December 14, 2017



JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, December 17th, The Third Sunday of Advent, there will be two services at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
There is a service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Services:
v  December 20th at 5:30 pm Evening Prayer.
v  January 10th  at 5:30 pm we will have an evening prayer service drawing on the Celtic tradition.  More on that to come.

Please note that a correction has been made to the time of Lessons and Carols to one service at 10 am.


Randy Ouellette will be playing Trumpet at the
 5pm and 11pm Christmas Eve Services.

We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28


FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

The Blue Christmas Service was a quiet and contemplative service on Wednesday evening with the sweet musical sounds of Valerie May’s harp. Thank you to Lisa for the picture reflections.



CHRISTMAS DINNER

at St Andrew’s 
Open Invitation to all
Christmas Day
Hors d’ oeuvres at 12:30pm ~~ Dinner at 1pm. 
RSVP requested to 323-8515 or office@standrewsinthevalley.org
Can you help with food?
Hors Douevres:
Seeking finger foods / Or other ideas/donations welcome
Drinks:
Seeking donation of a case /bottles of sparkling cider   (need a total of 15)
Any other juices or seltzers welcome
Desserts:
Looking for candies, cookies, small dessert pieces
 If you are able to donate items, please let us know about your generosity,
We would also welcome volunteers to help!
Thank you!
Jen & Tom


DEACON ORDINATION of Midge Pendergast

The Rt. Reverend Sean W. Rowe,  Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, will ordain  
Margaret-Ellen McShane Pendergast to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church  on Saturday, the Thirteenth of January two thousand and seventeen at eleven o’clock in the morning at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity 321 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

55+ COMMUNITY

 Get your jams for the holiday! They are available in the Parish Hall for purchase!


PLEDGE PROGRESS
Help us reach our Goals!

Rector Search Fund 
 Goal ~ $ 20,000
33 pledges $ 8,959.00
~
2018 Stewardship Pledge
Goal~ $148,215.00
55 pledges $ 140,030.00

DINNER BELL


Dinner Bell cook team for this Sunday December 17th
RAU

Dinner Bell cook team for next Sunday December 24th
There is no Dinner Bell on Christmas Eve, December 24th but
all are invited to the Dinner on Christmas Day
~
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

SEARCH COMMITTEE

UPDATE!
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 December is dish detergent.

WOMEN'S LUNCH BUNCH
The women enjoyed the hospitality of Barbara Lord for their Christmas pot luck

FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY
THURSDAY, December 14, 2017
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he shall give you your heart’s desire.
Every year I ask my daughter to make a list of gifts she would like for Christmas. This year, she sat quietly for a little while, wrote down the name of one toy, and then handed the list back to me. I was a little confused (and honestly, a little concerned), but she explained that she really couldn’t think of anything else she wanted, so she would trust that the people who love her most would give her things that she likes, wants, or needs.
We all have desires that we don’t know how to articulate—sometimes even desires we won’t know we have until they are fulfilled. We have needs that we can’t imagine asking another human being to supply. But we are promised that the One who loves us most will surely give them to us, so long as we trust and take delight in the gifts God has already set before us.
MOVING FORWARD: What’s one gift you’ve received that consistently makes you smile? Share a photo of it with us using #Forward DaybyDay.

FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY!
This is your head’s up to be thinking about your Annual Reports.  Come December committee chairs should be pulling together their notes to complete reports for submission to the office.  If you have enough information to complete and send your report it is always appreciated to submit it as early as possible. 

Most folks have their last year’s report but if you need an electronic copy or hard copy please let Deb in the office know and she will be happy to provide that for you. REPORTS ARE DUE JANUARY 15TH!

DECEMBER 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
6        Carolyn Seston
12      Hettie Buck
13      Suzanne Morgan
15      Bob Seston
26      Sarah and James Huckman
27      Debra Hoyt
30      Gretchen Behr-Svendsen

Anniversaries
8        Bob & Carolyn Seston
21      Chris & Carolyn Boldt



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