4th Annual Cookie Swap
We are
asking for all bakers to bring in their goodies
this Sunday, December 20 for our annual Christmas
Cookie Swap. We will assemble the cookie
containers during the Sunday school hour beginning
at 9:15 a.m.
All ages are welcome
to participate in helping with this fun activity. These
homemade treats are then distributed to the Bread of
Life Food Pantry and are very much appreciated.
Contact Diane Madsen 401-435-4887 or
dmadsen1{at}verizon{dot}net with any questions.
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Dear Friend,
A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine told me that
his daughter "still believes." That is just how he said
it, "my daughter still believes." He was talking about
belief in Santa. Our conversation included a lengthy
description of how he and his wife promote and
support their ten-year-old daughter in her expectation
and belief that Santa will come in the night, fill her
stocking, eat the cookies, and leave behind wonderful
gifts. This has gotten me thinking about the lengths
we go to shape beliefs as parents, as members of a
community and as Christians. It can be a challenge,
especially in this last week of Advent, to prepare for a
Christ-centered Christmas amidst all the other
competing claims for our attention, time, and
belief.
Some time ago I read that there are four basic, if
unspoken things that children long for in the holiday
season:
- A relaxed and loving time with the family.
- Realistic expectations about gifts.
- An evenly paced holiday season.
- Reliable family traditions.
I'd say these are the things we all long for, regardless
of our age. As Christians our desire has at it's center
the celebration of the Incarnation, the gift that Jesus
has come to us as a human child; and God's love has
changed the world through this gift. If this belief is at
the heart of our lives, we will likely experience deeper
joy in this season and every season.
This Sunday we will enter into the last phase of our
Advent preparation and waiting. Our worship on
Sunday will have a theme of expectancy as we hear
the tender story of Mary's visit to her beloved relative,
Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant as Elizabeth
says of Mary, "---blessed is she who believed that
there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her
by the Lord." This is a great reminder to all of us, that
what we believe in and what we most long for should
inform our preparations and our celebrations.
I hope that our Advent and Christmas worship will be
at the heart of your family's traditions this year. I
believe that when we are together as the body of
Christ, we receive a great gift.
Peace,
Jennifer
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| This Sunday |
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 2009
Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Jennifer L. Pedrick
Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
Godly Play-PreK-5: Advent 4
Adult Forum- "My prayer wasn't answered."
What is prayer
and
does it work?
Bible Study- Paul's letter to Titus
Pageant Rehearsal, 11:30 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 9
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Read these
lessons
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| Snowday Sunday |
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There is a prediction for snow on Sunday morning.
Please know that we will have church, fellowship, the
cookie swap, and education offerings as planned. If
you are concerned about the weather and would like
to drop off cookies for the swap, you may drop them off
on Saturday, either in the kitchen if the building is
open or in the mailbox. Obviously, if it is difficult or
dangerous for you to get here, please make good
decisions. If you are a leader with any kind of
responsibility on Sunday, please call the church at
434-5012 and leave a message for either Jennifer,
ext. 11, for worship or Tim ext. 14 for programs, if you
are unable to be here.
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| Adult Forum: Hot Topics! |
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This Sunday's Adult Forum Hot Topic is "My
prayer wasn't answered. What is prayer and does it
work?" Join Tim at 9:15 a.m. in the Multi-purpose
room for this discussion group.
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| Greening of the church |
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Join the Altar Guild this Sunday, immediately following
the 10:30 a.m. service, in helping to prepare and
transform the church for our Christmas celebrations.
Direction will be given so no experience necessary.
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| Christmas/Epiphany Worship Services |
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- Christmas Eve: 5 & 10 p.m. -Holy
Eucharist w/
Choirs & Music
- Christmas Day: 10 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
w/
Music
- First Sunday of Christmas,12/27:8 & 10:30
a.m.
Holy Eucharist followed by a Farewell Potluck
Reception for The Rev'd Tim Burger at Noon
- Celebration of the Feast of Epiphany,
1/3/10:8 a.m.
Holy Eucharist; 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Pageant
followed by the Epiphany Extravaganza
- Epiphany, 1/6/10: 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist
followed
by a reception in the Parish Hall
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You are cordially invited to a
Farewell
*Luncheon
honoring the Rev'd Tim Burger
Sunday, December 27,
2009
Noon ~ Parish Hall
*Donations towards a gift may be mailed to the church
office or placed in the collection plate. Checks should
be made out to Church of the Epiphany, with "Tim's
gift" on the memo line. Signup sheets for the potluck
reception are on the table in the entrance of the church.
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| Outreach Opportunities |
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- Grace Church Meal Site- Our next trip is
tomorrow, December 19. We will meet at church at
2:15 p.m. & drive together into Providence to help out
at this soup kitchen. Please contact Brett
Brumbaugh at bbrumbaugh4@cox.net with any
questions.
- Bread of Life Food Pantry- This ongoing
food collection is very important in assisting our
hungry neighbors. Please continue to bring in your
generous food donations every month to help keep
the pantries full. For the month of December the Bread
of Life Steering Committee is requesting these
specific donations:
- December 20 cold cereal
- December 27 oatmeal
- Hats and Mittens Tree - We are collecting
hats, mittens, and undergarments to share with our
neighbors. Please feel free to bring these items in
and hang them on our tree in the Parish Hall. These
items will be collected until Epiphany, January 6.
Please contact Charlene Underhill, 401-438-6347 or
eric.underhill@gmail.com, with any questions.
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| Epiphany Pageant Dress Rehearsal |
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Dress rehearsal for the Epiphany Pageant will be held
on Wednesday, December 30 at 5:30p.m.- pizza will
be included. All participants should arrive at the
church at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, to dress in
their costumes and prepare for the service.
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| Next Sunday |
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First Sunday of Christmas
December 27, 2009
Holy Eucharist, 8 & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Timothy Burger
No Christian Education
classes
Classes will resume January 10,
2010
Pageant Rehearsal, 11:30 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 3:23-25;4:4-7
John 1:1-18
Psalm 147:13-21
Read these
lessons
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