SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR ADVENT: On Sunday, December 18 at 4:00 p.m., the St. Paul’s Choir and Bells of St. Paul’s present a Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent. Rusty McKinney, Minister of Music, leads both ensembles accompanied by Joanna Li, Organist. Music by George Frideric Handel, John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, Carson P. Cooman and others reflect and enlarge upon themes presented in nine scriptural readings. This service is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to St. Paul’s for beautiful music and reflection on the season.
ADULT FORMATION: Today in the Chapel from 10:15 – 11:00 a.m., a series entitled “Advent: O Antiphons” will continue. We will use the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and its roots in the “O Antiphons” to study the theology of Jesus – what theologians call Christology. We will seek ways of understanding the meaning of Jesus through the lens of prophetic hope. Join the Rev. Javier E. Almendárez Bautista second class in this series. Coffee is available in the Chapel narthex before class.
On Wednesday, December 7, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., join the Rev. Javier E. Almendárez Bautista for the second session in an Advent series entitled “Prepare the Way: Prayer and Expectation.” In these Wednesday evening sessions through the Advent season, we will spend time in prayer and reflecting on how prayer impacts our daily lives and what it means to welcome God’s hope into our lives.
DORCAS: St. Paul’s has half a shelf in the Dorcas Ministry Food Pantry and a commitment to provide toilet paper to give 1 roll per family member per month to about 400 families identified through the Dorcas Crisis Ministry. We will be collecting TP again on January 8 – look for the bins marked for Dorcas in front of the church entrance. Thank you in advance for your support of these families. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or learning more about Dorcas Ministry, contact Nancy Fierke at nfierke@bellsouth.net or call 919-467-8807.
TODAY IS ST. NICHOLAS SUNDAY: Thank you to all of St. Paul’s generous parishioners who took tags and brought gifts to make Christmas brighter for almost 400 children served by local agencies. What a wonderful way to share the good news of Jesus’ coming.
I AM WELCOME | YOU ARE WELCOME | ALL ARE WELCOME: If you haven’t done so already, please fill in a pledge card online (www.stpaulscary.org) or fill out a paper copy (available in the narthex) and place it in the offering plate or turn it in to the office. The Finance Committee and Vestry meet soon to construct next year’s budget, and knowing your pledge will greatly facilitate that process. Through your generosity, St. Paul’s is changing lives.
Thank you!
St. Paul’s Fall Stewardship Team
COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: The Altar Guild is hosting Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today. This ministry plays an important behind-the-scenes role in preparing the altar for all regular and special worship services. Stop by to enjoy coffee and refreshments and to find out more about this ministry of service to our parish.
Next week Children’s Ministries and the Fellowship Events Team will be co-hosting Coffee Hour. After the Christmas Pageant, please join them for coffee and goodies and to thank all our talented children and our many parent volunteers.
ST. PAUL’S PRESCHOOL TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN CLASS hosted a can food drive for the Little Red Wagon ministries during the month of November. The children counted and sorted the items collected. They counted over 150 items, they are pleased to present these items this morning. Thank you to all who donated food to this wonderful ministry!
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ENVELOPES. You will find them available in the pews. Giving a poinsettia that will decorate the altar and worship spaces for the Christmas services is a beautiful way to remember and / or give thanks for the special people in our lives. We suggest a donation of $20.00 per plant. Checks may be made payable to St. Paul’s with Altar Guild poinsettia noted on the memo line. Please make sure the outside of the envelope is filled out with your name and the name of the person(s) for whom the poinsettia is being given, and note if the poinsettia is being given in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, that person. All requests must be received by today to be included in the Christmas bulletin. Requests / donations may be placed in the collection plates or dropped off at the church office.
ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS: The Altar Flower Chart for 2017 will be hung in the narthex in early December. If you would like to give flowers that will decorate the altar for a Sunday service, please sign up for the Sunday of your choice. Flowers are usually given in memory of or in thanksgiving for loved one, or special occasions. 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. You must sign up on the flower chart at least 3 weeks in advance to order for your name to appear in the appropriate Sunday bulletin.
THE GREENING OF THE CHURCH will be Thursday, December 22, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. While the Altar Guild is responsible for preparing the church for our Christmas services, we always welcome the help of members of the congregation. Come and help us decorate the Altar and windows, hang the roping and, for the children, put out the crèche. Light refreshments will be provided by the Fellowship Events Team. We also need fresh greenery to fill 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 to the right of the church doors during the day of the 22nd. This is a fun event so we hope you will come and join us!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
- The 2016-2017 Children’s Collection Basket is collecting funds to host a Note in the Pocket Sort Day on June 4, 2017. So far, we have collected $724.32 toward our $3000.00 goal.
- Christmas Pageant Participation Forms are available in the Narthex and at the Children’s Ministries Bulletin Board in the Ed. Bldg. All non-speaking participant forms are due TODAY.
- Pre-EYC meets TODAY from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for our annual Christmas Party. We will gather in the Youth Wing. We will be helping with the St. Nicholas Ministry collections, sharing a meal (pizza!) and doing a small gift exchange. Hope our 4th and 5th graders will join us!
- After today, Children’s Chapel and Sunday School will be on vacation until January 8, 2017. Thank you for your understanding as we give our volunteers a much-needed break for the holiday season.
- Coming up in 2017: Mark your calendars for our Teddy Bear Tea on February 4 and Communion Classes in March.
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “Difficult Decisions: Understanding God’s Laws.” Middle School meets in the Youth Wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10. Youth Sunday School continues through December 18th.
- Advent Play Dress Rehearsal today from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Our last rehearsal and then dinner and then the play! Bring your costume and any props. Meet in the Chapel.
- EYC Tonight from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will be helping to get set up for the Advent Play. Plan to stay for the play from 7-8 p.m. and support your fellow youth thespians.
- Advent Study Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Come join us for a look at C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Reading the book is not required. Bring your dinner and we’ll eat together and discuss how the world of Narnia helps us understand the Season of Advent here a little better. We will meet in the Youth Wing.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER will take place tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. The Youth are performing this play as an Advent gift to the parish. Our Youth(ful) thespians are looking forward to not only entertaining our parishioners both young and old, but also imparting a little bit of spiritual cheer in keeping with the season.