caregivers, Starting Point, NH Community Loan Fund, Episcopal Hospital Chaplaincy, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation, Child Advocacy Center of Carroll County, Saint Andrew’s Mission Reserve Fund.
Fair Trade Coffee profits will be sent to Nets for Life.

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

ALL ARE WELCOME! To join a Service of Morning Prayer, every Wednesday at 9 AM, led by one of our three licensed worship leaders. 

PICTURES, PICTURES AND MORE PICTURES….It would be wonderful if someone could take pictures over this weekend to share. Please email them to the office and I thank you in advance. ~Debra 

Holiday Blessings from The Office at St. Andrew’s

UPCOMING WEEK’S CALENDAR: 

Fri 12/23: OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
            10a-noon Food Center
            Baskets distributed    

 Sat 12/24: Christmas Eve   
            4:45 PM Intergenerational Service
            8pm AA & Al-Anon(PH,PR)
            10:45 PM Candlelight Festival Eucharist

Sun 12/25: Christmas Day
One service only
            11:30 AM Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
                 followed by
            12:30 Community Christmas Dinner


Mon 12/26: Church office closed

Tue 12/27:    
            10a-noon Food Center
            8pm AA (PH)

Wed 12/28:    
            9am Service of Morning Prayer

Thu 12/29:

December 15, 2011

Services for this coming Sunday, December 18th, The Fourth Sunday of Advent, will be at 8 and10 am with our rector, Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale.
Christmas flower (poinsettia) envelopes need to be in the office by this Sunday.
 
Readings for this Sunday: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Canticle 15; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 

 Last Sunday’s Service, The Third Sunday of Advent we welcomed Dana Cunningham as our guest musician.



All are invited to join in the festive, intergenerational preparations of “greening the church” on Thursday, Dec. 22nd. Come at 6 PM to share in a simple meal then stay for the decorating.

 “Give a Gift in Someone’s name”: There are envelopes in the Parish Hall that you can give a give a gift to one of St. Andrew’s Designated Funds and give that gift in someone else’s name. They will receive a card from St. Andrew’s letting them know that a gift was given on their behalf.

NOTE: if you provided cooked goodies or other items for the boughs & bonbons fair, please pick up your personal containers from the table in the Prince Room as soon as possible. Thank you. 

A lavish holiday dinner, open to all, will be served at At. Andrew's at 12:30 on Christmas day. Parishioners who wish to donate a dish please sign on the sheet in the parish hall. Items such as olives, pickles, cheese/crackers, vegetables and pies will be warmly received. But most of all I would really like it if Santa would bring me a clean- up crew. if so inclined please indicate so on the same sign-up sheet. Thank you in advance. Thank you. ~Carol Tubman

SEAFARER’S LOCKER still needs 2012 Calendars, hats, cards. Please ask Tom Reinfuss about other needs.

Celebrate Christmas Schedule

December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8 & 10 am Services 

Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 4:45 pm Carol Sing
5:00 pm Blessing of the Créche & Holy Eucharist
~
“Midnight” Service with Organ and Choir
10:45 pm Carol Sing- 11:00 pm Festival Eucharist 

Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day

11:30 am Holy Eucharist followed by Christmas Dinner

Holiday Blessings from The Office at St. Andrew’s 

UPCOMING WEEK’S CALENDAR: 
Fri 12/16:      
            10a-noon Food Center

Sat 12/17:     
            8pm AA & Al-Anon(PH,PR)

Sun 12/18:     
            8 & 10 am Holy Eucharist
           10 am child care available
            5pm Dinner Bell: Cook team: Friends

Mon 12/19: Church office closed

Tue 12/20:    
             10a-noon Food Center
             8pm AA (PH)

Wed 11/21:     
             9am Service of Morning Prayer

Thu 11/22:
        Food Baskets packed
             6pm Supper followed by
             greening of the church

December 8, 2011

Services for this coming Sunday, December 11th, The Third Sunday of Advent, will be at 8 and10 am with our rector, Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale.
Christmas flower (poinsettia) envelopes need to be in the office by Sunday, Dec. 18th.
Dana Cunningham, well-known area pianist, composer, and a good friend of this parish, will be our guest musician, providing the music for our 10:00 liturgy. For those who are interested, Dana's CDs will be available for purchase at coffee hour. 

Readings for this Sunday: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126; 1
Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

 Last Sunday’s Service, The Second Sunday of Advent was a welcome back to our rector, Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale, from her Sabbatical. After the service during a brunch coffee hour she was presented with gift of a scrapbook compilation of various thoughts from members, staff and supply clergy along with T-shirts for her and Duane. We are very happy to have them back!

