December 21, 2017


JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, December 24th, The Fourth Sunday of Advent, there will be One Service only at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Greening of the Church.
Christmas Eve Services are:
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Family Service with Organ, Choir and
Randy Ouellette on Trumpet.
4:45 pm Carol Sing
5:00 pm Blessing of the Créche & Holy Eucharist
“Midnight” Service with Organ, Choir and
Randy Ouellette on Trumpet.
10:45 pm Carol Sing      11:00 pm Festival Eucharist

December 25, Christmas Day
11:30 am Holy Eucharist followed by Christmas Dinner
Free Traditional Christmas Dinner
At Saint Andrew’s-in-the-Valley
Christmas Day, Monday, Dec 25
Gather at 12:30 * Dinner served at 1:00 pm
For reservations, call the church at 323-8515

December 31st
10:00 am  A Service of Lessons and Carols
with the Treble Makers

There is a service of Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Services:
v  January 10th  at 5:30 pm we will have an evening prayer service drawing on the Celtic tradition.  More on that to come.
We hope you will join us for worship and fellowship.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY                           
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Fourth Sunday of Advent~Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Canticle 15, The Song of Mary Magnificat
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
 
 Christmas Day, December 25th
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14

FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

As we approach this weekend, both the final weekend in Advent and the beginning of the Christmas season, I realize I haven't been as focused on Advent as I usually try to be. The weeks of Advent were filled with important milestones: the deaths and funerals of two of our beloved St. Andrew's members, Barbara Lloyd and June Donovan; and the joyous occasion of Betsy Hess' ordination to the Diaconate.  Sometimes life (or death) intervenes in the midst of our plans.  And we realize that there are things much more important than our plans were.

We tend to make all kinds of plans at this time of year - gathering with friends and family, cooking and baking, shopping and wrapping, traveling - and then life (or death) intervenes. (Aren't you glad you weren't in the Atlanta airport when the power went out?!) Kidding aside, I think it is often in these times that we may be taken out of ourselves and our own concerns, and find that we are in God's presence, simply by being open to and present in the moment.

May your Christmas be filled with the joy of expectations fulfilled and the blessing of unexpected encounters with God.  And may the love of God fill your every moment.

Caroline

Caroline will be on vacation December 26 - January 1. If you have a pastoral emergency please contact our Sr. Warden, Carol Tubman, at 651-8230.

On Sunday, December 31, there will be no 8:00 service. At 10:00 we will hold our Christmas Lessons and Carols service, accompanied by both organ and the Treble Makers.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

St Andrew’s Christmas Dinner
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

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
56 pledges $ 143,030.00

DINNER BELL

 There is no Dinner Bell on Christmas Eve, December 24th but
all are invited to the Dinner on Christmas Day
~

Dinner Bell cook team for this Sunday December 31st
HAMMOND
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.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT


Vessels - Jan L. Richardson
You hollow us out, O God,
so that we may carry you,
and you endlessly fill us
only to be emptied again.

Make smooth our inward spaces
and sturdy,
that we may hold you
with less resistance
and bear you
with deeper grace.




FORWARD DAY BY DAY FOR TODAY
THURSDAY, December 21, 2017
Habakkuk 2:3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.


Today the Northern Hemisphere celebrates the winter solstice, when the sun shines the least. And the church celebrates Saint Thomas. In this season, I leave for work in the darkness, and I return home in the darkness. My office has a small window, so I see sunlight occasionally. But it is rare on these days to see the sun consistently or to feel its warmth on my skin. It seems the world is shrouded in darkness, when the shadows linger, when the promise of light seems uncertain.

I imagine Thomas feels the same way after Jesus’ death, wondering if the light will shine again. After all, there is no precedent for a resurrection in Thomas’s world. And yet, Jesus does come back, even allowing Thomas to touch his wounds.

Our God is a faithful God, even when the promises between us seem impossible to keep. The days will start to grow a little longer starting today. The Son is coming. Thanks be to God.

MOVING FORWARD: Go to church today, even if there is no service. Spend some time praying in the dark and perhaps catch a ray of sun through a stained glass window.

FROM Deb IN THE OFFICE
Tuesday,December 26th and Wednesday, December 27th
Blessed Christmas wishes to all!
  
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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