NOTE: There are no announcements in the bulletin for Nov 27, Dec 25, and Jan 1.
ST. NICHOLAS IS COMING TO ST. PAUL’S: The St. Nicholas Advent tree is up and is decorated with approximately 400 tags identifying children in need served by the following agencies: WellComm Health, serving seasonal farmworkers; Healing Transitions, ministering to those who are challenged by addictions; West Haven (formerly Episcopal Housing Ministry), providing low-cost housing for low-income families; and Families Together, serving homeless families in Wake County. Please take one or more of the tags from the tree and plan to join us for St. Nicholas Sunday on December 4th. St. Nicholas will be gathering the gifts for the children at both the 9:00 a.m. and the 11:15 a.m. services. The tags are self-sticking so after you have purchased and wrapped your gift, please stick the tag to the gift. Gifts may be dropped off earlier and placed under the tree. Please note that the gifts will be delivered to the service agencies on the afternoon of Dec. 4th, so any gifts brought to the church after noon on December 4th WILL NOT reach the children for Christmas.
Again, this year we have a few groups of tags, representing all the children in a single family, in case you would like to purchase gifts with the entire family in mind. You will find the bundled tags near the St. Nicholas figure on the counter next to the tree.
Help us share the love of Christ by providing gifts for these incredible children who endure many hardships. Your generosity in support of this ministry shows these children that they are loved in a very special way, by Christ, and by His community here at St. Paul’s. We are looking forward to the day when the faces of our children light up with the love of Christ given and received. If you have any questions, contact Mary Marsha Cupitt at 919-387-7993.
(Note: Healing Transitions do not want their gifts wrapped.)
PRAYER STITCHERS will not meet on Wednesday, November 23. Regular weekly meetings resume Wednesday, November 30, at 10:00 a.m. – noon, in the Youth Wing. Join us for prayer, fellowship, and needlework as we make items for persons in need of warmth and comfort. Contact Beth Barnes at 919-380-7214 or Marilyn Mitchell at 919-800-7043 for information or questions.
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 Dec 4 and Jan 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.
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 Youth Committee is hosting Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today. Our Youth Program is a strong and integral part of our parish community, and its leaders generously offer their time to create an inviting and inspirational environment for our youth. Please stop by to say thanks or perhaps to volunteer with this important ministry.
Next week Children’s Ministries will be hosting Coffee Hour. In honor of the First Sunday of Advent, they are offering an intergenerational activity as well as coffee and refreshments. Volunteers in our children’s programs provide exciting and enriching opportunities for our young people all year long. Please plan to stop by to thank them and take part in a fun activity.
ADULT FORMATION: Today in the Chapel from 10:15 – 11:00 a.m., the Scripture and Formation series continues with “Parables of Jesus: The Parables Related to Prayer,” led by Garrett Briggs. Coffee is available in the Chapel Narthex before class. Next Sunday’s topic is “The Parables of Jesus: Parables Related to Prayer,” led by Garrett Briggs.
Sunday, November. 27, a series entitled “Advent: O Antiphons” begins. On Sunday mornings in Advent, 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. J. Carr Holland III next Sunday for the first class in this series.
On Wednesday, November 30, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., join the Rev. Javier E. Almendárez Bautista for the first 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.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA envelopes will be available in the pews from until Sunday, December 4. 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 Sunday, Dec 4, 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 / 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. 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!
FACEBOOK and QR CODE: Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/stpaulscary or visit our website via QR code.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
- Children’s Chapel will be held today at the 9:00 a.m. service only. Children’s Chapel is for children ages 3 through 2nd grade. Please follow the children’s cross processional to the Youth Wing.
- The 2016-2017 Children’s Collection Basket is collecting funds to host a Note in the Pocket Sort Day on June 4, 2017. Note in the Pocket provides clothing to impoverished and homeless children in Wake County. So far we have collected $663.95 toward our $3000 goal.
- Sunday School and Children’s Chapel will be on vacation next Sunday, Nov. 27, for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Instead, please join Children’s Ministries at the Craft and Cookie Coffee Hour on November 27. Come eat freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and make an ornament for your Christmas tree!
- Christmas Pageant Participation Forms are available in the Narthex and at the Children’s Ministries bulletin board in the Education Building. All non-speaking forms are due by December 4.
- Pre-EYC meets today in the Parish Hall at 11:15 a.m. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome to join us for a “Thankful” Meeting.
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “Difficult Decisions: Determining What is Best?” Middle School meets in the Youth Wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10.
- Advent Play Rehearsal today from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Please note the earlier start time. Bring your script and we’ll continue rehearsing. Meet in the Chapel.
- EYC Tonight from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will be painting the backdrops for the Advent Play, so wear clothes that may get a little paint on them. Afterwards, it’s game time and dinner!
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER will take place on December 4, 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. The play will be in the Chapel.