NOTE: No printed announcements are planned for Sunday, Dec 30, 2018
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL – ALTERNATE GIFT GIVING OPPORTUNITY: Heifer International invites us to give Christmas gifts to our friends and loved ones in the form of donations. These gifts send working animals to families in need around the world, to help alleviate hunger and poverty. You can place donations in the Heifer Ark during Sunday morning services or send a check to the church office (checks made out to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Heifer International on the memo line). Please take a Heifer greeting card (available in the narthex) for each donation of $10 that you make, to send to family members or friends you wish to honor with your charitable gift. Your donations help St. Paul’s reach our annual goal of $5000 that purchases a GIFT ARK of animals (two cows, sheep, camels, llamas, etc.). Thank you.
GREENING OF THE CHURCH: The Greening of the Church will be held today right after the 11:15 a.m. service. Please join the Altar Guild in decorating the Altar and windows, hang the roping, putting out the crèche. We have a large space to decorate so the more the merrier! We also 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, or you may drop off greens on the walkway (not on the tarp) to the right of the church doors during the day of the 23rd. This is a fun event, so we hope you will come and join us!
PLEDGING FOR THE 2019 OPERATING BUDGET: We need your 2019 stewardship pledge! Your stewardship pledge covers our annual operating budget for 2019, the funds that keep our ministries going and the love flowing! We are asking everyone to bump up those pledges 5-7% if possible, to help cover the growing cost of doing what we do. You can pledge online through website or complete a pledge form (available in the Narthex) and place it in the Offertory Plate. Thank you!
COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: There will be no coffee hour on December 23 or December 30. Merry Christmas to all who support and participate in the many ministries of our parish!
ADULT FORMATION
Sunday Mornings: In the season after Epiphany, join our clergy as we explore the stories in our Women in Scripture series. How are we to receive their witness in the life of Jewish and Christian traditions? What might their stories teach us about God’s work in the world? On January 6, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel, The Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista will lead our discussion on Ruth.
Wednesday Evenings: Our winter series, Spiritual Practices, will guide us through the basics of seven spiritual practices. Each session begins with a short video by presenters such as Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle, and Doug Pratt, who bring their questions and stories of seeking meaningful faith experiences through ancient spiritual practices. Sessions begin January 9 in the Youth Wing.
Please see the Adult Formation site and E-News for more information and drop in for any sessions you’re able to attend.
24 Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. – Child friendly celebration of the Eucharist with a special homily for the children.
7:00 p.m. – A celebration of the Eucharist with wonderful Christmas hymns.
10:30 p.m. – A celebration of the Eucharist that concludes near midnight making this our “Midnight Mass”.
25 Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. – Contemplative celebration of the Eucharist.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
• The Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is working toward our 2019 Note in the Pocket Sort Day, scheduled for June 9, 2019. We have collected $1182.29 toward our $3000 goal!
• Children’s Chapel and Sunday School (Children’s Formation) are on vacation until Jan. 6, 2019.
YOUTH
• Youth Christian Formation: We’re on Christmas Break, no classes until January 6th.
• No EYC December 23 or December 30.
ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS: The Altar Flower Chart for 2019 will be placed in the narthex in early December. Flowers are usually given in memory of or / and in thanksgiving for loved ones, or to commemorate special occasions in our lives. The Altar Guild requests a donation of $45.00. Checks may be made payable to St. Paul’s with Altar Guild flowers noted on the memo line. Please sign up on the flower chart at least 3 weeks in advance for your name to appear in the appropriate Sunday bulletin. Stop by the sacristy after the 11:15 a.m. service if you would like to take the flowers you donated home.