  

  

The Diocese is offering Advent Retreats in 4 locations( Concord, Berlin, Exeter and Meredith) the 1st and 2nd weeks of Advent. For more information please pick up a card in the Parish Hall or visit www.nhepiscopal.org. 

Boughs & Bonbons Christmas Fair! (more pictures below)

This year tables were manned by outside venders offering a variety of items for gifts and eats. Many thanks to all who contributed to this last fundraiser of the year. Numbers are still being put together as there are still items to be sold in the parish hall.
NOTE: if you provided cooked goodies or other items in your personal containers, please pick up your containers off the table in the Prince Room as soon as possible. Thank you. 

 

“Give a Gift in Someone’s name”: There are envelopes in the Parish Hall that you can give a give a gift to one of St. Andrew’s Designated Funds and give that gift in someone else’s name. They will receive a card from St. Andrew’s letting them know that a gift was given on their behalf.

A lavish holiday dinner, open to all, will be served at At. Andrew's at 12:30 on Christmas day. Parishioners who wish to donate a dish please sign on the sheet in the parish hall. Items such as olives, pickles, cheese/crackers, vegetables and pies will be warmly received. But most of all I would really like it if Santa would bring me a clean- up crew. if so inclined please indicate so on the same sign-up sheet. Thank you in advance.  ~Carol Tubman 

 Dear Friends, What a wonderful homecoming! As you know from my earlier letters, my sabbatical time was deeply rewarding – fascinating places, interesting people, both restful and energizing – but there’s nothing quite like returning home to a beloved community. It is such a joy to be back with you and deeply moving for me to experience how you and the Holy Spirit have teamed up! Your joy, your willingness to work hard, and your deepened affection for each other, this place, and God has been palpable from the minute I returned! That is a blessing that we all share.
The scrapbook that you presented to Duane and me at the welcome back coffee hour last Sunday is an amazing work of artistic creativity, but perhaps more than that, a provides a rich window into who we are as the parish of Saint Andrew’s-in-the-Valley. Your own reflections on the past three months – in prose, poetry, and pictures – along with the observations from the visiting clergy team – all so well presented – are a wonderful gift. It is impossible for me to spend time with this beautiful volume and not have a smile (even grin) on my face and tears in my eyes!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And while I know that most of the actual labor (and fun) of putting the book together fell to a handful of individuals, the grace with which you as a parish and as individuals thrived and grew is an indication of how much you allowed God to be part of the process and how well you used these past three months of sabbatical time! May this abundant growth continue.
As I said on Sunday, I’m excited about discovering where we are headed now a priest and people, as we move into the second half of Advent.
Notice! Stay awake! And strive to do everything that you do with deep affection and we will be richly rewarded.

It’s good to be home. Blessings, Heidi+ 

SEAFARER’S LOCKER still needs 2012 Calendars, hats, cards. Please ask Tom Reinfuss about other needs. 

Celebrate Christmas Schedule

December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8 & 10 am Services 

Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
4:45 pm Carol Sing
5:00 pm Blessing of the Créche & Holy Eucharist
~
“Midnight” Service with Organ and Choir
10:45 pm Carol Sing- 11:00 pm Festival Eucharist

Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day
11:30 am Holy Eucharist followed by Christmas Dinner

Gretchen selling Fair Trade coffee

speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil...

Holiday Blessings
from The Office at St. Andrew’s 
 

Soap display

UPCOMING WEEK’S CALENDAR:

Fri 12/9:
            10a-noon Food Center 

Sat 12/10:      
            8pm AA & Al-Anon(PH,PR) 

Sun 12/11:                  8 & 10 am Holy Eucharist
            10 am child care available
            5pm Dinner Bell: Cook team: Wakefield

Mon 12/12: Church office closed
            TCCP preparing for gift packing

Tue 12/13:
            10am-noon Food Center
              8pm AA (PH)

Wed 12/14:
            9am Morning Prayer
            TCCP packing gift bags

Thu 12/15:
            TCCP packing gift bags 
            6 pm round table eucharist
              followed by brown bag supper
            7pm Vestry Meeting

Thank yous to:
Heidi for providing pictures from the Boughs & Bonbons Christmas Fair.
Debra for providing pictures from the welcome back brunch.    
Duane for providing pictures from the Sunday service.
ALL who organized, contributed and helped with the Boughs & Bonbons Fair.