 |
| Advent Season |
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
THIS SUNDAY, December 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
Second Sunday of Advent
Year C
Malachi 3:1-4
Canticle 16 The Song of Zechariah
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 Rev. Jane Van Zandt |
and some artistic smoke
