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| Advent Season (Check out the pictures in the gallery below ) |
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
THIS SUNDAY, December 22nd, The Fourth Sunday of Advent there will be two services at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.
* Morning Prayer service on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.
* Centering Prayer on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
and FELLOWSHIP
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
Sunday, December 22nd
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Year A
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
1st Reading: Dale Appleton
2nd Reading: Sammie Wakefield
Prayers: Jonathan Brady
Click below to see the readings:
FROM THE RECTOR
This Sunday marks the transition from Advent into the Christmas season. We are in that “already/not yet” time theologians often talk about; we know what is to come (the birth of the Christ Child), as it has already come, but the time is not quite here.
So at St. Andrew’s the Altar Guild and others will be hard at work preparing for this on Saturday morning. Gretchen will pick up the poinsettias and bring the greens for decorating the church, garlands will be hung, brass and silver polished, swags of greenery with red bows put together to hang on the end of each pew.
But the poinsettias will not be brought into the church yet, or the red bows. We have one last Sunday of Advent, so still we wait. Remember what waiting for Christmas was like when you were a child? The anticipation, the excitement, how hard it was to go to sleep on Christmas Eve? As children our excitement and anticipation was about the presents we would receive and, to a lesser extent the presents we would give. As adults our anticipation and excitement probably has more to do with spending time with family and friends we love.
But the church calls us to go deeper, to remember what Advent and Christmas are really about – the coming of God to be with us. In these last few days of Advent, wait and watch and wonder, and prepare your hearts and souls for this, the greatest gift of all. Emmanuel. God with us.
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
P.S. I will be on
vacation December 26 – January 1, and in Meridian, MS December 27-30 to
celebrate Christmas with my family. My nephew and his wife are hosting all the
meals for the 14 of us. Though we will all pitch in with the cooking and clean
up I’m not sure Jay and Michelle know quite what they’ve gotten themselves
into. But at least they aren’t housing all of us!
SAFE CHURCH
If you are up for Safe Church Renewal
you must do your renewal modules on Armatus
then sign up for one of the following meetings online.
Safe Church Zoom Call
If you have questions, please contact Safe Church Minister, Marty Cloran.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Come join us! Knitting skills not required.
1st and 3rd Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m.
If you knit or crochet (or would like to learn how to) and are led to engaging in an outreach mission that provides physical and spiritual comfort to those in need, please join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 10:15 AM in the Prince Room. We are a joyous group that will keep you in stitches! The coffee and tea will be on and new members are always welcome. If you have any questions, please call Lin Frank at 323-0402.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON
Celebrate The Season
December 22
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:00 & 10:00 am Service of Holy Eucharist
and the greening of the church
December 24, Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Family Service with Organ and Choir
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
December 25, Christmas Day
11:00 am Holy Eucharist
December 29, The First Sunday after Christmas
10:00 am A Service of Lessons and Carols
DINNER BELL
Dinner Bell cook teams for the month of December are:
22 Hammond
29 UUFES
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Please note that we had to cancel Christmas Dinner at St. Andrew's this year and hope to resume next year. The following is an alternative option if you are looking for a place to have a community dinner.
FREE
CHRISTMAS DINNER
WHEN: Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 25th
Provided by Lynn & Ed Kearney
WHERE: Runnells Hall, Chocorua
TIME: 1:00 pm
Second seating if needed
RSVP: Call to reserve your spot by December 20th
323-7234 – Please leave your name, phone number and number attending
Menu: Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, squash, green bean casserole, rolls and dessert
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
Thursday, December 19
Zechariah 4:6 He said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
In the Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Johannesburg, South Africa, these words to Zerubbabel line the rood screen between the nave and one of the transept chapels. I don’t know how long the words have been painted there, but the cathedral’s construction was completed in 1929.
When young people fighting apartheid came running to the church for sanctuary, this encouragement from the Holy Spirit gave the people of God the courage to stand strong, open the door, and protect freedom with their own lives.
God’s power working in people shattered the hold of apartheid. God’s power working in us transforms unjust systems that keep us from living into our full power and potential as God’s children. It’s not might or power, but God’s Holy Spirit working in God’s people. We don’t need more power. We need more Holy Spirit.
MOVING FORWARD: Do some research about this beautiful church.
When young people fighting apartheid came running to the church for sanctuary, this encouragement from the Holy Spirit gave the people of God the courage to stand strong, open the door, and protect freedom with their own lives.
God’s power working in people shattered the hold of apartheid. God’s power working in us transforms unjust systems that keep us from living into our full power and potential as God’s children. It’s not might or power, but God’s Holy Spirit working in God’s people. We don’t need more power. We need more Holy Spirit.
MOVING FORWARD: Do some research about this beautiful church.
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
21 Chris & Carolyn Boldt
21 Chris & Carolyn Boldt
FROM THE OFFICE
No Thursday Memo for December 26th.
The Office will be closed.
PHOTO GALLERY
Blessing of the load of supplies
and wheelchairs for Eleanore's Project
