ADVENT 4 EUCHARIST SERVICE, DECEMBER 24, 2017
7:30 a.m. Eucharist Rite I
10:00 am Eucharist Rite II
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, DECEMBER 24, 2017
4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE, DECEMBER 25, 2017
10:00 a.m.
SERVICES, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2017
7:30 a.m. Eucharist Rite I
10:00 a.m. Lessons and Carols with Eucharist
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
- The Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is working toward our 2018 Note in the Pocket Sort Day, scheduled for June 3, 2018. We have collected $910.62 toward our goal of $3,000.
- Join us next Sunday, December 17 at the 9:00 a.m. worship service, to hear the “Story of Christmas!” The children will be working hard all week to put on a wonderful retelling of the Christmas Story.
- Sunday School continues today at 10:10 a.m. in the Education Building. Please join us! These are the last Sunday School sessions until January 7, 2018.
- Children’s Chapel for children age 3 through 2ndgrade will be held today at the 9:00 a.m. service. Immediately following the Collect, children may follow the cross processional to the Youth Wing.
- Pre-EYC meets today in the YOUTH Wing at 11:15 a.m. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome!
- Children’s bulletins, crayon packs and pipe cleaners are available on the desk in the Narthex.
- The presence of children is a gift to the Church and children are always welcome in our services. If you feel the need, Nursery Care for babies and young children is available-please see an usher to escort you to the Nursery (Kids’ Club). Our Bride’s Room is in the back of the Sanctuary and is open to anyone needing a place for a crying baby or restless child
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “Peace & Justice: God’s Ethics.” Middle School meets in the Youth Wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10.
- No EYC Tonight: Rest up after the lock in!
2018 STEWARDSHIP – “SHARING GOD’S BLESSINGS”: Over the past few weeks, an effort was made to highlight and celebrate all the good that St. Paul’s represents. The church and its ministries provide spiritual support and help to our community that makes a real difference. Your support is what makes this a reality. Contributions in the form of pledges help support our church community and your contributions have been tremendous. If you haven’t pledged yet, we hope you consider turning in your pledge form as soon as possible so that we can include your pledge in our 2018 budgeting process. Pledge forms are available in the Narthex and the church office or you can pledge online through the St. Paul’s website. Thank you to everyone who has already pledged!
ADULT FORMATION: What We Do in Episcopal Worship? (Sundays in the Chapel, 10:15-11:00 a.m.) Join us as we reflect on the Eucharist liturgy in this season of remembrance and anticipation. This Sunday, December 10, the Rev. Javier E. Almendárez Bautista will discuss “The Liturgy of the Word,” as we seek to deepen our understanding of the traditions and practice of Episcopal worship.
On Wednesdays this Advent season, the clergy will lead a series, Engaging the Word in Advent – a meditative Eucharist and conversation using the Sunday Advent readings. Join members of St. Paul’s as we mark the Advent season together for these mid-week Eucharist services. (Wednesdays at noon and at 7:00 p.m.in the Chapel.)
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS will be presented by the St. Paul’s Choir on December 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in the church. This service of nine Scripture readings followed by choral music and hymns is modeled after the world-famous service presented by the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, for many decades. This year’s music includes works by Felix Mendelssohn, Peter Warlock, Will Todd, and Rusty McKinney, as well great hymns for Advent. The Bells of St. Paul’s will perform the prelude music. This is an excellent service to invite neighbors and friends to attend.
COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: The Women’s Discussion Group and the Mystery Book Group are co-hosting coffee hour in the Parish Hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today.. Both of these groups offer excellent opportunities to share lively discussions and a love of reading. Please stop by to find out more about their upcoming selections.
Next week Children’s Ministries and the Fellowship Events Team will be co-hosting coffee hour. After the Christmas Pageant, come to the Parish Hall to enjoy coffee and goodies in celebration of this joyous event.
MUSIC: The St. Paul’s Choir’s CD A Babe is Born: Music for Advent and Christmas is on sale every Sunday until the end of December. The selections include the premiere recording of Rusty McKinney’s setting of “There is No Rose of Such Virtue” composed for the St. Paul’s Choir. This professionally recorded and produced CD can be yours for just $10 (they make great Christmas gifts) and the proceeds benefit the entirety of Music Ministries. Look for our table after the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services just inside the Choir Room. And of course, anytime during the week when Rusty is in his office, they are available! Contact the Minister of Music at rusty.mckinney@stpaulscary.org or at 919-467-6241 for help.
RAINBOW GATHERING: Potluck and Ornament exchange: All are welcome to join us on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Wing for a potluck and ornament exchange. You can sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/9040845afa72da46-rainbow. For more information, contact Andrea Johnson at 919-348-9599.
ST. NICHOLAS IS COMING TODAY: Thank you to all of St. Paul’s generous parishioners who took tags, brought gifts, and made donations to make Christmas brighter for almost 400 children served by local agencies! What a wonderful way to share the good news of Jesus’ coming.
THE WOMEN’S STUDY GROUP will meet on Tuesday, December 12th from 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m. in the Bride’s Room to discuss An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. Amazon writes: “Taylor shares how she learned to find God beyond the church walls by embracing the sacred as a natural part of everyday life … Taylor shows us how to discover altars everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do as we learn to live with purpose, pay attention, slow down, and revere the world we live in.” We hope you can join us for wonderful discussion and fellowship. For more information contact Leah Dail (leahdail@gmail.com).
GREENING OF THE CHURCH: The Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve are on the same Sunday this year; therefore, it will require the Greening of the Church to be held in two parts. Part One will be Thursday, December 21, from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. We will be decorating the organ platforms, hanging the roping, and decorating the window sills. While the Altar Guild is responsible for preparing the church for our Christmas services, we always welcome the help of members of the congregation. We need fresh greenery to fill the various areas around the church – boxwood, cedar, magnolia leaves, holly, etc. Please bring some when you come to Green the Church on Thursday.
REIMBURSEMENTS: Please submit any remaining 2017 reimbursements to the church office by December 20, 2017. Thank you for assisting the accounting team with their end of year requirements.