December 6, 2018


Advent Season

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP                
THIS SUNDAYDecember 9th,  The Second Sunday of Advent there will be two services  at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.  

Following the 10 am service we will begin our Advent Study, Journeying the Way of Love.



* Morning Prayer service on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

* Centering  Prayer on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.


*  A Blue Christmas service  will be held on Wednesday, December 19, at 5:30 p.m.  This service is open to everyone, but is particularly for those who struggle with the holiday season due to some sort of loss: death of a spouse, a child, a sibling, a close friend; loss of a job or a house; a loved one who suffers from addiction; or any loss that is difficult, and makes it hard to be merry. It is a service of remembrance and at the same time, a time to lift up our blessings even as we grieve a loss.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
and FELLOWSHIP
READINGS FOR SUNDAY                
Sunday, December 9th
 Second Sunday of Advent
Year C

Malachi 3:1-4
Canticle 16 The Song of Zechariah
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6

FROM THE RECTOR

ADVENT
I’m sure you’ve heard me say this before, but Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the fact that the Episcopal Church is so counter-cultural, so different from the secular world during Advent.  I love that in the Church (unlike every store we enter) it isn’t Christmas yet. I love that in the Church we don’t sing Christmas carols; we sing Advent hymns (and save Christmas carols for the 12 Days of Christmas). I love that in the Church we try to slow down and prepare for the coming of the Lord, while outside the world speeds up – buying gifts, cooking, going to and giving parties. And I love that as the days grow shorter and the darkness lasts longer, in the Church we light the candles of the Advent wreath slowly, one at a time, scattering just a little more darkness each week.
In our liturgy during Advent we begin our services by lighting the candles of the Advent wreath, and we hear the Advent themes of hope, of expectation, of watching, of waiting in our readings, our prayers and in our music. It is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
All of this helps us remember that Christmas is about God coming to dwell among us, as one of us.  There’s nothing wrong with all the holiday trappings but they are secondary to the meaning of Christmas – window dressing for the central event.  In the midst of all the busyness of the holiday season it’s easy to forget what we’re truly celebrating. If we’re not attentive, we can miss the season of Advent altogether.

Here again is an excerpt from one of my favorite Advent meditations, from Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan L. Richardson:
“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will. That’s just how Advent works. What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you.

So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder.
There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing.
For now, stay. Wait.
Something is on the horizon.”
Caroline
RAISE THE ROOF       


The drawing will be Sunday, Dec 9th



Afghan Fundraiser      

The drawing for the Afghan was on Sunday November 18th and the winner was Caroline Isber of Washington, DC. We raised $ 220.00 that will be going to Outreach.



WOMEN'S LUNCH BUNCH       

The Women's Lunch Bunch will have their December Pot Luck at the home of Pat Adams, 3 Mile High Circle, West Ossipee. If you have questions, please contact Dale Appleton.
   
CELEBRATE THE SEASON



 DINNER BELL
  

 Dinner Bell cook teams for the month of December are:
          2nd     Rau
          9th      Adams
          16th    Slader
          23rd    Tubman
 Tuesday the 25th is a Christmas Dinner – All are welcome!

          30th    UUFES
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!

St. Andrew's CHRISTMAS DINNER-December 25th
Open Invitation to all
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

COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
The monthly item for December  is dish detergent.

FORWARD DAY BY DAY
Thursday, December 6


Isaiah 2:17 The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
Let me be honest with you. The best thing—the bedrock of all the good things that there may be about me—isn’t about me. It is Jesus’ love for me—lived and died and resurrected and coming back. That is the best thing about me. This is the best thing about you too. Jesus loves you, right this minute, right where you are, in the midst of who and how you are.
Jesus knows our garbage, knows our haughty, snotty, and prideful ways. He knows. He loves us anyway, and in that love, Jesus asks us to do better. He knows we can. And in those moments and on those days when we put aside our pride—or maybe even don’t pick it up in the first place—may we remember to thank Jesus for the gift of himself in our humbled hearts.

MOVING FORWARD: Hum the children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me,” to yourself. Do you truly believe the words? What’s standing in your way?

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
27      Debra Hoyt
30      Gretchen Behr-Svendsen

     Anniversaries
8        Bob & Carolyn Seston


THIS MONTH AT ST. ANDREW’S

SUNDAY
   Every Sunday      Dinner Bell                      5 p.m.

           9…….. 2nd Sunday of Advent                  8 & 10 a.m.
          16……. 3rd Sunday of Advent                  8 & 10 a.m.
          23……..4th Sunday of Advent
                   & Greening of the Church       8 & 10 a.m.
          30……..1st Sunday after Christmas          10 a.m.

MONDAY
   Every Monday     Boy Scout Meeting           7 p.m.

          24……..Christmas Eve Services (see seasonal schedule)

TUESDAY
   Every Tuesday     Food Pantry                    10 a.m-Noon
                              Centering Prayer            5:30 p.m.
                             AA Step Meeting              8 p.m.

          18……..Scout Committee Meeting           7 p.m.
          25……..Christmas Day Service and Dinner (see seasonal schedule)
                   OFFICE CLOSED

WEDNESDAY
  Every Wednesday Morning Prayer Service    9 a.m.

          12……..Women’s Lunch Bunch              Noon
          19..... Blue Christmas Service              5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY
          13……..Sandwich Singers concert
          20……..CFC Board Meeting                      8:30 a.m.
                   Basket Distribution

FRIDAY
   Every Friday       Food Pantry                    10 a.m.-Noon
         
SATURDAY
   Every Saturday   AA & Alanon Meetings      8 p.m.

FROM THE OFFICE
Christmas Flower dedication slips may be found on the bulletin table and the parish hall table. Please complete your dedication slip and return along with your $20.00 donation  in the offering plate or leave in the office for Debra by December 16th.
  
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos provided by Lisa Thompson

Sammy with Lorna McMurray
(friend of Gretchen visiting from Montana
and arranger of flowers on the altar)
The Return of Peggy




The Rev. Jane Van Zandt




and some artistic smoke